The Merchant and Tavern Master

Cordelia's Confession (part 3)

"Just to clarify, you are no longer involved in any kind of that business, correct?" I asked, seeking assurance from Cordelia.

Her response was firm and resolute. "That's correct," Cordelia affirmed with a nod. "While some tavern patrons have granted gifts, I can assure you that they were simply tokens of friendship or acts of gratitude."

She paused for a while and continued, "Now that I have been liberated from that wretched place, it would be foolish of me to engage in any activities that would risk my freedom and lead to my arrest by the guards, don't you think?"

Her words made sense, and I couldn't argue with her logic. However, another question lingered in my mind. "But then, why would Sir Geoffrey intentionally spread rumors about you prostituting yourself again?" I pondered.

Cordelia shrugged, a gesture that conveyed her own confusion on the matter. "I don't know the answer to that. It's a mystery to me as well," she admitted.

As I mulled over the situation, a realization struck me. Sir Geoffrey had been the one to initiate our conversation. And the catalyst for our encounter had been Cordelia herself. If I put myself in Sir Geoffrey's shoes, paying a significant sum of money to release Cordelia, my practical merchant mind struggled to accept that such a considerable investment would be made without some form of expected return. Even if driven by love, my instincts as a merchant couldn't help but wonder that it is implausible that he would simply bestow such a large sum without some kind of ulterior motive, beyond mere silence.

Sir Geoffrey perhaps sees himself as a knight who generously rescued a damsel in distress and considered Cordelia as his possession, yet is unable to openly express his true intentions due to the potential consequences of their past relationship being revealed. He may be caught between his desire to keep Cordelia close and his fear of his family and the societal repercussions that would arise from their association. His ongoing presence and surveillance at the tavern where Cordelia works could be indicative of his internal struggle. By keeping a watchful eye on her, he maintains a sense of control and ensures that she remains within his sphere of influence.

When he witnessed my growing connection with Cordelia, he may have perceived me as a threat, someone who could potentially steal what he considered his own. Perhaps this is why he resorted to spreading rumors about Cordelia, hoping to dissuade me from accepting her advances. However, I acknowledged that these speculations were purely my own thoughts, lacking any concrete evidence to support them.

However, there was still one lingering curiosity that had yet to be addressed in my conversations with her.