Adelyn walked on the dusty road filled with the earthy scent carried by the warm, fresh morning air. The market was bustling with people as it was the perfect time to buy fresh vegetables and ingredients to be brought back to their homes and cooked. Young daughters and sons were playing even more energetically under the ray of the sun, their faces filled with smiles and happiness.
As she walked along the road, mesmerized by the amazing and beautiful scene of common people taking leisure in their ordinary and peaceful life, Adelyn's heart was filled with worry as she thought what would happen if she ended up taking her life? Surely, they would be subjected to endless torture and helplessness under the complete control of the Bloodseekers who had taken over the entire kingdom.
Perhaps, it was really a good decision to not refuse the Blood King's proposal to marry his brother? If it meant she could protect her remaining people from dying, her worthless life would have some meaning to it.
Adelyn soon reached the entrance of the small town. There were many people streaming into the town, small carriages parked outside, and some carts pulled by oxen. She then realized something she didn't consider. How was she supposed to return to her house?
As she pondered whether she should hire a coachman or walk back, which was not an ideal thing to do with the sun brightly shining through the clouds, she heard a commotion behind another carriage.
"Stop there for me!"
"Get away from me, you old man! I'm not a child anymore. Do you seriously think I would still listen to you?"
"Gerald, I said stop! That's the only thing that is left of your mother's. Where are you taking that?!"
The voice was getting closer and closer as two men rounded the other carriage and emerged in her line of sight. She recognized one of the men, it was the old man who kindly offered her a ride in his ox cart. Walking a step ahead of him was a young man who shared a spitting image of the old man.
Is he the son of the old man? The one who liked to gamble?
"Where do you think? I'm selling it," the young man said.
The old man almost exploded on the spot when he heard this. His face turned red as anger rose inside of him. "Bastard! You're thinking of selling your mother's trinket? Are you out of your mind?"
"It's because you don't give me enough money that I have to do this, old man. If you only allowed me to sell your ox, I wouldn't resort to selling mother's things!"
The young man continued to move forward despite his father's disbelief when he heard his words.
The ox cart was the only thing that enabled them to put something on their table when they had nothing to eat. It was also the only thing that gave the old man some money to pay their remaining debts. Yet, this idiotic son wanted to sell it. Naturally, the old man would not allow it. However, Gerald found his mother's only trinkets and decided to take them without him knowing.
Fortunately, the old man found out that his son took it and quickly followed him to the town.
But no matter how much he dissuaded his son and stopped him from selling his mother's things, Gerald was determined to use it for his gambling use.
In contrast to the young man's vigor, the old man was too tired from his work on the farm. Adding the fact that his knees were creaking and unstable to walk faster, his son drew a big distance between them.
But just as his son entered the town, a young woman stood in front of him.
Gerald, already annoyed at his father, couldn't stand being blocked in his way and angrily shouted at the young woman. "Stop blocking the way!"
The old man recognized the woman from the cloak she was wearing over her body and unconsciously said, "Miss, it's you!"
The few bronze coins he received from her were a great help to him. He was able to buy some medicinal herbs for his ailment.
"You know her, old man?" the young man asked his father.
The old man tensed and wanted to say no, but the young man stepped close to Adelyn and leaned closer.
"Well, are you my father's mistress? Are you the reason why he's not giving me any money lately?" Gerald came to stand so close to her, Adelyn could smell the stench of alcohol from him, making her draw her brows together.
"What are you talking about? Don't pull anyone into our family matters, Gerald!" The old man finally reached his son and pulled him by the arm.
Gerald quickly threw his hand away from his arm and glared at his father, "Hah! I see you're trying to protect your mistress from me. Tell me, did you already promise she will live with you and become my stepmother?"
Adelyn didn't want to get involved in their family problems, but being mistaken as somebody's mistress and that person being the same age as her father left a bad taste in her mouth.
"I'm not your father's mistress. And I do not have any desire to become a stepmother to an ungrateful and inconsiderate son like you," she said, her voice cold and ruthless.
Gerald didn't expect her to speak and insult him simultaneously. His eyes were rimmed with red as reason, which had long worn thin when he argued with his father, slowly retreating to the back of his mind.
Adelyn could feel the young man's anger radiating off of him as he raised his hand in the air, preparing to strike her. He was too close, and his body was twice her size. His actions were so unexpected and abrupt that neither Adelyn nor the old man had thought he would resort to violence when he was insulted by her truthful words.
Knowing she couldn't avoid the young man quickly, Adelyn braced for the impact and the pain that would soon follow it, feeling her body grow still and accept the familiar situation.
But just as his hand was about to connect with her face, something unexplainable happened.