On the main street of the City Hall, the busy streets had numerous people moving in and out of the building.
But as one of the guards watched the road, he saw a familiar figure.
He froze.
Crystal was walking in a very dirty attire. She was wearing the same outfit she had since she was kidnapped. It had cuts, the dirt was everywhere, and Crystal looked like she was about to stumble.
She had a sword she was using as a walking stick to make her look even more desperate.
"Father… Save me…! I… I survived! I'm... I'm here!" She shouted in a loud voice.
"It's Lady Crystal! Inform the mayor! Inform the lady! Inform everybody!" The guard cried out.
The guards and many nearby began to rush into the City Hall to inform the mayor.
They cared not about the crucial nature of the meeting; they knew how worried Christopher Diante was.
The crowds around Crystal were shocked and began talking about how she had mysteriously arrived.
Crystal's heart was trembling. It would be the first time that she would see her parents. And how her heart heart longed for their warmth.
But as she trembled, she could see several banners that caused her anger to rise.
The family that she had vowed to marry was there! The flag of the Delwyn family!
But what caught her eye was one of the families that Crystal hated the most.
The flag of the Monter Family!
"Roden Monter...!" Crystal whispered the name of the noble who spread the rumors that she was sleeping with others.
Crystal was distracted by these flags and realized they were all here!
The guards rushed forward, and soon, the city's mayor, Christopher Diante, rushed out in shock.
"Crystal…! She's… she's alive!" The mayor ran towards her daughter, and the two embraced deeply.
At once, the mother also appeared, saw her daughter, and ran to meet her beloved.
"We thought… we thought…"
"I'm sorry for… always causing you trouble! I love you!" Crystal wept and truly wept. Her cold heart would have been so negative and sorrowful to appreciate this, but now, she felt and knew that her parents dearly loved her.
The joyous moment erupted, and many people serving Christopher began to rejoice.
Soon, a young girl arrived as she ran far from the cries and news she had received.
"Sister!" She cried as she sped closer towards Crystal.
The family that was once separated was together.
Everyone continued to cry out in disbelief as to what happened.
But around this group were various people from certain families who were unhappy with what had happened.
These were the groups that Crystal knew wanted their family dead.
And the group was gathered on the fifth day to continue the negotiations. It was a calamity, but this was also an opportunity for these groups to gain more authority and control over the routes of the city.
Christopher smiled and held her daughter tightly.
"Dear friends. As you have seen, the daughter that I had thought was dead is home. I understand that there are many negotiations at stake. But my family needs me." Christopher smiled as he stood up.
"Unacceptable." An angry, cold voice spoke.
"Mayor Christopher. I am happy that your daughter has returned. But the city needs you!"
"The city does! And I have made the right protocols for these, Baron Chefler." Christopher's eyes narrowed, and they answered back to the Baron.
But Crystal froze as he heard the name. This was Chelfer! The father of Roden who spread the lies.
"My city can act and function with the preparations in place. But the trade routes are not the immediate concern of this city. I would like everyone to express their understanding and delay for the trades and sacrifices of your business in line with Merchant's Rest becoming a city of refuge. As you know, Merchant Rest's residents all have relatives in those areas, especially in the Gorfel Mines and the Resodan Quarry." Christopher spoke out.
"If you value people's lives so much, then be concerned about all their welfare! The livelihood of many are being hindered because of you! I'm happy that your daughter has returned. But even if your daughter has returned, your responsibilities lie to your people!"
"My daughter is my prime responsibility! And you speak of the welfare of others, but it's clear you are after your own! Good day, Baron! But the meeting and trades opening won't be discussed until my daughter is well!" Christopher stood up, waving his hands, and his guards rushed to the front.
"Hmp! You're daughter was never well! At least that's what the rumors speak of." Baron Chefler sneered.
Christopher trembled in anger and paused in his tracks. But he took a deep breath and moved on.
Crystal saw the insult of her father. She realized that her father had been dealing with the great weight of insults and assaults and did his best to protect her.
"The rumors that your son with the unimpressive, small, and frail little twig between his legs? Ha! Let me clarify the rumors!" Crystal stood up.
"He wanted to rape me because of my beauty. But when he removed his clothes, I laughed at what I saw! I thought he was a girl!" Crystal laughed as she stood up.
"Crystal?!" Christopher reached out.
"Don't stop me, father! I've had it with these rumors! I've had it with these lies! When those men took me, they told me the truth! Were they your people, Baron? Did you somehow know about my Ice Soul Maiden constitution and tried to have me kidnapped when I was about to get wed to the Delwyn family?" Crystal challenged.
"Ice Soul Maiden?!" One of the Delwyn family nobles was shocked when he heard this. None among the crowd knew what this was.
"You dare make up tales?!" The enraged Baron shouted as his Arvus might appear.
But at once, the Delwyn family member appeared before him, revealing a level of might that made the Baron retreat.
"Let her speak." The Delwyn family smiled.
"Lies!" Roden shouted."
"Isn't that the truth, little Roden? You're not just small for a boy; you're quite small as a man!" Crystal called out to Roden.
There was silence as the crowd all froze from Crystal's words.
"What?!" Chefler and Roden shouted in anger.
"What? You can spread rumors, and I can't speak the truth? And because of your little lie, other nobles with tiny swords also added up on this lie and claimed that they had me. Well, let me tell you this... I've seen what a real man is! And you? You're not a real man!" Crystal walked closer and mocked Roden.
"Crystal! Control yourself!" Christopher became angry.
"I am in total control of my emotions, father! I am right to be angry when this poor excuse of a man who wouldn't be able to rape me since it would feel like a worm was wiggling dared to claim he had my body!"
"You... bitch!" The Baron's child erupted and dove towards Crystal as if to lunge at her in anger.
And this was what Crystal wanted.
With a quick grab of one of Roden's arms, Crystal used her overpowering might, tossed the short Roden, and smashed him to the ground.
CRASH!
STAB!
"AHHHH!"
"No one moves! Or I'll kill this lying Rodent!" Crystal dug a blade on Roden's thighs, and her sword's blade rested on Roden's neck!