Chapter 390: Sorrows (1/2)
”W-what did you do?!” Seeing his men sprawled out, fainted, and possibly even in worse, critical condition, the unshaven, black-haired man was immediately alerted.
Unlike most of the haughty, arrogant, and drunk local thugs, he was rather clear-headed. If someone could knock two of his officers in an instant, without anyone seeing it, is not normal and definitely not someone he should be crossing arms against.
At least not over something as some spilled beer.
Taking a couple of breaths, a thin smile appeared over his face as he took a step back and raised his palms in front of him.
”Now, now… There is no need to be hasty. It was just, after all, a mistake, which he already apologized for. I may have reacted harshly, which I apologize for.” Turning around, he grabbed the old man's shoulders and pulled him back up on his face. ”Here you go, old man. I apologize for my behavior.”
Hurriedly, he looked over the rest of his men, giving them the signal to scatter and bring their two away with them as well.
”Everything is okay, I accept your apology as well, Mr. Barkeep! It was just a stupid mistake! Ehehehe!” Seeing that the boy's expression did not change, an awkward laugh escaped his lips. He looked at the youngster with a wry smile, patting the back of the old innkeeper who at this point was barely conscious.
Seeing how he was about to faint, the black-haired man shoved a vial of health potion down his throat.
”Here, down it old man, and get better! Ehehehe! You have to exercise a bit, you can't be this weak! How would you protect your family!” A nervous chuckle escaped his lips once again. The pressure of this youngster's unfaltering gaze was starting to get heavier as time went on.
As his mind cleared out and the cloud of madness was wafted away, he obviously realized the outrageous action he did. He almost killed an innocent man just because of some drink? What was he thinking?!
”Ehehe… I am truly sorry… I am not sure why I reacted that violently. I was stressed out I guess…”
He muttered as he helped the elder sit down on a chair and backed away slowly.
”I really want no trouble. I… I will now excuse myself…” He muttered as he slowly backed towards the door still being under the heavy, scrutinizing stare of this peculiar youngster.
Still, neither side took any action. Aiden watched as the man left the building and ran away. Once he could no longer feel his presence or his men, did his stern outlook eased up. Still being under the duress of the crowd, he stepped over to the innkeeper.
His face revealing a look of worry, he crouched down and gently touched the still trembling knees.
”Are you okay? Are you hurting anywhere?” He asked.
”STEP AWAY FROM MY HUSBAND YOU MONSTER!” A hysterical cry echoed from behind, the wife alerted by the commotion finally emerged from the kitchen and rushed to her husband's aid.
When she saw the state of her beloved husband and the same youngster that kept tormenting them in the last couple of days, she almost lost it. Holding a wooden spoon, she charged forward, no longer caring about her health.
Her eyes were blurry, hazy with all the tears that gathered, she threw herself between his husband and this black-haired monster.
Maybe because of the guilt of the events of yesterday, or just the pure hatred, but from her stance, her determined look, it was clear that she was ready to even offer her own life if it was necessary.
She looked at Aiden with a fierce gaze, filled with desperation and hatred, her only weapon, the wooden spoon raised in a defensive position in front of her body.
”LEAVE US ALONE YOU MONSTER!” She howled with desperate anger. Her tears were flying against the wind as she shook her head.
Her 'fearsome' weapon swaying madly in her trembling hands, Aiden wasn't sure how to react. In the end, he smiled bitterly and nodded. Without saying anything, he turned around and walked towards the stairs, not even looking at his team that has already left the small box they found and almost made their way through the gathered, thick crowd.
The middle-aged woman kept waving her kitchen apparatus, following the young man's movements until his figure left her sight. Only then, did she turn and embrace her husband as sadness and sorrow overcame her.
Her silent wailing was the only sound, all chatter died down, nobody said a word, nobody came to the young man's defense, despite many witnessing what had truly transpired.
This strange tranquility only lasted a couple of moments, when a feminine, light voice echoed from the side, quickly filling the surroundings and replacing this heavy silence.
”WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL?! MY BROTHER CAME TO THIS OLD MAN'S DEFENSE AND YOU CHASE HIM AWAY INSTEAD OF SAYING THANKS?!” The owner of the exclamation, Lily cried out, with a face filled with anger and reddened eyes. She stepped out from the crowd and pointed at the middle-aged woman.