Alora was hesitant about returning to work, but she had promised herself she wouldn't let what happened stop her.
"Why is it that whenever I go somewhere new, trouble always follows me?" she muttered while eating breakfast.
Irene noticed the troubled expression on her daughter's face.
"Go, Alora," she said gently. "That's life. We don't stop living because something bad happens. We move forward."
Alora nodded.
She wasn't entirely convinced, but she knew her mother was right.
When she arrived at the grocery shop with Roxana, she quietly slipped a small knife into her apron before beginning work. She wasn't taking any chances.
Ambrose arrived shortly after, he barely acknowledged them.
His expression was hard, and although he said nothing, the anger in his eyes was obvious. Alora and Roxana simply ignored him and continued working.
The days passed without incident.
Then, during lunch break, Alora stepped outside to get some fresh air.
She had barely walked a few steps when someone appeared in front of her.
"Hello, beautiful."
Alora looked up, her expression immediately hardened.
Herbert smiled, revealing his yellowed teeth.
She ignored him and continued walking.
"Running away, love?" he called after her. "I could keep you company."
Alora stopped. Slowly, she turned around.
"I'm not interested, old hag." She spat to the side before turning away again.
Herbert's smile disappeared, "Rude," he muttered. "Is that how you speak to someone who admires you?"
Alora didn't bother answering, she continued walking.
Behind her, his voice followed, "Don't worry, little girl. One day, you'll love me."
Alora rolled her eyes and kept walking.
When she returned to the shop, she was about to tell Roxana what had happened when Mr. Nathan called everyone together.
"We have another delivery," he announced. "This time, Alora, Liam and two of the other men will handle it." He turned toward Liam, "And keep an eye on her."
Liam nodded. "Yes, sir."
The group soon left.
The delivery took them to a quiet guesthouse on the edge of the Noble District. Unlike the grand estates they usually visited, this place was modest, with only a few servants moving around.
They began unloading the groceries.
Alora kept to herself, determined to avoid trouble, as they were finishing, something caught her attention.
A tall man stood near the entrance, he was broad-shouldered, with long dark hair and striking green eyes that seemed almost too vivid beneath the afternoon light.
He noticed her staring.
Alora immediately looked away, to her surprise, the stranger approached.
"Hello, miss. Do you need any help?"
She shook her head. "No, my lord. I'm fine."
He nodded politely, "I see. You must be part of the delivery team."
"Yes, my lord."
"Then I won't keep you for long. Stay safe."
"Thank you."
The man walked away.
Alora watched him for a moment before returning to the carriage.
She couldn't explain why, but there had been something strangely calming about him. He hadn't spoken to her disrespectfully or looked at her as though she were beneath him.
As the carriage began moving, she stole a quick glance through the window.
The man was still standing there and this time, he was looking directly at her.
He gave her a small smile.
Alora immediately closed the window, embarrassed, yet as the carriage moved farther away, her heart began beating faster.
She frowned, "What is wrong with me?"
Back at the shop, the workers returned to their usual duties.
Ambrose eventually came in and bought an apple, for a brief moment, Alora wondered if he would say something.
He didn't, he simply gave her an irritated look.
She returned the same look before turning away. Roxana, however, couldn't help glancing toward the carpentry shop every few minutes.
Alora noticed, "You should stop looking over there," she said quietly.
Roxana sighed. "I know."
"He isn't worth making yourself miserable over."
Roxana gave her a small smile, "Maybe you're right."
But a few moments later, her eyes drifted toward the carpentry shop again, Alora noticed but said nothing.
*****
After the palace meeting, the nobles gathered for a while longer. Zayn leaned back in his chair with a grin.
"I'll be turning forty-five soon. I think it's time I celebrate properly."
Marion laughed. "A birthday party?"
"Of course."
"Will His Majesty be invited?" Skender asked.
Zayn looked offended, "Why wouldn't he be?"
Duncan laughed, "Then it's settled. Happy birthday, soon-to-be birthday boy."
"Boy?" Zayn repeated.
Marion immediately laughed, "You were supposed to say birthday man."
"Exactly," Zayn and Skender said together.
They all laughed. Just then, Nathaniel passed nearby.
"Your Grace," Zayn called.
Nathaniel stopped and turned, "Yes, my Lord?"
"I'd like to invite you to my birthday celebration. Feel free to bring your wife." He then winked.
Marion burst out laughing.
Duncan and Skender exchanged a brief glance but quickly composed themselves.
Nathaniel smiled, "Then I'll be there. And yes, I'll bring my wife."
"That's what I like to hear!" Marion said. "Come, have a drink with us."
Nathaniel joined them and poured himself a glass, he took a sip. "Hmm. Not bad."
Zayn smiled. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"There will be plenty more at my birthday," Zayn added.
"Then I certainly won't miss it."
The men continued drinking. Duncan, however, barely touched his glass, his eyes rested on Nathaniel.
How could the man drink so casually after Duncan had been poisoned?
He lowered his voice, "How can he sit there as though nothing happened?"
Skender noticed his expression, Duncan caught his gaze and offered a faint smile. Then he looked at his untouched wine, he no longer felt like drinking.
"I'll take my leave."
He stood and walked away, Nathaniel watched him disappear but said nothing.
*****
Maya sat alone in the garden, her thoughts refusing to settle, she suddenly found herself smiling, then she covered her face.
"Oh, goodness."
A few servants nearby looked toward her. Maya immediately straightened.
"Continue with your work."
The servants quickly looked away, Maya sighed, her thoughts returned to Nathaniel.
His voice.
His confidence.
And, unfortunately, the memory of him standing before her with nothing but a pair of trousers and that infuriating smile.
She pressed a hand against her cheek.
"Gosh."
Then another thought crossed her mind, his sister was coming to Valtheris. Would she like her? Would she approve of her? What if she thought Maya wasn't good enough?
The questions came one after another.
Then, without warning, her thoughts shifted to Duncan, she still had feelings for him, she couldn't deny that.
But things had always felt different with Duncan, their courtship had been respectable. Their kiss had been sweet enough.
Yet there had never been that strange feeling that seemed to follow her whenever Nathaniel was near.
Maya remembered the moment Nathaniel's fingers had brushed against her lips. Her breath caught, she touched her lips unconsciously.
"Would his lips taste just as good?"
She froze, her eyes widened.
"What am I even thinking?"
She quickly stood, embarrassed by her own thoughts, and walked out of the garden, but no matter how hard she tried to dismiss them...
Nathaniel remained on her mind.