Kitanna
Chapter 248: SAD STORY OF MOTHER HEN

Chapter 248: SAD STORY OF MOTHER HEN

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: ROUND AND ROUND ~ HEIZE]

Venantius gazed at the girl now lying unconscious in the carriage, her face flushed with a light pink as she had struggled for her freedom. The man smirked.

"My son made the right choice; she’s a tough one," he remarked casually, staring out of the carriage window.

Dominique, seated outside with the coachman, opened the inner window and addressed the supreme king in a low voice, "Supreme King, are we proceeding directly to Badukeh?"

Venantius tapped his finger mindlessly on the chair, "We should, but first, there is someone I must meet. I should greet Hash and recount the sad tale of Mother Hen," the man grinned.

Dominique furrowed his brow, unable to discern the man’s intentions. He directed the coachman to head towards the merchants’ inn.

Meanwhile, back at the inn, Kayla rubbed her sleepy eyes. She couldn’t discern if it was a dream when Axilla informed her of her departure from the inn. The young girl shrugged, continuing her tasks, forgetting to relay what she had heard or seen.

Kayla proceeded to one of the rooms to assist Lady Hash with her morning face wash. Entering the room, she found the woman just shifting her blanket, gazing out the window.

"Who is there?" Lady Hash inquired in a low voice as the door creaked open.

Kayla bowed, "It is I, Lady Hash. I have come to assist you this morning." the girl replied.

Lady Hash furrowed her brows, accustomed to Axilla performing this duty. She wondered if the girl was still asleep. "Very well, can you lead me to the fountain outside? I shall attend to it myself," the woman instructed.

Kayla quickly fetched the towel, assisting the woman to stand, leading her to the fountain nearby. Helping her settle on a steady rock, Kayla went to retrieve soap, only to be intercepted by two men.

"Pardon me, do you happen to know a person by the name of Hash?" inquired one of the men.

Kayla nodded, surprised at the early inquiries about the woman. "She is at the fountain. Is there a matter of concern?" the girl asked.

Venantius shook his head, a polite smile gracing his features. "None at all. I am responsible for her goods at Odel. I have come to convey a message," he replied.

Kayla nodded, "Very well, she is there. I shall return shortly," the girl stated before hastening back to the inn to retrieve the soap.

Venantius grinned, "It appears fortune favors me today, wouldn’t you agree?" he remarked to his aide, who nodded in reply.

Lady Hash dipped her leg into the cold water, relishing its freshness, when the sound of a twig snapping caught her attention. She turned her head towards the source, calling out, "Who is there? Kayla, my dear?" but received no response.

Finally, Venantius approached the woman, crouching to wash her leg. Lady Hash felt her shoulders tense. "Who are you? What business do you have?" she inquired, attempting to maintain composure despite the rising fear.

Venantius clicked his tongue, "It is regrettable that you fail to recognize individuals before you. Hash, what has become of you?" he asked, genuine concern lacing his voice.

Lady Hash swallowed, recognizing Venantius as she had suspected. She attempted to withdraw her leg, but the man tightened his grip, preventing her escape. Knowing that a cry for help would be futile given the distance from the inn to the fountain, she remained silent.

"Is that your heartbeat or the birdsong? Either way, it provides a pleasing melody," Venantius hummed, massaging her feet.

"For one who has consistently opposed me, you seem easily frightened. Is it due to age or your lack of sight?" Venantius queried, tracing his fingers along her toes.

Lady Hash clutched her gown tightly. "If your intent is to end my life, do so swiftly; only frightened creatures make the loudest noise," she retorted sharply.

Venantius chuckled, "Ah, there it is! That fearless spirit I know so well. Excellent! But fear not, I have not come for you today. I am here merely to grace you with my presence and to recount an old tale."

Venantius released her leg, settling beside her with crossed legs. "Now, Hash, if you can steady your trembling heart and lend ear to my tale, perhaps we shall all glean a lesson from it," he remarked playfully, though his expression remained grave.

Dominique, observing from a distance, discerned the fear in the woman’s countenance, much to the king’s amusement. He remained vigilant, prepared to intervene should the need arise.

Venantius relaxed into his position, commencing his story, "Before I proceed, Hash, allow me to expound upon fate, a force I deem twisted and perhaps malevolent. Yet, it is akin to a captivating game, if one listens closely, one may discern its intricacies."

"Long ago, there existed a Hen, courageous and valiant, who waged war against wolves and mountain lions, emerging unscathed. This Hen possessed all she desired in life, including a devoted husband, though he proved to be a coward. Nevertheless, their love endured, and they harbored hopes of rearing many chicks," Venantius paused to ensure the woman’s attention before continuing.

"Then, one fateful day, her destiny intertwined with that of a malevolent wolf, who devoured its own offspring. Despite this, the brave Hen opted to rescue one of the wolf’s cubs, even after accepting aid from the malevolent creature. In my humble opinion, the Hen displayed hypocrisy, but let us not stray from our narrative," Venantius chuckled.

Lady Hash remained silent, attentively absorbing the man’s words.

"So, the Hen saved one of the wolf’s cubs, only to face tragedy; she lost her husband and her sight to bandits while fleeing from the malevolent wolf. Discovering she was with child, her joy was tinged with sorrow—her husband’s absence cast a pall. In her fury, she abandoned her own offspring. For a Hen who safeguards the progeny of others, she is a coward, wouldn’t you agree?" Venantius taunted.

Lady Hash blinked back tears that welled in her eyes. "Get to the heart of your tale, Venantius," she demanded.

The supreme king clicked his tongue, "So impatient!." Then he continued, "The Hen who dares not fear the wolf’s fangs. Very well, I shall continue. Many years elapsed, and this Hen assumed the role of mother to the wolf’s cub, now grown, forgetting her own offspring..." Venantius drawled, mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Fate exacted a cruel punishment for her meddling in another family’s affairs. Allow me to elucidate how fate enacted its retribution, free of charge," Venantius chuckled.

"Mother Hen lost her sight, rendering her unable to recognize her own chick, who had been in her midst all along. While safeguarding the wolf’s cub, the wolf seized her own offspring. Now, speculate as to the fate that awaits her chick,"

Lady Hash, struggling to maintain composure, trembled, turning to face Venantius. "What do you imply?" She inquired.

Venantius nodded solemnly, "Indeed, your offspring has been by your side all this while, while you fretted over my own cub. It is time I repaid this debt by attending to your child. Fate, it seems, conspires to reunite us in unfortunate circumstances. Farewell, Hash," the man remarked, rising to depart.

Lady Hash shook her head, "No...no, that child died that day..." she muttered to herself. Raising her head, she uttered one name.

"Axilla..."

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