Peace rarely come to Cataleya's life. No wait, it had never happened to her life at all. Or at least that was what Ruby thought as she sat on promptly on her bed inside that in. Her hands curled together as she listened in silence.
"What's next? Huh? I won't be surprise anymore of you suddenly declare a battle to a hoard of bear in the bloody forest!" Cxenon once again managed to shake the inn with entirely his booming voice.
Cataleya winced and couldn't stop herself from poking her ear. This seemed to aggravate Cxenon more, seeing how she seemed to be nonchalant.
"Bears are no easy to spot anymore, brother. People hunt them in spare time. Honestly a sick game if you'd ask me." Cataleya let a snide remark.
"You!"
"Cxenon, control yourself." Finally, the marquis voiced out after sitting in the cheap couch. His hands were on the staff with well polished holder. He regarded Cataleya in bed pointedly. It was enough for the villainess in her to quiver.
After all, the marquis was her father who she remembered to be once taller than her before. When she climbed the tree in the backyard, she couldn't get down and Cxenon only laughed at her. Then the marquis arrived from court meeting with the king. He reached towards her and assured her that she will be safe if she reached his hand.
Indeed, she landed in the land safe and then she hugged the marquis in laughter, despite the tears on her eyes. That was such a pleasant experience. But now she was almost on his neck. She envied Cataleya for having such experience that. Though adopted, she knew there was fondness which ended her a spoiled lady Briston.
"Cataleya, are you listening to me?" There came gentle words from the marquis.
"W-what? Y-yes. Yes." Cataleya immediately answered despite feeling startled.
"She is obviously not learning her lessons." Cxenon interjected.
"Perhaps you still need to get some rest. I'm afraid we can't stay here any longer. It will wise to have a family discussion in the privacy of our residence where no one will be listening." The marquis said and turned his attention to the door.
A shadow from behind it disappeared and Cxenon was quick to get to the door. When he opened it, he poked his head outside and threw a displeasing look on the maidservant who was no quicker to leave from there.
"Leave it be, Cxenon." Marquis said when his heir intended to confront the eavesdropper.
CXenon glared at the made instead and slammed the door hard. "We should leave and you're coming with us." He said to Cataleya afterwards.
Like she had any choice at all. All her treasures were salvaged by those bandits and she was left with only her tattered dress. She was thankful that she was changed into fresh ones even without her knowledge. But she don't want to go on details with the duke with regards to that.
"She will come with us, Cxenon. Don't worry." The marquis said and Cataleya wondered if he could read minds when everytime, he will say what was exactly on her head. "I'm afraid we failed to thank the duke about saving you. We shall pay him a visit soon on the estate that he's staying."
If Catalaleya could choose, she wouldn't want to see the duke. Ever.
"Actually, I managed to save myself. Alone. He happened to be there on the road along with the merchants when I got out the forest."Cataleya said.
"You will show him proper attitude, Cataleya. Enough of this behavior of yours." The marquis said in firm tone.
That was when she decided to zip her mouth or she'll truly anger her gentle father. He was a lot scarer compared to anyone she knew when he'd be off mood.
"I want words, Cataleya."
"Yes, father. I will show my gratitude to the duke." Cataleya said.
"Good." The marquis stood up from the couch and went to the door. "Let's leave in haste then."
"Yes," Cataleya and Cxenon said in unison.
As they climbed down the stairs, the marquis and Cxenon were nimble on their feet as Cataleya tried to keep up with them. However, her attention was stolen to the tables in the bar. She stopped walking upon recognizing those women who were made into slaves by the bandits in the forest.
Cataleya didn't notice how her cloak was removed off her head as she did a mental count on those women. Both young and in adult age. Her heart raced in gladness upon seeing them all. How they were alive after the werewolf attacked the den was puzzling to her.
Maybe they all found a way to hide themselves while the bandits were brutally murdered by a beast. It was a good thing indeed to have seen them all freed, bathed and in clean clothes.
"What are you doing? Father's waiting." Cxenon returned to her and hissed in low tone of voice. He grabbed her by arm and dragged her to the carriage.
"Why are we in a hurry? The estate won't run away from its location if we delayed to go home." Cataleya complained.
"In case you haven't notice, we're being followed and heaven forbids if those men wanted you dead before you step foot on our own lands."
"What?" Cataleya asked in horror, having a premonition that those might be the king's men who might be ordered to get rid of her.
"Let's go and do not leave my side. Am I understood?" Cxenon asked.
Cataleya grabbed his arm and nodded. "I won't."
"Then, let's go." Cxenon said and throw a glare to the side.
Cataleya wasn't daring enough to see the face of the men who wanted her dead. Instead, she clutched close more and kept pace with him.
It was good thing that they reached the carriage and closed the door immediately. "I already instructed the men, father." Cxenon said.
"Good." The marquis then turned to Cataleya.
Cataleya's eyes widened upon seeing the thing she was handed all of the sudden. A silver pistol with the Briston crest engraved on the holder.
"Now, use this in case they grow bold and dare to attack a marquis carriage." The marquis said.
Cataleya then knew that the situation had started to become dire when her father appeared like that. It was rare to see the marquis on his edge. As she accepted the pistol, Cxenon readied his own weapon too.