CHAPTER 9 – Velene's Totally Normal (Suspicious) Errand Day
Velene attempted to sneak out the side gate.
A guard spotted her crouching behind a bush.
"Lady Velene? Why are you… hiding?"
"I dropped something."
"In the bushes?"
"Yes."
"What did you drop?"
"…my dignity."
"Oh. Should I help?"
"No. Please let me suffer alone."
Velene hustled into the city.
I must find the disturbance before Kael does. If he uncovers anything… I'm doomed.
She passed a vendor selling dragon-shaped pastries.
The vendor waved. "Cute pastries, miss! They're shaped like dragons!"
Velene glared at the pastries.
The pastries glared back (in her mind).
"I am watching you," she whispered.
The vendor backed away.
Suddenly—
BUMP.
She walked straight into Kael.
"VELENE?! What are you doing here alone?"
She panicked. "I—I'm buying onions."
"You hate onions."
"I'm character-developing!"
Kael crossed his arms. "You're acting very suspicious."
"NO I'M NOT," Velene declared aggressively.
"Your cloak is smoking."
She looked down.
It was, in fact, smoking.
"I walked through… a spicy temperature pocket."
Kael sighed deeply. "Velene. Stop inventing weather."
Before she could respond, another tremor rolled through the ground.
Kael grabbed her hand immediately. "Stay close."
Velene nearly evaporated.
NOT THE HAND HOLDING. PLEASE GOD.
"I am trying not to combust," she whispered.
"…What?"
"NOTHING!"
[CHAPTER ENDS]