The Land of Phaleno: The Princess's Rebirth (Book I)

Chapter Six: "In Hiding: A Desperate Bid"

As the situation intensified and the farmer neared success in pulling the woman from the cart, June North emerged abruptly from behind. With swift reflexes, he seized the farmer's wrist, halting his forceful action. June North's grip was firm and unwavering, causing the farmer's hand to loosen and the blanket to slip from his grasp.

With a forceful tug, June North pulled the farmer's arm to the side, ensuring the woman's position remained undisturbed. The farmer recoiled in surprise, his eyes widening as June North exerted his control. He realized the situation had taken a dramatic turn.

"Sir!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with submission.
"What is the commotion here?" June North inquired, his tone laced with authority.

The farmer, feeling powerless in the face of this imposing figure, could only bow his head in deference.
June North then declared, "I granted you permission to park your horse and cart in front of the building. However, the disturbance you have created is disrupting my work. Henceforth, I forbid you from placing them on my property!"

The farmer lowered himself to the ground, clutching June North's ankles. "Forgive me, sir! I merely placed the cart there while I was transporting my harvest to the market. In truth, the commotion was caused by this woman! She sneaked into the cart without my knowledge and ruined my produce," he explained, pointing towards the woman.

June North turned his gaze towards the woman concealed beneath the blanket. Her dirt-covered feet protruded from the covering, and her disheveled hair obscured her face. The woman remained silent, her head bowed. She attempted to further conceal herself within the folds of the blanket enveloping her body.

With a hint of exasperation, the farmer replied, "She appears to be a mute woman. However, I am certain she is the individual Hela, our village's healer, is seeking."

"Do you recognize her?" June North inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Her face remains concealed beneath the cloth, and she refuses to reveal it," the farmer explained. "She appears to be an outsider, which seems implausible given our village's tightly guarded borders. Yet, I am confident she is not a resident. I know every villager, but this woman is entirely new to me."

June North murmured, "It seems she is hesitant to unveil her covering, perhaps because she is unclothed."

"Forgive me, sir, if my presence disrupts your work," the farmer pleaded. "But please allow me to temporarily park my horse here until I complete my transaction." He proceeded to unload his harvest baskets onto the cart.

"And what about this woman? Do you intend to leave her here alone?" June North questioned.

"I cannot bring her into the market either. Sir, feel free to leave her here! I must enter the market immediately. My buyer has been waiting. I must go, sir," the farmer replied, pushing his cart laden with produce towards the market.

June North took a few steps away from the woman, his intention clear—to leave her alone. Yet, his footsteps felt heavy, as if an invisible force was restraining his every movement. He sighed deeply, the heaviness of his breath reflecting his uncertainty and exhaustion.

With a heavy heart and a tumultuous inner turmoil, June North finally came to a standstill. Slowly, he turned his body and gazed back towards the woman perched atop the cart.

Finally, June North approached the woman, his voice laced with a hint of urgency, "Until when will you remain silent here?"

The woman offered no response, her gaze vacant, devoid of any reaction to Jun's question.

June North furrowed his brow, attempting to maintain composure. "I know you are not mute! So answer my question!"

"How do you know?" the woman inquired, finally breaking her silence.