[Completed] Amaryllis And The Labyrinth Of Magic

Chapter 5

As Amy and I entered the bustling tavern, the air thick with laughter and the clinking of glasses, an unfamiliar scene unfolded before us. My father, the Emperor, was seated at a corner table, engaged in conversation with the Duke. However, what caught my attention was the unexpected presence of Elara, the tavern's hostess, standing close to my father with a flirtatious smile playing on her lips.

The atmosphere was charged with an unusual tension as Elara leaned in, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of my father's robe. My father remained unmoved by her advances, his expression unreadable. He didn't pay heed to it. Yet, the mere proximity and the suggestive gestures created a discordant note in the lively ambiance of the tavern.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, a strange mix of discomfort and disbelief. The Duke seemed unfazed, and continued talking to the emperor and as if this were a common occurrence, while Elara persisted in her attempts to capture my father's attention. The patrons of the tavern, initially engaged in their own revelries, began to take notice of the peculiar scene unfolding in the corner.

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the wooden beams, adding an eerie undertone to the atmosphere. Amy, standing beside me, finally got to see her uncle and was panicking, clearly sensing the tension in the air. I hesitated, unsure of how to react to this unexpected display of flirtation involving my father.

As the seconds stretched, we seemed to hold our breaths, awaiting a resolution to the uncomfortable spectacle. The tavern's lively spirit was momentarily eclipsed by the awkwardness of the situation, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Amaryllis who was quick to act, sat near a lady. She is known to sell the best viels in the place. Amy bought one and wore it. It was of black color. She managed to save herself no matter what it took, however, I couldn't shake off the way I felt. I was jealous of my father. He was so attractive and so perfect in whatever he did, even acing the act of being a commoner. I felt inferior to him.

In that moment, Elara seemed to have cracked a joke and my father's stoicism broke just slightly, a subtle furrow forming on his brow. It was a minuscule deviation from his usual composed demeanor, but it spoke volumes. Elara, undeterred by the lack of reciprocation, continued her efforts, oblivious to the tension that had settled in the air.

The realization hit me like a sudden storm—this was not just a random encounter. Something was off, and the discomfort I felt wasn't solely due to Elara's inappropriate advances. I was jealous of my father and felt insecure. The entire scene felt like a dream, a peculiar dance in the intricate game to mess with my mind.

I clenched my fists, torn between confronting my father and maintaining my identity as Noah. The conflicting emotions swirled within me—anger, confusion, jealousy and a deep-seated concern for my father.

In that charged moment, unable to contain the mixture of frustration and indignation, I screamed, "Father!" The sudden outburst reverberated through the tavern, drawing the attention of every patron, including Elara, who had been engrossed in her attempts to captivate my father.

The room fell into a stunned silence as I marched towards the corner where my father sat. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on the scene, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Amaryllis, standing beside me, wore a shocked expression that mirrored the absurdity of the unfolding drama.

Addressing Elara directly, I spoke with a firmness that cut through the awkward tension. "Step outside the tavern and find a good man, rather than flirting with others in here. Have some dignity." The words hung in the air, a stark rebuke that sliced through the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Elara, caught off guard by the unexpected confrontation, could only muster a bewildered expression. The patrons of the tavern, initially entertained by their drinks and revelry, now found themselves witness to an unexpected spectacle—the ever composed Noah reproaching a tavern hostess.