After the secret meet up, they all went our own separate ways. After dropping Thalia home, Lydia and Rhea went to various pastry shops to check out the price and demands of things. She made it a note, a habit, to keep the market price and demand in mind and then set out the following business plan accordingly.
They went to a couple of famous shops and then a few average cafe's to get a know-how on things. Before long, the sun said it's goodbye and went down as the near to half moon illuminated a reflection of a beautiful white-silvery light upon the streets that we walked. Lydia's father, the Marquis, had arranged for her a carriage and guards but she sent them all back since she wanted to experience exploring and roaming the streets like a normal average person, or so she said so herself.
The yellow orange sky soon lost its colour to dark blackish blue as the stars took over it. One by one, lights began to shine from the windows as the street lamps began to lit, reflecting a faint glow upon the streets that soon became less and less crowded.
Rhea had invited Lydia and Argus for dinner, therefore they both were heading towards Rhea's house. They passed by the main street and took a single road surrounded by trees that covered the street like a shade. This street was in particular empty as compared to the rest, since it was an extension of the residential area, a transition area between the main city and the country side with farms. Usually there were quite a few cottages in this area and it was mainly covered with tulip fields all around.
As they both turned left to another smaller street, they were greeted by two drunkard men, with flushed faces, creepy grins, and eyes full of lust that leered at the two young girls.
Seeing the unexpected guys who ogled at them, Rhea asked Lydia if tomorrow was going to be a half moon to which Lydia nodded in agreement.
"How strange...even though the plot has drastically changed....it's still one way or another, moving on it's own way. Did you read this part in the story?"
"Where after her divorce, one night the female lead is near to being sexually assaulted by two men but is saved by the Crown Prince who was doing his normal evening rounds in the city?"
"Exactly. This is the first meeting between the two fated lovers who fell in love at first sight."
"But not everything is according the story, Rhea. Look, I am here with you. And there is no sign of the Crown Prince. Although there is this guy, following us from a distance....but I assume that he's going on the same direction as us."
"If that's so then he should be here by now. Didn't he turn left along with us? Then how come he's not here yet?"
"What are you two beautiful ladies whispering to each other?"
"If you want some company, we are happy to oblige..."
One of them puts his hand on Rhea's shoulder. Both Rhea and Lydia look at each other in disgust as the men continue to grin at them.
_____________________
My name is Adrastos Andino III, however my close family and friends call me Prince Rastos or simple Rastos without any title, depends on who is addressing me. I am the Crown Prince of this Kingdom and supposedly the male lead of this book, I once pored upon. Funny how this online novel I once read just to pass time, became a reality after I died. The reason for my death, is an unknown virus that affects a person's DNA, mutating it's gene to bring adverse reactions. I died within two days after getting infected. And to think just a day before being in such a condition, there I was, enjoying my average life. I can't recall what that life was all about except a few bits and pieces of information here and there and the most important fact that even though, I was an average university student living an average typical life, at the very least, I was happy.
I woke up as Rastos when he was only 10 years old, nearing his 11th birthday. Frankly, I don't remember much of the novel. I only read till where the both leads confess to each other. It was quite a boring and dull read. However, it couldn't be helped. I had to do something to pass the time at the hospital while waiting for death to knock at my door and take me away.
I don't care much about the story because all I was excited about was being born as a Prince. Can you believe it...being born as a Prince that has everything in this world that anyone could wish for? I am popular, handsome, rich and a Prince to top it all of, what more could someone ask for?
The Prince in the book was an intelligent, extremely athletic and humble person that didn't spend a single penny. However, who cares about him. Whilst I may not spend so lavishly full of greed, I do spend money upon myself to get what I want. Otherwise what's the point of all those treasures?
The only problem was the responsibility that comes with being a Crown Prince. I had to memorise who knows what, but that wasn't even the hard part. I did all that because after all I was getting all this luxury and I know that everything comes for a price. But what I detested the most and run away from, is using a sword and fighting. I grew up in a civilised world in my past life. I have never punched anyone in both my lives.
Because of that, for this life, I've got my dear friend Argus, on whom I have even passed down and entrusted all my military duties as well. I don't really like seeing blood and swords and everything, which is why I'm really thankful to Argus for helping me. What's even more fantastic is that Argus also has a past life. He found out about me when he noticed my eccentric acts after I was told how much wealth I owned. I guess I should blame my overacting that caused him to find out. But it turns out to be good. I don't have to worry about acting as a proper Prince with him. Moreover, he is also my cousin from my father's side.
Although he does try to talk about how we got here or our past life, but I don't want to talk about it. Who cares why we are here or how we are here? Who cares about our past lives? I am just happy being here at this moment, enjoying all these blessings.
However, today in the afternoon, Argus told me he wanted to talk to me about something important in person regarding other people he has found who are not from this world as well. But I didn't pay much attention to him. So what if there are other people? What do you want us to do now? Let's just enjoy our lives. He seemed to have more to talk about but I told him I have some work to do and left the palace in secret.
The reason for that is because tonight is the night the Crown Prince meets and saves the female lead and they both fall in love.
I don't know the main character in person, so I don't know if I like or dislike her. Nevertheless, one thing I am sure of is that I am quite curious to meet her. What if I meet her and I do actually end up falling in love?
But for that to happen, I have to wait for the correct moment, which was going to be now. As I had been following the female lead and her friend for a while and from a quick glance, saw them enter the street where they are supposed to encounter the men who tries to assault her. In all honesty, the friend isn't supposed to be here. Did the plot changed a bit? Maybe it did. A lot of things have changed after all. The biggest example being Argus not entering a contract marriage with the female lead and dying later on.
I hid behind the wall, waiting for my turn. For the past two days, I've been secretly training on how to approach and fight people. I won't say I am a professional, but I can at least handle two men to save a girl. Or two in the current case.
I waited for the girls to scream because that was going to be my cue. However, a minute passed. And then another. No one screamed. Why? What happened? Don't tell me.....they both got kidnapped?!
Realising this, I rush to the said scene to find the two girls tiying up the drunk men to the street lamp as they looked like they had been knocked out. The girls themselves looked unharmed. Just what is going on? My footsteps make the two turn towards me.
"Oh look who is here?"
"Aren't you a bit late, Prince?"
"We already took care of them so I am afraid there is no damsel in distress for you to rescue."
"But...how...what..."
I stammered, surprised to see them acting this way. Are they the ones Argus mentioned?
"You're not from this book are you?"
"...that...what are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what we are talking about."
"I don't think so. I don't understand what you are saying but I'm afraid it's getting late. I must take my leave. It was nice to meet you. Have a good night."
I blurt out and turn to escape however out of nowhere, an arm comes and headlocks me.
"What...let me go!"
"No can do."
"You must answer some questions first."
"I already said I don't know what you are talking about!"
"Wrong answer."
That's when something hits my head hard, a wave of dizziness followed by a sharp ache engulfs me as my eyes close down and consciousness fades away.
__________
"You told me it's an emergency and right after dinner ended, brought me to the attic only to show me that you've kidnapped the Crown Prince of the Empire?!"
Argus hisses, furrowing his brows, deepening his scowl.
"Well yes..."
"If you put it that way, it sounds like we are some sort of kidnappers."
Lydia rolls her eyes while folding her arms.
"But why would you do that? Rastos....are you okay? He isn't dead, is he?"
"No! We are not some murderers. He wasn't admitting that he was not from here so we figured taking him back, making him talk and then releasing him."
"Hmm...I guess that'll work since he hates talking about it."
"Oh wait! Argus, is this the guy you told me about?"
"You are right. This is the one whom I mentioned before."
Hearing their loud voices, Rastos opens and closes his eyes a few times before finally opening them. Seeing Argus, he immediately calls out for help,
"Argus! Thank god you're here! Those two ladies are mad, I tell you!"
The women whom he just referred to as being mad, clears their throat to bring his attention to them. He flinches and stands up next to Argus.
"We only want to talk."
"This is not how you talk to someone."
"What could we do? You were running away."
"Just talk in a civilised manner."
"As if you were going to answer to them."
Argus spoke.
"Don't take their side. Also, you mentioned most are not from here. Are these two included in that?"
"Yes."
"Oh god....what is going on here?"
"I thought you weren't interested."
"I still am not. But it wouldn't hurt to be a bit curious."
They share their stories and everything they know so far until Rastos tells about his timeline.
"You are from the future?!"
"Not quite. For me, 2037 is the present. You guys are the ones from the past. Especially you, you're really old."
He eyes Lydia who glares at him for referring to her as "old" even though she's only twenty.
"Isn't it strange? Everyone we come to know is not from this book.....something is wrong somewhere..."
"There must be some other clue..."
"Wait a second....that..."
Rastos takes a few steps and picks up a poster from the ground.
On it, in the centre was the picture of a super blue moon, shining brightly as if the ocean had taken over the surface of the moon with all its moonlight radiating around it.
"What's this?"
"Oh this...apparently it's an upcoming event where the moon turns blue. My brothers are pretty excited to witness it even though mama says that it's a cursed day and everyone is advised to stay at home and not to look at the moon that night."
"Is that what your mother thinks? I've heard my Knights call it the day of the blessing."
"Don't you guys remember seeing this before you died?"
"What are you talking about?"
They all turn to Rastos with a puzzled look.
"I saw this when I was reading the novel. The exact same blue moon."
"It must be a coincidence."
Lydia shrugged however Argus face hardens as he adds,
"...I saw it too....I died at night during battle and that night, it was the exact same moon."
"...okay so only two people saw this moon. We still can't consider it as a major possibility for our reason to come here. Am I right, Rhea?"
"Rhea?"
Rhea's face lose colour as she states,
"I saw it too....although I didn't see it myself. However I read the newspaper that day, on which it was stated that night it was going to be a super blue moon. Is it really just a mere coincidence?"