Chapter 28: When You Lie, You Smile More

Chapter 28: When You Lie, You Smile MoreLuke had been worried about her since the moment he met that suspicious man inquiring about her in the village. This grew into fear when he heard from his mother that Orian did not return last night.

"I spent the night in the forest. I went too deep inside to get important herbs," she replied nonchalantly.

"Seems like you used them to make liquor and drowned yourself in it," he commented as he clearly smelled a strong stench of beer from her.

She sighed inwardly as this guy had caught her lie. "Alright! I was tired and wanted to drink and have some fun with those women in the tavern. Is it wrong for me to do it? Isn’t every man like that? Though I am young, I am still a man and I have some needs just like you..."

His dark eyes were as quiet as a lake, merely staring at her making up excuses. Whether he believed her or not, no one could tell.

In the end, he simply said, "Wash up and get rid of this bad smell."

As a friend, Luke was not wrong to worry for her safety, but at the same time, he too knew Orian had his own thoughts and his own life. There was no need to meddle too much.

When Oriana walked inside their cabin, she found her grandfather still sleeping.

’Thank the spirits. Grandpa owns a good nose. If he had smelled this stench, he would have scolded me.’

She fetched a bucket of water from the river and returned home. After freshening up, she began to cook.

Their family of two shared a morning meal, and after clearing up the dishes, she confessed.

"Grandpa, tomorrow, I have to leave the Wimark Territory. I do not know how long I will be gone, but it may take me about one or two weeks."

"Two weeks?" the old man exclaimed.

"Yes, Grandpa, it’s important business. There are some precious herbs that I can get which do not grow in the North. When I sell them to the merchants in Jerusha, we will earn a lot. This way, I can also gather some of your medicine ingredients for a cheaper price."

"What are those herbs?"

Oriana dared not tell him the truth or she was worried the old man would never allow her. As her grandfather knew a lot about herbs, it was useless to lie to him.

"Grandpa, from what I heard there was some native grass in the South recently discovered to supplement health for the elderly. I only heard it from a passing merchant. Once I get more details, I will explain them to you. As a herbalist, it’s important for me to be updated with new discoveries and you know my dream is to be a good physician and use my knowledge to treat people. Don’t you, Grandpa?"

The old man didn’t reply for a while as he looked at the fruit in his hand which he was cutting for both of them.

"Grandpa?"

"Do you know when you lie, you smile more than you should, Oriana?"

Phil called her Oriana, not Ori.

The smile on her lips disappeared and guilt filled her eyes. "I am sorry, Grandpa."

There was silence for a while when she heard the old man continue, "I believe there is a good reason if you are lying to your grandpa."

Her eyes turned moist as she looked at the old man. "There is Grandpa. I want you to trust me."

The old man looked at her, "I trust you that you would not do anything wrong and would not put yourself in any trouble."

’Wanting to save my grandpa is not wrong. I only want to intercept and buy a small amount of black nightshade. Not like I am using it to harm people.’

"It’s nothing bad, Grandpa. And don’t worry, I will be fine."

"Two weeks at most?" he asked.

"Yes, Grandpa. Maybe I can come back earlier, or it might take more days as well. I hope you will take care of yourself till then. I will also tell Aunt Gwen..."

"Don’t bother the lady. I am not yet a useless fool for you to ask others to take care of me. I can take care of myself, Ori."

"Alright, Grandpa," she finally smiled, "and thank you so much for permitting me."

The old man chuckled lightly. "As if you would stop if I said so."

She giggled. "Grandpa knows me the best."

Feeling happy about getting permission from her grandfather, Oriana realized something.

’That pervert said he is a guest of the Duke. By the time I return, he might no longer be in Wimark. That is a blessing in disguise—he could go back to where he came from and find himself a local pretty boy from his hometown. Then, there will be no need for me and Grandpa to move to another village so soon.

’Since I will leave for that island tomorrow, then I need to get my knife within this day. But I do not want to see that pervert’s face anymore...’

Remembering their first encounter, she sighed.

"This time, I can enter the Wimark Estate openly. I wonder if they learn that I trespassed their lands multiple times and I once stabbed their guest, will they hang me to death right away?’

A shiver ran through her body.

’Let’s not think about it. I have to get my knife back. I can’t suffer another nightmare, especially not when I am away from home.’