Lia left the room with a heavy heart. She had come here assured that she wouldn't mingle in their affairs and didn't show compassion. She was still regretting showing compassion to Mike.
She did not want to make the same mistake twice. Yet she found herself moving to the second floor where Irene room was.
The girl was cleaning the verandah. Her braids were tied in a bun to not fall on her face anymore.
She had a rigid expressions on her face as she fought with a web.
When she noticed Lia standing behind her, her face hardened and she looked at Lia coldly.
Lia still forced a smile on her face as she walked closer.
"Do you remember when i informed everyone that i work for a rich noble family. And i have come here for a task?" She asked slowly when Irene nodded.
"Everyone in the orphange knew that you are working for a rich noble family. You lost your luggage and living here temporarily to finish the task. Then you will return to their palace. Why? Are you here to brag?"
Lia swallowed the words in her throat. She was here to brag about her family with the intention of enticing the child to follow her.
She could offer a good money and work to the child and take her to meet her sister. Though Lia did not know how it was related to her. She wanted to help Irene.
"No, but i want to infirm you that my mistress always welcome young girls. As long as you work for her, she would pay you a good amount. And maybe you will get the chance to meet other nobles." Irene paused for a second and stared at Lia.
It was completely different from the excited and grateful face she had imagined. The eyes were bitter and cold.
"Are yu here to pity on me or show charity?" the girl growled at Lia with hatred dancing in her eyes.
"If you think i will appreciate it because your master showed me wealth and pity then you are wrong. Offer it to someone who need it." she turned to fight with the webs again and this time her actins were rough and she used much force to d it.
Lia stared hard, confused. What did she do wrong?
"Do you not want to meet your sister?" Lia asked again. If the girl had accepted the offer, She could have asked Irene's help in exploring more of the town but the girl only shot daggers at Lia.
"I do not want your help for that. One day my sister would return. And if she did not, It is fate that wanted this." holding the mopping stick in her hands, Irene walked away leaving Lia alone in the large hall.
The woman shook her head. She could not force a child to understand what was better for her. Yet she felt bad fr Irene.
"Perhaps the offer was too abrupt and it scared the child." She muttered as she left the hall and passed through the long stairs and a big dinning hall.
A few kids were placing the bowls on the large table. It was lunch for the second group.
"Did yu have lunch sister?" asked a young boy, wiping his hands with his torn shirt. "You can join us if you want." He offered when she shook her head.
"I am not hungry. And i have to meet someone in the plaza." She waved her hands when the child shrugged and returned to the kitchen to bring more food.
Lia sighed and walked again when she felt a pair of eyes on her back. She looked at the roof to see Irene standing there.
She met the eyes of the girl before Irene looked away.
Shaking her head, Lia passed the entrance of the Redcliffe orphanage and took a local carriage.
It took her to a luxurious inn where her belongings were. She went to the first floor and opened the lock of last room.
Walking in she took off her clothes.
She wiped the dark makeup from her skin and cleaned her face. It looked fair again. Then she dipped herself into warm water.
She closed her eyes and let her thoughts settle for a second. After taking bath, she wore a set of luxurious clothes and left the room.
Locking the door again, she went to the eating chambers that the inn offered.
After ten minutes, a young man knocked the door and joined her in the room.
"Are you miss Camelia Van Haulet Welenshire?" She did not mind correcting him as Madame but accepted the greetings.
The man looked relived and took the seat in front of her.
"I am from the Crinkle Mills. I heard that you are looking for a granary to purchase. My master wanted to invite you for a meal to his manor.
He offered to show you his granary. And maybe we can strike a deal?" He smiled but she did not respond back.
She looked at the file in his hands and he laughed awkwalrdly.
He passed her the papers. It contained the map of the granary and its details. How large it was and how much it stored. It even had connections with many farmers that sell all their grains and how it cleaned and thresed them.
"Ypu will not regret buying from us. We are best in this town." He offered a proud smirk when she finally smiled.
"Then your family must be old." He had only mentioned the owner as his master yet the woman realized that he was part of the family.
He was surprised by her keen senses but did not lie again.
"Yes, our family had been the oldest in the business. If you need any kind of help, we would be best to provide it." the man was not humble at all but Lia smiled and nodded appreciating his bluntness.
"I am searching for someone. If you can help me, i will pay generously for the granary."