On the first cockcrow, Lady Ursula woke Jerome up. She covered herself with a dark cloak and wore a cheap sandal that paled in comparison to the ones she wore for leisure at home.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Jerome asked rubbing his eyes. The dark circles and bags beneath them had increased.

"I can't afford to let anyone see me", she replied. She picked up a pouch about the size of a regular purse and handed it to Jerome, "Here."

He tried taking it with one hand but immediately grasped unto it with his second hand after realizing that the pouch was much heavier than it looked. "What's inside this thing?"

"Your ticket out of here", she replied and left for the main door.

"Ticket?" Jerome thought. He tentatively opened the pouch while checking if Lady Ursula was watching. Shockingly, it was filled to the brim with gold and silver coins. "By the gods!" He was in awe, as he had never seen that much gold and silver coins together in one place. It made him wonder, for a while, just how rich Peter was if a financially strained Lady Ursula could have that much money to spare.

He tied the pouch back and hurried after Lady Ursula.

She was already outside waiting for him so they headed off immediately. The sun was yet to rise by then and the moon hadn't completely disappeared, it was its dim light that illuminated the surrounding area.

Jerome looked back at the house and asked, "Don't you think it'd be wise to lock the door?"

"There's no need to do so, some of my maids are there." Lady Ursula replied without looking back.

"Oh, when did they return?"

"Late last night, they said the Head maid dismissed them for the evening."

"Something tells me you didn't tell her to do so."

"Well that something is correct, I didn't."

"So where is she now? Did she return as well?" Jerome stretched his arms out sideways and yawned.

"No. Now shut up, the quicker we get there, the better." She said then started walking swiftly while Jerome followed behind her.

As they walked hurriedly through the market, there were only a few stalls open by then, but there was no one attending to them. Suddenly, Lady Ursula stopped by an alley and pointed at an inn in the distance and said, "That's our destination."

Jerome squinted, "That's the Semira inn!"

"I'm aware, that's where we'll find the Burrow-Boy", she replied instantly, then glanced at Jerome. "Don't tell me you aren't in good terms with your in-laws."

"Well, we aren't exactly in bad terms either." Jerome avoided her eyes. "I mean they think I raped their daughter, why would we be?"

"They think?"

Jerome panicked. "My mistake, they know I raped their daughter, it's only fair if I get ostracized a bit." He corrected himself immediately.

"Hmph", she didn't buy it. Meanwhile, someone came out of the inn and started sweeping the areas around it. "That must be your sister-in-law, go say hello." Lady Ursula pushed him out towards the inn.

He tried rushing back to the alley but it was too late, Rima had already seen him. "Who's there?!" She asked immediately, holding the broom tightly on one end.

"Ah, ha ha, I--It's just me, Jerome." He chuckled awkwardly as he walked towards her.

"Jerome?" She peered closer then sighed. "Are you a crook? What're you doing out here this early in the morning?"

"Uh--Uhm"

"Don't worry I understand. Anyways, you don't have to worry about her, my mum went to bring her over. They'll be here before daybreak."

"You know?"

"Yes, your mother sent a messenger to tell us."

"Oh."

"She's a very nice woman, your mother. I don't know why none of that goodness rubbed off on you." She hit Jerome with the broom which was still clenched tightly in her hands.

"Ow! Stop that!" He protested.

She kept hitting him while he blocked with his arm. "By the way where have you been? You suddenly disappeared yesterday. Everyone's been looking for you."

Jerome wondered if he should tell her, besides she was family now, she'd probably understand and support him. "Is your father around?" He asked.

"Answer my question first", she hit him lightly with the broom.

He lept back a bit, "I will, I will. But I'd like your father to be there as well."

"Hmph, he's inside. Follow me", she said then led the way.

Jerome turned and looked at the alley, Lady Ursula urged him to follow her. He smiled and rushed in.

Mr. Semira was having an early morning drink. He sat on a chair at the far edge of the room with filled kegs of Palmwine around him.

"Rima, who were you talking to?" He asked, his head bent and focused on the cup of palmwine he had just poured.

"Father! I told you to stop this! You can't keep drinking palmwine this early in the morning!"

"This is the only thing that can bring me peace of mind now that my daughter is in that man's house. Besides, I'm only tasting them to see if they're of good quality, it's for the sake of the business, here have some." He looked up and stretched his hand out.

Rima stood there, arms akimbo with a frown on her face. He tilted his head and looked behind her. He was immediately stunned but, somehow, the alcohol didn't let it show.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"Good morning sir", Jerome bowed and greeted.

"What's so good about this morning?" Mr. Semira retorted.

"Uh--Uhm"

"Because of you, for the past few years my daughter has faced one misfortune or the other. First she had to marry the man that despicably took away her dignity, then her child gets chosen as a tribute, and now she'll most probably be incapable of ever giving birth again after this one delivery. All this started happening to her the day she met you! You over pampered curse!" Mr. Semira clenched tightly unto the cup. So tight that his hand began to shake. "What're you doing here?!"

Jerome didn't have the heart to speak anymore, because on second thought, Mr. Semira wasn't so wrong after all, all those misfortunes wouldn't have happened to Ravea if he had never met her. It was probably his fault.

"It's not his fault!" Rima shot back.

"Huh?!" Jerome and Mr. Semira gasped in unison.

Rima forcefully walked forward, grabbed Jerome by the arm and pulled him. "Look at him! He's scared, pathetic and weak! Do you think such a man would have the guts to rape your daughter?!"

Both men gasped again.

Mr. Semira took another long hard look at him. "It's always the weak looking ones that are the most dangerous."

"Yes but--Ugh! Ask yourself father, if Ravea really didn't like him and his company, why wasn't she always running back home?"

"He would've stopped her!"

"Why wasn't she always complaining?!"

"He must've threatened her in private!"

"And you really think Ravea is the type to fear a threat from such a man?!"

Both father and daughter were breathing heavily. Mr. Semira picked up the cup and emptied it, then started walking inside.

"Why won't you let yourself believe that this man is innocent?!" Rima asked.

"Because then it'd imply that Ravea wrongfully accused him! And Ravea isn't capable of doing such!" Mr. Semira turned around violently and replied.

"She's capable of doing such! She is! She's capable of lying, stealing, defrauding and much more!"

"Why would you say such about your sister?!"

"Because I'm capable of doing it too!" Rima sighed and began to calm down, "She and I, we did it all the time."

"You can't be serious."

"I am. Ravea stole his father's pouch when he came here to celebrate with you that day. Apparently Jerome was sent to come pay for the drinks and food that Mr. Dernewt ate while he was here but Ravea stole it from him as well with the help of Hopas, then accused him of raping her."

Mr. Semira looked at Jerome, then looked at Rima with absolute shock in his eyes. "But he confessed to raping her! He said so himself!"

"So Ravea won't be punished. You know very well what would've happened to our family if he had so much as pointed a finger at us. We'd be finished."

Mr. Semira fell on a chair and stared into space. He couldn't deny it anymore, he remembered that day very well and the events that ensued as well. It all added up. It was the truth. He looked at Jerome and his heart grew heavy. Where was he supposed to start from now, after he just finished humiliating the young man.

"I do want to apologize sir", Jerome said, cutting straight into Mr. Semira's thoughts. "Some of what you said is the truth, Ravea might not be suffering all this now if it weren't for me. So I'm sorry for causing your beloved daughter so much pain. But I do plan to make up for it."

"Eh?" Rima was confused.

"How?" Mr Semira asked.

"She and I will be deserting the village today. That was actually my main reason for coming here so suddenly." Jerome replied.

"What?! Are you insane?!" Mr. Semira asked rhetorically.

But Jerome answered, "Probably sir."

Mr. Semira sighed, "And Ravea, she's really okay with this?"

That was when it occurred to Jerome that he was yet to even tell Ravea about his whole plan. "She will be." He replied.

"You haven't told her?!"

"Why would you make such a big decision on your own without at least asking her about it?!" Rima was incredibly shocked as well.

"Because we don't have time to spare. I'm sorry. But don't worry, I'll tell her." He turned and was about hurrying out when a tall familiar figure blocked him by the doorway.

"Ah! Don't you think it's a bit too early to be here? Eh, Hopas?!" Rima asked irritated.

"Hey don't blame me, someone invited me here", He replied, then he turned and looked at Jerome. His eyes narrowed with obvious hostility.

"Who?" Rima asked.

Hopas sighed and looked outside, "Tch, are you coming in here or not? I have places I ought to be."

Lady Ursula calmly walked into the inn and took off her cloak. Both Rima and her father gasped in shock. "Lady Ursula?!"

"What're you doing here by this time?" Mr. Semira asked agitated.

"Can I sit first?" Lady Ursula asked in courtesy.

"Of course sit, please." Mr. Semira affirmed immediately.

Lady Ursula sat down. "Can you close the inn for the time being? I can't risk anyone seeing me. Please."

They were in awe. "Of course." Mr. Semira looked over at Rima who immediately went and locked the door.

"Turn off the lights as well." Lady Ursula added.

Mr. Semira and Rima went around blowing out the candles and lanterns. When they were done, it was just the ambient light from the rising orange sun outside that illuminated the room.

"Is this good?" Mr Semira asked.

"Indeed. Thank you."

They were all shocked again.

"Now let us get straight to business." She started. "But before you sit-", she looked at Mr. Semira, Rima, Hopas and Jerome. "-I need you to know that what we're about to discuss is highly dangerous, and involvement in this meeting could put not just you but your whole families in fatal danger. With that in mind, if you still wish to go ahead, you may sit."

Jerome was the first to sit down. Lady Ursula looked at him, as if asking, "Are you sure?" And he wasted no time replying. "What? I was the one that started this whole thing in the first place."

Rima was next to sit down, then Mr. Semira, leaving just Hopas standing. They all looked at him.

"Oi?! You seriously don't expect me to risk my life for something I don't even know, do you?" He defended himself.

Lady Ursula stretched her hand towards Jerome and he immediately understood; He handed over the pouch to her which she immediately opened before emptying its contents on the table.

"By the gods!!" Mr. Semira gasped.

"1, 2, 3, 4--It's more than 10", Rima peered closer, "It's more than 20, 50 even!"

"To answer your question" Lady Ursula looked at Hopas, "No, I don't expect you to risk your life for something you don't know. If you did I wouldn't be here. But I do expect you to risk your life for money." She ran her hand through the pieces of gold and silver, "Lots and lots of it."

"Hold on a second, is that payment for me to just be in the meeting?!" Hopas asked surprised, he hurried over to another table and grabbed a chair.

"No, it's your payment for a tunnel."

Hopas came to a sudden halt. "Oi, you can't be serious right now."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Lady Ursula stared straight into his eyes. "I need a tunnel and you can give me a tunnel. Give me it, and the money is yours."

Hopas smiled. "All of it?"

"Every single piece." She replied.

Mr. Semira and Rima moaned.

Lady Ursula sighed, packed a handful of coins and passed it to them. She looked back at Hopas, "Every single piece."

"Hmph, enticing offer, let me think about it." He turned away for a couple seconds then turned back, "Alright, deal. When should I be expecting you?"

"Not me, him", Lady Ursula gestured at Jerome.

"Huh? The price went up. You know what, I ain't doing it."

"What?! Why?!" Rima asked. "That's not fair!"

"Life's not fair." Hopas shot back.

"Yeah, because of shitheads like you!!" She spat at him.

"Oi!"

"That's not how you run a business Hopas." Lady Ursula said.

"You don't tell me how to run my business, it's mine!" He replied then aggressively walked towards the door.

"If you walk out that door I'll tell everyone." Rima got up.

"Tell them what?" Hopas stopped.

"That you've been stealing from them, swindling them and occasionally blaming it on other people."

"You know your sister was the one who helped me out with a good bunch of those right?" He looked at Jerome, "She was even the one who suggested we steal from Mr. Noble over there, his father too, and even accused him of rape."

"He'll deny it. He's the victim, he'll say it was aaaaall you." She poked his chest. "And then everyone will know just how much of a scum you are."

"You little wench", Hopas fumed.

Rima smirked, "Now when should we be expecting the tunnel?"

Hopas gnashed his teeth. "When do you need it?" He looked at Lady Ursula.

"How soon can you get it for us?"

He looked outside, "Give me two hours."

"I knew you were fast, but not that fast."

"I'm not digging a new tunnel, I already have one that I've been saving for a rainy day. So like I said, two hours, meet me at the forest behind the edge of the main market." He said then left.

"Scum", Rima cursed under her breathe.

"You heard him, you have just two hours to pack and get prepared. You should probably be on your way." Lady Ursula advised.

"Oh, yes. You're right." He immediately got up and headed towards the door, he stopped and looked back at Lady Ursula. "Thank you so much for everything."

"Don't thank me, you're not completely out of the woods yet", she replied.

Jerome smiled then left.