Masked Girl and Her Prince

Hazel looked at Liz sharply before she turned away. She hugged the little guy as she wondered how his brain functions.

Jinha heard her mutter, "I need to stay away."

"Stay away?"

Hazel looked up and nodded.

"From whom?"

Hazel hesitated to explain, she tried to open her mouth and clarify. But once she remembered his words, she gave up.

'Her beautiful eyes filled with sorrow spoke a million words behind that mask'

Hazel knitted her brows and turned to Liz suggesting her to explain. Hazel directed her gaze outside as she felt her brain would explode with information. She thought back to the events which had taken place and wondered when or what she did for him to like her other identity - Freya.

She was disturbed from her thoughts when she heard Jinha roar in laughter. Hazel frowned as she looked at her friends who were laughing at her situation. Even the calm and composed Zeno turned his head away but his shoulders shook slightly giving him out.

Hazel pursed her lips as she tutted, "Tch! That idiot."

Jinha held his stomach as he commented whilst gasping, "Wow.. he confessed so fast. I was looking forward to pestering him more."

Hazel abruptly turned her eyes at him and asked surprised, "You knew?"

Jinha rolled his eyes at her. He ignored her and walked towards her bed. He flopped onto it and lifted his eyes to meet with five pairs of eyes focused solely on him.

He rolled his eyes yet again and flopped backwards as he said, "Only a fool wouldn't realize his gaze."

Hearing his answer, Hazel was slightly mad. She turned to the rest of them where Zeno shrugged and Hak sheepishly smiled.

"Wait... All of you knew?" Liz pointed at them and asked shocked.

Hazel patted her chest and sighed. At least she had company.

"It wasn't that hard to figure out his thoughts," Hak commented.

" He wasn't exactly hiding it. " Zeno followed him.

Hazel groaned as she sat down on her study table. She grabbed her crown and set it aside. She clutched her hair in frustration and groaned loudly.

They heard her grumble, "How did this happen?"

Jinha got up from the bed and stared at the figure who was holding her head in her palms.

He sighed. He knew how complicated it must be for her to think that someone actually fell in love with her other identity. She was used to people fawning over her princess identity and her face but she wasn't used to any confession when she was Freya.

"It just proves that he's not a bad candidate, right."

Jinha's words woke Hazel from her thoughts. She slowly looked up to meet his serious gaze.

Hazel stared at Jinha who had thrown away his playful side and looked at her seriously. Then she heard him add, "I don't think there will be anyone else more worthy of you than him."

She turned away her head and stared at the wall blankly. Rin sensing the tensed atmosphere and his sister's conflict tugged at her clothes.

Hazel looked at him who raised his hands. She smiled slightly as she picked him up and placed him on her lap. She hugged the squishy ball for comfort, to escape from her dark thoughts.

Rin snuggled closer in her embrace as he slowly said, "Sis, big bro is not a bad guy. I'm confident that he can protect you."

Hazel looked into those familiar green eyes and pinched his cheeks, "You seriously don't love your sister anymore, huh! Why are you marrying me off so eagerly?"

Rin pursed his lips as he stared at his sister. "Fine. Just try... Give him a chance, okay?"

Hazel looked away from Rin as she immersed herself in her thoughts. Two chubby hands grabbed her face and twirled it to face him.

She grudgingly said, "I will think about it."

That sentence made her brother happy. He brightened up as he pecked his sister's cheeks and got down from her lap. He announced, "Its time for my history lesson. Bye, sis."

Rin paused on his steps on the door and turned to look at his sister.

The beautiful girl was staring outside the window. Her entire figure emitted loneliness and darkness like she was a warrior fighting for sanity every second of her life.

Rin didn't know why her sister always immersed herself in training. He knew it was something which happened when he was born. It was like a taboo which was never spoken, everyone hid what happened from him. The only time his sister showed him her vulnerable side was when he asked about the taboo. Seeing her expression, he forced himself to curb his curiosity and never ask about it ever again. Everyone acts like they are okay but in reality, everyone is worried about their princess.

"Sis, I don't care whether you want to be Freya or Hazel. After all, they are all you, every identity you adorn is all you. I love you the way you are. Even if you turn out evil I will still love you."

Hazel turned to her brother who stood at the doorway. She smiled gently at him to which he nodded and left.

Hazel's smile disappeared the moment her brother left. She knitted her brows as she thought of what to do. Even though she decided to think about it, she knew she shouldn't let Usui near her.

Suddenly, a hand touched her arm and she winced slightly. Frowning, Jinha turned her around and asked, "What's wrong?"

Hazel shook her head but when those piercing eyes looked straight at her. She said, "The wound is still healing."

"But weren't you fully recovered?" Zeno suddenly spoke up seriously.

Hazel nodded, "This is just an aftereffect of using that power. It will be alright after some days."

Everyone nodded.

Hak suddenly scratched his chin and asked, "So are we going out?"

"Yeah"

"No"

Everyone turned to Hazel who said No and stared outside. She inhaled and turned to look away and declared, "Freya wouldn't appear again till he's gone."

"But-" Jinha's words were stopped by Hazel's hand. She looked at him and pleaded silently.

"He shouldn't confess to Freya before he leaves. I shouldn't let him have that opportunity."

Others nodded and looked at Jinha who just stared at her for some time and nodded.

He turned to leave but stopped and asserted before he left, "Don't let your fear take control, Freya. You were there for me when no one else was. I'm returning my words to you. I'm here so be brave."

Hazel smiled helplessly at those words.

Fear... if only it was that simple. Those haunting words still rang in her mind even now, till this day like it was deeply engraved in her soul.

'Don't trust anyone blindly.'

'Be strong. I don't think I can protect them anymore, its up to you now.'

Hazel gripped her hand as she silently promised, "I will protect everyone."