Rowena didn't answer right away. She was still watching the movements of the young man named Julian. He looked too relaxed for a thief. It's also impossible for a thief to sacrifice himself to help his victim, right?
Julian took off his hat so Rowena could see the boy's face completely. Ahh… he was really only a bit older than Rowena. Perhaps, seventeen?
He had a handsome boyish face with jet black hair, twinkling blue eyes, and a permanent grin on his lips. His clothes were very modest but clean. His shoes were old but also in good condition.
Now, Rowena looked around her. This hut was shabby but clean and had everything one would need to lead a simple life. Was this his place? Did he live here with his family? Where were the others?
The princess pursed her lips at the realization that her life was truly saved by the thief who stole her money.
"Where am I?" Rowena's voice softened when she spoke. She realized it was rude to speak harshly to someone who had just saved her life. "How long did I pass out?"
Julian didn't reply to Rowena's question. Instead, he put down the bowl and crossed his arms on his chest. "You haven't told me your name. Who are you and where did you come from?"
Rowena bit her lip, trying to decide whether she should tell him her name and her status or just lie.
Finally, she chose both.
"My name is Rowena. I came to Almere to attend the town festival with my aunt from the capital. She must be worried sick, looking for me."
"Hmm…" Julian nodded. Then he crouched down in front of the fireplace and scooped the soup which he then poured into the bowl he had cleaned earlier.
He put the bowl of soup on the table. And pushed Rowena's body from behind to sit on the chair.
"I've made soup for you. Eat it," said Julian casually.
The young man grabbed the only other chair and turned it over. Now he sat facing the back of the chair towards Rowena. Julian folded his arms on the back of the chair. He took out a piece of straw and chewed the end, looking like a small thug.
"I am not hungry," Rowena pursed her lips. "You haven't answered my question. Where are we? How far are we from Almere town square?"
"We are in my home," Julian replied nonchalantly. "It's midnight now. You passed out for maybe five hours."
"Ohh…" Rowena pressed her lips in surprise. That was a really long time. She wondered if Lady Liz was frantically looking for her now. Did she go back to the castle and report it to the king?
"Is this place far from the town square?" she asked him again.
Julian shrugged. "Yes."
"Why didn't you take me to the town square to meet my aunt? It would have been easier for you," Rowena continued. "It should be easy to find my aunt. She would be the one freaking out in the square looking for me."
She imagined Jarvis and the others, along with lady Liz would be looking for her all over and made a scene. It would be easy for Julian to recognize them.
"No, it would have been easier for me to leave and let you die in the river," Julian replied. "If I want easy, you would have been dead now."
Rowena was at a loss for words. "So, why didn't you??"
"Why didn't I what?"
"Why didn't you leave me in the river and let me die?"
Julian looked at Rowena for a long time and didn't reply. He then got up from his chair and took another bowl and filled it with the soup and started eating, ignoring Rowena's question.
"Why is it so hard to answer that question?" Rowena grumbled.
Julian didn't look up from his soup, but he replied to her. "It's not hard. You are right. I should have let you die there. I didn't know why I helped you. I just realized now that it's not too late to let you die. So, I will just pretend you don't exist and go on with my life."
"Huh?" Rowena furrowed her brows. She didn't understand Julian's logic. "But I am here… still alive…"
"Yes, alive and ungrateful," Julian chided her. "You haven't even said thank you."
"Oh…" Rowena knew he was right. She forgot her manners because she panicked. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Julian winked and continued enjoying his soup. "You should eat by the way. I cooked it for you. It is rude to waste food. I know that's what rich people do, but you should know it's a bad habit."
Rowena wanted to say she was not hungry. However, her stomach growled and she realized it was useless to lie. Besides, Julian was right. She shouldn't waste food and she must eat to gather her strength.
She would need the energy to go back to the town square and look for Lady Liz. Rowena hoped her governess was still there and not yet returned to the capital.
Gosh… she didn't know what her father would do if he found out about what happened.
"Thank you for the soup," Rowena said weakly. She took the spoon and started eating the soup. After the first scoop, she paused and turned to Julian. "This is so delicious!"
"I know."
"You are a good cook."
"I am."
"…"
Rowena shook her head in disbelief. Usually, people would pretend to be flattered when being complimented. Not Julian. He was confident about himself. In fact… he actually sounded a bit arrogant.
Rowena continued eating and stole glances at the young man from time to time. She was wondering if Julian lived alone.
"I have enough," she said after her bowl was empty. "Thank you for dinner."
Julian was also done. He got up from his chair and took both his and Rowena's bowls to wash. Rowena decided to follow him.
She wanted to offer to wash them since Julian already cooked, but she realized she didn't know how to do it.. She had never washed anything in her life.
