I. Chapter 9: Lara and Ashley

When the sun gave way to the moon, under the cover of the night dressed in a brown coat, I got out of the castle. I headed towards the city, supposedly a traveler stopped in Canterlot, who also dealt with paid killings, I don't know who it was, everyone gossiped that he is not only an adventurer, but a paid murderer, but also a great tracker. Yes, I agree, I wanted to kill what is called Colin, Aunt Luna told me that Colin is not dangerous, but I didn't believe it. All the time I was still convinced, that human is really a merciless monster, I don't know how I could have been so wrong, maybe I was blinded by hatred, or I was just an ordinary asshole.

I got to one of the restaurants in town, tables, chairs, and umbrellas were also outside, at one of the tables I saw a figure sitting on a chair who ate her meal while polishing his crossbow. I didn't recognize the face, because the figure was dressed in a brown coat, just like me, but I knew it was him, the traveler.

I went to the table where the figure was sitting, sat down in a chair in front of her.

"Hello, are you this... Adventurer?" - I asked

"What do you want? Don't you see that I eat?" - A girlish voice asked, but still, I couldn't see her face

"You should talk to me with respect, my name is..."

"Prince Blueblood, am I right?" - She asked, interrupting me

"Yes, and what is your name?"

"I'm Lara, nice to meet you" - She said, taking off her hood

When Lara took off her hood, it turned out that she was a griffon. Her entire body was covered with a coat, but I could see her face. She had a white head and emerald green eyes.

"You are..."

"A Griffon, yes. But you probably didn't come to look at me... Am I right?" - Lara asked, looking slightly attractive

"Uhmm... no, I have a case for you"

"What is going on?" - Lara asked lazily

"I heard that apart from traveling, you also deal with paid killings" - I said

"Alright. Then tell me, who I should kill?" - She asked

"Have you heard about... Beast from Ponyville?"

"About what?" - She asked surprised

Then I looked around. On one of the tables was a newspaper, from a few days ago. I took it and opened it on the first page, I didn't have to look for a long time, because in the beginning was written 'BEAST FROM PONYVILLE, BEWARE!' there was also a picture taken, made by one of the residents, where Colin goes along with the Element of Loyalty and the Element of Magic.

"I'm talking about It" - I said, showing the newspaper

"Wait a second... I've seen this kid somewhere, but where?... I remember! In the train"

"Well... can you get him?" - I asked

"I'm sorry, but no"

"Why?"

"Listen, sweetie, First: He's not a beast, that's what they write in newspapers, that's nonsense. Second: I'm not a infanticide. I've met another human before, so I know what I'm saying, besides, not only from here"

"Before?" - I asked curiously

"Well, yes. What are you looking at me like that?" - Lara asked unpleasantly

"So... There are other humans?"

"Well, bravo genius"

"Actually... who is he, who is this human, where is he now?" - I asked

"Not he, but she. I took her to a safe place" - Lara said

"Safe place?... Where?"

"She is at the Emperor, in Griffon Empire"

"And what's with her?" - I asked again

"In my opinion, you're asking too many questions, Bluey" - Lara said - "Tell me, what do you want from her? Do you want me to kill her too?"

"What? No, I just... I'm curious, how exactly did you get to know each other?"

"You want to know?" - Lara asked, I just nodded - "Okay, I will tell you, but you have to keep this information for yourself, otherwise my crossbow will sing, understand?"

"Yes, I understand, I promise I will not tell anyone"

"Well, then, sit down, because it's a long story" - Lara said

"I'm sitting" - I said

"And very good. So, what to start with here?..."

It happened about 4 days ago. I returned from my journey, from Dragon Land's, I was able to cross the border. It started to get dark, I was tired of the flight, so I slowly began to descend and landed in a clearing next to a small forest. When I landed on the ground, I decided to camp, I went to the forest for brushwood and to try to hunt for supper.

Walking through the forest, I heard the sounds of crickets and other vermin, I collected dry sticks on the way and... actually everything that could be burned. Unfortunately, there were no animals in the forest, which surprised me a bit because the forests were always full deer, hares, or even these squirrels.

I decided to camp under a tree because it gave me any protection in case it was supposed to rain. I sat by the fire, I looked at the stars in the sky, listening to the sounds coming from the depths of the forest, I was about to fall asleep when suddenly I heard someone's footsteps. I looked around nervously, but no one was around, sounds came from the back of the tree, I grabbed the crossbow, then started slowly and silently, approaching the sound source. When I was close, I jumped out from behind the tree and aimed at the attacker.

"N-no! Please, don't hurt me!" - A soft girlish voice said

I took the torch, which lay next to the fire and quickly lit it, I brought the light closer and then I saw the girl, but... She was a human. She was 10 or 11 years old, she had dark blond hair, light complexion, blue eyes and she was dressed in a slightly torn, summer dress. She was in wounds and blood, there were signs of numerous bites and claw marks on her, she was terrified, I thought that she might have been attacked by some wild animal. She sat staring at me. I was really surprised and sad at the same time, I felt sorry for her, I put away the crossbow and walked slowly up to her, she nervously began to step back, tried to get up, but she could not, she had terribly battered legs.

"Leave me alone, please" - She said, terrified

"Do not be afraid. I will not hurt you, I want to help" - I said, reaching for her with a paw

She still looked at me surprised and scared at the same time, she was afraid to do anything.

"Come on, I don't bite" - I said

The girl hesitated for a moment, I felt sorry for her, I was curious about that, what had happened to her. Despite the fact that she was afraid, she offered me a hand, she was very suspicious of me, I was about to set off on a journey, but I could not take her with me, because it would be too risky.

I helped her clean the wounds, but unfortunately, I did not have any dressings, so I could only hope that she wouldn't get an infection. Me and her, we sat together at the campfire and talked, the night was very cold today, so I covered her with my wing.

"Actually, what's your name?" - I asked

"I'm Ashley"

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lara. Tell me, how did you get here?"

"I don't know, I... I just looked for my... friend, then something attacked me suddenly and I woke up here in this forest. I wandered, until I came across you, actually... What are you?"

"I'm Griffon, and you are?"

"Ah! Griffon... I'm a human, Colin liked the mythological creatures very much, but the most likes Griffons. He told me very often how majestic they are, wonderful, but... I didn't listen to him" - Ashley said

"Wait... Griffon... A mythological creature? But how is that?" - I asked a bit surprised

"I... I don't know, where actually am I?" - Ashley asked uncertainly

"We are in the Griffon Empire. Not far from here, beyond the sea, there is a border with the Dragon Land's" - I said

"Wait, what?" - Ashley asked, somewhat surprised

"That what you've heard. You're not from here, am I right?"

"No, I guess not" - Ashley said

"Tell me what your friend looks like?" - I asked

"He's a bit taller than me, he has short black hair and brown eyes, he's... very nice" - Ashley said, blushing slightly

"He's your boyfriend?" - I asked smiling

"N-no, though... He once kissed me on the cheek, on school break" - Ashley said, blushing even more

"Well, who would have thought. So... you are looking for him because you care about him, I'm right?"

"Yes, I like him very much, he often defended me against school rascals. Once he was beaten by them, but I helped him"

"Girl, you just love him, I can feel something like that for a kilometer" - I said jokingly

"No, though... maybe. I don't know, we're just friends and, agh!... Oh, that hurts..." - Ashley said, slightly curled up in pain

"Sorry, but I don't have any dressings or anything, to cover the wounds, we have to wait until morning" - I said

"I'm scared, what if it, which attacked me, comes back?" - Ashley asked, curling more

"What actually attacked you?"

"I don't know, it was dark, the only thing I remember is red, glowing eyes and big teeth"

"Maybe something special?"

"It sounded like a lion"

"Lion? Hm... I can only guess what it could have been" - I said looking away

"It was saying something to me, he calling me"

"Wait a minute, what did It say?

"It said... Ashley, come to me, come to me, let me help you, then it attacked me"

"Hm... I don't like it. Try to fall asleep, I will take you to a safe place tomorrow, you cannot stay here"

"Okay, thank you Lara" - Ashley said, closing her eyes and leaning against me

"Goodnight..." - I said, Covering her with my wing

I was wondering about that, what she said. What actually attacked her? It could have been anything, but I wondered where this girl came from. She thinks that Griffon is a mythological creature, I did not know what to think about it, but I liked Ashley, she seemed to be okay.

"Ashley mentioned Colin, right?" - I asked

"Yes, I don't know who it is, but the kid which I saw in the train, fits the description perfectly" - Lara said

"Because the kid you saw in the train and the one who is on the newspapers, that's him"

"Wait, are you serious?"

"Yeah"

"Tell me, where is he now?" - Lara asked

"He's in the castle, in Canterlot"

"Actually, tell me, why did you want to kill him?"

"You saw what is in the book about mythological creatures, yes? According to it, Human is dangerous, even very dangerous"

"Tell me, you still want to kill him?" - Lara asked

"All in all... no. Aunt Luna said that he isn't dangerous, but... I don't know"

"Maybe you take a look at this?" - Lara said, pulling a book from behind the coat and putting it on the table

"What is this?" - I asked

"You blind? You can see that this is a book"

I sighed exasperated - "I see it, but what is it about?"

"This is a book about mythology from my homeland"

"Well... why do you give it to me?"

"It's written about humans here, even more than you think, it's the opposite of what you can find in your book about mythology" - Lara said, getting up - "Okay, I have to go. See you, Bluey"

"Wait!"

"What do you want, again?" - Lara asked

"You didn't finish telling what happened to Ashley if she was looking for Colin, I could..."

"Okay, okay, I get it. Where did I finish? Oh, yeah..."

When the morning came, I started to wake up Ashley, who was sleeping under my wing. I must admit that she looks cute, but I had to wake her up because we had to go.

"Ashley, wake up" - I said, nudging her lightly

"Just 5 minutes more, Mom" - Ashley said lazily, yawning

"Girl, wake up, we must go"

Then Ashley opened her eyes, looked around nervously, rose and looked at me in surprise.

"Wait, am I still dreaming?" - Ashley asked, half conscious

"No, it's morning, it's time to go" - I said

"What? So... it was not a dream?"

"Uhmm... no, certainly not"

Ashley fell to the ground and grabbed her head. She sat and didn't say anything. She began to pant out nervously, not knowing what to say.

"Hey, you alright?" - I asked, standing in front of her and laying my paw on her arm

Then she looked into my eyes.

"You are real..." - She said with disbelief in her voice

"As you see, yes"

"In that case... how did I get here? Where are my parents?" - Ashley asked nervously

"I... I really don't know"

"But... I want to come back to them, I don't want to be here" - Ashley said, and tears streamed from her eyes

"Calm down, it will be fine" - I said, trying to calm her down

"I want to come back to them, they are probably worried about me now, I..."

Ashley hid her head in her lap and began to cry

"Mom... Dad..." - She said, crying

"Ashley, I assure you everything will be fine"

"But... I miss them... I'm begging, let it end"

"Shhh, it's okay" - I said sitting next to her

"It doesn't really happen, I don't want it, I don't want to be here"

I sat with Ashley for about twenty minutes trying to comfort her, but she couldn't stop crying, she really missed her parents. I couldn't do anything about it, but I really wanted to help her, I could only take her to some safe place and hope that it will be good.

Ashley finally calmed down, she still could not shake, but she was partly reconciled to the fact that she was far from home.

"Better? Are you okay?" - I asked

"Y-yes, it's better, but... How did I get here and... why?" - Ashley asked in a shaky voice

"I don't know, but I can do nothing, I don't know how you got here"

"In that case, what now?" - Ashley asked, looking at me

"For now, I will take you to some safe place, and then we will see" - I said, wiping Ashley's tears

"Okay, so let's go, which way?" - Ashley asked, getting up

"Are you going to go on foot? That's a really long way"

"Yes"

"Listen to me. There is a huge forests, where are the wild beasts are living, mountain passes, full of dangers. A moment of inattention and you are dead"

"So, what will we do?" - Asley asked

"We will fly, avoiding forests and mountains" - I said, bending down - "Come on, get in"

"I have... Get on you?"

"Yes, if we want to get there"

Ashley approached me and hesitantly and got on me, she was quite light.

"Okay, better hold on, maybe shake a little" - I said

"I'm ready"

"Okay, so we're starting"

I started to flapped wings. After a few moments we were very high above the ground, Ashley seemed to be a bit scared. She hugged my neck and held very tight, I turned head and saw her with closed eyes, cuddling in me.

"Open your eyes, girl. You don't know what you are missing" - I said

Then Ashley raised her head and opened her eyes, she looked a surprise.

"Wow, it's nice" - She said

"Yes, that's true. It's not so bad, huh?"

"Well, No but... I was scared a bit"

"I know what it's like. When I was about to fly for the first time, I was scared too, now I'm not afraid of any more"

"I would like to be able to fly, like you, and feel so..."

"Free?" - I asked while finishing Ashley's sentence

"Yes, it is very cool"

"*I know that, do you feel that wind in your hair?" - I asked giggling

"Yes"

"That's what it's like to be a griffon. You're free and you don't care about anything"

"The problem is that I'm worried. I want to find my friend and go home" - Ashley said sadly

"For now, we cannot do anything about it, don't think about it, okay?"

"Okay"

"Very well We have a long way to go"

I flew with Ashley for a very, very long time, we managed to encounter a dragon on the way. He was huge, Ashley was afraid of him, but Dragon was not looking for a provocation, so he gave us peace. I must admit that I liked her, she was really liked the flight, we were watching different landscapes together, Ashley was delighted. When it was about two hours, we had to land, I was a bit tired of the flight, Ashley too. We stopped in a nearby village, we bought the dressings, thanks to which I dressed Ashley wounds, I bought a lunch and rested.

We entered the village tavern, ordered us both meals, we sat at the table talking, I told her a bit about the Griffon Empire, Equestria, and other lands, everything was fine until they accosted us what stunned us.

Another griffon approached Ashley, he was a male, with a scar running through his left eye, he looked at the Ashley and smiled insidiously.

"Hmm, pretty. How much you want for her?" - Griffon asked, looking at me

"Wait, what?" - I asked

"How much you want for her? I would buy her from you"

"She's not for sale, she's not my slave" - I said calmly

"I'll pay as much as you need" - Griffon said, grabbing Ashley's arm

"Leave her alone" - I said getting up

"Or what?"

"She... is not... for... sale" - I said a bit angrily

"Let me go" - Ashley said, trying to break free

"You will sing in a different way, skylark" - Griffon said

At that moment, I took the crossbow and aimed at the assailant.

"Let her go, now" - I said, aiming with the crossbow

"Relax, why this aggression? Let's do it peacefully"

"The last warning, let her go, and no one will be harmed" - I said, still measuring from the crossbow

"I will pay as much you want, and then... AGH! DAMMIT!"

Ashley stepped on a Griffon's paw, who has immediately let her go. Then Ashley ran up to me and embraced my neck, I dropped the crossbow down and pressed her lightly to myself.

"Oh, you little bitch" - Griffon said. Then I grabbed the crossbow, and aimed at him, again

"Get back, now!" - I shouted furiously

Griffon began to retreat. I started with moving away with Ashley, to the exit door, when we were outside, I gave her a sign to get on my back. When Ashley got on me, I jumped and flight.

We were quite far from the village, we were flying for about 10 minutes, Ashley was silent all the time.

"Hey kid, are you okay?" - I asked, a bit worried

"Yes, why did you help me?" Ashley asked

"Because that's what's friends do"

"I'm not your slave?" - She asked uncertainly

"Of course not. I wouldn't sell you"

"But... He wanted to buy me, why? Who was that?"

"I don't know, but will be fine, if we get to this place quickly"

"Where are you taking me?" - Ashley asked

"I am taking you to the capital of the Griffon Empire, the Emperor is my friend, I'm taking you to him"

"Is he... Good?"

"Don't worry, Emperor Asriel sometimes seems threatening, hard, assertive like any other ruler, but if you get to know him better, you will learn that he is docile as a lamb. I know it from my experience" - I said smiling at her

"You said that he is your friend"

"Yes, one of his patrols was lost one day, his soldiers were sent to investigate the disappearance of the residents and eventually they also disappeared, and as I was a tracker, the emperor asked me to find them"

"And what happened then?" - Ashley asked

"Nothing, a group of cutthroats was responsible for the disappearances of the residents, and the guards were captured by them"

"And what is with these guards now... Those who kidnapped them?"

"Now?... the guards are feeling pretty well, and the kidnappers have a nice stay in the dungeon" - I said slyly smiling

"Are you a hero?"

"No, although the emperor thinks so"

"I would to be, like you" - Ashley said

"You will be like me one day, I know it"

"Do you really think so?"

"Well, yes. I was impressed when you stepped on his paw, you're really brave" - I said, then Ashley smiled

"Thank you" - Ashley said

"You're welcome" - I said looking ahead, in the distance I could see the city and the castle - "We are approaching, we will be there soon"

We flew there very quickly. I landed just outside the gate to the royal court, I started to go to the castle gate. A few guards stood, who looked at Ashley sitting on my back in surprise.

"Stop! Who is going?" - One of the guards, guarding the entrance to the castle, asked

"Relax, it's just me" - I said

"Lara? Is good to see you. What's going on?"

"I want to enter the castle" - I said

"Okay, but..."

"But what?" - I asked

"You cannot bring animals in here" - Said the guard, pointing to Ashley sitting on my back

"She's not an animal. Remember it very well. She's my friend, I want to take her to Asriel"

"To the Emperor? Why?" - The guard asked

"I promised her that I would take her to a safe place, I am on a journey and I can't take her with me"

"But..."

"Don't forget that I solved the disappearances case. Will you let me in or not?"

"Uhmmm... Okay, come in" - The guard said, giving way

"Thanks" - I said

I walked through the corridors of the castle. Ashley was still sitting on my back, watching the interior and decor.

"Lara"

"Yes? What's going on?" - I asked

"Am I an animal?"

"What? No, of course not. Please, don't listen to what they say"

"But, that guard said that..."

"I know what he said. They have no right to judge you, they don't know you, you're not an animal"

"Okay, thanks"

"It's okay, little one. You're welcome"

After a short time, we arrived at the throne room, there were two thrones. On one of them sat Emperor Asriel, while the other sat Empress Saskia.

"Welcome, your Imperial Majesty" - I said, bowing to the Emperor

"Hello, Lara. Is good to see you" - said the Emperor, rising from the throne - "I wanted to thank you again for finding my patrol"

"You're welcome"

"Actually... You said that once you find my detachment, you are on a journey"

"And I will leave, I remember. I was coming back from Dragon Lands and I was supposed to go to Equestria, but... I meet her" - I said, showing Ashley sitting on my back

Emperor Asriel stepped back in shock, stared at Ashley, who seemed uncomfortable.

"No... it's impossible, but after all... Humans... are mythological creatures, they died long ago, how is that possible?" - Emperor asked, coming closer to Ashley

"They died out... What happened to them?" - Ashley asked

"Nothing, just... In the books, humans were described as a myth, and even if they would exist... a long time ago"

"But... I'm here" - Ashley said

"Yes, that's true, you're here, but... why?"

"I set out on a journey, I didn't want to leave her. I brought her here to be safe" - I said

"Of course, she can stay here. Saskia, honey"

"Yes, Asriel, what is it?" - Empress asked

"Take this little one, to the guest room and ask the servants to give her something to eat"

Ashley was a bit restless. I bent down when she came down from my back and stood by when she stood by the Emperor, she seemed very small.

Saskia approached to little Ashley, smiling cheerfully, the girl retreated a bit intimidated.

"Relax, it's okay. Don't be afraid" - I said soothingly

"H-hi..." - Ashley said uncertainly

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you?" - Saskia asked, but Ashley was silent - "Come with me, honey. I'll take you to your room, okay?"

"Okay" - Ashley said

Saskia and Ashley went together to the guest room, then she turned, I smiled at her.

"Lara, I wanted to talk with you" - Asriel said

"I understand, what is going on?"

"It's about Ashley. How did she get there?"

"I don't know. She said that she was looking for her friend and she was attacked. She doesn't know how she got here"

"Hm... She is looking for her friend. Who are we talking about?" - Asriel asked

"She was talking about... Colin, but... I don't know, where he is or who he is, but Ashley seems to like him"

"Someone attacked her, right?"

"Yes, but... she doesn't remember anything. She only said that something... spoke to her and made sounds like a lion. When I found her, she was terrified and heavily battered, I helped her with dressings"

"Made sounds like a lion, you say?... Interesting" - Asriel said, scratching his chin

"She also said, she wants to come back to her parents, she misses them"

"And she doesn't know, how she got here?" - Asriel asked, slightly worried

"That's what she said, but... what does that have to do with it?"

Asriel turned to the stained glass window. He looking at it, thinking and scratching his chin. After a while, he turned back to me.

"Lara, it's good that you brought her here" - Asriel said

"Why?"

"I don't know what attacked her, but I have some suspicions of what it could be and... I'm worried about it"

"What is that?" - I asked

"Look at this" - Asriel said, pulling out two books

"What is it?" - I asked

"Books about mythological creatures, one from Equestria, the second comes from here"

"Okay, but... Why are you giving it to me?"

"Open a book from Equestria, on the page 119"

I did what the Emperor said. I don't need to say what was on that particular page, but when I read it, I was really surprised by what I read. But then Asriel said that to open a book from my homeland on page 76, it was the opposite of what could be found on page 119 in the first book. When I read what was on page 76, I was even more surprised, there was information about humans, who saved Equestria and all other kingdoms, dark forces led by a powerful demon as defeated by them. I also read about the chosen one, who was the Ruler of Humans. He killed the demon, so that the Humans, Dragons and Griffons, faced the forces of darkness.

As for the description of the man himself, well... A human was described as a neutral creature with a gentle temper. A human was as intellectually developed as ponies, dragons or griffons. A human could have been eating both meat and vegetation, he was not aggressive, but in the case of a danger, he is very violent. After reading this, I was completely confused, I didn't know what to think about it.

"So... Humans were like us?" - I asked

"Yes, indeed"

"Okay, but... What about Ashley?" - I asked

"Don't worry about it. She said that, she has no family, right?"

"Actually, she said that she misses her parents very much and that she wants to come back to them"

"I don't know where she came from, or how to send her back, so... Foster family will be useful, or at least... for the present moment" - Asriel said

"Are you serious?" - I asked slightly surprised

"Yes. I and my wife, we will take care of her. Saskia will love her, I will try too"

"I liked this little one. you promise?" - I asked

"I promise, she will be safe here" - Asriel said

"Thank you"

"Thank you too, Lara. You can keep this book if you want. It will not be useful anymore, but to you, well... who knows?"

"Okay, thank you for your time. See'ya, Asriel" - I said, walking toward the door

"See you, my dear"

When I left the throne room, I headed towards the exit door, and on the way, I met Saskia and Ashley, who were talking with Opinikus, the commander of the royal guard. Ashley noticed me immediately, I approached her and she came up to me.

"Hi Ashley, how are you feeling?" - I asked

"Good. Miss Saskia met me with Mister Opinikus" - Ashley said

"Ashley told me, how she treated the bandit in the tavern. She is very brave" - Opinikus said proudly

"Really?" - I asked

"Yes. I'm impressed"

"Thank you" - Ashley said

"Well, I have to go" - I said

"Why?" - Ashley asked

"You see, that's the fate of the traveler. Be polite here, okay?"

Then Ashley hugged me tightly, I did not expect that such a child could have so much strength.

"I will never forget you" - Ashley said

"I will not forget you too, little one" - I said, pressing Ashley to myself

Ashley finally let me go, so I could go on my way when I started to move away from the castle, I turned backward, Ashley waved goodbye to me. I waved to her too and flew on, this time towards Equestria.

"That's the whole story" - Lara said

I sat thinking about all this, I realized what I wanted to do, I wanted to kill an innocent child, thinking that, he was a monster. But it turned out that, I was a real monster.

"Everything about humans, is written in this book, yes?" - I asked

"That's right, Bluey" - Lara said, eating the last bite

"I must apologize Colin. For that what I did to him" - I said, overwhelmed with guilt

"Did you do something wrong to him before?" - Lara asked

"Yes, I sent guards, to capture him" - I said with shame

"Wow, you're right, you have to apologize him"

"But I... I didn't know that, he is not dangerous"

"Everyone makes mistakes, you're right"

"Can I take this book?" - I asked

"Yeah, take it, I don't need it" - Lara said, getting up - "See'ya Bluey, it was nice to meet you"

"You too"

"You know... When I will be in Cantrlot, meet with me, I will buy you a drink" - Lara said

"Thanks, but I will not take advantage" - I said

"As you want" - Lara said, putting her hood over her head, then she flew off

There was nothing left for me but to return to the castle. I was walking and read a book from Lara, I was overwhelmed with guilt, I felt that I had to apologize Colin.

When I got to the castle, I met Aunt Celestia in the corridors. I was surprised that, she had a bandage on her face, she herself seemed to be unhappy when she saw me.

"Hello, aunt, what happened to you?" - I asked

"It's nothing" - she said coldly

"Auntie, I wanted to talk to you, it's about Colin, I wanted to... apologize him" - I said

"Oh, well... He is no longer a monster to you, that deserves only for death, huh?!" - She said angrily

"Wait... How do you know, what I said?"

"I overheard your conversation with Shining Armor. Did you have something to say to me?"

"I know... I know what you think about me now, but now I want to apologize him, really" - I said nervously

"Really? Are you confirming these words?" - Celestia asked

Then I pulled out a book from Lara, Celestia gaze instantly focused on her.

"What is this?" - Celestia asked

"Page 76" - I said

Aunt Celestia took the book and began to read, after a moment her gaze from nervous, changed into surprised and saddened at the same time.

"Blueblood, where are you found this book?"

"I got it from my... friend. Thanks to this book I know that I was wrong"

"I didn't think I would say it once, but I'm proud of you. Colin will stop thinking that he is a monster, or... the residents will stop thinking like that" - Celestia said, happily

"In that case... I'm going to apologize Colin"

"Not now. At this moment he's already asleep. Wait to the morning with apologies, okay?"

"Alright, Aunt, but... what happened to you? Why do you have a bandage?" - I asked a bit worried

"I already said it was nothing. Just when I walked the corridor, I slipped and hit. You don't have to worry, go to your room, it's late"

"Well, thank you, Auntie" - I said, going to my room

I kept thinking about all this, going to the room. I felt guilty all the time. I knew I had to apologize to Colin, I wanted to do it now, but... I was ashamed, besides, it was late, so he probably slept. I swear when the morning comes and when I meet Colin, I will apologize for all the harm I have done to him.

End of Chapter 9...