The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 208: Miss Hedra

Vol 2 Chapter 208 Miss Hedra

The road paved with bluestone bricks had seen some years, with potholes and puddles of water after the rain.

A somewhat portly merchant wearing a brownish-yellow coat walked ahead, leading the way for Sylutia. He looked to be around fifty years old, his fingers somewhat thick, but his skin was still fairly ruddy.

"The house up ahead is the one, my daughter Hedra lives there."

Sylutia and Ailofeis followed behind him, crossing streets and alleys, then walking through the somewhat low and small wooden door.

The interior of the house was somewhat dim, the walls also a bit damp. After Sylutia entered, she heard a light coughing sound. Then the man pushed open the inner bedroom door and saw the black-haired girl lying on the sickbed.

She was around 19 years old, her face slightly pale. At this moment, she was covering her mouth with a handkerchief, her chest heaving and trembling slightly. Beneath the thin clothes, the outline of her bones was faintly visible.

Seeing her father bringing two people over, her gaze showed a hint of surprise, then she lowered her head, pressed both hands on the quilt, and remained silent.

Seeing this, the man's face showed shame. He went over to pour her some hot water, then asked about her condition today.

"Just go." She only said these three words, as if she had no strength or desire to say more.Seeing this, the man could only gently pat her shoulder and lead Sylutia and Ailofeis back out.

"Sorry, I've embarrassed myself in front of you." After coming out, he took a deep breath, then shook his head and began to explain.

"Hedra is indeed my daughter, but the time since we recognized each other has only been a few months."

"To speak of her background, I'm afraid I have to talk about the foolish things I did when I was young."

"About forty years ago, I was born in a village not far from here. Later, when I was around 17, I followed a fellow villager to this town to find work. That's when I met Hedra's mother."

"She was the daughter of a tailor in the town, very beautiful, and wore good clothes sewn by her family. She was the girl most liked by everyone in the town."

"Back then, I was just a helper in a tavern, loading and unloading goods every day. The work was very tiring, and the money I earned was barely enough to live on."

"After finishing work, a few helpers would also gather together, get some of the tavern's sour wine to drink, and pass the time."

"Back then, everyone would discuss which family's girl was the prettiest. Of course, the one mentioned most often was Hedra's mother, Vanessa."

"Vanessa was the tailor's daughter. She never worried about food or clothing since childhood, her fingers weren't rough and calloused like other girls', and she had long, jet-black hair."

"Back then, I also had a naive liking for her, just like many young men at the time. But I didn't think anything would happen between me and Vanessa because the gap in our status was too great."

"But accidents always happen. One night, after finishing work and preparing to go back, I heard struggling and cries coming from an alley, so I curiously went over."

"Then I saw a dark, burly man grabbing Vanessa, covering her mouth, preparing to assault her."

"At that moment, my head went hot, and I rushed forward, using a stone to smash the man's head, making it split open and bleed."

"Not long after, that man died, and Vanessa was also terrified and stunned."

"Fortunately, she later came to her senses, pulled me to find her father. After some maneuvering by her father, the matter was finally smoothed over. The man was announced by the security team as having fallen to his death while drunk."

"Because of this incident, Vanessa and I got to know each other, and our relationship progressed rapidly. Unfortunately, her father looked down on me back then, thinking Vanessa should marry into a better family."

"For this matter, I argued with her father several times. Then, unable to bear his father's mockery and also feeling that I really didn't have the capability, I later left this town disheartened."

"The events after that are relatively simple. I went to many places to find work and earn money. Later, I was fortunate to meet my future wife, got married, had children, and started a decent business, earning some family assets."

"This continued until a year ago. I occasionally returned to this town, wanting to see the people from back then. As a result, I found out that Vanessa was actually pregnant with my child back then. Unfortunately, I didn't know. Because of this, she was beaten and scolded by her father, her reputation was ruined, she never married, and later raised her daughter alone."

"After learning this news, I was filled with deep regret, wishing I had returned a few years earlier. Yet, I was still too late. Vanessa passed away two years ago, leaving only Hedra alone behind."

"I found her, told her I was her father, and would do everything to take care of her. But Hedra clearly had no feelings for me, this negligent father, and was unwilling."

"She is as stubborn and strong as her mother."

"But, due to years of poor nutrition, plus living in a bad environment, she contracted a lung disease. After I found a doctor to see her, he said it was already very late. Even using expensive medicine would only prolong her life, unable to cure it." As he spoke, he shook his head and sighed.

"After that, I searched everywhere for a solution, also asked some guild pharmacists and physicians. They said it would probably require a Third Tier or above targeted potion to cure the disease. I really couldn't find a way to purchase it, could only post it on the bounty board, hoping someone could help me."

After listening to his story, Sylutia also roughly understood the whole situation.

A Third Tier disease-curing potion would be easily obtainable for the Hidden Grove organization, but for ordinary people on the surface continent, it was a life-saving miracle medicine that couldn't be bought even with money.

In the following time, Ailofeis first comforted the man, then discussed the subsequent matters in detail with him. Relying on the bard's superb social skills, Ailofeas easily persuaded him to complete the subsequent tasks according to his requirements.

"We will help you treat Hedra and also find her a very safe and stable place to receive education and live in the future."

"But as a price, the name 'Hedra' will be temporarily borrowed for another person in the organization to use. I hope you can understand."

For the man who had already witnessed Ailofeis's extraordinary abilities, he had no room for doubt or refusal. He quickly agreed. Seeing this, Ailofeis smiled and nodded.

"Then next, it's about comforting the girl in the room. Let me handle this."

The three entered the room again, but this time Ailofeis was in front. He told Hedra many things by the sickbed, telling her the whole story of what happened back then, her father's fault, her mother's regrets, and her own future life, etc. He also used magic to show this black-haired girl firefly-dancing insects. They emitted different halos, flying around the room, weaving back and forth, even forming various interesting patterns, successfully making the girl laugh.

"Want to learn? Want to see that magical other world? I'll take you there." Ailofeis's voice was delicate and gentle, immersing the girl, who then smoothly nodded in agreement.

After completing the comforting, the three temporarily settled down in this town.

"Ya, for the next few days, you'll take care of Hedra. Talk to her more, she's also a kind-hearted girl."

"Okay." The girl nodded in agreement.

"During this time, you should also memorize the environment of this town and various details as much as possible. Later, you will take on Hedra's identity and go to the Mage Alliance."

"I understand."

In the following month, Sylutia accompanied Hedra to every corner of this town. The two chatted about their pasts, things they liked. Hedra told Sylutia about every person she knew here, and all the big and small things that had happened.

"The one I'm usually closest to is Jenny from the Amo family. She has chestnut-gold curly hair, really likes to eat fish. We used to study arithmetic together."

"But now she has moved with her parents to the nearby Pine Lake City. The environment there is better. She comes back once every month or two, then sees me once."

"My relationships with other people are relatively distant. If Ya lives as my identity, after a few years apart, it would be normal if they didn't recognize you. But Jenny knows me too well, probably can't hide it from her." Hedra had slowly come to know about the future arrangements.

"I'll be careful." Sylutia nodded.

But Hedra was indeed a very smart girl. Worried that this flaw might affect Sylutia's future mission, she told the girl another secret.

"If one day, you meet Jenny and she tries to expose you, tell her this secret. She will believe you and keep it confidential for you."

Slowly, with Sylutia's help, Hedra took the special potion for treating lung disease, and her body gradually improved. Her complexion also gradually returned to the rosy color of a normal person. Her previously thin, bone-showing physique also became much healthier now, able to run and jump a little.

Seeing the time was ripe, a carriage took Hedra away. She would follow Ailofeis to live in the Hidden Grove, while Sylutia would follow the merchant to the city 'Quebec' north of Meteorite Lake.

...

Several days later, the sea ship crossed the undulating sea surface of Meteorite Lake and arrived at the port on the shore.

With the merchant's support and guidance, Sylutia, wearing a black off-the-shoulder summer dress and a wide-brimmed sun hat, slowly disembarked from the sea ship.

Seagulls circled here, the dock was very lively, people were everywhere. The girl's nose could clearly smell the distinct fishy odor and the moist scent of seawater.

"This is Quebec, Hedra." The merchant looked up at the azure sky, then turned to welcome Sylutia.

"Yes, Uncle." Her current first public identity was the merchant's distant niece. Because both parents had died, she was taken in and cared for by her uncle, Alanfude Griffin, in Quebec where he lived.

After arriving in Quebec, a carriage soon came to pick up the two.

After getting into the carriage, Sylutia looked around, somewhat curious. Judging by the carriage's level of refinement, this 'Uncle Xu' in front of her should be quite wealthy.

Come to think of it, if he weren't wealthy enough, he probably couldn't send his 'niece' to study at the Mage Alliance.

'Quebec' was a major commercial port of the Merchant Capital Alliance located on the northwest shore of Meteorite Lake. Many ships came and went here. Moreover, Quebec was not far from the territory ruled by the Mage Alliance, being at the edge of the area controlled by the Hidden Grove.

Additionally, it should be noted that the 'Merchant Capital Alliance' was a large-scale force composed of numerous ports and cities along the shores of Meteorite Lake. Their strength was roughly equivalent to a kingdom, possessing much wealth. Meteorite Lake was nominally a lake, but was actually an inland sea in the southeast corner of the Fourth Continent, also the second largest inland sea on the continent. The first was the 'Ice Sea' in the north.

The carriage passed through the bustling and prosperous market. Sylutia's gaze looked through the curtain at the scenery outside.

The level of prosperity here was no less than White Cliff City, perhaps even more vibrant. The decoration styles of the shops and buildings along the street were also quite different from those in Regas.

White Cliff City, as the royal capital of Regas, had a faintly serious air of royal authority. Moreover, located in a relatively cold area, the architectural color tones seen were mostly 'white, blue, gray'. Quebec, as a seaside city, mostly used orange-yellow for roof tiles. The stone walls also had a faint pink hue from sea salt, the color tones soft and warm, matching the azure sea and sky, exceptionally comfortable.

Several minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a large mansion. Soon, the black iron gate slowly opened. The carriage continued inside, stopping only when it reached the main entrance of the mansion.

The butler inside the mansion came with several servants to welcome them. Alanfude got off the carriage first, then helped Sylutia slowly step out.

This black-haired girl immediately attracted the attention of the servants present. Faced with that beautiful appearance and delicate demeanor, those present couldn't help but take a few extra glances, some even becoming momentarily dazed.

"Ahem." The butler had to cough once to remind everyone, allowing the welcoming ceremony to continue.

"Master, you have returned." He placed his hand on his shoulder and bowed.

"Yes, I have returned." Alanfude looked at the mansion he hadn't seen for nearly a year, filled with many emotions.

"Hedra, this will be your home from now on." He turned around and told Sylutia, his expression just like when he looked at the sickly girl before, probably also thinking of his long-lost daughter.

"Yes, Uncle Alanfude." Sylutia bowed back with perfect etiquette.

Sylutia followed behind Alanfude, stepping into the mansion's front hall. Shortly after sitting down, she heard a set of angry-sounding high-heeled footsteps.

A noblewoman wearing a golden silk dress quickly arrived in the hall. Her gaze first swept over Alanfude, then quickly turned to Sylutia.

After examining Sylutia's appearance and clothing, she first frowned, then her eyes held a hint of resentment, looking back at Alanfude, as if questioning him. But after all, there were guests present, she still held back from immediately getting angry.

"Haier, this is my niece, Hedra. Her family suffered a misfortune, her relatives have passed away, so I brought her here. From now on, she will live with us." To prevent Sylutia's identity from being exposed as much as possible, Alanfude had to lie to his wife.

"Is that so?" The other party questioned once, but ultimately restrained herself.

Probably taking a few seconds for psychological preparation, this noblewoman smiled and walked towards Sylutia, welcoming her arrival.

"Is it niece Hedra? Hearing your news, I truly feel deep sympathy and regret. But don't worry, from now on you can live here at ease. Our home will also be your home." Although she resented her husband, thinking Hedra's identity was very problematic, she still didn't take it out on this girl.

Nighttime, the whole family gathered together for dinner. Alanfude sat at the head, his eldest son Ecor on his left, his wife Haier on his right. Then the second seat on the left was his daughter Eriel, and the second seat on the right was Hedra (Sylutia).

"Hedra, this is your cousin, Eriel." Sitting opposite the girl was a tall girl with big golden waves of hair. She was Alanfude and Haier's eldest daughter.

"Hello." Eriel greeted with an indifferent expression, seeming very unwelcoming of this girl.

"Also, sitting next to me is your cousin, Ecor." This young man's appearance was similar to Eriel's, but his expression wasn't as cold, slightly softer.

"Hello, Hedra."

"Finally, my wife. You can call her Aunt, or Aunt Haier."

"Aunt Haier." The girl slightly nodded to the noblewoman beside her.

"Regarding Hedra's situation, I've already told you. She suffered some misfortune, but fortunately has come to us. Eriel, Ecor, you can take more care of this younger sister in the future."

"Understood, Father." The two siblings nodded.

And so, in a somewhat unfamiliar and uneventful manner, Sylutia's first night in this new family passed with surface calm.