The Beauty And The Wolf - Chapter 107

~Portwell Mansion~

The next day, after lunch.

Amber was getting ready for her trip to the public market with her aunt. She’s getting excited because it will be the first time she will see many people and places outside the Portwell Mansion.

She’s looking forward to this new experience. She was hoping that her aunt would bring her at least once a week in the market, she would appreciate it very much.

The only way to convince her aunt that she’s a good companion, she will follow everything that she will tell her, this way she can demonstrate her obedience and that would please her aunt immensely. She might get lucky and accompany her aunt again during one of her visits to the market in the succeeding weeks and months.

Fifteen minutes later.

The door was opened by Cornelia, she’s already wearing her casual outfit for today’s trip to the market.

“Are you ready?” Cornelia asked.

“Yes!” Amber replied cheerfully.

“Alright, let’s go!” Cornelia said and exited the room.

Amber rushed to her aunt’s side as they walked in the hallway and finally went down the staircase.

They left the house and boarded the carriage that was waiting for them in front of the house.

A few minutes later.

The carriage was already moving out of the iron gate and proceed to the main road, heading to the public market. The entire journey will last for half an hour.

Amber was enjoying the outside view through the window. She looked at her companion. “Aunt, what will I do in the market?” she asked.

“You will hold the basket for me while we go around the market to buy stuff. So, I expect that you will behave. And don’t leave my side even for a few seconds! You might get lost there and I might not be able to find you,” Cornelia warned her sternly.

“Got it, Aunt! I won’t leave your side for sure!” Amber stated.

“Good!” Cornelia said.

Silence engulfed the carriage.

Amber was having a good time looking at the scenic view outside.

Half an hour later.

They finally reached their destination.

The driver parked the carriage in the area designated for horse-drawn vehicles.

The women exited the carriage, carrying their basket in their hands.

Amber was amazed because many people are milling outside and inside the market. The place was flooded with sellers displaying their wares and buyers looking for something to buy.

Amber was smiling broadly behind her face mask.

And the nice thing about the people here, they weren’t paying any attention to her, not caring if she was wearing a face mask. Several people are also wearing wide hats on their heads due to the sweltering heat of the sun in the sky above.

She likes it that people don’t care about her face mask. Unlike in the mansion, the people there would stare at her and sometimes she felt like they’re wanting to remove the mask on her face just to get a glimpse of what she’s hiding behind the mask.

Well, she can’t blame them, they must be very curious about her true condition.

She shifted her attention back to her surroundings.

There are so many stalls selling food and stuff everywhere and for Amber, it’s a welcome change from her so quiet room.

Cornelia and Amber began filling their basket with chicken and pork meat, fish, and other stuff needed for making food preparations. They didn’t buy vegetables because the Portwell mansion has a vast garden that’s producing abundant fresh vegetables all year round.

Two hours later.

After they finish their business in the market they bought pastries in the bakery and went back to the carriage. They give the driver some snacks as well.

After they finished eating their snack, they start their journey back to the Portwell Mansion.

They reached the mansion before the evening arrives.

The driver delivered the basket to the kitchen.

The women went inside the house, climbed the stairs, and proceed to their rooms on the second floor to change into their home clothes.

Amber was sitting on the chair, recalling the happy event earlier when she was out there in the public market surrounded by many people, it’s truly a very liberating experience for her.

But she was also aware that once she remove her mask, people will get scared of her appearance.

Her trip to the market is a temporary relief but she’s happy nonetheless. She would love to repeat the same experience as many times as possible if she’s given a chance next time.

She rose to her feet and went to the window, looking at the view outside.

Her gaze fixated on the wooded area of the property. She was looking for Ivy, the talking bird.

She can’t see the bird. It must be out there somewhere doing its thing.

Feeling sleepy, she left the window and lay in bed, staring at the ceiling for a few minutes until her eyelids drop and finally she had fallen asleep.

Amber woke up one hour later, just in time for her aunt’s arrival, bringing her food for dinner.

She looked at her aunt, busy putting the food on the table. She helped her. “Aunt, thank you so much for bringing me to the market today. I enjoyed it so much. I hope you will bring me along with you next week during your trip to the market,” she said earnestly.

Cornelia smiled. “No problem. Since you exhibited good behavior in the market today… I would bring you along with me next week,” she replied.

“Thank you so much, Aunt! I’m so happy right now!” Amber gushes, smiling brightly.

“Alright, eat your dinner now. I’ll come back later to get the tray,” Cornelia said and left the room.

Amber sat on the chair and began eating her meal.

A moment later.

She heard the familiar chirping of the bird, when she turned around to look at the widow, she saw Ivy the bird!

She smiled brightly and went to the window. “Hello Ivy, I’m currently eating dinner. Would you like to eat with me? I will share you some of my food,” she offered.

The bird nodded her head. “Wow, nice! I love eating delicious food! Give me some!”

“Okay,” Amber smiled, she picked up the bird and brought it to the table.

Amber resumed eating, sharing some of her food with the bird.

After they finished eating.

“Thank you for sharing your food with me!” Ivy the bird said.

“Don’t mention it! You’re always welcome to enter my room and eat with me,” Amber responded.

“You’re so nice! I like you so much!” Ivy gushes.

“I like you too!” Amber smiled and patted the bird’s back. “Where do you live? Where is your home?” she asked.

“Secret!” Ivy replied. “But if you’re willing to go with me, I’ll bring you to my home,” she offered.

Amber smiled and shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I’ can’t leave this room. My aunt will get mad if I leave this room,” she replied.

“But why?” the bird asked.

“Because of my hideous face, people will get scared of my appearance. They might hurt me and call me a monster and burn me alive on the cross!” Amber answered sadly.

“Oh, sorry to hear that…” the bird said.

Amber sighed.

“Um, friend, promise me that you won’t tell anyone that I’m a talking bird, okay?” Ivy requested.

“Why?”

“Because those people will catch me. They will make me their pet and imprison me in a cage. I don’t like that scenario! I want to roam the sky freely anytime I want. I don’t want to be anybody’s pet!” Ivy said.

Amber smiled. “I got it! Don’t worry, no one will know that you’re a talking bird, it’s our little secret!”

“Thank you, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll visit you later,” Ivy said and flew towards the window.

Amber watched the bird fly towards the wooded area and disappear from her sight. She returned to the bed and resumed reading the book that she started reading the other day.

~~~0~~~

~Hillsraine Grove~

Two days later.

The day has finally come that Leera has to bring her husband to her room upstairs in the house. She can no longer hide him in the basement because he began asking questions about why they can’t be together every minute of the day.

Inside the basement.

Leera opened the door of the room and Allan was already waiting for her. “Husband, you can finally leave this room. And from now on, you will live with me in my room upstairs,” she said.

Allan smiled and went to her side. “I’m so happy to hear that!” he spoke animatedly.

“Alright, let’s go now to my room upstairs,” Leera said.

“Okay,” Allan said excitedly.

The couple left the basement holding each other’s hands.

A few minutes later, they finally arrived at Leera’s room on the second floor of the mansion.

“This is our room husband,” Leera told him.

“It’s nice!” Allan said, walking towards the window. He scanned the vast property. “Can I also roam outside and explore the whole place?” he asked.

Leera smiled. “Sure! I’ll take you on a short tour around the property later. The best time to explore the property is during late afternoon when the world is preparing for sunset. The sun is no longer present in the sky and the wind is cool to the skin,” she explained.

“Okay,” Allan replied.

“For now, I’ll give you a tour of the whole mansion,” Leera said.

Allan looked at his wife and smiled broadly. “That’s nice!”

“Let’s go!” Leera said and intertwined her hand with his.

The couple left the bedroom and explored the second floor of the house. Next, they went downstairs and resumed their tour.

After a few minutes of touring the whole mansion, they retreated into the garden and relaxes inside the gazebo.

A servant brought their refreshment.

The couple enjoyed the colorful flowers in the garden and the company of each other.

Two hours later.

Leera and Allan boarded the carriage that will give them a tour of the entire 30-hectare property.

Allan was enjoying the tour together with his wife in the carriage. Then he noticed the construction going on around the different areas of the property. He looked at his wife. “What are those construction for?” he asked curiously.

“They will build houses for my cousins. When their houses are already built, you and I, together with Dolores will stay in the mansion, the rest will relocate to their newly built houses,” Leera explained.

“Ah, okay…” Allan murmured.

“Why? Do you want a new house for us? I will instruct the men to built us a beautiful home for us,” Leera offered.

Allan shook his head. “No need. The mansion is already big enough for the three of us,” he declined his wife’s offer and draped his arm around her shoulder lovingly.

After they finished their tour… Leera gathered the women and their husbands in the living room and introduced her husband to them all.

Allan was received warmly by the women along with their husbands.

That night… they shared a sumptuous feast in the dining hall with the others to celebrate the night and the wonderful company of each other.

Done socializing with the other people of the mansion, Leera and Allan retired to their rooms upstairs and make love all night long.