Esme's POV
I strolled back home, having nothing but thoughts in my head. Especially about who these people could be. I remembered how worried Lena had been and guilt clenched my chest.
She always worried so much about me whenever stupid men promised to gang up on me after a fight. She loosened up when my wins vastly outnumbered my losses, and it was clear I could handle myself. Now, I didn't think I could win against whoever these warriors were and what they wanted.
"She did look better at the end of our talk." I noticed how springy she was when she teased me about Levine. About Levine…
"He didn't have much of a reaction to the painting when we met." I remembered him thinking I was still a battle angel, even while I was in my most delicate form. He didn't have good taste at all.
He could learn from Eidrin—who planned a carriage ride, lavish inn, and rented a forest for a simple hunt date with his Mistress—before he got a fiancée from any of the poor village girls.
"By the way, Sanya. Do you know who Cathy is?"
"...."
Huh? Was that a secret she wasn't supposed to tell me? When I dug into her consciousness, as far as I could currently go, I realized it might be someone from my memories. Just like the young blond child was someone from my memories.
"Then they better stay as memories." I turned to Ritch. "If you see anyone that isn't from our village, make sure you cause enough tantrums that they go away."
He batted his pretty lashes at me. Did he not understand what I said? "I mean—"
"He came. Along with two warriors that were quite strong. Not stronger than me though."
Silence…
We resumed our walk, my head heating up at the thought of strong warriors finding my house. I could no longer stay there. I had to spend all my time at the Haven of Sins. Yes, it was a good thing that I had a place to be.
Also, were those guys really strong? Because according to Eidrin, my uncle was strong and that was hilarious because I could lift heavier things than him.
I nodded at those thoughts. Perhaps those warriors weren't actually strong but these brothers and their knights assumed they were.
"I could make your house untraceable, Mistress."
"You can?" I turned to him immediately, gripping his arms. This would be a perfect solution. "Then do so. Um… of course, let people from my village be able to find it. I mean even from other villages if they want to buy my uncle's pastries. Also from anywhere else, because he'd have many guests…"
Then how would I stop the ones that had to stay away?! I grabbed my hair, nudging the roots. This wasn't good. Had I committed a crime when I was younger? What did they need me for? My fingers dug into my scalp until I felt a sting of pain.
Ritch pulled me to himself and placed our foreheads together. My heart rate slowed down, and I dropped my hands from my head.
"It's alright, Mistress. Neither the Seven Princes nor their twenty-one Knights would let anything happen to you." He said calmly. "Just trust us. If they try to take you away without your consent, we'd kill them."
My heart skipped a beat. Not because I dreaded a person's death, but the raw visceral way he said it made me sure that a dangerous beast would awaken if they tried to harm anyone.
A beast that would be worse than a war between kingdoms. But he didn't care about that danger if it meant his mistress was safe.
It piqued my curiosity further on who that Lord was. I also needed these brothers and knights safe, and not engaging in fights for my sake.
"Your hazel eyes are really pretty, Ritch." Now that I saw them up close, they were really pieces of art.
His cheeks reddened and he slowly stepped away from me. He pushed his hair behind his ears and avoided eye contact. "Thank you, Mistress. Do you feel better now?"
I smiled and gave a thumbs up. "Yes. Thank you too." Seeing beautiful people blush was truly medicinal for any kind of troubles. I helped him carry one of my baskets and continued our walk home.
"Ritch, make those unwanted guests the only ones unable to trace my house. Including anyone who seems to be linked to them."
"Yes, Mistress. I will ask my Prince to handle the Lord, but I can do that for his warriors." He answered confidently.
I wondered why the Lord had special treatment. He couldn't possibly be stronger than him, unless Ritch wanted to focus on the underdogs first. "Is Ruby doing okay? I haven't seen him for a while."
Ritch nodded. "The Prince is doing fine. He has been busy with helping the younger Princes wake up from their hibernation."
Hibernation? Immortals must also take a break from the world, I guess. "The Sixth and Seventh Princes? The twins?"
"Yes."
No wonder the Seventh Prince hadn't met me yet. To be honest, I wondered what he was like since Eidrin mentioned him.
Did he look similar to Ruby like Grandus did? Or was he a cold elf like Eidrin? Apart from elven and werewolf species, I didn't think the brothers had any other mix.
Though I wasn't fully sure Grandus was a werewolf. There were no other species, apart from those in the ocean which the Rain God would never allow to the surface. And humans, but they were really weak.
"Ritch, you're an Alpha wolf, aren't you?"
He smiled and nodded. "All knights are as strong as an Alpha."
That said a lot about the Princes. As strong as many Alphas were, that strength couldn't be understated, yet I didn't want to see that strength in action.
I returned home, arranged the goods in the cupboard. Ritch dusted the rooms and kitchen for me. We helped ourselves to milk bread and tea.
"I made the bread." I watched his face for any hidden expressions. "What do you think?"
He finished chewing before speaking. "It's the best. The sentiment beats every meal I've ever eaten."
My face fell. Only the sentiment, huh? I didn't really expect to compare to all the tasty breads he must've eaten in his lifetime anyway. I carried the tray out.
Uncle knew better than to leave his bakery for me to inherit. I might just turn it into a fruit scones and candy store since fruits were easier to source.
"Will you be returning to the Haven with me? Or would you stay here to overlook the house?"
I believed I had already given him his answer so he nodded. "Alright then. I'd make more sentimental bread for you when next I arrive. Take care."
He waved back and I left the house, heading into the forest. I reached the olive tree and walked to the left of it. "One, two, three."
My surroundings changed like Sora had promised, and a soft chime of birds blessed my ears. I had a personal teleportation circle in my neighborhood.
I hadn't yet figured out where exactly this temperate forest surrounding the Haven of Sins was situated, but for my own peace of mind, I wouldn't inquire.