"We should stay home," Kara said while Belle and Violet squealed in delight. "Especially since it is the night of Yeltane!"
Kara was right. Mina knew it, but she hated seeing Ivy so sad. The only time Ivy liked a man, he thought he was less because of his lack of money and broke her heart.
Besides, they would have a quiet dinner at Oviella's Tavern, talk for a few minutes with Essy and Marti before returning home.
Mina pulled Kara to the side. "I know it is not the time to go to a tavern because it is not only the night of Yeltane but the night before King Baswein's funeral." She glanced over to where Ivy was. "Ivy has been a dear friend to me for many years, and I hate seeing her sad. If Aksel and the others can go get drunk and have a good time, then we can at least try to distract her. Even if for a few hours. Inoss knows I need some distraction myself. Besides, we won't be out for too long."
Kara sighed faintly. "Well, if it's just a simple dinner, I think we will be fine."
Around eight in the evening, a carriage stopped in front of Oviella's Tavern. Usually the port was full of life during dinner time, with small children running around or drunk sailors cursing for being kicked out of taverns for causing a racket. But on the evening of the Yeltane Festival, the port was quiet. There were a few shady figures drinking booze or talking quietly near the shadows, but none paid attention as three women and five children slipped inside the most famous tavern in the port.
During the evenings, Oviella's Tavern was always crowded and full of laughter. But not that evening. Sailors and a young sea captain occupied two joined tables. Essy was busy talking with Marti and did not notice Mina until she approached them.
While Mina went to speak with Essy and Marti, Ivy, Kara, and the children sat around a big table.
"Mina! Where have you been hiding?" Essy asked loudly, causing the sea captain to look over to where Mina was. When he realized nothing of interest was happening, his gaze lingered on the children before returning his attention to his men.
Mina sighed. "I had the most awful week. And now the King is dead."
Marti's face turned serious. "Are you alright?"
"Sad. Tired. Hungry. Is there any food for three hungry women and five children?" Mina asked Essy.
"I will bring something from the kitchen. But first, you have to tell me where your hunk of a husband is?" asked Essy. Mina wondered how Essy knew she had married Jayden, but then she remembered Jayden bought food from the tavern the day he left for Isyleon Island. She was sure Essy had asked Jayden about it. "Why didn't you invite us to the wedding?" Essy sounded hurt. "Marti hasn't drunk his rum!"
Mina knew Marti had been waiting for some time to drink the rum her parents had gifted him a year before their death. Marti had always said he will only drink it the day Mina got married. "I am sorry. It happened so fast that it did not give me time to invite anyone. And then my uncle happened." Marti clenched his jaw while he pretended to clean an already spotless glass. "Jayden has some business to take care of and will return in a few days," Mina replied to Essy's earlier question as she watched the sailors. For a moment, she thought the sea captain was studying the children from the corner of his eye, but he was busy playing cards with his men and seemed not to have noticed that a small group sat at a table nearby. "Could you bring us the food now? I would like to return home early and get some sleep before the funeral," Mina politely asked Essy.
Essy nodded before rushing to the kitchen.
"Are you safe?" Marti asked Mina after he made sure no one was listening to them.
Mina took out a sealed parchment from the inside of her cloak."Yes. This needs to get to him as soon as possible. How about that rum? Drink with me?"
Marti nodded as he took the parchment from Mina and shoved it into a pocket. "He is in town tonight. Navin contacted me on the day of your wedding, telling me he was worried about you." He put two clean glasses on the counter, opened the rum bottle, and filled the glasses. "Congratulations on your wedding! Finally, I can drink my rum!" he said and gave a glass to Mina before taking the other to his mouth, throwing his head back, and drinking all the liquid. "Navin was afraid you were forced into a marriage you did not want," Marti said as he refilled the glass.
Mina drank from her rum. Tears swelled up in her eyes, and her throat felt like it was on fire. She coughed a few times, and Marti grinned before drinking another glass. Mina decided that water was more than enough, and occasionally wine.
"Tell everyone I am fine and that I married Commander Jayden of my own free will." She chewed on her bottom lip. "I am leaving Athea, Marti, and I won't return. I wanted you to know. Tell the others too."
He almost choked on the rum. "What? When?"
"After the Litha Festival. My husband—he wants to move to Ora Dorei." Marti said nothing as he finished drinking his rum and cleaned the glass. "Marti! Say something!" Mina begged him after a minute of silence. Ivy stood, but Mina let her know everything was fine, and Ivy sat back on her chair, her brows knitted.
"What do you want me to say, Mina? We need you! You are the only one to have gained the trust of the bastards! If you leave, you put everything in jeopardy."
"What about Hugo? He can take my place!"
"Hugo is battling his own demons on top of doing his part. He already has more than enough on his plate."
Mina sighed. "I thought Hugo was better."
Marti shrugged his shoulders. "He goes over to the Red Lantern daily. I even heard he favors some of the women working there." Mina gritted her teeth. She needed to knock some sense into Hugo. "We need you, Mina. Think of what will happen if you leave!"
"This is not fair!" Mina muttered and went to the table.
She knew life was not fair, but she had given so much and asked for so little in return. Besides, it was not her battle. She did all she could to help, but it was time for her to live her life. She finally had a family, and the children lived with her. And then there was Jayden. After a long time of feeling sad and unwanted, he made her happy and cherished. He suffered for too long and ended up with a broken heart, and she had so much love to offer.
Essy brought a big tray filled with food and put it in the middle of the table. She served the children first before putting two big plates stuffed with meat, vegetables, and sauces in front of Ivy and Kara. Before leaving, Essy put another plate with food for Mina, a bottle of wine, and another one with apple juice on the table.
"Oviella says this is on the house and that she is sorry she can't come out to say hi, but she is busy baking pies for tomorrow," Essy said. She was about to add something else, but the sea captain called her to his table.
Mina sat between Ivy and Shin. Ivy leaned her head onto Mina's shoulder. "Everything alright?" Ivy whispered her question.
Mina squeezed Ivy's right hand. "I am moving to Ora Dorei soon." Ivy raised her head and looked at Mina, her blue eyes round with surprise. "I am sure Aksel is also coming."
Ivy huffed. "He can take a stroll inside the Labyrinth of the Cursed Prince."
Mina cracked a smile. "Then he will also be trapped for eternity! Or at least until a fair princess with a pure heart finds a way to break the curse."
"I don't care about Aksel. He is not the man I thought he was!" Ivy drank from her wine. "I might come with you to Ora Dorei. I heard the Archduke is looking for a wife."
Mina frowned. Everyone knew that Archduke Le Doux had never been married. "Isn't he a little too old for you?" she asked before taking a bite of her food.
"He is only forty-six," Ivy nonchalantly said.
"Only forty-six? He could be your father!" Mina protested.
"Well, he is not," huffed Ivy.
“But he could,” Mina teased, and Ivy decided to ignore her.
After dinner, Mina went to the kitchen to thank Oviella for the food. Mina hadn't seen Oviella for quite some time, and she missed the old woman.
Dough, flour, and other ingredients were on the large table in the kitchen while Oviella was taking pies out of the oven. Mina stopped in the middle of the kitchen and looked at Oviella. She shook her head at the old woman and tsked. "You should rest! At least tonight."
Oviella put the hot pies on the wooden surface close to the oven before cleaning her hands on her apron. "How am I to rest when you look so thin? What have you been eating since I last saw you? Only bread?" Mina snorted before going to Oviella and hugging her. "So, you are married now," said Oviella, and Mina nodded. "Is he taking care of you?"
"I am not a child to need a man to take care of me," said Mina as she pulled back and stared into Oviella's eyes.
"No matter how old you are, you are still Adinet and Emlya's little girl." Mina inhaled sharply when she heard the names of her parents, but Oviella didn't seem to notice. "And now, the King has died. I don't like it."
"Me neither," Mina confessed. "I am sure the Order had something to do with it. But Prince Liam said King Baswein was alone in his office when it happened."
Oviella. "The Order? Are you sure?"
"Rosalyn and my uncle are part of it." Mina had suspected it for some time but never had any proof until she heard them talking. "I was in the Palace when I overheard part of a discussion they were having."
"Then Prince Liam is in danger."
"I am afraid so. I gave Marti a parchment." She chewed her bottom lip. "I heard he is in town."
Oviella nodded. "He finally returned, but I am not sure how long he is staying. You should keep an eye on Prince Liam."
Mina shook her head. "I am sorry, Oviella, but I did all I could for Prince Liam. Rosalyn and my uncle have been awful since I got married. They even tried to annul my marriage and force me to marry Count Dickman. I am tired of fighting. It is time I get to live my life. To be happy. Is it too much to ask?"
Oviella grabbed Mina's left hand between hers. She looked at Mina's bracelet. "You love your husband." It was not a question. Mina said nothing. "I wish you all the happiness in the world, Mina!"
Mina kissed Oviella's cheek. "Thank you!"
"Let me pack some pies before you leave! And tell that husband of yours to stop starving you! I can count your ribs!"
The corners of Mina's mouth twitched.
Oviella packed a basket with food and two bottles of her best wine before asking Marti to call a carriage and helping Mina carry the basket. Half an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the house, and Shin took out the basket. Mina paid the coachman and rushed to unlock the door for Shin. She entered the foyer, and before she could register what was happening, a strong wind slammed the door in Shin's face.
"You are one hard woman to find," a man said in Mina's ear as he put a dagger at her neck and snaked an arm around her waist.
It was not the first time she had been in such a situation, and she knew what to do. "Don't hurt me!" she begged, trying to distract the attacker. She usually kept a dagger in her boots when going to the port, but since she married Jayden, she hid it in a dark corner of her wardrobe, not wanting to explain to Jayden why she needed to protect herself.
'How foolish of you, Mina!' she thought.
"If you do what I ask, I won't hurt you," the man hissed in Mina's ear.
"Anything!" she lied.
"Mina! I will go get help!" Shin yelled.
"Tell the bastard to open the door."
Mina almost rolled her eyes. "Shin, run!" she yelled as she elbowed the man as hard as she could in the stomach before smashing the heel of her boot on the top of his foot. The man groaned in pain, and the dagger fell from his hand before he released her. Mina thanked the Gods she had not been injured and rushed to the door, opened it, and almost tripped over the basket as she ran outside the house. Ivy had Belle in her arms while Kara held Violet and Landon's hands and ran down the street. Mina rushed after them.
The man let out a scream of frustration as he limped outside the house and searched for Mina with his gaze. Two men appeared behind him.
"The Commander's bitch is mine! You can have the other two women! But only after the little bastards are on the way to the Slave Market!" the man said to the two other men and kicked the basket.
"Let's go to the manor!" Shin said to Mina when she was running next to him. "We will be safe there!"