Tangled By Fate

Chapter 64 - LUNCHTIME

Veronica gasped upon hearing his explanation. "It must be horrible."

"Just horrible? It's the worst that can happen to any human or animal," Arthur remarked.

He took her to the kitchen. The soldier who was taking care of the cooking looked relieved that both of them were fine. He went back to his post, leaving the couple alone.

"You better sit here and don't leave my sight." Arthur pushed her down and made her sit on the wooden stool.

However, Veronica hesitated. "But I have work to do."

Arthur told her, "If you want to be attacked by them again, be my guest. They are going to be furious after what I did. Can you handle that?"

Veronica asked him, "Will… we be sold off?"

Arthur took the knife that he left on the table before rescuing her. He commented, "They came to attack you precisely because no one was around. It is natural for women to be hired as prostitutes in the soldiers' camps. However, soldiers mustn't touch the women who were appointed to work for them as healers, cooks, and so on. This rule has been followed in this continent for generations."

He added, "Even so if a girl gets raped by soldiers, the deed is already done. If that rapist is a high-ranking soldier, he can just lie about being mistaken for not recognizing the maiden and then compensate with money or take the girl as a concubine."

"Even if that girl is a concubine, no one can ensure her safety. Her soldier husband might leave her to his friends to please them or might sell her off to the slave organization." While he spoke, he chopped the vegetables like a professional chef.

"How cruel!" Veronica shivered and folded her arms around her body. She couldn't imagine how a girl could live like that. "Why torture women like that? What do people gain from that?"

"You think only women are being tortured?" At this time, Arthur wasn't surprised by her lack of reality. He began to treat her as a three years old child. He explained patiently, "Men are being tortured too. If you are not careful, you will be tangled in misfortune as well. So, stay by my side."

"I will. But, it feels weird if only you work and I do nothing at all." She tapped her fingers.

Arthur looked at the wooden table where he kept the vegetables and then suggested to her, "Why don't you help me with cooking? I'm sure you have learned how to use a knife."

Veronica agreed quite easily. "I did. I will help you with chopping the vegetables."

"Why don't you drink some water first? You look thirsty."? He offered her a glass of water.

"Thank you." Veronica emptied the glass and after that looked at him. "I'm curious. How come they have so much water to waste in the desert? Back in the Synetian camp, they would wash clothes once in two weeks. We were strictly instructed not to waste even a drop of water."

Arthur mentioned, "It's because when it comes to Riverhill, something they won't ever worry about is water."

Veronica remembered, "Oh yeah, I heard about it before. They have the largest natural water supply. They have more than hundreds of rivers in their country. The water comes down from the hills. That's why they named their country Riverhill."

"You are right. They directly brought water from their country to the desert. That's why they are not worried about wasting any. Aside from that, don't you think you should reward me for saving you?" Arthur calmly glanced at her.

"What?" Veronica couldn't understand the sudden turn of conversation.

"I saved you from the soldiers and I don't get a thank you." Before she could say 'thank you', he said, "Well, forget about thank you. I don't need it. You shouldn't thank your husband. The thing you have to do to appease your husband is–"

He swiftly approached her and stole her lips.

"!!!"

At first, Veronica's head was blank. In the next second, she gave him a push. However, he didn't budge. His lips entirely devoured her.

Veronica's ears were buzzing. She felt butterflies in her stomach. Her heartbeat was going wild. She could only think of the soft sensation on her lips. The smooth and yet strong touch made her body go numb.

"I know you guys are married but keep it down. We are a bunch of lonely soldiers. Geez! I want to get married too."

A soldier's rough voice made the couple separate. Other soldiers whistled. They must have come back from training and wanted to rest. Seeing the couple being all chummy, they couldn't help but tease them.

This time, Veronica forcefully pushed him away. Her face was bright red as she glared at her so-called husband.

Arthur gave her a satisfied look while licking his lips. It made Veronica's expression even worse.

'If I must stay away from someone, that should be him!' she came to a conclusion.

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It was almost lunchtime. The soldiers were complaining about the delay in getting their meal. The meat and vegetable stew was almost done. The soldiers lined up for the hot stew. The smell of the stew entered their nostrils and their stomachs grumbled.

Veronica controlled her laughter and served them rice with a normal expression.

As soon as the stew was done, Arthur served them stew. They acted like they were going to jump over the hot stew pot.

The stew was finished before their eyes. Everyone ate their fullest. They couldn't help but praise Arthur's cooking skills.

Veronica was worried that those soldiers from earlier would attack them with a large group. Fortunately, they didn't.

No one even complained about why she didn't finish her laundry. It was like, everyone was aware of the incident and decided not to say a word about it.

Noticing all that, she was able to relax. She didn't want to make a big commotion over this fact. She was worried that she would be kicked out of this place before she could do anything.

"Here is your meal," Arthur handed her a bowl of rice with stew. After that, he sat beside her. They would have their lunch together.

He lowered his voice and declared, "We have to make a move tonight."