Chapter 266- A surprising visit (Patreon)

A surprising visit

The young woman skipped a few steps along the worn cobbled while narrowly avoiding the open potholes. The cramped lane with its clumps of refuse and derelict surface proved a poor scene for the cheerful beauty. Brushing her wavy chestnut-colored hair behind her shoulders, she continued her amazing narration.

"So we remained sitting, right. And then Wisteria kept moaning on and on about how great the stirfry tasted. And then the princess, yes, the Princess came and sat down among the young ladies from the noble families. She was so approachable and down to earth, a true princess of the people..."

Daisy spun as her cloak swished around her figure.

"So Clare kept watching them laugh and talk, right? And both of us continued sneaking glances at the dresses and jewelry. You should have seen it, I mean every girl would dream one day of wearing those heavenly clothes. Anyways, Clare egged me on because she wanted to taste the stirfry and find out if the dress was a fashion of the Capital. So what do you think happened?"

Daisy blinked her eyelashes at the tall broad-shouldered young man accompanying her.

"Knowing your curiosity, I take it you somehow mustered your courage to speak to the princess?"

Singh answered while bending his head and pinching the bridge of his nose. His words and actions drew a pout from the lips of the beauty.

"Why do you say it as if comparing me to a little child. Hmph! So anyway, I walked toward the princess and bowed while requesting if there was more of that special food. Somehow, my words also slipped out about the dresses. She was so receptive. She instructed the cooks to create another meal of stirfry just for us, and even had her close friend Lady Amanda show us the dresses and even pass around the tiaras and bracelets."

Daisy locked her sparkling eyes onto Singh.

"Lady Amanda must be the most favored young woman under the heavens. She is the most elegant beauty I have ever seen. But even though she appears like a fairy, she is friendly and easy to talk to. I tell you, she just removed her priceless bracelet and let us hold it. She didn't even care if we were nobles or commoners. Ladies like her must live in a different world from us."

Daisy sighed while recalling yesterday's visit to the palace. She counted herself as very fortunate to gain an experience that would remain with her for a lifetime. Interacting so amicably with the princess and high ranking nobles, enjoying a feast cooked only for the occasion, and holding treasures one would never attain left a mark on her innocent heart. The cherished memories of yesterday also showed the difference in their lives.

Smiling as if deciphering the meaning behind the sigh, Singh lengthened his stride and closed the distance between them. Placing his hands on both of her feminine shoulders, he gazed into her eyes.

"Would you give up all that you have for the riches of a princess? Would you shed all of this for a little metal bracelet?"

Singh asked as he turned her around to take in the sights and smells of the slums. He completed her circle with her gazing back at him. His actions generated a spurt of laughter from the brown-eyed young woman.

"No, I think I am contented. Yes, it would be nice, but if I lived such a life I would not have met you. Then who would treat all your bruises and wounds in the church? Now that I think about it, you should be thankful I'm not a woman who chases after gold coins. I did feel the eyes of some of those young nobles on me..."

"Pshh! I'm sorry for them but all they can do is dream. This young fairy is already taken. Hmph!"

"Taken by who? You have a long way to go yet, mister."

Bending the lane and seeing the orphanage up ahead, Singh held her hand.

"Just because you don't chase after riches doesn't mean you can't have them. Maybe one day I might even place a gem-studded necklace around your fair neck."

Singh said. His bold words caused Daisy to turn beet red.

"As long as you're with me then I don't need it."

Daisy muttered softly while gripping tightly onto his hand.

Walking up to the thick door, Singh rapped with a special rhythm. He then bent down slightly to whisper in her blushing ear.

"I heard what you said, so don't regret it later..."

The door creaked as a younger man peered out. Glancing at the two standing on the doorstep, he opened it while turning to the hall.

"Nothing to see here, it's just one of those couples in the middle of wooing each other."

"Your mouth is as loose as always, Han. Wait until I plan the next roster. I'll schedule you for all the nights. And why didn't you open the door sooner? You probably knew when we would have arrived"

Singh tried to scowl without much success on accusing the stout figure by the door. Since meeting in the slums of the rural village, they had been together. Poor judgment led them to ambush a group of farm children, and life never seemed the same since then.

Han chuckled on seeing Daisy switch to an even deeper shade of red.

"Brother Singh, now that you have found a love of your own, you wouldn't deny this younger brother, right? It's hard to stumble upon a wonderful girl when I'm lurking around in the dark with a group of rowdy men."

"Why does Han have to work at night with a group of men? Can't you find him good work during the day?"

Singh coughed while giving Han a killer glare. As far as Daisy knew, they completed odd jobs and spent most of their time running the orphanage.

"Ahaha, don't mind him, he is just pulling your leg. Han, our beautiful healer was just telling me of her visit yesterday to the Forgotten Palace. She can't stop her tale in discovering young ladies who look like fairies. I think she maybe wants this older brother of yours to find a fairy for himself."

Avoiding the playful pinch to his side from Daisy, Singh easily changed the subject.

"Haha...yea, right. Come on in. You returned at the right time. Guess who arrived to visit us. Doug and the others are in the kitchen. I've already secured the entire slums."

As part of the original six, they long learned how to read each other's faces. Han wore a neutral face but his glinting eyes betrayed his thoughts. Singh gripped his arm while barely containing his excitement.

"Elder is here? We heard the news but did he come visiting already?"

With a face full of joy, Singh held onto the soft hand and literally pulled Daisy across the hall. Not forgetting to wave or call out to the children sitting on the circular benches, he paused at the kitchen door. Fixing his robe and scanning the appearance of his female companion, he inhaled deeply.

"This is the first Elder of our farm. The place I once mentioned I'm from. My brothers and I owe him especially for granting us an unthinkable opportunity. If not for him, the Big Boss might never have trusted us and we would have remained ignorant of the world."

Understanding his words, Daisy nodded while smoothening her robe and fixing her cape. Even if the man was a farmer, he was still the person who Singh admired. She remained confident she could gain his favor. A Healer, young as herself, was yet a Healer. Hopefully, her status would not raise any problems. Because of the Churches Union, not any man, noble or commoner, could woo a Healer.

If the farmer found out about this, he may dissuade Singh from continuing to woo her. Luckily the priest of her church appeared very pleased when Singh informed him of his feelings towards her.

A part of her also raised her curiosity. In the brief time she had interacted with Singh and the others, her naive mind figured that these young men belonged to no simple household. Singh could not only read and write but his knowledge far surpassed a worker of a rural farm.

She had witnessed how this group organized and moved like the rotating gears of the Unions' clock. The Priests of all the various churches she visited with them also treated them with respect.

Singh sucked in a quick breath before knocking on the door.

"It's Singh and Daisy."

"Enter."

On hearing Doug's voice, he opened the door and stepped inside the candle-lit kitchen with Daisy behind. Mr. Thomas probably found them using the methods they had stated during their earlier correspondence. Back on the farm, Mr. Thomas had narrated about his past while living in Frost City. Knowing Doug, Singh knew his clever companion must have locked down the slums when the information network found their Elder.

With the shutters of the kitchen barred, the light came from the candle on the table and the glowing embers of the hearth. Mr. Thomas sat on a chair with his one hand resting on the wooden table. Doug sat on a bench opposite him with his head turned to the side to look at the incoming group.

Behind him stood four young men in a half-circle. On the chair facing the now open kitchen door, a young lady sat at the same square table. The eyes of the invitees lingered on her while she savored a bowl of watered gruel with a chipped wooden spoon.

The hood of her worn black robe had been tossed back, so as to expose the golden tresses flowing behind her lithe shoulders. The dim lighting failed to mask her ethereal beauty as it blended and swirled with the shadows to soften her alluring image. At the moment, her innocent blue eyes blinked on a slightly tilted head while watching the newcomers.

Unlike the companion clutching his robe from behind while staring, Singh clasped his hands in sincere greetings.

"Singh greets First Elder and the lady Boss."

"Ahh... This, this. Healer Daisy from the Bountiful Nature Church greets the Elder and Lady, Lady Thomas."

Daisy stammered as she awkwardly followed Singh while keeping her brown eyes locked on the seated young woman. Worn clothes or not, the fresh recollection from yesterday burned away any doubts. The young lady seemingly at home in this hovel, deep within the slums, definitely matched the elegant beauty within the Forgotten Palace. Her mind and reaction appeared sluggish as she struggled to comprehend the unbelievable data streaming in from her wide eyes.

Witnessing the formal greeting enacted by Singh and the young lady standing next to him, Mr. Thomas chuckled.

"Did you stick to formality just to tease that young lady beside you? Haha... if you have the mind to think about it, then things are not as bad as we thought."

"You're eyes are sharp as always, Elder. I must say, this visit by you couldn't be more timely. Miss. Amanda's presence helped me see a priceless reaction...hehe."

Singh relaxed his shoulders while laughing. Placing a hand on the shoulder of Daisy, he gently steered her to the forefront.

"This is Miss. Daisy. She works as a Healer at the nearby church in the slums. Presently I am trying to woo her hand in marriage. Daisy, this is Mr. Thomas and yes, she is your Lady Amanda. They are the core members of our farm in the country. Hehe, don't be shy, this is the first time I saw you speechless."

"What a coincidence, Singh. I met Miss. Daisy yesterday at the banquet. She and her friend... am, Clare, was it, were very nice. Hello, Miss Daisy. Since you're a friend of Singh, you can call me Amanda. May I call you Daisy?"

Amanda said after standing up and making a slight bow. Her smile seemed to disable any objections to her request as Daisy nodded as if in a trance. With a small laugh, Amanda floated over and led the beet-red Daisy by the hand towards the table. The casual exchange in conversation left her flustered.

"Doug, what are you still sitting for? Hurry and bring a chair for Daisy. Fole, prepare another bowl of your gruel for Daisy. We will eat together."

Helping the brown-haired girl sit at the table, Amanda pulled her own chair closer. During their arrival, Doug and the others had already informed them of Daisy and her relations with Singh.

"Singh is a member of our family, I hope Daisy will treat him well. Know that whatever you decide, we will respect your wishes. Don't take too long however, before some other lady catches his fancy and steals him away."

Amanda leaned in a little closer while continuing,

"I shouldn't say this, but Singh also has a set of jewelry similar to mine. Remember, even in the muddiest stream, you can find a gem..."

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