One of my damned companions pushed me forward.
"Ah, hi!" I said in an awkward, tiny voice. Not able to take my eyes off the ugly bump.
He didn't greet me back and suddenly flared up.
"What are you looking at? You uncivilized youngster? Aren't you still satisfied after beating an old man? "
Before I could defend myself, Dylan came forward, looked at me with widened eyes, and then turned to the old man and bowed.
" I am sorry, sir! My sister has anger issues. She had never hit older people- at least not as old as you! It was all my fault for falling asleep... I will have a better watch on her."
He held the package in front of the old man.
"By the way, I am Dylan. We are here to greet you, as your new neighbors, and apologize for taking the wrong route! These pastries are for you! I hope you enjoy them."
Lucas went forward, too.
"I'm Lucas! Let's get along well, nice Grandpa. Please ignore my crazy sister."
My brows couldn't jump higher. Sister??? At that, Crazy sister???
These dumbasses just sold me out! However, thinking about what I had planned to say, I let them be...
Best not to act cocky when he has a weapon.
"What new neighbors? Did that damned jerk finally die?" he said with hate. Grandfather had for sure done him a number.
The traitors looked at me. I gave them the dealing with you later glare.
"No, he is still kicking and alive. I have just inherited the castle and its surroundings from him."
"Tsk! I guess better than nothing... At least we are no longer neighbors!"
Before I could stop myself, I blurted something out.
"No, Mr. Ironhead. Grandfather still owns the mines, the mountains, part of the river, and the forest. So you are still his neighbor!"
His eyes become unfriendly. My damned mouth! I hold it tightly!
"Did that senile thing tell you to call me that?!! Next time you call me that and I am going to destroy your house got it, Curse's granddaughter!???"
"Is that not your name? I just said that since my grandfather had written it like that on the map! I am sorry if I offended you! And I am truly sorry for hitting you with the mope... I was just terrified because of the fog! And after-"
His eyes widened in anger, and he looked at the similar builder man and women looking our way. He interrupted me.
"I am the iron village head, Griffin Aimilios. Since I am so generous, I will accept your apology! "
"Oh, I am also sorry for hitting you with sh-"
"I said. You. Are. Forgiven! Just don't repeat your mistake!!" he interrupted me with an urgency in his face.
So, he didn't want his villagers to know that, okay noted as his weakness. I smiled at him and extended my hand.
He looked at it. Unwilling to handshake with his friend's granddaughter. A plump woman with beaded hair and a similar big build, but shorter, came from behind and hit his arm powerfully.
"Ouch!! Old grandma, have you gone crazy? "
Ignoring him, she shook my hand with a gentle smile and excitedly looked at my face.
"Hello dear, you should be Dawn. I heard a lot about you from Eliana. You are welcome to these sealed lands. I am Marlin! Eliana's friend. Good, that they passed the castle down. That castle needed someone who could love it more than them. God, I was so curious about Samuel's beloved granddaughter. A dear who even made Eliana jealous."
'DO I make her jealous? That's an achievement!' the thought made me smile like an evil creature. She talked fast and wouldn't let go of my hand.
When she let go of my hand, she kissed my cheek and embraced me hard. Griffin gave me side eyes and left to keep shouting at the one he was shouting at. I couldn't breathe under the pressure of her arms.
After a while, she loosened her embrace and continued.
" I am sorry for that old man's behavior. If I were home, I wouldn't let him attack your car. He does that every time he sees Samuel. They act like small children and fight like they are only three years old."
Then she looked the way Mr. Griffin had gone.
"Oh, and thank you for the pastries, darling! Did you make them? "
Without waiting for an answer, she continued.
"Dear, I don't get your time anymore. You might have a lot to organize, no? And come by at 8 o'clock. I may not be as good of a cook as you but I am throwing a dinner party to welcome you! The third house from here! No objections accepted."
Then she hugged and kissed Dylan and Lucas, too. Then, saying her goodbyes to us, went the same way the old man had left.
On the way back, I ignored the traitors and didn't talk to them, no matter what they said or did.
"Should I unload these?"
"Do you even have to ask that? I can clean up the cow's mess!"
"Sis, do you need me to help with the fridge?"
"I made toast. Do you want some?."
The ignorance had such a beneficial effect that by noon the trailer was empty, all the fridges were on, and the meat was all organized. At the very least, they had a conscience!
"He! He! "
I am not angry anymore, but they are working like donkeys. I wonder if this is the feeling Cinderella's stepmother had when Cinderella did all the work. Looking at their gloomy faces, I felt like an evil stepmother...
"Let's not be stupid traitors anymore! You can go wash up now! Wear decent clothing, so you don't feel ashamed!" I said to the tired and gloomy boys who were pretty down.
"But, sis.."
"What?" I snapped at him as I jumped before him.
He shook his head.
Lucas stood and hid behind a sofa before completing, afraid, Dylan's sentence!
"There is no hot water in this damned old castle!"
So there was no hot water in their bathrooms?
"So, how did you wash until now? I remember both of you had wet hair in the morning..."
"There is this thing called cold water. We used it!" Dylan said tiredly. Not forgetting to be sarcastic even when tired.
I send a knee to Dylan's now standing body. Sarcastic kid!
"You should have said that sooner! Oh sorry, I couldn't conceal my craziness for a second there! "
I turned to Lucas. He took a step back! I looked stared at him.
" There is hot water in my room's bath. You can take a turn. Bring some clothes and a towel! You shouldn't be there more than a quart. We can't show impolite behavior to our new neighbors!"
Both flew up the stairs, racing, wanting to shower sooner than the other! Really! Typical boys' behavior!