The White Wizard

Chapter 5

Arthur wasted no time stealing away with the two baskets of fish.

The fish were huge, fresh, and carried a strong salty scent that proved they had only recently been caught. 

Perhaps the night simply had not favored Devic and him earlier.

With careful stealth along the edges of the market, Arthur moved cautiously through the pathways so he would not have to answer difficult questions if he got caught committing this illegal act.

After all, every land considered stealing a punishable crime. But desperation could easily push ordinary citizens into committing terrible things.

When Arthur finally arrived back at Madam Genevieve’s store, she was still sitting beneath the warm glow of the lamps inside the bakery.

Aria and the other maid were nowhere in sight now. Perhaps they had already gone into the inner sections of the building.

Arthur slowly lowered the baskets onto the floor. The moment Genevieve saw them, her eyes widened in visible shock. It was almost as if she could not believe what she was seeing.

She immediately stood up while clutching the ancient book tightly against her chest.

Arthur hated that instantly. He wished he could simply snatch the book from her hands and escape from the store forever.

“You’re satisfied now, right?” Arthur asked. “Give me the book.”

Genevieve lowered her gaze toward the baskets again before noticing the markings branded onto their sides.

Then slowly, she looked back at Arthur. “Give you what exactly?” she asked calmly. “Do you want me to expose you?”

Arthur stared at her for several seconds in surprise. There was no possible way Genevieve could know where he had stolen the fish from.

“Look, I’m really not in the mood for these games,” Arthur replied impatiently. “What exactly are you talking about? Just give me the book.”

Genevieve released a dry laugh. “I’ll ask again,” she said. “Do you want me to reveal your little secret?”

Arthur frowned deeply. Now he genuinely wondered if Genevieve had somehow trapped him with one of her manipulative tricks. Or perhaps she truly knew something about the theft.

“What in the heavens are you talking about?” Arthur asked again.

Genevieve slowly walked back toward her chair before sitting comfortably.

“You think I don’t know you stole those fish?” she asked darkly. “Look properly at the signs on the baskets. Those belong to the Northern Sea traders. Now tell me why I shouldn’t expose you publicly.”

At that moment, Arthur honestly stopped caring about Genevieve’s manipulative games. What irritated him more was how much precious time she enjoyed wasting.

Arthur hissed in annoyance before grabbing the baskets again and attempting to leave.

“Wait,” Genevieve called.

Arthur turned sharply. “What?”

For the first time in a while, confusion appeared on Genevieve’s face. A very genuine confusion. Oddly enough, it made her look slightly human.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Arthur shrugged casually. “I’m taking the fish back.”

“Why?”

Arthur hissed again and continued trying to leave.

“Wait!” Genevieve called more quickly this time. “Come take your book then.”

Then she raised her voice loudly. “Aria! Tessa!”

The two maids quickly emerged from the inner room. They collected the fish baskets from Arthur while he stepped forward to retrieve his book.

Arthur already knew Genevieve needed the fish almost as badly as he needed the ancient text.

But the very moment Arthur’s fingers nearly touched the book, Genevieve suddenly pulled it away again. 

Arthur was immediately startled. “What is wrong now, Madam?” he asked slowly.

Genevieve laughed again. “Do you really think I would pardon a thief like you?” she mocked. “Get out of my store before I scream thief across the market.”

Arthur looked directly into her eyes for an incredibly long moment. He truly stared into them as though searching for something hidden behind her soul.

And strangely enough, Genevieve almost felt fear crawl through her body beneath that gaze.

She quickly adjusted herself on her chair, pretending her confidence remained untouched. “Why the hell are you looking at me li—”

“Quiet.” Arthur silenced her with a voice carrying strange authority. 

It was not magic. Maybe Aura. He didn't need to use magic spells on the woman, because she could pass away in second if he did.

Honestly, Arthur himself hated rude behavior like telling older people to keep quiet. But Genevieve was slowly dragging him toward the edge of impatience.

Genevieve immediately rose from her chair in anger. “So you think you can come in here acting like some dominating Alpha inside my own store?” she roared. “Get the hell out right now or I call everyone and expose you as a thief!”

Arthur nodded calmly. “But here is how this will play out,” he said quietly. “You are about to become embarrassed before your maids. Then your shop itself will begin destroying everything inside it, including the bread.”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And if you are smart enough, you will come searching for me afterward.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

“To hell with you and your meaningless words!” Genevieve shouted after him. “Don’t come near my store again if you value your life!”

But the manifestations of Arthur’s words began almost immediately. Aria and Tessa soon returned after finishing their duties for the night.

And at that exact moment…

The metal chair Genevieve sat upon suddenly snapped apart beneath her weight. She crashed violently onto the ground.

The impact echoed loudly across the floor with an embarrassing vibration. Aria immediately rushed forward to help her up.

Only then did Genevieve notice both maids struggling desperately not to laugh. The fall had been too hilarious. Their cheeks had already turned red from suppressed laughter.

“What exactly is funny?!” Genevieve roared furiously.

“Nothing, Madam,” Aria and Tessa answered together while bowing their heads, though they still continued muffling laughter badly.

Genevieve felt humiliation burn through her entire body. She immediately waved the girls away in irritation. 

After the maids finally left, Genevieve attempted calming herself down again.

But then… A strange crushing sound echoed from the walls. Genevieve froze.

When she finally understood what was happening, terror instantly swallowed her whole. The rows of bread shelves attached to the walls had begun twisting unnaturally beneath invisible pressure.

And that meant every single product inside the store was about to be ruined. Arthur’s words instantly resurfaced inside her mind.

Without hesitation, Genevieve rushed outside desperately searching for him. But he was nowhere nearby.

“I believe you are looking for me.”

Arthur’s voice suddenly emerged from the darkness before he slowly revealed himself.

“Please... make it stop,” Genevieve pleaded fearfully.

“Hand me the book,” Arthur said firmly.

Without hesitation, Genevieve shoved the ancient text into Arthur’s hands. Her body trembled violently beneath some invisible cold fear.

Honestly, she knew she was doomed if Arthur truly walked away now. All her goods would be destroyed within moments.

Now she stood there with shaking hands, trembling lips, and an entirely new perception of Arthur.

For the first time, genuine remorse appeared across Genevieve’s face.

Arthur could tell the aged woman regretted provoking him so badly that he had finally placed what she believed was a curse upon her.

Though honestly, it was merely one simple spell Arthur still remembered. 

Arthur calmly held the book against himself while offering a smile to terrified Genevieve.

“It’s all back to normal now,” he said. “Next time, you don’t want to provoke me after I already obeyed you peacefully the first time.”