Chapter 4 He is Handsome

ELARA

I walked back to the kitchen, but as I got closer, the warm smell of bread and soup hit me. The fire in the big stone hearth crackled softly.

“So they are already back,” I said to myself as I made my way to the kitchen. Nora stood by the long wooden table, chopping carrots with quick, steady hands. Dante stirred a large pot over the fire. Steam rose from it, carrying the scent of herbs and meat. They both looked up when they heard the door being opened.

“So you two wanted to surprise me, huh?” I asked, and Nora dropped the knife as she walked toward me with a big smile.

“Good morning, Elara. I hope you didn't miss us too much,” Nora said and I shook my head slowly.

“I have other assistants besides you two,” I said, referring to the ghost and Dante chuckled.

“We started cooking without you because I can tell that you must have worked yourself out yesterday,” Nora said and continued to chop the carrot.

“Thank you both. There were a lot of sales last night.” I told them and Dante nodded and kept stirring. “The stew is almost ready. I added extra thyme, just the way you like it.”

Before I could answer, a soft, chilly voice floated from the corner near the stairs. I saw Diana and Maureen, standing behind Nora.

“They are here, right?” Nora asked, still a bit afraid as she held the knife tight in her hand.

“Relax, Nora. They are here to help.” I said and she relaxed a bit.

I would have kept the condition of me seeing a ghost a secret but I had to inform Nora and Dante at the end because they had seen me talking to myself. At first, they didn't want to believe it until they could see the vegetables being chopped without anyone being there.

Nora couldn't sleep alone in her room for like two days but Dante, who is a man, adjusted to the new information well. He was never scared and sometimes, he hoped he could at least see them.

“Let me help you with the vegetables,” I said and tied the apron.

“You haven't told them about the man who came to the inn?” Maureen asked me, and I glared at her.

“Nora is still single; who knows, maybe she will show interest?” Diana added and I tried to ignore them. My heart is still beating wildly from seeing Lucian up close and the man is indeed handsome, and I must say he never looked ordinary.

“Is he coming out today? I wish to see him.” Maureen said.

“Is he really someone who can see ghosts? Can you ask him for help?” Diana inquired and I dropped the knife before turning to face them.

“I need to concentrate right now. Just wait.” I said and

Nora’s knife paused. Dante stopped stirring and both of them turned toward the direction of my two ghost friends and then looked at me.

“I'm Sorry.” I mouthed to Nora and she continued cutting the carrot.

I tried not to speak to Maureen and Diana. I busied myself by checking the bread that was rising under a cloth.

But Nora was never one to let things go. She set the knife down and stepped closer to me. Her eyes were curious and a little teasing.

“What were they saying?” Nora asked and I bit the inside of my cheek.

“Come on, tell me. I really want to hear.” Nora said and I kept quiet.

“Did something happen at the inn?” Nora asked and her eyes widened with curiosity that something bad might have happened.

“Yes. A man came here last night. A handsome one at that and he is quite famous.” Maureen said and I dropped the knife.

“Nothing bad happened, Nora. I was even going to tell you.” I said and Nora focused all her attention on me

“Okay. What is it?” She asked.

“A man came here last night. He was injured and I actually attended to his wound.” I said and Diana and Maureen looked at me with a side eye. They were signalling to me to spill everything.

“Yes. And what happened?” Nora probed further.

“He could see ghosts. He is like me… or should I say, I am like him,” I said because even though I do not know the connection between us, if he is someone who can help me with answers, I will gladly question him but he doesn't seem friendly.

“Is there someone else who could see ghosts? Who is he?” Nora asked, her interest piqued.

“Lucian,” I said and Nora's mouth opened in shock.

“What? Lucian?” Nora asked and I nodded.

“Yes.”

“Lucian, the famous Necromancer? The man who could see ghosts and wield off evil?” Nora asked and it was my time to be shocked.

“What? How did you know?” I asked her because it seemed I was the only one in the dark here.

“Elara, everyone knows him but only a few know what he looks like. But I have heard stories that beauty is uncanny. No one knows his last name.” Nora explained and these are things I didn't even know.

“I didn't know all this,” I admitted and Nora smiled.

“It's because you never left the inn and you rarely go to the market.” She said and I nodded thoughtfully.

“Elara,” Nora said and I looked up, “Is he really handsome like the rumours say? What do you think?” Nora asked

I stood up from her side and walked to where the dough was kept.

I kept my eyes on the dough and Nora stood up and stood beside me. “You aren't saying anything. I'm dying with curiosity here.” Nora said and I don't know why but I kind of picture Lucian in my mind again.

The question hung in the air. Both Nora and Dante waited for an answer. Even Maureen floated a little nearer, her misty form leaning in as if she wanted to hear the answer too.

I let out a quiet breath. “Yes,” I said. “He is handsome,” I said and the room went still for a second like a graveyard. If a pin should drop, everyone will definitely hear it.

Nora’s mouth opened a little. Dante’s spoon stopped mid-stir. Even the fire seemed to crackle softly.

“You admitted it?” Nora said at last. She sounded truly surprised. “Elara, it seems you could confirm that he is indeed a handsome man,” Nora said and she seems to be more excited than me.