That afternoon.
The couple stayed at the entrance of the cave.
This time, there's no more wide distance separating between them, they're closer than ever before.
Rhett was getting more settled and confident with his feelings towards Sabrina.
The whole day, Sabrina was no longer giving him cold shoulders, she would smile at him and their conversation was no longer embroiled with negativity.
In short, she's getting friendly with him and it improved their situation a lot.
Rhett tugged her hair gently. "Beauty... if you're not her with me... what do you want to do with your life? You will continue living here in the forest with Grandma Azere all your life?" he asked, wanting to discuss life in general with her.
"Not really. In the past, Grandma and I visited the nearest town from here. And we saw lots of big stores and houses made of bricks. The streets in the town are bustling with activity. Then we eat in the eatery and Grandma told me that one day if we're getting bored living in the forest we can relocate to the town, rent a small space and sell ready to eat foods. There are so many things that we can do in the town. We can sell vegetables, dishes and many things. We saw many peddlers there, selling all kinds of things in the market and in the streets," Sabrina replied.
Rhett smiled. "Ah, so you already seen the bustling town. That's good!"
"It only happened ten times in the past," Sabrina said.
"What did you and Grandma Azere do in the town?" Rhett asked curiously.
"Grandma told me that she likes going in adventures in her youth. She loves visiting new places and observed the people and their lifestyle. For her, it's an exciting experience that she loves indulging herself with as many times as she can," Sabrina responded.
"Ah, I see... " Rhett murmured. For the last ten years, Grandma Azere brought him food, sometimes she can't come to the cave for one day, but she makes sure that he had a sweet potato or banana to boil while she's away. Those must be the times when Grandma Azere and Sabrina have gone to the town. "Where do you sleep in the town?" he asked.
"Most of the time we sleep in the street. When the store are closing for the day, we will sleep in front of the store and return here in the forest the next day," Sabrina answered. "How about you? Have you been into the town?" she asked.
"Yeah. I've been to the capital five times when I'm still a kid. My father and I visited our uncles and grandparent's house in the capital. My father had two sisters living in there and they lived in big houses. They run the family business..." replied Rhett.
"Really-? What is you grandparent's business in the capital?" she inquired.
"They have a lumber business, rice mill, coal mine and they also have a big warehouse and factory that makes a lot of bricks that are used for construction. They also have other businesses aside from those I've already mentioned above," Rhett explained.
"Nice! So you're Grandpa is wealthy?" she asked.
"Yeah, sort of..." Rhett answered.
"But you told me once that your family and your uncles lives in Gold Peak Valley. Why they're not living in the capital?" Sabrina asked, confused.
"I dunno... I think my father and my uncles loves the countryside while my grandparents and my aunt loves living in the capital," Rhett stated.
"You're right, different people have different interest and desires in life," Sabrina said.
"How about you? Which do you like to live, in town or here in the forest?" Rhett asked.
"I want both worlds," Sabrina replied with a smile. "As long Grandma Azere is with me then any place is fine with me," she added.
"If we can get out of this cave one day, do you want to come with me to the capital? We will get married and raised a family there. I will work in my grandfather's business to sustain our livelihood. We can bring Grandma Azere to live with us. Then the two of you can cook delicious dishes and sell to our neighbors," Rhett suggested.
Sabrina looked at him with amusement in her eyes, she raised a brow. "You mentioned of marrying me and yet you haven't courted me yet!" she reminded him.
Rhett scratches his head. "Um... what kind of courting do you want? Do you want me to give you beautiful flowers? You want me to give you the moon? Tell me what you want..." he said, smirking.
Sabrina pouted.
"Um... beauty... you know... I think we don't need courting phase because as you can see... we hugged each other every night. We're already intimate just like any other couple out there," Rhett explained.
Sabrina rolled his eyes. "It's not counted!"
Rhett smiled. "Fine, I'll court you starting today. But I don't know where to start because as you can see... we're already intimate..." he insisted.
"Our hugging every night is not counted!" Sabrina repeated and left his side irritably, going back to the chamber to sleep.
Rhett watched Sabrina's back, rubbing his jaw in confusion, wondering why she left all of a sudden. He released a deep sigh. 'Ah, women!' he muttered to himself.
Meanwhile...
Grandma Azere was relaxing on the trunk under the shade of the tree, a few meters away from her vegetable garden. She just finished harvesting green leafy vegetables for tonight's dinner and currently enjoying the wonderful morning breeze.
A few minutes later.
A black mist materialized in front of Azere.
She groaned and released a deep sigh. "Here she is again!"
Olga appeared in front of Azere, she went to her side. "Enjoying the view, eh?"
Azere sighed. "Why are you here?"
"Just visiting the cave and you..." Olga replied and sat on the trunk facing her friend.
"If you are here to taunt and insult me again then you can leave now!" Azere said, dismissing her.
Olga breathed deeply. "Don't worry, I'm not here for that..."
"Then what are you here for?" Azere asked.
"Nothing... I'm just wandering around, looking for Doreen, looking for someone to talk to. I just want to find anything that can excite me. I got bored easily. I miss living in our home again in Laswich Mountain. I miss our adventures. I miss everything..." Olga said, feeling nostalgic about the past.
Azere heaved a sigh. She looked at her friend, her partner in crime in the past. A small smile curled on her lips.
Silence engulfed them for a while as they were both transported in the glorious days of their past when everything was going well and they were young. In just a blink of an eye, they become old and have matured a lot.
"How is Mother doing right now?" Azere asked.
"She's participating in the Supreme Witch Tournament that was currently held in the Holybel Summit," Olga replied.
"Ah, I see..." Azere murmured. "By the way, I noticed that you're in a good mood today. Why is that?"
Olga looked at Azere. "Well... I'm just feeling bored right now and getting mad at you no longer give me the same satisfaction like it used to..."
Azere smiled brightly. After ten years, Olga was finally mellowing down. She hoped her friend will finally sober up and stop pestering her. Hopefully, today is the start.
Olga looked at her and spoke, "Ten more years to go and Mother will finally undo the curse, we can finally go back to where we used to be! Aren't you excited?" she asked, beaming.
"I'm excited of course!" Azere replied. "But I'm no longer going back to the Laswich Mountain," she declared.