Chapter 85 - Betrayal?

The room to his other side was Diana's, so the argument continued. Aile came in and just talked to them, in the end, Sara picked the room next to Sophie after Aile whispered to her. He gave her a choice, she can have the room next to him, if he is allowed to tell Sophie about how much she cared about her. Including the time, she asked Aile to come back, and warn Sophie and her reaction after seeing Hazel's old house destroyed. Or she can pick the chamber next to hers. Sara pouted and then she agreed. She said that whether it is one room or two to Aile's, it does not make a difference.

Then both of them stared daggers at Laila and Leia who instructed one of the maids to bring their stuff to Aile's room. Leia then helped Laila experience around the room so that she can commit to memory the set-up of everything.

Hazel picked the room next to Sara's. Soon the noise died down as everyone was busy with their rooms. Aile then called Fiona, Diana, Emily and Hazel to his office across the hall. After everyone was gathered, Aile said, "Unfortunately after our house got destroyed, we had to come here. I am sure you are all curious about this place. This is the place of a person called Shadow, he travels most of the time. I believe he is some kind of a merchant.

After acquiring this mansion, he found out about Fiona's healing cream and made a deal with her. He would be selling her cream all over the kingdom and return a piece of the profit to her. He will also leave this mansion and his trading business in Port Kiar under Fiona for now to manage. So, I hope that everyone can keep this information between us, as Shadow is reclusive."

Aile then looked at Hazel, "This place will also be optimum for us to keep a low profile. No one will suspect us living here. If we remain in the mansion and hide our identities when we go outside. Then we will be able to stay safely here for a while. Do not worry, I will try to come up with an alternative location, in case we have to leave here."

This was the plan that Aile and Emily came up with after she calmed down. This will allow Fiona to have the freedom to run the business, and even if this information gets out, there is nothing wrong with Fiona and the others to change employers. This was also good news for Diana, she was happy, as now she can inform Ellie to visit her here. Of course, she knew about Aile and Hazel's situation, and she would not let that out. Aile trusted her enough about that.

Hazel talked to Fiona and assumed she had lost a lot of profit in the deal and tried to console her. By now, she had gotten back her majesty through which she commanded the town.

She also said that she has enough money and force to protect them, in case they have to leave here. She would be contacting them once she healed. Aile sighed and felt guilty, seeing how she opened up and showed all of her cards.

Diana started to talk to Fiona, and Emily was listening to them. Hazel came to Aile and said, "So how long have you known about Fiona's deal with this Shadow?"

"I found out a day before we left."

"I am surprised that you did not ask about my properties and wealth after I promised everything to you? You do not seem like the type to rely on others. Like I said if you want them, you can have them." Hazel had gotten to know Aile a little, and she assumed that he would not be happy to rely on Shadow for his safety. Therefore, she was offering a different solution.

"I will not force you into doing anything, and I will try my best to keep you and Sara hidden, and I think the best location is here for now."

Hazel chuckled, she noticed how he did not want to rely on her wealth and power, yet he was doing the same on Fiona's now. It was even more complicated as Shadow was involved. She sighed at his attempt on self-reliance. She just did not connect the dots that he could possibly be Shadow.

"Let me tell you this, although this place might be the best place for us, you will definitely regret staying here in the future. I know that you and Fiona are very close. This Shadow offering so much to Fiona in her time of need, will not go unnoticed by her. The longer we stay here, the more likely you will lose her. Since I am already aboard your pirate ship, it is better to not let her go either." She then sighed, "He has already gotten in her good-book, you have to try harder now. I will try to find another place close by, if you manage to convince her to leave with us, it will be one step in the right direction."

Aile had a complicated expression it seemed that Hazel was looking out for him, but he was not honest with her. At the same time, he was really amused at the direction their conversation took.

Aile shook his head and said, "For now our safety is the priority, plus we will have a lot of time to worry about the rest of the stuff later."

Hazel sighed, "Ok, we will stay here, but I will try to help you, and you will thank me in the future. Also, now I do not have to worry about managing the town so if you need my help in anything, let me know."

"I do have a lot of questions; I will ask them tomorrow."

Then Aile saw Emily gesturing him that she wanted to talk.

Fiona was paying attention to Aile the whole time seeing that Aile helplessly looked at Emily, she understood the situation. She then brought up a topic to engage Hazel into the conversation she was having with Diana. Aile then went towards Emily.

Emily called him to the side. She was standing in front of him, and her back was facing the others, concealing Aile. Then she moved her index finger towards Aile and placed it on his forehead. Aile heard her voice, "If you want to respond, just use a little of your energy like me and send it through the connection."

After a few attempts, Aile got the hang of this communication method. Of course, it was Emily who created the bridge with her energy. Without the bridge, this kind of communication would not be possible.

"Your little wives have a communication device!" said Emily.

"What?" Aile's facial expression became downcasted, so they were spying on him.

"Hehe, do not worry, it is not how it seems. Laila and Leia do have a communication device, but there is no way that they could use it. If that was the case, then I would have gotten rid of them. In fact, I listen to them, and they really care about you. I do not know why they like you; it has been only a few days since you met them."

Aile's expression became better.

"They want to train and head to the academy in a few years to not be a burden to you."

"What about the communication item?"

"Just take it from them, it is a sealed necklace worn by Leia, and we can hold it and see who we can contact with it."

"Ok, you really scared me there."

"I am surprised you seem to care for them quite a bit."

"We have been through a lot; I will tell you the story of how we managed to escape later."

"Ok, what are you going to do about them wanting to leave and join the academy?"

"I will try to see if I can find a way to help them improve if not, the academy does not sound bad as long as they can safely learn there. Anyway, it is in the future we will deal with that when everything settles down here."

"Everything here will be fine; everyone is happy with our plan for now."

"Yeah, let's head back before this looks suspicious."

"Make sure you take that necklace."

Aile nodded, and they left-back and joined the group. Emily rarely talked, and she did not seem like the type that would want to share her opinions in front of everyone. Thus no one suspected her talking with Aile alone.

Then, Aile talked with Diana for a bit and then told Hazel that if she needed anything, she could just ask for it, and they will try to get it for her.

He also told her that from tomorrow he will need to help her heal her soul. Remembering what happened last time Hazel blushed and just left without a response. Aile would not go through this if he had another choice. But strengthening his soul and healing Hazel's soul, took priority over the little inconvenience. Who knows maybe they can get her response under control?

Then Diana and Hazel left.

Then the conversation about the trade deals and the local economy started with Fiona.