>> Corvina (Amber)
'The murder of Cory Manor still remains a mystery'
I stared at the heading of the Newspaper. It's been two years yet people haven't figured out what happened or who did it. After all, there were no witnesses and Hael burned the whole place down after murdering everyone. Majority of the bones were burned so badly, people weren't recognizable.
The knight guards decided to rule it out as an accident since every single person in the mansion had died. There was no one they could question and no one who ca forward to say anything about it. There was only one person they found who was still breathing after the fire.
A maid
She was alive for a few months after the rest of the mansion burned down but she was so badly burnt she couldn't speak anything. The healers tried to heal her but sohow, by a strange phenonon, she just wouldn't heal. The case was taken to the magic tower as well, but the mages there refused to help since their 'master' didn't allow it.
I let out a soft sigh,
Which was ultimately good for . No one will ever attempt to look for . No one did for these past two years, so I'm safe. At least, I think I am. I'm not living in the capital anymore, so the chances of encountering anyone I once knew are pretty slim. The Royal Palace and The Holy Temple are in the capital, so I'm avoiding two things at once.
The doorbell jingled as soone opened the door to the cafe. I was free to do whatever I wanted here and I was free to have better people around as well.
I looked towards the door as I put the newspaper away, "Welco!" I greeted the guest who entered my cafe, "Welco to cafe Amber!"
"Hi, Amber!" It was a regular custor of mine.
"Hi, Amanda!" I waved back at her, "Having your regular?"
"Yep!" She went and took her seat near the window. I dinged the bell on the counter, behind which I stood to get my employee out of the kitchen and take the order. Then I noticed the delivery boy, putting the cartons outside the shop.
I shook my head at him as I watched him sweat and fret like crazy.
This boy never learns,
I walked awkwardly, dragging my right foot, making my way to the main door, "Cory, are the doughnuts ready?"
"Yes, Miss!!" My employee popped her head out of the kitchen, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to take the cartons and bring them inside." I rolled my eyes, "That boy was late again." The boy, Cass, who makes deliveries to our store is mostly late because he oversleeps, and then he's in such a hurry that he can't even bring the cartons inside.
"I'll do it," Cory answered.
"It's fine," I replied, "I got it."
"Need any help?" Amanda asked.
"No," I waved at her, "I'm fine."
Unlike the nobles, common people don't make fun of disabilities. On the contrary, they're more helpful. Well, kids are an exception, kids are an everywhere. They made fun of how I walked when I first ca here. They still do it sotis, but I'm learning to ignore it.
And the adults are nice, so... I guess that helps.
I stepped outside the shop, the weather was wonderful. It made think that maybe I should keep the door and windows open. I tried to pick up the carton that was delivered but right as I was about to pick it up, it got swooped out of my hands
???
"I told you to ask to do stuff like this," A person said and I looked at him in surprise.
"Jared?!"
Jared works as a swordsmith, so he's quite bulked up, "Yea, it's ," He slapped the carton and then winked at , "You should ask the n to do this stuff for you."
"Haha, thank you Jared." He's a regular at my cafe, "Please put the things in the kitchen,"
"Sure thing," He walked in.
"Would you be having your coffee?" I asked.
"Why else would I be here?" He glanced at , "Coffee's the only thing that's keeping sane."
I chuckled, "Aira," I called my other employee,
"Yess!!!" The voice ca from the second floor.
"Get Mister Jared his coffee."
"Okay~" She replied, and then poked her head down, "Miss Amber, We're out of potions,"
"Already?"
She shrugged as she hung from the railing, bending over it like a monkey, "We had a lot of orders last month."
Hmmm, that's true.
"Aira," I called out to my employee, "I'm going to get so things! Make sure to start working."
"Yes!"
***
It was a busy morning. The air was filled with the aroma of herbs and spices, and the bustling streets were alive with the chatter of rchants and shoppers. I took my ti going around places, because well, I couldn't really run because of my foot.
After two years, I've healed to a certain extent but I still limp and walk a little weirdly, but running makes the pain co back.
I looked at my basket. I bought a few potions and so milk. I think this is all I need for the ti being. I should get to the cafe, the place starts getting busy at noon. I should be there and take my place behind the counter.
Ahin told he'd be coming soon as well. I should hurry back.
I turned a corner, coming to the main street when I noticed sothing strange. The people had gathered on the edges of the street on either side, leaving the whole road empty in between/
Hmm? What's happening here? I made my way to the crowd. I didn't hear of any procession or anyone from the Palace doing a round. So why is the road empty?
The people were whispering amongst themselves and I could faintly hear the sound of carriages. Was there soone who was going to visit? Considering my shop is far from the main streets there is a possibility the news didn't make it to us. I deliberately chose a place that wasn't that easy to find after all.
"Excuse ?" I tapped on the shoulder of one of the older won there, "What's going on here?"
The middle-aged lady turned to look at , "The knights told us to clear the way for the mages,"
"Mages?" I frowned, "Why? Are they going sowhere?" The mages don't really leave the magic tower unless needed. The people from the magic tower are known for being rarely ever seen.
"Going sowhere?" She shook her head, "Oh no, they're coming back." She replied.
"Yes?" I was baffled, "They're coming back?" From where? When did they leave? I turned my head to look at the magic tower. It was a far away building that could be seen from the main street of the town. The magic tower is located on the outskirts of the city. There are four arch mages of the magic tower. Each of them live in the magic towers, North, South, East, and West. The towers connect with each other and they also connect with another tower, the main tower in the middle, where the master of the magic tower remains.
That ans, that's where Hael lives.
All five of the high ranking mages have their residence on the top floors and each of them have mages working under them in the lower floors.
"It's nothing to be surprised about, girl. The miasma is spreading so much, the king ordered the arch mages to go and check it." She sighed and looked at the road, "I wonder what they found."
My eyes widened in alarm.
Gosh...
It's gotten that bad? Didn't the king already send Illaris to cleanse the forest? It was just a month ago. Her powers didn't work? She's the saint though... She beca the official saint two years ago. How co the problem still hasn't been solved?
The sound of wheels rolling ca closer and the carriages ca into view. My heart rate shot up as the random thought of Hael being in one of them ca over .
As I stood on the sidelines, watching the procession of high mages pass by, I tried to reassure myself that I wouldn't encounter Hael. After all, he hadn't joined the expedition; there was no reason for him to be here. The king had asked the arch-mages to go, not the Tower Master
It's fine. Don't worry about it! Besides, I've dyed my hair light brown, no one would be able to tell it's . So, don't worry.
Yet, despite my attempts to convince myself otherwise, a nagging sense of apprehension lingered in the back of my mind.
There were five carriages in total. I had heard once that none of the mages were close to each other. People always say it's because the position of arch mages and the master are chosen purely on power and talent, so there's always a competition amongst the high mages and they don't like each other.
As the first carriage approached, I held my breath, hoping to catch a glimpse of the occupants without drawing attention to myself. I was most likely worried for no reason. Why would anyone notice ? I'm literally standing in the middle of a crowd. And there's nothing about that stands out!
I nodded to myself as the first carriage went past us. There seed to be a blue haired mage in it.
My heart was still a little anxious, but then the second carriage went past us. The curtains were drawn for it, so no one could see who was inside.
But the mont the third carriage crossed in front of , my heart plumted to the pit of my stomach.
There he was, unmistakable even from a distance—the silver-gray hair that caught the sunlight. My heartbeat rose as my mind raced while those piercing gray eyes t mine as he crossed .
Hael.
Fear gripped like icy talons, freezing in place as our eyes t across the bustling square. In that fleeting mont, ti seed to stand still, and the world around us faded into insignificance.
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