Chapter 276: Clearing up The Mix-up (Han)

The moment that the Lady of Crowel House got nearly thrown into the air by a stranger—Han was already pouring coins into his pockets. Everybody else's attention was on them and he could place his money into his Inventory with little trouble.

And then he felt ridiculous.

Money was money, but… he glanced back and saw the crowd and the confrontation happening between the Lady and Timothy. The Lady should have hidden the necklace instead of keeping it out in the open—but it didn't mean that he didn't want her to find Timothy, not just this fast.

She was going to take it personally when she figures out that Han played her like a fiddle, didn't she? He wanted to make his escape and pretend that this didn't happen while he was around, and yet people and events attracted each other like magnets. First it was the Lady Crowel and Timothy… but then he saw Becky out of nowhere and watched her drop kick the far larger man.

He winced at the sight.

Who else was going to arrive? He could see the backs of the Professors watching in the background, and he had high hopes that nothing physical would occur. This wasn't his business at all—or at least he only interacted a bit. Han didn't claim to be part of the Crowel House.

However, instead of a tearful reunion happening between the two siblings, something else occurred. A conversation broke out and he couldn't exactly hear it amidst the sea of Students. He was still too far to hear it, but the expression on their faces was clear. This was far from happiness.

Timothy gave him a glare—and it might have been able to kill if the boy knew something like a death glare.

He managed a weak laugh and looked around the dining hall. He could see that the vast majority of the Students were still in their seats—watching from a safe distance. Could he join Diov, Calum and the others at their table? He saw Ellynn further off and wondered about her too… and yet his feet dragged him to the crowd by the door.

If Lady Crowel didn't believe Timothy's claims, then he would confirm it.

She couldn't exactly take back the money when she already gave her word—well, she could, but he hoped not. The conversation made itself a little clearer as he passed and pushed himself through the bystanders. "Excuse me, walking through—I know them. Yes, that's… let me through."

He squeezed past the complete crowd of Students and Professors but was blocked by the Crowel's men. "Er, excuse me?" He looked over one of their shoulders and saw Becky with the man. He called out to her and motioned to himself, "A little help here."

"Who's that?"

"What are you doing there, Han?" she walked over to him and the crowd of hunters reluctantly parted to let him through. "Do you know what's happening with Timothy?" she whispered at him quietly. "I've never seen the necklace myself, and the Lady is asking for two hundred fifty gold pieces."

He made the decision to not say that was his doing and instead looked at the two. Donovan and Sir Leon were the closest, but also chose not to interfere. Well, Han needed to do something—

"Alright, I give up," those words came out of Timothy's lips, his gaze focused entirely on the necklace. "I can't give you anything Lady Crowel to match the price of the necklace now," he then bowed, "My apologies for disturbing you."

Was this guy seriously just giving up? Han stepped closer towards them and raised both of his hands—the Hunters were eyeing him with not so cheerful looks, for good reason. "Hey, uh, pardon me? Can I say something hilarious right now, Lady Crowel?" He'd have to bite his tongue, but he'd explain it.

The Lady ignored him, never turning her back to him.

She addressed Timothy, "You know how to value what is already in your hands. I am glad to know that you are willing to give it up… and also keep and guard what you have." She tossed him the necklace and then walked. "Here, take it and follow me, boy."

Han blinked.

She was planning to give it up, anyway? He watched her sigh and looked back over her shoulder, "Please do not slow me down, we still have places to be, boy. You have to meet our father."

Timothy grasped the necklace in his hands and looked at her in confusion, "Father?"

"Whatever words your mother may have told you regarding your conception will be proven as falsehoods. Surely you have an interest in meeting him as much as he is looking forward to meeting you? Or are you an unfilial son?" There was a touch of bitterness in her tone. "I assure you that his intentions are sincere and I hope you do not take it to fault. He would have been there for you if he only knew."

Han could only look at Timothy and fell silent—excuses and words melting away slightly. He had been prepared to break out into a speech or even just complain and say that this was basically dragging Timothy with no sort of explanation. But the touch of rawness in the Lady's voice made him hesitate, along with Timothy looking at his necklace.

"... alright." he said. He nodded, "I would like to meet him, that's all. But I'm not really sure about—"

"Leave your conditions for later," the Lady flicked a wrist at him, "We've already been delayed by an hour and I would like to be back by at least the evening there. Come now." Without waiting for another reply, she left.

Timothy only looked back once and then followed his half-sister.

He didn't even say goodbye.

The personal army of the House Crowel soon followed him and the Lady. It didn't take for a minute until they were finally gone and out of Han's sight… he didn't exactly know what to feel. 

"Alright, it's all over kids—get back to your seats and finish your lunch or head to the classrooms. The show's over," the voice of Professor Uriel boomed over the dining hall.

"Are you alright?" Sir Leon approached him.

He scratched the back of his head, "I mean I am—heck, look at that Donovan. He's red-nosed."

"I am not!" the Axe Wielder protested and discreetly rubbed his nose, "Guess Timothy found his sister and family, huh? Good for him."

Sir Leon de Harrington coughed lightly, "I would like to think that they were half-siblings based on the conversation, but I suppose on the surface you are correct. What do you think of it, Han? You were the one originally thought to be her brother… are you not shocked at the sudden turn of events?"

"Er… I had the feeling that I wasn't or we weren't related," He smiled. "Figured out it was because I was keeping Timothy's necklace for him, just a mixup—and I just earned some coin." The Lady didn't even look back to get upset with him. He needed to go to the Merchant Guild asap and collect the rest of the money, didn't he?

"Guess you won't be seeing him anytime soon, since he's a Noble now."

"He didn't exactly say that, Donovan."

"But surely he's got to learn the ins and outs. What are the chances of him coming back?"

"Han!" Becky walked over to them, ignoring the two boys and looked at him. "What in tarnations just happened? I got here and then next thing we know is Timothy finding his family—I was supposed to give him a headbutt."

He shrugged. "I mean, you just saw how it all played out."

"I did," Becky agreed. "But what am I supposed to tell Grandpa Joe and the others when I get back? I was asked to check on the two of you, but now he's whisked off elsewhere like some sheep to the butcher!"

The larger man approached them. "Rebecca, dear?"

Now that Han thought about it, Becky's large physique could have been attributed to this man and they looked similar enough. If anything else, Becky glanced at him and then scratched her cheek, "Do you remember my father? He's been gone for a pretty long time—"

"Beast Tamer Byron—a professional." he introduced himself.

"Er, Han." he found himself shaking the man's hand and wished that he didn't. Behind him, he saw Sir Leon discreetly motion back to their table and left with Donovan. "I mean, Han… it's a pleasure to meet you, sir, Beast Tamer, Byron."

The man grinned, "Ah, I like this one, Rebecca. At least he doesn't stink of death."

"What are you even yappering about?" Becky sighed.

"Well, Gesth's grandson smells—the blood of the rats is on him and some." The older man spat.

Becky sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead. Han would have focused more on the man's words. The 'death' part seemed a little too much, but other than that… he wasn't sure. 

He suddenly blinked, "Wait, rats? You infested rats in his room?"

When he woke up and tried to go into Timothy's room—that was what he had been hiding? Somehow the Spell that the young man learned made some sense, and yet his thoughts went elsewhere. "Iola." He wasn't sure if Timothy would go back to his room, but surely he didn't leave the girl there, right?

"Who?" Becky asked.

"Er… I know that I'm supposed to be happy to meet you again," He ducked his head. "And I am—it's good to see that you're doing well, Becky." She didn't exactly look like someone still grieving over her cows. Maybe he was callous. "But I, uh, gotta go check something in my room. How long will you be staying here?"

"Well, she visited to see her father—we're going to catch up."

"You reek of alcohol," she wrinkled her nose. "I don't think so, but ah… there's not a lot of reason for me to stay here. Already delivered the meat that Timothy bet over at one of the food stalls in the market."

He didn't know of that either. "I see… Well, I kind of promised Grandma Moe to get her some good alcohol when I get here, didn't I? Mind if you buy one and deliver it to her?" He pulled out a handful of coins from his 'pocket,' and gave it to her. He grinned a bit, "Best refill the stock I used up the last time when the Gargoyles came, right?"

"Gargoyles?" Becky's father asked. "You never mentioned that, Rebecca."

… He probably shouldn't have talked about that. And yet he didn't wait for the conversation to continue and headed out of the hallway to the Dewrowan Tower. If Timothy left without even a single word of goodbye to Iola—he wasn't sure how he would break it out to her. Maybe he brought her along? He didn't know which one sounded worse.