CHAPTER 129: WOMAN OF THE MOMENT

"They are here!"

"The men have arrived!!"

Olivia ran from one door to another, alerting the ladies. The men they had used a full day to prepare for had finally arrived.

"Where are they?" one of the maidens asked, holding a brush she used to dab her cheeks.

Olivia pointed behind her, "Outside, Nana went ahead to welcome them."

When Jenna heard the girl’s voice, her heart made a flip. She was going to see Rhane. He was outside, and she was going to see him!

After Hart had left Jenna with the confused news that he would be joining the tournament, Jenna didn’t know how to process it, neither did she have anyone she could discuss it with. Now that Rhane was here, she could speak to Rhane and know what they could do.

Gerald was enough problems. Not that she hated Hart, but Jenna always tried to make the young man understand that all he would ever be to her was a friend. Hart, on the other hand, didn’t want to hear of it.

Staying in a place where she wasn’t aware of what happened outside bothered Jenna. Aside from Hart, had anyone else joined? How was Rhane coping with the suddenness of fighting for a woman? She wanted to ask him all of that. The last time they met, she had been too exhausted to have a conversation. Her body only took the pleasure it knew she needed, and she fell asleep.

Thinking of it now, Jenna wished she had stayed up a little and maybe spoken with Rhane. That way she would know how he felt and how—

"Back from the clouds, woman of the moment."

Jenna blinked when someone snapped their fingers in her face. "Lois..." she muttered, shifting her gaze to the ground.

"You really have the look, Jenna." Lois continued, shaking her head.

Jenna furrowed her brows, "What look?"

Counting her fingers, Lois replied, "A look of a woman whose husband has gone missing, same look of a lost child and also look of an exhausted bride. I wonder how possible it is for one to have the look all at once."

A tired sigh escaped Jenna’s lips, but she didn’t say a word.

Lois sucked her teeth, walking further inside the room while turning clothes around like she was searching for something. "Was it...ehm...is it because of the man earlier?"

Jenna glanced at her sharply, her head tilted to the side, waiting for an explanation.

"I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop," Lois raised her hand innocently. "But after you left, I felt the sudden— well, I got curious to see who it was that came to visit you...so I..."

Jenna dropped her gaze, but the frown on her face remained. "Lois, it seems you have a tendency of invading people’s personal life."

"Curiosity," Lois remarked casually. "I’d say I was only curious. I’m sorry if I crossed the line."

Jenna pushed her chair back and stood up, "Yes, you crossed the line." She made her way towards the door, but paused when Lois said,

"Does that mean you are also being wooed by another man..? Is this a case of being confused on who to pick?"

Jenna raised her brows, she wanted to tell the woman that she didn’t need men to fight for her, the only person she wanted was Rhane. But Jenna didn’t need to explain that to anyone, especially not to Lois.

"Keep your nose where it should be, Lois." Jenna replied instead. "I know what I want and don’t need to explain that to anyone." She turned and walked out, leaving just Lois behind.

Lois hummed softly after Jenna had left. Grabbing a dress from the table, "I was only trying to help," she muttered under her breath.

Stepping out of the room, Jenna found other maidens gathered around Lady Rachel. She briskly went to join them.

"Remember all you’ve been taught," Lady Rachel instructed with a calm yet sharp voice. "If any one of you acts unruly, this will be the last time you’ll leave to meet any guest. Have I made myself plain?"

"Yes, Lady Rachel," the young women chorused.

Lady Rachel hummed, "Greet when you should, speak when you’re spoken to...and never follow any man to a hidden place. If you must leave, take another maiden with you..." her voice trailed, her eyes searching the faces of everyone.

Jenna could see the smile on the woman’s face, it was a proud mother smile. The women were no different, their soft squeals of excitement. To finally meet men who might take them home as wives— they were elated.

"Make sure your dress isn’t wrinkled and...you...replace that earring of yours with something simple. And...that’s all." The woman gave an approving nod after a quiet inspection. With her shoulders relaxed, she pointed at the door.

"They’re outside, you all will step out there and pay your homage before bringing them in. If you understand me...then you can go ahead."

Jenna’s feet moved faster than her brain, she was ready to see Rhane again!

"Everyone except you, Jenna."

"W-hat?" Jenna turned, her cheeks flaming red with impatience. She watched as other women walked past her, hushing their giggles with their hands over their mouths.

Lady Rachel walked past everyone else, grabbing Jenna’s wrist she pulled her back. "You’re expected to stay as far away from the men as you can..."

"But why?" Jenna cried, "He is— I mean, they’re here for me." She touched her chest.

"I know," Lady Rachel replied with a weary exhale. She understood the girl’s grievance, but she didn’t make the rules. "They are here for you...exactly why you shouldn’t be seen by any of them. You’re to give the men an opportunity to explore other women just to make sure they won’t change their mind or fight for who they don’t want."

Jenna wriggled her hand free from the woman’s hold, a delirious scoff escaping her lips. "That is madness and I won’t be obeying any of it." She turned and began walking.

"He will be barred from the contention," Lady Rachel warned, her voice low. "Any man seen near or with you will be declared unsuitable by the council."

Jenna turned again, her brows raised in question.

"Yes, now if you love him so much...the one you can’t wait to see." The woman pointed her cane beside her. "Come over here and do everything I ask you to do."

Jenna boiled from inside out, even when she exhaled it was hot air. She wanted to yank and bald whoever made such abhorrent rules.

"B-but..."

"I know," Lady Rachel nodded, "As bad as it may seem, but there’s a reason...if after not seeing your face in that crowd, he still chooses to fight for you then...haven’t you won his heart for certain?"

Sensing Jenna’s distress, the woman instead walked ahead. Taking Jenna’s hand into her palm,

"You won’t be alone...I’ll be with you,"

"And I too," Olivia chimed, joining them. "I’m too young to be chosen by any man."

"I too," Lois added, "I do not wish to be another’s last choice."

Lady Rachel raised a white veil, "Trust your man, Jenna." Before she used it to cover Jenna’s head down to her face.