9 Chapter 9: Family

Everyone in the room had their mouths agape in shock as they looked at the heavy bag of coins on the table. They couldn't believe their eyes.

Suddenly, Laeti crossed arms and frowned at Naera.

"Naeraaaa. Where did you get this much money?"

She rolled her eyes at Laeti's tone.

"It is completely not stolen, Laeti. It's my salary from Miss Ilara. I finally got it."

"Yeah, you have a decent salary but this looks like 10 years worth of salary or something! She never gives you this much! This is one unbelievably large bonus!" Naera's words suddenly made Laeti think of other scenarios of where she got that much money and one of them made her eyebrows shoot up fast and her eyes wide at the theory.

"Kids, cover your ears. That means you too, Quedo." Quedo grumbled as he covered his ears.

He was 15 and was always trying to catch up to the 3 older kids. She thought that it must be hard to be stuck between part of the older and younger group as he was 15.

"Naera, have you started selling....other stuff other than books?"

Her eyes widened and her mouth was agape as she fully understood what Laeti was suggesting.

She heard Quedo snicker as he didn't quite cover his ears enough to not hear their conversation.

"Quedo! Ears!"Laeti reprimanded as Quedo grumbled again.

"Laeti!!! Of course not! I'm not that desperate!"

"Well, you know the code only meant no stealing and begging so...."Laeti wiggled her eyebrows at her in such a ridiculously suggestive manner that she couldn't help but laugh despite the previous suspicion.

"No, I assure you Laeti. I am not that desperate."

"Ok, ok. I was merely teasing you."she said as she gave her a playful wink as Naera shook her head but also gave her a fond smile.

"Alright kids, you can listen now."she said as loud as she could so the kids could hear and dropped their hands down.

"What is with all this money anyways?"Xunna asked as she poked the bag as though to make sure it wasn't a dream or an illusion.

"Yeah. We never get this much money."Zaela said as she stood beside Xunna and poked the bag as well, the second poke toppled the bag and let out several coins from it unto the table.

"I dunno. But I think it was because her cousin came along. I think she gave me this so I either get home quickly or to not tell anyone that her cousin came over."

"She has a cousin?"

"Yeah. His name is Terlan. He's a sorcerer."she said as Laeti was giving her a thoughtful expression.

"Is this Terlan...handsome?"

"Wait, what?"

"I can see your expression a mile away, Naera. You like him."

"And how on earth would you know that?"

"You have this dazed expression on your face while you said that single phrase about him. And you're also blushing."

"I am not!"she said as she blushed harder.

"Ooooooh! Naera has a cruuuush!" Tharlo said as he teased.

"No, I don't!"

Suddenly all the kids started chanting 'Naera has a cruuuush!' in unison.

"Enough! That's it. All you of you, off to bed. You just came home from work and need some rest for tomorrow."

All of them, except Quedo who simply had his arms crossed, exclaimed 'Awwww' but followed Naera's order anyways as they were truly tired.

"Wait. Where is Nulu and Laeus?"

"They're still outside."

"Wait. What do you mean they're still outside?"

"They're still outside the wall of Omire. In the woods."

"What!? Bu-but it's so late! What if something happened to them! They're outside the protection of the wall!"

"I know. I'm worried too. But, I couldn't get out to find them because no one would be left to take care of the kids. I was waiting for you to come home before I find them."

"No, I will. You stay and watch the kids. I'll be back as soon as I can." before Laeti could protest, she was already out the door.