“America.” I answered.

“Ame… mer…” she tried to pronounce the name, but she couldn’t.  

I turned my back to her and unbuckled my belt. “That’s my country.” I answered and pull down my pants. I heard her gasp again. I just rolled my eyes and put on the clothes she lent to me. “What – “ I said when I finally wore all. The clothes are loose on my body, but doesn’t look awkward since it is unisex. “Are we in the 1900’s?” I asked.

“Huh?” she turned to me. She gasped when she saw me.

“What? Do I look weird?” I asked. “Well, I must do, since this is my first time wearing this – “ I stopped. “Ah. No. I think I wore this when I starred from a movie – “ I said. I am an actress, so I know I would look good in anything I wear. However, I just met a stranger, so I suppressed my narcissism.

She shook her head and smiled. “You’re so handsome.” she answered. “Ah.” she said when she realized what she said. Her face went redder than blood and she turned her back to me.

My cheeks flushed. “Th – thanks.” I said, looking away. Now why am I so embarrassed? I thought. For God’s sake, Yelena! You’re an actress! So, you should be used to this – I thought, then sighed. Even if I am a narcissist, but to be complimented by an honest person, that made me feel awkward. “Anyways, where can I use a telephone here?” I asked.

“’telephone’?” she asked, then her forehead knotted. “What’s that?” she asked.

My mouth fell open as I stared at her in shock. “So, they don’t have that here.” I muttered. “Ah!” I said when I remembered something. “Do you have anywhere to go today?” I asked.

She nodded. “In the capital. I plan to go there today.” She answered.  

I nodded. “Can I ask for your help? I have to find my bag.” I told her. I remembered I dropped it when I fell on the hill.

“Sure.” She nodded.

I smiled. “Thanks.”

Her cheeks flushed again and she covered her face. “N – no… no problem.” She said. She packed her things then we went outside.

---

“Over there.” I said and pointed the hill.

“Oh. You could really slip there.” she said. “We can use that.” she said then pointed something.

I squinted my eyes since I haven’t worn my eyeglasses. “Ha?!” I said, shocked. “This hill has stairs?!” I exclaimed in shock. “Why haven’t I saw that… ah. Must be because I panicked too much, and I don’t know this place. Plus, I am near-sighted – “ I muttered, scolding myself.

She sighed. “I really have no idea what you’re talking about.” she said and went first to the stairs. “You talk like you’re not from here – “ she told me.

“Because I’m really not from here.” I answered and followed her.

She sighed. “Yes, yes. Let’s just leave it at that.” she said as we go up the stairs.

“Right.” I said when I remember something. “I still haven’t asked for your name. What’s your name?” I asked. “I’m Yelena.” I told her.

“Yelena…” she muttered.

“I am called ‘Yelene’ as my stage name, but my real name is ‘Yelena’.” I explained. “However, if my name is too long for you, you can just call me ‘Lena’.” I told her.

She smiled. I felt my cheeks became hot. I am considered the most beautiful in the industry, but of course, I knew there must be more people who are more beautiful than me. And one of them is standing in front of me now.

Silver pupils, silver hair, fair skin… “My name is Vice (pronounced as ‘vis’).” I heard her answer.

“’Vice’… your name is as beautiful as you.” I told her.

This time, it was her turn to blush.

---

“Yes!” I said and hugged my backpack when I finally got it.

“What an odd-looking bag.” I heard Vice said as she stared at my backpack with an odd gaze.

I laughed. “Hahahaha! Of course! Since I’m not from here.” I said and opened my bag. I searched for the ointment. “Here it is!” I said and raised it.

“What’s that thing?” she asked as she curiously stared at the object.

“This is an ointment. This is a medicine.” I explained. “Now I can heal my shoulder – “ I said and took off my shirt. As usual, she covered her eyes again and turned her back on me. I just ignored her. “Huh?” I muttered, surprised when the bruise was gone. “Where -  ?”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“The bruise on my shoulder when I fell… it’s gone.” I answered, my expression confused. “Now that I think about it – “ I said and looked at my knee. “This also healed, too.” I said and bended my knee that was dislocated earlier.

“Huh? That’s odd, indeed.” she said as she turned to me.

I sighed, then put the ointment back to my bag. “Anyway, this is convenient for me. I have to find a way to go back to where I’m from.” I said and wore my backpack. “You’re going to the capital, right?” I asked. “As I remember, the capital is like the metropolis – “

“Ah! Stop! Stop!” he said. “Okay, okay. I’ll believe that you’re not from here, so stop it.” she said, then sighed. “Anyways, let’s go to the capital.” she said, then walked first.

“Uh, sure.” I said and shrugged, and then followed her.

---

“So, this is the capital?” I muttered under my breath as I looked around.

There were stalls on both sides of the streets filled with people, as well as small flags hung above their head with the strings tied on top of the stalls, making the surrounding look festive.

“Oh?” I muttered. “Lanterns?” I said when I saw there were also lanterns. They were unlit. “Is there some celebration today?” I asked and looked at the festive scene.

Vice nodded. “Well… not entirely celebration. More like, uhm, a tradition?” she said.

“’Tradition’?” I asked.

“Yes. This is the day when the princess of the kingdom disappeared after the evil king hit her with his powers.” He said.

“Hey, hey… what is with this plot? ‘prince’? ‘kingdom’? and now ‘evil king’?” I said.

She ignored me with a roll in her eyes. “Long, long time ago, a kingdom was built by a wise sage known as Yulo.” she started. “The people of the kingdom lived in peace. But, not long…” she said, her eyelids hooded her silver pupils. “An evil king appeared, and tore the kingdom apart. The kingdom was split into two. And are now the West and the East kingdom.” She said as she watched the bustling scene around them. “This is the East Kingdom, by the way.” she said. “People thought that the evil king was gone because of the power Yulo released before she took her final breath in order to protect the kingdoms…”

“And then… what happened?” I asked.

“On that fateful day, when the evil king appeared - ” she said. “ – he took the West Kingdom’s prince by force.” She said.

“’prince’?!” I said, shocked. This is a fairy tale, indeed! This world! And fairy tales won’t be fairy tales without a prince!

She nodded. “Yes. Then the evil king went to the East kingdom and tried to kill the princess.” she said.

“The prince? Why?”

“Because of the prophecy.” she answered.

“’Prophecy’… this story is getting deeper and darker…” I commented.

She sighed when she couldn’t understand what she is saying again. “Yes. The prophecy.” She said. “I only heard this, but a part of the prophecy said the prince will kill the evil king, rescue the princess, and unite the two kingdoms by marrying the princess.” she explained.

“Ugh! That’s a cliché plot!” I said. “I thought I was dragged in a fairy tale, but now it’s an adventure story?” I asked.

“You…” she said, then her face went stern. “You think this is funny?” she asked. I didn’t answer. She sighed. “Yeah, right. I forgot you’re not from here, so you don’t care about the princess’ welfare, nor what will happen to the kingdoms because of the evil king.” she said, then walked away.

“Wha… Vice!” I called.

“Hello?” a little girl appeared with a bunch of flowers in her hand. She handed me a flower. “Apology.” She said.

“Err…” I grimaced. “I don’t have money – “

“It’s okay.” She said. “Mom said to be generous.” She answered.

“Well, you’ll go bankrupt if you’ll be like that.” I grinned. “But no worries, at least you’re nice.” I said and smiled as I received the flower from her.

She smiled. “Good luck apologizing!” she said and waved goodbye.

“Yeah… wait!” I said and looked at the flower. “What the… what should I do with this? Even though it’s a beautiful girl I’m apologizing to, but I’m also a girl!” I said, then sighed. “Forget it. She’s beautiful.” I looked at the people around me. “How will I find her in this crowd?” I said, then started to walk around.