The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Hiding And Starving

As soon as she returned to her village, Oriana packed everything she needed for her trip to the South. Her knife was in its sheath by her belt, hidden under her outer coat, and from time to time, she kept on touching it. The familiar feel of its handle calmed her heart.

’With my knife back, I have no need to see that annoying face ever again. Good riddance!’ She looked at the pouch filled with a hundred silver coins. "Though, that filthy rich brat’s payment sure is timely. Now I don’t have to worry about traveling expenses and the cost of that herb."

"Have you finished packing, Ori?" the old man asked.

"Yes, Grandpa." She handed over a coin pouch to her grandfather. She had placed inside everything she earned from selling herbs the past few days. "This is for you grandpa. No need to be frugal. Use as much as you can when you go to town next time."

Phil frowned and pushed it back to her. "You’ll need this more than me. I still have some coins from last time. You can keep it—"

She held his wrinkled hand and put the pouch back in his hand. "Keep it, Grandpa, I have enough with me."

The old man accepted it, knowing how stubborn she could be.

Later that night, Oriana went to their neighbor after she put her grandfather to sleep. She found Gwen and asked her to look after her grandfather as she was going to be away for several days. To her relief, Luke was not in the house and she didn’t have to face him. She was worried he would inquire about her trip and it would be difficult to lie straight to his face.

Oriana then returned to her cabin to rest early. After changing out of her outside clothes and letting her long hair free from its bun, she lay on the thin mattress spread on her bed.

Her hazel eyes stared blankly at the wooden beams above her.

’I do not know if there are really spirits and gods watching over us, but if there are, please bless my trip. I must get black nightshade at all costs.’

Oriana woke up at the first crow of the roosters in the village and left home while it was still dark outside. She didn’t wake up her grandfather, and simply prepared his morning meal on the table for him to eat later.

"I will be back soon, Grandpa. Take care."

Under the veil of darkness, she traversed the shortcut through the Wimark Estate’s forest by simply relying on the visibility offered by the moonlight. Bringing a lantern would be safer, but it would alarm not only the forest creatures, but also the guards on night patrol. Because she had to be more careful on the way, her speed slowed. It took her almost two hours to reach Jerusha City. _{freēwebnovel.com}

"I hope I am not late and I catch those people. If not, then I have to leave on my own for that island."

She went straightaway to that inn where those two men, Ron and Mark, were going to meet before leaving for Azures Island.

When she reached the inn, the sun was just rising. She hid behind a large crate when she found porters loading goods inside five covered wagons.

Those two men from yesterday were talking outside the inn. She saw Mark handing over a folded paper to Ron. Ron then ordered his men to ready the horses for departure before riding the cart at the lead, next to the coachman.

’Thanks the spirits, I am not too late.’ Her eyes flickered as she studied the organization of the members of the convoy and their wagons. ’I need to hide inside one of them.’

Those covered wagons were large, the cart itself enough to fit about twenty crates, the roof frame covered with thick dark cloth. Its backside simply had a curtain instead of a bolted door, which made it easier to put and remove the goods.

’How can I sneak in one? There’s too many people.’