"This is the best." Tyde remarked gulping down some hot tea and looking at the tea plantations. She was sitting together with Clementine in Lord Logam's tea estate. The estate was located on top of the Yona hills and the midday heat had cleared away some of the mist, baring the view of rows of tea plants. The scenery was good, thought Tyde, this was the perfect escapade.
After the fight with Raul Adara, Clementine had dragged her friend to her father's estate located in the Yona hills. Tyde did not refuse. It was important to stay low until they forgot about her existence.
Might as well enjoy the life here, thought Tyde. Free from schoolwork, free from Ares and his troubles.
But there was one headache though. Clementine had one more guest. That commoner lover of her's sat with them to enjoy the view. Now is the best time to deal with him, thought Tyde.
"So Peter, I heard that you work as a civil servant in the noble realm." Tyde said looking at Clementine's lover.
"Yes, Lady Voda. It is mostly clerical work. If it had been an important position, I would not be able to avail the leave to come here." He talked softly and carefully, but he had a unique innocence about him. Too bad he was not a noble.
Tyde began to get restless. She waited for Clementine to turn away to fetch more tea. It was now or never. She whispered to Peter, "Are you happy doing clerical work?"
Peter looked confused. "I do not understand you, Lady Voda."
"I heard that you have been stuck in the same position for long. But the authorities who are mostly nobles won't consider your promotion."
Peter looked at Tyde with surprise.
"It so happens that I have an uncle in the higher circle who will happily hear your case." said Tyde, "But alas, the higher the post you have in the government, the more likely that Helios would notice your relationship with a noble." Tyde sighed saying this.
"I have no plans to exchange my lady for a promotion." Said Peter sharply.
Tyde sat back in her chair when she saw Clementine approaching them. By the looks of it, this commoner was harder to convince than she had thought he would be. She will have to come up with some other strategy, thought she.
********************
Ares sat in the stadium looking at the horses lined up for the race. He had placed his bet on the Black Moon, that black thoroughbred horse who looked like the king of its kind. Seven thousand bucks. If Tyde heard that he was betting in horse races again, she would rush there from wherever she was hiding to reprimand him.
Ares looked at his lover who was sitting with him. Diana Demetero looked very beautiful today with her blonde curls and a blue evening gown that showed off her curvy figure. She leaned on Ares and whispered, "Lord Adara has got his eyes on you."
Ares's attention was drawn to the man that that sat across him in the opposite stadium. This man with the strong aura surrounding him was Raul Adara, one of the most powerful men in the fire clan. Was it because of him that his cousin had fled the city? If she had a brush with him, it was a surprise that she was still alive. If she had been severely injured, he would have had to fight him. It seemed that Lord Adara was also looking at them from where he was sitting.
"He seems to be interested in us." Diana whispered again."The Adaras have eyes on my family's wealth."
Ares glared at Raul. First, they had caused the downfall of the Vodas, now they have set their eyes on the Demetros.
"Don't worry, I shall protect you." Ares told his lover.
"You will?" Diana looked grateful. "There is something worrying me, but I am not sure whether you will be able to help me." She lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip.
"Tell me." Ares took her hands into his.
"You see, my father has to transport some goods for business tomorrow, but I am afraid the Adaras would interfere. If it clears the pass through the Yona hills, we should be alright, but..."
"I'll take care of it." said Ares with confidence, "Just leave it to me."
Diana gave Ares a hug and Ares was touched. Those Adaras should pay for their crimes, how dare they try to halt other's business, thought Ares.