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Last of The Fae Chapter 89: In Laws Pt. 2
🕑 Added 2024-12-30 05:27:24 +0000 UTCPeople moved aside as Evaline walked down the cobbled street with a purpose in her step. Most didn't even recognize her as one of the most powerful mages in Wizarding Britain. Still, her expensive clothing was enough to cement Evaline as someone important and better to avoid than risk offending.
Cedric was right behind her, though he seemed a bit sheepish about his wife's furious march, "Darling, I think you should take a moment and consider what you're doing."
"I know what I'm doing," Evaline replied in a clipped tone, "I'm going to see the boy who's managed to win over our daughter's heart."
"Yes, but your face suggests you may have more planned than just a casual meeting," Cedric suggested as they turned down onto the alchemy district, only to be met with a sea of people in a loosely clustered line.
For a moment, Evaline's unstoppable march paused as the people in front of her were too preoccupied to notice her purposeful stride.
"Perhaps we should have sent word that we intended to visit," Cedric muttered as he stared at the gathered crowd, "I've only seen a line this long for the Quidditch World Cup."
Evaline scoffed before she jumped into the air, transforming into a large snowy owl that flew over the crowd with a flap of its massive wings.
Cedric sighed but followed his wife, nonetheless turning into a large barn owl.
After a short flight, Cedric and Evaline landed at what seemed to be the front of the line. Before the crowd trampled them underfoot, they reverted to their human forms, ignoring the astonished gasps from the people around them.
"So this is Fae's Apothecary?" Evaline muttered as she stared at the overgrown stone walls. It's a bit much, isn't it?"
"I don't know. I like the ascetic, and whoever designed this also has a decent understanding of herbology." Cedric commented as he rubbed his chin in thought, "Look, they used Creeping Dewvine to water the rest of the plants passively. Though I've never seen Embercaps and Gossamer Blooms planted so closely, why would they do that?"
"Darling, while I love your inquisitive mind, could you please focus," Evaline asked politely but sternly, making Cedric cough, "Of course, dear."
They then strode towards the door, ignoring the crowd of people who had been waiting patiently.
"Hey, what are you two doing!? Don't you see the line?!"
Evaline fixed the man who had shouted at them with a piercing gaze, "We have a meeting with the owner; now step back and be quiet!"
Evaline let her aura unfurl, rolling through the crowd in a subtle but potent promise that she would not tolerate anyone else interfering with her business.
With her path cleared, Evaline approached the stone doors that magically opened to grant her entry.
Stepping inside, Evaline paused as she looked around and saw that the store was packed. Those shopping were all gathered around the various display cases using the floating catalogs, as Skeeter had demonstrated in her article.
Reaching out with her magic, Evaline's eyes widened as she felt the powerful and complex magical forces at play, the likes of which she had never experienced before.
'Is it possible the boy wasn't boasting?' Evaline thought momentarily as her mind raced, 'No, this isn't something a second year can accomplish. Someone else must be pulling the strings; the boy is just a figurehead.'
For the first time, Evaline considered the possibility that Thane's proposed meeting might be a trap. Her gaze narrowed as she scanned the store and realized that the only exit was the very door she had entered.
"What has Daphne gotten herself involved in?" Evaline muttered, her hand absently drifting toward her hip, where her wand rested with its familiar weight as she made her way toward the back of the shop.
A large stone counter ran along the entire back of the shop. Manned by a single attendant grinding herbs in a mortar and pestle, who looked up as Evaline approached.
"Good morning, mam. Welcome to Fae's Apothecary. How can I help you today?" The attendant was a young woman no more than twenty-five years old. She had fair skin, a smattering of freckles across her face, bright blue eyes, and fire-red hair braided into two ponytails resting on her shoulders.
"I hope so; I am Lady Greengrass here with my husband, Lord Greengrass. Is lord Fae on the premises?" Evaline asked in a clipped tone.
The attendant's eye widened, and she quickly bowed, "Oh, Lady Greengrass, of course. Mister Thane said you would be coming sometime today, though he didn't say within a few hours of opening."
"Mister Thane?" Eavline repeated in a critical tone, making the attendant fluster.
"Y-yes, he was very insistent that I not use his honorific title," The woman explained uncomfortably under Evaline's piercing gaze.
"I see," Evaline replied dryly.
Before the atmosphere could get any tenser, the wall behind the counter opened, revealing a hidden doorway.
"Thank you, Mirable, I can handle it from here."
Evaline looked at the doorway, which was filled with a towering figure that stepped forward to reveal the mature visage of Thane Fae, who smiled at Evaline. "Lady Greengrass, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"Yes, I'm sure," Evaline replied coldly, "Will my daughter be joining us today?"
Thane shook his head but kept a friendly smile on his face, "I'm afraid not. She's very busy with her studies preparing for the midterms."
"Of course she is. I raised her after all," Evaline replied, "But I can't help but worry that running this store will distract from yours?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Greengrass, but I talked to my professors before my leave of absence, and I won't be gone for more than a week," Thane explained, "This store is capable of running itself, and even then I have Mirable to make sure everything goes smoothly."
"Aw, thank you, Mister Thane," Mirable beamed, drawing Evaline's ire.
"How about we move somewhere more private to discuss things?" Evaline suggested, her patience waning.
"Absolutely, if you and your husband would follow me into the back," Thane suggested as he gestured to the room behind him.
"We would be delighted," Evaline replied, though her face was set in a stoic mask before she turned around, "Cedric, stop window shopping!"
"Evaline darling, you must see the selection available. It's unlike everything I've ever seen," Cedric gushed as he walked over to Evaline, only to pause as he realized the tense atmosphere, and his eyes landed on Thane, "Oh...you must be Lord Fae. A pleasure, Lord Greengrass."
Evaline couldn't help but sigh as Cedric offered his hand to Thane, who firmly shook it as his hand didn't completely engulf Cedrics, "A pleasure indeed, Lord Greengrass, and I'm glad you are satisfied with our selection here at Fae's Apothecary."
Comments
First_Steps
thanks for the chapter author. For the past few chapters, we only saw about the main characters. Now that the shop has been opened and his split personality is solved..will the coming chapters be about the reactions of other important people ?
