7 Chapter 7: Terlan

She quickly closed the book and greeted the customer.

"Welcome to Ilara's bookstore! Please take a look around."

The man wore a hood so low, it completely obscured his face.

"Can I please see Ilara?" he asked politely.

"Oh! Of course. Um, Ilara? There's someone here to see you."

"I'll be with you just a second!" she shouted from behind a bookshelf she was dusting. She cleaned off any lingering dust off her and went to greet the customer.

"Hello! How may I he-" before Ilara could speak any further, the stranger lifted their hood and revealed their face. He had blond hair that had the same color as the soft rays of the sun peeking through the window in a peaceful morning, and eyes as blue as the sky in the summer.

He looked about as young as she was and donned a serious expression on his face as he stared at Ilara.

"Cousin. We must speak."

Ilara looked at her with her mouth still slightly gaping from the word she was about to speak before he lifted his hood.

She was absolutely shocked but schooled her expression down and shook her head.

"Isn't this a pleasant surprise, Terlan. Not even a note to tell me you were dropping by?"

"It is urgent. I need your help. He just won't listen to me."

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as though it was hurting her.

"It is still foolish of you to come here yourself, Terlan."

"I knew that I must. A note was too impersonal. And I know that you didn't want to you come to me. I know well enough that it pains you to be there. So, I went here myself."

She sighed and crossed her arms. Her eyes suddenly landed on Naera as she remembered she was there. Naera was quiet the whole time and slowly stepped into the corner next to a nearby bookshelf while they converse as she tried and failed miserably to become invisible.

She thought to step back into corner as it was significantly awkward to simply stand there between them as they spoke.

She didn't know nor understand what they talked about, only that it was private and the only reason she stayed amidst their conversation is that Ilara might ask something of her after they spoke.

Ilara looked at Naera sighed.

"I am so sorry, Naera. Where are my manners? This is my cousin, Terlan."

Despite his serious expression earlier, he smiled at her and gracefully bowed at her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Naera." she blushed as she curtsied back at him. Ilara giggled as she looked back and forth between the both of them.

"My cousin is a Sorcerer. And a very skilled one at that." Terlan chuckled lightly.

"Since when do you compliment me? Did someone curse you?" Ilara chuckled back.

"Oh! Right! Before I forget. Here is your salary, Naera. Thank you so much for all of your help."she said as she took a heavy bag of coins from her pocket and handed it to her.

It was heavy and as she opened the bag her eyes widened.

"M-Miss Ilara! This is too much! This is more than my usual salary! I-I can't take this!" she said as she offered it back to her but Ilara pushed it back to her.

"No. You deserve it. You've been really diligent, Naera. You deserve every bit of what's in here and you know it."

"Thank you!" she said as she leapt and hugged her tight. Ilara laughed lightly.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go home and treat your family. I'm sending you home early today because it is salary day. Go on." she smiled and thanked Ilara once more.