Chapter 4

Lunch time, Irina opened the front door as gently as she could. Although she already prepared herself for a thorough lecture from her father, she still took precaution. If she could avoid the disciplinary lecture, why not?

Peeking through the slight open door, the hall that led to the living room was quiet. She stepped inside, still with the same precaution, she tiptoed towards the stairs.

When she passed the living room, her father cleared his throat. She wore her pitiful expression before she turned to face her father, making sure her heart also supported her looks.

“Papa, I’m sorry.” Her father gave a snort to her pleading opening line.

This was not the first time though. She went out of the house without telling him, and he suddenly appeared in the room which she made sure that he wasn’t in it. So, she wasn’t shocked anymore and be prepared to be scolded.

Roman rolled his eyes. “I know you’re not.”

“I really am, Papa.” Irina strode towards her father. She took a seat on one arm of the armchairs on which her father was sitting. She kissed his cheek, but it seemed the kiss didn’t affect him much. “I’m this late because I stopped by the market to buy you apple, the madam told me the green apple has just arrived from the farm this morning. She even gave me a slice to taste. It was so… good.”

Glancing sideways, Roman lifted one brow. How come she bought apples but not having at least one with her? Was she lying? But she never lied to him, ever.

“But I lost my purse, so I didn’t buy them.” Irina continued as she showed her empty bag to her father.

Alright, she wasn’t lying, thought Roman. He knew she always brought her purse with her because he taught her so, he also taught her unique way to tie her purse inside the bag. The spot where she used to tie her purse was torn.

Roman sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you th—”

“That breakfast is important.” Irina cut in then finished her father’s words. She heard them hundreds of times. “I know, Papa. I’m sorry.”

Roman didn’t make any respond, so Irina added. “It’s just… I couldn’t wait to go to the library.”

Shaking his head, Roman flicked his daughter’s forehead lightly. “Only takes fifteen minutes for breakfast. You should learn to be more patient.” He sensed a weight on his shoulder as his daughter placed her arm upon his shoulder then leaned onto her arm. “So? How was it?”

“How was what?”

“Did you get the job?”

“Oh… No, I didn’t get it. Instead, I met a thief in the library.”

Irina almost fell when Roman suddenly turned his body sideways. “There’s a thief in the library? Wait, is this thief the one who stole your purse?”

Irina’s jaw dropped. Speechless. She didn’t mean that way of conclusion. “Hmm… I think my purse fell somewhere outside the library.” She didn’t dare to mention forest to her father.

As she saw her father’s frown, so she continued. “I didn’t get the job because a thief stole it.”

Roman looked at his daughter, still processing her explanation. Few seconds later a boisterous laugh ripped the living room peacefulness.

Rise to stand, Irina glared and pouted at the same time. Her own father laughed at her misery. She wanted to go to her bedroom and be alone, completely forgot that she was hungry. But before she could take a step, her father caught her wrist, pulling her back to her previous sitting position.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh, but the way with the thief is hilarious. I hope you’re not serious with that.” Roman chuckled.

“I’m serious, Papa. And stop laughing at me.” Irina ended, which made Roman laughed again.

When Irina showed a sign to rise again, Roman suppressed his laugh then quickly said. “Alright, I’m sorry.” He tried to cover his laugh with a cough. “There’s a good-news I need to tell you.”

Irina waited.

Meanwhile, the loud voices in the living room had attract someone with heavy steps walked inside the living room, followed by a familiar man’s voice. “Did Irina do something funny again?”

Roman looked at the man. “And there’s the good-news.”

“Nieallll…” Irina threw herself at him. “Thank goodness you’re back home safely. When did you’re back? Why didn’t you tell me? Oh, wait. Let me see your hand.”

Her series of questions made Nieal chuckled lightly as he let Irina inspect his hands. Then his smile turned sly. “So… What did you do?”

Hearing Nieal’s teasing tone, Irina let go of his hands immediately. She opened her mouth, wanting to tell them that she was starving, but her stomach beat her to it.

Her stomach grumbled quite loud in the quiet living room. Her father and Nieal looked at her with teasing eyes. She left towards the kitchen before both men could make fun of her again.

Butler Rhys, Nieal’s butler, was in the kitchen. Irina greeted him cheerfully which he returned it politely. He was done preparing the dining table for lunch and had waited for the three of them in the kitchen.

Few seconds later, Roman and Nieal came. They took their usual chair in the table. Soon, butler Rhys started to pour water into each of their glass. And then he took few steps backwards.

Roman turned to butler Rhys. “Join us, butler Rhys.”

Butler Rhys carefully looked at Nieal, seeking for his affirmation. Nieal nodded instantly.

“Butler Rhys, you don’t need Nieal’s permission to sit and join us in this table.” Roman told him.

“Yeah, this is our home, not Nieal’s.” Irina added.

The butler took a seat in between Irina and Nieal at the square dining table. “Thank you, Mr. Roman, Miss. Irina.”

“Ooh, call me Irina.”

Butler Rhys grimaced. He wouldn’t dare to call Irina just by her name.

“Yea… You done?” Nieal rolled his eyes at Irina. “Let’s dig in.”

When butler Rhys stood as he wanted to serve them, Roman waved his hand and told him not to do that and just enjoy his food.

Roman, Nieal, and butler Rhys began to help themselves. While Irina stared the table blankly, she was stunned by the amount of food on the table.

“What’s wrong?” Nieal asked worriedly.

“These foods are too much. We, the four of us, can’t eat them all.”

“Ah, that.” Nieal swallowed his food. “It doesn’t matter. We can give the uneaten food, not our leftover, to the poor.” He emphasized at the ‘not our leftover’

Irina beamed. “I’d love that.”

I knew you would, thought Nieal inside. Then his sly smile back. “So, tell me what did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Irina met a thief who stole her dream job at the library.” Roman earned a glare from his daughter.

Nieal frowned. “I didn’t know you have library’s dream job. Be what? Librarian?”

“Apparently she does.” Roman added again.

Irina rolled her eyes. Why her own father kept on mocking her misery?

Nieal nodded at Roman. Then he turned to Irina. “I thought you like drawing. My study looks better in your drawing, I even added some furniture so that it looks exactly the same like the study in your drawing. But, if you insist to be a librarian, I might can do something about it.”

“NO…” Roman and Irina said at the same time. Which Nieal just shrugged.

“Enough about me.” Said Irina. “Tell us about you. How’s war? Did you manage to acquire the land?”

“Better.” Nieal swallowed. “I initiate a truce and they agree.”

“Tell us more.” Said Roman, interesting.