Page 46 of A Kingdom so Crimson

He met my gaze evenly. "Apparently."

I shook my head in frustration and stormed out the door, heading straight for the narrow path where I was attacked just hours earlier. There were no signs of the incident on my body, making the whole situation seem utterly ludicrous. Kaizen's sudden appearance and his audacity to order me around as if he hadn't just materialized out of thin air—it all felt wrong. Something didn't add up…but deep down, I knew the only person who would give me any pretense of truth was the insufferable man now trailing behind me, back into the very woods where he saved me.

He trailed behind me in muteness the entire way, his silence only adding to my irritation. Yet, begrudgingly, I couldn't deny a slight sense of relief knowing he was there in case the Miehja decided to make an unwelcome appearance.

His steps were silently stealthy, prompting me to glance back several times to see if he was truly following. But he vanished without a trace once we reached the town, lifting an unwanted weight off my shoulders. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that he would continue to keep a watchful eye on me from a distance.

The market was noticeably quieter compared to the bustling scene on my first day with Levon. Vendors were slowly packing their stands for the evening, stowing away fruits, clothing, andtrinkets. The air was thick with the scent of spices, teasing my senses and stirring my appetite.

As I strolled through the bustling market, several friendly faces greeted me with warm smiles. Each nod and wave filled me with a comforting sense of belonging. It felt refreshing to blend into the crowd, savoring the simple joy of being just another person among the vendors and shoppers. For a while, I was free from the weight of my background and the ever-watchful presence of my guardian. The lively chatter, the vibrant displays of goods, and the rich aromas of street food created a tapestry of normalcy that I rarely experienced. This brief escape allowed me to breathe easier, my steps lighter as I navigated through the market stalls.

I took in the array of colorful scarves, indulged in the aroma of ripe berries, and even sampled one without charge. My heart swelled with the excitement of new experiences and the simplicity of life here. Unlike the constant whirlwind of extravagant events at Jesri's estate, life in this quaint town allowed me to simply exist, free from the pressure of expectations. Despite my rigorous training sessions each morning, everything felt different, as if I were shedding the constraints of my past and embracing a newfound sense of self.

"Hello, dear one," a crackling voice called out as I passed a makeshift tent. I halted in my tracks, turning to see an old woman beckoning me over. Her toothless grin gave her mouth an eerie appearance, and my curiosity was piqued as she held up an unusual gem that shimmered with an otherworldly glow, its colors shifting in the sunlight.

"Do you believe in spirits?" she asked, thumbing over the gem. Her voice carried an unsettling undercurrent that sent a shiver down my spine.

My gaze snapped back to her, surprised by her sudden and unexpected remark.

The notion of spirits had never truly crossed my mind before. "I don't know," I confessed, feeling uncertain and needing to flee from her gaze.

"Come closer, child. Let me show you the treasures that seek you," she urged, her voice quivering as her hand trembled uncontrollably. The sparkling stone she held radiated with an ethereal light, casting an eerie glow over her weathered features.

I offered her a hesitant smile, finding her approach rather strange. "They're quite peculiar. Where did you come across such gems?"

"That, my dear, is a question that will die with me," she replied with a toothless grin, her words tinged with an unsettling sense of fear.

I glanced down at the table cluttered with an assortment of glittering jewels, their radiance contrasting sharply with the worn surface beneath them. Some gems shimmered with a captivating blend of gold, pink, and blue, while others boasted the regal hues of copper and sapphire.

"I haven't seen you around here before. Visiting or new to town?" The woman croaked.

Struggling to tear my gaze away from the captivating gems, I offered her a hesitant smile. "Visiting," I replied tersely, a sense of unease settling over me in response to her piercing stare.

"Who?" she pressed, her scrutiny growing more intense with each passing moment.

I hesitated, feeling a knot form in my stomach as I carefully weighed my words. "Just a friend," I finally managed, my voice strained and feeling a need to escape. "I don't have any money, but thank you for letting me look at your—"

"Eliah? What are you doing here?" Levon's scolding voice shattered the tense atmosphere with a feeling of relief despite his disapproval, which hung heavy in the air like a thundercloud on the brink of bursting.

I gave Levon a tentative smile, quickly averting my eyes from the gaze of the old crone. "I've come to get some fresh air."

Levon's glare bore into the old woman before returning to me, his expression a mixture of concern and frustration. Behind him, Edmon stood like an imposing figure, a silent sentinel guarding our every move. Levon seized my arm and guided me away into a secluded corner, his grip firm with agitation.

"Are you mad?" he hissed.

"I thought you said you wanted to help me be free. Did you not?" I retorted, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as I met Levon's gaze with defiance. He massaged his forehead and released my arm with a resigned sigh.

"Itwasonly last night you showed up bloodied and torn at my door. Can you not stay put?" he pleaded, his tone tinged with exasperation as he looked around.

"Stay put?" I scoffed, unbelieving. "Levon, I've stayed put my entire life." There was a fleeting flicker of realization in his eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "And don't worry—"

"He's here?" Levon interrupted, his voice sharp with concern.

I halted, surprised by the sudden fearfulness that flashed in Levon's eyes, his gaze darting anxiously through the crowd.

"Yes, he walked me here," I replied, my confusion evident in my tone. Levon noticed and sighed with frustration, turning towards Edmon, who was conversing with a dark-haired woman nearby.

"Ed!" Levon called out, his voice carrying over the bustle of the market as Edmon bid farewell to the woman and made his way towards us, his hair swaying into his eyes.

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