The Lady Is Mine-Chapter 189: Back To The Merchant’s Village

"Is our village being invaded?" a young merchant asked nobody in particular, his hand on his forehead. His eyes narrowed, staring at the carriages and soldiers that marched into their village.

Other merchants stepped out from their stalls, some placed hand fans over their faces to shield them from the relentless sun’s attack. Others had their hands on their waists, trying to catch a glimpse of who it was that came into their village in grand style.

The carriage stopped, and a young man stepped down first, holding his hand forward for a woman to take.

"Are they from another kingdom?"

"Lady Jenna!" someone shouted from the crowd, running forward to his mistress. "Lady Je— oh, and Percy..."

Jenna reached for the boy before he could fall to his knees. "Bruno..." she pulled him up and embraced him.

"It’s really my lady," a young girl’s voice was heard too. Harriet, who had tried to stop Bruno when he started running towards the carriage, now believed when she saw Jenna’s face. With tears streaming down her eyes, the young girl joined in the reunion.

Percy, who had been standing beside Jenna, joined in too.

"I thought we would never see you again," Harriet sobbed, refusing to raise her face that lay on Jenna’s chest. "We heard that bad things happened and our lady would be punished... we were scared."

Jenna rubbed the girl’s head; she felt guilt eat her up from inside. She had left the ones that trusted her with their lives for too long. She didn’t know if the letters she had sent ever got to them. And they must have stayed awake worrying about her.

"I am here now, Harriet. I am here now," Jenna consoled the girl. She turned to look at Rhane, who had shifted to the side to give her a moment. Jenna closed her eyes and mouthed a thank you.

If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have returned to her home, back to the people who depended on her for their survival. She had been too busy with the tournament. And even in the last moment, Rhane noticed that she was being overwhelmed by everything, and he suggested bringing her back.

Not only did he prepare everything the same day, he also had been the one to wake Jenna earlier that morning for them to leave. The man always went out of his way to put Jenna first; it came like breathing to Rhane.

Making Jenna happy was the reason the man lived, and he didn’t waste any time showing it at every given chance.

"Is that An— Rhane?" Bruno corrected himself. He clapped his hands together. The young boy’s eyes lit up with the happiness of one who had seen an elder brother. He tried to hug him, but Percy grabbed the boy’s shirt, shaking his head with vigor.

"Let me go, Percy."

Percy didn’t. Instead, he pretended to cough. "He is not a commoner like us anymore," he mumbled, his eyes lowered to the ground.

The young boy tilted his head, trying to understand what Percy meant with his words. "What is not coming?"

"He... he..." Percy signalled with his eyes, bending his head in an awkward manner. "You might get killed, foolish boy."

"Nobody is getting killed," Rhane interrupted, moving Percy’s hand out of the way, giving Bruno the opportunity to crash into his arms.

"Rhane! How have you been? And your hands?" the boy asked worriedly.

Rhane didn’t know when he smiled and reached for the boy’s hair, ruffling it gently. The young boy saw him as a servant, not one who had killed or who should be mocked. It reminded Rhane of the feeling when he stayed in the merchant village. They were homely and treated him equally. He had missed the feeling.

Jenna caught the moment. She had never seen Rhane this relaxed with people, aside from her and Kali. He held the boy like they were born from the same mother.

Kali, who had jumped down from the carriage, saw her brother smiling with a boy in his arms. At first, she thought he was under attack; her hand reached for her sword, but then she saw the boy raise his face and say something to Rhane that made him laugh.

"You can now teach me how to be strong," Bruno chimed, his smile covering his eyes when Rhane ruffled his hair.

Kali felt a lump in her throat. She didn’t understand what the feeling was, but it choked her. They were welcomed in this place. The boy in front of Rhane wasn’t a threat, neither did he look at her brother like he was filth or the scariest creature.

Was this the reason Rhane wished for them to return? He wasn’t a beast that people worshipped but scorned when he wasn’t there.

"Who is she?" Bruno pointed at Kali, his eyes filled with curiosity.

Rhane dipped his hand into his pocket. "She is Kali, my little sister."

The young boy gasped. He glanced at Rhane and then at Kali.

Thinking the boy was scared of her, Kali tried to keep a frown on her face just to scare him away, but to her shock, the boy ran towards her before she could stop him. She found herself being hugged.

"Wha—" Kali’s mouth stayed open.

Bruno wrapped his arms around Kali’s waist. "I didn’t know Rhane had such a beautiful sister... I’d thought a queen had graced us with her presence."

Kali closed her mouth and swallowed hard. "Queen?"

"You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you have a dagger too. You are great! Just like big brother Rhane."

Kali repeated the words in her mind. She didn’t know what to do with her hands, so they just stayed in the air.

Jenna and Rhane gave each other a knowing look; they knew Kali was shocked. She had never had others get so close to her without dying first.

Kali blinked. She felt something wet on her cheeks and sniffled. She tried to hide her face before anyone would see her, but when she turned, she saw Percy staring at her with a wide, stupid grin plastered on his face.

"What?!" Kali growled.

Percy shrugged. "You don’t need to cry; Bruno is like that with everyone."

Kali rolled her eyes and pushed the boy away from her body. "I knew coming along was a stupid idea," she snarled, looking annoyed. "Where is the bloody house, and when are we leaving?" She began walking without waiting for anyone.

Percy ran after her, with Harriet and Bruno going with him. "To be fair, you followed us... Rhane gave you the choice to stay back." When Kali glared, he rubbed his neck. "That is not the right way."

"Then lead the bloody way, then!" Kali barked.

Jenna snickered, taking Rhane’s hand. "It was a great idea returning here."

Rhane couldn’t agree more. Not just Jenna, but his sister was adapting maybe not easily, but she was, and it was happening.

Leaving Percy and Kali to walk, Jenna and Rhane followed them slowly with their carriage.

When they arrived at Jenna’s house, they found Percy standing outside like he had seen a ghost.

"What is it, Percy?" Jenna asked, her brows furrowed worriedly.

Percy only raised his hand, pointing ahead. "They—"

"They what— sweet petals of heaven!" Jenna gasped, her jaw dropped open. "Ma- Mabel?"

The young woman waved at Jenna. Her cheeks flushed, and her stomach bulged, almost pushing out from her blouse.

"Mabel is pregnant," Bruno informed anyone who cared to hear.