Chapter 11: The Creepiness
Voices rose and fell, haggling over prices, shouting for customers. Nadeira stayed beside Maribel, half-listening, trying to find where the voice was coming from.
And then she heard it again…
A man's hushed voice yet somehow convincing tone. "Now, now, little dove. Don't be shy. The Baron will be very kind to you."
Nadeira stopped walking. She turned her head and saw a girl. She was no older than ten.
Thin arms, wide eyes, clutching a ragged doll. A merchant in a long coat bent down, holding out a pouch of brightly wrapped sweets.
"Come, take one," he coaxed. "A bride must always smile, yes? The Baron likes girls who smile."
The girl shook her head, clutching her doll tighter.
Nadeira's heart dropped like a stone to the ocean. 'No… Not again…Not this name. Not this trap...'
She grabbed Maribel's sleeve. "We're following them."
Maribel's eyes blinked nervously. "Follow them? Into a ship? That sounds like a terrible idea."
"Yes," Nadeira muttered, already moving. "That's why we're doing it."
They slipped between the crowd, trailing the merchant and the girl. The man kept talking, his tone was so syrupy.
"You'll wear fine dresses," he promised. "Silk and gold will be covering your body. Everyone will envy you. The Baron is very generous. Do you know what generous means? It means he gives you anything you want. As long as you behave."
The girl's small voice trembled. "But… I want to stay with my mama."
The merchant chuckled, patting her head as though she were a puppy. "Your mama will be proud. Imagine, her daughter married to a Baron. Such an honor…Such luck. Now eat the candy, sweet dove. It will make you pretty."
Nadeira's face frowned like an old raisin. Every word felt slimy, crawling under her skin. She wanted to rip the pouch of sweets from his hand and throw it into the sea.
"Maribel," she whispered. "Does this sound familiar to you?"
Maribel's brows furrowed. "Very familiar I guess. It's the same trick, no? Gifts, promises, flattery."
"The same man who almost ruined me," Nadeira muttered. "The Baron they wanted me to marry.
They followed the pair down to the harbor. A ship was already waiting there, sails furled, ropes ready as sailors loaded crates.
The merchant helped the girl step aboard. Nadeira and Maribel exchanged a look, then climbed on silently, keeping to the shadows.
Everything inside smelled like tar and damp wood. Lanterns swung, casting pale light over the deck, but it was still dark enough for them to hide.
Nadeira crouched behind a stack of barrels, straining to listen.
The merchant sat the girl on a crate. He pressed a sweet into her hand and lowered his voice, though Nadeira still caught every word.
"You'll learn to be quiet, yes? The Baron doesn't like chatter. He likes obedience. If you're good, he'll give you jewels…all the rings, necklaces, ribbons for your pretty hair."
The girl didn't answer. She only stared at her doll.
The man sighed, forcing a candy between her fingers. "Eat. It's sweet. The Baron likes sweet things. He'll like you and your skin."
Nadeira's nails dug into her palms. 'That monster. He's still at it. Still hunting children like animals.'
She leaned even more closer, almost stepping from her hiding spot. "Maribel, we need the name. We need to hear him say it."
Maribel nodded, and she pressed her lips together into one line.
The merchant continued, his tone felt so dreamy. "Ah, baron has such fine taste. He always chooses the prettiest brides. You'll be the jewel of his collection."
The title of "baron" burned into her like hot iron. She whispered it under her breath, her throat turned dry. "Baron..."
Memories came crashing back immediately…how her stepmother's voice hissed that she should be grateful, her father's cold eyes, Victoria's sneering that no one else would want her. All for this Baron. This creepy man.
Her jaw clenched so fiercely, ready to crack her teeth. 'I'll kill him before I let another child be taken.'
Nadeira stood up, ready to step out, but then a rough hand clamped around her wrist.
"Ah!" Nadeira gasped, spinning around. Another hand covered her mouth.
Behind her, Maribel squeaked as a tall man grabbed her shoulder.
The barrels shifted, the lantern swung, and a shadowy face leaned close to hers.
"Well, well," the stranger murmured. "What do we have here? Spies?"
Nadeira struggled, hoping to kick and punch him. She tried to bite the hand over her mouth, but the grip only tightened harder.
The merchant's voice carried across the deck. "What is it? Who's there?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," the stranger called back smoothly. He pulled Nadeira closer, his breath felt hot against her ear. "But this one… she looks familiar."
Maribel thrashed beside her, shouting, "Let her go! Let us go!"
The stranger chuckled, "No. I think we'll keep them.