The wind blew calmly between us, but my mind was elsewhere. I kept on thinking about the children, the town, and these two men beside me. It was reassuring to have them by my side, but why both of them were dead silent. It's uncomfortable. It's awkward.
"If they have something to do, they should go first," I thought to myself.
Then, I remember about the tavern. The one that Felicity's mother works place. I could ask the owner if they would like to serve sweet potatoes there. I think jacket sweet potato, sweet potato fries or sweet potato ball would suit there.
"I'm sorry. You can go first. I have something to do."
I said to Sir Calisto, as I agreed before, that I would go back home with him. He looked somewhat confused, but Prince Lex was the same as he usually was.
"Why? I can wait for you, you know," he said softly with a concerned face.
"I will be fine. Thank you for today," I said with a smile on my face. It was not that I tried to push them away. It was because I felt like I didn't want to bother them anymore. I have already taken half of their day, despite their busy schedule. When I think about it again, I shouldn't have invited Sir Calisto to join me before. How thoughtless of me.
I turned around after I gave them a goodbye wave. Then, I make my way towards the tavern.
About a few minutes walked, I reached the tavern. There were loud noises coming from there, despite the day haven't dark yet. As I walked in, I saw a lot of people here, some chatting, some playing cards, and some gambling. The room was dimly lit with splinter-laden wooden tables and benches.
I could feel many eyes were on me. I felt afraid but tried to put on a strong face. Though anyone who saw me right now knew I was out of place. I have never been here, but I acted like I was, like from the book that I read. Now I regret my decision to come here alone. I should just ask both of them to accompany me. Now it's too late. There's nothing good from crying over spilled milk. I just have to do it. I sat on one of the free tables, with my heart almost bursting out of my body. I hope everything would be alright. Then I called one of the servers who walked past me with a tray of cold beer.
"Excuse me. Is the owner here? I would like to have a word if it's possible." I said to the server, who looks haggard and annoyed.
"For what reason?" he asked me.
"I have a proposal to make," I said.
"I'll inform him," he said.
After he served the drinks, he went upstairs. So I guessed that's where the owner was. Hence, I just sat down there and waited for him to come down.
The server went up to the room where the owner was. The room was at the far end of the corridor. He knocked multiple times before it was opened.
"What?!" the owner said as he was annoyed with him.
He was only wearing his robe at that time. Though it was nothing to be surprised by what he was doing in there. He inherited this tavern from his father, but he was not much of a worker. He would only come here to do his business and went home. He doesn't actually bother about what would happen to the tavern. As he knew, in this poor town, this was the only tavern they could come to. The poor who doesn't have money was given the privilege to pay for their drinks later. They would say that it was an act of kindness towards the townspeople. However, they didn't know that the debt would increase each time. They were nothing but a robber. Many who didn't pay it back would have something taken from them, from their house to their family. It was all just for a pint of beer.
"There is a woman downstairs who wanted to see you. She said she has a proposal to make," he explained.
"Is she beautiful?" The owner asked him.
"Yes, she is beautiful," he said, feeling indifferent. He was used to this scene as many poor people would come here and served their own daughter to the owner, with the intention to reduce or cancel their debt.
"Is she alone?" The owner asked with a smirk.
"Yes," he said with a single breath.
"Bring her up," the owner said.
As he received the order, he went straight down. Then, the owner, who doesn't even close the door, asked the woman who was on his bed to go out. She was surprised and displeased, but he looked content. He just ignored the woman. He stood in front of the mirror, feeling satisfied with his looks and his body. However, the woman wouldn't let this moment fly like a wind, as she has a duty to be completed. She worried she wouldn't be paid for today. So she went behind the owner and gave him a hug and kisses.
"What are you doing? Get out," he shouted at her as he pushed her down on the floor. Then, she just stood up and make her way out of the room.
I felt really uncomfortable here. I felt like a mouse being preyed upon by the cat. After a few minutes, he came back down and walked towards me.
"Come," he said.
I followed him silently. The environment upstairs was a lot cleaner than downstairs. I walked past a drunk person who was about to enter a room with a woman. His hands were all over her, though she didn't say anything just held him. A few steps in front of me, I saw a woman coming out of one of the rooms. She looks disheveled with smeared lipstick on her lips. As she passed me, she gave me a glare. She seems angry, though I didn't know why.
The server knocked on the door as we stood in front of the room. Then a middle-aged man opened the door. He looks clean, and neat, not like the place itself. The owner guided me towards the sofa where we would have our discussion.
"What would you like?" The owner asked with a smile.
"It's fine. Thank you for asking," I said. There was something about him that didn't feel quite right.
"Are you sure? We have the best drink here," he said.
"No, it's alright. I am not really much of a drinker," I politely reject his offer.
"Ok, what about coffee?" he asked.
"Sure," I hesitantly agree, as he seems doesn't back down.
Then he asked the server to bring coffee for us.
"So, what do I owe you a pleasure, miss….?" He asked, cunningly.
"Anna," I replied.
"I am Otis. Nice to meet you, Miss Anna," he said.
"I came here to ask whether I could sell my food here. I know we can make profits from it," I said with confidence.
"What kind of food?" he asked.
"Sweet potato."
"Are you sure? Not even the peasants would eat that anymore," he said.
"That's only because they don't realize there were other ways to cook it. I can assure you, you will gain not less than thirty percent in a month."
"Hmm... Why do you think I should accept your proposal? The tavern itself was fine as we are now. The thing that you suggested was nothing but speculation," he said.
"Fine, give me one week and I will prove it to you. The first week will be cover with my own money. If I can satisfy your doubt after a week, I hope we can discuss further," I said.
Then, the server came and brought the coffee in.
"Have a taste? Although we serve alcoholic drinks here, our coffee was not bad either," he said as he took a sip of the coffee.
"Thank you," I said as I drank the coffee, though I didn't feel like it. But I didn't want to seem rude.
"You know, there was a better way to achieve an agreement."
He stood up and sat beside me. I scooched over to my left as I didn't want to be that close to him. It was uncomfortable. I wanted to run away from here.
"Thank you, sir. I will come here again in two days' time," I said as I stood up. Suddenly I felt lightheaded and fell back down.
"Ooh... It works faster than I thought," he said with a smirk. Then he moved towards me and started to caress my cheek.
"St..op!" I tried to push him away, but I couldn't. I didn't have strength left in me. I tried to bring myself up, but he quickly grabbed me by my arm.
"St..op! Please.."
My tears fell down as I was scared. Is this my punishment? I am scared. Somebody helped me.
The owner lifted me up and brought me to his bed. He throws me roughly like I was only a tool. With the last of my strength, I kicked him hard. Maybe it was my adrenaline kicking in or the Goddess trying to help me, but I gained a bit of strength. As he was in pain, I wobbled down the corridor, which seemed longer than before. Suddenly, I tripped and fell down on the floor.
"Look at you. Isn't it better if you just stay put?" The owner said as he pulled my hair to look at my face, which was facing down. It was so painful, but I have used my last stroke of luck. I couldn't even move my own body now. I prayed that this was just a nightmare. This was not real. I am scared of what will happen.
At some point, I started to lose my consciousness and passed out.
֍
A few minutes ago, the sight of me walked away from Sir Calisto and Prince Lex, left them dumbfounded. Though both of them didn't plan to walk away without me by their side.
"You can go first, Lex. I go see Deanna, in case something happened to her," Sir Calisto said as he looks straight at him. He knew I could be reckless sometimes, but he couldn't say anything but only protected me.
"We can go together," he said as he felt worried.
Then, both of them followed me, but at some point, they lost me as I walked through a crowd of people. Though it didn't stop them. They continued looking until they heard something that caught their attention.
"She's beautiful, isn't she? Lucky bastard." One of the raggedy men said as he swayed from drunkenness.
"I have never seen a woman with blue eyes before. We could make a fortune," the other man said.
As both of them heard it, he knew right away who they talked about. Prince Lex walked towards them and threw a punch at one of them. Sir Calisto holds Prince Lex because as a prince, this will turn worse than good. After he stopped Prince Lex, who still hasn't calmed down yet, he walked towards the man who just got punched.
"Where is she?" Sir Calisto asked as he glared at him.
"Who?" The man said.
Suddenly, both of them tried to throw punches at Sir Calisto. Prince Lex who was behind Sir Calisto before moved forward and fought the man, while the other man was fought by Sir Calisto. The fight was just like a hiccup for them.
"When I asked nicely, you should answer," Sir Calisto said with a threatening voice as he grabbed him by his collar.
"Tavern. The Old Tavern," the man said with a trembling body.
Sir Calisto threw him on the street and hurriedly ran with Prince Lex towards the tavern.
As they arrived, their heads moved sideways, looking for that one figure, the one who entered their hearts by just a simple knock. Prince Lex walked towards the server and asked him.
"Where is she? The one with blue eyes," he asked furiously.
"I am sorry, sir. There was no such woman here. If you are looking for a scarlet woman you should go to the brothel," the server said.
"Do you think you can fool us?" he asked as he clenched his fist, ready to throw at the server.
Everyone who was there started to give them a stare.
"Lex, I'm checking upstairs," Sir Calisto said as he walked up the stairs.
"Sir, you shouldn't go upstairs without booking a room," the server shouted at Sir Calisto.
Prince Lex followed Sir Calisto. Both of their hearts were beating loudly with worried and afraid that something would happen to me and they were too late to do anything.
As they reached upstairs, they saw me being dragged by the owner. Their faces turned dark red, their veins started to throb, and their jaw started to clench. Without a word, both of them ran forward. Prince Lex punched the owner on his nose, diaphragm, and lastly his jaw, and eventually, he passed out. While Sir Calisto ran towards me, who was on the floor.
"I am sorry. I should protect you," Sir Calisto said as he gave me a hug. I, who was passed out at that time, didn't realize what was happening.
Sir Calisto carried me towards the carriage, while Prince Lex was only looking from afar. He wanted to hold me, but was afraid. He felt that because he made me uncomfortable was the reason I tried to go there by myself. He felt guilty, so the best way to do now was only watched me from afar.
During the ride, I slept on Sir Calisto's lap throughout the whole ride. I still haven't woken up yet, as the drug that the owner gave me was quite strong. Though at one point I felt someone stroke my head gently. It felt comfortable and calming. Then I vaguely heard someone called my name. I tried to open my eyes.
"Ca..listo," my words were barely coming out as I still felt dizzy and sick to my stomach.
"Yes I'm here," he said with a soft voice.
With just a single sentence, I felt a sense of relief and my tears started to fall down. My tears won't stop so I only could hide my face because of embarrassment. Sir Calisto just silently stroked my head until I calmed down. Though his heart was broken.
Prince Lex was furious at the owner for acting like an animal and sad for being unable to protect me. He continued to look outside, feeling remorseful.
As I felt a bit calmer and less dizzy, I sat myself down properly.
"Do you feel a bit better?" Sir Calisto asked as he wiped my tears away.
"Yes. Thank you. I'm sorry for troubling you," I said softly as I gave him a smile.
Then I continued, "This is the second time already. You must be sick of me already," I said with a low voice.
"Don't say that. I will always be by your side. Please don't do that again. Promise me. If you wanted to go there again tell me first," he said, with his affectionate voice and worried eyes.
"I thought nothing would happen. I just wanted to ask whether I could promote my sweet potato there. I want them to like it, as much as I like it," I said in a low voice, feeling remorseful.
"Thank you, Calisto, Lex. I promise I won't do that again," I said as my lips curled into a smile.
As I looked at Prince Lex who was staring outside, I finally realized it was night already.
"It's night already! I have to go," I said.
"We wanted to bring you in before, but I thought you must have a reason to go out in secret. So we waited," Sir Calisto said.
"Thank you. I should go now," I hurriedly opened the door and went out.
"Take care," I said as I hurriedly walked inside.
After I left them, both Sir Calisto and Prince Lex made their way home, while feeling worried still buried inside their hearts.
"You like her don't you?" Prince Lex was the first to break the silence.
"I have never felt like this before. I want to protect her and care for her. I don't want her to be sad. I want her by my side, always. I like being with her. If that means I like her, then I do," Sir Calisto said.
Then Prince Lex just stayed quiet as he got the answer.
"Why did you asked?" Sir Calisto asked.
"Nothing," Prince Lex said.
The trip back was quiet as both of them drowned inside their own thoughts. We never thought that one day someone is going to come into our lives and they would adore us for who we are. All the little things that we showed them made them love us more. The way we speak, the way we eat, the way we laugh, the way we got cranky when we are in a bad mood, the way when our stomach fold as we sat down, or even the way we wiggled our toes or playing with our fingers when we are nervous. It's the time you know you are in love.