309. Village Chief's Invitation

Tyler walked along the dirt path leading to the farmlands, watching as the villagers wrapped up their work for the season. The golden fields, once lush with crops, were now bare, signaling the arrival of winter. The workers, bundled in thick clothes, gathered their tools and chatted amongst themselves as they made their way back to the village.

Tyler, however, had a different destination. At the center of the farmland stood the largest house in the village—Misra's residence.

He sighed. He hadn't expected an invitation from the village chief, yet he couldn't refuse. Curiosity gnawed at him, particularly about Mathilda. She disguised herself as a man and went by the name "Leon," posing as the husband of the village chief. But something about her—her presence, her mannerisms—felt strikingly familiar.

A young servant girl met him at the entrance and silently led him through the wooden corridors. Tyler frowned when they stopped before a bedroom door.