Chapter 5 Unmasking Him

• This is regarded as a serious offense of deceiving the king in this country, which carries a death sentence!
• Furthermore, it could endanger the whole family!
• What should we do now?
• Arya felt a cold shiver creep down her back as if she had lost control of her destiny.
• Her legs buckled, and she dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.
• "Good that you comprehend," Titus remarked, noticing her pale face with a slight smirk before declaring firmly, "Your fate will be determined later. Keep in mind, breaking any other rules will lead to combined punishment!"
• "No, Your Majesty!" Arya cried out, "I'm just a desperate person with a family to support, trying to earn some money to feed them. I never intended to deceive you. Please reconsider your decision!"
• "Family to support?"
• Titus jumped off his horse, his tall frame casting a shadow over Arya. With a serious look, he asked, "Who else do you have in your household?"
• The intimidating presence made Arya's skin crawl. After a brief pause, she answered, "Just a poor nanny."
• "No other family?" Titus's eyes narrowed.
• Arya shook her head firmly. "None."
• Titus's stern gaze relaxed a bit as he nodded.
• "Thus, I have a question," Arya hesitated, "Is the pay for treating warhorses the same as for treating soldiers?"
• "What are you saying?" Titus' brow furrowed in confusion.
• "I have to make more money. My family's livelihood hinges on it," Arya asserted bravely.
• Despite her delicate appearance, the blue cap couldn't hide her captivating beauty.
• Her vulnerability struck a chord deep within Titus.
• He resembled the woman he had passionately embraced that evening.
• Titus hesitated briefly, then agreed with a nod. "Okay, let's go with that."
• "Thank you, Boss!" Arya exclaimed with delight, her happiness overflowing as she applauded.
• Titus was about to mount his horse, but now he turned around and asked, "What did you just say?"
• Arya squinted and clarified, "Boss is another way to address a leader, showing respect."
• Titus curled his lip in disdain before departing.
• A squadron of warhorses trailed behind him, kicking up dust as they went.
• ...
• "Hey, new guy!" someone called from behind.
• Arya turned to see two men dressed like stablemen emerging from a nearby adobe.
• "Hey, guys, how's it going?" Arya quickly greeted, mindful of being under someone else's roof.
• "General Grant said you're just here for an easy job," the short, chubby man said sarcastically. "So, it looks like we're the ones doing all the hard work."
• Arya reflected on this.
• "No free rides here," the tall man added, "Shouldn't you show a bit of respect?"
• Arya realised that these two were looking for a bribe.
• She had only three silver coins, which she planned to use to buy pastries for her two children after work. If she paid them off, she wouldn't have enough left for the treats.
• "Not today," Arya said, shaking her head while instinctively gripping her purse.
• "Hey!" the short, chubby man snapped, "Don't you know the rules or are you deliberately being disrespectful?"
• "What are you talking about?" the tall man interjected, rolling up his sleeves. "Do you want me to frisk you?"
• That would be a nightmare. If he took it out himself, wouldn't Arya's identity as a girl be exposed?
• Having no alternative, unwilling to attract more trouble, Arya reluctantly emptied out all final silver coins and threw them to the two men.
• Arya's eyes were red and welled up with tears. She hurriedly turned and headed towards the stable.
• As dusk approached, the workday finally ended.
• Arya caught a lift back to town on a wagon loaded with supplies. She was acutely aware of the emptiness in her pockets and overcome by a deep sadness.
• What can I use to buy pastries for Orion and Thea? What can I use to buy rheumatism-relief medicine for Holly?
• As she walked along, Arya unexpectedly spotted Three Cats Tavern nearby, adorned with a sign that read: 'Hiring helpers.'
• Arya's face brightened. She straightened her blue linen robe and promptly entered the restaurant.
• "For working until closing time, it's one silver coin," the innkeeper announced.
• "Just one coin?" Arya queried, extending a finger. "I actually require three coins."
• "Are you attempting to swindle me?" the innkeeper asked, narrowing his eyes. "We have no shortage of workers for this task. If you're not interested, someone else will."
• "I'll take the job!" Arya decided.
• She reasoned that one coin would be enough. She could purchase the medicine for Holly first, and the children's pastries could wait until tomorrow. Orion and Thea were quite understanding.
• After cleaning up the mess in five or six private rooms in a row, Arya finally arrived at the third floor, where the most luxurious private room was located. Inside, two men were in conversation.
• "The ones who just left were Brutus and Junius. You were spot on. They were scheming here."
• "Hmm." A low, icy voice remarked, "Nash, gather a team and find out who they're meeting with outside the town."
• "Understood." Nash nodded, then swiftly jumped out of the window.
• Arya entered cautiously and spotted a tall man dressed in black near the window of the large room.
• It looked like he had been in a fierce fight, with his fancy robe torn and the night wind blowing through, revealing his strong back.
• Suddenly, Arya noticed an 'X'-shaped scar. This scar ...
• It was four years ago, the ominous night she felt the "X"-shaped scar on the back of the man she dreaded, the one who took her virginity. Even though she hadn't witnessed the scar, its image was deeply etched in her memory!
• The bearer of this scar was responsible for her pregnancy before marriage, the shame she endured, and the birth of twin babies in a haystack.
• Certainly, the babies were incredibly adorable.
• But she had endured immense hardship.
• Being a single mother is tougher than being a stray dog, and now she's still fretting over a few coins!
• "Hades, is that you?"
• Shame and anger welled up inside her. Arya tossed aside the duster cloth she was holding, took a bold step forward, and reached out to grab the man's shoulder.
• She was determined to see what the biological father of her twins looked like!