Unveiled Eyes, Unspoken Fears

She threw her hood back. Many onlookers saw her, recognized her, and fled. She drew it away from her face. They fear me even if they don't know me. Everywhere I walk, my "reputation" comes before me. If not my face, they can identify my eyes. There was an agonizing despair in her voice.

He thought, "Mom was right," and then he stated out loud, "I apologize."

She let out a sigh. "Your sympathy won't make a difference. People usually end up avoiding me, regardless of where I move to. I believe it's just a typical human antipathy to witches.

"You don't frighten me," he said.

Her grin grew softer and more sincere. "No. I'm grateful for that. You've even witnessed my abilities. When you told me you had seen it, I was terrified. I assumed you would declare it publicly: "She is a witch!" She truly is a witch! My grandmother would be shocked, too. She doesn't know what I am capable of.

He said, "But why would I?" "I mean, tell the world."

Her smile darkened. "A nobility with honor—what a change. Well, your nobleness, I've discovered the hard way that you should never put your trust in wealthy people. They will consistently disappoint you. His inquiries were silenced as pain cast a shadow across her face. He changed direction.

"So, can you fix this?" The potted vine was raised by him.

Bloom took it and held it tenderly. "Well. It appears to be a fungus. Wait, I'll finish it now. She started humming gently. Julian kept a close eye on things, but nothing changed. "There," she murmured. "Finished."

He blinked. "But nothing took place."

"You twit, of course something happened," she reprimanded. "The wind does not necessarily not exist just because it is invisible."

He gave a snort. "All right, I apologize. All right. You're right.

"Spoken like a real aristocrat." She chuckled.

"In any case, what do you have against nobles?" With a hint of anger, he inquired.

She tensed up. "Nothin'."

And, he thought, I'm a teakettle. "Is that correct? And you tell everyone you meet scathing, noble jokes?

"If they were nobles, I would."

He winced. In your position, I wouldn't attempt it. Most aristocrats would beat you. My own dad would have. All the front-line knights would have, and did. You'll only be detained for two days without food, if you're lucky.

"I understand," she murmured somberly. "But, I could also just be invited to tea and laughed at."

He flinched. "How many individuals do you believe exist who are similar to my mother and me? How many nobles would tolerate your scathing remarks? I am aware of very few families that treat common people well. At best, most are unconcerned. I would have called you foolish if I didn't know you better.

She lost her fury. She insisted, "What gives you the impression that you know me?" "I am not a moron. I am all too aware of the worst that nobles can be. On the inside, they are nasty, cruel, and self-centered beings, yet they lie and act like they are refined and attractive. They then turn on you. They will stop at nothing to amuse themselves. If they had even the slightest secret, I wouldn't trust them. Her voice trembled with tears. "Noble, don't act like you know me." Her cloak billowed behind her as she rushed off.

Julian ran to catch up with her. He called and said, "I haven't told anyone."

She paused. "Yet."

He stopped directly behind her. "I won't reveal. I swear.

Her purple eyes blazed as she turned. And what use do your assurances serve? It is possible for promises to be broken. Betrayal and lies are all a part of who you are. I won't despise you for who you are as long as I understand and accept that. However, the biggest mistake I've ever made was trusting someone. She blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. "I promise not to make the same mistake twice." She spun around and walked off.

Julian froze. He had never thought Bloom's background could be so harsh. He would need to demonstrate that he could keep her a secret.

He jogged to catch up since he felt that he had seen only the beginnings of her hatred for him.

She was in front of a booth with a big covered basket on the counter. For the woman behind it, she counted out gold.

Once more, thank you, Gail. Without you, I couldn't accomplish this.

Gail smiled and said, "No problem, Liliana." "I am overjoyed that you are still here after everything you have done for Finn and me. Regardless of what those other people may say, I enjoy working for you. Witch, indeed.

"Yeah, but don't tell them that you're selling my work. They will cease communicating with you and never purchase from you.

"Don't worry, Liliana. Only Finn is aware of it, and he shares my gratitude for you.

As the younger girl put it, "I wish you would just call me Bloom." "Liliana has such a formal tone."

When Gail saw Julian, her eyes grew wide. Bloom pivoted. She complained and waved a hand at him, saying, "Oh, it's you." "Leave. Act as though I said nothing.

Julian smiled. "No chance."

Gail gaped at him in astonished astonishment as she rolled her eyes and turned to face him. "Well, what's new?" Bloom inquired.

Dazed, Gail shook her head. "He got another one, miss."

Bloom grabbed the counter, her knuckles turning white. "Who? Where?

Winterson, Gisela. They discovered her naked and dangling upside down from the bridge.

Bloom furrowed his brow. "That doesn't seem out of the ordinary."

Gail grimaced. Her feet were affixed to the bridge's base. She appeared to have been a component of the original building.

Bloom started to pace. "And what percentage of people believe it's me?"

"The majority of the town." Tomorrow, they will meet to discuss the murders. They intend to talk about you in detail because you are the main suspect, but I'm not sure how they can accomplish that given that they have already made up their views.

Bloom halted as her face turned pale. "Well, I have to leave."

Julian scowled. "What are you discussing?"

"But you haven't heard?" Gail inquired. "The killings, the unexplained disappearances...

Bloom firmly stated, "Four girls have been raped and murdered in strange ways." In two weeks, four girls were killed. It's being called witchcraft.

Julian gave a nod. "So, yeah?"

Her crimson, troubled eyes met his. "All right? Are you a moron? Have you learned anything from our stroll across the town together?

His gaze expanded. "They don't believe it's you,"

Bloom had a grim grimace. "Wise boy. Would you mind telling us another?

"So, what will happen?"

"They'll be fighting for my head, at worst. They need proof before they can truly kill me. If I'm lucky, they'll recall that a male also raped the girls.

After biting his lip, Julian made up his mind. "I'll accompany you."

Bloom arched an eyebrow, her expression effectively undermining him. "Is that correct? Why? Why should I trust you, and what do you think you can achieve?

He began to leave, aware of Gail's listening ears, saying, "I can stop them from becoming a mob."

After a brief goodbye, Bloom came next. And you believe that if you simply get up and declare, 'I am Lord Hartfield!'" "Heed me," will they pay attention? No chance.

Julian persisted, saying, "I'm still coming."

"You are free to do as you please. However, she cautioned, "unless you want it to be your final act, don't draw attention to me."

He thought she was real. They were encircled by plants everywhere, and the threat seemed serious.