Diana kept laughing from time to time and the man who seemed to be in her age enjoys watching her pretty face as she laughs at the old man's funny stories.
She met with old man Daniel, who said he wanted to buy a camera for his wife.
The other day, while waiting for Liam, Diana spoke with the old man who appeal to her so she could teach them how to use the device since his wife had been demanding for it for the past few days.
Most likely, when the old man went home the first day he met the foreigner, he told his wife about the certain lady who taught him how to use a camera. His wife got excited and had been demanding one for a few days now. So when he met the lady again, he asked for a favor.
They met at the merchant's store and Diana was the one who choose the cam. His grandson named Drake tagged along with him as well. He's a cutie that's for real.
She got inside the carriage with the old man and Drake as they head towards the old man's villa at Mount Gilboa, it's another town away from the city. Though she was promised that they will be coming back to the city in the afternoon since Daniel has an appointment with some men tonight.
Diana smiled and calmed herself. Well, she won't be staying long at that town so it should be okay even if Liam doesn't know where they went. She only told Liam about the old man's appeal but she never expected that she has to go with them in the villa away from the city.
She could not inform Liam since he set off to see his old friend at the infirmary along with the little child they took home last night.
FLASHBACK:
Liam and Diana went back to the infirmary that afternoon. Liam must ensure that the old man receives a proper treatment and it's his duty to take good care of Simon's granddaughter.
"Nice meeting you, Miss Beverly." Diana extended her hand.
"My pleasure Miss Diana." she received her hand with a smile. "This is Lily." She motioned the young girl to greet the foreigner.
"Hi, Lily." Diana smiled and caressed the little girl's hair. then she took a seat at the empty chair beside them while waiting for Liam who's talking to the old man's physician. When Lily saw that Liam sat beside her grandfather's bed, she went to him and sit on his lap as they watch the old man sleeping.
"If I may ask, who is that man?" Diana asked the woman who heaved a sigh after hearing her.
"His old friend." She replied. "His name is Simon, the man who became a father to him when he first came here."
"His father?" Diana was in awe. So Liam did live some time in this place then. "If it is not too much to ask, can you tell me more about him and this place?"
Beverly looked at her and smiled after confirming something. So she told her a bit of Liam's life when he was serving her family and how Simon cared for him for all those years. The day they thought he died was not hidden from her.
"So that deep hatred I saw in his eyes were real, then." She mumbled sadly. "I think he just met your brothers the other day."
"For real?" Beverly was surprised to hear it. If he did, then why did Liam hide that fact to her?
"Ehm." Diana nodded and describe the men's features.
Beverly held her breath. It's definitely her brothers!
"I think they don't have any idea about his identity." Diana muttered while staring at the man who was caressing the little kid's back. "But I know Liam recognized them. The bitterness I saw in his eyes that day, it's perturbing."
Beverly gawked at her disturbed face. The woman really cares about Liam. "Tell me, you're not from this country, is that right?"
She jerked at the woman's unexpected queries. "Uhm… Ehm… Y-you're right." she faked a smile.
"I knew it." she chuckled.
They had further conversations and grew quite close as they talk to each other. Then after an hour, Beverly bid farewell and went back home. Lily stayed with them since Liam was determined to keep his promise to his old man.
After entrusting Simon to the physician's care, they brought Lily home. Good thing Asher and the others have kind hearts that they have accepted the little girl with geniality.
"I searched for him." Liam told Asher the whole story, even the unexpected meeting with his former masters.
Asher couldn't say more. His been praying that Liam won't ever cross paths with those bastards again but looks like God has a different plan.
"Then what's your plan now that you met them?"
"Not sure for now." He sighed as he gazes at the starless dark sky. "Though I still hate them and the thought of revenge kept sweeping in my mind."
Unknown to them, a woman leaning on the partition had been listening silently at their conversation. And after hearing Liam, she walks back to their room without making any sound.
"Just let me know about your plans so I could help out."
"I know you will." he smiled at Asher. "But we now have some companions with us and I don't want to put them in trouble by doing a reckless thing because of my personal grudge."
-------- End of flashback--------
They reached the old man's villa after an hour. Then as soon as they came out from the carriage, maidservants and men with swords came and bowed before them. she was astonished at what she saw and looked at the old man who was laughing.
She didn't know this simple man was considered as someone with a rank. Is he a government official in the kingdom? the old man must have read her mind so he chuckled once again.
"I'm just a simple old guy with faithful servants, that's it." he said and invited the woman inside the mansion.
His definitely lying! The woman knew it.
They headed directly at a beautiful garden at the back of the mansion and found a woman who seemed around her age and an old woman having some tea together. Guess it was the old man's wife and the other, his daughter or granddaughter? Not sure.
"Diana!" the old woman yelped when she saw them and stood to meet the young miss. Diana was startled when the old woman suddenly embraced her. They do not even know each other!
"I'm sorry, I know I scared you." She smiled sweetly at the shocked woman. "I heard a lot of things about you from my husband and I can see why he likes you a lot."
"Eh?" she seemed having a hard time catching up with what's happening around her. Then the woman pulled her to their table.
"You know, that old man doesn't usually talk to any person." the old woman chuckled.
"Oh, I didn't know that. But I thought he is a good man with a kind heart when I first saw him."
"Really? You were not scared looking at his face?" the old woman was amaze. Usually, people were scared of his husband because of his face who frowns all the time, but the lady in front of her spoke something absurd.
"Uhm, well, he sure grimace a lot but I was never afraid of him. Maybe because I'm used at seeing Liam wear that kind of face all the time." she chortled when she remembered Liam during her first weeks in the country.
"Liam? oh, he must be your boyfriend." The old woman chuckled as well but the beautiful woman beside her was looking at Diana intensely. Eh, did she say something wrong?
*****************
"Be prepared. We will attack a group of travelers this afternoon." A bearded man beckoned his men.
They have men hiding in the forest watching every person leaving the city and when they spotted a seemingly wealthy group, they informed their leader about it and started a plan.
Whether to abduct the wealthy people or kill them after robbing them clean is up to them.
"Have some of our men stationed at the entrance of the city as well as at the gatepost of that villa. Send us a signal as soon as they leave the town, is that clear?"
"Yes boss!" the men yelled in unison before leaving the bearded man.
As soon as his men left, he grinned evilly.
The bearded raiders... Anyone who hears about them will surely tremble in fear, that's for sure.