Chapter 3: The birth!
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't intend to bother you." Karl Elizabeth objected.
"I didn't say that you'll do."
Elizabeth pondered for a while before she nodded lightly; she moved towards the shop. As she entered, Sandy Maurita immediately served her a hot tea. The heavy rain kept beating the roof without a single rest—it was relentless. Elizabeth took the tea gently and carefully. She immersed herself in the warm feeling.
"You are feeling warm, right?" Maurita kindly began to strike up a conversation to keep Elizabeth's mood light. She only nodded gently without saying a word—she was detached. Of course, it was understandable since it was her first time in the shop and with an unknown man. Anyway, Maurita didn't mean evil, though.
"Do you feel like having a change of dress? You could do with something warmer, don't you think?" Maurita said with a mix of concern.
Karl Elizabeth drank her tea again, feeling the warmth it brought her. She stole a quick glance at Maurita, who sat opposite her. At the same time, Elizabeth sighed silently. She really appreciated the appearance of this savior, but she didn't intend to bother him.
"As long as it doesn't bother you." She responded simply.
"I am called Sandy Maurita; you can call me Maurita."
"Karl Elizabeth. I'm embarrassed to bother you. I will leave after the rain stop."
"You are not a bother, and you don't necessarily have to leave."
Soon, Maurita brought a genderless simple white robe and gave it to Elizabeth. He directed her to a place where she could change her gown and drop the soaked dress. After a while, Elizabeth changed and looked more spirited (compared to her previous depressed demeanor). There was silence for a good period. In fact, it was nothing awkward, but Maurita knew that something had to be wrong for a young lady to be thrown out in the rain at such a late hour. But what would be awkward should be when he brazenly starts asking something that he shouldn't. Of course, he knew that his question might come as a concern but who knew what the other person would take it as?
Elizabeth watched his change in expression and understood that he couldn't endure asking but didn't know how to ask. "Is there something you like to ask?" She decided to help him.
"Mhm! What actually happened that made you walk in this heavy rain." He said with distress.
As Maurita noticed that Elizabeth was quiet. More like she found it difficult to answer his question. He innocently flustered as he waved his two palms, indicating that she should forget it if it was difficult to answer it. Of course, he stammered and couldn't get his words out. Honestly, Elizabeth had clearly thought about how to answer this question because it was not as simple as it seemed. She would like to avoid complications. She exhaled gently.
"My husband's family chased me out of their home after his burial procession." It still ended in stating the trouble clearly.
Maurita got angered inadvertently: his anger came honestly without explanation. Was he angered by the suffering of this lady? In fact, all he knew was that the injustice made him want to yell at someone. How could people be so shameless? Looking at it now, perhaps the person in front of him might be from a wealthy background, and the power tussle was crazy. He was just angry at seeing this beautiful person in front of him suffer. Moreover, he could tell that person was gentle.
"I'm sorry about it; they suffered you unjustifiably." He said with self indignation.
"You don't need to bother yourself with my problem. I'm already grateful for your kindness." However, after saying this word, Elizabeth was hit with a surge of pain—it was unbearable; it changed her expression.
Ah!
The loud moan continued.
"What's the matter, Miss Elizabeth?" Maurita asked with his eyes wide open—he was scared because he suddenly saw the white dress he had lent to Karl Elizabeth soaked with blood around her waist and leg region.
"You are…" Maurita's words trailed away from his original speech. He watched the woman in front of him helplessly. "Are you alright?" he finally mustered up the courage to ask. This simple question was as heavy as a falling mountain.
Elizabeth was seriously in pain—a man couldn't possibly understand such unfathomable pain. Her eyes constricted with red veins clearly visible—it was as though death was robbing her back. She knew even though she wanted to hide it, she couldn't. Also, this time did not require frivolity; everything mattered, and any more time wasted could be dangerous to her.
"I'm in labor—the child wants to come out." She blabbed in pain.
"But Miss, I…"
"Shut up," Elizabeth said with a displeased tone. Her eyes stared at the man in front of her as though the man was a death scavenger. 'All men were the same.' She thought. What was the point of knowing whether she was pregnant? It was not as though she would carry a gong and drum and announce to the whole city. Even the father of the child who lay in the cold hand of the grave knew nothing about it, what made him qualified to know. She was deeply displeased. However, she had nothing to do about this matter.
At the same time, Maurira quickly noticed her displeasure and acted accordingly. He did not want to offend this lady. Even a fool could see he was behaving more unlikely in front of her than usual. Was he charmed?
"If you don't mind, I want to help you."
As Elizabeth heard this statement, she was more confused because the man in front of her was not even a doctor or midwifery, yet he wanted to assist in the delivery? This situation made her look at the man differently. Did he want to take advantage of her? She frowned.
"Oh, don't worry. After the delivery, you can kill me to get rid of the pain and take back your dignity."
Elizabeth nodded in affirmation with a slight blush. There was nothing she could certainly do in this situation other than allow the other party to help her out. Anyway, which man would be bold enough to help a woman deliver. Most of them would faint before the process began. So she relaxed a bit. However, the heaven thunder became more turbulent as it struck high buildings, destroying everything to rubble. It hit the ground, creating craters. The whole sky was full of rain and thunder.
Simultaneously, many kilometers away from Satou city, a phenomenon that had been happening became more unrelenting. This town was called Lican town. This town was also majestic and outstanding in Satou city. The thing that made this place stand out more was the Li Family. This family had a deep background, and they were powerful and wealthy. Also, they had great status; they only bow down to the real kings.
In Lican town, in a majestic villa, the courtyard was lighted very well as the Li Family ancestor decorated the whole of their estate with majestic sculptors and towering pillars. They filled the whole place with uniqueness and mystery. The Li family wears red and blue robes. This was a simple differentiation—it had nothing to do with status or power. It was more like the elemental powers that they wield.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone