The huge bird got closer and closer. Its form appeared larger than a five story building she had seen in her previous life. Seeing its arrival, the carriages hurried to make way.
âLanding might be tough,â Feng thought as she watched the bird extend its huge, long legs. Its orange feet gently landed, not even rustling the trees next to it.
âWow, such a gentle and elegant landing,â Feng mentally clapped at this display.
Soon, the crane gently stretched its wings and sat down. The sunlight shone into his wings, creating a golden halo around it.
âThat looks beautiful,â Feng mumbled in awe.
âI can but it for you if you want....â Yubiri added instantly.
âDonât even think about it,ââ she coldly rejected him. Till now, the mage had been buying her too many things. Her room filled with clothes is an example. Nowadays she feared even expressing her like on things.
.....
Every time she uttered the keywords âbeautiful,â âniceâ or anything remotely positive about things the mage would offer to buy it for her.
At one point, it became too much for her to handle.
âWhat is he planning? Does he want something from me?â
A sudden suspicion rose in her mind. All her childhood, she had learnt that nothing comes for free. Especially from a stranger.
Even more suspicious was that the young mage postponed his work and offered to teach her about her time essence. âWhy would he have to do that? I know friend do things for each other but not to this extent,â
âHe must have something planned. I have to be vigilant. I have to protect the twins as well.â she pulled the young twins closer by looping their hands together.
The young mage looked disappointed but vaguely she saw a smile on the corner of his mouth.
âHe is smiling!!! Something is definitely fishy!!!â
The ship horned loudly as it lowered the ramps. The lower floors were sealed off to first let the higher floors to disembark.
It was the worst strategy to empty out of the ship but even so she understood why they did it.
The ship had a distinct hierarchy. The lower the one is, the lower their social standing is. Higher the one is higher their social standing is.
Just like that, the whole crowd that was waiting was also separated.
From the distance, she was only able to see the numerous carriages, but up close, she saw the crow do people waiting anxiously right behind the carriages. They were separated by a barricade.
âThis sucks. This place looks like a nightmare for those unfortunate,â
If the old lady hadnât taken them in, they would have become worse than any human.
They would have been the lowest of the hierarchy.
It was not necessarily a bad thing. But the future for such an occurrence would have been bleak.
They would have been sold as slave. The boys might have been sold to rich family as servants, but she... she would have had the worst fate.
Girls will most likely sold in ânight housesâ
Somehow, this brought a shiver down her spine.
Ethan suddenly held her hand softly. âAre you cold? Wait,â he pulled off his scarf and looped it around her neck. âIs that okay?â
The scarf almost covered all of her face. She lowered it a bit, covering her mouth. âHmm...â
Aiden, on the other hand, looked at her peculiarly. âDonât think too much Feng....â
As if guessing her thoughts, he gently hugged her. âWe have loved oneâs now,â he whispered softly into her ear.
Fengâs eyes started to tear up. âYes, we do.â She hugged them both tightly.
âYou guys ready,â lady Hiliana whispered, patting their backs.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Feng swiftly wiped her eyes clean. âHmm, we are... what about our baggage?â
âThe maids and butler will take care of things.â The top floors had already disembarked, and it was their turn.
The old lad led them all down the ramps and towards the huge crane.
People crowded around looking at them weirdly.
Some even mumbled. âThey came from the second floor. Why are they pulling such a silly stunt? Their ride is not even here, apparently.â
Feng glanced at them with a frown. âInside and outside the game, these yapping bastards wonât change,.â
They all stood by the crane.
The other spectators watched them with a loud burst of laughter.
Feng controlled their expression tightly. âUgh I hate humans...â
Suddenly the crane which looked half asleep lowered its wings.
The crowd silenced themselves.
The carrier above the crane opened up and a middle ages looking lady walked down each feather like they were actual steps.
Feng watched her curiously. She looked pretty similar to lady Hiliana. But this new lady looked way younger and more feminine. Lady Hiliana had broad shoulders while her sister had delicate looking shoulders.
The crowd that was silent till now started to murmur. âOh, my god is that lady Perlin!!â âItâs lady Perlin!!! She came to pick them up herself!! Who are they!!!â
Feng glanced back with a smug smile. âEh got you suckers... lady Perlin ah? Nice name.â
The young lady stopped in front of them with a wide smile on her face. âWelcome home sister.â
Lady Hiliana just smiled.
âPlease come aboard,â
With lady Perlin on lead, they all walked up the craneâs wings into the carrier up top.
As soon the as the doors closed behind them, lady Perlin threw herself onto her sister. âElder sister, I missed you so much~~~ why didnât you even contact me~ how can you be so mean?â she pounded her small fists onto her shoulders.
Lady Hiliana gently patted her head. âI was.....taking care of things,â
Lady Perlin sat up. âI heard about your daughter.... Iâm.. sorry.....â she silently cried onto her shoulders.
âItâs been long, my child. We... have learned to live our lives.â
Lady Perlin pulled away from her, sniffing and huffing. âWell, you were still mean keeping my grand niece and grand nephew away from me. Hello Elle, Alvin. How have you been?â
âWe have been great aunt,â Elle whispered with a distracted smile.
Lady Perlinâs sight went over to the four new faces. One looked about fifteen, while the other three were just kids. âYou must be Feng Mei Rofles my new niece?â
âyes...â Feng shyly looked at her.
âAww, so cute...â she gently held Fengâs hands.
Soon her wandering eyes lingered on the twins with a look of longing.
âYou guys must be Ethan and Aiden, right?â she softly approached them.
Ethan just blankly looked at her.
Aiden smiled sweetly and answered. âYes, lady Perlin. Itâs an honour to meet you,â
âNo no, the honour is mine,â
Lady Perlin hopefully looks at lady highland.
Feng noticed this with her hawk-like eyes. âweird...â