Two Drops

Agatha rose to her feet and massaged her temples. The frequency of her dreams in the past few days had increased, leaving her sleep-deprived. Instead of trying to go back to sleep to catch up, Agatha decided to get up and head to the kitchen.

The night was still deep and cold, with morning hours away, but Agatha began to work. She knew she wouldn't be able to fall asleep no matter how hard she tried. She was also afraid that darker dreams might haunt her more than nightmares, which was unsettling, especially if it were no other than her past.

Before starting to cook breakfast, Agatha checked on Aiden in his room. Seeing him sleeping peacefully, she smiled with relief and delight. She walked over and adjusted his sheet, then spent a few moments admiring his stable breathing and handsome face. She was grateful that he was okay now.

Afterward, she went to the kitchen. She grimaced after tasting her own cooking. Because of Liam's suspicion that Shadowbane had tampered with Aiden's food, they had stopped ordering food for their own safety.

Agatha attempted to cook, but being inexperienced with cooking for just the two of them, she struggled. Their usual meals consisted of fruits from the forest and bread from a nearby bakery, which didn't require much cooking. When Agatha had free time, she would fish in a nearby river and cook the catch over a fire.

Since she lacked cooking skills, she usually stuck to simple dishes like eggs and rice. This time, she attempted something different and failed miserably—the soup turned out too salty. However, not wanting her efforts to go to waste, she ate it anyway. Thankfully, it was a small batch, so she managed to finish it.

Agatha still found it hard to believe that she and Aiden could afford rice. In Primotheus Capital, rice was expensive and scarce, affordable only to the wealthier residents who could stock up. There were times when Agatha couldn't even buy rice for Aiden, but thanks to Liam's care, they had it every day.

Agatha sighed as she thought about Liam. It had been a day since he left, and there was still no news about his whereabouts.

When Agatha returned from Albus Hotspot after speaking with Camilla, he had already left. Leonel informed her that Liam had gone back to Fortunalia and didn't know when he would be back.

Agatha couldn't quite comprehend her feelings about Liam's sudden departure. Despite Leonel clearly explaining that Liam had been summoned by the Fire Fae King, Agatha couldn't shake the feeling that the real reason he left was because of their heated argument before.

In recent days, Agatha found herself pondering over the events that had transpired. She attempted to consider every perspective regarding Liam's sudden anger, but she struggled to find a logical explanation for his behavior.

Another concern weighing on Agatha's mind was the summons from the Fire Fae King to Liam. She overheard Leonel discussing it with others, mentioning that Liam had been urgently summoned back to Fortunalia because the King had located Lady Alexa.

Agatha wasn't familiar with Lady Alexa, but the urgency with which Liam returned suggested her significance to him.

Recalling Liam's mention of Nysander's mistreatment of their Queen, Agatha wondered if Lady Alexa might be the Queen of the Fire Fae Kingdom. However, the discrepancy between "Queen" and "Lady" in the titles left her confused about Lady Alexa's true role in Liam's life.

Agatha shook her head, realizing she was delving into matters that shouldn't concern her. Instead, she refocused her attention on slicing the fruits she had purchased the previous night and setting the table.

After preparing breakfast, Agatha took a bath and dressed for the day.

As daybreak approached, Agatha emerged from her room and found Leonel meticulously cleaning his weapons—sword, daggers, and arrows. She glanced at the dark liquid he was applying and inquired about it.

"What's that?" she asked, stepping closer to observe his process.

"It's poison," Leonel replied simply, continuing his work.

During her time with them, Agatha noticed that Leonel was a man of few words. Despite his youth, his silence commanded respect from everyone around him.

When Aiden woke up, the three of them ate in silence. Leonel, their sole guard, joined them at the table.

Agatha swallowed her food before speaking. "Where are the others?" she asked Leonel, having prepared extra food, expecting the other knights to join them.

"On a special mission," Leonel replied succinctly, continuing to eat.

"Can I…" Agatha hesitated before continuing, "Can I go out today?"

She wanted to avoid causing Leonel any trouble, respecting the possibility that Liam might have ordered him to keep them inside. She didn't want Leonel to face any consequences because of her actions.

Leonel nodded slightly without looking directly at her. Agatha was surprised by his agreement. If she had asked Liam, she might have been met with chains to prevent her from leaving.

They continued eating in silence. Agatha helped Aiden slice the watermelon, pondering her next question. She felt shy but knew this was the best time to ask.

"Who…" Agatha cleared her throat as Leonel glanced at her. She paused before continuing, "Who's Lady Alexa?"

Leonel seemed a bit surprised. He stared at her for a few seconds before responding. "The King's cousin," he said firmly.

"Are she and Liam close?" Agatha asked, feeling foolish for her curiosity.

Leonel looked at her with mild confusion before nodding and smiling slightly. Agatha blinked, taken aback by the warmth in his smile. It made him even more handsome than she had previously noticed.

"Yes, they are," Leonel said. "Lady Alexa is one of Sir Liam's precious ones, as well as Princess Hiyasmin." He paused. "He loves them very much, though it may not always be obvious."

Agatha furrowed her brow, intrigued and confused. First Lady Alexa, now Princess Hiyasmin? She thought Liam had no women in his life.

Realizing where her thoughts were heading, Agatha discreetly calmed herself and smiled innocently at Leonel, who seemed to be studying her expressions.

"Really," Agatha whispered.

Leonel nodded once more, the smile still lingering on his face. Agatha couldn't quite understand why, but she found his expression somewhat mischievous. It seemed out of character for Leonel, who was usually stoic and graceful in every way.

"Even before, Liam always visited Princess Hiyasmin in her room when night fell."

Agatha almost choked on the mango she was eating. She quickly grabbed the glass of water that concerned Aiden handed her. She was mid-sip when Leonel continued.

"Sometimes Lady Alexa would accompany him to Princess Hiyasmin's room," Leonel added. "They often stayed for hours."

Agatha laughed awkwardly while staring admiringly at Aiden, who continued eating happily, seemingly oblivious to the conversation's implications. Aiden was listening in silence, but Agatha doubted he fully grasped what Leonel meant.

She scrutinized Leonel, searching for any hint of deceit, but he appeared entirely sincere. His demeanor showed no signs of dishonesty.

Under the table, Agatha clenched her fists. During her years working at Albus Hotspot in Eldoria, she had learned a lot, and what Leonel described sounded all too familiar.

How dare Liam? How dare he lie straight to her face? He had claimed he had no women in his life, yet he had not just one but two. And even seduced them together. Who knew if there were more?

It took Agatha almost the entire morning to calm herself down. After breakfast, her mind raced with thoughts and scenarios, creating a storm of emotions. She couldn't understand her frustration, which bordered on anger, at discovering Liam's romantic entanglements.

Agatha imagined punching Liam right in the face and kicking him from morning till night for his lies. Realizing where her thoughts were taking her, she panicked. This wasn't like her. She usually didn't care about other people's affairs. She was supposed to care only about Aiden and herself.

But Liam was no longer just another person. So maybe her disappointment was justified.

Agatha almost started hyperventilating as she realized how deep her thoughts were spiraling. It was impossible. She wasn't underestimating herself, but realistically, someone like her, without any high status in society, had no right to envy princesses. Envy would only make her sad and erode her self-trust, the last thing she needed.

Agatha couldn't afford to be like that. She had already overcome many obstacles in her life by choosing courage and fearlessness. It was a hard choice, but it had kept her alive. 

Instead of avenging her parents' murders, Agatha had chosen to run away. Others might see it as cowardice, but she knew deep down that if she wanted to survive with Aiden, she had to accept the harsh truth: she had no power against the rich, the Ravagers, or anyone else. 

Rich people could buy the law. As a commoner without Galleons, connections, or influence, she and Aiden could easily be silenced. That was why Agatha had to use her brain, not her heart. 

Her heart screamed for justice and revenge, but she wasn't the only one affected. Innocent and weak Aiden was also involved. Pursuing revenge would impact his life, and he didn't deserve that. Whatever feelings she had toward Liam, she had to think logically, not emotionally.

Being jealous would only harm Agatha, and possibly lead to dire consequences. Liam might get irritated and send her and Aiden away. Agatha had known many men who grew easily irritated when their wives became jealous.

She had hoped that Liam was different. He seemed to respect her decisions and value her input. But, like most things, the initial facade could be deceiving. Over time, his true nature might reveal itself. He might have a hidden agenda. Perhaps he was just like everyone else.

The sun was already scorching by the time Agatha decided to head to Albus Hotspot. Initially shy about using the carriage, she soon realized that walking would consume her entire afternoon just to reach the other side of the lands.

Before leaving, Agatha made sure Aiden was safe and well. Leonel was always there to guard him. Fortunately, Aiden and Leonel had grown close. Although Agatha found it hard to trust anyone, especially with Aiden, she felt an inexplicable certainty that Leonel would never abandon him. Perhaps it was because both Leonel and Aiden were Dirty Blood, and despite the age difference, Aiden was comfortable playing and sparring with him. Agatha also saw that Leonel was a gentleman, which gave her peace of mind.

Additionally, Liam and Leonel had done nothing to harm them. Agatha was surprised to find herself trusting them, a realization that somewhat frightened her. 

During her journey, Agatha felt a sudden anxiety gripping her heart. Nysander was still at large, and Liam was nowhere to be found in Primotheus Capital. She was alone except for the driver, and the thought of Nysander attacking her made her grip the daggers hidden on her body. Remembering that Nysander was weakened, she reassured herself that she could put up a fight if needed.

As the carriage neared the bridge, Agatha remembered something important. Aiden's 9th birthday was approaching, and she had also heard from Leonel that Liam's 25th birthday was near. She wanted to give them both gifts. It would be the first time in her life she had ever given gifts, and despite her shortcomings, she felt it was deserved.

Reaching into her pocket, Agatha looked for her wallet and realized it contained only a small amount of money. She wasn't even sure if it was enough to buy anything worthwhile. Nevertheless, she was determined to find something meaningful for both Aiden and Liam.

Agatha stared sadly out the window until something caught her eye. A small merchant shop nestled between two large buildings, its presence accentuated by a big painting of an owl on its door and the warm, glowing light emanating from within.

For some reason, the shop seemed to promise cheap prices. Agatha stopped the carriage and descended. For a few moments, she stood motionless outside, torn between entering or leaving. She wasn't sure if her few Galleons would be enough to buy anything, but since it was still noon, she had ample time to look for affordable items. If necessary, she could return later after saving up.

Agatha approached the store. The roof was red, the walls black, and the door a vibrant green adorned with a glowing owl. She scratched her head, trying to recall if she had seen this shop before when she and Liam had visited Albus Hotspot. Maybe she had simply overlooked it.

The store seemed old-fashioned and dust-filled, indicating it had stood there for a long time. After a deep breath, Agatha decided to enter. The interior was slightly dark, but as her eyes adjusted, she noticed the countless items on the dozens of shelves.

The place was filled with candles, and strange signs were painted on each wall. Agatha jumped when a dark bird in a cage cried out. Its shape was almost bat-like, and it made eerie noises. Despite its small exterior, the inside felt expansive. Agatha's hair stood on end when she saw floating eyes in a yellowish jar. She almost screamed when they suddenly stared directly at her.

She forced herself to calm down and looked around more carefully. Every corner seemed to hold odd and peculiar items, from ancient-looking books to peculiar trinkets. Agatha wondered if she could find something suitable for both Aiden and Liam here. The shop felt like a treasure trove of unique, albeit strange, gifts. She continued to browse, hoping to find the perfect items despite the eerie atmosphere.

"How can I serve you, Madam?" The store's staff had a raspy voice, almost inaudible, and wore a high dark dress. A dark cat with thick fur always followed closely behind her.

Agatha looked around, clearing her throat before speaking. "D-do you sell..." She was overwhelmed, her eyes widening as she spotted an inflated frog tied with a string. She almost froze in place when she saw a rope that, upon closer inspection, was actually made of white worms.

A shiver ran down Agatha's spine as a coldness enveloped her.

"What is it? Choose and tell me," the elderly lady with a crooked face approached, her presence carrying a scent of decay. Agatha stopped breathing for a few fatal seconds.

"I want to gift a Male Fae..." Agatha hesitated, unsure if it was the right decision to buy from this eerie shop. It seemed like there were no ordinary items suitable for a gift. She had initially wanted to give Liam something strange considering all he had done to them, but everything around her seemed bizarre.

"Come here," the elder lady gestured with her long, bony fingers, and Agatha followed, feeling as if she were being pulled against her own will.

As they walked along the narrow path, Agatha passed by many strange items. There were sparkling stones and skulls that appeared to move on their own as if they were alive.

They approached a shelf mounted on a wall, stuffed with numerous lethal weapons. Most of them were daggers with different types of handles. Agatha was particularly intrigued by one dagger with a handle made of Dragon's teeth.

"How much is that?" Agatha asked, pointing to the dagger with the Dragon's teeth handle.

The owner of the shop seemed delighted and replied, "Two drops of blood, Madam."

Agatha was momentarily stunned by what she heard. Did she hear correctly?

"What?" Agatha's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Two drops of blood," the woman repeated, her dark eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she looked at Agatha. She said it as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

In all her years at Primotheus Capital, Agatha had never encountered a currency like blood. Could this be real? It seemed too bizarre to believe.

"Blood?" Agatha asked again, seeking clarification.

The woman seemed unfazed by Agatha's bewilderment and simply resumed arranging the items on the shelf.

Feeling unsettled, Agatha took a step back, ready to leave. That's when she noticed a golden sign covered in dust. The cursive lettering was no longer visible, failing to catch anyone's attention.

Hidden Hollow Blood Exchange, it read.