Chapter 76: Unfortunate Luck.
Thank you so much @Linda1276 for the gift.
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The village bustled with the easy rhythm of an ordinary afternoon.
Merchants called cheerfully from behind wooden stalls while children darted through the narrow streets, weaving between baskets of fruit and bolts of cloth with the confidence only children possessed. The warm scent of fresh bread drifted from the bakery at the corner, blending with the fragrance of herbs, polished wood and wildflowers hung from cottage windows.
For the first time since arriving, Lilian was forced to grab Saline’s wrist again.
"No."
Saline looked over innocently.
"...What?"
"I know that look."
"What look?"
"The one that says, ’That bakery smells wonderful.’"
"It does smell wonderful."
"I know it does."Lilian nodded gravely.
"But Florence’s wedding present comes first."
Saline sighed in exaggerated defeat.
"I was only looking."
"You were planning."
"I wasn’t."she said with a low voice laughing softly, Saline allowed herself to be dragged farther into the village square.
Eventually, they stopped before a modest little shop tucked between a tailor’s store and an elderly woman’s flower stand.
Unlike the surrounding buildings, this one carried almost no decorations. Wooden dolls of every imaginable shape filled the front shelves instead.
Knights, Princesses, annimals.Even tiny dragons carved with astonishing detail, above the doorway hung a weathered wooden sign.
A.den’s Carvings.
Lilian smiled triumphantly.
"We’re here."
Saline’s emerald eyes immediately brightened.
"They’re beautiful..."
She stepped inside almost without realizing it
The scent of freshly carved cedar greeted them immediately.
Every wall displayed shelves overflowing with wooden creations, each one polished until it gleamed beneath the afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows.
Behind a workbench sat an elderly craftsman patiently carving delicate petals into another unfinished doll.
The scraping of his carving knife stopped the moment he looked up.
"Oh?"
Warm brown eyes settled upon the two young women.
His face slowly broke into a smile.
"Well..."
He chuckled.
"If it isn’t my two troublesome customers."
Saline blinked.
"You remember us?"
"My dear."
The old man laughed.
"I’ve spent fifty years carving toys."
He carefully placed his tools aside before standing.
"I remember every one who walks through this shop."
His smile deepened.
"Especially the ones who spend half an hour arguing over which doll is prettier without getting anything"
Lilian immediately protested.
"That happened once."
"I know that."
"...I don’t know how you remember that."
"But I do."
Saline covered her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding her laughter.
The old craftsman shook his head fondly before walking toward one of the display cabinets.
"So..."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"What brings you back.... ready to buy now?"
"A gift," Lilian answered."Our aunt is getting married."
Recognition immediately softened the old man’s expression.
"A wedding?"
He nodded approvingly.
"Then we must choose something worthy of remembering."
For nearly twenty minutes the three of them searched through countless carvings.
Saline picked up one depicting a graceful woman reading beneath a willow tree.
Lilian preferred another showing two figures standing beneath intertwined branches.
"No."
Saline shook her head.
"This one feels lonely."
"It isn’t lonely."
"It looks lonely."
"They’re literally standing together."
"They’re not smiling."
Lilian stared.
"...You’re judging wooden facial expressions."
"I am."
The old craftsman burst into hearty laughter.
Eventually he disappeared into the back room before returning carrying a carefully wrapped wooden box.
"I had forgotten this one."
He slowly lifted the lid.
Inside rested an exquisitely carved sculpture.
A man and woman stood beneath the branches of an ancient tree.
Their foreheads touched gently.
Around them, countless flowers climbed the trunk while tiny birds rested among the branches overhead.
Neither figure wore crowns.
Neither appeared noble.
They simply looked...peaceful.
Saline’s breath caught."It’s beautiful..."
The craftsman smiled quietly.
"I carved it many years ago."
"I always thought someone would eventually need it."
Lilian looked toward Saline.
Saline looked toward Lilian.
Neither needed words.
"This one."
They spoke together.
When they finally left the shop, the precious gift rested carefully inside a cloth wrapping beneath Saline’s arm.
The old craftsman waved until they disappeared into the crowd.
"I hope she treasures it."
"She will," Saline promised warmly.
"I know she will."
The village seemed even livelier now.
Musicians had gathered near the central fountain while merchants loudly competed for customers’ attention.
Lilian stretched comfortably.
"Mission accomplished."
Saline nodded.
"I think Florence will cry."
"Oh, definitely."
"And Commander Kaelion?"
"He’ll pretend not to be touched."
Both girls laughed.
For a while, they simply wandered through the bustling streets without any particular destination.
Then Lilian glanced sideways.
"So..."
Saline immediately became suspicious.
"...What?"
"Our aunt is getting married."
"She is."
"Commander Kaelion finally gathered enough courage."
Saline smiled.
"He already had courage."
"I meant romantic courage."
She nudged Saline’s shoulder.
"Which makes me wonder..."
"...About what?"
"When will you meet someone?"
Saline almost choked.
"What?"
"You heard me." Lilian raised a brow at her playfully.
"I am not thinking about marriage."
"You’ll have to eventually."
"Why?"
"Because everyone deserves someone."
Saline rolled her eyes.
"You sound like Florence."
"I’ve been spending too much time around her."She sighed dramatically.
"Do you know how unbearable those two have become?"
Saline giggled.
"They’re happy."
"They’re disgustingly happy."
"They deserve it."
" I know they do."
Lilian smiled.
"Still..."
Her expression slowly became thoughtful.
"I wonder who it’ll be."
"Who?"
"You."
Saline blinked.
"Me?"
Lilian nodded seriously.
"I wonder what kind of man could survive arguing with you."
"I don’t argue that much."
Lilian stared.
"...You argued with a squirrel yesterday."
"It stole my fruit."
"You accused it of theft."
"It was theft....if it wasn’t given to you it is theft."
Lilian laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.
Recovering slightly, she continued.
"I think you’ll probably marry someone patient."
Saline folded her arms.
"I haven’t agreed to marry anyone."
"No."
"You certainly haven’t."
Lilian’s grin widened.
"But if a handsome young man suddenly appeared..."
"He won’t."
"...and smiled at you..."
"He shouldn’t."
"...and treated you kindly..."
Saline opened her mouth.
No answer came.
For the briefest moment...
Grey eyes unexpectedly surfaced within her thoughts.
Along with an irritatingly confident smile.
She frowned.
Why him again?
She barely knew the man.
"...Saline?"
"Hm?"
"You went off grid."
"I was thinking."
"I noticed."
"About nothing." She completely get statement.
Xandros POV..
Xandros watched from the rooftop as the two girls disappeared into one of the narrow streets branching away from the market square.
For several moments, he remained where he was.
The wind stirred his dark hair, carrying with it the familiar fragrance he had spent weeks chasing.
Wildflowers.
The scent curled around him so naturally that he almost laughed.
Twenty-three evenings.
He had waited twenty-three evenings beside that cave.
Only to discover that following her into a crowded human village required considerably more patience than waiting ever had.
Below, Saline and Lilian stopped before a tiny wooden shop tucked between a bakery and an elderly tailor’s stall.
Its faded sign creaked gently overhead.
Tiny carved birds, rabbits, horses, and dolls filled the front display.
The moment Saline saw them, her eyes brightened.
"There!"
Lilian followed her gaze and smiled.
"We found it."
The old craftsman looked up as the little bell above his door chimed.
His weathered face immediately softened.
"Welcome, troublesome young ladies." With the way he addressed them...he seemed to know them.
The interior smelled pleasantly of cedarwood and fresh varnish.
Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, overflowing with hand-carved toys.
Each one possessed tiny imperfections that somehow made them feel alive.
Saline moved slowly through the shop, careful not to touch anything unnecessarily.
Every doll looked unique.
Some wore painted dresses.
Others carried tiny baskets or instruments.
One even held a miniature lantern carved from the same block of wood.
"They’re beautiful..."
The words escaped before she realized she’d spoken aloud.
The old craftsman chuckled.
"My wife used to say that."
Then the old man went in abd brought out a box which they seem to like more and he heard them.
"We’ll take it." Both of them said together.
The old man carefully wrapped the carving inside soft linen before placing it into a small wooden box.
"I hope whoever receives it treasures it."
"They will."
Saline answered without hesitation.
Several minutes later, the girls stepped back into the lively marketplace.
Saline held the carefully wrapped gift against her chest like a priceless treasure.
"Mission accomplished."
Saline laughed.
"And we didn’t cause any trouble."
"Which means we’ve matured."
"I don’t think one successful outing proves that."
"It absolutely does."
They continued strolling through the village.
Unlike before, neither felt particularly hurried.
The market bustled around them.
Children chased each other between fruit stalls.
A traveling musician played a cheerful tune beneath an old oak tree.
Women bargained enthusiastically with merchants while fresh bread scented the afternoon air.
It felt wonderfully ordinary.
Lilian glanced sideways.
"So..."
Saline immediately became suspicious.
"...So?"
"Our aunt is getting married."
"She is."
"Which means..."
Saline sighed.
"I don’t like that pause."
Lilian grinned.
"...love is apparently everywhere."
Saline laughed.
"I suppose."
"You should try it."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You heard me."
Lilian nodded thoughtfully.
"Perhaps there’s some handsome guy secretly admiring you."
Saline nearly choked.
"There isn’t."
"How do you know?"
"Because I would’ve noticed."
"Were Commander Kaelion and Florence obvious?"
Saline stopped walking.
"...Actually..."
"They were to others."
Lilian looked unbearably pleased.
"My point exactly."
Saline rolled her eyes.
"I am not discussing this."
"Why not?"
"Because there’s nothing to discuss."
"You’ve lived beside dozens of handsome guys."
"And?"
"You’ve never liked even one."
"I simply haven’t met the right person."
Lilian blinked dramatically.
"Oh."
"So there is a right person."
Saline groaned.
"That isn’t what I meant."
"It absolutely is."
"It isn’t."
Lilian leaned closer.
"Then describe him."
Saline stared.
"I don’t have anyone to describe."
"Hypothetically."
"There is no hypothetical."
"Hypothetically."
Saline sighed in defeat.
"I suppose..."
She hesitated.
"...someone kind."
Lilian nodded.
"Mhm."
"Someone patient."
"Mhm."
"Someone who doesn’t treat people differently because they’re weaker."
"Mhm."
Saline smiled faintly.
"And..."
She paused.
"...someone whose smile feels genuine."
Lilian looked at her carefully.
"... Beautiful eyes?"
Saline froze.
Heat instantly flooded her face.
"I never said anything about eyes."
"You didn’t have to."
"I wasn’t talking about him."
"You absolutely were."
"I barely know him."
"Exactly."
Lilian laughed.
"Which somehow makes this even funnier."
Saline buried her burning face in her hands.
"I regret bringing you."
"I know."
"You’ve been impossible all day."
"I’ve actually been delightful."
"You’ve been terrible."
"I’ve been observant."
Saline shook her head.
"He was simply..."
She searched for the right word.
"...interesting."
Lilian’s grin widened further.
"Oh?"
"He argued too much."
"Mhm."
"He was arrogant."
"Mhm."
"He smiled as though everything amused him."
"Mhm."
"...Stop saying ’mhm.’"
"I can’t."
Lilian laughed.
"You’re describing him exactly the way Aunt Florence used to describe Commander Kaelion."
Saline stared at her in horror.
"I am not."
"You are."
"I absolutely am not."
"You absolutely are."
She folded her arms dramatically.
"The symptoms are identical."
"There are symptoms now?"
"Oh yes."
"Complete denial."
"Frequent blushing."
"Thinking about mysterious strangers."
Saline groaned loudly enough to make two nearby merchants glance toward them.
"You are impossible."
"I’ve always been."
They continued walking, still bickering.
Neither noticed the man standing beneath the shade of a nearby building.
Xandros.
He had watched them leave the toy shop.
He had watched the conversation unfold from a comfortable distance.
He had even caught fragments carried by the breeze.
"...handsome guy .."
"... beautiful eyes..."
His pleasant mood vanished.
Immediately.
His gaze settled on Saline.
Then on Lilian.
Then back again.
A strange feeling curled unpleasantly inside his chest.
Annoyance.
Irritation.
Something sharper.
Beautiful eyes...
Someone kind...
Patient...
His jaw tightened.
How interesting that she had a type.
For reasons he couldn’t quite explain...he disliked that realization immensely.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Very well.
If she wished to spend her afternoon discussing another man...
Perhaps he could make himself memorable instead.
His crimson gaze drifted lazily across the crowded street.
It didn’t take long to find exactly what he wanted.
A broad-shouldered thug leaned drunkenly against the wall outside a tavern.
The man looked bored.
Xandros met his eyes.
Only for a second.
Dark crimson flickered briefly beneath calm grey.
The thug’s pupils widened.
His expression became blank.
Empty.
Xandros smiled.
Go.
The command never left his lips.
It didn’t need to.
The man straightened immediately before walking toward the girls.
Saline was still trying unsuccessfully to convince Lilian that she wasn’t interested in anyone when someone stepped directly into their path.
She frowned.
The man smelled strongly of cheap alcohol.
His smile made her uncomfortable immediately.
"Well..."
His gaze lingered far longer than necessary.
"What do we have here?"
Lilian instinctively moved closer.
"We’re trying to pass."
The thug ignored her.
His attention remained fixed upon Saline.
"You’re rather pretty."
Saline’s expression cooled.
"Thank you."
"But we’re leaving."
She attempted to step around him.
He moved with her.
Blocking the path again.
"I didn’t say you could."
People nearby glanced over.
Then quickly looked away.
Nobody wanted trouble.
Saline’s patience began disappearing.
"Move."
The man laughed.
"What if I don’t?"
Lilian grabbed Saline’s sleeve.
"Let’s just..."
"No."
Saline interrupted quietly.
"I’m tired."
She looked directly at the stranger.
"And you’re standing in my way."
The thug reached toward her wrist.
"You’ve got quite the mouth..."
Before his fingers could touch her...
A blur moved between them.
Something caught the man’s wrist.
Firmly.
"So..."
A familiar voice spoke lazily.
"anything I’m unavailable ..."
"...somehow you manage to find trouble again."
Saline blinked.
Grey eyes.
Dark hair.
The same infuriating smile.
He stood between them and the thug as though he had appeared from nowhere.
The drunk struggled.
His arm didn’t move.
Not even slightly.
Xandros sighed dramatically.
"You know..."
He looked almost disappointed.
"I generally dislike interrupting conversations."
His smile widened just enough to become dangerous.
"But touching a lady without permission..."
He tilted his head.
"...is remarkably poor manners."
The thug suddenly felt something cold run down his spine.
For the first time...
He noticed the stranger’s eyes.
Something about them felt...
Wrong.
He tried pulling away.
Nothing happened.
Xandros smiled pleasantly.
Then...
Very casually...
He tightened his grip.
A sharp cry escaped the man’s mouth.
His knees nearly buckled.
"I believe..."
Xandros said softly.
"...the lady asked you to move."
The thug nodded frantically.
"I-I did!"
"Excellent."
Xandros released him.
The man stumbled backward before fleeing through the crowd without looking back even once.
Silence settled around the three remaining figures.
Saline stared.
Then frowned.
"You again?"
Xandros turned toward her.
His smile became almost amused.
"What unfortunate luck."
"You’re following us."
"I could say the same."
She folded her arms.
"I came here first."
"Did you?"
"I did."
"What a coincidence."
Saline narrowed her eyes.
"I don’t believe in coincidences."
"No?"
He smiled.
"I do."
Lilian looked from one to the other.
Then quietly covered her mouth to hide her grin.
Something told her...
This meeting was going to become very interesting.
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