Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Anna—"
"No, no. It's fine," she huffed. "I mean, why wouldn't our great and noble Chief bring home a mysterious, beautiful woman with magic powers? Makes perfect sense."
Meryn blinked, tilting her head. "Do you… have a problem with me?"
Anna scoffed. "Not at all! Why would I have a problem with the elegant, absolutely gorgeous, oh-so-magical princess that Ethan conveniently brought home?"
[Time to grab my popcorn.]
Ethan shot a glare at the system prompt before turning back to Anna. "Alright, let's just—focus. We've got more people to feed, and I need to talk with the elders."
Anna sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But just so you know—I'm watching you, princess."
Meryn actually smirked at that. "I'd be disappointed if you weren't."
Anna blinked, thrown off by the response.
Ethan dragged a hand down his face. 'Where's truck-kun when you need him.'
[Ha! This is way too entertaining.]
A minute later the bickering died down, Ethan glanced at the two women, Anna staring daggers at Meryn and her simply smiling.
Miro's eyes darted around the village in amazement. Occasionally murmurin, "Woah..."
Meryn approached Ethan seeing the scene. Anna's eyes instantly widened, her breathing becoming erratic. Reaching out her hand,to carry Mona.
Anna heaved a sigh of relief, Meryn rolled her eyes at her expression.
Mona glanced at her mother clutching Ethan tightly. "Mona... stay... with... uncle." Burying her head back onto Ethan's shoulder.
Meryn pouted retreating her hands."Fine stay with Ethan, you're already forgetting your mother." Mona giggled just as the Elders walked in Tormund tagging along.
Morris cleared his throat loudly attracting the groups attention, they collectively turned toward him.
Seeing the Elders and Tormund's inquisitive look, Ethan scratched his head before speaking, "Guys this is Meryn and Miro. And the little koala clinging to me is Mona."
"Meryn. These are the village elders Ludwig, Morris, Helen." As he called there names they nodded.
Ludwig adjusted his glasses, scanning Meryn up and down. His lips pressed into a thin line. "You're nobility."
Meryn met his gaze with a measured smile. "In a way, is that a problem?"
Ludwig exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Depends. Should we be expecting men of arms at our doorstep?"
"Not really."
Morris muttered, arms crossed. "As long as she pulls her weight, I don't care if she's the lost princess of Draconia."
Helen's eyes twitched. "She is nobility, you fool."
Meryn chuckled. "It's okay, treat me as you would any ordinary villager."
"And last but not the least Tormund.... Tormund."
Ethan looked at Tormund before snapping his fingers. "Oi Tormund, wake up."
Tormund snapped out of his daze. "Nice to meet you."
Meryn curtesied, "Nice to meet you all."
"Alright now that introductions are done, Tormund can you escort Meryn to her house?"
Walking close to Tormund, Ethan whispered. "Gareth's old house... And try to stop gawking while you're at it."
Patting him on the back, he gently passed the sleeping Mona to Meryn.
Still staring Tormund nodded subconsciously. "...Huh? Yeah... yeah I can."
Morris smacked Tormund on the back of his head. "Then move, boy."
Tormund nodded rambling. "Yes, ma'am—er, I mean, chief—i mean—uh… this way, lady… uh… Highness?"
Meryn chuckled lightly following him, Miro walked beside her, eyes still darting around the village.
Turning his attention back to the elders. "Oh and I've sorted the farmland issue. The crops should recover but just in case, I have a whole bag of seeds ready. Shit.. I forgot to get a new stock." Facing Helen. "How long can the stock we have last?"
Helen closed her eyes lightly, her head bobbing slowly. Then she opened it. "It won't last till the next harvest. But it should do for a month or two."
Ethan sighed, then Helen continued. "That is if you stop picking up refugees to join our village."
Anna cut in from the side, the pitch of her voice slightly high. "Oh but our mighty village Chief likes to save damsels in distress."
Swooning she fell onto Ethan, "Oh a spider! Save me Ethan Cross, I'm a damsel in distress!"
Catching her Ethan stared into her eyes. "You're not going to let me hear the end of this are you?"
Smiling she stared back at him, "Nope." Before getting back up and walking away with a huff.
Staring at Anna walking away he shook his head turning back to the elders, gesturing towards the meeting hall. "Shall we?."
___________________________
Ethan barely settled into his chair before Ludwig cleared his throat.
"So," Ludwig said, pushing up his glasses. "We're taking in stray princesses now?"
Ethan groaned. "Oh, for the love of—Can we focus on the damn village?"
Helen smacked a parchment onto the table. "We are focusing on the damn village. Food supply won't last past two months. And unless you've got a magic corn-growing potion in that fancy coat of yours, we have a problem."
Ethan sighed, adjusting the sleeves of his coat. "Beautiful isn't it."
Seeing Helen's deadpan expression, he sat up straight. "I know and we're getting to that but first Ludwig, how's our finances holding up."
"Not good Chief, while you were gone a merchant caravan passed and well let's just say." He turned to stare at Helen who stared back at him.
Ethan blinked. "Let's just say what."
"Well all our money is gone, Helen used it to restock."
Helen cut in, "Like you and Ludwig didn't buy things too."
Morris chipped in, "Not as much as you did."
"I bought things necessary for survival, unlike Morris buying wine."
Morris retorted. "Hey, that was my personal fund."
Before they could continue bickering, Ethan rolled five gold coins onto the table.
Pin drop silence ensued in the room. Folowed by a gulp, Ludwig reached out his hand, Morris immediately smacked it off. Not minding the pain, he continued, "Is that?."
Ethan nodded. 'Yep."
Ludwig gulped again. "Are those?"
Leaning back on his chair with a smug smile on his face Ethan nodded. "Yep."
Helen stared at the gold. "Chief… where the hell did you get this?"
Grinning while still leaning on his chair casually. "Let's just say I have a talent for… negotiating."
[Oh we're calling looting, negotiation now?]
Ludwig exhaled loudly. "Chief, do you know what this means?!"
Still smiling smugly Ethan responded. "You tell me."
Helen exhaled slowly. "We can finally afford decent food."
Morris whispered, "We can finally afford imported wine."
They all chorused instantly. "Morris—no.
___________________________
Meanwhile else where in the village, a certain five foot, blue eyed girl was peeping through a window. Her eyes narrowed, breathing slightly erratic as she stared at the woman inside.
After a while the woman went out of her sight, but she continued staring. Seconds later a hand tapped her on the back.
Turning around, Anna saw Meryn staring at her with a smirk. "You know you really suck at spying."