NOVEL NEXT Chapter 84 Main Event
In the city, inside a tavern, all the villagers were celebrating the new era that would make this town an even better place, while they awaited the true party that would take place at night. They were complete fools, easily deceived.
At the same time, Dantalian and the Duchess, along with the other girls, were in front of their carriage bidding farewell to the villagers who had ignored the celebration at the tavern.
"Master, before we go, can I buy something to eat? Since the journey is a bit long," Fiona said, standing outside the carriage.
"Oh, of course, but don't forget to get something for me too," Dantalian replied, waving to the villagers who saw him through the carriage window.
"Be quick, Fiona, don't keep the master waiting too long, okay?" Amanda exclaimed.
"Fiona is not like you, Amanda, don't worry," Freytan said.
"What do you mean by that?" Amanda asked.
Dantalian stopped waving and put his hands in his pockets. "What do you think, Lady Marian? Did you like the ending of this story?"
"It couldn't be better. Now I have the full support of my people, which will be quite useful since even before all this chaos with the ice aberration, some of them hated me for no reason," Marian responded, smiling genuinely.
"That means you really liked it... Well, we can discuss it further at your home," Dantalian said.
"Such a smooth talker. What you said earlier doesn't seem like just a joke anymore," Marian said, and then she felt Amanda's gaze.
'Keep calm, girl. I'm not going to steal him from your little group,' Marian thought.
"Master Dantalian, don't you dare try to win over my mother. She's a one-man woman," Echidna spoke.
'Echidna is truly a good girl,' Amanda thought.
"Don't say such things. I'm already too old for him, dear. You should be the one sitting in his lap," Marian said, glancing briefly at Amanda, not noticing any change in her behavior. 'Huh?'
A little distance away from the carriage, Fiona approached a stall where a man with black hair and the same child who had mentioned Dantalian earlier during the event were present.
"Welcome, friend of the hero. What can I get you?" the man said, wiping one of his cups.
"I want two meatballs, please, and if possible, just call me by my name," Fiona said.
"And what is your name?" the child asked.
"Oh, right, no one mentioned it, did they? Well, in my case, I'm called Fiona, you cute thing," Fiona replied.
"Here you go, Miss Fiona. Your order is ready," the man said, handing her a white paper bag.
Fiona took her order and said, "So, what's the price? And I want to make it clear that I refuse to accept it for free."
"It's just two silver coins, Miss," the child answered.
"Well, well, what a clever child," Fiona chuckled.
"I apologize for him, Miss, but that is indeed the price," the man said.
"Don't worry about it. I said I would pay anyway," Fiona reached into the left sleeve of her clothes, pulling out a bag of coins. As she opened it and put her hand inside, she retrieved three coins - two large silver coins and a single gold coin hidden among them.
"Your child did a great job. Here's the payment for your service," Fiona said, handing the coins to the man and then distancing herself from the stall.
When Fiona arrived at the carriage, there were still many villagers around, waiting for the moment when Dantalian's group would leave.
"Master, I'm back, and let me tell you, the food in this town is so much better than many other places I've visited," Fiona entered the carriage, finding everyone in silence.
"That's great to hear. It's one of the prideful things about this place, you know? The food here is among the best in the whole country," Marian spoke.
"It's good that we're in contact with you then, so we can always enjoy this kind of cuisine," Dantalian said.
"Of course, anytime you want or if you want to bring someone who knows everything about the cuisine of this region, my daughter knows it all," Marian added.
"It seems like you're looking at a product. I don't like that," Amanda spoke.
"Amanda, don't worry about it. She just wants to help, it's about her daughter," Freytan said, placing her hand on Amanda's.
"In any case, Amanda, let's depart now. Show your skills once again," Dantalian said, pointing behind.
"Immediately, Master. It's time for us to return and wrap up matters as soon as possible," Amanda stood up and exited the carriage.
"But are you leaving already?" Marian asked.
"Yes, Miss Marian. I have my own duties as a guild master, and I've been absent for too long," Dantalian replied, turning to the side, resting his head on Freytan's thighs, and his legs on Fiona's thighs.
"See, Mother, that's why I want nothing to do with him," Echidna turned her face away.
"Unfortunately, I won't change my way of being. I'm content with being just a friend to your daughter, and I'll ask for other things as a reward," Dantalian spoke, receiving caresses from Freytan on his head, while Fiona massaged his legs.
"Mmm... It's so nice to relax like this," Dantalian said, closing his eyes.
A vein of stress could be seen forming on Marian's face. "Fine, if you two don't want it, I have no reason to bother anymore."
"Thank you, Mother," Echidna placed her hand on her mother's shoulder, continuing, "Don't worry, I promise I'll find someone who is good for me, and I'll count on your help."
"Of course, my daughter," Marian spoke, but in her mind, she thought ' Only a prince could be better than him. '
The carriage then departed, and Amanda swiftly took us back to the house of Duchess Marian. Despite the great distance between the two places, it took only two hours to arrive. Conversations took place, but nothing of significance was said. It was merely a way to pass the time until the main event would finally occur.
The carriage stopped in front of Duchess Marian's house, and Amanda spoke, "Master, we have arrived. Shall we disembark and resolve this matter?"
"Hmm, it seems like your servant doesn't like me very much," Marian spoke.
"Unfortunately, that's just how she is. There's nothing I can do about it," Dantalian said, opening the door and being the first to exit.
"Ladies, if you could wait, it would be great for our dear Duchess," Dantalian said, extending his hand.
"No problem, Master. We understand the reason behind it," Fiona said.
"After all, she is a duchess, and we are simple servants," Freytan spoke, rubbing her fingers together.
"You don't need to be so courteous, Mr. Dantalian. You have already done enough to ask for whatever you want, and of course, it needs to be within my reach," Marian smiled gently, holding my hand and stepping out of the carriage.
"I'm not doing it to earn more points. I'm doing it simply because I want to," Dantalian smiled, still holding the duchess's hand. He continued, "So, shall we? Inside?"
"Let us proceed, Echidna. Once we're inside, let all the cooks know to prepare the best dinner for our guests," Marian spoke, accompanying Dantalian towards the entrance door.
Echidna, already outside the carriage, stopped walking and bowed, saying, "Of course, Mother, I had already anticipated that."
'After all, it's good that you don't see that none of the servants are in our residence,' Echidna thought, quickly recalling how before they left, she had sent everyone on tasks far away from home, such as gathering food and materials, among other errands that required them to go into town.
Everyone had exited the carriage, with Echidna being the first to reach the front door. She opened it and entered, saying, "I will inform them, Mother. Have a productive meeting." Echidna quickly distanced herself and headed towards the kitchen.
'I've told those damn servants a thousand times to wait for me when I arrive. What will Mr. Dantalian think of me now that my daughter was forced to open the doors herself?' Marian thought as she looked at Dantalian, seeing a smile on his face. She smiled back. 'Well, I should have known. He's already accustomed to such things. Great.'
Everyone entered the house, and Dantalian released Marian's hand, saying, "Shall we go straight to the most important matter?"
"Of course, Mr. Dantalian. Would you accompany me to my office?" Marian spoke with a smile.
"I think you misunderstood something, Miss Marian," Dantalian spoke, and the sound of the door locking could be heard.
Then, Fiona tapped her foot on the ground, causing all the exits to freeze. Every other door and window, not even a small hole in the wall, had escaped the ice.
"What does this mean, Mr. Dantalian?" Marian spoke, maintaining her composure. "Are you playing some kind of joke?"
The sound of snapping fingers could be heard, and Freytan unsheathed her sword. "Does this look like a joke to you?"