Her New Life

Chapter 9: Questions

It took all Riftan's self-control not to tear the shop apart. He knew he needed to search, and yet he was afraid of what he would or wouldn't find. Why was he here in a small bakery in some quiet fishing town in Livadon? 

He stared at the wooden floors; traces of flour were still present on the spacious floor. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. He barely noticed the display cases filled with an assortment of treats. Although he hadn't eaten since the previous night, the decadent sight of freshly baked desserts did not tempt him in the slightest. 

It was not food he had a hunger for.

As his patience slowly dwindled he spotted a strangely shaped treat among the more appealing and carefully decorated ones...

After a moment of wondering if he had finally lost his mind, he went to turn and leave until he heard movement in the back. 

He waited with bated breath as he saw a shadow moving around. His pulse began to rise, and he felt his sweaty palms shake. Could it be her? Was this just another hallucination or a cruel trick? Suddenly he caught a glimpse of red hair and strode to the figure.

3 weeks earlier:

Ruth nearly fell over and screamed at the sudden voice. Hebaron, the large man who somehow moved so silently, was looming over him with a bewildered and tense expression. Ruth wanted to throttle the man for scarring him but soon grew rigid as he realized he had overheard the same conversation.

"So, the Croyso daughter may still be alive?" His brows furrowed as he stroked his beard. He looked at the wizard for confirmation. 

Ruth could only shrug his shoulders and feign indifference.

"Perhaps," he hesitated, "but it's merely speculation."

He could feel his mouth go dry. Normally news like this would not distress him so. The scandalous lives of the nobility were of no concern to him. However, this particular noblewoman's life affected him and his Lord.

Hebaron looked deep in thought.

"The commander will want to hear about this."

Ruth half expected him to don an amused look, yet even he knew this news would be distressing to the commander.

"You know what this means right?"

Ruth slowly nodded. Unfortunately, he knew all too well.

"The duke. That sly snake! To think he would go so far as to humiliate our commander. Using his daughter to tarnish his name too..."

"But why would he search for her so intently if she was part of his grand plan?" Ruth retorted. "Would he not already know of her whereabouts if that was his goal?"

Hebaron clicked his tongue in annoyance and thought for a moment.

But if she were alive and purposefully avoiding him, it would not be fair to him. Considering how hard Riftan took the news of her "death", it was unlikely he would want to remarry even if he could. 

Ruth felt a tinge of outrage and bitterness creep up on him. While she was out living another life, his commander was wallowing in misery. Their commander deserved better; he deserved an explanation. He sighed.

"Even so, if one day she appears out of the blue on the off-hand chance that something happens to Sir Riftan, she could claim his land, meaning her father could claim it."

Hebaron became uncharacteristically worried. He cursed under his breath. Was this a ploy by the duke? It seemed right up the duke's alley to devise such a cunning and convoluted scheme to possess more power.