Foreigner Of Time [Book II]

30

The entire bedroom was lit by the orange light of the lamps.

Sitting at the round table, Jennie was reading a book quietly. 

Her long black hair was let loose behind her shoulders. 

Hearing the sound of the door, she turned her head back and said gently, "You're back?"

The grey clouds in Lisa's heart were swept away at once, and her entire body relaxed too. 

Gazing at Jennie, she revealed a smile.

"Time to sleep, it's late." Lisa said.

"Alright." Jennie combed back her hair a little, put down her book, then she went to lie on the bed first.

Pulling up the blanket, she said to Lisa, "Go and wash up first, and then blow the lights out, you should sleep too."

"Alright."

Washed up for the night, Lisa got onto the bed. 

Cushioning her head on her arm, she called, "Nini?"

"Mm?"

"I'd like to hear your opinion for something."

"Say it."

"Last time, you said that... Lucy is expected to give birth around the fifth month, right?"

"Yes, that's the date that physician Jill gave. She is a highly skilled doctor, so she should be right."

"Do you think this will be okay? I'm thinking... Let's not go back before Lucy gives birth. As for a reason, we'll just say that... I don't want to go back, and I'm going to take you around everywhere. Once we've had enough of the Driftmark, we can go to other places first. But in fact, we're going to build up the small estate during that time. We can't just leave it as a concept forever. Also, your place as successor wouldn't change if Lucy gave birth to a daughter, so we wouldn't have anything to fear when we returned to Winterfell again. Even if Victor becomes the Magistrate, with your dad protecting you, he wouldn't dare do anything to you. But if... If your dad really gets a son in old age, he will gradually take back your authority, as you predicted before. While the jade pendant is still usable, we have to collect as much money as we can to make a solid foundation for the small estate. With enough silver and land of our own, there's nothing for us to worry about, even if your dad takes your authority back by force. What do you think?"

"That is good, but it will only be a temporary measure. It'll be mother's birthday on the eighteenth of the sixth month, we have to go back for that."

"That's for sure. Lucy will have already given birth by then too, so we'll do whatever we need to do then. The dust would have settled."

"Let's do as you say, then. I'll write a letter to mother tomorrow, to tell her that I want to see the sights with you, and to ask for her understanding."

***

Ten Days Later...

"Malinaw ang usapan na sampung libong liang ng ginto. Bakit naging pilak?"

Lisa answered in Filipino in front of everyone, "Sa ilang kadahilanan, ang Driftmark ay nagkakaroon ng kakulangan sa ginto. Wala akong mahanap na lugar kung saan ako makakapagpalit ng ginto. Ngunit ang pilak na ito ay ang parehong halaga, maaari kang maghintay ng ilang araw at palitan ito ng ginto."