As night fell, a heavy, suffocating silence descended on the village. Inside her small home, Mrs. Gable knelt trembling in front of a brass Buddha statue. The air was thick with the cloying scent of incense, but it brought her no peace. Ever since she had heard of Ann's brutal arrest and the "punishment" at the barracks, her soul had been restless. She was an accomplice; if Ann had broken under the lash and whispered her name, Maya—that terrifying woman—would come for her next.
Being alone and without support, she could only kowtow until her forehead was bruised, praying for a divine shield.
"Buddha bless me... help me through this. Keep the Ashcroft sisters from their revenge," she whimpered, her voice cracking.
Just as she closed her eyes to pray again, a dull, wet thud echoed from the courtyard.
Mrs. Gable's body went rigid. She stood up on shaking legs, clutching a guttering candle, and crept to the door. She peered out into the dark yard. Everything was deathly still, but there, in the very center of the dirt floor, sat a spherical object that didn't belong.
She shuffled closer, the candlelight flickering over the ground. When the glow finally illuminated the object, she let out a strangled shriek and collapsed. It was a dog's head. A bloody, severed head with eyes wide and glazed, exuding a gruesome, supernatural aura in the moonlight.
In an age of deep superstition, an omen this bloody was a death sentence from the gods. She scrambled back inside, bolted the door, and spent the rest of the night kowtowing frantically before her statue. "Buddha, I made a mistake! Please, forgive me!"
The next morning, when Evan and Elara headed out to set up their stall, they saw Mrs. Gable stumbling out of her gate, her arms loaded with spirit money, incense, and candles.
"Where is she going in such a rush?" Evan asked.
"Look at her," Elara whispered, watching the old woman's trembling back. "She must have a guilty conscience and had a nightmare. She's running to the temple to beg for mercy."
Mrs. Gable looked a decade older in the harsh morning light. It was clear she hadn't slept a wink. Evan sighed, a touch of pity mingling with his resolve. "Forget it. She's old, and she might not have many days left anyway. There's no need to hunt her down if she's already living in terror."
"You're right. Let's go."
The two arrived at the market, but the usual rush of customers was missing. Despite the crowds on the street, people were bypassing the stalls, all walking urgently toward the next district.
"It's strange," Evan muttered, leaning against the cart. "Why is everyone ignoring the cakes today?"
"According to my experience," Elara guessed, "some wealthy family must be having a happy event. A banquet, probably inviting the whole town."
"A banquet? If it's free, why don't we go join the fun?" Evan suggested.
Elara looked at her heavy poles and baskets. "I'd like to, but these things... I can't exactly carry a bakery into a high-society banquet. It would look terrible."
Just then, a squad of officers marched around the corner, led by a tall, armored figure. "Maya!" Elara called out.
Maya signaled her subordinates to wait and walked over. "Sister, Brother-in-law! How is business?"
"Slow," Elara said. "Everyone is running toward the next street. Is there a banquet?"
Maya nodded. "Yes, the Black family is throwing a massive celebration."
"The Black family?" Elara's eyes flickered to Evan, a touch of history passing between them. "What's the occasion? Is the Master taking another concubine?"
"No," Maya replied. "The eldest daughter, Miss Black, is marrying her husband today."
"Miss Black?" Elara's eyes widened. "Isn't she... a bit of a fool? Would anyone actually be willing to marry her?"
"She's a fool, yes," Maya smirked, "but her family is drowning in gold. If the price is right, there are plenty of men willing to look past a simple mind to marry into that fortune."
"Oh, I see." Elara sighed. "And what about you? Are you taking the guard girls there?"
"The Blacks have deep pockets. They hired us to maintain order and show off their status. We even get a seat at the waiting table to eat and drink for free. You two should come too!"
"We wanted to," Evan said, "but we have to take this stall home first."
"That's simple. Leave it to me." Before they could protest, Maya hoisted the heavy pole and baskets onto her shoulder. With a grin, she took off at a sprint, her armored boots thundering on the pavement. In seconds, she had vanished around the corner.
"Damn," Evan muttered, impressed. "With speed like that, the thieves in this kingdom don't stand a chance."
"Let's go have a banquet," Elara said, taking Evan's hand as they followed the music.
The entrance to the Black Mansion was a sea of red. Gongs and drums blared, firecrackers popped, and red flags fluttered in the breeze. A massive crowd had gathered to offer congratulations.
"Congratulations, Miss! A great joy for the family!"
"Haha, come in, come in! Everyone is welcome!"
Standing at the gates were the hosts: the old, bloated, and wealthy Master Black, and beside her, her young, handsome husband, Mr. Black. They were a striking, if mismatched, pair, greeting the elite of the town.
When Evan and Elara walked up, the crowd naturally parted. The sight of the petite, limping Elara and the tall, breathtakingly handsome Evan always drew eyes. Master Black and her husband recognized them instantly—Evan had been a servant in their house not long ago.
"Evan... Evan..." Master Black's eyes lit up with a sudden, greedy spark. She almost took a step toward him.
"Hmph!" Mr. Black let out a sharp, cold snort. Master Black winced and immediately pulled her foot back, remembering her place.
"Truly interesting," Mr. Black sneered, his voice dripping with icy disdain. "It's been less than a month since he left, and here he is. Why, did you miss us so much you had to come back to see the family?"
"No, no," Master Black explained hurriedly to her husband. "He's married now. He must have just seen the festivities and come for the free food."
"Hmph. I hope that's all it is."
Evan and Elara stepped forward. Elara bowed respectfully, and Evan followed suit, his long hair catching the light. "Greetings, Master Black. Greetings, Mr. Black."
"Well, if it isn't Elara Ashcroft," the Master said with a strained smile. "We haven't seen you since the wedding. I hope life is... acceptable?"
"Thank you for your concern, Master. It is very good," Elara replied firmly.
"Very good? I see." Mr. Black's eyes narrowed as they settled on Evan. He took a bold step forward, reaching out a slender hand to lift Evan's chin, clicking his tongue in mock pity. "Tsk, look at you. It's only been a few weeks, and you've become even more handsome. What a waste."
Evan took a smooth step back, his head bowed a little in a humble gesture. "Master, you're joking. I am but a common man from a simple home. You, Master, are the one whose beauty is legendary, enough to conquer a kingdom."
The blatant flattery hit its mark. Mr. Black's chest puffed out, a satisfied smirk replacing his sneer. "Hey... we haven't seen you for so long, Evan. Why is your mouth suddenly so sweet? You were never like this before!"
"Evan was ignorant in the past," Evan said, his tone humble and almost seductive. "But I have grown up and learned proper etiquette. I only hope the Master won't hold my past rudeness against me."