Chapter 30 : Siegfried de Chauvegné

"Where do we put this Ms. Diana?"

A little boy named Siegfried bounced on his toes, looking at her with anticipation. His finger was pointing at the wheelbarrow at his side loaded with bundles of weeds and debris.

The wheelbarrow was held up by a strong pair of hands, faint traces of veins running across the man's arms. He had hair that was dark as night and thick lashes that shimmered as it moved. His tall and lean physique couldn't be hidden as his wet soaked shirt hugged his robust figure. His jaw was clenched as drops of sweat trickled down his forehead. A man that Diana was very familiar with, the man that always made her heart erratic due to his exalted virility.

Under the blazing sun, Meltif stood. They have been doing this already for a few weeks every single day - digging, pulling weeds, and wheeling the barrow out - at last, their efforts weren't in vain.

The vast messy and wild garden that once looked like a jungle was now clean, void of any overgrown weeds and plants.

" Just put that there on the compost bins for now! Thank you. "

Diana leaned on the shovel as she rested. Her bright blue eyes sparkled as she smiled, her joy radiating off in waves.

She turned and looked around the vast barren field, its emptiness waiting to be filled. It excited her, knowing that she now had a wide bed to plant with.

Now the only thing missing is the plants.

Hands clasped, she extended it above her head and stretched. Her stiff body that was sore from all the digging loosened up, giving a satisfying crack.

Her face grimaced the moment her back ached. She massaged it with her hands, hitting it repeatedly with her fist.

This body seemed to be older than it looks.

Lifting the shovel from the ground, she placed it on a nearby wall. She skipped towards the mansion, her arms swinging while she walks. With her bubbly voice, she shouted.

" I'll go out for a bit! "

Meltif stumbled while pushing the wheelbarrow, almost falling on top of the mountain of debris. His racing heartbeat made his right hand fly to his chest. His breath hitched the moment Diana suddenly yelled. He took a deep breath and sighed bitterly.

'This woman will become the death of me.'

Diana walked back to the mansion to change her clothes and prepare for her travel. She needed to buy a few plants in town.

The little boy Siegfried, who was currently in charge of 'guiding' Meltif as he wheeled the barrow, glanced at the giddy woman skipping like a fool, walking towards the door.

The little boy crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. He stroked his imaginary beard, pursing his lips in thought.

'Where is she going?'

Meltif, who already had his silver eyes opened, observed the little boy, his eye twitching. The boy looked stupid, his adult-like behavior made him look more idiotic with his legs spread too wide and his small frame upright, trying to look intimidating.

The little boy stopped stroking his imaginary beard as an idea formed in his head. He grinned mischievously, a few sly chuckles coming out of his mouth.

Meltif straightened his sturdy back then squinted his eyes at the boy. He raised his eyebrows as he watched the boy behaving more and more like a lecher.

He sighed. He was disappointed at himself, he did not teach the boy properly.

As he was about to scold the boy, the boy called him all of a sudden.

"Hey, Mr. Meltif!"

Hearing his name, Meltif's glance focusing on the boy. He blinked at the boy as he hummed a reply.

"Hm?"

Little Siegfried had a huge grin on his face, his eyes giving a playful glint. He had a wonderful plan on his head. The only thing he needed was a big thigh to lean on. With his hands on his hips, he beamed at Meltif.

"Want to know where Ms. Diana is going?"

Meltif paused and gaped at the boy. His mouth opened and closed, not a voice coming out.

His eyes flinched, confused with his own emotions.

In the past, he did not care.

Now, it was different.

His eyes flickered to the boy, glowering at him with a strict gaze. He already knew what he wanted. He already decided.

"Stick near me."

--

A woman held a large woven straw bag in her arms. She was dressed humbly, only wearing a plain dress and a shawl wrapped around her. Her loosely braided hair hung gently on her shoulder as she walked around the streets, turning whenever something caught her eyes.

The people walked past her, some in a hurry while some walked leisurely. Most never stopped to look at the woman, but some spared a few glances at her.

If they hadn't known any better, they'd say she looked lovely.

They knew this woman. She was a regular at the market, every week she comes by to buy some fruits and vegetables, sometimes with meat.

Her face was always tight, her mouth downturned. She never treated them kindly nor talked to them politely. It made them reluctant to approach her, avoiding her whenever she came by their stall.

Furthermore, they knew of her kind.

A prostitute. A whore.

The people who recognized her stayed silent whenever she passed by. It was quite a depressing scene.

The woman was scorned by the people, making her look like an outcast in her own home town.

But there was always an exception.

The woman saw a familiar stall five steps ahead. An old woman was busy arranging her set of fruits and vegetables while a little girl with a blue ribbon around her head was handing out the crops to the old woman from their big wheelbarrow.

The woman approached the pair leisurely. Unknowingly, her eyes smiled, her face beaming.

The woman softly tapped on the grandma's back, making the old woman turn around with a frown on her face. Slowly, recognition filled the old woman's eyes. Her frown suddenly becoming a wide motherly smile as she turned to face the woman.

"Oh Diana! How are you today? I haven't seen you in a while!"

The old woman hobbled over her, inspecting her worriedly. The grandma's brows were furrowed as she looked at her from head to toe. Her mouth was slowly turning back into a frown as she shook her head, giving a disapproving glance.

"Look at you! Are you even eating properly?"

The old woman turned to look at the little girl beside her. She nudged the little girl and beckoned towards the woman.

"What do you think Marianne? I think she got even more skinny."

The girl's wide clear eyes squinted, looking at Diana. After a while, she shook her head side to side. She secured her hold on the cabbage in her arms first before answering her grandma.

"I don't think so, Grandma. I think she still looks pretty!"

The girl named Marianne joyfully laughed as her eyes sparkled.

Diana felt gratified and contented. It made her nerves at ease, the tenseness that she felt earlier dissipating.

Even if the whole world judges you and condemns you, there will always be people who accept you for who you really are.

"I've been fine grandma Matilda. Never been better."

Diana gently smiled at the old woman in front of her. She bent down to pick up the crops from the crates, helping the pair set up their stall.

The buzzing murmurs faded, replaced with voices filled with joy and laughter.

—

Siegfried looked from left to right, his eyes opened wide, sparkling at whatever he sees. He held the corner of Meltif's robe tightly, to avoid getting lost.

Look at the left and you'll see a bunch of trinkets, look at the right and you'll see a basket full of bread.

Siegfried felt his tummy grumble as he sniffed the smell of freshly baked bread.

He already ate before they left, but he was now hungry again.

"Siegfried, stay close."

Meltif advanced forward. He was walking on the pavement, the crunch of his shoes zoned out from the noise surrounding him.

"Buy now! Fresh potatoes! Fresh-"

"Pearl necklace coming from the West Pearl Sea! How about you madame? I think this will look-"

People surrounded him left to right. They were shouting, talking, and whispering around him. It was unlike home where there were peace and quiet.

He walked steadily, not too fast nor too slow. He was able to take everything in – the stalls, the people, the place.

Someone tugged his clothes.

Little Siegfried always stayed by Meltif's side. His eyes sparkled with familiarity and curiosity. He gazed at the wonderful colors of the peculiar things he saw.

Siegfried saw a vase so big he thought even he can fit in there. He saw a row full of sparkling gems with different colors and sizes.

He saw many things, but what struck his mind was that necklace with big balls of black beads hanging from the thin neck of a bald man.

He wondered if the man was okay with it. I mean, it looked like the man's neck would snap at any moment.

While he was looking around, he saw something from the corner of his eye. He turned to look and his eyes widened at the sight.

It was his most favorite thing in the world, his one and only, what he always seeks the most in his life.

It was apples.

Apples are his favorite fruit.

Siegfried tugged Meltif's sleeves like a madman. He bit his lip as his tugs got stronger and stronger. Many people were flocking around the apples, it looked like it will run out soon.

But no matter how Siegfried tugged, Meltif wouldn't budge. He glared up at the stubborn man.

"Mr. Meltif I want some apples please- What are you looking at?"

Meltif saw Diana ahead of him helping an old woman set up her stall. She was holding a basket full of vegetables, she tilted it towards the empty crates of the stall, filling it up to the brim.

His lips parted, a small smile painted on his face.

As Meltif was about to step forward, he once again heard voices around him.

"That whore's at it again."

"She always buys at old Matilda's stall. I wonder how Grandma Matilda can stand it."

"Does it matter? That whore has loads of money, Grandma Matilda's getting rich."

"Haha! I heard she already did so much with many other men. What a bitch."

"I even heard she had a husband!"

"What, really? How cruel."

"Indeed. He doesn't deserve a revolting woman like her."

The small smile was gone. Meltif felt his mouth going dry at the words from the people. He glanced from left to right, they were looking at Diana.

He looked further, but there was no other woman other than her and the old lady.

A lump formed in his throat. He shook his head, closing his eyes. He chanted, it's not true. It's not true.

He tried to stop his brain from thinking. But it was not working.

He recalled the moments Diana was always missing during the night. When she was always in bed during the day. When she suddenly had lots of money out of the blue.

Pieces were slowly put into their fitting place one by one. The doubt in his mind growing, getting bigger.

He closed his eyes. His hands that were held in a fist was shaking.

Meltif's lips were now turned into a frown, his eyebrows furrowed. There was a tightening feeling on his chest, his heart felt like it was shrinking.

It choked him, he tried to swallow it but that constricting feeling increased more.

Little Siegfried's hand slipped away when Meltif strode forward. He was left there, with his mouth gaped open. It did not last long as he ran to catch up with Meltif.

"Hey, Mr. Meltif! Wait for me!"

Meltif wanted to know. He wanted to know if it was true. He wanted to ask her if what they said was true.

No matter what, he had to know.

His heart had hope, had trust in her that she was not, for he knew that she was not like that. But his mind held a speck of doubt, that maybe- it was all true.

Little Siegfried catches up to Meltif. He wondered why they were going fast, then he realized once he saw Diana in the distance.

Siegfried was about to shout a greeting when he noticed something from the corner of his eye. Sparkling silvery orbs stared right ahead, looking at the woman with brown hair.

Meltif's eyes were open.

Siegfried gasped horrified. He leaped forward and gripped Meltif's wrist with all his might, trying to stop the hulking man from exposing his secret.

Meltif stopped walking as he felt a strong tug coming from his wrist. His head flickered to the side, glaring at the boy.

Siegfried panted, sweat running down his forehead. He whispered loudly, almost shouting.

"Your eyes!"

Meltif's eyes widened then abruptly closed. His heart was hammering on his chest. He almost exposed himself due to his emotions.

Diana heard a familiar voice from her right. She swiveled her head, facing the direction of the voice.

She saw a familiar-looking boy who had silky brown hair gripping the wrist of a man facing slightly away from her.

She knew that familiar back. The sturdy back of a man who braved countless challenges. The one who did not fear and only moved forward.

The back of a strong tree that lost its trunk. The one that she had to help grow.

Meltif de Chauvegné.

She approached the pair, her steps light. Once she was close, she reached out her hand to tap him on the shoulder.

He abruptly faced towards her making her flinch. She put her awkwardly raised up hands down on her side and coughed, composing herself.

Diana focused on the little boy staring at her with a goofy smile. She tilted her head to the side, her eyebrows squished together.

"Why are you both here?"

Little Siegfried nervously laughed. He still had a questionable smile on his face but his eyes were darting to the left.

"We-well, you see..."

"Is it true?"

Diana's eyes flickered to the man with his eyes closed. The question confused her, it was slowly making her nervous.

"About what?"

There was silence. It felt painstakingly long as she waited for Meltif to speak.

And finally,

"You being a prostitute."

Diana froze. Her whole being shivered seemingly scared.

Diana's eyes softened, looking at the closed eyes of the man held dear by this body's soul.

'Will he judge her or not?'

After a while, she let out a long, deep sigh. Her shoulders drooped as she answered.

"Yes."

Meltif sucked in his breath. His heart screamed painfully, the song of betrayal floating in his mind.

He was fooled.

The budding trust that he had for her was crushed with just a word.

He pursed his lips, his fist clenched painfully.

Truthfully, he wanted her to say no. He wanted her to laugh at him or stare at him incredulously while she adamantly told him,

'Are you crazy?'

He wanted her to deny him. He wanted-

His heart was cold. It still ached, but it was starting to become numb.

"I trusted you."

'That you will be faithful to the vows we promised.'

He spat out. His voice was strong and deep. One could feel the anger and disappointment seeping through every word.

"I thought you were different."

'That you were upright and kind.'

"I was wrong."

Meltif's voice held no emotion. As if it was talking to a stranger.

"Was it fun to mock me while I was blind?"

His voice was too cold. It pained Diana, making her whole body tremble.

"Nevermind. I do not care anymore."

It stung Diana's heart. Tears were gathering at the corner of her eyes.

"Starting today, let's part ways."

The wind blew gently. Its gentle caress swept past the pair of humans about to part ways.

Meltif said everything he wanted to say. He did not care to stay so he turned to leave.

Suddenly, a burst of twinkling laughter sounded. It was melodious but mocking, it made Meltif stop on his tracks.

A tear fell. Diana felt sad, but it wasn't to the point where she had to shed tears.

She knew this was the emotion of this body's original soul.

'Do you see this? The man whom you sacrificed everything for is planning to abandon you.'

So Diana laughed. She laughed and laughed until she felt her throat become hoarse.

Then she stopped. She had a mocking smile on her face, her whole being spoke of sarcasm.

"You think you know everything."

Her eyes glared straight at Meltif, and Meltif could clearly feel it.

"You think you're so righteous. That you have the right to judge me and my actions."

"Yes, I'm a prostitute. So what?"

Meltif was confused. He wanted to retort back but was stopped by Diana.

"Do you know what I've been through?"

"The hardships, the challenges I have to face in order for us to live?"

Diana was starting to get angry, but she held it in. She softly laughed, her eyes downcast. She whispered, her voice breaking.

"Of course you don't."

"You're too busy living your life that you don't have time to notice mine."

Diana turned to leave. She glanced at the man for a moment then looked forward.

"Go home. I'll be late."

Diana walked towards the stall and dragged the heavy baskets to Meltif. She held Meltif's hand and roughly placed it on the handle of the baskets.

"Bring that too."

Then Diana left.

A man was left standing in the middle of the road. Naturally, everyone saw the scene.

"Oh my, is that the whore's husband? How terrible."

"Poor him. He was so shocked that he had to close his eyes."

"That stupid whore! She wasted a diamond!"

Little Siegfried was busy thanking the madam who gave him an apple so he did not see what happened earlier.

When he turned to look, Miss Diana was already gone.

He approached Meltif and asked him.

"What happened Mr. Meltif?"

His eyes warily glanced at the people looking at them with strange gazes.

What had really happened?

"Psst! You two!"

The pair heard the voice from afar. They tried to search where the sound was coming from. Little Siegfried saw an old lady waving from her stall.

It was the same old woman who Diana helped earlier. She had a wide smile on her face as she beckoned them to her stall.

They both approached the old lady.

Once they were in front of the stall, the old lady suddenly clapped her hands.

"You must be Diana's husband and child!"

The old lady scowled, placing her hands on her hips.

"That stupid girl! She left without saying goodbye."

Meltif felt troubled. It was all a misunderstanding. He opened his mouth to clear everything up when the woman suddenly interrupted.

"It's fine, don't worry. I'm not mad at her."

The old lady grinned.

"You even want to protect her. Such a loving couple you both are."

Seeing that both the man and the boy was silent. She stopped teasing them and bent down to give them a pouch.

"Anyway. Here, bring this too."

Matilda grabbed Meltif's hand and placed the pouch in his palms.

Meltif felt the heavy weight of the pouch on his hand.

He knew this. It was gold.

Meltif frowned. Why was this old woman giving them a pouch of gold?

He held the pouch tightly in his palms. After a while, he questioned.

"Why are you giving me this?"

Matilda ordered her granddaughter to give a bunch of apples to Siegfried. It made Siegfried beam happily at the little girl, making the little girl blush.

By the sound of Meltif's question, Matilda froze.

Matilda sighed. The wrinkles on her face increased as her brows furrowed, seeming as if she was trying to recall the past.

"That girl has a wonderful soul."

Meltif pursed his lips. He guessed that this woman might not know that Diana is a prostitute.

"People shunned her, always judged her because she was a prostitute. Because she sold her herself to men she did not know."

Or maybe not.

The old woman smiled sadly.

"Yet they do not know her story."

The old woman gestured her granddaughter to play with Siegfried. The two children left.

"It looks like you found out today haven't you."

Meltif set his lips in a straight line. The old woman is right, he did just found out today.

The old woman reached once again for Meltif's hand. She held it softly within her wrinkled palms, rubbing it gently.

"Do not hate her child."

Meltif was silent.

Matilda's eyes were determined, her voice strong.

"I promised her not to tell you this or anyone else on the matter. But for the sake of your family, I am willing to break that promise."

"The first time I saw her, the sun was about to rise."

--

Matilda was busy setting up her stall. Her back was starting to ache so she had to rest for a bit. While she sat on the crate, she saw a woman limping forward.

The woman had dull brown hair, her clothes were a mess and her body was full of dark bruises. From the start, Matilda already knew that that woman is a prostitute.

Matilda was disgusted. She tore her eyes away and decided to set up her stall again.

While she was busy, she saw an apple roll off her crate towards the prostitute.

Matilda sighed. She knew that the apple was long gone for the prostitute will snatch it away. Their lives were pitiful after all.

She continued to arrange her stall when suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to look and she saw the prostitute from before.

"Your apple. It fell off."

Matilda did not mind the apple. What she saw stunned her and completely changed her views.

The prostitute had wonderful baby blue eyes. It was so clear and pure that she felt at ease whenever she looked at them. It reminded her of her daughter when her daughter was young.

But what saddened her was the tears falling from the prostitute's- No!, the woman's eyes.

It did not seem that the woman knew she was crying for she still had a smile plastered on her face.

Matilda wiped her hands on her skirt. Her hands stretched forward, clasping on the woman's face.

All the disgust and scorn forgotten, only an undescribable worry was left on Matilda's heart.

Matilda wiped the tears with her fingers and asked the woman worriedly.

"Are you alright?"

The woman realized she was already crying. She tried to deny it but it only made her cry harder.

Matilda hugged the girl tightly. Starting from then, Matilda's life changed.

--

"That girl always came every morning after that. She started to help me set out my stall to help me get ready by the early hours."

"She did not ask for anything. She was just silent. Slowly we became close, she was like a daughter to me."

Matilda laughed, shaking her head.

"But my curiosity got the better of me. I asked her what prompted her to take on that path."

"Did you know what she told me?"

Matilda paused.

"She said she had no money to buy food for her family."

Meltif felt his whole world stop.

"She said her husband's blind so he can't work and that the child is still young so she needs to nourish him as much as she can."

He felt his heart, his whole being crumbling.

"Don't hate her child."

Matilda softly cooed. Her heart was aching for that poor girl who sacrificed everything for the sake of her family.

"Hate me if you must. I did not stop her from continuing on walking that path."

"But do not hate her for what she has done."

All along, she was there.

Yet what have they done?

Meltif's lips trembled, he felt ashamed of himself.

Diana.

She never wished for anything, he thought.

All those new clothes, new shoes, were all for them. She gave them everything. But what about her? What did she get?

She got nothing.

Yet she did not wish for anything.

Meltif was ashamed. He gripped the pouch of gold hard with his palms.

It was his fault. The hate that was once directed at her, directed at himself.

Meltif felt his whole body shaking as he hung his head low. His eyes were getting wet, but he held it in.

He did not deserve her. He was unworthy of her.

'I...'

He disappointed her.

'I will make you stand up again. I will help you get your position back.'

He failed-

'So endure with me please.'

No, he hasn't.

He hasn't failed her yet.

'I-I promise I'll make it fast so be with me until then.'

I promise, Meltif started.

Meltif opened his eyes slightly, looking at the brown pouch full of gold. His head was bent so low that no one could see his eyes were opened.

A glistening teardrop fell on the pouch, making it wet.

I promise to succeed.

I promise not to fail.

I promise to give you everything,

Even the whole world,

For you.