Karel quietly emerged in the alleyway near Damien’s infirmary a few days after the brawl incident.

  By the time he rounded the corner, a group of men surrounded the entrance of the establishment and Mersya stood before them, donning her rge hat and a staff in hand.

  The argument became clearer as he walked closer and he decided to intervene when one of the men forcefully grabbed Mersya’s arm. “People often harass those they think weaker than them, don’t they?”

  The man arguing with the elven woman clicked his tongue in annoyance and let her go. He motioned everyone to follow him and they walked away. He looked back one st time, however. “Think about it, Mersya. It greatly benefits you too.”

  The elven woman grimaced and grasped onto her staff. She turned to Karel, exasperated. “Your arrival is so timely. Thank you, Karel. What can I do for you today?”

  “Visiting just as promised but seeing you’re dealing with some… people… I might as well tell you my proposal instead.”

  Confused, she asked, “Proposal?”

  “We need a physician in town. A healer, in your terms.”

  “And where is this town?”

  “Mapiya Isnd.”

  Mersya’s eyes widened in recognition, echoing, “Mapiya?”

  “Mapiya means heaven in the elven nguage, right?”

  “How did you…”

  “Let’s skip the other details for now. I’ll employ you as a healer in our town.”

  She clutched onto her staff. “What’s in for me?”

  “You’ll be living with us and I will give you a medical bay both in the mansion and in town. As for the wage, we can discuss it ter with the master.”

  “You’re a Ramayan… but serving a master?”

  Karel blinked his eyes. “Let’s just say I found the man interesting and decided on a whim to serve him until his lifetime ends.”

  “What is he? An immortal?”

  “A Louvika.”

  Mersya hummed thoughtfully. “I see.”

  “Think about it. I’ll be around these parts until the end of the week.”

  She smiled. “Thank you for the offer, Karel.”

  He nodded before turning away. “See you around, Mersya.”

  After the brief meeting with Mersya, Karel yielded to his meddlesome hindbrain and decided to tail the said group within the next few days.

  He eventually discovered the underground fighting arena run by those goons.

  Reminded of what he did in Stavros years ago, he’s finally convinced that he’s attracted to chaos.

  (“We’re the Accursed, remember?”)

  His hands clenched into fists as he observed the arena. Heat sweltered by the minute as the excitement and overwhelming yells reverberated around. His figure moved from one spot to another but remained behind the seated audience.

  Karel stopped his steps from time to time to get a clearer view of what’s happening in the barricaded ring while also memorizing the pce’s structure. As another cheer echoed in the closed space, a sptter of blood painted the ring and a part of the metallic barricade was also breached.

  His oval pupils narrowed to a slit before returning to their original shape. Karel’s instincts reacted to the blood and looked at the shackled werebeast in the ring. The werebeast might not even make it out alive at this point.

  As the bell rang, signifying the end of the match, the lifeless werebeast was dragged out.

  Karel also observed the next fight but in the midst of it, not able to fathom the brutality of humans against the immortals, he left hastily.

  The next day, Karel went to the infirmary and saw Mersya cleaning outside. After exchanging greetings, both of them went inside and the elven woman offered coffee.

  Karel put down the mug after a sip.

  Mersya finally broke the silence between them, “I actually have an idea of what they’re trying to do.”

  “They’re going to make you their sve. Being a physician may only be a front.”

  Mersya sighed. “I know, that’s why I’m stalling as long as I can until I can leave here.”

  “So, you’re actually going to leave?”

  “Nowhere is safe now that you’ve stirred up Grantierra.”

  “You mean…”

  She furrowed her eyebrows, attempting to look stern. “I know who you really are. The First Ramayan Grand Prince.”

  Karel’s eyebrows shot up then he ughed. “It seems like I can’t escape the eyes of the perceptive ones.”

  Mersya clutched onto her dress. “To be honest, I’m quite tempted to just go with you, but this pce is…”

  “If I were in your pce, I would have also stayed. Even though we met briefly, I knew Damien was a good man.”

  “He was.” Tears brimmed in her eyes and she sniffled. “Despite the gap in our age, me being older than him, I viewed him as my father figure. He taught me more about medicine and healing arts. This pce has been my home for years. I can’t,” voice cracked, “just give it up.”

  Karel sighed. “I won’t push you but, consider my offer. You’re not at the short end of the stick.”

  “It’s actually a generous—”

  Karel abruptly faced the door and shielded them from the splintered wood coming their way. The door’s hinges came off next and the ragged voice yelled, “Mersya!”

  “It’s not even a goddamn week!”

  Karel was taken aback by her crass words and stood up from his seat. Mersya also stood up from behind the counter now holding onto her staff.

  “Hm? And who is this? I didn’t know you had a man.” His face lit up in recognition. “Wait, you’re the man from before. Who are you?”

  “You’re not worthy of knowing my name.”

  The man flushed in anger and attacked him. “Fucking bas—”

  Karel flicked his wrist and the man was sent flying outside instead, partially destroying the walls of the infirmary. Onlookers immediately flocked around, nosy about the commotion.

  Mersya, on the other hand, was fbbergasted by what he did and protested when out of her stupor.

  “You’re not safe here anymore. Come with me.”

  “Even so!”

  Karel gred at her. “Or do you want to be harassed every time?”

  Mersya furrowed her eyebrows and looked elsewhere. People were already around, gossiping and the man slowly rose on his feet.

  “Mersya!” He yelled, scrambling to get up, getting the splintered wood off him.

  After knowing she’s an elf, they tried every means to recruit her. The men forcing her to join their cause needed her healing prowess hence why they never resorted to violence. Mersya was thankful, however, every incident still stressed her to no end.

  “Come, hold onto me. We’re going.”

  “I need to—”

  Karel swung his hand to put everything into his dimensional space and Mersya was once again fbbergasted by his actions. “I will return ter to sell this property in your stead. Come on!”

  Mersya was tugged away from the pce, running towards the opposite direction of the men harassing her.

  “Go get them!” yelled the man as he finally stood on his feet.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To Stavros.”

  Upon crossing the border to Stavros, Karel asked Mersya to firmly close her eyes and opened a portal to Mapiya Isnd. They emerged in front of the estate and Karel immediately let go of her, telling her to open her eyes.

  Mersya stood before a grandiose mansion and noticed the two children approaching her.

  “It’s aunt Mersya!” Haliff excitedly excimed upon recognizing her.

  Hariff gasped and they ran towards her.

  “You’re already big!” Mersya remarked as they embraced her.

  Kani heard of the commotion and exited the doors with Hendrika in tow. They immediately noticed the woman being embraced by the twins and he lit up seeing her elongated ears.

  Like… mother?

  “Kani,” Karel called and walked towards him.

  “This woman is?”

  Mersya let go of the twins and introduced herself. “I’m Mersya Pani, a physician and healer. I studied under my mentor and father figure Damien for years and managed the infirmary after his death.”

  “It’s terrible news to hear.” Kani sighed. “I am Kani, the owner and lord of this isnd. It’s my pleasure to meet you, Mersya.”

  “Why don’t we go inside first?” Karel suggested as he circled an arm around Mersya’s shoulders to lead her inside. Kani noticed the gesture and subtly gred at Mersya before turning away.

  Once seated in the drawing room, Kani didn’t dally to ask, “Pani is a cn of the elves—”

  “I’m more curious as to why you know the name Mapiya, m’lord. Mapiya was—”

  “Mapiya is my mother. Although… she already died decades ago.”

  Mersya’s eyes widened then she frowned. “How small the world is.”

  “Do you know my mother?”

  “Of course. Who didn’t know her among the elves?” Mersya examined his face before sighing. “That’s not important right now, yes? How should we do this?”

  “What did Karel offer you?”

  Karel chimed in, “A medical bay in the mansion and in town.”

  Kani hummed thoughtfully. “We can do that. Shall we discuss the details?”

  The discussion ended successfully and Mersya would be employed by them.

  “Karel?”

  “I will be returning to Izma and settle some things regarding Mersya’s disappearance.”

  Kani frowned. “Take care, Karel.”

  He smiled at him. “Always, Kani.”

  “If I may be bold to say this…” Mersya’s voice came from behind and Kani turned around to face her. “I know my sudden presence somewhat upsets you but I held no feelings for Karel, at least not romantically.”

  Kani almost sputtered, coughing behind his fist. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mersya.”

  “I have eyes, my lord.” She looked at him with concern. “You love him, don’t you? But, you don’t want to overstep the boundaries.”

  This time, Kani frowned then walked ahead. “I’ll pretend this conversation never happened.”

  Mersya frowned and stared at his receding figure. As the master walked further in, the twins huddled to him as they went on about their day.

  Mersya’s addition to their company had been a great help. After organizing her things in the medical bays, she gave them a rundown of how she did things. While they gave her the liberty to do what she must, Mersya felt the need to let them know as a part of their arrangement.

  Every resident of the mansion, including her, would have a bi-annual general checkup of their health. As she’s no ordinary physician and also well-versed in magic, seeing as how busy the isnd and they worked around the clock, Mersya reiterated that it’s a must to do the checkup.

  The lords didn’t protest and readily agreed.

  As for those who would avail her services, Karel suggested that they put up an affordable rate. For complicated illnesses, however, Mersya would be the one to determine how much would be charged for the consultation and treatment fees.

  Mersya loved her job ever since being taken in by Damien and having this opportunity to practice her profession while not fearing for her life greatly lifted her burdens. This peace was something she had always prayed for. No distractions and had a steady flow of customers. Additionally, no more banging on her doors—

  “Miss Mersya!”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake,” she muttered to herself when the door of the infirmary banged open.

  Discarding the bottles she’s arranging, she rounded the corner from the back and looked at the women gasping for breath and disheveled.

  “There was another brawl in town.”

  Karel had informed her about the incidents hence the reason why she was employed. However, seeing how such situations irritated Karel, she asked him that she would act accordingly and they finally angered her to the point she didn’t heal them. Even Karel and Kani were taken aback by her brash behavior, roughhousing the burly men with ease and noted to themselves not to anger her. The twins, however, cackled at the scene, reminded that the elven woman was the one who protected them from those vicious men in the absence of their father.

  “Aunt Mersya is like that. She looks polite but—”

  “She can beat the living daylights out of you!”

  “I love your choice of words, little one.” Karel ughed.

  Kani looked ahead again and he couldn’t even get mad at the scene unfolding before them because he understood Mersya’s actions.

  “Just don’t be that rude, alright?”

  “Be rude when the other is also rude to you,” Karel chimed in, much to Kani’s disappointment.

  “Don’t teach the children that kind of mindset.”

  “Respect begets respect, master. I won’t tolerate bullshit.”

  “Bullshit!” The twins excimed in unison and Kani gasped in horror.

  He turned to Karel angrily. “You’re a bad influence on them!”

  The three of them ughed instead while Kani flicked their foreheads one after another.