Jessica glanced at Daniel with a surprised expression. She hadn't expected to see him in this town, especially in the bustling marketplace.
"Uh… I'm good Daniel," she said, her brow furrowed in a puzzled look. "But what are you doing here?"
Daniel shrugged slightly. "I came to participate in this year's trial. Nothing else."
"Oh," she said, frowning. "So… how'd it go?"
"I passed the first trial, Aunt," he said with a smile tugging at his lips.
"Seriously? That's great news. Does your mom know about it?"
"Not yet Aunt,"
As Daniel and Jessica were chatting, Tressa approached with a warm smile.
"Hey Jessie, didn't expect you to be shopping at this hour," she said softly.
Jessica turned. "Hey… Tressa, same to you. Hehe…"
Tressa's gaze drifted down to Daniel, who was standing beside Jessica.
"Who is this young man, Jessie?" She asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Jessica introduced her to him, explaining that Daniel was her best friend's son and that he had recently passed the first trial.
Hearing that, Tressa's interest in Daniel sparked—not only because of the praise she hears from Jessica, but also because of his [Charm].
"Agh, I wish I could talk to you more… Jessie. But I have to go now," she said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Ah… no problem. We'll talk later."
"Have a great day, Ma'am."
Tressa chuckled softly. "No… don't call me that… Just Aunt Tressa. Okay?"
Daniel nodded respectfully, hands folded together.
Then, she left the spot walking away and leaving Daniel and Jessica alone in the marketplace.
…
"Daniel are you free now?"
"Yes, why?"
Jessica handed him the woven basket and they walked toward the fish stall.
"By the way, how's you mom's health? Is she feeling better now?" Jessica asked calmly, her eyes fixed ahead.
"She's getting better lately, thanks to the medicine, Aunt," he replied with a neutral expression.
A gentle smile curved across Jessica's face.
"You know, before I came back to town, I really wanted to see you mom," she said softly. "I knocked on the door for more than twice—no, actually three times, but she didn't answer."
Daniel's eyes widened slowly.
"Oh, maybe she was in a deep sleep," he said, keeping his face neutral.
They reached the fish stall. Jessica bought a kilo of fresh frinto fish without any hesitation. The fishmonger cleaned it thoroughly and wrapped it in a heart-shaped leaf, and tied it with twine.
Then they turned east toward the residential houses. Midway, Daniel stopped and handed her the woven basket.
"Aunt, it's time for me to say goodbye," he said, smiling.
Jessica frowned. "What? I thought you were staying for lunch?"
Daniel took a quick pause, gathering his thoughts before speaking.
"I mean, I'll have to return tomorrow anyhow for my second trial, and I don't have enough money for an inn," he said firmly.
"Then, just say so. You can stay with us," Jessica replied.
Daniel smirked to himself as if he had been waiting for that exact line.
"I wish I could, and honestly I would love to stay. But it would be troublesome for you and your family, Aunt," he said in an innocent tone.
"Heh, don't worry about it. We have separate guest room. Plus, it would be a waste of food if… you know. I can't eat a whole fish alone," she said lifting the woven basket.
"Uh… okay Aunt, if you say so… I will stay today," he said with a warm smile.
'Hehe… Aunt, you just gave me exactly what I wanted,' he thought, grinning inwardly.
They marched toward the residential area, and soon reached their destination.
The house was a squat, two-story building of stone and timber. Its upper floor jutted over the street, crowned by a red-tiled roof and a dark chimney. It was old, weathered, and built to last.
Daniel glanced around. The houses looked almost identical to each other. The only difference were the size and shades of colour.
Jessica creaked open the door.
Inside, the house smelled of aged wood. It was warm and lived-in, with a main hall, a fireplace, and simple well-used wooden furnitures carrying the subtle scent of worn timber while the stone floors added a faint earthy, grounded aroma.
Narrow windows let in thin shafts of sunlight, and a steep stair in the middle led to another rooms upstairs.
Daniel followed her to the kitchen, and set the basket on the dining table.
"Aunt, where is Uncle. I haven't seen him for years?" he asked calmly.
"Umm… you know, your uncle is always busy with his work life," Jessica said with a neutral expression.
'Yea… that's what I want to hear from your mouth.'
"So… most of the time, you're alone in this house?" He asked, his tone calm and gentle.
"Yes… you can say that," she replied.
Daniel dropped his satchel on the table and sat down on a chair. He glanced around and noticed two chairs nearby.
"Aunt, where is the young one?"
"Ah, he lives in the school's dormitory in the Eagle Kingdom," she said softly.
'Wow… like father like son. Neither of them cares about her. This is so… unacceptable,' he thought, feeling sad for her. 'Screw them, I promise Aunt—from today onward, you won't feel lonely because of them.'
"Aunt, I'm going outside for a quick walk," Daniel said, standing up from his chair.
Jessica froze. "But the food?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll be back before it's done," Daniel said with a smile on his face.
Then, he slung his satchel over his shoulder and marched toward the door.
*Thud*
As the kitchen door shut, Jessica chuckled softly and turned her face toward the basin.
"Hehe… he must be feeling very excited, coming back to town after so many years," she whispered under her breath. "I still remember the day when he came with his mom—a little kid hiding behind his mom."
…
The sun was setting toward evening. People walked in all directions, their long shadows stretching across the stone path.
"Hmm… now where can I find a weaver's stall?" he whispered.