He must be talking about the old couple but she still felt that he was too amiable with them while she felt a strange resistance from them.
“It would be better if you have a small meal or some warm tea before leaving too. You are looking drained by the lady.” she was drained! And confused! And in pain! After leaving the kids in a safe place she had a lot to think about.
For starters, did she really have powers? She had checked in the past. Forget about her, Rafael had checked in every possible way if she was a witch but he failed every time.
How joyous he would be if he would find out that she was the witch he was looking for!
‘No! Don’t go ahead of yourself, Hazel. You do not know anything. What if he thinks that you are trying to deceive him? He would always realize that you have fallen for him.’ she shook her head as she did not want to lose herself in the fluffy dreams with him when he was lost for the whole day.
“It’s a pity, my wife brews the best tea in this town.” oh! He took her shaking head as denial while she was lost in thoughts.
The door behind her opened again and soon she heard the sound of many footsteps. She turned to welcome the kids who looked as scared as she was while entering in.
They were so rigid as if they were brought here to be slaughtered. When their eyes met hers and saw her standing fine there, many left an audible breath of relief. Were they worried about her?
That thought brought a smile to her face.
“Ah, so you are all here. I have made warm supper for you. You all must be hungry right?” The old man welcomed them with a warm smile while his wife showed her canines that looked completely creepy.
Soon two waitresses brought trays of food and placed them on the large dining table.
“Go and have anything you want. If it is finished, I will replace it with more.“ The man nudged them and a drool started to form on the corners of their lips. Many licked their lips in anticipation but did not move from there.
They all turned to look at Hazel as if waiting for her to give her permission that surprised her. She thought that they were afraid of her but..
With a string pulled in her heart, her face softened so much and she let go of all the doubts forming in her heart. Wearing a smile that reached her eyes, she walked towards the kids and held their hands and squeezed it as if she was trying to pass her courage to them.
She took them towards the table and helped the two waitresses in serving food to the kids who started munching on it like starved animals that know no manners.
They were wolfing down the food without even trying to bite it carefully while a few were just marveling at it as if they were afraid that such tasty food would be wasted on them.
Hazel started at the ordinary dishes on the table and wondered how they had spent their life when they found such food special.
“Sister, this bread is soft and it did not smell at all.”
“Yes, and you know, this soup is warm and does not have any green layer!” she heard two kids talking and covered her mouth instantly in case she would hurl profanities that would be heard by them.
Just how cruelly they were kept there. But at least, she was satisfied that the food was edible and the couple did not have any bad intentions.. YET!
“My lady, if you can..” the old woman asked her to follow her and she felt her heart clenching. Was she finally going to show her true colors or another lie was awaiting her?
When she reached the corner, the old man and Lucian were already standing there and talking seriously. Lucian looked a bit pale while the old man had a frown on his face that confused her.
“Well, as promised we have..” he stopped when he heard the old lady coughing and turned to look at us. The frown immediately replaced by a smile that looked so amiable that Hazel knew it was fake.
“Well, I was saying to Lucian, as promised we have provided food and lodgings for the kids. If you want you can check their room before leaving and come any time to see if they are okay.
But as you see we are old and the inn could not run in goodwill.” the man smiled awkwardly but she got what he meant.
“My husband means that we need to be paid for the services and the risk we are taking by going against your brother. 1000 gold coins would suffice for a month.” 1000! It was straight loot.
“My dear.. Well it would be enough for three months. Since there are so many to take care of!” Hazel sighed as she did not have so much money left.
Was that Lucian looking pale? It was not as serious as she had thought. Right?
“I do not have so much money with me. I will give you 100 gold coins for today and then come back tomorrow and will pay rest to you.“ She took out all the money she had left when the old man nodded but the woman was not satisfied.
She continued to stare at hazel as if scanning her with her sharp eyes when added,
“That is such a pretty broch my lady. It must be emerald? Why don’t you give it as a custody to me. You know, we can not throw the kids out if you