Chapter 269: The Oracle

Marianne pov contd.

I was so stunned by his sudden changes that I did not know how to reply. Since we were lost in the forest, he was behaving strangely but that was what I was not expecting.

Why did it feel like he was professing his love to me when all he asked was to share the room.

I was stunned still and did not know how to react and the man took its benefit and took it as my acceptance.

Finally he got successful in adjusting the dress properly. He was looking so proud by that as if he had won a battle. I chuckled, as i never find him so cute. For a moment i felt he was Killian, with this proud face. It was just like him when I praised him.

"Come, we should look for a carriage to go back, yo. Our family must be worried." he said with so much care that i blinked.

'Did he call my family ours'. His words warmed my heart but I did not want to go before meeting the oracle. I wanted to know.. I didn't think that it was just a mere coincidence that I was here. As if destiny wanted me to know how it all happened, and I would not go without knowing it.

"I want to attend the marriage." I announced and he blinked.

"Marriage?" He was filled with bewilderment as if I had used foreign language that he could not comprehend!

"Yes, did you forget that Shui and Caleb are getting married today?" 

He shook his head, "no, but I did not get it. Why would we attend their marriage? Marianne we have been lost for two days, they all will be worried for us. Just give them some gifts and advance blessings and let's leave." he said in a strict tone, but i was adamant.

"Since it already had been too much time, 2 more hours would not make much difference.'' I bargained but he shook his head.

"It would be dark then, and travelling by local carriage after dark is not safe. And don't forget we did not have money to pay. I am depending on the cufflinks to get the deal done." he said as he held his wet pants and took out two emerald cufflinks and I sighed.

Would I return after coming this close to the truth?

"Well enough, but I still want to meet their oracle. I am fascinated by the story of reincarnation told by Kai '' I added stubbornly, this was my last bargain.

"Don't tell me you believe in it. It is all a myth. If a person died, he died. He could not be brought back. If it was possible, why would anyone let their loved ones go" he said as if I was talking absurdly and I bit my lips.

"What if i say, i have died once. No, I have been beheaded once by you and Killian because I did some bad deeds and then I have been reincarnated." 

"Then I would say, I need to book an appointment for you with a physician. Marianne, do you really believe that?" he asked pensively and I shook my head.

'See, that's why I never told anyone that I have been reincarnated. They would think I am mentally unstable. It was good that i didn't let my emotions out while i was saying so he took it as a joke'

"I never knew you would make such a story just to stay here. Why are you so stubborn? Do you not want to go and show your hand to the proper physician." he asked with a sigh as he sat beside me.

"Just two hours, i promise" 

"Fine, then come, let's go and get done with it" he said as he ran a hand in his hairs that were still wet. I didn't even notice when he took a bath, but I nodded and stood up followed by him.

When we both came out of the hut, there was a crowd in the centre of the hall.

We both looked at each other and then walked towards the crowd.

A man I did not know the name of, but he was in the woods with us, looked at us and smirked. "Oh, you are finally here. We thought you are going to sleep together so we did not disturb you.'' The other one elbowed him looking at my red face when he added, "i mean you were tired, so you will take rest" i knew very well what his meaning was but i avoided and looked at the front of the crowd.

"What is happening here?" asked Cassius, ignoring his words too.

"Oh, Shui is badly injured, so Caleb has asked for another date of marriage. But Shui is not ready to let go. So they have collected everyone and oracle to take the decision." he explained and my curiosity piqued.

I moved further to see the oracle and how she predicted things. Was she really that powerful as they all are speaking?

The people around me looked at me with bewilderment as I pushed and adjusted myself further and further in but I didn't care.

Finally I reached the front of the room. There sat Kai, Caleb, Shui and a few other people I didn't know. 

There were three chairs in the middle of the stage like a throne. Three elders were sitting on them. Two were men and one woman. They have a grave look on their faces and they all were silent and looking at the woman.

The woman was the oldest lady I had ever seen. Her face was tanned and full of wrinkles. Her hair was silver shining like moonlight. Her eyes were closed as she was chanting something and there was a rosary of beads in her hands as she kept moving the beads further. Yet there was a calmness on her face that made me calm too.

I did not realise how and when I moved and stood in front of her and she snapped her eyes open and looked at me. A smile formed on her lips.