Chapter 90 Finally Showing The World

Just when Isaac had gotten used to the stares, avoidance, rude looks and gestures thrown their way when someone thought nobody was looking it happened.

“Let me go!” An older man yelled as a guard held him back from going after Lenna. “I will not stand here, while a dark skinned pointy eared, slaver bitch like that’s walkin’ the streets!”

Isaac had heard comments similar before but at least those were said under a person’s breath or when Isaac and Lenna were far enough away that one could assume they weren’t likely to hear. Isaac stopped and turned towards the commotion. He was about to take a step toward them when a hand fell on his shoulder. He turned to see Lenna looking at him with pleading eyes. “Please don’t.” She whispered.

Isaac’s eyes softened but his jaw set. “I’ve let the past thirty go. I’m running out of patience.”

Lenna sighed. “It’s not the worst said to me today.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” Isaac countered.

Lenna paused to pick her words. “I am a traitor for leaving my country, a liar for breaking my oath, a murderer for cutting down people of all races in service to my family. I’m a child of spider worshiping slavers, there is no reason to not expect me to be the same.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “Please, let them vent. Their words aren’t hurting anyone.”

Isaac stared into her eyes for a long moment before loosening his jaw. “I’ll… try.” Isaac promised.

Lenna gave him a smile that soon faded. She looked at the man that was still causing a scene. Her eyes grew sad and distant. “There’s no way to know if I’ve killed someone important to him.”

Isaac grabbed her hand and removed it from his shoulder gently. He put his hand on the back of her shoulder and guided her forwards. “No. There isn’t.” He told her. “But, even if you did, it’s no different from someone getting killed by a monster. This world is deadly. In the end, does it really matter who dealt the final blow?”

Lenna thought on his words as they walked. “It does to me.”

—

“Four skewers please.” Isaac said and placed four silver coins on the table set up in front of a grill being run by a middle aged woman. She had a sign that was simply a picture of a skewer with a silver coin painted next to it.

She looked up from her grill. A few slabs of meat, probably some kind of monster, hung behind her. “Just a…” Her voice trailed off as she saw Lenna. After the usual double and triple take her face turned sour. “Did the duke really let one of your kind wander around?”

Lenna shook her wrist with the bracelet bearing the symbol of the Kingdom of Altia on it. “Yes.” She replied kindly.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Isaac could only stare in awe at Lenna’s tone. Her patience was incredible. He had no idea how she could still be pleasant after the past hour. He did feel a little bad for making her go through it but mostly he was just angry at the people around them. He very nearly almost killed three people within the previous hour. Only one of them had come close enough that Lenna had to stop him.

The woman’s face didn’t lose its sour look but she saw the coins on the table. “Two more silver.” She told the pair.

Isaac gave an annoyed look. “That’s not what the sign says.”

“The sign’s not for drow.” She countered and flipped the skewers on her grill to keep them from burning.

Isaac reached out and took the silver coins back. “I’ll get us something at Celeste’s.” He told Lenna.

A disappointed look flashed across Lenna’s face for a brief moment before she schooled her expression. Isaac turned to leave and Lenna moved to follow.

“Wait.” The woman said. She sighed. “Fine. Four fer four.”

Isaac stopped. He looked over his shoulder at her. “Why?”

“No reason.” The woman snapped. “Do ya want them or not?”

Isaac shrugged and turned around. He set the coins on the table and the woman handed him the skewers. “Thank you.” Lenna told the woman and took a skewer from Isaac’s outstretched hand.

“Just make sure ya toss the sticks in the bin.” She grumbled without looking at Lenna.

Lenna smirked at the small victory. “Alright.”

After finishing their snack and depositing the sticks into said bin, Lenna gave the woman a smile. “They were delicious.” She told the woman.

“Uh-huh.” The woman replied.

“My Lord?” Lenna said to Isaac.

“Yes?” Isaac asked.

“Would it be possible to return to the inn?” Lenna requested. She was hoping to end their outing on a high note. A small victory was still a victory. She just hoped the places they frequented wouldn’t be too upset at the realization. Mostly she was thinking about Stan Ironeye, the smith. He was a dwarf after all and their people had never been on nonviolent terms.

“Sure.” Isaac replied with a smile. He recognized the victory almost as much as Lenna. “Want to walk back quietly?” He asked.

Lenna sighed in relief. “Yes, please.”

Isaac offered her his hand. She reached for it but hesitated for a moment. ‘Does he really want to hold my hand the whole way back?’ She thought. Isaac seemed to see the thought written on her face and smiled like an idiot. He grabbed her hand and made her disappear. He started leading her back by the hand like a lost child. As romantic as walking home together holding hands after a walk around town might sound, all romance was lost in the awkwardness and the childishness felt by Lenna.

Isaac had to focus his breathing to try to make his mana pool last as long as possible. They only had to stop once for him to rest. He had gotten some looks, most of them scowls, on the way back but his solo reception was far better than the one they had gotten when Lenna could be seen.

Arriving back at the Celestial Dawn Isaac dropped the invisibility and breathed heavily. “That, was difficult.” He said in between deep breaths. He was scraping the bottom of the bucket for the mana needed to cover the last two blocks.

“Thank you.” Lenna told him earnestly.

Isaac flashed her a smile. “Don’t thank me yet. You are walking in there without your helmet.” He told her and thumbed towards the entrance to the Celestial Dawn that was a few feet away.

Lenna’s heart sank. She swallowed and steeled herself once more like she had when they had originally set out. She walked in and got the door for Isaac.

“Thanks.” He told her and walked in like nothing was different. He walked up to the bar and took a seat.

Lenna followed him across the room and stood behind him and off to the side a little. Neither of them had even glanced at the rest of the room. Celeste turned from the person she had just finished pouring a drink for and saw Lenna standing there without her helmet on. Celeste gave her a warm smile. “Hello dear. What’ll it be?”

Lenna gave her a slight smile back. “The usual please.”

Celeste looked at Isaac and raised an eyebrow. “Me too.” He told her.

She nodded and got them a pair of apple cherry meads and some water. “Actually I have something special for you.” She said to Lenna after giving them their usual order.

“For, me?” Lenna questioned.

Celeste gave Lenna a big smile and pulled a bottle of wine out from behind the bar. She grabbed three small glasses and poured some in each. She picked up hers and held it in front of her. Isaac and Lenna did the same without even thinking about it. “Here’s to you finally showing the world your lovely face.” She toasted.

Isaac grinned. “Here here.” And clinked his glass against hers.

Lenna gave an awkward smile and Celeste and Isaac could see the blood rush to her face a little. She clinked her glass against theirs. She replied quietly, barely louder than a whisper. “Thanks.”