Chapter 196 [Bonus chapter] Curious or Fallen for her?

Hazel could see that the man was staring at food with so many emotions in his eyes as if it was not sweets but an invitation of war.

His eyes were boring holes in the price and scones. On the other side, the kids were enjoying their meal with joy and smiles.

She could see how happy they were and felt better. The palace was getting suffocated. And she still had not found a way to deal with Vincent. She realized that depending on the power of Rafael to deal with Scarlet was easier in his palace rather than hers.

“Lucian, you should hurry. We have to see other parts of the festival too before going back to the palace.“ Though she did not want to go back there, she should have reached there on time and stayed in front of guests rather than being alone when she was taken advantage of or.. A dark ray of light passed her eyes and it turned malicious before turning normal again.

Lucian felt cold and all the hair of his body raised as a red signal but when he looked around vigilantly there was no sign of threat or killing intent coming.

There were only hazel and kids in the shop with some staff who were mostly young girls. But how could he be mistaken?.

“So you are finally out of your thoughts? Do you even know how many times I have called you?” he met with a frown on her face and lowered his head.

Staring at the sweets as if it was the world’s most difficult task, he picked a piece of the pie and ate it.

The soft piece melted in his mouth instantly when he saw Hazel wriggling her brows as if waiting for him to explain to her how it was!

He gulped the rest of the piece without nibbling it as he opened his mouth with some difficulty.

“It is sweet and soft!” These five words were enough to lift up her spirits as she chuckled brightly and nodded her head while passing more food to him.

“Then have more but fast, we need to go soon.” he could only nod and eat as fast as he could under her piercing gaze and finally took a breath of relief when she finally ended her ordeal and decided to leave this place.

Soon, they bid their goodbyes while Hazel paid enough money to the shopkeeper to feed the kids for more than a few years.

“You can come here and eat whenever you want to. I will come looking for you again soon.” she stroked them before leaving.

“My lady, what if the man did not serve them, the kids? He may act cruelly and chase them away while digesting all the money you have provided to him?” it was not like kids would be able to do anything against the man, given that they were beggars, no one would listen to them even if they said that the trader was paid in advance.

“Wouldn’t it be better if you gave the money to the kids? Then they would have been able to spend it the way they wanted!” That was what he would have done when he wanted to help someone.

Though he had never felt the need to help humans even if they were kids and witches did not need to be fed like humans. For them essence and mana was more important than food.

A witch could stay alive without food for a decade. Most of them only eat for the taste.

“The kids had asked for the money when I met them. Even when their eyes were lingering on the food, they did not ask me to buy something for them but money instead.

I was sure if i would have given them money, they would not have spent it on filling their stomach. That was why I trusted the trader with it.

And as far as it is about breaking the contract, I would personally come and check it. After all, I will start living here again in a few days. So, I would have plenty of time to do that.” her eyes widened when she realized she had said more than what was required of her.

“I mean, Rafael had decided to stay here for a long time. It would be enough to judge the character of the man though I am sure it would not be needed, he was a kind and loyal person who had morals.” looking at his eyes that were staring at her with a frown and question in them, she explained hastily. She was afraid that he would be more suspicious if she did not give him a proper reply.

She still needed him around her until the matter was resolved. What if his loyalty shifted to Rafael when he knew that they were going to be separated. After all, Rafael was the one who had paid for him.

“But what if the kids need urgent money for their family. What if they would have taken food from the other members of the family or someone needed treatment?” He did not even know why he was asking these kinds of questions.

It was not like he cared about those kids. But rather he was more curious about how her thought process worked.

What she was thinking when she made the decision. Her every expression, her every smile and frown, the way her brows furrowed and the way she passed him a look as if telling her you are dumb.

“If that would have been the case, they would have told me after I showed them kindness. They knew I would not deny food or other help for their family.

But they only bade me goodbye. That only meant they did not want money for themselves since the start. And the questions.. Why did they need money then.. We are going to unravel it together by following the kids to their home.”