The door creaked open with a cracking sound, the inside dimly lit. Phinehas paused, exhaled, his mouth parting slightly before pressing his lips together.
Meribo, his mother, stood in the doorway. Their eyes locked.
"I have warned you about this girl, but it seems you need your ears flattened so the lobes don't hinder your hearing."
"Right?" Meribo's voice was sharper than usual.
"I am sorry mother. There was an incident at work that caused the delay," Phinehas replied, sliding his feet backward smoothly.
"Oh! You want to run back?" Meribo asked, stepping closer.
"No, I have been running and I don't smell fresh." Phinehas shifted another step backward.
Silence hung heavy for several seconds. Then Meribo turned and walked toward her room. Phinehas shut the door quietly behind him.
Outside, the winds swept through the forest, growing darker as the moonlight faded quickly from the whole area.
"Should we help him?" the young student asked the priest. He clutched a basket filled with herbs and other goods they'd gathered from the market after leaving one of the monastery branches in town.
"No. He will be fine. This is not the time to pick up more problems," the priest answered, eyes darting about, his walking stick in hand.
"But she almost killed him. He could be hurt and maybe he needs help." Tension edged the young man's voice.
"No, this is none of your concern. That young man will only bring you more trouble." The priest leaned closer, scanning both sides of the path.
"Let's go," he whispered.
"Let's just help him…" the boy muttered, but the priest turned sharply and pinched his ear.
"Move." The priest's tone was cold. In his other hand, hidden beneath layers of his tunic, he clutched a small bottle of wine.
The young man walked ahead reluctantly while the priest followed, sipping occasionally from the bottle.
After some minutes, Eki, gathering what little strength he had left, staggered to his feet. Dizziness and a humming sound filled his head as he swayed.
A vibrating sensation throbbed through his stomach and chest.
"What is this?" he muttered, breathing heavily through his mouth. His right hand rubbed his forehead and swept to the back of his head. His heart pounded hard. Though he could faintly see the path, he felt lost unsure where his steps were taking him.
After many minutes, the faint outline of his house door appeared in the distance. He staggered forward, reaching the entrance before letting out a loud cry and collapsing onto the ground.
"Eki!"
"That's Eki!" his father shouted, gripping the bedside for support. He quickly called the younger brothers to check outside.
Eki's mother dressed in haste and rushed out with the boys. They found Eki lying on the ground, drenched in cold sweat, his body shivering violently.
His mother cried out and collapsed beside him. His brothers lifted him inside and the female servants lifted her upto her bedroom. Eki could say nothing more, he only released low groans every now and then.
Morning came, and Yara's routine remained the same. wake up, clean up, then head to the shop. Asha was still asleep. Yara smirked upon looking at Asha, her eyes glanced at her step siblings and she sighed out.
After she left, Zera summoned Egen to her room.
"Shut the door," she said firmly. Egen obeyed and after shutting the door, he sat opposite her, hands folded neatly.
"Your mother will be here for some time. You should build a bond with her, if you wish. But most importantly, start monitoring Yara closely." Zera's sharp gaze locked on him.
Egen nodded.
"Things might change any time. Do not lose focus. The family business must remain in your hands." Her voice carried weight.
"But what about the money she always has yet keeps asking you for more?" Egen asked, frowning.
"Like I told you, she'll marry and move away. Let her whore all she wants but this family business belongs to you." Zera opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet filled with names of their clients. She handed it to him with a smile.
"Begin befriending these people."
Egen accepted the paper, and after a brief exchange, left. By the window, Walda smirked, her smile widening as she ran her fingers slowly through her side bangs.
At breakfast in the dining hall, Moze slid onto the bench beside Zayun, extending Zayun's hand away from the edge of the table.
"I'm your cousin. Why should I sit with strangers when you are here?" Moze rolled his eyes, then placed a snack on Zayun's plate.
"I know you don't like me but me, I like you." He grinned, showing his teeth, his eyes darting mischievously as he touched the corner of his lips.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my mouth?" Moze sniffed tilting his head and widened his eyes.
"You smell so good. Who's the girl making you like this?" He laced his fingers together and winked twice.
Zayun laughed, covering his mouth.
"I thought you were here to gossip." Zayun placed a cookie on Moze's plate and leaned back smiling.
"Yes but I love you so much, my brother. Who is she?" Moze asked, mimicking Zayun's expressions.
"I'm not there yet. You know I've always been like this," Zayun replied, sipping his tea.
"I heard from my friend this morning that Yara beat up and robbed someone," Moze grinned.
Zayun frowned, clearing his throat, tilting his head slightly.
"When was that?" Zayun leaned in as he asked.
"Yesterday. They said he seduced her or maybe she seduced him… something like that!" Moze tapped his chin, thinking.
Zayun exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a small laugh.
"I think it was that he seduced her, and she didn't want it, so she beat him." Moze nodded, raising his thumb and finger as if proving a point.
Zayun burst into laughter, covering his mouth.
"Is that funny?" Moze lowered his chin, eyes narrowing on him.
"That doesn't sound like seduction," Zayun said, shrugging.
"So what is it then?" Moze asked, biting on the cookie Zayun had placed on his plate.
"It sounds like she was defending herself from harassment. She didn't actually beat him." Zayun's voice grew quieter, his gaze falling to the table.