Chapter 11: Stay or Leave

Chapter 11

The dinner last night in the mansion was just normal and they just had little conversation with Lady Meredith.

The next day, Lord Thomas and Edward left the mansion early in the morning taking a carriage with them. Dan, the carriage driver, accompanied them to the forest entrance and will wait for them to return.

The father and son go deeper inside the forest, Edward taking the lead as his father follows him behind as they take the path to Valen's shack. They were lucky not to come across wild animals as they reach the big tree in the middle of the forest. Walking closer, Lord Thomas saw how poor the shack was built. It is somehow amusing that it was able to stand storms and snow.

Valen was already awake, she plans to make more medicines today to bring to the town tomorrow to heal the townspeople. She was eating her breakfast when she heard a knock on her door. Wide-eyed, she hurriedly grabs the vial and applies a small amount of oil in her hair, and then her hair begins to turn into soft honey blond ringlets. She grabs her cloak and puts it on, and then she hears another knock from the other side of the door.

"Who is it?" Valen asked though she already expects that probably it is Edward with Lord Thomas. Today is probably the day that she will leave her shack, but she does not like the thought of it. She just hopes that she can do something for her to stay.

"Valen, this is Edward and my father is with me. We would like to speak with you."

Just as Valen thought. She opens the door and there they are, the two gentlemen outside her shack. She removes her cloak and curtsies, and then invites them inside.

"Good day Lord Thomas, Edward. It is an honor to have you here in my humble shack. Please take a seat." She offers them the only two chairs that she has. Edward realizing that the chairs would not be enough for the three of them offers the chair to Valen.

"I will be fine Valen, you take a seat." Edward said. Valen realizing what Edward was thinking declined his offer.

"Please Edward, have a seat. Apologies I do not have enough chairs as I never had any guest here...well, unexpectedly aside from you, of course, Edward. I will just sit on the bed, please, be my guest."

Then Edward admits defeat and takes the seat. Valen prepares and offers them two cups of ceetone teas and takes a sit on her wooden bed.

"Thank you for the tea, Valen." Lord Thomas said while smelling the tea then takes a sip. "I have not tasted this tea before! This is a nice-tasting and soothing tea indeed. What is this tea?" Edward became curious at his father's remark and also takes his sip.

"Yes! I think this is the best tea I have ever drunk, even better than the ones we have in the mansion."

"Well, thank you. That is a tea from a ceetone leaves. It is a very rare plant that it was so unusual that I found it just near my shack. It is also good for our stomach, it helps in digestion. Glad you like it."

"Yes, we like it Valen. You really seem to know your plants. By the way, do you know the reason why we are here?" Lord Thomas asked her.

"I honestly have an idea, but I hope I am mistaken. What can I do for you Lord Thomas?"

"I will no longer beat around the bush. Edward informed me that he found out that you live here, how your situation is in here and of course your reason of staying. I do not have an idea how long you have been staying here and that you were able to be safe. However, after seeing the place you have been calling a home, now I can truly say that my decision is right. Valen, I want you to stay in the mansion."

Valen no longer surprised by this as she has already expected this to come. The shack she built really is not that too sturdy but it was able to stand storm, hail and snow, probably because she let it lean on the sturdy big tree. She wonders how she will be able to hide her identity if she's already living with others under the same roof.

"Lord Thomas, is that an order?" Valen courageously asked the first question that just popped on her head.

Lord Thomas and Edward chuckled. They never expected that question, but Lord Thomas still answered her.

"Apologies for how we reacted on your question, perhaps both Edward and I did not see that question coming. To answer your question, no, it is not really an order, but I insist for you to stay in the mansion."

Valen just sighed. She guessed there is no other way now, but she thought of another question.

"When should I start to pack my things and stay there?"

Edward was about to laugh by the oddness of her questions. It was too obvious that she does not really want to leave but it does also show on her face that she highly respects his father and cannot argue with him. He just answered her question.

"You will be coming with us now, once we return to the mansion Valen." Edward told her.

Now, Valen did not see that coming. Is she ready to leave her place too sudden? Perhaps not, she does not have a concrete plan to hide her black straight hair. She began to think and was in her own little world when Lord Thomas suddenly speaks.

"I understand this is too sudden Valen, but after I heard your situation from Edward, I know I cannot let you stay longer. I know you have been safe for years with those repelias, but for how long? I know you are different from those ladies of the ton that you were able to be on your own in the middle of the forest but you are still a lady. Living alone deep in the forest is not the place for you or for anyone. We can think of ways for you to gather ingredients, just tell us, we will find a way to help you, but please do not ask us to let you stay here."

The collection and gathering of ingredients is actually not too much of a problem if Valen leaves the place. Her only reason is her identity. She hopes that she can think of any other ways to hide it aside from wearing a cloak all throughout the day especially once all the oil has been used. Valen knows she does not have any choice. She knows that someday, she will have to leave the place and that sooner or later, her identity will be known. However, she still does not have any clue who killed her fellow healers so she will have to continue to keep her secret as much and as long as she can.

"I understand. I'll just pack the things that I wish to carry." Valen said as she can no longer argue.

Valen's mind is blank as she grabs the only two baskets she has and carefully places all her ingredients, medicines, as well as the two remaining vials.

"Anything I can help you with Valen?" Edward asked her offering his assistance.

"No, thank you Edward. I wish to do this on my own. I only have few things that I wish to bring with me anyway.

"Alright, just let me help you carry them later."

"Valen, I hope you will not mind me asking, have you lived here ever since? Why do you live alone, are your parents still alive, any siblings?" Lord Thomas asked. Valen does not want to lie so she answered him truthfully.

"Apologies Lord Thomas, I am not ready to tell my story yet. But what I can tell you is I no longer have any relatives."

"Please forgive me for asking." Lord Thomas deeply apologized.

The two men just watch her silently until she finished packing the things she wanted to bring with her. She also planted some repelias and ceetones on old pots. She looks around her shack, reminiscing the days she alone lived here; she knows that she will miss the place.

"Shall we leave?" Lord Thomas asked. Valen nodded and the two men grab her things, Edward carries the two baskets of medicines and ingredients, while Lord Thomas grabs the old bag with her clothes.

"Wait. I cannot let Your Highnesses carry my things." Valen halted them both.

"How do you suppose to carry all of these Valen? We also cannot let a lady carry all of these." Edward said.

"Edward's right Valen. We already have been just watching you packed your things. It is no big deal carrying them. We do not mind. Now let us go." Lord Thomas then goes outside the shack.

"Thank you." the only word Valen can utter. Valen closes the door behind and grabs the two pots with repelias and ceetones, and then she takes a one, not-the-last look at her shack.

=====================