Chapter 149 – Enthusiastic Welcome
Not too long after, I arrived at the village. I recognized the guards at the entrance but, contrary to usual, they didn’t let me enter.
“Stop. Your name was… Tila, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Where do you come from?”
“From Makji. I traveled there for one week for business.”
“Don’t lie. You escaped from Geola’s barricade, didn’t you?”
I smiled reassuringly while noticing that some bunnies had found out about my arrival and were approaching us.
“Of course not. You can ask the villagers, they know about my trip. That’s also why I haven’t been here for a week, even before the disease outbreak.”
I pointed to the bunnies behind them, and they turned around, wincing at the small species nodding in approval. The two guards frowned but didn’t hinder my path anymore.
“Fine. You can go in.”
“Thank you.”
I urged the horses forward but my carriage was immediately surrounded by bunnies of all ages as soon as I made it inside the village. I recognized a lot of them since they were the ones I usually greeted when I visited.
“Tila! It’s good to see you again.”
“How was your trip?”
“Do you have news from Makji?”
“Maybe from Geola, too?”
“We need the trade route to re-open!”
The tsunami of queries was too much but I tried my best to answer them.
“Mrs. Fitak, you’re looking as resplendent as always. It’s good to see you too. My trip was as fruitful as the fruit trees in your orchard, Mr. Nime. I do indeed have news from both Makji and Geola. I’ll gladly share everything I know with women as incredible as you, Mrs. Nime, Mrs. Caob.”
This made some of the villagers laugh.
“Haha, I don’t know why but I missed Tila’s random compliments.”
“I know. It almost feels like things are back to normal now.”
I chatted with the cheery locals as the fuss attracted more and more of them. Among those, I noticed three I was very familiar with. Kuini was rushing this way from the fields, followed behind by her two brothers. However, when she arrived, she felt a bit overwhelmed by the enthusiastic bunnies and didn’t seem to be able to say anything despite opening her mouth several times. Instead, I decided to come to her rescue.
“Kuini! Long time no see. You still look as superb as always.”
She turned her head away while blushing a little, her old habits not dying so easily. I stretched my arms her way.
“Climb up. We have the same destination.”
She visibly hesitated, looking around at the other bunnies with apprehension. Zoke and Tilen, who arrived behind her, didn’t have the same fears. They jumped into my arms without a second thought.
“Tila!”
“I missed you!”
I laughed happily while holding the two small bunnies, placing them next to me on the carriage's front seats.
“I missed you too!”
This sight made Kuini pout and she quickly extended her arms to be lifted to our level. I promptly did so and put her on my knees since there was no room on my sides anymore. Her face reddened again but she didn’t protest the treatment.
“…Me too.”
“Yes, I missed you too, Kuini.”
She gave a small grin and I addressed the other villagers.
“Let’s talk some more tomorrow, everyone. I’m a bit in a rush today. I woke up too late this morning.”
They looked truly disappointed.
“We only talked for a few minutes!”
“News from Geola…”
“I wanted to invite you for some snacks at my place...”
I gave an apologetic smile while moving the carriage forward.
“I’ll try to come earlier tomorrow. We can chat some more then.”
They nodded and cleared the way, finally allowing us to head toward our destination. A couple of minutes later, we were there. Waja heard the carriage noise and opened the door while the two boys jumped off.
“Tila! I’m so glad nothing happened to you.”
“Hello, ma’am. I’m happy everyone’s in good health too.”
She smiled and turned to her boys next.
“Can you go call Dad, my dears?”
“Yes!”
The two of them rushed toward the fields as if it were a race while Kuini noticed her muddy working clothes had stained mine. She whispered in a panic.
“Ah! I’m sorry, my Lord! I dirtied your clothes!”
“Don’t worry about it. Clothes are made to be dirtied and washed.”
“My Lord…”
It felt like my words were a bit strange to her but I couldn’t guess why. It was only some common sense, especially for someone like her who often worked in the fields.
I was invited inside the house. Waja and Kuini prepared an early second meal while I was made to sit at the table. I tried to offer to help them but was gently refused by Waja on one side and a shocked Kuini on the other side, who shook her head violently as if she couldn’t accept such a happening at all. Instead, she wetted a piece of cloth to try to remove the strains from my pants, even though I told her it didn’t matter.
Zay and the kids soon arrived. I took the opportunity to hand everybody some presents from Makji before the discussion started while eating a delicious, freshly cooked meal. We shared the news on both sides, which allowed me to understand their situation better.
“It’s no wonder. I saw the quarantine when I came back from Makji. There are soldiers all around the city. No one can leave or enter without permission.”
“Do you know anything about the government taking over trade with us?”
“Sorry, but no. I think they’re mostly focused on helping sick people and finding a cure right now.”
“I see. What about you, Tila? It’s nice of you to visit us but what are your plans?”
“I still want to buy from you as before.”
“Huh? Why? Who would you sell it to?”
“I know some people who’ll buy from me.”
“Really? Who are they? People from Makji, maybe?”
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