Chapter 95
They're cursed..... Cursed I say !!!
"Cursed children!"
The shriek tore through the calm evening air like a blade.
"What was that… they are cursed yes, they are cursed! Cursed children!"
What's going on !!
A few villagers paused at the edge of the muddy road, their baskets half-full of grain. Lanternlight flickered over their startled faces.
"Oi...What's up with him today?" one asked, blinking in confusion.
The man beside him shrugged. "I don't know… maybe the drink's got to his head again."
But the running figure didn't stop. He stumbled and gasped, mud splashing against his legs as he barreled through the narrow path.
"Ahhh .....they're cursed! The house of Kael is cursed! I must tell the village chief!"
He ran, breath rasping in ragged bursts.
Gasp—gasp—!
Stomp—stomp—stomp—!
The sound of frantic feet echoed against the earth until, at last, the man Hajime saw the tall gate that guarded the village chief's estate.
Cursed !!!
He staggered to the entrance. "Gasp! Gasp! I must speak to the Village Chief!" he screamed, his voice cracking.
Two armored guards turned toward him, spears crossing instantly. "What are you doing, you pest?!" one barked. "Get out of here are you mad?!"
Before Hajime could speak, a boot slammed into his chest. He fell, coughing, spitting dirt.
"Please!" he wheezed. "I must speak to him please, it's urgent!"
"Shut your mouth!" the second guard snarled. "Leave here, you fool!"
"I saw it!" Hajime cried, dragging himself forward on his knees. "You don't understand please the boy he's not normal!"
The guards exchanged uneasy glances.
"Enough," one growled. "You'll bring trouble on yourself."
But even as they shouted, a calm, commanding voice drifted from behind the doors.
"What's going on outside?"
The guards froze and straightened instantly.
From inside, a softer voice followed female, gentle but concerned.
"Dear, you need to check what's happening. It sounds serious."
"Yes," the man answered quietly. "I will."
The heavy doors creaked open, revealing the village chief, Tadashi, tall and composed in his indigo kimono. His brown hair shimmered faintly under torchlight, and his eyes sharp yet kind studied the chaos at his doorstep.
The guards bowed deeply. "My Lord!"
The villager on the ground lifted his head, tears mixing with mud. "Tadashi-sama! My Lord!"
Tadashi stepped closer, his sandals whispering against the wet stone. "What is going on here?" he asked evenly.
One guard spoke quickly, "He came running, screaming, demanding an audience with you!"
Tadashi tilted his head slightly. "Audience?" His tone carried mild amusement but also a warning.
"I'm sorry, my Lord," the other guard blurted. "I'll remove this pest immediately!"
"Ehh… no," Tadashi murmured, raising a hand. "It's all right. I'll handle this."
He walked forward until his shadow fell across Hajime. "Who are you?"
"Tadashi-sama!" Hajime gasped. "I'm Hajime from the east fields. I'm here to tell you something important!"
"And that is?" Tadashi's voice softened, but his eyes stayed keen.
"It's about the house of Kael," Hajime said. His voice trembled. "Something happened your Lordship, their son..."
Tadashi's eyes widened. A flash of recognition, then fear.
"Enough!" he snapped, louder than thunder. "I don't want to hear it!"
"But sir sir! Their son is—"
"Shut up!" Tadashi's voice cut like steel. "Leave here at once, or do you want to die tonight?"
"Guards!"
"Yes, my Lord!"
"Get rid of him!"
But Hajime didn't wait. The terror in Tadashi's voice sent him fleeing before the guards could move. He turned and ran faster than his legs could manage until his form disappeared into the dark streets.
Silence fell again. The guards exchanged worried looks, but Tadashi only sighed, lowering his shoulders.
"…Foolish man," he murmured. "Some things are better left untouched."
He turned and walked back through the doors. Inside, soft light and the smell of incense wrapped around him like warmth after a storm.
"Dear?" a gentle voice asked. "What happened out there?"
Tadashi smiled faintly at the sight of his wife, Miyara, seated beside a low table. Her hair, long and auburn, shimmered in the lamplight. She set her sewing aside as he entered.
"Nothing to worry about," Tadashi said, sitting down beside her. "Just a man with too much fear in his heart."
Miyara frowned slightly. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine," he assured, though his eyes drifted toward the flickering flames. "It's Kael I'm worried about."
"Kael-san?" she echoed softly.
He nodded. "I don't understand why they hate him so much. He's done nothing wrong. I'm sick of it, Miyara. He's my friend."
She touched his shoulder gently. "Then go see him. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Tadashi smiled for the first time that night, small and tired. "What would I do without you?"
"Literally nothing," she said, laughing softly.
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're right, as always."
The moon hung high above the sleeping village, pale and silent.
The cries and whispers of the day had faded, replaced by the gentle hum of crickets and the soft wind that brushed through the leaves.
Inside a small wooden home at the far edge of the village, Arin Kael stood quietly by two sleeping children. Their tiny breaths rose and fell in rhythm, their cheeks glowing softly in the moonlight that slipped through the window.
"Ahh… they're finally asleep," she whispered, smiling tenderly.
Her husband, Kael, chuckled behind her, leaning against the wall with arms crossed. "Yes, finally," he said with a mischievous grin. "Now it's time for ours."
Arin turned around sharply. "Time for… ours?"
Kael's grin widened. "You know…"
Before she could speak, his hands darted out, tickling her sides.
"Kael—! wait ..Stop it!" she squealed, laughter bursting from her lips as she tried to push him away. "You'll wake the boys!"
"Then we'll tickle them too!" Kael teased, dodging her swats.
"You're impossible!" Arin gasped, still laughing as she twisted free, her hair falling in waves over her face. "Kael, I swear I'll..!"
He laughed, softer now, and caught her gently by the waist, pulling her close.
The room went quiet for a moment only the sound of their breathing filled the space.
Arin looked up, eyes glistening with warmth.
"Even if the whole village hates us," she whispered, "we have them. That's all that matters."
Kael smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "Aye… that's all that matters."
But before either could say more, a sudden knock echoed from the door.
Knock. Knock.
The laughter died.
Arin blinked, turning toward the sound. "Kael…. are you expecting anyone?"
"Somebody? No." His smile faded.
The knock came again, louder this time.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Kael's eyes narrowed. He reached for the sword resting beside the wall its steel faintly reflecting the moonlight.
"Stay back," he said firmly.
Arin swallowed, nodding. She stepped between the children's bed and the door, her hands trembling slightly.
Kael moved to the entrance, his bare feet silent against the wooden floor. He called out, voice steady but edged with warning:
"Who's there?"
No answer.
Only the wind outside.
Kael's grip tightened. "I said who is there!"
Silence again… then another knock, slower this time, deliberate.
Kael's jaw clenched. He threw the latch open and swung the door wide sword raised and gleaming.
"Show yourself!" he shouted.
"Ehhhhhhhhh!" a voice screamed back.
Both froze.
Kael blinked. "Tadashi—?!"
The man standing in front of him flailed his hands in panic. "ehh are you stupid?! You want to kill me?!"
Kael lowered the blade instantly, eyes wide. "What the hell are you doing here, Tadashi?! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Tadashi straightened his robes, pretending to dust himself off. "Well maybe don't greet your village chief with a sword to the face!"
Arin peeked from behind Kael, half relieved and half amused. "Tadashi-sama?"
Tadashi pointed at Kael accusingly. "Your husband here tried to make me into sashimi!"
Kael sighed. "Then maybe next time knock like a human being!"
"I did!" Tadashi retorted, holding up his hand. "Three times!" Three times!!!!
Arin giggled quietly, covering her mouth. "You two never change."
Tadashi grinned suddenly, his earlier frustration fading. "Yoo!! Arin-san!!"