CHAPTER 36

Valery couldn’t believe the hilarious things this man was saying especially with the whole inn being so quiet like that.
“Show some respect!” the inn manager suddenly said.
Valery got tired of listening to the men talking bad about her so she stood up and began to make her way to the stairs so that she will retire early in her room since she has a journey in the morning.
“I’m a customer here. You should treat me with respect not to shut me up just because you are afraid of some wicked and ruthless woman,” the man yelled as he stood up.
This got her attention so she stopped and turned around to look at the man. The manager was trying to shut this man up and yet he wasn’t stopping at all. The manager looked at Nora and then at her. She could see that he was out of ideas and he was old. Fighting wouldn’t do him any good.
Because the old man was looking at them that man who was busy badmouthing her turned his head and looked at them.
“Are those young good for nothing ladies worthy of your attention than me? Why would you bother to look at them? Are they selling themselves?” he asked now walking towards her.
She hated being insulted in that way more that it always brings out a hidden monster in her. It suddenly became windy and she knew the reason why. She was trying to fend off her anger but it always happens.
The inn was filled with so much wind that everyone was clutching at their tables. In the process her face mask fell off and she walked towards the man that was spouting nonsense.
“How dare you?” the man said lifting his hand to hit her but she stopped it mid-way.
The wind finally calmed down and everyone was now looking at them.
“You should have known that when you are in this city there are some things that you should never think out loud. You kept on insulting me the second you began to eat your food. You should have listened to the advice of your friends and kept quiet but I strongly heard you saying you won’t be afraid even if I stand right in front of you,” she said lifting the man up in the air using her hand.
“Who are you?”
“I am that evil witch who is so ugly that I have to cover my face. I won’t mind it if you insult my name but don’t talk bad things about my mother. You should know that I killed everyone who had a part in that poisoning scheme and anyone else whom I suspected. For you to bring up such a sensitive matter when I’m in such a bad mood it is not good,” she said continuing to lift the man high up.
“I’m sorry, please forgive me. I was very foolish,” he pleaded.
“I wish I could believe you. Because of you I lost my appetite, I lost my face and you insulted someone I cherish the most. What do you think I should deal with you?”
“Please show me some mercy,” he pleaded again.
Valery used that time to sit back down. Everyone was now scared and she didn’t care a second. Nora brought a cup of wine for her so that she may calm down. She took it and drank it and closed her eyes for a while.
She took out her legendary black enamel fan which had the golden lotus printed deeply on it and everyone fell to the ground.
“I keep my face covered because I want some peace and quiet. I love to do things very freely but people like you make me gain such a bad reputation. Imagine if it was you being badmouthed. What would you have done?” she asked him while she fanned herself and there was no response except the man’s cries.
Valery looked at Nora who wasn’t smiling at all.
“What do you think I should deal with him?” she asked Nora.
“He disrespected you and tarnished your reputation in public, he should be punished heavily,” Nora responded.
“Okay then, I will leave him to you. Make sure everyone sees it and know what has just happened. Don’t kill him though, like he said earlier I am still getting married. I wouldn’t want blood to spill just before my wedding ceremony,” she said and dropped the man heavily to the ground.
There was a loud thud as the man fell to the ground. She saw him as he groaned painfully and she walked towards him and raised his chin with her fan.
“In the future, tell your children that I showed you mercy,” she said and left the man to Nora.
Nora hit the man on his buttocks thirty times until blood was showing. She could see that it was very painful and he was hurting.
“It must be very painful; I can see but it doesn’t match with the pain I’m going though right now because of you. If I ever see you again in the city or think that you are here, I will hunt you down and make sure you regret ever learning that I exist,” she warned the man and took the stairs for her room.
She arrived in her room and threw herself on the bed. She found tears falling down her cheeks. It wasn’t her intention to punish him but he had disrespected her unknowingly and knowingly. She didn’t let such matter slide as if nothing happens.
She clutched her heart as the pain returned and made her groan as it took over. Nora entered her room and found her rolling on the bed. She brought a cup of warm wine for her. Valery took the cup and drank it in one gulp. The pain wasn’t gone but it was bearable at least.
“You should take a rest. I will be in the next room if you need me,” Nora said and tucked her in.
She couldn’t sleep at all because of the pain. She knew she wasn’t perfect but it still bothered her that someone called her evil simply because she took it upon herself to avenge her mother.