Jayce averted his gaze from her. It compelled her to press his chin downward merely to gain his attention. She was uncertain whether he was deliberately avoiding her or if he was behaving normally, while she was the one overanalysing the situation.
“We shall have to observe.”
The following morning, Molly arose early to prepare for her employment. Jayce had already departed by the time she exited the bathroom. The preceding night was marked by silence, despite their passionate kiss at the bar. He refrained from crossing the queue again. It appeared he was aware they were not under surveillance, rendering any pretence of love and desire akin to that of a husband unnecessary. It existed solely in her mind.
Upon her arrival at the station with a new bottle of pills, the girls were engrossed in conversation, but they ceased their discussion upon noticing her. Mia whispered with a smirk, “We observed you last night!”
“Oh?” Molly attempted to conceal her apprehension. She reflected on the previous night and recognised that they were discussing the bar. Alas, the kiss. “Oh.”
“Indeed, your husband is quite attractive; why did you not inform us?” Mia exclaimed in a hushed tone.
“Because he is my husband,” Molly stated awkwardly, attempting to dismiss the situation with a laugh. They appeared oblivious.
“There is widespread discussion regarding your behaviour at the bar.” Beck raised her eyebrows, and Molly felt her cheeks flush, as if they might ignite. “Few men here kiss their women in such a manner,” Beck remarked with a sigh that conveyed her yearning.
“James is quite…”
“Enthusiastic?”
“Is it romantic?”
Molly nodded affirmatively and cleared her throat. She had merely experienced a glimpse of his passion, thus she was unable to comment on either matter. “How was your night? Did anything enjoyable occur?” Molly enquired.
“Dull. Many of the hunters are departing today for a search party for the prince, so they preferred not to consume much alcohol,” Mia stated.
“What is the typical duration of those?” Molly enquired while filling a bottle.
“Approximately a week. It typically becomes tranquil here during that period. I am uncertain if they are aware of what they seek,” Beck remarked with a slight chuckle.
“Indeed, they do—a dashing prince adorned in exquisite attire. Simple enough.” Mia elevated her eyebrows at her companion. “I believe he would be more conspicuous than anything against the snow.”
“Indeed, they are unaware of his appearance,” Beck remarked.
“I believe they possess a broad description; however, I contend that he would be easily distinguishable.”
Beck enquired, “What is your opinion, Isabelle?”
Molly swallowed and straightened her posture. She glanced between the two, yet both were engrossed in their activities. “I concur. The prince would be easily identifiable, as he markedly differs from the local populace.”
Mia assented.
Molly scrutinised the pills she was packaging along with the label. “Hmm, peculiar. These pills appear entirely dissimilar to those I consumed yesterday, yet they bear the identical label.”
“Silence!” Beck whispered and surveyed the surroundings. Molly glanced anxiously, yet everyone else was absorbed in their own thoughts and discussions. “The pills have been diluted recently due to inventory shortages. They are unable to procure the necessary ingredients. However, there is no cause for concern; they are all safe.”
Molly nearly dropped the pills and recoiled from the table, yet she remained motionless. How could this company engage in such actions? Medicine was a matter of life or death for certain individuals. If prepared with incorrect ingredients, the potential reactions of individuals remain uncertain.
Mia remarked after a brief silence, “I learnt the reason they desire the prince.” Molly raised her head. “An individual at the market claimed that the prince provided him with a small quantity of a remedy. They are eager to ascertain the precise formula to replicate and commercialise it for substantial profits.”
Repetitively performing the same task rendered her susceptible to mental fatigue. By the time she was permitted to leave, her hands throbbed from the repetitive motion of twisting the caps on numerous bottles. The task was sufficiently engaging to allow her thoughts to drift, yet not excessively so.
Upon her arrival in the room, Jayce was drowsily reclined on the bed. His face and attire were both covered in dirt. She recoiled upon observing the significant amount of dirt he had brought onto the bed. He elevated himself slightly upon her entrance—he appeared completely fatigued. She speculated that he had likely never endured a strenuous day of work prior to today.
“How was it?” Molly enquired as she removed her coat, which had begun to emit an odour reminiscent of the storeroom.
Jayce muttered a series of profanities that Molly opted to disregard. Despite his fitness, it nonetheless exerted a toll on him, given that he typically relied on others to perform tasks for him. “The majority of the men were engaged in hunting; I remained alone with one other individual throughout the day, who did not utter a single word.”
Molly scowled and traversed the confined space. “The girls informed me that they desire your assistance for both the cure and the bounty. It seems they are unaware of the recipe and wish to produce doses for sale to those in need.”
