FOURTH DAY

After night fall, Ravea went to the village square. When she arrived, she sprayed her mat, set her basket of food beside her and started watching the river. Even though Jerome rarely talked to her, he did say a few words of the sorts: "Shut up please, get out of here, leave me alone." But today even after telling him about her day, he was completely quiet.

"Hey, are you sleeping?" She asked, but he didn't reply. At some point she started bringing along a really small candle, so she grabbed it, turned it on and faced it in his direction. "Ah!" She shrieked.

Jerome had reduced significantly. His once brown skin was now nearly pale grey, his bones stuck out visibly, his hair was tattered and dirty and his lips were like shriveled sponge.

Just then, she saw his lips move. It wasn't that significant but she could tell he was trying to say something. She moved closer to him and placed her ear close to his lips.

"Wa-ter, wa-ter", he said.

She took a step back and looked closely at his eyes. They were shut. "How thirsty could he be to mutter water in his sleep", She thought to herself. Then she picked up the jug of water that she had brought along with her and poured a little into a cup.

"I've already broken many laws by coming here every night and talking to him, one more wouldn't make any difference." She tilted his head up, squeezed his cheeks a little to force his mouth open, then poured the water into his mouth.

He coughed up the water instantly but his open mouth and heavy breathing suggested he wanted more either way, so she gave him more.

She spent the rest of the night giving him water to drink, that's all he seemed to want to do. She eventually ran out of water in her jug, so she ran down to the river to fetch more.

Before she left that night, it was almost dawn. But thankfully Jerome was conscious again.

FIFTH DAY

Ravea came with lots of food, water and even wine, although Jerome didn't want to eat all that much, which was really surprising for someone who looked like he was going to die if he didn't eat within the next minute.

But before she left early the next morning, he was able to talk again.

"You stupid wench", was the first thing he said.

SIXTH DAY

Ravea was preparing for her nightly escapades. She packed her lunch and breakfast into her basket. Then her mat. "I should probably ease up on the wine, father is beginning to suspect", She thought to herself.

Then suddenly her father walked into the room. She immediately flung her dress over the basket. "Father!!" She shrieked.

"Ravea, you're still awake?" Mr. Semira asked.

"Uhm yes, I am", she replied.

He looked at her dress laid down over something on her bed. "Are you going out?" He asked.

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"What? No! I mean yes, I mean not exactly", She took a deep breath, then, "I plan on going to the market early tomorrow to get some things in preparation for the festival", she lied.

Her father looked puzzled, "I think it's probably best that way. The market will be really filled up even before high noon." But he believed her. "I'm guessing that's the dress you're wearing to go."

"Uh, yes. It is", she replied.

"Well alright", he said then left.

"Pheew", she sighed in relief.

He came back in, "Wake me up when you're ready to go, I need to go see Mr. Dernewt tomorrow."

"Y-Yes, of course." She held unto her chest in fear that she might have had a slight heart attack.

She left the house as soon as she confirmed that her father was asleep.

She had formed a routine within the past few days. Once she came, she gave him water then waited for a while before she started feeding him fruits. Then she fed him her lunch and dinner. If there were remnants, she ate it. Then she gave him water again before leaving.

But today, she decided to add something else to the list. "Tch, you stink", she said to him. She went down to the river and fetched water in her jug then mixed in a little soap. She then poured it on him slowly while scrubbing his body with shrubs. Then she inevitably arrived at his undergarments.

"Should I wash this part too?" She asked awkwardly.

"I-I don't know, you're the one who insists on being a helper", Jerome replied shyly.

"I'll just look away", she said then began taking it off.

"W-What?! You're really going to wash it?!" Jerome asked in shock.

"What would you have me do? It's unhygienic to leave it unwashed in these conditions for long", she replied bashfully.

"W-Whatever", Jerome muttered.

Once his undergarments was completely off, she picked it up and threw it towards the river. Then she poured a little of the soapy water around his waist area.

Jerome moaned.

"Why are you moaning you stupid pervert?!!" Her face was glowing red.

"The water is cold!" He replied.

"You didn't complain about it before!"

"Well the area you're washing is different... And a lot more sensitive." He turned away from her.

"Aaah! Don't say sensitive!" Her hands were shaking.

"Alright I'm sorry, I'll shut up."

"Better." She turned off the candle, squeezed her eye shut then began washing.

When she was done, she left him naked and went home to get a change of undergarments. She stole one of her father's.

SEVENTH DAY

She got home early enough to wake her father up. Then laid down on her bed to rest before preparing for the day's work.

"Aren't you going to the market again?" He asked.

"No, I don't feel well, I think I'm going to be ill for a few days", she replied.

"What? Why? Are you okay?" He walked up to her and placed his hand on her head. "You're burning up. I'll send a maestro to see you while I'm out."

"No, that won't be necessary father. I'll be okay with a little rest", she replied . "Plus, I doubt we can afford it."

"Alright, I'll let your mother know", He said then left.

Mornings in the village started much like the nights ended, people were slow to appear just as they were slow to leave. But today was different, the sun was barely up and people had already begun moving about. Stalls were already open and people were patronizing them.

"The annual festival is just around the corner", Mr. Semira thought to himself, "I hope Mr. Dernewt is home today though."

He had grown tired of frequenting Mr. Dernewts house only to be then told that he was away. It made him anxious, but the gods seemed to have taken note of his weariness. He sighted Mr. Dernewt leaving a clothes merchant stall, so he ran over.

"Mr. Dernewt! Elder!!" Mr. Semira called after him.

Mr. Dernewt stopped and turned, "Mr. Semira, Good morning, it's a surprise seeing you here by this time", he said.

"Good morning, I was actually just on my way to your house", Mr. Semira replied.

"Oh, I apologize for my absence lately, you know the festival will soon be upon us. I've been busy with the preparations."

"No it's alright, I understand. I appreciate everything you and your fellow Elders do in service of the village, I'm sure everyone feels the same way. I just really needed to talk to you."

"About?"

"The land I purchased, I wanted to inquire, make sure there weren't any problems."

"Why would there be? It's not like your daughter falsely accused my son of rape or anything of the sorts." He took a step forward.

"What? Only the gods knows why but your son was honorable enough to admit it himself. He might not have had your humbleness but he did have your integrity", Mr. Semira replied.

"Yes, only the gods knows why he did such, but I can assure you it wasn't out of honor to bravely face the consequence of his crime, but rather out of utter foolishness to disgrace me his father." The smile on his face was now long gone. "The deal is off, I'll return your money first thing on the morrow morning."

"Mr. Dernewt let's not make any rash decisions. I know things are a bit shaky between both our families right now, but that shouldn't affect our agreement, right?" Mr. Semira pleaded.

"It shouldn't, but it did." Mr. Dernewt bluntly replied.