The Devil's Son and His Fated Bride
Chapter 48: Leave them alone

Chapter 48: Leave them alone

Gloria winced as she shifted her weight from one leg to another, eyeing the saddle with weary skepticism. "My legs hurt. How am I supposed to get back on that thing?"

They had just purchased three clay jars of heavy liquor, and their return to the stall where Rail had let the horses rest was briefly interrupted when Ren suddenly halted in front of the Herbarium shop. A wicked light flickered in her eyes, this was her key to the Historian Tower.

"You need to learn how to ride properly," she said, turning to Gloria. "I’ll teach you myself. You’re smart. I’ve taught you six letters of the alphabet, and you’ve already started recognizing them in words."

Ren had been watching her closely, more than Gloria likely realized. In a land where humans were little more than servants, knowledge was her most valuable weapon, and she intended for Gloria to wield it well.

"Killa, I need to buy some herbs. Would you mind waiting for me here? Gloria, you’re coming with me." Ren’s gaze remained fixed on the Herbarium’s entrance.

Before Arkilla could respond, Calisa purred, "Can I come too?"

"Not this time, my dear."

My dear?

Calisa’s eyes widened in stunned delight. Their beautiful queen had just called him that—him! His mind spiraled into a dizzy haze, replaying the words over and over until he was too absorbed to realize Ren and Gloria were already gone.

Inside the shop, the scent of dried leaves and earthy roots filled the air. A young man with light brown hair and hazel eyes was assisting a customer while Ren meandered between the wooden shelves stacked with baskets of herbs. She selected what she needed, then approached the vendor behind the counter, her voice smooth yet deliberate.

"Forgive me, sir. I know this is unrelated, but I’m looking for a librarian, and I overheard that your son is a historian."

The older man raised a brow, assessing her. Humans in Thegara held no authority to make such requests, especially not one as bold as hiring a historian. But there was something about this woman, something strange.

Her hands were too smooth for labor. Her teeth, shimmering white. Her coin was too fine for a mere servant, Alvonia’s gold. And she knew herbs quite well—rare ones at that. Pity, he couldn’t see her face clearly, concealed as it was beneath the shadow of her hood.

He gestured toward his son, his expression devoid of disdain but edged with curiosity. "Please, ask him yourself."

The young man stepped forward. He was short, nearly Ren’s height, with a round face and freckles dotting his cheeks. Curly brown bangs spilled over his forehead. He was cute!

So this was the young owl who had tried and failed, twice, to secure a position in the Historian Tower, rejected because of his family’s background. Well, fate had other plans. Ren was about to offer him a role far greater than any tower could.

He was respectful, bowing his head as he approached not minding that she was a human, lower than him. In response, Ren pulled back her hood.

Silence fell over the Herbarium. The two owl vendors froze, eyes widening as though caught in a spell. They had never seen such beauty in Thegara—not with their own eyes. And when they realized their staring bordered on rudeness, they quickly bowed their heads.

The older man cleared his throat. "We’ve heard of a human lady, and there can be only one like her in the Vine Castle. Milady, welcome to my humble shop."

Ren stiffened. So they already knew of her feature, heard it.

She masked her unease with a soft smile. "Your Herbarium is wonderful."

"My honor to hear it from you. I’ve heard you’re a physician."

She kept her tone light. "An apprentice, at best. So tell me, may I hire your son?"

The young owl sank to his knees, head bowed. "It would be my honor to serve as your librarian."

Ren bent forward, grasping his arms with urgency. "Please, rise. This is attracting attention."

Indeed, whispers had begun slithering through the shop. She could feel the weight of curious gazes. Though her face remained composed, tension gripped her ribs.

The young man stood quickly. "My apologies."

She handed him a small badge. "Be at the castle tomorrow morning. This will grant you passage through the gates."

He stared at the token, momentarily speechless. "Tomorrow?"

"Is that a problem?"

He shook his head frantically. "No! I’ll be there early."

With the deal struck, they hurried outside, mounting their horses. Gloria clung to Ren’s waist, voicing a breathy plea. "Please ride slow, my lady."

Ren sighed. "If we ride slow, we’ll be caught in the dark, and I’d rather avoid that. People already realized who I am."

Gloria pouted. "You let them see the moment you removed your hood. On purpose."

Ren giggled before nudging Viva into motion. "See? That’s why I say you’re smart."

Back at the castle, Ren deposited the clay jars in the lab, handing the herbs over to the healer.

"Milady..." He lifted a brow. "Tell me you didn’t spend your precious Alvonia coins on these."

She shrugged. "They were as surprised as you that I traded with them. I didn’t know Alvonia’s currency was so valuable."

The healer pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated. He turned to Gloria. "Tell His Highness that she spent her own money on the lab. The auditor needs to reimburse her."

"No!" Ren scowled. "The liquors are for personal use, and so are the dried petals. No one is telling His Majesty anything."

"Not telling me what?"

Ren stiffened. Kai was supposed to be training Reaper in swordplay and archery, yet here he was, standing at the doorway, eyes dark with amusement.

Her gaze snapped to Healer Rigo, whose face was flushed.

"You told him?" She groaned.

"He didn’t say a word," Kai muttered. "I forced it out of him."

Ren rolled her eyes. "Fine! I spent two Alvonia gold coins, and he’s nagging me about being too generous."

Kai lifted a small parchment between two fingers, a slow smirk playing at his lips. "Beard Faun is sending twenty barrels of beer for the feast."

Ren shrugged. "Am I not allowed to treat people well?"

His voice brushed through her mind, intimate and warm. I’ll pay. You use. You enjoy. You share and Spend for us all as you please. But those coins? They’re yours. Save them.

She huffed. "Fine! Just this once."

Kai turned to Calisa. "Send a message to your father."

Calisa, ever the performer, bowed grandly. "My honor, Your Majesty."

"Tell him to meet me for lunch tomorrow, before the feast and before the rest of the clan elders arrive."

Calisa’s exaggerated formality melted as he left, his usual charm returning with a bounce in his step. Like the Beard Faun said, he made it so dramatic.

Ren crossed her arms. "His father is a clan elder?"

Ren asked, well, truly amazed. So that was why he wore fantastic clothes, unlike the rest of the citizens who wore simple clothing, some of them barely covering intimate parts only.

It seemed in this land, nobles were the ones who could afford expensive clothes.

Kai nodded. "That explains his wardrobe, doesn’t it?"

Before she could respond, Kai dismissed the others. "Leave. I want to enjoy my wife’s artifact."

They smothered their laughter, but before exiting, Rail huffed. "You could at least keep me as a vassal."

Kai’s glare was playful but firm. "Leave before I break your neck, my dear godson."

Rail pouted, casting Ren a pleading glance. She shook her head with mock sympathy. "You’re still my favorite, but I have to let you go this time."

With a dramatic sigh, he allowed the healer to drag him away, "Leave them alone, you dimwit."

And at last, they were alone.

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