Tangled By Fate

"About the key…" Veronica hesitantly reminded him.

"Oh yes, yes. About that, when do you need it?"

"I should leave this place as soon as possible. So, when can you give me the key?"

"Then, meet me tomorrow around half past nine in front of this restaurant. I'll take you to the Royal Library."

"Are you going with me?"

"Do you think you can go without a pass? They will check you. And when they find out about your silver hair and green eyes, what do you think will happen?"

Veronica gulped as she could imagine the situation. "Will they take me to the King?"

"Exactly.. If you don't want that, you have to disguise yourself."

"How can I do that? I can't change my hair color or eye color."

"What about buying a wig?"

"A wig?" Veronica was curious. "What is that?"

"False hair. You must have seen girls wearing silver hair matching yours. They are made of jute fiber. It's very popular among girls around your age. Buy one and color it with charcoal."

"Coloring false hair with charcoal and wearing it…" Veronica's eyes sparkled. "That's a brilliant idea! I'll meet you tomorrow, Head Priest."

"Good. Let's finish our meal."

Afterward, they focused on eating their meal.

Later, Veronica went back to Arthur's house.

"Ve-ro-ni-ca!!!"

"Yess!!!"

Zinnia's angry shout made Veronica jump in front of the door.

Zinnia stomped forward with a red face. She was furious. Her blue eyes were burning with fire. Her red hair just added the intensity of her emotion.

"You! Where did you run off to? Did you forget you have to stay close to us all the time? What if something happened to you? We were so nervous and had no idea what to tell Arthur if he found out."

She was breathing hard. She looked like she was going to burst at any moment.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. There wasn't a place I haven't searched. Even Ironin looked for you. Where were you?!"

Veronica knew she had to apologize for her action.

"I'm so sorry. I met someone I knew, and we had a meal together. I totally forgot that we were out shopping."

"You met someone," Zinnia frowned. "Whom did you meet? What if they tell everyone that you are in the city?"

"I met the Head Priest. He agreed to take me to the royal library tomorrow." Veronica told them everything.

Zinnia gaped at her. "And you agreed?! Unbelievable! And a wig? Will that fool the imperial guards? I highly doubt it."

She knew Veronica was too simple-minded and easily trusted other people. That's the very reason Arthur told her to keep an eye on his wife.

However, she didn't imagine babysitting a married woman would be so hard.

"We won't know if we don't try. Let's talk to Arthur." Veronica looked around. "Where is he? He has been gone since I woke up."

"Ah… about that…" Zinnia's temper suddenly cooled off. "He must be busy outside… working you know." She shrugged and walked to the kitchen.

"You can chop vegetables, right Veronica? Help me, will you? I'm tired after walking so much."

Veronica was puzzled by her sudden change of mood. It was more like a mood swing.

She didn't think too much into it and helped Zinnia with work. She had to compensate for what she had done.

Ironin came back later. He paused when he saw two women were cooking in the kitchen harmoniously.

His eyes focused on Veronica who was struggling with spinach. "Where were you?"

Veronica paused and raised her head. She noticed that his sharp pupils flickered as their eyes met.

All of a sudden, she didn't know why she felt nervous. Her words got stuck in her throat.

"She didn't get lost. She met the priest and they planned to go to the Imperial Library tomorrow." Zinnia took this chance to tell him what trouble Veronica caused this time.

After she was done, Ironin squinted his eyes. He pondered for a while and then said, "I'm heading out. Don't wait for me." Afterward, he dashed out of the house.

"Why would we wait for him?" Veronica cocked her head.

"He meant not to wait for him for lunch. He will eat outside." Zinnia gritted her teeth. "Why am I even cooking? Veronica, it's just you and me. Let's finish everything on our own."

Veronica laughed helplessly. "I don't think we can finish them all. Let's save it for dinner."

-------

In the evening, Zinnia and Veronica went out.

Veronica wanted to buy a wig and Zinnia would accompany her.

"It's so lively in the dark." Zinnia hummed a piece of music she heard from the street musician.

"Yes, I love the couple dancing part the most. I had never been to the restaurants and gift shops. I went to a clothing store once to buy some clothes. And we have book shops too. The street foods are the best."

Veronica was lively as she talked about the city she grew up in. Anyone could tell she was happy to be here.

Zinnia could too. She pulled Veronica's hand. "Let's eat something while we can. Arthur got enough money to feed us."

Veronica giggled in return. She didn't mind spending some of Arthur's money.

Thinking of him, she was saddened. She missed him all day but he was nowhere to be found. He wasn't in the library either. He didn't even tell her where he had gone.

'Where could he have gone?' she wondered. 

She got so used to having him around that when he was gone for a while, she would feel lonely.

'I shouldn't think like that. He has a library and a blacksmith shop in this city. He must be working hard. I should cheer for him.'

She suddenly came up with a plan.

'I have an idea. He comes home late. How about I wait for him and give him a surprise? He will be happy to see me waiting for him.'

Veronica's face brightened up as she thought about that.

They were walking in the alley when she once again met someone she didn't expect.