To Love A Villain-Chapter 35: Amber’s cafe

>> Corvina (Amber)

'The murder of Cory Manor still remains a mystery'

I stared at the heading of the Newspaper. It's been two years yet people haven't figured out what happened or who did it. After all, there were no witnesses and Hael burned the whole place down after murdering everyone. Majority of the bones were burned so badly, people weren't recognizable.

The knight guards decided to rule it out as an accident since every single person in the mansion had died. There was no one they could question and no one who came forward to say anything about it. There was only one person they found who was still breathing after the fire.

A maid

She was alive for a few months after the rest of the mansion burned down but she was so badly burnt she couldn't speak anything. The healers tried to heal her but somehow, by a strange phenomenon, she just wouldn't heal. The case was taken to the magic tower as well, but the mages there refused to help since their 'master' didn't allow it.

I let out a soft sigh,

Which was ultimately good for me. No one will ever attempt to look for me. No one did for these past two years, so I'm safe. At least, I think I am. I'm not living in the capital anymore, so the chances of encountering anyone I once knew are pretty slim. The Royal Palace and The Holy Temple are in the capital, so I'm avoiding two things at once.

The doorbell jingled as someone opened the door to the cafe. I was free to do whatever I wanted here and I was free to have better people around me as well.

I looked towards the door as I put the newspaper away, "Welcome!" I greeted the guest who entered my cafe, "Welcome to cafe Amber!"

"Hi, Amber!" It was a regular customer of mine.

"Hi, Amanda!" I waved back at her, "Having your regular?"

"Yep!" She went and took her seat near the window. I dinged the bell on the counter, behind which I stood to get my employee out of the kitchen and take the order. Then I noticed the delivery boy, putting the cartons outside the shop.

I shook my head at him as I watched him sweat and fret like crazy.

This boy never learns,

I walked awkwardly, dragging my right foot, making my way to the main door, "Cory, are the doughnuts ready?"

"Yes, Miss!!" My employee popped her head out of the kitchen, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to take the cartons and bring them inside." I rolled my eyes, "That boy was late again." The boy, Cass, who makes deliveries to our store is mostly late because he oversleeps, and then he's in such a hurry that he can't even bring the cartons inside.

"I'll do it," Cory answered.

"It's fine," I replied, "I got it."

"Need any help?" Amanda asked.

"No," I waved at her, "I'm fine."

Unlike the nobles, common people don't make fun of disabilities. On the contrary, they're more helpful. Well, kids are an exception, kids are mean everywhere. They made fun of how I walked when I first came here. They still do it sometimes, but I'm learning to ignore it.

And the adults are nice, so... I guess that helps.

I stepped outside the shop, the weather was wonderful. It made me think that maybe I should keep the door and windows open. I tried to pick up the carton that was delivered but right as I was about to pick it up, it got swooped out of my hands

???

"I told you to ask me to do stuff like this," A person said and I looked at him in surprise.

"Jared?!"

Jared works as a swordsmith, so he's quite bulked up, "Yea, it's me," He slapped the carton and then winked at me, "You should ask the men to do this stuff for you."

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

"Haha, thank you Jared." He's a regular at my cafe, "Please put the things in the kitchen,"

"Sure thing," He walked in.

"Would you be having your coffee?" I asked.

"Why else would I be here?" He glanced at me, "Coffee's the only thing that's keeping me sane."

I chuckled, "Aira," I called my other employee,

"Yess!!!" The voice came from the second floor.

"Get Mister Jared his coffee."

"Okay~" She replied, and then poked her head down, "Miss Amber, We're out of potions,"

"Already?"

She shrugged as she hung from the railing, bending over it like a monkey, "We had a lot of orders last month."

Hmmm, that's true.

"Aira," I called out to my employee, "I'm going to get some things! Make sure to start working."

"Yes!"

***

It was a busy morning. The air was filled with the aroma of herbs and spices, and the bustling streets were alive with the chatter of merchants and shoppers. I took my time going around places, because well, I couldn't really run because of my foot.

After two years, I've healed to a certain extent but I still limp and walk a little weirdly, but running makes the pain come back.

I looked at my basket. I bought a few potions and some milk. I think this is all I need for the time being. I should get to the cafe, the place starts getting busy at noon. I should be there and take my place behind the counter.

Ahin told me he'd be coming soon as well. I should hurry back.

I turned a corner, coming to the main street when I noticed something strange. The people had gathered on the edges of the street on either side, leaving the whole road empty in between/

Hmm? What's happening here? I made my way to the crowd. I didn't hear of any procession or anyone from the Palace doing a round. So why is the road empty?

The people were whispering amongst themselves and I could faintly hear the sound of carriages. Was there someone who was going to visit? Considering my shop is far from the main streets there is a possibility the news didn't make it to us. I deliberately chose a place that wasn't that easy to find after all.

"Excuse me?" I tapped on the shoulder of one of the older women there, "What's going on here?"

The middle-aged lady turned to look at me, "The knights told us to clear the way for the mages,"

"Mages?" I frowned, "Why? Are they going somewhere?" The mages don't really leave the magic tower unless needed. The people from the magic tower are known for being rarely ever seen.

"Going somewhere?" She shook her head, "Oh no, they're coming back." She replied.

"Yes?" I was baffled, "They're coming back?" From where? When did they leave? I turned my head to look at the magic tower. It was a far away building that could be seen from the main street of the town. The magic tower is located on the outskirts of the city. There are four arch mages of the magic tower. Each of them live in the magic towers, North, South, East, and West. The towers connect with each other and they also connect with another tower, the main tower in the middle, where the master of the magic tower remains.

That means, that's where Hael lives.

All five of the high ranking mages have their residence on the top floors and each of them have mages working under them in the lower floors.

"It's nothing to be surprised about, girl. The miasma is spreading so much, the king ordered the arch mages to go and check it." She sighed and looked at the road, "I wonder what they found."

My eyes widened in alarm.

Gosh...

It's gotten that bad? Didn't the king already send Illaris to cleanse the forest? It was just a month ago. Her powers didn't work? She's the saint though... She became the official saint two years ago. How come the problem still hasn't been solved?

The sound of wheels rolling came closer and the carriages came into view. My heart rate shot up as the random thought of Hael being in one of them came over me.

As I stood on the sidelines, watching the procession of high mages pass by, I tried to reassure myself that I wouldn't encounter Hael. After all, he hadn't joined the expedition; there was no reason for him to be here. The king had asked the arch-mages to go, not the Tower Master

It's fine. Don't worry about it! Besides, I've dyed my hair light brown, no one would be able to tell it's me. So, don't worry.

Yet, despite my attempts to convince myself otherwise, a nagging sense of apprehension lingered in the back of my mind.

There were five carriages in total. I had heard once that none of the mages were close to each other. People always say it's because the position of arch mages and the master are chosen purely on power and talent, so there's always a competition amongst the high mages and they don't like each other.

As the first carriage approached, I held my breath, hoping to catch a glimpse of the occupants without drawing attention to myself. I was most likely worried for no reason. Why would anyone notice me? I'm literally standing in the middle of a crowd. And there's nothing about me that stands out!

I nodded to myself as the first carriage went past us. There seemed to be a blue haired mage in it.

My heart was still a little anxious, but then the second carriage went past us. The curtains were drawn for it, so no one could see who was inside.

But the moment the third carriage crossed in front of me, my heart plummeted to the pit of my stomach.

There he was, unmistakable even from a distance—the silver-gray hair that caught the sunlight. My heartbeat rose as my mind raced while those piercing gray eyes met mine as he crossed me.

Hael.

Fear gripped me like icy talons, freezing me in place as our eyes met across the bustling square. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still, and the world around us faded into insignificance.