The Merchant and Tavern Master

Little Jealousy

With Isabelle seated to my right and Amanda settled on my lap, facing Madam Ruth, my mother Guinevere, and Sofia on the opposite side, the scene was set at Dragon's Paw.

"Wait just a moment!" Sofia suddenly exclaimed, her voice breaking the silence, "Takahiko, who is that child sitting in your lap?"

"Ah, this is Amanda. While I was searching for Isabelle, I came across her and realized she had nowhere else to go. That's why I made the choice to take care of her, especially since she didn't want to remain in the safe house at Harbour City," I offered an explanation.

Amanda observed Sofia in silence, her expression giving away the sense of a vigilant child, determined not to let another child take away her toys.

"Rest assured, she's a well-behaved child," Isabelle added, confirming my words.

"Uh, and... Isabelle, why did you take such a casual seat next to Takahiko like that?" Sofia's voice piped up, a hint of curiosity evident in her tone.

Guinevere observed our exchange in silence, her eyes quietly taking in the scene.

"Oh, it's nothing special," Isabelle responded, her demeanor a touch uneasy. "We've been together since we left The Harbour city with Amanda, so it felt natural to just go with the flow."

Sofia's voice, filled with evident irritation, cut through the air. "Perhaps you're unaware, but Takahiko and I are already betrothed." She abruptly rose from her seat, her displeasure clear in her tone. "I won't allow any woman to deliberately take my rightful place beside him," she declared, striding toward us with quick steps.

"I'm well aware. Takahiko informed me of your engagement with him during our journey back here," Isabelle replied calmly.

"Then why did you intentionally choose to sit beside him?" Sofia's gaze bore into Isabelle with intensity.

Isabelle's response was composed, almost as if she were haggling over a price with a customer. "Oh, don't worry. There's nothing inappropriate happening between us, right Takahiko? I simply feel safe near him. Since the day he saved me, I've found comfort in his presence. His other side is still unoccupied; you're welcome to take that spot."

Madam Ruth's voice broke through the tension. "Alright, girls, that's enough. Please settle down. It's getting late, and we haven't even started yet. Sofia, please take your seat," her commanding tone brought a sense of order to the situation.

Obviously, Sofia took her seat on my other side, she crossed her arm to mine, still looking displeased by sudden interference from her mother.

"Takahiko, please share about your journey until you find Isabelle."

"Alright. So, at first when I look for any knowledge from the merchant guild about the Stormborne family who took Isabelle.."

I started to retell my journey from the capital of Vermina, my meeting with Mr Rusty, my decision to get help and backup from Knighthood, and then I stopped at before telling the 'Fairy Hunting'

"I can't tell anything from here, due to the spell binding contract. However, I will convey what I can. I successfully located Isabelle and Amanda and ensured their well-being before their return here today."

I noticed that their expressions turned to shock and surprise.

"T.. Takahiko, you've been casted with a spell binding contract?" my mother voiced worriedly.

"Could I ask for a quill and parchment, Sofia?" I requested.

"Of course, just a moment."

Once she handed them to me, I quickly wrote the following explanation: