Martha, satisfied at her response, pointed at the pot and said. "Could you put it down and hold my baby for me?"
Having been forced. Selina nodded in a slight grief and placed the pot by the door.
After doing this, she took Martha's baby from her hands. Mrs. Heath... How could you be so trustful for a stranger to the point you'd let your baby be in her care?
The infant remained relaxed in her embrace. Seemingly comforted by her presence.
Martha then took the pot afterwards. Upon taking a glance at Selina, she suddenly figured something and asked. "Are you perhaps... Questioning why I put a lot of trust to you?"
Selina was taken aback once more. She felt as though the woman could see right through her.
The lady then giggled and responded. "Well... To be honest, I am cautious of you.
"A woman with an unknown background suddenly occupies the residence next to yours.
"You couldn't help but mind your family's safety because of it."
Selina could sympathize with her, as she had encountered similar situation that have led to a tragic event.
This resulted to her increased wariness towards strangers.
"But regardless, pushing people would also lead to pushing good ones out of your life." Martha added with a hint of melancholy.
"You will never know that kindness often hides in plain sight."
That's how you perceive it? Mrs. Heath, you seem to haven't reached middle-age yet you display traits that suggests you've already seen the vicissitudes of life... Selina mused inwardly.
As she cradles the baby on her arms, she cocked her head and asked. "Mrs. Heath, what's your baby's name?"
"It's Marl Jr. dear." Martha answered simply.
Then, Selina turned her gaze towards Martha's daughter and asked again in a gentle tone. "How about you?"
The girl eagerly answered Selina with a stammering voice. "Me, I-I'm"
Seemingly at a lost, the girl glanced at her mother before continuing her words. "O...delle. Right! It's Odelle Heath!"
Selina revealed a warm smile and said in a somewhat playful yet soft voice. "Well... Odelle, care to have me as your company for dinner?"
The girl nodded quickly. "Mhm!"
Martha let out a chuckle then said. "Let's go."
The Heath residence didn't displayed much difference in comparison to her house. With a short hall that leads to a flight of stairs and arched paths that leads to rooms.
The only distinction it have was the color of the tiles and the arrangement of furniture and rooms.
Arriving at the dining area which is apart of the kitchen. Selina saw Marl Heath seated before the dressed table, topped with multiple aromatic servings which includes: Seared Mutton, Fried Meat and Fish, Murslaw Noodle of the Feynapotter.
The gentleman didn't wore any extra piece clothes. Only a pair of trouser and a long-sleeved shirt, in his left hand holds a newspaper, covering Tingen City's Morning Daily Post while sipping tea by the other.
Marl placed the cup down and stroked his chin after. As if contemplating something, he hadn't noticed that Martha had already arrived by his side.
"Dear, please don't read in front of the meal." Martha lectured, passing the table and Marl before heading towards the counter.
"Oh, sorry..." Marl quickly withdrew the newspaper from the table and added. "Honey... Did you know?
"Another case of murder happened in West Borough again last week... And apparently, three graduated students from Khoy University was the victim of it."
A case of murder? There was no headline like that in the billboard before. Selina then recalled the current day. Have they also read the news about the town of Milo?
"The world is getting dangerous by the day." Martha said, taking out another plate from a shelf. "We can only hope that the Goddess will protect us."
Afterwards, she left the counter and returned to the table with a plate of fork and a table knife in hand.
"Dad!" The girl holding Selina's hand rushed for her father and pounced him by the abdomen.
"Oh! Odelle! What got you excited?" Marl said, supporting the girl with his hand, preventing her from an accidental fall.
"I've got a big sister!" The girl exclaimed gleefully.
What? Shocked, Marl subconsciously raised his head.
There, she saw beautiful silver-haired lady, her hair is braided into a low bun.
Adorned with floral corset dress, the lady cradles a baby on her arms as she said. "Good evening Mr. Heath."
Marl shook his head out of daze and quickly said. "Ms. Roy, what brings you to our house?"
Selina forced a smile as she humbly replied. "Mr. Heath, your wife have coerced me to join your family for dinner."
"Really?" Marl looked at his wife as she approach the table.
"You're going to eat alone anyway dear." Martha said as she placed the dinning utensils by an empty seat. "At least here, you'll have us as company."
Although grateful for the lady's concern. Selina couldn't help but raise a thought in her mind. But I would just bother you all...
Marl let out a laugh and said. "The more the merrier I guess!
"I truly suggest trying my wife's Seared Mutton! It's texture added with her homemade sauce would melt right into your tongue!"
Martha let out a dry laugh and retorted. "Don't mind him dear. Help yourself with anything."
Selina fell silent for a moment.
The image of a loving family made her recall her parents and the friends she had back home.
Her hand, holding Marl Jr. suddenly tightened at the thought.
While arranging the seats, Martha noticed Selina standing quietly by the side of the table. "Oh, right. Let me get Marl Jr. off your hand."
Without a word, Selina handed Marl Jr. to Martha with care. Then, Martha offered. "Take a seat dear."
She nodded briefly before deciding to occupy the available seat next to Martha.
"Okay Odelle, take a seat as well." Marl said, letting his daughter get off his lap.
Then, the girl rushed to occupy the chair beside her father.
What a lovely family... Selina said in thought, added with a faint of longing.
She waited for the family members to each took their piece of the served meals before claiming a piece for herself.
The Seared Mutton, Marl had been probing her to taste, made her try the meal.
With a mouthful of bite. The tender fat glazed with brown sauce melts gently on her tongue. The mutton gives a slight smoky flavor accompanied by a rich meaty juice made the meal tasteful.
Mr. Heath is right... The Seared Mutton is really delicious! Selina exclaimed internally with delight.
Upon seeing her slight expression. Marl laughed and said. "Your face tells me that you're enjoying my wife's cooking!
"Haha! Come, help yourself some more!"
Selina controlled herself from revealing an embarrassed face as she nodded sincerely.
Just as she took another bite. Martha brought a topic from her mind. "Dear, I don't mean to be rude but... What got you to Tingen City?"
Selina almost choked on her food when she heard that. I guess that's one of the reasons why they invited me for dinner... To determine my origin and to ensure that I'm not dangerous...
For the next moment, she devised a reason she'd hope to convince them of. Bluntly telling her origin might even lead to unintended consequences. For her and for them.
Martha sighed after seeing Selina went silent. "It's fine if you don't want to disclose anything dear."
Moments later, Selina spoke.
"My parents... died of fire..." She interrupted in a solemn voice.
"Our house burned and I was the only survivor... Thanks to their savings and my own, I was able to relocate to a nearby city, which is Tingen."
Selina felt guilty of depriving them of the truth. But this was to isolate them from the danger that tails her.
"Oh... I'm... sorry to hear that dear." Martha's heart suddenly became heavy after her reply.
Afterwards, the dinner table went quiet.
I'm sorry as well... Selina internalized her apology deeply.
Then, she revealed a soft smile towards them and said. "It's fine Mrs. Heath. I have grown to accept it.
"But the fact that I was able to address this suggests that despite everything, I can still move forward."
Even if what I told wasn't the case...
Martha's expression softened as she comforted. "That's the only path to take anyway. Regardless, I'm sorry if I brought it up dear, here have some more Seared Mutton!"
Martha took the plate with the Seared Mutton and handed it to Selina.
Selina was caught off guard by Martha's sudden action. Her words stammered as she tried to reject. "Oh... I-I haven't finished this-"
After seeing his wife hand his favorite meal. Marl jolted, with haste he said. "Wait! Dear! I haven't had enough yet!"
The next second, the vibrancy of the table returned with Marl's probing of his wife.
Selina could only force a smile as she watch the couple threw playful acts to one another.
As moments passed, her expression transitioned into a soft and bitter smile as she forked a piece of meat, not intending to add into the family moment.
...
After returning to her residence. Selina felt bloated from the constant serving of food to her plate.
Mrs. Heath just kept on adding... I couldn't even refuse as that would seem impolite... She sighed, inwardly brooding her own nature.
With her dinner already finished. She entered the short hall and ascended to the second floor using the stairs.
Just as she turned the handle to the bedroom. She suddenly muttered to herself with a heavy chest. Let's avoid bothering the Heath family anymore...
We wouldn't want the Rose School of Thought to take notice of them...
She then rotated the handle cloackwise and entered the bedroom.
Selina saw her luggage left open by the bed. Littered with papers and unwashed clothes.
With a resigned sigh. She approached the messy bed and began to tidy the luggage, along with collecting the things nestled onto its drape.
As she reach for the papers. She noticed her identity document, nestled between a skirt and a blouse.
She had forgot to read it before and now concerned about the actual contents of her fake document.
I wonder what birthplace they assigned me from...
With this in mind, she took the document from the bed and skimmed over its contents:
-Name: Selina Roy
-Birth: October 25, 1328.
-Origin: Constant City, Midseashire County, Loen Kingdom.
-Signed: ----
Quite convincing... Selina remarked inwardly.
Afterwards, she decided to read the untouched newspaper by the luggage, thinking that it would a waste to turn it into a fire starter without having to read it beforehand.
"Establishment of The Grain Act. Proceeded!"
"Town of Milo, A Hive of Cult!"
"Case of Missing Persons: Vagrants Disappearance!"
Upon skimming the headlines, she thought. Missing persons. Vagrants...? Is that why the officials are relocating them?
Deciding to dismiss the matter for now. Selina rolled the newspaper to a bat tying it with a teared cloth.
After tidying the bedroom. She turned and head towards the door.
Bringing her unwashed clothes with her, she entered the bathroom from the corridor and threw her garments into the tub.
With the bathroom, containing only a sink, a tub, and curtains. She had to improvise with how she will wash her clothes.
As she turned the faucet. Selina's mind began to wander and thought of the recent Tarot Club gathering.
About Mr. Hanged Man's payment... Tomorrow, I'll make an excuse for Mr. Darkwill about my leave of absence.
I'm glad I have the former Selina's inheritance... If not, I'd have to take multiple or even part-time jobs just to provide a reward for them.
Selina then heaved a sigh and said to herself. About Ms. Justice's reward... There must be an organization that revolves around the Spectator potion right?
If I used the formula to track anyone who can be suspected of purchasing and completing the ingredients. I should be able to have a lead to its next Sequence.
By this, It would require me to truly visit the underground market. Luckily, I planned on going to Evil Dragon's Bar in the afternoon to continue to probe Mr. Swain about my waitress application.
After settling her mind, she went on to another matter that had been bothering her. And the acting method... The effects which I'm not certain of until now, can help me advance to my next Sequence.
You know... It's quite a coincidence, considering that Selina also wanted to become a herbalist. It really corresponds to the Apothecary potion she just so happened to be given of.
But regardless, I'm hitting two birds with one stone! Acting and laying a memento for my body's former owner! Selina's mouth curled slightly as her mood gradually improved.
Anyway, Mr. Fool had mentioned the Northland Bank in North Borough. Requesting a small donation for an admirer...
Could it be that Mr. Fool's blessed is also in this city? Can I meet him or her?
Mr. Fool can also decipher the contents of Mr. Roselle's diaries that others supposedly had never been able to. Hopefully it's in my native language.
Just as she immerse herself in thought. The bar soap slipped from her grasped and fell onto the tub's drainage.
Ah!
After picking the soap again. She emphasized to herself. Let's focus on washing this first for now.
...
In the Star Highlands, Marldor City, Northwest of South Continent. Within a room in a fairly simple low rise building.
A young woman holding a stack of old brown notes over her chest, stood in front of a board pasted with articles and records of what seems to be historic events.
She have garnered these from fellow historians and archeologists. In an effort to further her understanding of the past Epochs.
As she adds another series of notes to the board. The woman placed down an item above a nearby desk.
It has a long slim silver body, carved with intricate patterns of miniature flowers petrified in its end. It can be used as a classy designed accessory for occasions, enough to keep a hair in place and pierce a chest to the heart.
It was a long hairpin that resembles the accessory of the brides!
Because of me... Mr. Deimsfel almost got killed, which resulted in Grandpa getting hurt... The woman muttered in a low and quivering voice.
Those people... I... Don't want to do their bidding anymore...
I'm not a criminal...
Her hand, holding the soft texture of the papers, tightened at that moment. But why's grandpa. Kept on staying by their side...
Then, she raised her palm to her head and wiped a few cascading droplets from her face. How can I...
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Suddenly, from behind the room's door. Three consecutive knocks rang out from its wooden surface.
Followed by a muffled voice. "Laetitia!"