Chapter 19 LADY GrACE

In a flash, Nate was by the rocks and dragged a small child hiding behind it. The child was wearing a white seaman pants adorned with sea shells and seaweeds for his belt. His hair was an ocean blue color and when he glanced at Nate, his green eyes sparked with fear.

Nate, upon having a closer look at the boy, had his eyes widen in shock. "What is a sea folk like you doing here?"

"A sea folk?" I looked at Ren for answers.

"People of the sea." Ren answered curtly. "Sorry, they never show up in social gatherings and they aren't in any trades with the other kingdoms. Not much is known about them. Even seeing one is rare enough."

Ace suddenly marched towards the boy, who was now cowering in fear. "Do you know something about the whereabouts of my sister?" Ace demanded. The boy was still shivering under the PRINCE's gaze. "Answer me or else!"

"PRINCE Ace." Nate held Ace back, when he was about to grab the kid - he looks to be about 6 years old. "He's just a boy. Don't be too hard on him." Ace gritted his teeth but backed away.

I came to Nate's side and placed a gentle hand on the boy's hair. Poor child. The big scary monster - PRINCE Ace - must have frightened him. "Hello!" I greeted him. "Me. Name. Rose." I gestured to myself. "They" I gestured to the princes. "Nate. Monster. Ren. Custard. We. Come. In. Peace. Your. Name?" After my introduction, I could hear multiple face slaps in the background.

I glared at them. What's their problem?

The child gave me a curious look. The fear in his green eyes were gone now and replaced with wonder. "My...My name is Zeraph Bastian." He mumbled.

My jaw dropped. Why didn't anyone tell me that they can speak our language!?

I glared at Ren for an explanation. The wolf boy simply raised a hand in surrender. "Hey, I said it was rare for us to see them. I never said that they cannot speak our language." He pointed out.

Okay, that's a valid argument.

The child somehow looked worried as he kept glancing at the ocean. "I know where your sister is, but it is not safe here." The child said nervously to Ace. The elf prince looked back at the Ocean and frowned.

"Fine. There's a nearby town here. Let's go there." Ace said.

The rest of us followed as Ace and Zeraph went ahead to town. Nate, Ren and I were a few blocks back since they have Ryde and Garius. The town was different from the one in the borders of Thalia. It was dull. The females were wearing masks to cover their face and were accompanied by a male or two. When they saw us, they immediately scampered and hid.

The princes must have noticed it too because they decided that we should head to an inn and lay low until we figure out the problem regarding Nora. We headed to the nearest Inn when a petite girl suddenly approached us. It was a small child who was about 10. She tapped my arm and gestured for me to come closer. Hesitantly, I complied.

"Miss, please wear a mask." She said and pointed to the cloth on her face.

"Why?" I asked.

"It's for your safety." Was all she said and before she ran away.

Nate suddenly tapped my shoulder and handed me his handkerchief. "Come here. I don't know what their deal is but there's a sign that says 'women with no mask cannot enter.' " I let Nate tie his handkerchief over my face before we entered. We let Ace rent a room for the four of us. It was small, but it easily accommodated us. Once we were safely inside, Ace turned to the kid and frowned. "Talk." He said.

Zeraph was fiddling with his hands. "I'm...I'm the second prince of the Atla kingdom." At his revelation, Ren almost fell from the chair that he was sitting while the rest of us were baffled. Custard barked at Ren for dropping him and came running towards me and jumped on my lap.

Ace narrowed his eyes at the child. "What is the second prince doing out here on land?"

"It's because of my father." He mumbled. "He keeps taking women into the kingdom of Atla to either be his concubine or to be the crown prince's bride."

At this, Ace suddenly gripped the back of a wooden chair and crushed it. "What...did you say?" Ace breathed dangerously that the rest of us had to back away. "Then why did my sister, who's only 4 years old, got CAPTURED!?" He demanded.

"It was probably for me. So I can choose my future bride..." Zeraph was shaking as he said it.

This time, Ace punched a nearby wall that it suddenly showed signs of cracking. Nate and Ren suddenly got up and held Ace in place when he attempted to lunge at the kid. "Right now, you better tell me how I can get my sister back, or so help me, I will make sure that you will never see the light of day again!"

"Women!" I was sitting beside Zeraph and he suddenly grabbed onto me to hide from Ace. "Beautiful women. If one of the generals sees a beautiful woman then they will take you to sea." The child said quickly under Ace's glare.

"That is absurd." Ren says. This time it was his turn to give the kid a suspicious look. "You, as the son of the king, why are you here telling us all of this?"

Zeraph was silent for a moment and looked at the ground. "My father, king Corona Bayrus Bastian is a mad man. He kidnaps women, abuses my brother and I, and he is making shady deals with another kingdom." His eyes were starting to water. "One day, my father suddenly had one of his...moods and locked me up in a cage for weeks." He sniffed. "My brother, Prince Mereum, got me out and sent me here on land to escape. I'm currently a fugitive in our kingdom."

"Is that why the women here wear masks? To avoid King Corona Bayrus?" Nate asked. Zeraph nodded solemnly.

Ren shook his head in disgust. "I can't believe such a king exists."

"Do you know this shady kingdom that Atla is dealing with?" Ace asked.

"No..."

At this point, Ace managed to calm down enough for Ren and Nate to let him go. "Do you know another way to infiltrate Atla? Considering the shady deals that they are doing, I doubt they would welcome us even if we send a formal request."

"I can take you to the entrance using my magic, but I cannot lead you to where the captured females are since they are heavily guarded."

"I have a plan!" I declared smugly. I have seen this in a lot of movies that I just have to incorporate them in this world. "All we have to do is let them capture me. Then I lead the captured females to the exit, where you guys can meet us. Easy peasy!"

The princes stared at me with dull eyes. Their looks tell me that there is not a single amount of trust that they have for me. Prince Ace especially. He was giving me a dead look and grimaced. "First of all," He pointed out. "They only take beautiful women. And second, you're a big clutz who attracts all the negative energy in the world. Third, your sense of direction is awful, so how the f*ck can you lure the women to the exit. Fourth, don't get me started on how you're going to deal with the guards. You can't even defend yourself. Fifth, BEAUTIFUL WOMEN only. Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?"

Well that was an awful lot of roasting.

"You son of a -" Nate quickly covered my mouth with his hands before I could finish cursing him.

"Well, Rose does have a good plan. How about we simply polish that plan?" Nate then glanced at Zeraph.

"We follow my plan! We have to help Nora!" Ace yelled and stomped his foot. Suddenly he went out of the room. The princes, Custard and I followed him along with Zeraph. Ace went out of the Inn and suddenly marched into a nearby store for clothes. He kicked it open with a loud bang.

"I NEED A DRESS!" He yelled at the store attendants, who all jumped at his sudden outburst. I stopped right beside him and panted. The store keeper took a good look at me in my white shirt, brown trousers and boots, my outfit every time I train.

"Is it for this lady right here?" The shopkeeper asked.

"Are you blind!?" Ace scolded her. "It's for ME!"

Our jaws dropped. The shopkeeper and her attendants dropped their things. Ace didn't look like he was joking either. If it makes matters worse he also added, "I need a long black wig as well!" He demanded.

Finally, one brave gentleman approached him. "R-right this way sir..." He said and pointed at a nearby dressing room.

"Your dress better satisfy me or else! I will throw you in the dungeon were you will rot." Ace said and followed the now shaken attendant to the dressing room.

***

It didn't take long until Ace 'came out of the closet' - If you know what I mean - looking like a different person. All of us let out a gasp as we took in the sight of this beautiful creature in front of us. Long back hair that ended at his waist. A soft blue dress with long sleeves and an army green cloak to cover his manly arm muscles. His piecing midnight blue eyes glinting under the bangs of the wig.

The attendant gave him some heels to pair with his dress. Ace didn't even say thank you to the man as he slipped the heels on.

"Oh-" I gasped.

"-my-" Nate continued.

"-gods." Ren breathed.

"If I didn't know that he is a man then I would have proposed." Nate whispered, earning a slap at the back of his head from me.

Ace looks...beautiful! He looks like the most beautiful girl that I ever laid my eyes upon and I am not even kidding. His elven features, that gave him a sharp jaw and sharp ears, highlighted his looks. Not to mention how clear and smooth his skin was. There was a light makeup on his face that gave him a pinkish glow both on his cheeks and lips.

Ace started walking when he wore the feels. "Damn these cursed shoes!" He grunted and started to walk forward. Once he did, he tripped and started to fall forward. Immediately, Ren got up and caught a falling Ace.

I feel like my eyes are playing tricks on me because what I'm seeing right now made my heart flutter.

Ren grabbed Ace's waist to steady him while Ace had his hands placed on Ren's muscular chest. His black wig swayed at the motion and in a very short moment, Ren and Ace's eyes met. Ren suddenly blushed. Nate and I held hands as we breathed in the scene in front of us.

"I do not know if I should feel jealous or amused." Nate said.

"I do not know if I should feel amazed or insulted that he looks better than me."

Ace suddenly glared at Ren. "Are you done?!" He snapped at Ren. "Help me up or I'll break your neck." Ren finally snapped from his daze and he complied to help him. Once Ace was finally up, he flipped his wig back in place. "Let's go." He demanded and gracefully walked out of the shop.

Once we got out, Ace briefed us on the plan as we made our way back to the beach. The plan was for Ace to pretend to be a lady, while the rest of us are her/his(?) servants - not that we have any problem with that at all. While Prince Zeraph and Custard will have to hide somewhere. Of course, Ace still doesn't fully trust Zeraph that he let Custard guard him.

Ace will have to get captured and find the kidnapped females. Meanwhile, the rest of us, using Prince Zeraph's magic, will wait by the port of Atla tomorrow at sunrise. Zeraph already told Ace about what to look out for to get to the port. Ace is smart so I bet he won't have any problem finding his way around an unfamiliar kingdom.

Ace suddenly gave me a hat and a coat to cover my gender.

"Since your chest is almost flat it won't be a problem." He said. If this guy didn't look the way that he was now, I would have strangled him.

Ren placed a hand on top of my head when I was growling in frustration. "Don't let his beauty intimidate you." He said.

I gave Ren a pointed look. "Says the guy who was blushing earlier at Ace-"

"It's LADY Grace!" Ace snapped at us.

And there he goes with his titles. At least he is taking his roles seriously.

"Shut your mouths and let us go!" Ace demanded and started trudging to the beach while in his heels. Ace was grumbling the whole time when his heels kept sinking in the sand. At this point he was walking like a monkey rather than a proper lady.

Nate and I exchanged glances. A mischievous smile spread on our lips and we pushed Ren towards Ace. "Wolf boy, go escort the LADY."

Ren stumbled. "Why me?" He demanded. In response, Nate and I simply shrugged and left no room for argument for Ren. With a grumble, Ren complied and offered his arm to LADY Grace. The LADY gave Ren a look, briefly flipped him off, before accepting his arm. Together, they walk to the shore of the beach. Nate and I followed a few steps back.

"I feel like we're on a double date." Nate whispered in my ears.

"Focus, Nate." I told him. "We are supposed to admire LADY Grace."

Nate drew back and grumbled. "I finally got my screen time and this is how you treat me?"

"Nate, THE wall."

"Right."

Ace finally had enough of the shoes that he finally kicked them off. Ren, being the gentlemen, bent down and grabbed the shoes for him. I gripped my heart and it kept pounding in my chest so hard. Why do I enjoy seeing them like this? They look good together!

I looked at Nate to distract myself from the scene only to find him covering his mouth as he blushed while looking at the two. At least I am not the only one.

The ocean started to bubble, drawing our attention to it. Large men covered in sea green scale armor suddenly emerged. There were at least five of them in total. Nate subconsciously stood in front of me as guard, but the men weren't after me. They have their gaze fixed at Ace - I mean - LADY Grace.

"Look what we have here. Another beauty." The man said as he studied the LADY from head to toe.

This is it. The plan worked. All we have to do now is pretend to defend LADY Grace. Ren, like the good boy that he was, extended a protective hand over her/him(?).

"Go back! You may not touch our LADY." He said.

"Go back to where you belong!" I said in my manly voice that I heard a chuckle from Nate.

The men didn't heed our warning and started to come after LADY Grace. As per planned, we pretended to attack the men and lose. Everything was according to plan until this dumb idiot - not me! - started to beat up the generals when they attempted to grab her/him(?!). By the time she was done, she shook and dusted her hands.

"How dare you peasants touch me with your dirty hands! I am LADY Grace! The most beautiful lady on the land." She snapped and flipped her wig back gracefully.

"What is with this female!? She's too strong." One of the men said and cuddled his bruised cheek.

"Maybe we should just give up on her."

Damn it, Ace! Get with the program.

I waved my hand enough for Ace to notice me. When our eyes met, I mouthed, "For Nora."

Ace thankfully got my message because he closed his eyes and sighed. Suddenly he gripped his hand and raised it dramatically. "Ow. My nails broke. Ouch." He said without ZERO emotion and fell on the beach. "I am injured and I can't seem to get up."

Nate, Ren and I face palmed at how horrible this guy's acting skills were. It's like he's not even serious!

"I thought she hurt her nails? Why can't she suddenly get up?"

Damn this LADY Grace.

I sneakily crawled until I was behind one of the generals and yelled in an imitation of their voice, "Who cares? She's pretty!"

One of the men thankfully agreed. "Yeah. King Corona will like her. She is even brave enough to go without a mask. How stupid." At this, I saw Ace glaring daggers at him, but did nothing. Two men were able to recover and escort LADY Grace up. I watched as they dragged LADY Grace to the ocean and waited.

Mission accomplished. I thought as I crawled back to where Nate and Ren were.

But as we all know, I attract a lot of bad juju in the world. A huge wave suddenly hit me when a large clam emerged from the ocean where they were suppose put Ace. The strong wave washed away my hat and my blonde hair unraveled in front of my face. I was soaking wet!

"Hey! We have another girl here." I looked up to see a general looking down on me.

An idea suddenly occurred to me when I remembered that they only take pretty girls. I started to cross my eyes and pulled my upper lips back to reveal my gums hoping to discourage them. The general suddenly gave me a weird look. "She doesn't fit our standard, but maybe she'll be prince Meruem's type. We should still bring her along."

"I agree." Said another one.

I looked at Nate and Ren and I saw them mouthing, "Run."

I nodded and grabbed a handful of sand and threw it at the general in hopes to blind them. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the wind as it blew the sand back to my face - blinding me in the process.

"I'm down! Princess is down!" I yelled.

"She's a princess!? Then she would be a perfect bride for Prince Mereum!" The sound of one of the men seemed joyful and proud.

Ah damn it! Me and my big mouth.

I suddenly felt Custard through our link. He was ready to pounce at the men. 'No, Custard. Stay put.' I commanded through our link. I felt them hauling me up to my feet. I could feel the water seeping into my boots as they dragged me through the ocean. I was able to open my eyes a bit to see that we were headed to the large clam, where Ace was currently sitting and...glaring at me. I smiled sheepishly at him.

He's gonna kill me. I know it for sure.

The men threw me in the giant clam along with Ace, who was still trying to kill me with his gaze. I looked at the two princes on shore for help. They smiled and waved at me sadly, knowing fully well that they couldn't do anything about my situation. I gasped as soon as the men made a gesture around the giant clam. Suddenly water started to rise around us and formed into a protective bubble. Very slowly, we started to descend.

I sat on my butt and studied the magical wall surrounding us. Curiously, I touched the bubble. My finger went through the magical barrier and I was touching the water. I drew it back to find my hands wet with sea water.

Ace grumbled beside me. I looked at him and saw that he was massaging his temples. "I swear, can't you do something, right?" He snapped at me.

I frowned at him. "Hey, if you only followed your own plan, then we wouldn't be in this mess. Who says you can beat them up?"

"It was self defense, you moron. That is how you should react when someone tries to capture you. I hope you paid attention to that."

"Yeah. The fact that I should scream 'Ow. My nail broke.' and drop on the ground. Please I can do better than that."

"Yeah. You screamed that you're a princess. How smart."

"Look, pal. If it weren't for me then they wouldn't even bother to capture you after you beat them up." I rubbed my hands on my shoulder as the temperature kept getting colder. Luckily, LADY Grace didn't say anything anymore. I kept my gaze at the magical barrier. It was clear enough that I could see the outside. We were travelling under the sea and I wished that there were lights, because as we keep going further and further down, it was getting darker and I could barely see all the beautiful corals and fishes that we passed by. As it kept getting darker, the temperature also dropped. My clothes were soaking wet and it didn't help my current situation at all.

"Listen." Ace started to say, but I wasn't really paying attention to him. I feel like my nose is itching for some reason. "Since this wasn't part of the plan, you have to fend for yourself. My top priority is Nora. You are nothing to me." He kept blabbering but I wasn't even listening.

I wanted to sneeze, but the sneeze itself won't come. My eyes started to water when I tried to focus and force myself to sneeze.

"Are you listening to me?"

This time, I looked at Ace with tear filled eyes, since I wasn't able to sneeze. I covered my nose and mouth with my hands and glared at him. Can't this guy leave me alone? I want to sneeze and I can't concentrate enough.

As soon as Ace saw me, his eyes widened in surprise and a look of guilt briefly flashed in his eyes. I quickly looked away since he wasn't even talking. I might as well concentrate to get this over with.

At the corner of my eyes, I saw Ace trying to grab me, but I slapped his hand away because I was busy forcing myself to sneeze. Can he not bother me!?

Great. Now that sneezing feeling was gone.

I wiped my eyes clean and sniffed. I looked back at Ace and glared. It's his fault that I wasn't able to sneeze. I expected him to glare back for not paying attention to what he was saying earlier, but instead, he looked taken aback and surprised. His mouth moving like a fish out of water. It was like he wanted to say something , but couldn't.

The calm carriage stopped moving abruptly, making Ace and I collide. Luckily, Ace was strong enough to steady the both of us. Our gazes met when I looked up. His long black hair and piercing blue eyes stared at me and I had to push him back because I was feeling insecure about his ridiculous feminine beauty.

I readied myself for the argument that was about to come for acting rudely to him, but it didn't come. It was weird. He was acting weird.

"We're here. Get up, ladies." The bubble was suddenly gone and one of the men escorted us. I got up and dusted my pants. I hopped off of the giant clam and looked back at LADY Grace, who seemed guilty about something.

"LADY Grace?" I called for him. He seemed to snap out of his predicament and met my gaze. I couldn't exactly read his expression but it looked like he was troubled and guilty at the same time. The look quickly vanished the moment he gave me a curt nod and got up himself.

He walked past me without even saying a word.

Is he angry at me? What did I do now?!