Voyage Of The Villainess

'There were certain things in this life that sometimes we can't control no matter how much we try to control it. And the more we try to control it the more we suffer. That's why going with the flow is sometimes the right thing to do. And that is what I'm doing, on my fourth day on this unknown island.'

"Blue missy, here. Can you get all of this from the old lady at the opposite house that has a white flag of the yellow sun?" One of the cook in the village, whose name was Palawin, handed Malaya a white piece of paper. Malaya was beyond surprised when she saw the list.

"Don't come back here, if you don't get everything on that list or you are the one we gonna eat."

"Yes, Mr. Palawin." Malaya just simply responded with an nonchalant smile written on her face. "But sadly, I won't taste good and might upset your stomach," Malaya said as she started walking away. "That's a friendly advice from me, Mr. Palawin."

On the fourth day on the island, after talking in the cave, Malaya and Kayden became the errand slaves of the islanders. How did this happen? It all happened two days ago back at the cave.

---⚓⚓⚓---

Two days ago back at the cave.

"I was thinking about this before heavily because there is only one problem that blocks our plans." Oliver grinned again. And somewhat Malaya got a bad feeling about this, the silence eating them at the moment.

Well, being with Oliver was already bad news, to begin with. But compared to before this was an entirely bad feeling for some reasons.' Hmm I think it would be more serious than before, huh' 

"I see, Are there other more problems than we already have now?" Malaya said, maintaining her neutral smile. 

"Yes, there is and I want you to prepare for this because this was quite hard for both of you..." Oliver caressed his chin and glanced upwards as if thinking. "The islanders will not simply listen to you or if you start working all of the sudden, they'll become suspicious and will make things worse. Both of you should earn their trust first. They are very protected and guided to their tribe that is why you need to work their trust. Listen, this place was a sacred place for them that is why they are strict about the kind of people they will trust."

"Earn their trust?" Malaya raised her left brow. " I don't like that feeling but I don't have a choice, don't we?"

"Yes," Oliver folded his hands. "And that is the first step for our plans," his grin widened. "Both of you should do errands for them for a whole week then definitely you can earn their trust. I know you can earn their trust easily since it would be the both of you."

"Wow," Malaya said with a tinged of sarcasm on her voice. "I'm honored that you believe in us this much."

"Of course," Oliver maintained his grin. "How can I not?"

Then after that long conversation, Oliver doesn't hesitate to introduce both Malaya and Kayden to the islanders. And told them they could command them to do any chores as long as it would not be dangerous for both of them.

---⚓⚓⚓---

Back to the present...

Malaya sighed when she glanced back at the list. 'Well at least this time, this errand is still pretty easy compared to the ones I did yesterday.'

So far, since yesterday, the things she had done were pluck some grasses, do laundry on the small riverbank just using her both hands and some thick woods and feed wild boars that almost tried to eat her as well. 'I thought there's no dangerous chores.' Malaya sighed with weariness. 'And I still need to do this for the remaining five days. I need to be a little bit patient with this.'

She continued walking and ignored the gossiping villagers as she passed by with a smile. 'I wonder why am I doing such things? As a noble before or even if I'm banished, I just let Rein and Dorris handle these things. Ah, this delicate poor lady doing labor.'

Malaya felt something or someone was observing her. It was giving a different feeling from the rest that was just casually watching her. She felt danger. Malaya immediately glanced behind her, but as she did that, there was no one in there other than some children playing. And the dangerous feeling was gone as well.

'What could be that?' Malaya composed her thoughts and relaxed. She took a deep breath as well to calm her nerves. 'I think I'm just imagining things since I've been working non-stop since yesterday. My mind is now making nonsense thoughts. The only thing I look forward to with this workday is the food and warm bath is given to us after all the work for the day was done. Ah. I really wanted to eat, rest and take a warm and calming bath again.'

'And Kayden, well he was tasked in hunting with the guards. Well, I wonder how he was faring there? I hope he doesn't cause any problems there or they encounter those fairies. Well, to begin with, it was surprising how he was going along with all of this. That guy's mind is truly hard to understand. He's so complicated to surround himself with. I'm still wondering how will they handle him. Well, good luck with him, seeing him last night, well he was still Kayden.' 

Malaya stopped walking when she saw the with flag with the yellow sun in front of a one-story hut. 'This must be it.'

Malaya entered the gate that was made of brown wood. As she looked at the yard, there were different kinds of flowers and some green plants planted everywhere. 'This flower. How beautiful. It look so stunning in every small detail.' Malaya got attracted to a particular yellow flower. As the sun reflected on it, it was magically sparkling. 'This reminds me of the mansion back there. Mother also had plenty of unique and one-of-a-kind flowers. I wonder how everyone's doing. I hope none of the news that I disappear reaches them or perhaps knowing Rein, he would probably tell them. I should hurry and finish this game that Oliver set and go back to them.'

"Who are you?!" Malaya was startled when she heard an old lady's grumpy voice behind her.

She immediately turned around only to see an old woman. She was wearing the same brown dress with colorful zigzag patterns as everyone else. And she had a headdress with three feathers on it that adored her waist-length white hair. Her back was hunching and she supported herself with a wooden crane. And like the rest, they were wearing masks.

"Ah, good day, I am Malaya and I came to Mr. Palawin's request to get everything from this list for you," Malaya said in one breath as she bowed slightly to show her respect.

The old lady's brown orbs eyes narrowed as she scrutinized Malaya from head to toe.

Malaya glanced up and gave the brightest and most polite smile she could give to the old lady. "Here is the list." She said politely and extended her hands.

"Aside from Master Oliver. I hate outsiders." The old lady said with grumpiness and turned her back as if Malaya was some dirt.

Malaya was left hanging as the old lady walked inside her house and shut the door with a loud thud. 

Malaya's smile faltered. 'Ah, who says that everything could be easy. What should I do? It seems the old lady holds grudges for people that don't belong to this island. Is that how they protect this island so much that they are not open to meeting new people because they thought we destroy their islands? Hmm'

Malaya felt that dangerous feeling again of being watched. But when she turned around there was nobody there. Malaya maintained her smile. ' Okay! I think at this time this is not just an illusion, I need to be more careful in every action I take. Well, for sure Oliver sent people to watch us? Well that could be possible tss it's pretty obvious he is not going to trust us so easily.' She sighed. "Well, that's a given. I shall just think of it later and now plan on how I can woo this old lady. Or else I would not be able to return and finish the task."

Malaya stepped towards the door and just before she could knock...

"I would not do that if I were you. It will indeed only irritate Grandma Hashna."

'This voice, it's one of those girls that sneak in to look at our cage that night.' Malaya turned to see who it was.

A girl that was the same height as Dorris and wearing a brown dress with colorful zigzag patterns smiled at Malaya. Though she had a white mask, her cheerful and vibrant aura surrounding her were vibrating out of her personality. "Hi! My name is Kiana, it's nice to meet you.. And I would love to be friends with you if that's alright. Blue lady?"