n

n

n

"Kai. Where's Kai?

" I asked and looked around. He wanted to join us so I am looking for him.

n

"I already told him, he was just changing,

" Nathaniel answered and gestured at the mansion.

n

"Ohh...

" I mumbled.

nJust then, Kai and Lost emerged out of the mansion, dressed up and ready to leave.

n

"They're here!

" I exclaimed as my eyes sparkled in glee.

nI am basically jumping on my feet right now. Obviously, they all could see that I am pretty excited.

n

"Let's go,

" Nathan says and offered his hand to me. I was only happy to grab it and now the four of us went on our way.

n------

nIt was a busy day in the Capital. Lanterns and stuff were hanging over our heads, which means that a festival or an event would be celebrated soon. The Capital Market is especially crowded, and there were a lot of people going to and fro. Different stands for food and products littered the sidewalk and were being hogged by common folks.

nAs much as I want to look around and marvel at those things, I was feeling rather agitated.

n'How can we ever see the Female Lead like this?'

nIt would be close to impossible! Though it is a perfect place to have the robbery thing happening, how can I spot her quickly?

n'Maybe I should wait for the commotion to ensue?'

nIt's not a bad strategy, but I really want to see her first before the event happens so I could be prepared. If it is going to occur just like that, I wouldn't get to enjoy it, because I would also get distracted from trying to catch up with the situation. That is not a favorable condition at all.

nI was turning my head from here and there, as I tried to spot a lady with brightly colored hair. Anything that resembles yellow, my eyes would follow it. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.

n'There's just too many people…'

n

"Wow, look at that,

" Kai voiced out. He sounded like he was truly amazed by whatever he was seeing. I was too distracted to see what it was...

n

"I need to buy something over there, are you all coming along?

" Nathan then says and points to the opposite side.

nMy senses snapped back to him,

"Huh? Ah, yes!

"

nLet's not get away from Nathan because he is one of the key points for the event.

nThe four of us crossed to the other side and went to a stall where it was less crowded. It's a perfect place to get a wider and better view of the surrounding, and the best place to find a person among the sea of people.

nI have no idea what Nathan, nor Kai, and Lost are doing, as I was still vigilantly scrutinizing each and every person that comes and goes.

n'Will it happen today? What if the future had changed because I did too?'

nThat's just silly... I mean, I don't remember doing anything major to manipulate the timeline, except for adopting Kai. That won't change the course, would it?

nKai doesn't play a big role in the novel so I thought it would be fine…

n'Maybe it won't happen right now? Hmmm…'

n

"Nadia, do you want to buy anything?

" Nathan

nI looked around again before turning my attention back to him.

n

"If something caught my eyes then I would,

" I replied.

nNathan stared at me for a moment, then got back to busying himself.

nAt the side of my vision, I saw something bright and yellow. My head immediately whirled in that direction and zeroed on it. It was a golden-haired lady.

nMy heart started racing in my chest as I stared at her, taking in her appearance. She has long silky hair which can be totally seen from afar, and easily grabs the attention of the others. Her face was small and even from this distance, I could clearly tell that she's a looker.

n'That's Estelle, right?! That should be her!'

nShe was still a few good blocks away from us, and could not truly move forward that fast because of so many people. She was stuck inside that endless stream and had trouble advancing. She was wearing a dark brown cape over her shoulders which she constantly pulls closer to her body. She looked so small and pitiful, that it made me want to drag her from there myself.

n'AAAAAAHHH That's her! That's definitely her!'

nI started getting more excited than ever. My eyes went to my brother who was still busy from looking at the wares, then back to Estelle. She was closing in the distance slowly, and it heightened my anticipation for what's going to happen.

nI couldn't stay still on my feet and was constantly fidgeting as I bit my lip. I then scanned the other side of the crowd, looking for a potential thief that would complete the whole scenario.

nThere wasn't a face or a figure that stood out to me the most, but there were youngsters. Hence, why I kept looking at them and guessing who amongst those people would be our catalyst.

n'This is making me feel so tense!'

nA few moments had passed by, and I was still waiting for the commotion to come. A shout, a scuffle, whatever-- but nothing was happening. I was slightly confused now, and a little worried. Estelle is almost near our spot, but there wasn't a robbery happening at all!

n'Am I being impatient?'

nI tried to rationalize the situation. It could be that the racket would take place when she's way past us, or in front of us. But something in me was saying that there's a miscalculation on our part somewhere. I don't know what it was, but it was really eating me up.

nI could feel that there was something wrong. Even so, what was it? What is missing in this picture?

nMy eyes darted to the youngsters and then to Estelle, then back to Nathan. My mind was whirring with thoughts, looking for the answers.

n'Okay Nadia, let's recall what happened again…'

nIn the novel, there was a young thief… Estelle definitely saw him, so it's a guy…

nA young man…

nLet's say that the possibility of it being a commoner is on the 30 percent, but the commoners here in the Capital are on the average living side. So that's a probable no. Then our thief would be a person who is either an orphan that is living on the streets or a thug.

nThere seems to be no thug nor a homeless person in sight though…

n'Who is it? Who should it be?'

nI glanced at Estelle again, she was fastly approaching now, which was only making me panic. I wanted to shove her back and yell to wait because the thief is still not here to cause trouble.

nThen my eyes went to Nathan, and then to Estelle, then back to him again.

n

"Are you okay?

" Kai suddenly asked out.

nHe must have noticed how I kept glancing around like a madwoman. Lost was only looking at me as well, with the same question in his amber eyes.

n'I don't think I am...'

nI feel like I am going to be sick…

n

"Nadia, you are breathing really heavy right now,

" Kai pointed out and stared at me, looking worried and a little scared.

n

"Are you not well, Miss Nadia?

" Lost seconded.

nNathan heard them and stopped what he was doing to look at me.

n

"You're sick?

" he asked. One of his hands reached out to touch my sweating forehead, trying to see if my temperature is stable.

nI raised my left hand to indicate that I am fine, and I am just honestly going mad because the supposed fated meeting seemed to be not happening.

n

"Do you want to go home?

" Nathan pressed on.

n

"I am fine, brother. I just have something in my mind…

" I replied and smiled at them in reassurance.

nThey don't seem convinced though...

n'Who is it… Who is the thief?'

nI scanned the crowd again.

n'Just who--'

nA lightbulb flashed, and my eyes swiveled to Kai's worried face.

n'Oh my Go-- No waaaaaay?'

n

"Holy **…

" I mumbled as I eyed him with so much incredulity.

nKai seemed to feel uncomfortable about it.

n

"W-why are you looking at me like that?

"

n

"It's you!

" I exclaimed and pointed at him,

"That was you!

"

n'Oh gosh, it just came to me!'

n

"M-me?

" Kai uttered while sporting a bewildered expression.

nThat is right! The young man that Estelle had seen that day must be him! He was living in the slums and an orphan as well. He had been found by Estelle like that after all. Estelle must have recognized him when he was being picked on by thugs, which is why she had helped him then.

nThen it only means that the fated meeting won't happen, because the supposed thief is here.

nOf course! How would it transpire if the third key person had turned a new leaf? The current he right now won't be stealing anyone's purse any moment!

n

"What did I do…?

" I whispered with horror in my voice.

nI literally felt like the sky had fallen over my head. Not just the sky, but the whole universe!

nThe fateful meeting that I was seriously looking forward to… It won't happen anymore…?

n