The Royal Deal Chapter 243

Chapter 243

Chapter 243

The n turned to where the new sound ca from. Drawing their swords, they headed to where the birds flew up. As the two n disappeared into the trees, Alexcent let Athyst go from his hold, grabbed her hand and led her in the opposite direction from the guards.

They walked through the darkness of the forest, Alexcent leading her amongst the trees and bushes. He always had good night vision and was able to maneuver through the terrain. Athyst simply followed along at his footsteps, keeping quiet in case the guards had seen them and were giving chase.

After walking for only half an hour, the trees gave way and they could see the Veolense mansion below. The lights from the mansion made the dark night seem like a bright afternoon. Athyst stumbled with relief and Alexcent put an arm around her so she wouldn’t fall to the ground.

“Thank you,” Athyst said, relief filling her voice.

Alexcent glared back at her in silence. Athyst could tell that he was angry and shrank back from his stare. He wanted to punish her for the foolish thing she had done, but restrained himself, for he could see that she was already scared enough.

Instead, he asked, “What were you doing in the forest?”

Athyst looked ashad, as she heard him speak for the first ti. “I was picking fruits.”

“Fruits?” Alexcent noticed the sack of orange-coloured fruit she carried over her shoulder.

“It’s fruit I like. I saw grove of trees in the forest the other day I was here.”

“The wild lands in the Empire belong to the Empress. To take fruit from the grove is to steal from the Empress.” Alexcent couldn’t help still sounding like the duke.

“But the workers here pick mushrooms and wild plants all the ti, so I thought it would be all right to pick fruits.” Athyst had a point. Why would Belice punish anyone for picking so wild plants at the edge of the kingdom?

“Wait. You said all the mountains belong to the Empress?” Athyst had thought of sothing. “But those guards made it sound like the landlord is the owner of the mountain lands?”

Alexcent looked at her. She was correct. He needed to look into this more. But he also needed to keep Athyst out of danger. He wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to investigate this herself.

“Her Majesty probably allowed it. Anyways, it had nothing to do with you so leave it alone.” He tried to sound forceful, so she would get the point.

“All right,” Athyst answered, getting the ssage.

Alexcent decided to get off this topic and reached for the sack of fruit that Athyst was struggling to hold. “Let help you.”

“It’s all right, I can carry it.”

“Lead the way,” Alexcent said, ignoring Athysts words and taking the sack from her.

“Fine, just to the front of my shop.” Athyst’s shoulders were hurting and he had volunteered so nicely. They walked side by side through the night to her café. Alexcent glanced at the sign with a smile. Café Carol.

Athyst took back the sack of fruit and, beside her better judgent, decided to invite Alexcent in. “This is my place. Would you like to co in for a drink?”

“No, thank you. I’ve been away from the mansion for too long, so I need to return before they notice I’m missing.”

“I understand. Thank you so much for helping out of the forest. Please, co to the café when you have a chance. I’ll cook you a delicious al as my gratitude.”

Alexcent nodded. “Just don’t go near that mountain anymore,” he warned her.

Athyst smiled and nodded in farewell before heading into the café. Alexcent took a few minutes to observe the doorway she went through. When the second-floor light ca on, he turned and headed back to the mansion. In his mind, he could still feel her hand in his.

***

Athyst woke up, groggy and squinting in the sun that was streaming through the window. As had beco her new routine, she went straight downstairs. Deactivating the security, she opened the front door of the café. Sitting on the stoop, the sa as every morning since her adventures in the forest, was a small sack of tangerines. They had begun appearing mysteriously, but it was obvious who was doing it. The ashen-haired man. She never actually saw him, but who else could it be?

Athyst smiled to herself as she brought the fruit inside. It was only a small bunch each day, but enough for her to enjoy so herself. She peeled one of the fruits and put a piece into her mouth. The fruit was juicy and sweet.

As she headed upstairs to get ready, the front door opened and Pauline entered.

“Carol! You didn’t forget about , did you?” Pauline asked, as she saw Athyst heading for the stairs.

“Of course not!” Athyst said, embracing her friend.

Pauline picked up the orders on her way to work, as she did today, but they were starting to beco so large that Athyst considered buying a carriage so she could make the deliveries personally. As she got the order ready, Athyst decided next ti to include so of her new tangerine juice as a sample. Maybe they would increase the orders. She handed the package to Pauline, who thanked her as she headed off to work.