Chapter 247: Bait for hunt!

Cassius pov

"Why are you asking so many questions?" asked the man, looking at us with alerted eyes.

The moment I saw them, I knew they were outlaws. Therefore I made a story to hide our identity as commoners, yet closer to nobles to justify the jewels of Marianne. I could see they were not showing yet but they were suspicious of us. Their hands were moving closer on their weapons. 

I knew she was affected by then Marquees name, I was too. But then there were many Marquees in the empire. I understand her anxiety but this was not the way to ask.

"Ah, my wife, this is not the time to gossip. Is it?" I asked as I hugged her from behind and pulled her back. She eyed me and I glared back at her.

"I apologise, brother. She is always like that, full of gossip and chatting. That was one of the reasons she lost her job in the palace. Yet she is not improving. I understand, it is your wish to reply to her or not.`` I said with a laugh as I spanked her ass playfully.

She looked at me with widened eyes, her face was so shocked and red, that i wanted to kiss her again.

"Don't be like that, honey. I will make up with you later.`` I replied as I touched her back playfully, gaining a gasp from her.

And finally they all chuckled. They became relaxed again as they started joking all around.

"I can see your wife is a feisty one, you should put her in more control. But look at her adorable reaction. She behaved like a maiden, it must have felt good to be with such a girl who is soft and feisty at the same time." said a man who was looking at her from the start.

His eyes were following her gown that was a bit torn, and then to her face that was still red. Oh lord! Did she not know how fatale her face was, and that also when she blushed! She could create another war like Helen of troy!

"I know, brother. My wife loves me a lot. And I am most protective of her. She did not know how many battles I had fought for her '' I threatened subtly. The man moved his eyes from her to me and chuckled yet did not look at her again.

"Lets go, we need to hunt before we walk back to the town, and it's already past noon. You both are coming along with us. By the way What is your name?" they asked us.

"My name is John and she is Marry. Are you going to hunt before going to the town?" I asked and they all nodded.

"Of course, we are here to hunt from the start, not to show way to the lost travellers." he taunted and I nodded.

"Then we apologise, we can not join you. Tell us the way verbally and we will go by ourselves. You can still keep the jewels through. Just instructions are enough for it.`` I said and Marianne nodded too.

I could see she was looking worried from the start.

"No can do, you both are coming with us." they announced, making us alerted.

"Why, we have paid you what you want. What else do you need?" This was getting more dangerous than I had thought.

"It is not about jewels. It is about promise. We promised to escort you to town and we never break our promises. And the place you are sitting freely. Do you even know it is the home of bison? They can attack you anytime. Even if we give you directions. You would not be able to make it alive. This place has many wild animals. I still could not believe that a man was venturing into it with such a weak lady without any weapons." he mocked and started walking.

"Come with us, we will ensure your safety with all the wild animals" he said and his other men walked behind us, as if waiting for us to move so that they could follow.

I was not worried about animals, who would ensure our safety with them.

I could not believe that the marquees have his palace behind such a place. How did he even go on trips leaving his wife and kids alone with such dangerous people lurking around.

I held Marianne's hand tightly, almost keeping her in my arms as we started walking. But the surprising thing was she was not looking afraid. In fact, she felt relieved when they forced us to walk with them. What was in her mind this time.

We started walking and they continued to talk and laugh again. 

"By the way, since you have worked for Archduke, tell us something about him? Is he really that proud and rude as people say?"

Marine kicked as she looked at me, how in this world did she have the time to laugh. Was I the only one who was on pins and needles!?

"Yes, he is a very proud man." I replied to end the matter.

"You know he thinks that everyone in the market works according to him, delusional i say. So many people are taking benefit of the absence of strict laws, dumb man" they continued and each time Marianne looked at me with a smirk or amused eyes.

We kept on moving, when we finally arrived at the river Mari and I was trying to find it. We stopped and they stretched themselves as if preparing for fight

"Alright, we are here, take your positions. There would be many animals soon to drink the water." they said as they circled the place.

I held Marianne and we both walked towards the river to clean ourselves and drink some water but before we could do so they called us again.

"You both, you are full of blood, you could be used to lure the animals, don't wash yourself"