CH 161: Heading back to Restol

Another expense that Jasmine had to pay out of pocket for. The boys swarmed the shop that created the sweet treat, too excited to be controlled. Ursa tried her best, but couldn’t control them. The lady behind the counter was overwhelmed by the sheer number of kids, but she did her best to serve them.

Claire stood to the side, watching the boys taste the cold treat. Their laughter warmed the ache infecting her heart. She knew it was childish, she knew it wasn’t for long, but she felt like a piece of her was missing. It dampened the joyous mood the boys had. So, she kept her distance to preserve their joyful mood.

She wanted them to have their fun, their freedom. Things were going to get complicated from here, and they may even be separated. She hoped they didn’t. But it was a possibility that plagued her mind. They’ll have to see once they get to Restol.

Part of her hoped they’d find a way to keep them there.

But the logistics and risk that would bring her town was an issue. Lady Lloyd would want them, either for herself or to sell. And that would be even more traumatic, so Lady Efreit may be their one and only hope. She just needed to contact Alice.

“Miss Claire?” A hesitant whisper asked. Claire turned and found Ricky standing before her. He held out a bowl of ice cream, “Here.”

Claire blinked, losing her train of thought. “Thank you.”

Ricky smiled tentatively, “You looked sad…”

Claire sighed, giving him a small smile. “A bit. Hate being away from my… teammates.” She almost slipped and said lover.

“Aw,” Ricky frowned. “Hopefully she isn’t gone for long.”

“It shouldn’t be long,” Claire mumbled. “I’m just not good with separation…”

“Want to talk about it?” Ricky asked, sitting at the table next to her. “I’m willing to listen. “

“Ricky, that’s very kind of you,” Claire sighed. She sat next to the boy and hesitated. “But our focus should be on your issues, your trauma, not mine.”

“You saved us, it’s the least I can do.” He replied, scooting closer. His voice was firmer than before. “We’re safe now.”

“Maybe when we get to Restol, but not now,” Claire said, ruffling his hair. “Until then, my focus should be on all of you.”

“Hey!” He giggled, batting her hand away as he fixed his hair.

The boy’s reaction reminded her of Ryley for a moment. A warm sense of nostalgia poured into her as the boy complained and fixed his hair. She was reminded of how they used to get along, or when she would mess up his hair. That warmth slowly passed, replaced by another ache.

She let out another sigh before looking down at the bowl. She took a scoop and tasted the sweet treat. It was incredibly sweet and creamy. The vanilla overwhelmed her taste buds, distracting her from the ache in her chest.

Ricky smiled at her enjoying the ice cream, happy he could brighten her mood. They sat in silence as they finished the treat, the other boys excitedly doing the same. They were scattered throughout the shop, taking up all of the tables and seats. Jasmine paid the gal behind the counter extra, knowing she had to work.

She glanced at Claire, who finally had a smile on her face. She exhaled, thankful that Claire was smiling again. It was worth every bronze coin she had to spend today.

After several more stops for treats, they made it back to their carriages. Several days of riding still lay ahead of them. They left mid-afternoon, ready to get back to Restol. Ricky joined Claire in her driver’s seat, keeping her company.

Several other boys joined and left throughout the day, introducing themselves to Claire. She met and got to know most of them by the time the day was over. It was a rewarding experience getting to know them. Seeing the boys she helped rescue and getting to know them personally. Knowing that she was making a difference, especially for them.

Ricky stayed throughout the day. He explained to her that both Jasmine and Claire seemed very intimidating to them back with the goblins. It was why they were hesitant around the two.

“But what about Ursa?” Claire asked. She was confused how they’d find her intimidating but not the Ravian. “She’s far more intimidating than me.”

“To adults maybe,” Ricky clarified. He let out a yawn, reminding Claire of how late it was getting. “We saw bits of it during the campfire, but she was… soft?”

“Surprisingly warm?” Claire asked, reminiscing on her softer side.

Ricky nodded enthusiastically. He had a bright smile, “Yeah! Um, I think that nurturing is the right word.”

“Only towards kids,” Claire muttered under her breath. She remembered the state she left Lily in and how abrasive she could be.

“She seems to hate the other blond lady, Ana’s sister,” Ricky continued, not hearing Claire’s words. “She gets ‘prickly’ around her. That’s what the younger boys describe it as, at least.”

Claire could barely contain her laugh. “Yeah, they don’t get along very often. Honestly? It can be quite cute…”

Ricky tilted his head. He took a moment to think before giving a soft smile. “I-I think I get it. They’re both quite pretty…”

Claire glanced at the boy, who was looking towards the ground. The way he shifted and hid his face clued her into his thoughts. “They are very pretty. Almost too pretty”

“You’re also…” Ricky squirmed and went silent. He felt incredibly awkward being so close to the woman.

Claire smiled warmly, “Thank you.”

Ricky just nodded and hid his face with his hands. It was cute. Claire giggled. Another reminder of her brother’s actions. Ricky was only a bit older than Ryley was before they were separated.

“Um, I’m sorry…” Ricky whispered hesitantly. He parted his hands to look at Claire. “I-I wanted to say that for a while…”

“It’s okay,” Claire giggled. “Means I’m not that intimidating.”

“N-no, not like the lady with the grey eyes,” Ricky mumbled. He straightened up, recovering from his embarrassment. “She’s kind and bought so much for her, but she’s cold.”

“Jasmine,” Claire corrected him. She reflected on Jasmine and how she handled the kids. “She’s an assassin. It’s in their nature.”

“Cool,” Ricky muttered in awe. “She’s not very approachable… and scares the younger boys.”

“Makes sense,” Claire replied. “Probably reminds you of your captors.”

“A bit, but…” Ricky admitted. He couldn’t find the words to explain himself. “She went out of her way to save us and paid for our new clothes, too. Her gaze is the problem. It’s scary.”

Claire knew exactly what he meant. It reminded her of the days she was Jasmine’s student. Her serious gaze instilled fear within her for making mistakes. That cold gaze that used to send a shiver down her spine.

“She’s softer than you’d think,” Claire whispered. Jasmine, in the leading carriage, was pulling over, a sign that their day of driving was over. “She has a lot on her plate, being our veteran adventurer and mentor. There are several other factors that I’d rather not discuss with you, but her seriousness is for a reason. Maybe in Restol, you’ll see that softer side of her.”

Ricky tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. A smile grew on his face as Claire pulled in beside their personal carriage. “Miss Claire, are you in love with Jasmine?”

Claire nearly choked. She glanced at the boy, who was eagerly waiting for her reply. She exhaled softly while she thought of the best way to explain it. “It’s a bit more complicated than that…”

“Really? Seems like you’re torn between Jasmine and Lily,” Ricky said, rubbing his chin. “You were saddened by her departure, but you describe Jasmine in such a… like you’re in love with her.”

Claire laughed and patted him on the back. If only she could tell him about her party’s uniqueness and clear up the boy’s perception. But that’d make it far worse. “I am fond of all my party members.”

“So a harem?” Ricky asked, tilting his head. “I remember reading stories about adventurers with harems. Those were usually all boys, though.”

Claire could hardly contain her laughter as she landed on the ground. She offered her hand to the boy and guided him to the ground. “No, it’s not like that. And that’s the last I’ll speak of it with you.”

“Awww,” Ricky giggled. “I’ve been so curious about it ever since I noticed how you look at each other.”

He had a mischievous grin on his face. Claire patted his head and messed up his hair. The boy hastily fixed it, complaining to her. “I said enough of that.”