"Anne? Anne! Where are you!!!!"

He was breathing heavily as sweat slowly formed on his forehead, making its way onto the wrinkles between his brows. The stray strands were stuck to the side of his face as sweat continuously dripped. His robe slightly disheveled, and his hair was a mess. The man panicked as he searches for someone on the streets.

'Where has this woman gone to again? The party is today, and she's running out and about.'

She's always like that even when they first met. So carefree.

As he returns to the palace a couple of miles away, he came across a white, arched bridge that splits a small waterway. It was located on the far east of the country near the bay of the ocean, leading inwards — a tranquil, timeless place where the only sound of nature is present.

Below the bridge was filled with water that bathed in a beautiful teal. Vibrant but translucent enough to see the bottom where it sparkled due to the jewel-like rocks. The reflection of the sun above created stars on its surface. It was breathtaking enough for anyone to stop what they were doing and admire the view.

'Quite an unforgettable sight. I need to come back with Anne!' He vowed to himself but soon dismissed the thought after thinking more clearly.

"Beautiful, isn't it? This place puts me at ease."

A woman's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. Her soft, soothing, honey-like voice filled the atmosphere. It was very pleasing to the ear like she's singing a lullaby to him.

He froze on the spot. He had assumed that he was the only one on the bridge. There shouldn't be anyone here in the first place since it's so close to the palace, heavily guarded by soldiers. Even when he, himself only found this spot just recently.

Realizing that there was a person next to him, he turned to the right to see who dared enter. But when he did, his eyes had widened with his mouth slightly parted, leaving him utterly speechless.

Silky hair with a hint of blue as dark as the night sky flowed down below her waist and was swaying along with the wind. Bangs split and reached to her cheeks, framing the person's pale face. Her large round eyes, small nose, and vibrant cherry red lips embodied innocence. There were three red flower petals printed on her forehead. She appeared as if she belonged to a part of nature itself, in a painting. Her overall appearance did not look like she was from this kingdom.

'How can such a person as this exist? Is she of noble blood? What a unique look.' He thought. His mind was jumbled together, but her voice once again snapped him back to reality. "Goodness, I just realized that it's quite a deserted place! I guess people don't appreciate such a wonderful landscape, don't you think?" Her eyes formed half-moons as she giggled. Her delicate hands formed into a small ball, partially covering her mouth. ^w^

'What a lovely smile.'

Noticing a burning stare, she finally turned to him, and her eyes met his. "Yeah. It is indeed a hidden treasure," He quickly replied and wandered his eyes down towards the handle of the bridge. Blood slowly rushed up immediately to his ears, turning it a soft rosy red.

"Y-yes, like a rendezvous place between secret lovers." She shyly said and looked towards the sea; also taken aback by the sudden intimate moment.

An awkward silence soon followed these two until she finally asked him a question. "By any chance, do you know where the castle of this country is?"

"Yes, and what business do you have there?" He asked, wearily. His face turned instantly cold like he was ice itself. Anything regarding his job was severe to him.

'Does she not know this place is very close to the palace? Is she an enemy? Aside from soldiers and servants, people rarely come to these paths other than those who have been summoned.'

"I...I have an invitation sent to me for a special occasion." She carefully said as she studied his expression. He was carrying quite a conflicting look, and so she was worried he might have misunderstood.

'Special occasion? Does she mean today's event?'

"Do you mean today's party?" He asked.

"Li!!!!" A high pitched voice screamed suddenly in the opposite direction.

His brows creased as he shifted to the right, behind the girl to see who in the world was so absurdly loud, slightly agitated. After taking a closer look, he realized who it was and shouted at the approaching person. "Anne!" Despite his angry tone, there was a hint of gentleness in it.

"Anne! Goodness, be careful, or you'll fall!" The woman next to him quickly intercepted. She jogged a few hundred feet towards the small built girl and opened her arms wide to catch her in case she falls. Anne slowly stopped running and leaped into the woman's embrace.

"Li! You came! I was so scared you wouldn't come, I received no confirmation if you would attend!" Anne wept.

"Deary, it's one of the most important events of your life. How could I not as a friend?" Li helplessly smiled.

The man chased after the both of them before he hastily interjected, "Anne, where have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere! Hurry we must return to the palace and get you ready. There's so much to do in a short amount of time." He checked every inch of her body and after seeing that there was nothing wrong with her, did he finally let out a small sigh.

'Do they know each other?' She thought. The girl was slightly dumbstruck to see how fragile the guy next to her treated Anne. He had a grave expression on his face like he had just escaped death when he saw her.

"Heh heh, Chen, you worry too much. I wanted to get some fresh air because it's always so stuffy in the palace." Anne brushed aside Chen's nagging and continued to bombard Li with questions.

"How have you been? Why did you disappear every time I take my eyes off of you? I've invited you to so many events, but you never show up and what about those brui—"

"I-I'm fine! Hahaha... You sound like my boyfriend. I'm here now aren't I? It's your biggest day!" Li answered as she waved her hands to brush off the topic.

"Oh silly, it's 'one' of my biggest days. The wedding isn't until next week!"

"Oh my...it looks like I might have to come back the following week then." Li turned around dejectedly as she was about to leave. Anne frantically hugged one of her arms and quickly asked. "W-Wait where are you going?" QAQ

"Home?"

"You're not going to attend my engagement party?"

Li gave her a conflicted look. "I'm afraid I can't."

"Why? Is it about those disgusting people? Are you not allowed to go out again? Your body—" Anne realized what she was about to say and stopped. "Why?! You're already here! It's already so hard to even see you!" Anne started to get teary, grabbing both of Li's arm and gently rocking her.

Upon seeing this, Chen couldn't help but soften his look at Anne and turned to Li. "Is it possible to stay for a couple of hours? The party would be starting very soon it wouldn't be too bad, would it?" Despite not knowing what the situation was between them, he couldn't help but want to help Anne. She looked so sad, and that hurt him to see her like that.

"Well, I suppose but--I only made enough time to attend her wedding as it's hard too...I just.." Li didn't know how to answer. It was already tricky getting here; she doesn't know if there would be a second chance to do the same thing again.

"Please! I'll send you someone trustworthy to personally escort you back on time! I give you my word!" Anne pleaded, "It's quite an important day."

Looking at the two people in front of her who deliberately showed sad, droopy eyes, she couldn't help but in the end, gave in.

"Very well. I'll send a letter to someone first." She sighed.

"Yes!" Anne jumped up and down. "We must get you ready! Oh my goodness, finally! And we can't let you wear that thin table cloth either; it'll insult your beauty!" Her mood turned 180 degrees as she skipped towards the palace. She was too excited to dress Li up! Anne couldn't understand why a beautiful person such as this doesn't pay more attention to herself. Actually, she knows. She knows why Li is like that but doesn't want to accept it. 'The poor girl is trapped in her home all this time, so how could she do anything even if she wanted to.'

Chen, on the other hand, couldn't help but sigh at the sight and followed behind Anne.

'This girl, I cannot handle her sometimes, her future looks grim.'

Li was quietly looking at both of them with a questionable face before slowly walking.