Fathir's jaw tightened. "Answer me! Idiot!" he snapped.
The woman stepped closer. She leaned in, close enough for Fathir to feel the warm breath on his face and clearly see her violet eyes, which emitted a faint purple light.
"W-what…?!" Fathir stopped breathing for a moment. His body tensed, and he turned his gaze to the side.
A small laugh escaped Lairas's lips. Fathir then felt a soft and warm touch of lips as Lairas kissed him on the forehead.
Fathir froze, his cheeks turning red. He didn't know what to say. The next second, Lairas plucked a strand of Fathir's hair.
Lairas brought her lips close to Fathir's ear and whispered softly. "We have to go now…, Darling~."
"Ha?! Huh?!" Fathir couldn't find the words to say. His cheeks grew redder.
Click!
Lairas snapped her fingers.
Fathir's vision immediately blurred and spun. The smell of smoke and burnt ruins disappeared, replaced by the cold, fresh mountain air. In an instant, he was standing on a stone path at the edge of a cliff. Before him, a wooden cottage stood above a thick layer of clouds, illuminated by the sunset. The cottage's windows glowed purple, and blue mushrooms phosphoresced along the side of the path.
"Is this your house?" Fathir asked. He looked at Lairas, then back at the view before him.
Lairas nodded. "Come~," she said, taking Fathir's hand. She led him inside.
The wooden door opened. The air inside the room smelled of dried herbs and firewood. The room was a kitchen. A stone fireplace stood on one side, with a black cauldron hanging over the fire. A purple crystal was embedded in the stone above the fireplace, emitting its own light. Wooden shelves on the walls were filled with glass jars, and bundles of herbs hung from the wooden-beamed ceiling.
Fathir pulled his hand away. "Alright, enough with the nonsense shit, tell me now. Why did you buy me??" he asked.
Lairas laughed softly. She came closer and her cold fingertips touched Fathir's cheek, she stroking it gently. "Clean yourself up first, darling~. I'm going to start cooking, these are clothes for you!." She moved her hand away and turned her body slightly towards a chair.
Click!
She snapped her fingers. On the wooden chair, a set of clothes appeared: a soft, cream-colored cotton tunic, dark brown linen trousers, and a leather belt.
What is this woman's goal actually...why is she....but... yeah fuck it....at least I can eat a decent meal today. Fathir sighed.
He took the clothes and went to the bathroom to clean himself up.
After bathing and changing clothes, Fathir smelled the aroma of spiced roasted meat, warm bread, and vegetable stew coming from the kitchen. His stomach ached with hunger.
He approached the source of the smell and saw Lairas standing in front of the fireplace. The woman was not cooking normally. Her fingers moved in the air; silver knives floated, chopping vegetables and dropping them into the cauldron. The wooden spoon in the cauldron stirred by itself.
Lairas turned when she heard Fathir's footsteps. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes looking Fathir up and down. "Oh... you look more handsome after a bath darling~"
Fathir ignored the comment. "You still haven't answered my question. Why did you buy me?"
"I'll answer after we eat, okay? Just wait outside~," Lairas replied with a smile. She returned her focus to her cooking, making a circular motion with her hand, and the fire under the cauldron grew larger.
"Outside?" Fathir's eyebrows raised.
"Eating while watching the sunset. Isn't that lovely, my dear?" the woman replied, glancing over her shoulder.
Fathir didn't respond. He turned and walked out of the cottage.
Outside, a cool breeze blew, touching his skin. The sky in the West was filled with the colors orange, pink, and purple. The thick layer of clouds below them reflected those colors.
"A deceiving world..." Fathir murmured softly, staring at the view.
He sat in one of the two wooden chairs near the small round table, his eyes continuing to watch the sun as it slowly descended.
Before long, Lairas came out carrying a wooden tray. She placed two plates of steaming roasted meat, bread, and stew on the table, then sat across from Fathir.
"Eat up," Lairas said. "Or.... do you want me to feed you?"
Fathir ignored her. He took a fork, speared a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.
As he chewed, Fathir froze. The savory taste of spices and the tender meat filled his mouth. The warmth of the food spread through his stomach. It was a taste he hadn't experienced in five years. His eyes grew hot, and then tears began to stream down his cheeks.
Lairas watched him. "Is it good?" She leaned forward and wiped the tears from Fathir's cheek with her thumb.