Free Web NovelChapter 109: Between Battles And Bonds (2)
As Shinon and Selena made their way towards the bustling centre of the settlement, the sounds of laughter, music, and cheers filled the air. The settlers had gathered to celebrate their hard-fought victory against the undead horde.
The flickering light of bonfires illuminated the night, casting a warm glow on the jubilant faces that surrounded them. Together, they weaved through the crowd, catching glimpses of familiar faces and hearing snippets of animated conversations.
The settlement had transformed into a lively carnival of sorts. A group of musicians played an upbeat tune, their melodies intertwining with the laughter and clinking of glasses.
Settlers gathered in circles, sharing stories of bravery, triumph, and narrow escapes. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and spices, filling everyone with a sense of abundance and celebration.
Children ran around, their laughter echoing through the night. Some wore makeshift costumes, pretending to be fearless warriors or mighty protectors.
Their innocence and resilience reminded them of the strength within the settlement. More importantly, it solidified Shinon’s resolve to take care of the children so they do not get contaminated by the ideology of the Phoenixes.
"It’s been a while since everyone has been this carefree," Selena commented, her gaze scanning the lively scene before them. "I just hope they don’t get carried away..."
Shinon smiled reassuringly, understanding her apprehension. The settlers had endured countless trials and hardships when the horde showed up. But in this moment of celebration, Shinon believed they deserved every ounce of joy and respite.
"Don’t worry about them," Shinon replied. "They’ve earned this moment after slaughtering countless undead. After all they’ve been through, they deserve to let loose for a while."
Selena nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her features. The lively chatter and vibrant atmosphere engulfed them as they approached the restaurant entrance.
Settlers filled the tables, their conversations blending into a pleasant buzz. The aroma of delectable food wafted through the air, teasing their senses and stoking their appetites.
Selena led Shinon to a quiet corner of the restaurant, away from the liveliness, ensuring they had some privacy amidst the revelry.
They found a table near a window, affording them an outside view of the celebration and the privacy they needed. Settlers clinked glasses, laughter resonated, and the air was filled with an infectious sense of harmony.
As Shinon and Selena enjoyed the scene outside, a young waitress approached their table with a menu in hand. Her eyes widened in surprise as she recognised Shinon, and a mixture of excitement and nervousness flickered across her face.
"There’s no way..." she whispered under her breath. "This is my chance to score a night with the hero!"
Her hourglass shape was showcased by her form-fitting, short dress, crafted from a smooth, deep red fabric that clung to her every curve. The dress boasted a bold neckline, hinting at her alluring cleavage, while the hemline fell just above her knees, revealing toned legs.
She quickly straightened her posture, running her fingers through her hair and adjusting her dress to accentuate her figure.
Her hips swayed subtly with every step, causing the dress to swing. The way she moved exuded confidence and a hint of playfulness, capturing the attention of those around her.
The cut of the dress showcased her assets, leaving little to the imagination, and her shapely legs were further emphasised by a pair of sleek, high-heeled shoes.
Selena’s sharp intuition picked up on the waitress’s sudden change in demeanour. She shot discreet gazes in her direction, her eyes narrowing slightly. She could sense the flirtatious energy radiating from the waitress and felt a tinge of jealousy creep in.
The waitress greeted them with an exaggerated smile and an overly cheerful tone.
"Good evening, esteemed guests. Welcome to our humble establishment. My name is Maria, and I’ll be your server tonight." Her voice quivered slightly, betraying her nervousness.
Selena maintained her composed demeanour, though her eyes conveyed a silent message to the waitress, urging her to keep her distance. She subtly shifted her body language, angling herself towards Shinon as if to subtly claim her presence.
Maria, however, seemed oblivious to Selena’s silent cues. She leaned closer to the table, her voice dropping to a flirtatious tone as she tried her best to give Shinon the best look of her cleavage.
"If there’s anything you need, anything at all, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m here to make your dining experience unforgettable."
Selena’s jealousy grew more apparent, her gaze intensifying as she silently willed the waitress to back off. She tightened her grip on her utensils, her polite smile barely masking her annoyance.
"Maria, do you really think wearing that dress while working is appropriate?" Selena’s voice carried a hint of disdain. "The Phoenixes expect a certain level of professionalism, and this attire doesn’t quite meet that standard."
Maria’s gaze briefly shifted away from Shinon to acknowledge Selena’s presence, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
"Oh, Selena! I didn’t even see you there," she replied, her words dripping with feigned innocence. "But then again, when the hero of the settlement is in the room, it’s only natural for all eyes to be on him."
Selena’s frustration deepened at Maria’s dismissive reply. "That’s not the point, Maria. I asked about the dress. Can’t you change into something more appropriate? There are some kids here, for fuck’s sake."
Maria chuckled lightly, her gaze returning to Shinon. "Well, it’s a celebration, isn’t it? I thought I’d join in the fun. Besides, why should I worry about Marcus’s opinions? He doesn’t care about what I do or don’t do."
Selena’s eyes narrowed, her patience waning. She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a hushed tone. "Just remember, Maria, that Shinon and I are here for a quiet dinner, and it would be wise of you to respect that."
"Of course, Selena. I wouldn’t want to disturb your ’quiet’ dinner. But who knows, maybe Shinon prefers a little excitement." Maria’s lips curled into a sly smile, her confidence undeterred. freewebnøvel.com
Selena’s grip on her utensils tightened even more, her jealousy simmering beneath her composed demeanour. She knew she had to focus on the conversation with Shinon, but Maria’s persistent flirtation threatened to unsettle her plans.
Maria had a habit of being a bitch around her, but this time she was crossing the line. However, instead of showing her discomfort to her, Selena took a deep breath and ignored Maria altogether.
Shinon, meanwhile, remained oblivious to the waitress’s intentions. He glanced up from the menu, his attention momentarily caught by Maria’s behaviour. A hint of confusion flickered across his face before he decided to politely intervene.
"Thank you, Maria. We’ll take a few minutes to look through the menu before we decide." freёweɓnovel.com
"Sure! Let me know once you have decided," she winked at him, seemingly just to annoy Selena.
"Will do."
Maria’s smile widened, revealing a hint of her own excitement. She gave a subtle sway of her hips as she turned to leave, shooting one last lingering glance in Shinon’s direction before heading to another table.
Selena let out a soft sigh, her eyes following Maria’s departure. She glanced at Shinon, her expression a mix of concern and mild annoyance.
"She seems quite taken with you, doesn’t she?"
Shinon blinked in surprise, his brows furrowing.
"Oh, really? I didn’t notice." He chuckled, seemingly unaffected by Maria’s behaviour.
"...are you really that clueless?"
"Maybe I am," Shinon replied, passing the menu to Selena. "Never thought I’d have such a hard time deciding what to eat."
"Right, choosing between two options is always difficult." Selena sarcastically replied.
~~~
While they were served the food, Shinon wanted to know whether Selena remembered anything about the exchange between him and Widow, as he did not want that information to be leaked to the Phoenixes.
However, Selena got quiet as soon as he pushed the conversation in that direction.
But it only lasted a moment as she replied, "I don’t remember much after you stopped Stephen. It’s all a blur. In fact, that’s what I wanted to know about when I invited you out..."
Shinon, his gaze steady but guarded, simply nodded in response. "I took care of the bandits and decided it was best to escape before more of them arrived."
He purposefully omitted any mention of his encounter with Widow and the assistance she provided. Deep down, he questioned whether he could trust Selena entirely and chose to withhold that information for now.
Expecting Selena to question him further, Shinon waited. However, Selena’s following words caught him off guard, throwing him off balance.
"I’ve reached a firm decision, Shinon. I am severing all connections with the Phoenixes. I know I have been nothing more than a pawn in their grand scheme." Selena declared, her voice filled with determination.
"What..."
"I... know. But I’ve been thinking about everything, and I can’t seem to forgive myself for what happened between us." Selena whispered. "I can blame the Phoenixes all I want, but in the end, not helping you was my decision, and I want to rectify my mistakes... no matter the cost."
