Green embers

chapters 14-16

Chapter 14

I didn't know what to expect. I thought maybe it’s his father I was going to meet or maybe an uncle or aunt or a family friend. Conrad, Erwind and Cielo waited behind on their horses as curious as ever. I breathed in, and waited.

"Stop fidgeting, Prince Haru." Reif said as he knocked on the door. "You’ll be all right."

Someone's footsteps were heard approaching. I cleared my throat as I tried to unwind. There was a pause then the door opened.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit shocked for standing before us, was a really huge lady with two gigantic moles across her cheeks and a puckered brow. Her dark brown hair was tied in a net ribbon. Her chest; large and plump and her hips; abnormally angled. I swallowed a huge lump in my throat at the sight of her. I’ve never seen someone look so terrifying.

"Reif?! Is that really you?" she said, her voice booming with surprise as she held his shoulders.

"Good afternoon, Madame Susu," Reif said politely.

"Oh dear! How we’ve missed you!" her voice chimed up like a church bell. She hugged him tightly, actually lifting him from the floor! I thought his spine would break.

''You’re too kind Madame Susu." he said chokingly.

She put him down on the ground and looked at him from top to bottom.

"You look just as handsome as ever!" she said with mesmerizing eyes.

"Madame Susu, please…" Reif said as he rolled his eyes.

"I’m not lying, precious." She said with confidence. "And who's your friend here who’s also just as good-looking?" she asked as she turned her attention to me.

I offered my hand instantly.

"Hello, my name's..."

"This is Len, a comrade of mine. He's on his day off as well." Reif interrupted.

‘It seems I’m not allowed to introduce myself for who I really am,’ I thought. Nonetheless, I decided to play along.

"Pleased to meet you," I said politely.

"Well, a friend of Reif’s is a friend of mine. Come here, precious."

She put her arms around me and with one swoop lifted me off the ground as she hugged me just as tight, I thought my chest was going to burst. I could hear Reif chuckling until I landed on my feet.

"This is just a lovely day, isn't it?" she said loudly. "Well, come on in boys, lunch is waiting."

She turned her back as she entered the house and we followed. Reif closed the door behind us and then turned to me.

"Prince Haru, take off your shoes, please." he whispered as he took his shoes off and left them next to the door. I obeyed immediately and then I followed him. I’ve never entered a commoner's house before so I’ve decided it would be best to follow Reif in everything while we're here.

"Honey; the boys are already here! Make sure you’ve got the room prepared for them!" Madame Susu called out loudly as she spoke to someone from the bottom of the stairs. Then, she turned back to us.

"Reif darling, I’ll be in the kitchen. If you and your friend need anything at all, you know where to find me." She said.

"Okay," Reif said in reply.

The big so-called Madame Susu started whistling as she walked down the hall and disappeared into one of the rooms there. I looked around and noticed how friendly the house looked. To my left, there stood a wide living room. A circular carpet covered the floor and there stood three couches, surrounding a low wooden table in the middle. The fourth wall which was supposed to be in front of us wasn't there so the room faced us wide open as we passed it. At the other side, opposite to the front door, was the foot of the stairs winding up to the second floor. Reif was already on his way and so I followed as he led the way.