"Kora? What are you doing outside?"
"ACK--! Emili! I'm sorry! I brought you some flowers...p-please don't be mad."
"Hmm? Aww, did you buy me flowers and wait for me outside? Thank you! But you shouldn't do this next time. What if you catch a cold?"
Kora looks at Emili and blinks a few times in confusion.
"Huh? You're not mad...?"
"How could I be mad at you when you waited so long for me? Thank you, Kora!"
Emili looks at Dan, who is behind her.
"Oh, yea. Dan, this is Kora, my newly hired taster. Kora, this is Dan."
Dan nods his head as a greeting. "Hello, Kora. I've heard a lot about you from Emili."
"H-hello. Nice to meet you."
No wonder why she's not mad...She just came back!! I got so lucky...!
Kora sighs in relief. Suddenly, Jek and Ken rush out.
Ken looks at Kora with a frightened look and says, "Kora! Are you alright?"
"Kiddo, were you lost or something?? Do you not know how to read maps? You could've told me!"
Oh no...now I'm really doomed...
Emili looks at Kora confused.
"What's going on here?"
"Well, I uh--You see...um...Jek--"
Kora glances at Jek and hopes he'll get the hint that she needs some help. Jek looks at Kora and realizes that she wants him to cover for her.
"Oh, nothing happened. I was just trying to let her have some fresh air you see...uh, it's nothing really."
Jek then glances at Ken and gives him a signal through his eyes.
"Ehem. Well, since everyone is back safely, I think we should get inside and have a nice meal? We managed to finish up the kitchen, you see."
"Alright..." Emili says, still suspicious.
Ken walks into the kitchen first to prepare the food.
Emili finds the whole situation strange. She looks at the bags that Kora is holding and asks what she brought.
"Oh, these are things that Jek wanted me to buy for him."
Emili takes a peek at what's inside the bags.
It's okay to say that, right? I think as long as I don't tell them I went to West Street, I am safe...
"Yeah. You see, she was bored and stuff so I asked her to help me out. Of course, I gave her extra money to buy whatever she wanted. Look! She brought you some flowers. Isn't that so sweet of her... and me for giving her the extra money!?," Jek says with a grin on his face.
Emili's eyes narrow.
"Hey! You shouldn't be ordering Kora around! She's still injured!"
"I was just trying to find her something to do! Anyways...Dan, my pal. Where were YOU?? You said to help and left all the work for ME!"
Jek shakes his head in disappointment.
"I have my reasons...I'll tell you after we get in."
They all walk inside and close the door. Dan goes to where Ken is and says, "I'll help with the house repairs too, Mr. Veldenware."
"Great! I have two strong men helping me out now. Take a seat in the dining room for now. The food will be served shortly."
Emili and Dan walk into the dining room where they will be eating. Kora and Jek follow behind them. Ken gives Kora a warning look as if he was trying to say: "Next time, I will tell Emili."
Kora shivers and then smiles awkwardly while walking away.
On the way to the dining room, Jek grabs Kora on her shoulder and whispers to her.
"Hey, you went to West Street, didn't you?"
Kora flinches and her eyes widen. She nervously looks away.
"N-no...what do you mean?"
Jek continues to whisper quietly while talking to her.
"Don't play dumb. The furthest you could've gone from the map I gave you is West Street. Also, you smell horrible...kiddo. Like the smell of dead rats. Look, I don't care why you went there. You just have to tell me...did you see his highness there?"
"H-huh?"
Jek says with a serious look on his face, "Tell me the truth. Did you see him? Or anyone similar to him? Even if you aren't sure, just tell me."
"N-no...I don't think so. There were only ill people there."
"Hmm...Alright, thanks. Give me my map and the things I asked you to buy. Don't worry, I won't tell Emili you went there."
"Ok, thanks..."
Kora gives Jek the bags and the map.
I hope I did the right thing by not telling him about Prince Loki...
Dan turns around and looks back to where Kora and Dan are.
"Jek? What are you doing? Didn't you want to know why I was late?"
"Alright. Alright. Coming!"
Emili turns around as well and calls Kora over.
"Kora, let's go to the kitchen, where my dad is! You're about to witness my dad's amazing cooking skills!"
"O-okay."
Jek and Dan sit together at the dining table.