Chapter 23: Market Square
The crowd parted just for Hazel, a treatment vastly different from how she had to squeeze her way in earlier. She curved the corners of her lips, obviously in a good mood.
Matilda followed behind her quietly as they left the training grounds and towards the end, Matilda kept glancing at Hazel, hesitating whether to speak or not.
At some point, Hazel noticed her odd actions and turned to her, “What do you have to ask me?” She asked softly.
Matilda lowered her head, hiding the complication and complex emotions in her eyes and when she raised her head again, she had regained her usual calmness.
“I was just curious, where did you learn to train like that?” She asked.
Hazel averted her gaze and replied calmly, “When I was young, my father had taken it upon himself to train me in combat. At four, I had already begun to use figurines to train and by the time I clocked fifteen, I had begun leading warriors to battle.”
Speaking of her father, a flash of sadness and melancholy flashed in Hazel's eyes.
She also did not tell Matilda that during the spar earlier, she had used a spell Lilith had taught her in the cell. The spell had increased her speed a little bit, but she had made sure not to make it obvious.
She still remembers Lilith’s warning after all.
Matilda glanced at Hazel and said nothing more.
Hazel glanced at Matilda and suggested skeptically, “It’s not too late. How about we visit the pack’s market square?”
To her surprise, Matilda nodded.
“But we will have to leave before dusk.” She added seriously,
It was the first time Hazel would be leaving the mansion, they left the mansion through a small iron gate. The guards situated at the entrance glanced at Hazel briefly and Matilda approached to whisper something into the ear of one of them.
“You must come back before dusk.” The guard said and Matilda nodded before leading Hazel out.
The air outside felt different. It was fresh, less suffocating and stifling.
Hazel stood still for a moment and took in a deep breath. Matilda walked beside her as they stepped into the stone road that led to the core of the pack.
Along the way and a few distance away from the mansion, Hazel saw rolls of wooden houses and huts lined beside each other, children ran barefoot with snots and dirt on their little faces.
Women hung their clothes outside, while a few walked in clusters with their water basins in their hold and some stood outside of their houses, weaving fabrics while chatting among themselves.
A few warriors patrolled lazily once in a while, but the atmosphere remained lively.
‘This is life, not the cold silence of the palace walls.’ Hazel muttered inwardly.
“The pack is not usually lively during the day because most of them would have left for work. It gets better in the evening.” Matilda, seeing Hazel’s interest, said.
Hazel was slightly surprised.
So, this was not considered lively?
Considering how ruthless and fierce Damien was, Hazel expected the pack to be filled with gloom and expected the people to leave in constant fear. But it was exactly the opposite and Hazel could not react for a while.
Soon, they arrived at the pack’s market square and Hazel was mesmerized.
The place was bustling with activity.
And there were so many people that all Hazel could see was a stream of heads.
“Be careful. There is a high chance of getting lost here.” Matilda said, sticking close to Hazel.
She slipped some coins into Hazel's hand, “Hold this, in case you have anything you want to buy.”
Hazel nodded absentmindedly, her bright eyes sweeping around the square.
Vendors shouted loudly, advertising their business and products which included raw meat of different animals, jewelries, overseas products, clothes, handmade furs, strange liquid sealed in bottles and so many more.
The mixture of smell assaulted Hazel's nose, but it did not make her disgusted.
“Buy your rabbit pelt of highest quality for three silver. No other vendor can sell at such a low price.”
“Buy your accessories. I have a new rouge from overseas, it will make our women look even better.”
“Fox meat, available at a discounted price.”
“I have tiger meat here. Treat your family to a tiger meat pepper soup.”
The air was filled with smoke and the sound of people bargaining and chatting in loud voices.
Hazel's eyes sparkled despite herself.
Actually, as a princess, she had never been allowed to visit such a place in fear that she would be ambushed. But here, she could look around freely, without fear of being suddenly attacked or the discomfort of being followed.
She slowed unconsciously, drawn to everything she saw.
A stall selling a wolf-shaped pendant caught her eyes. It reminded her of the wolf mask Damien would always wear and she pressed her lips together.
Why was she thinking of that man now of all times? She could not afford to ruin her mood with the thought of him.
She finally saw a stall selling dried fruits and her eyes lit up.
The stall was at the corner, so she did not bother telling Matilda and walked forward, rounding a corner before arriving in front of the stall.
Seeing a new customer, the stall owner, a middle-aged woman quickly introduced her goods. “Miss, we have hawthorn, candied honey, grape fruit candy and so many more. They are all five copper coins, which would you like?”
Hazel glanced at the varieties of candies and her mouth began to water. As someone with a sweet tooth, she wanted to have a taste of everything.
“Matilda, which one do you think I should get?” Hazel asked without turning around, unwilling to take her eyes off the candies even for a second.
She believed Matilda would give her better advice.
But, she got no reply.
“Matilda?”
Hazel raised her head and finally realized something.
She was alone, Matilda was not here.
She had gotten lost.