Villains also get Second chance

Marianne pov contd..

"Ha.. just look at their torn clothes, brother. They did not seem to be any noble, how did they even get a horse. They must be lying" said a woman with hairs like a broom. Her eyes were dark and brooding. It's not like I judge people by their color or features, but the look on her face makes her uglier.

"Tell us, who are you?" asked the elder man again, he must be in his late 30's with the way they were walking they were looking like huntsmen of a tribal area.

"We truly are passers by who have lost our way. If you help us in getting out of here, we will be very grateful to you."  said Cassius with a little bow of his head. I could not believe that he was the same man who was boasting that we were still the archduke and archduchess of the empire. 

But I could see the reason for his wariness. These people have spears and munitions. If they were among those who were dissatisfied with the empire or with the side of enemies then they could try to hurt us.

"Well, if that is the case, we can show you the way," said the man with a smile and our expression relaxed. 

"We will be very grateful for your kind gesture, kind sir" said Cassius as he bowed, and I followed.

"Hah, we are neither kind nor do we make kind gestures. And what would I get from your being grateful?" he asked, tilting his head, as his eyes fell on me.

I wanted to argue, but before I could say anything, he held my hand and moved me behind him authoritatively.

"What do you want?" he asked in a threatening tone, i could see his jaws were clenched and it was clear that he was ready for  spar if needed,

"You are getting it wrong brother. We do not look at other wives. We want the earring she is wearing." said the man shaking his head, and others chuckled.

"What a protective man, ready to fight even when we are six and with spears while you are alone with injuries." said another man moving a dagger in his hands as if he was playing with it and others started chuckling.

Cassius looked at me as if asking for permission if I agreed with it. Was there even a choice, the men were right. Even when we were trained in combat, we both were injured.

His leg was badly injured and my right hand was injured. And they were more than us with proper arms to fight. They all were strong built, even the women were looking like a fighter.

I nodded and took my ruby earrings and gave it to him. He took a piece and handed it to them, but in another piece he put it in his pocket.

They looked at him with furrowed brows as if silently asking him the question.

"The second one will be given after we reach back to the nearest village or the marquees estate. '' he said with a strict tone and they looked at each other, after a pause they nodded.

"Very well, but we can show you the way to the village. We have a carriage with us. But we can not take you to the marquees palace, we are hunters but we don't have the permission to hunt here. So we can not go and meet nobles. If you are a noble we can not help you. It will be dangerous for us" said the man who was silent till now, he was looking the most serious one among them.

"No we are not nobles, we are aids of them. My wife is the head maid of the duchess. The earring was given to her by the duchess as a gift." said Cassius, and I furrowed my brows.

'If they are wary of nobles, would they help their aides?'

As expected their expressions changed and they looked at each other again.

"But recently we were fired from there because of one minor mistake of mine. We were trying to go to marques palace to find a new job. I understand brother how selfish and greedy these noblemen are! They could not forgive a minor mistake of us commoners. On second thought, I think doing my own business would be better. What do you suggest, brother?" he asked with full sincerity while his face was full of ridicule when talking about nobles.

Who said that he was full of pure blood and pride. He knew how to change the situation too. And his acting skills were top notch. I could see everyone trusting him in a heartbeat. They nodded their heads, accepting his words.

"You are right brother. These nobles are full of selfishness. One of our men used to work for marquees too. He used to do all his illegal work of business, but when it was found out and he was captured, marquess was the first one to send him to jail. Such two faced people, I say. They deserve to be sent to jail first." said  a man and Cassius eyed me.

"Ha, they all are blacker than coal yet behave like respectable men, as if they care about us a lot. Bunch of liars and frauds" once started they all joined and bad mouthed nobles and i was glad that Cassius lied, but what they said about marquess and the way Cassius was looking at me stung me.

I was stunned too with the man's words. I could not believe that my father could do so. No, I would not accept any words just like that, I trust my father completely.

"Umm, brother," I called and they all looked at me annoyed. They must have taken me as a pretty little doll who did not speak without the permission of her husband.

"Which marquess you are talking about?" I asked and they all became alert, their eyes turned sharp as they looked at me.

"Why are you asking so many questions?"