The small crowd that had gathered to see Jenna’s disgrace stood stunned, trying to understand what had just happened, as it was the least of what they expected to happen.
Jenna rubbed her nose, squeezing her hands together. She was eager to understand why the brutes had suddenly co to bow to her.
"Jenna, tell us the truth. We know it was all an act," Lady Collette began, and everyone turned to listen to the woman.
Seeing that the attention was now on her, she continued.
"We saw how they had destroyed your goods last night. And soone said they saw you the previous night with a man...did you by any chance sell your body?" The woman gasped, to make it even more dramatic.
Beth, who was also in the crowd, joined. "I wouldn’t doubt that...Jenna, why is it that those n bow to you? There is only one thing that can make a man kneel before a woman." She eyed Jenna and then the young man behind her.
"Could it be that what Jenna refused to give to real n...she gave it to so dirty thieves?" the village chief muttered.
Lady Collette snapped her fingers. "It’s the only explanation for these n coming here to make a show about bloody diamonds in the sky," she sneered.
Percy tried to step forward, but Jenna stopped him by patting his back.
She packed her hair up, her eyes filled with rage. At so point, she was really tired of avoiding people.
"Why should I pay them...giving them my hard work makes no sense to at all. It is because you all agree to everything that we are subjected to such cruelty."
The woman huffed a laugh. "She isn’t denying it! People, look at that...she is changing the topic."
Jenna rolled her eyes. "Please...we all know the guilty ones try to be defensive. I did nothing wrong, and I don’t know why those n acted the way they did," she pointed out, folding the sleeves of her shirt.
"All I’m saying is, we should really stop cowering in front of them. Like you said, they’re re thieves! Can you say that in front of them? When they return?" Jenna asked, widening her eyes.
Lady Collette cleared her throat. "I don’t need to act all mighty and stubborn. It’s the order of things to pay them."
"For what?!" Jenna barked.
Collette raised her nose. "To protect our goods..."
Jenna was marveled at the absurdity of the woman’s words and how the people around agreed with her. All she could do was open her mouth and stare.
"Yes," Collette continued, "We do it to keep balance, and it’s also the sa reason why we are still in our marriages and not running out of our hos frolicking with young n."
Percy could no longer hold it. He stepped forward, "What did you say about my mistress?"
"Stand back, Percy. People can always say whatever they want," Jenna stopped the young man from saying anything else. She could tell where all this was going. They wanted to insult her.
Rhane watched the crowd gang up against his master. There was sothing about the way he stared. He had no expression, yet his eyes spoke volus.
Lady Collette sneered at Percy, returning her attention to Jenna. "We hope you try your best..." she looked at her up and down.
"To keep the village image with a little dignity. If there’s so left." The woman turned and left.
As other n turned to leave, one of them spat at Jenna’s feet.
"Better to let have that body than these dirty n you give it to." When the man raised his eyes, he saw the tall young man behind Jenna staring at him.
"Or even picking n up and sleeping with them."
Jenna gritted her teeth. She could tell they were trying to get her to say sothing or even start a fight.
"My Lady, we shouldn’t let them get away with saying those things about you when we know it’s not true," Harriet mumbled, feeling everything was unfair.
Harriet nodded. "We can even tell these won that look down on you how their husbands co around at night begging for—"
"That’s enough, Harriet...and you too, Mabel," Jenna scolded, turning her face away from the crowd. She exhaled softly. She was relieved.
Jenna thought she would have to fight to protect her goods and servants, but the n had just acted strange and left. Though it worried her, especially seeing how they were covered in blood with swollen faces and eyes, but for now they would let her be.
She stared at the bag of coins and loot the ruffians had left for her.
"Bruno...take this and place it back inside, keep it safe. Tie it up carefully. We don’t know when they might return for it," Jenna instructed. She was going down the drain, but she wasn’t soone to use people’s hard-earned money for herself.
Bruno rushed forward, grabbed the bag, and returned it back inside the stall.
"But I’m really curious. What happened to those n?" Henri asked. "In all my years of serving, I’ve never seen ruffians look that scared."
Percy clapped his hands together. "That’s what I thought too," he remarked. "They looked like they were afraid of sothing...or soone."
"Maybe they were afraid of Master’s beauty," Rhane finally said sothing ever since the crowd gathered and dispersed.
Jenna pressed her lips, trying her best not to blush. "Anne..." she chuckled.
"What are you talking about?" Percy cringed. When he noticed his mistress was smiling, he frowned.
"I was going to say the sa thing. My Lady’s beauty can be disarming. That’s it," Percy said, raising his shoulder in anticipation for his mistress to praise him.
Jenna twitched her lips. "But I didn’t hit them," she raised her hands.
"Well, that..." Percy opened his mouth, then closed it.
Rhane humd, his lips tugged at the corner. "What if they got into an accident after leaving and decided it was because of their cris?"
"That’s right," Mabel joined in. "My mother used to tell that ruffians believe in destiny. If they go to loot and face so mishap, they’d return everything they took."
Jenna nodded slowly. "That sounds right," she humd.
"Considering how they always hide in the forest, they must have t a wild boar or sothing," Henri completed, everyone now nodding slowly to their thoughts.
"Anne is really so smart," Harriet chid, bringing her fingers to her lips.
Percy bit his lips. Seeing that the attention was on Rhane again, "Anyone could have thought of that...it’s not so special."
"Well, we didn’t, and he did. Anne is special," Mabel remarked.
Jenna smiled. "That’s right," she muttered, taking a quick glance at the young man.
"Is that the only shirt you have?" she asked him.
Percy nodded, touching the collar of his shirt. "No, My La—"
Rhane bowed. "Yes, My Lady."
Jenna humd, folding her hand on her chest. "Tomorrow is the Festival of Maidens. We can’t have you dressed like that...let’s go to the tailor today, and by dawn, I’m sure sothing would be made ready for you."
"Yes, Master," Rhane bowed, a faint smile on his lips.
Mabel gushed, "I love it when Anne calls My Lady Master," she whispered.
Percy fud, "I also need a new shirt," he whined, feeling neglected.
"Percy, I always get you sothing every season. Won’t you want to share with Anne?" Jenna asked, her eyes narrowed like she was about to scold.
Percy looked away. "I would want to," he mumbled a reply.
"That’s right," Jenna nodded like a proud mother. "Now let’s stop standing around and return to selling." She nudged the girls before entering the stall.
As everyone entered the stall, Rhane stood back. He glanced at one of the rchants that was laughing loudly. Rhane’s lips curved into a sardonic smile before he turned.
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