"Let's rest here for now, Hariah Jiejie. I will buy something to drink there first."
Receiving a nod from her, Adil left Hariah under a tree in the street. The sun was high up the sky but it wasn't as hot as she expected. While she waited for him, looking around at the bustling people, she noticed a commotion happening not far from her.
It was an old woman who was kneeling in front of a lady who unlike the former was dressed in a presentable dress and adorned in jewels. This lady was obviously from a prominent family.
"How dare you! Bumping into my lady and spilling such dirty water on her dress?! Do you know who my lady is?!"
Hearing the noble lady's maid, the old woman bowed as she pleaded though she was obviously in pain as she moved. She seemed sick from what Hariah could see.
"Please forgive me, young lady! I didn't see you when I walked so I bumped into you. please spare my life…"
"Bad news. This old lady had a bad luck to bump into the eldest lady of the Zou Family."
"Right. Everyone knows how arrogant and mean this lady is. Look at her dress and jewels. It's always extravagant!"
With brows knotting, hariah was about to interrupt when she saw the noble lady hold the old lady's arm and help her stand up.
"It's fine. Just look into where you're heading at next time alright? Did you eat already? You look hungry. Laree. Buy something for this old woman."
"But lady-" her servant's protest was stopped by her master's mean glare. Immediately, the servant left to buy something with the gold coin the noble lady gave to her.
Noticing the people around them, Lady Zou yelled at them. "What are you looking at?! have you never seen a beautiful lady like me before?!"
Immediately, all people dispersed at her scary shouting. And Hariah who was watching it ended up laughing. She never saw such lady pretending to be so mean when she's actually kind.
"Thank you so much, lady! thank you so much…" the old lady almost ended up crying because she thought she will lose her life for offending such a noble woman.
"It's fine. My dress was just wet. It will soon dry up soon." Lady Zou smiled at the old woman warmly.
Suddenly, she saw a silk handkerchief being handed towards her. she looked at who was giving it to her and ended up being stunned. And she wasn't the only one. Even Hariah was stunned seeing lady Zou's face as she extended her hand towards her.
'She's beautiful…' Hariah thought.
Whereas, Lady Zou mumbled, "I think I just saw a goddess."
As both of them regained themselves, each of their cheeks tinted red as they looked away.
Hariah extended her hand even more, giving the handkerchief that the noble lady instantly accepted.
"Use that to wipe your clothes, lady," she said, looking at the wet part of her dress. Turning to the old woman, she reached for her hand and checked for her pulse.
"Grandmother. Did you have any fever and colds for the last days?"
Her question was enough to answered by the old woman's surprise face. thus, she didn't need to wait for her answer anymore. carefully fixing her sleeve that she rolled up.
"Since you are sick, please go to the nearest doctor, grandmother. Or else, you'll weaken more."
"That's…" Hariah noticed her looking away which made her wonder. But then, carefully assessing her clothing, she realized that this old woman may probably a slave or servant. She won't afford to go to any doctor.
She was about to check on her money pouch but then, the noble lady beside her already handed a gold coin to the elder.
"Here. Follow her instruction now and go to a doctor."
With overflowing gratefulness, the old lady looked at the faces of both the ladies whose heart, she believed, was made of gold. She didn't expect to meet two noble ladies with a kind heart. Which was rarely seen in this continent.
"Thank you! thank you, ladies! May the goddess bless you!"
As the old woman disappeared from their sight, Hariah didn't realized herself mumbling. "Goddess?"
"You don't know that, lady? you don't seem to be from this kingdom so let me tell you." she turned to Lady Zou with a curious look. "Back then, in this kingdom, the goddess Armein was greatly worshipped by people. However, it had been a long time that people had forgotten her. just this month, however, a rumor was spreading all over the kingdom. Saying that the goddess had descended to the mortal realm."
Hearing that made Hariah giggle. "A goddess coming here to the mortal realm? How can they say such?"
Even Lady Zou smiled for she doesn't believe it too. "Right. they said that she caught many flowers that was suppose to be given to our majesty during their departure in Guzheng Port. But then, those people whose flowers were catch by her had received blessing. So, they believed she was a goddess."
Hariah choked by her own self as she realized she was the goddess this noble lady was talking about. "Hah! What an unbelievable rumor. Ha. Ha."
"Right! I find it ridiculous too. don't you know? They also said she's an unsurpassable beauty! Now, I really can't wait to see her."
Hariah's eyes widened in horror as the noble lady grinned in such a weird way, like as if she's planning something evil to this goddess.
Suddenly turning to her, she almost jumped in surprise. "By the way, lady. what is your name? we've been talking her for a while but I still don't know who you are. What noble family do you belong? Or are you a princess from other kingdom that was visiting the Frost Kingdom?"
Looking at the gleeful expression of the lady, Hariah wondered how she would react if she found out that she's the one people are calling a goddess.
"I…" before she could reply, she heard Adil's voice calling her from somewhere. "Lady. I need to go."
"h-hey!" Lady Zou tried to stop her but the beautiful lady was already gone. As she looked at the handkerchief she gave her, she couldn't help but remember the first time she saw her face. she was so beautiful even with the mask she was wearing.
Inside her, she promised herself to find that lady sooner or later. She felt like she could finally have a friend in this vast kingdom.
***
In the king's study room, a panicking voice was heard yelling.
"Bad news! Bad news my king! Lady Sera kidnapped Hariah Jiejie!"
"Adil. You're already a man. Why can't you still learn how to calm down?" nonchalant, Cavi only read more of the reports. But then, Adil wasn't giving up.
"How can I calm down, my king?! Your fiancé just took my Jiejie away? what if…she tortures her like what rumors say?! What if she skinned my Jiejie or whip her until her bones are all seen and…" with a horrified look, Adil fell into his knees.