The Emperor's Ex-wife Runs Away

Chapter 5: Suitor

My aim was really the bread.

Yeah it was, believe me.

"Darius can you put this on the shelf"

"Yeah sure"

......

Please dont judge it wasn't really anything

I was really leaving....

See my foot is already moving.

"Darius could you check the oven for abit?"

"Sure!"

She probably needs my help.

More people are coming you know.

And she is alone with all the kids here.

That's the only reason.

So with pure kindness and altruism I decided to stay and you know help her.

The bakery was busier than usual that afternoon.

Children ran in and out with warm bread in their hands while the twins followed them like tiny guardians of the shop. Lucas stood proudly near the counter while Leon carried a basket twice his size across the room.

I was stun while fixing the stand at the corner.

The three move in sync.

Larissa moved quietly between them, placing fresh loaves on the shelves.

Everything looked peaceful.

Helping people really is nice.

I was satisfied with the current flow.

Until the bell above the door rang again.

I glance at the new coming with a smile, "Welcome, what bread will I get for yah"

I said in earnes.

But then.

Three men entered together.

They weren’t strangers.

I had seen them around the village before.

Unfortunately I don't know there names.

Does it even matter?

Well never mind that what I don't like is how they are looking at Larissa instead of the breads.

Excuse the one we are selling is the bread not the baker.

I came forward while the new comers look left and right of the shop.

"Hey pals what can I get yah?"

I greeted again but these punks keept sweeping the shop with their gaze.

I didn't say anything instead I just oberve while putting own the broom I was using.

"Leo"

One of the crustacean trio spoke and approch the lad in the counter.

This guys are seriously ignoring me.

No I am not mad.

I mean why would I?

Still their faces are so inkling i suddenly wish I was holding a club instead of a dust pan.

"Lucas my boy"

The crab continue acting close with the child.

"Where is your mama Lucas"

The boy didn't answe instead he looked at me.

That action was like a signal for me to move.

I urge the boy to go back at the kitchen and immediately the boy run into the door.

With Lucas gone I switch back to our lovely costumers.

"I will ask again, what can I get for yah"

This time my voice loss all the kindness it could get and was replaced by a chilling pressure cause by my raising irritation.

My gaze turn darker while the temperature drop instantly.

The three hoodlums froced three steps back while holding their necks together.

They stagger even stepping to each other's feet.

I was about to leave the counter and approach them when suddenly.

"Darius"

Instantly that voice made all the stillness disappeared, I shifted and look at her with my warmest smile.

"Yes?"

She was suprised but then her two kids waddle into my view.

I noticed their expression like two cats hissing to protect their territory.

Leo jump into my arms. His lips were pouting as if something had upset him.

I then glance at the three cute costumers who found themselves enjoying the company of the floor.

"Dearest costumers if you are not gonna buy"

I said with my most controlled tone.

"Scram"

The idiots move their weakly limbs as if a monster was about to lay prey on them.

I just watch until the door slam shut leaving only the four of us.

"Those fools"

I said almost immediately.

"What are they doing?"

Although I have an idea I still waited for her to say it.

With reluctant expression she briefly explain things to me.

"Suitors?"

You mean pest.

I lowered my gaze to Larissa's conflicted expression.

Seeing her all frown and nervous made me hate those guys once more.

"Larissa how about we eat at my home"

I suggested making the little lady look at me with surprise expression.

"Wait we get to eat at your place uncle!"

Leo who was still in my arms suddenly pop his head to look ask me.

Then another little figure move from Larissa's side.

"Will you cook uncle?"

Lucas asked.

His eyes were looking expectant.

Leo also got curious and now I have two pairs of eyes looking at me with overwhelming expectations.

"Sure" I managed to say.

"Lets head there, I think it wouldn't hurt to close early today. Dont you think"

Me, Leo and Lucas look at Larissa. Our eyes form a pair of cresent moons, while our lips curl up into a smile.

"Mom lets go to uncle's place"

"Yeah lets go!"

Leo and Lucas loook at their mother and I did the same.

With our best set of eyes and face we look at her with puppy pleading expression.

"Please"

The three of us said.

Larissa was shocked at first probably not expecting her two children two act like that with me.

Corner with our cuteness all she could do is nod her head.

That evening we all came home shocking my mom.

"Hey mom, we are crashing in"

I said with a helpless smile, in my arms were the twins.

"Hi!"

They greeted in happiness stuunning my mom with thier cuteness.

For two whole seconds she was stuck looking blankly at us until father nudge. Picking herself she hurriedly guided us inside.

"Sure sure, I mean, you did eat breakfast here before"

My mom said guiding us.

Larissa look shy but I am shameless so its fine.

I asked mom to take care of the guest while I went into the kitchen.

the reaction I get though were all jaws gaping shock.

"You can cook?"

Dony asked in bewildered.

"What if I can?"

I said while throwing the basket from Larissa's embrace to him.

"We brought some breads, stuff those in your mouth"

My cute brother wanted to rebut but I went straight to business.

"Now lets cook"

But

What on earth am I supposed to do!

I was panicking deep inside but tried to appear calmer than before.

Its not like I never cook before.

I can't help but glance at the dining table.

There she is looking simple yet beautiful.

My heart jump fast making my body react stiffly.

Yeah lets just do this..

We can do this!

I encourage myself and in the end I managed to cook something.

At the table are a couple of stir fried vegetables, pork ribs and some season soup.

I sat next to Dony wanting to see her reaction clearly.

"SSoo"

I spoke with beads of sweat dripping.

"What do you all think?"

My siblings didn't speak, instead they snatch their plates to attack the dishes

Truth be told I was shock.

Mom was the same while dad just shake his head.

"Oh!!!"

Dony's voice chime in

"Its good!"

I was suprised with his elevated expression.

"Guys try it its good"

Daniel commented while picking a few ribs to put on mom's plate.

Danaya was doing the same for dad.

With them acting like that I also pick up a few meat and put each to leo, lucas and finally to Larissa.

"Here try it"

I smiled

But the way she smiled back all I could do is look away.

That evening was a bliss.

I wanted to let them stay the night but Larissa insisted on returning home.

Reluctantly I could only move to take them to their house.

While moving the twins already fell a sleep in my arms.

The air around us was silent but it wasn't awkward it was peaceful.

Arriving at their door and heping her put the kids to sleep.

I eventually walk myself out to go home as well.

"Thank you"

She said as I walk outside .

I just smiled and replied.

"Your welcome"

Then there was silence again.

The two of us just stare at each other.

The wind blow at our background but it was all her eyes I could see.

"Good night"

I managed to say.

She also smiled and said, "Good night"

That killer face really is the bane of me.

All I could do is smile the shyness away.

And wave my hand to say goodbye.

On the way back I felt excited even jumping around.

"I guess I can sleep peacefully"

At the next day I help out in the store.

And like yesterday we have lots of consumer.

As well as pest.

Sigh

I should have brought a weapon to ki-

I mean shoo them away.

They had been visiting the bakery more often lately.

Too often.

“Well, if it isn’t Lady Larissa,” one of them said, leaning his elbow on the counter like he owned it.

Larissa smiled politely.

“Good afternoon. Would you like bread?”

“Oh, we came for more than bread.”

Lucas stopped moving.

Leon quietly stepped closer to his brother.

The man laughed.

“You’ve been working too hard lately. A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be doing this alone.”

Larissa kept smiling.

“I’m not alone.”

“Oh?” he replied, glancing around lazily. “I only see children.”

Leon’s hands tightened around the basket he was holding.

That was enough.

I stepped forward.

“You also see customers.”

All three men turned toward me at once.

Recognition appeared immediately.

“Oh. The soldier’s son.”

“Didn’t you just come back from the war?”

“What brings you here so often?”

I placed the flour sack I was carrying onto the counter.

“I’m helping today.”

Lucas’s face brightened instantly.

“Brother Darius is strong!”

Leon nodded seriously.

“He carries heavy things.”

One of the men clicked his tongue.

“Helping? Or guarding?”

I smiled.

“Does it matter?”

The room became quiet.

The man leaned closer toward Larissa again.

“We were just saying she shouldn’t work this hard alone.”

“That’s kind of you,” I replied calmly, stepping between them and the counter, “but she isn’t alone.”

Lucas and Leon both moved closer behind me without realizing it.

The second man crossed his arms.

“You family?”

“No.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because I want to be.”

Silence filled the bakery.

Behind me, I could feel Larissa stop moving.

The third man finally laughed awkwardly.

“Well… we didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I know,” I said.

Then I picked up another flour sack.

“But the bakery is busy today.”

Lucas nodded enthusiastically.

“Very busy!”

Leon added:

“Super busy!”

The first man scratched his head.

“…Right.”

They bought two loaves.

Left quickly.

And didn’t linger like before.

The bell rang again as the door closed behind them.

The bakery became quiet once more.

Lucas grabbed my sleeve.

“You scared them away.”

“I didn’t scare them.”

“You did.”

Leon nodded seriously.

“You always do that face.”

“What face?”

“The war face.”

"Yeah like you all RAfghh!! And stuff"

Larissa suddenly laughed softly behind me.

It was the first time I heard her laugh like that.

“…Thank you,” she said quietly.

I looked away.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You did,” she replied.

And for some reason—

that felt heavier than carrying flour sacks all afternoon.