CHAPTER 25

She began to dig into her food and realized that she didn’t know the name of the man she was with.
“So, what is your name?” she asked him.
“I’m Daren Walkers,” he replied.
“Oh, now I know. Your family is one of the biggest families in the capital. What are you doing here?”
“I came here to find you,” he said.
“What do you want to do?”
“I will tell you about it after we are done with our lunch,” he said.
She didn’t mind at all. She ate her food since she was a bit hungry after all that travelling. When they finished their meal, he took her out of the restaurant and the two began to have a walk.
“I’m curious about one thing. How exactly did you find me?” she asked.
Daren took out a poster he had drawn and showed it to her. She took the poster and she was shocked. It was a split image of her. She could tell at one glance that it was her.
“You are a great artist,” she complimented him.
“Thank you.”
“I can see how I got found out,” she admitted.
“So, do you really serve the Saintess?”
“I won’t ask how you know about that but yes. Why do you ask?”
“I have always wanted to see her one day. I heard she is beautiful, is that true?”
“She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” she answered.
“Can I see her?”
“She isn’t someone you can see because you want to see her. If you want to see her then you should go bearing gifts. Do you have gifts?”
“I can settle that. How about I come and see her tomorrow, I will get everything ready and come and see her properly?”
“I will come and get you but don’t think of doing anything silly. You know her reputation, right?”
“I will be a fool to not know it,” he told her.
“Good then. I have talked enough with you. I have to return back to my duties,” she said as she stopped.
Daren looked at her for a while and she felt her heart thumping very loudly. She just looked away and Daren smiled at her.
“I will keep the end of my bargain, you may take your hairpin,” he said as he gave it to her. Nora took the hairpin and gave a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, I will take my leave,” she said but he stopped her.
“I am living at that inn, come and get me there tomorrow morning,” he said pointing at their inn.
“I will. I will excuse myself,” she said and began to walk away.
Her carriage showed up and she hoped onto it. She smiled as she left the city, she went out and yet she met him. What a coincidence. Maybe her luck was on her way after all.
****
Valery was seated in the main hall reviewing the official documents the Left Guardian had gave to her the previous night. Most of the work was done by her guardians, all she has to do was make sure the palace stays safe and no one betrays it.
As she was going through the memorials Nora walked in looking so serious and she wondered who had angered that sweet child.
“Hail Oh Mistress!” she formally greeted her and that made it worst.
“Are you ill? Why are you so serious?” she asked her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to inform you about something yesterday,” Nora apologized.
“What happened? There isn’t an intruder on the mountain, right?” she asked her.
“No, I invited someone here without your permission,” Nora confessed and she smiled at her.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Daren Walkers,” Nora replied and Valery smiled at that.
“If he is here, then send him in,” Valery said.
“Thank you,” Nora said and left the hall to bring the guest.
She watched as the two walked in and she knew she was right. It’s been a few years and yet his face had never changed. She could see that there was something between those two and they only needed a little push.
“Hail Oh Saintess!” Daren greeted her.
“At ease,” she said and looked at Nora, “bring our guest something to drink and give him a seat.”
Nora gave Daren a nice seat and she left them alone.
“I’m sorry to intrude you on this and please forgive Nora for not telling you,” he said.
“Then I believe you must have a good explanation or else I will have to punish her right in front of you,” Valery gave a threat and saw the young man’s face flinch.
“I beg of you to please show mercy. She has been serving you for years after all,” he pleaded on her behalf.
“On my mountain and in my palace, I set the rules and anyone who breaks them must be severely punished. An outsider will not dictate what to do especially when seated in my hall,” she told him with one her serious faces.
At that time Nora walked in with the other maids with trays of snacks. Nora brought her tray t her table while the other maids set Daren’s table. Nora poured the citrus tea in her cup and handed it over to her. Valery took the cup and took a sip before setting it down.