Lonely Flower - 24 chapter

-WE WHAT?! - was surprised Ria

Liliana pinched Ria. She looked Liliana and she shook her head

- Yes, is there something that we can help with - Ria 

- No, thank you, but everything is good -said woman - let me invite you in

- Thanks for hospitality- said Liliana- we would love to

So they went ahead following the lady. Liliana was looking around, analyzing everything and asking questions.

- Sorry, that's not my business , but I wanted to ask you about the situation here.Will told us that there men going around threatening people and forcing them to pay for so called protection, is that true?

Woman looked at Liliana and sighed . Then she pointed at chairs 

- Call me Jemma and sit please. Let me serve you something to eat. You are guests after all

Ria and Liliana sat down and woman served them some food

- Thank you. My name is Lil and this is my sister Ria. So will you tell us? Korelia is very rich and very good protected country , so why you are can't ask for help.

- It's not a big secret after all. At first everything were good. We were working and getting paid. And as you know there is a lot of merchants here selling the things the bring from different places. Everything started when new group merchants arrived. They were ging to every house offering their products. After that rumours were going around telling that things were disappearing from every house . We told the soldiers. They were around for few days and at that time nothing was happening. So they left saying it must be kids doing. And did not do after when things started to disappear again. One day those merchants came to us and told us that from now on they will protect us but we should pay them. We agreed, but payment were increasing every day. Our husbands works went bankrupt so they went to work somewhere else. So now they are pester us every day. Even if we have nothing left to give them. 

- Did you write about it to you Emperor?

- We did and even went to palace. But no one answered our letters and didn't let us through gates.

- I see . You very good son. But please check on him . They forced him to go and steal from people. It's dangerous he can go to jail 

At that time someone knocked on the door. Jemma stood up and went to open the door. There were three men . They were tall and big and had swords with them.

- We are here to collect the money you owe us - demanded one of them

- I don't have any money to give you , I already told you about it yesterday. My husband will come soon and pay you - said Jemma

- That's no good . You have to pay us for a few weeks now. Don't blame us if something were to disappear from now on 

After saying that two of them turned around and left. The man with long hair looked at Ria that stood close to Jemma and smirked after that he left. 

- Now will we do? - Jemma started to worry

- We can stay with you tonight and if there is a thief we will catch him. Don't worry - said Liliana and showed the sword

- How ca you ? Do you know how to fight? Bye the look at you I can say that you are a very noble young ladies 

- Do not worry, we went from a lot of hardships in life . So we can deal with it

Said Ria and went out. Liliana went closer to Jemma

- I understand how difficult is it for you . We can't stay for long. But at least you will be able to be at ease . If we catch people who is behind of everything you will live happily again

-Thank you . You have very good and brave heart