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“Are you okay?” the male asked grinning, holding her in his arms as he moved his face closer to hers.
Audrey widened her eyes. Where did he come from? What’s with those eyes? It’s too alluring...captivating. The man had brown hair swept to the side, his eyes the same color. He donned a navy blue outerwear and had the appearance of a sorcerer.
“Thank you…” she muttered as she finally tore her gaze away from his face.
The man smiled and hummed as he stepped back and looked at her. Audrey didn’t know what he was staring at, so she refused to look back at him as she tucked her hands behind her back.
“So, you like the ocean?” he asked as if implying something.
Audrey finally looks at him a little surprised, “What makes you think that?”
“Why, that’s a quite simple, elementary deduction.” he simply responded with a snap of his finger, “After all I can’t think of any other reason to be on the beach alone at this time of season.”
Indeed, it was winter. Not exactly the most favorable season for people to visit the location. But regardless, this man was right.
“I love the sea too,” he continued, “The beautiful sound that you hear when the long awaited waves crash onto the warm sand, the way it reflects everything in its path. It’s too beautiful!” he spread his arms as he faced the water.
He paused and took a deep breath of the salt watered air, turning back to Audrey, “Looking for something?”
“What makes you think that?” she asked once more. How does he keep guessing what exactly her motives are?
“Why, another elementary deduction,” he puts his hands on his hips and confidently walks towards her, “The most elementary of elementary speculation. Only someone completely absorbed in searching for something,” he leans towards her smirking, “would fail to notice my spectacular self standing nearby.”
‘He said that, he totally said that. ‘My spectacular self’...’ she thought as she frowned, slightly moving back and away from him.
Suddenly, the male then brought out a magnifying glass. He blinked a couple of times before making a sound in realization.
“What now…” she muttered.
It took awhile for her to notice, but he was not looking at her, rather, he leaned down and looked at the edge of the shore behind her. The water should’ve gone back to the ocean like any wave does after it crashes onto the sand, but the area surrounding Audrey doesn’t. It circulated around her shoes.
“I of all people was a bit careless here. I just noticed it, you have a connection to the water.”
Audrey gasped and quickly hid her hands in her pockets. As soon as she did, the water surrounding her shoes went back to the ocean.
He tilted his head in confusion as he put his hand on hips, “Hm? Why’d you stop? A shame to hide such magnificence. No need to worry, talent is not something to compare.” his gaze went to the little talismans he had in his pocket, “Even if you stand next to me your powers will not be dulled!”
Having enough of this conversation, Audrey bit her lip as she took a deep breath and huffed. She turned to him, her foot stomping on the sand as she presented her best forced smile with her fists clenched.
“You’re right. I am searching for something. Would you be so kind as to assist me?” she said through gritted teeth and a grin.
“But of course!” he beamed with self confidence, completely unaffected by her obvious expression, “After all self service is what me and my boys do!”
He then took her hand and started running across the sand, “Come with me!”
“W-where are we going?!” she quickly asked.
“That should be obvious!” he smirked as he looked back at her, “To the Fearless Seven headquarters, of course!”
Audrey had heard of the Fearless Seven, or the F7 in short. They were the greatest heroes nationwide, but also the most mysterious. They have never shown their face to the public, and when their clients were interviewed they were forced to keep their mouths shut as per the contact that the F7 gives to them. The members whole identity is kept a mystery.
“Creepy…” Audrey pouted as she thought about this, was it really a good idea to ask for their help?
…
“Eh..?”
After arriving at their destination, Audrey was somewhat surprised that the nations greatest heroes lived in...how would she put it, a ‘down-to-earth’ home.
“This is...Risky Rock?” she spoke to herself as she looked around what seemed to be the living room.
“Hmm?”
Another voice came from the end of the room, sounding displeased at her arrival.
“What’s this? This time you brought over a girl who doesn’t even look like royalty. For all we know she’s a commoner.”
The irritated man had his back turned to her. He wore a blue vest and his blond hair was swept up. He had his hands on his hips as he held a small hand mirror towards his face.
“I bet she doesn’t even know the first thing about how to greet princes. She probably stumbles over her words and can’t even curtsy properly.”
“Princes…?” she questioned in a whisper before realizing what he said and raised her voice, “Excuse me! But I’m-”
Though it was at a distance, the man held his mirror up to look at her in his reflection. That was when the slow realization hit her and she gasped.
‘Prince Jack. The man who climbed the beanstalk and came down wealthy. The rags to riches prince, the wealthiest man in all of Fairy Tale Island. He was obviously well known around the island but has been noted to be hard to approach due to his motto:
“Time is money.”“’
In other words, every second speaking to him would probably cost Audrey her entire month's budget on meals.
“Come now, Jack.” A second, more gentler voice came from the other end of the room, “You should not say something so endlessly rude to a woman you just met.”
The man had a large sword in his lap, and Audrey heard the sounds of what seemed to be him sharpening it, “We haven’t been getting a lot of requests lately, try not to scare off our money this time.” he chuckled as he threw the slab to the side.
“...Prince Arthur!” she widened her eyes.
‘He was the most revered of the knights in Fairy Tale Island. Heir to the throne of Camelot, he was known for defeating many monsters, witches, and beasts with just his brute strength.’ she marveled in her thoughts, ‘Who knows what he could do if he put that sword of his to proper use…and to say the least you won't find a girl who’s never heard of him.’
“The richest prince, Jack, and the strongest prince, Arthur, who basically makeup part of the well known princes in the Island, are in the same room together.” she mumbled to herself, “I couldn’t possibly hide my surprise.”
Jack scoffed as he turned to Arthur, “Don’t complain while you’re drinking the tea I brewed for you. That stuff is from my personal collection.”
But Arthur merely chuckled, “Come now. The tea that you give us is excellent, Arthur.”
“Yup! That’s right, Jack!”
Another voice, this time coming from where the couches were arranged, interrupted.
“You nabbed a girl as cute as her, and you’re saying she’s a filthy commoner?”
‘Eh...a second voice? But they sound just the same…’
“Right? I thought you’d propose at first sight like ‘Let’s live together!’”
‘No, there are three voices!’
Simultaneously, the voices stood up to reveal themselves to her with a grin, and for the third time, Audrey had to gasp.
‘Princes Pino, Noki, and Kio!’ she thought as she swallowed her throat, ‘They’re known for being the best and smartest inventors, not just among the princes but on the whole island as well! Not to mention, rumoured to be extremely handsome under those hats.They were revered scholars that surpassed even their father, the great inventor Geppetto...how on earth are they all here?!’
“You’re the traveler who controls water right? Audrey!” Pino snapped his fingers.
Audrey pouted, “How did you…”
“All in a day's work, nice to meet ya.’’ said Noki.
Kio (she hoped she was telling them apart right), stood up and went to what seemed to be the kitchen of the estate. “Hans, cook up some pasta for us will you? Something tells me we’ll need a feast for this meeting.”
Audrey’s gaze went to the gingered haired chef who stood in front of the stove, ‘Prince Hans. One of the twins from the kingdom of sweets, and the master of all cooking. He’s won many competitions and restaurants have been clawing at him for him to even just to make an appearance or try their food so that he would leave a review.’
“I see…” she stepped back and looked at the six men, “This really is the ‘Fearless Seven’, so many talented and famous people...no not just people, princes. If people knew who they were, they would come flocking with requests.”
Audrey frowned and put her hand on her chin, “But that’s what makes it all the more bewildering. Why would these six participate in such a group?”
Then, a confident and boisterous laugh was heard behind her. Audrey quickly turned around to see the man that guided her here. Now that she had the proper lighting, she could finally see who he really was. It all made sense.
“Once again, I must say I am pleased to meet you, Traveler Audrey.” he took her hand and looked her in the eye, “I am none other than the leader of the Fearless Seven, Prince Merlin.”
‘So the proclaimed leader who had the wealthiest, strongest, smartest, and talented in tow…’
‘...Wait.’
“Who are you…again?” Audrey squinted at him.
Merlin’s smile remained before morphing into a shocked and betrayed expression, “W-What do you mean who I am?!” his filter completely fell as he put his hand to his chest and leaned towards her.
Kio could help but burst out in laughter, “Oi, is she serious? She really doesn’t know who he is? This must be a low blow for you, Merlin!” He held his stomach.
“Truly a humbling moment, you’re not as well known as you think you are.” Hans smiled as he glanced at their leader.
“Shut it you two!” Merlin balled his fists then turned to Audrey, desperate to have his name known, “I’m Prince Merlin of Camelot! Greatest wizard of all time? Greatest sorcerer? The most well known in all of Camelot?!’ he yelled the last bit.
He had moved towards her with each sentence, causing her to step back and fall back into one of the luxurious chairs in the room. She leaned back on it as a worried expression started to form on her face.
“...I thought Prince Arthur was the most well known in Camelot...and that the greatest wizard and sorcerer was a mouse called Mick-”
“I brought that mouse his intelligence! That was me! The papers just don’t acknowledge it!”
‘Exasperated’, ‘Out of breath’, and ‘Flustered’ were the right words to describe Merlin right now.
“Let it go, muchacho.” Arthur sat with a sly grin etched on his face, “Not anyone can best me in terms of popularity.”
“How true,” Jack, now having a smirk on his face, walked up to Merlin who still frowned at him, “Poor little wizard is not as well known as we are.”
But when it came to Jack, Merlin’s complexion changed and took...no that’s not the right word, gripped his hand and pulled him close, “Better shut that pretty face of yours up and pay special attention to our guest. It’s your job after all.” Merlin forced through a smile, though it was blatantly obvious to everyone.
Jack’s smirk faded and rolled his eyes, walking towards Audrey.
‘Huh…?’ she thought, ‘He just obeyed him like that, even though he’s a prince. This Merlin really is the leader...is he really a prince like he claims?’
“Well?”
Audrey snapped out of her thoughts and yelped as Jack suddenly appeared before her, leaning down with a disapproving look on his face. “Don’t look at me with that stupid look on your face. What do you want?” he said, getting impatient.
“Geez, they must’ve been real attentive to the boss back home.” Audrey frowned at him, not bothering to hide her thoughts.
“Watch your tongue, commoner.” Jack kicked her chair with a good amount of force before kneeling down to her level to look her in the eye.
“Now, now, Jack.” Hans said from the kitchen as he prepared the plates for everyone, “Might as well get her something to drink. She’s here regardless.”
Jack looked annoyed at the chef before looking back at Audrey who thought about this a little too seriously. Feeling relieved that Hans was on her side a little she outstretched her arm towards him and closed her eyes.
“I’ll have tea.” she attempted to sound confident, but the expression on her face betrayed her.
“You’ve gotten rather shameless.” Jack noted as he knelt down.