Chapter 24

By speaking in favour of the captured couple, Eve had brought attention to herself.

Eve wondered how the guards were able to track down the couple to be the outcasts. If they could track them, it was only time before she would be caught one day… and that meant she would have to be careful.

Eve asked the head guard, “Will they have a trial?”

“That will depend on their behaviour. People who behave and follow rules will get to live. Especially ones who will bring no harm, and the ones who don’t will be put on the gallows. What was your relation with the Blacksmiths? Answer me,” the head guard’s voice was loud and demanding.

While the little scene was taking place, where the crowd had gathered, one of Eve’s admirers stood there too.

It was none other than Patrick Humphrey.

Noticing how the head guard was trying to corner Eve, Mr. Humphrey decided to act as her knight in shining armor. By doing this, not only would he gain affection from Genevieve Barlow, but it would also warn other men who were trying to court her.

Mr. Humphrey jerked his head, pushing his blonde hair, he spoke in a loud voice, “Septimus. What do you think you are doing, by talking to Miss Barlow in such a tone?”

The head guard turned to look at Mr. Humphrey with a glare.

Mr. Humphrey stated, “Don’t you know how to respectfully speak to a woman? Miss Barlow is nothing like these repulsive creatures whom you just caught. You should be lucky th—”

Soon Mr. Humphrey’s collar was caught by the head guard, and he was raised above the ground, “You whimsical humans. Don’t forget who you are talking to.”

The people around went quiet, their breath caught in their throat, and Eve turned worried.

“Please let Mr. Humphrey go, he didn’t mean to provoke you!” requested Eve, noticing Mr. Humphrey struggle to breathe.

“Move your grubby hands from me this instant before I inform the higher authorities on you!” Mr. Humphrey demanded and threatened the head guard named Septimus.

This only enraged the head guard, and he raised the human higher than before.

“That is enough, Septimus. I believe you have finished your job here and have other things to do,” came an authoritative voice in the crowd that Eve was familiar with, and she turned her head. She found Noah Sullivan standing not too far from where she stood. “It isn’t right to harass the townsfolk, when they are only asking for answers politely.”

The head guard’s eyes met Noah’s eyes, and he finally let go of Mr. Humphrey, who fell to the ground with a light thud.

Septimus bowed, “Duke. I indeed have something to deliver.” He then addressed the crowd, “If anyone finds something, don’t forget to report it and you will be rewarded with a handsome sum of gold coins.”

The head guard bowed at Mr. Sullivan again and walked away. Soon the crowd dispersed from there.

Patrick Humphrey coughed, trying to compose himself, while shaken that the head guard had lifted him as if he weighed nothing. Once the head guard disappeared, he quickly stood up and puffed his chest. He demanded,

“Where does the guard think he is going? We have to settle this matter now!”

Mr. Humphrey’s servant, who often followed right behind him, pointed his hand in one direction and said to his master, “He went that way, Sire.” This only ended up with the servant receiving a glare from the man.

Eve internally shook her head but then asked, “Are you alright, Mr. Humphrey?” The man did intervene the head guard.

Mr. Humphrey glared in the direction where the head guard had disappeared. Noah softly chuckled, seeing the man’s flimsy attempt to regain his image.

“I would have beaten him and brought him to his knees if he stayed here for a minute longer. He should be grateful that I didn’t do anything to him,” huffed Mr. Humphrey, and he asked Eve, “Are you alright, Miss Barlow? That impolite mongrel didn’t hurt you, did he?”

Eve shook her head and politely smiled, “I am perfectly fine, Mr. Humphrey. You do not have to worry about it.” And she then turned to look at Noah, “Thank you for coming to our aid, Mr. Sullivan.”

Noah returned her smile with a much politer and kinder one, “Do not thank me, Miss Barlow. I only did what I thought was right.”

Mr. Humphrey gritted his teeth, unhappy that someone else stole his limelight when it was his to shine in front of the woman he was trying to court. He commented,

“Mr. Sullivan, you were here, yet you didn’t bother to stop the head guard from trying to insinuate that Miss Barlow was one of the vile creatures?”

Noah turned to look at Eve and said, “I believed that Miss Barlow was perfectly capable of handling herself. After all, there is no reason for her to fear when she hasn’t done anything wrong. Of course, I will always be more than willing to offer my help to her.”

Mr. Humphrey scoffed and then said to no one in particular and spoke on behalf of Eve, “I cannot believe that he dared to think that Miss Barlow was related or associated with those vile creatures. Where is she and where are the hideous creatures who are cursed.”

“The blacksmith couple never did anything to upset anyone. They have been nothing but kind, without harming anyone, Mr. Humphrey,” Eve frowned, “They are people like us, and they deserve a life like us.”

“These outcasts are poisonous, Miss Barlow. You are too kind to think that they are worthy enough to live amongst us. You never know when they will do something unforgivable. It is better to be careful than regret later,” stated Mr. Humphrey, as if Eve was a naive woman who didn’t know the ways of the world and how it worked. “There are only three kinds that are acceptable.”

And though the man didn’t elaborate, Eve already knew about it. Everyone knew about it. The lands that everyone lived on were monopolised mainly by the vampires, the werewolves. Then there were humans, who were invisibly chained down to the vampires and the werewolves.

Eve couldn’t speak more on the matter because it was only two months ago when everyone found out that one of the townsfolk, who was an outcast, had been kidnapping young women and had killed them. There were good and bad people everywhere, and it was hard to stand up for the good ones because of the deeds committed by the bad ones.

Mr. Humphrey then gallantly said, “I am glad that I was passing by this place early today. Else I would have not been able to help you.”

Eve politely bowed and thanked him, “Thank you for coming to my aid, Mr. Humphrey. It is very much appreciated.”

“You must have been scared. Allow me to walk you to your home. It will also ease my mind,” Mr. Humphrey offered Eve, not wanting to let go of the opportunity.

But as grateful as Eve was, she wasn’t comfortable, nor did she want Mr. Humphrey clinging to her. She refused, “That is very kind of you, Mr. Humphrey, but I have something to talk about with Mr. Sullivan. If you don’t mind.”

“No worries. I shall wait for you until you finish talking with him. Please take your time,” Mr. Humphrey offered a friendly smile.