I walked across the grassy field, until I spotted a small village.
The doors on the wooden gate were barely holding together. Whatever its goal- to keep people out or keep people in- it couldn't be doing a very good job of it. I wasn't concerned seeing such a sight, though. It was the most unsuspecting place something so important could be hiding.
I entered the rural village. Several kids who were off to the side playing with sticks and bugs looked up at me. Their eyes illuminated.
"Eh? Who is that approaching?"
"Who?"
"Her! Do you know who she is?"
"Woah! She looks like a Princess!"
I smiled at the little kids words, getting closer. "Why, hello."
One of the littles girls eyes went big. She gasped. "Y-You're talking to us?!?"
I nodded my head, crouching beside them. "I came to ask if your village accepted any new people, recently. Specifically, a woman and, a little boy around your age, actually."
"E-Eh really? I think... I think I know who you are talking about! The woman named Miss Belle and her son, right?"
I smiled, patting the girls head. "Exactly. Could you possibly show me where they are?"
She smiled as big as her little face could manage, nodding. "Y-Yes! Follow me!!"
She offered a tiny hand. To which I accepted.
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The little girl guided Elodie through the village. Attracting the attention of several elders and adults.
"!!! Who is this noble woman in our village?"
"Why- look at her dress? Did she step out of a royal carriage?"
Elodie only paid no mind to their words, following the oblivious little girl to a room. The little girl finally stopped, pointing.
"Miss, they are in here. I saw my uncle bring them here."
"You're uncle? Is he a soldier?"
"No!" The little girl laughed. "He is going to be our village leader."
"Oh?" Elodie raised a brow but turned her focus back to the room in front of her.
"I will pay a visit to them now. Thank you for your help miss...?"
"-My name is rose!"
"Rose," Elodie smiled, crouching to her height once more. "I have a gift for you, Rose. Here, for helping me."
Elodie revealed a small piece of caramel candy from behind her back.
The little girls face lit up, quickly grabbing it. "Miss! Thank you! I can't wait to let my parents know about this!" She smiled, running off.
Elodie stood up, briefly watching the girl with a solemn expression. She turned her attention back to the door, knocking on it. "Hello? Can I come in?"
There was shuffling from the other end. The door was opened.
"Hello-" The lady inside was the woman from the forest, she quickly recognized Elodie, smiling. "You- You arrived here so fast! That's- please, come in!"
Elodie nodded, entering the room.
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The former palace maid sat me down, quickly bringing me a cup of tea.
"Lady Victoria, apologies for having so little right now. your appearance is... short noticed."
I smiled, shaking my head.
"It's alright. Miss. I only came here, to ask about the object you gave me."
The woman stopped, her eyes turning fearful. "Miss, I-"
"-I've already placed a sound barrier around this room, Miss." I looked at her seriously. "Aside from me, no one else here will know of what you will say to me."
"How can, how can you be so sure you're magic will work?"
I smiled softly, looking down. "There is... a reason you have never seen or heard of me before, Miss."
"W-What?" The maid seemed anxious suddenly. "Are you- a secret assassin of the royal family?"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Far from that. I am an Emerald Witch."
"W-What?" Her eyes expanded. I quickly explained.
"Please, don't be worried. My powers are not dangerous to you or anyone here. You have my word. My powers... They will only be used for good."
"T-That's...!" She sighed, shaking her head. "The danger that will come if... if the royal family finds out you are working against them! I-"
I placed my hands over the woman's. She looked at me. "I'm not working against the royal family. I'm working against the bad people in this world."
"Such as, the Evil Witch?" She asked. Her question caused my hands to clench. I smiled, not responding. "In that case... the object that I gave you-"
I waved my hand, a green orb revealing the pink paper weight. "This one, yes?"
She nodded. "The prince once told me it was a key to releasing... the Evil Witch."
My eyes widened at her words. "Are you... sure?"
She nodded once more.. "I-I'm positive. That day... the prince was drunk and seeing the concubines late at night, as usual... He noticed that I had looked at it and drunkenly handed it to me. He said it was one of the keys that would release the Evil Witch is she took hold of it."
I suppressed a scoff, glancing at the object in my hands. It seemed useless now. "You said that it was- one of the keys?"
"Hm." She nodded. "That is what the prince told me. I can only assume each of the princes have their own key."
I went silent while thinking.
'Could this be the reason I was freed? No... the voice that has been talking to both Daniel and me was the one who freed me. And if that's the case,'
"I wonder... what all the keys will reveal."
"M-Miss, are you trying to summon the Evil Witch?!?"
I laughed a little. She didn't join me. "Calm down, Miss. I only seek to find out what such a key will unlock. There is a small chance this is related to the Evil Witch."
"B-But!!"
I stood up, picking up the object in my hand. "Regardless, I should leave and return quickly. I wouldn't want to inconvenience your new home."
"M-Miss Victoria!" She bowed towards me. "Please... whatever you are planning to do- be careful. The royal family is not a force to be messed with."
I smiled at her, helping her stand up. "I've already told you. I only plan on finding those that are bad and making them pay. If the royal family is innocent, then you mustn't be worried."
"But..."
"I must take my leave, Miss."
"...alright, Lady Victoria."
With her nod, I opened the door, leaving her house. As she said goodbye once more, we suddenly heard the shout of a child.
"No! This is my candy! Let go!"
"Rose! Where did you steal this from?! Hurry and return it!"
"No no! It's mine! It's-"
"Is something the problem?"
I walked up to the two, the woman quickly looked up at me. "E-Eh? Noble lady, did my daughter steal this from you?"
"Oh?" I smiled shaking my head. "Of course not. I gave it to your daughter after she helped me in finding a friend of mine that lives here. She rightfully earned the candy."
"R-Rose, did that?"
I nodded my head, crouching beside the little girl. I patted her head. "You shouldn't cause trouble for your mom here, Okay?"
She sniffed, rubbing her eyes. "B-But... my candy." She looked at me, tear stained face and big eyes.
I stared at her softly. Slowly a smile appeared on my lips.
"Okay. Rose, she says that she gave it to you so here, okay, don't cry anymore." The adult was quick to hand it back.
Rose quickly took the candy, unraveling it before putting it in her mouth.
"Does it taste nice?" I asked her.
She nodded, still sniffling. With a smile I wiped her eyes for her, standing up. " Listen to your mom now, okay? Don't be trouble."
The woman smiled at me, bowing. "Thank you, kind noble lady. You're actions truly reflect your radiance."
I smiled, shaking my head. "There's no need for sweet words. I must get going, now."
"Eh?" Rose tugged my hand. "You aren't staying for dinner? It's already very late... Miss."
The woman pulled her hand back, looking at me. "Please, ignore my daughters lack of manners. She is still young."
"It's alright," I looked at the both of them. "I've truly already over stayed, I must he heading out now."
"Ah..." the woman smiled, nodding. "If that's the case then, it was nice meeting you, Miss..."
"Lady Victoria. It was nice meeting you both as well." I waved goodbye before beginning my journey away.
As I walked towards the gate, someone called after me. "W-Wait! Lady Victoria!"
I turned around seeing the palace maid she'd seemed to have been standing outside for a while.
"Oh?" I faced her. "Is something the-"
"Forgive me, Lady Victoria!"
"Huh?"
She looked up at me, pursing her lips. "I wasn't... being completely truthful, just now."
"You mean..."
She looked at me, serious. "I know something else that could help you, Lady Victoria."