Tyrant's Obsession With The Heiress-Chapter 75: Recruiting A Labour Force Gone Terribly Wrong

A/N: Hi! Dumpling here; thank you for reading and supporting me! I would appreciate it if you could also comment and leave your thoughts on certain parts! It would help me as the author to know if you are enjoying the story or if there is anything you don't like. Please comment if you can!

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The tavern was crammed with the people who had fled inside to escape the impending doom that arrived with Orpheus Van Merikh.

The man held an air of death around him and no doubt many would even consider him a bad omen and flee the town to seek shelter elsewhere.

The air was thick with the scent of ale and food, and the street musicians' instruments quieted down as they huddled themselves in the corner behind barrels of wine.

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At the sight of Orpheus entering the establishment, half of the people bolted to their feet and prepared to dash for the rear entrance.

The man sensed their attentions and grabbed the nearest chair, tossing it so hard against the wall behind him that the impact shook the entire building. That was enough to make everyone who was prepared to run freeze dead in their tracks.

"Stop," Orpheus' voice boomed, holding cold authority. "I have no intentions of raiding your town or destroying the place, so take your seats, all of you."

As he spoke, he and his knights walked into the space, throwing men back into their chairs and scaring a few of the women into tears.

Meanwhile, Lady Karina stood by the door, her eyes wide and her box and parchment clutched against her chest. When Orpheus had finished terrorising the poor villagers, tossing a couple more men back into their chairs, he turned to her and held out a hand.

The lady watched with pure dismay as he casually rough-handled the people as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, and then he had the audacity to politely offer her his hand?

"My lady?" His hand remained extended to her, making for an odd sight since he was standing in the middle of a tavern full of terrified people. "Say your piece and get on with it."

Lady Karina swallowed as all eyes turned to her. She could feel the terror filling the space, but she took a deep breath and steadied herself. She took his hand as he guided her to the front of the tavern, then he stood beside her and crossed his arms.

"I am Karina Hyacinth Reinhardt of Moonveil Castle," she announced. "I require a force of male labourers to work in an upcoming harvest and I am prepared to pay one gold coin a day, two if you are magic-capable for this work. It should last no longer than five days if I can have at least sixty men sign on."

Orpheus wasn't pleased that she made the addition of two gold coins if they were magic-capable, but he had no desire to argue with the lady this time. Her words from earlier weighed on his mind heavily.

Unfortunately, no one had stirred despite the compensation being more than worthwhile.

The people were still terrified, shifting nervous eyes to Orpheus and his knights, now feathered around the tavern in strategic places. They were no better than wolves waiting to pounce on their prey.

Lady Karina had hoped that someone would step up soon because she was afraid of what Orpheus might do if one of them made a move or showed an interest in her work offer.

Spying a table nearby, she went over to it, sat down, and opened her box. She neatly set out her quill and ink and carefully unrolled the parchment in preparation for writing names and having men sign their marks.

"It is a reasonable wage I offer," she stated, looking at the men closest to her. "Will you not sign your marks, good sirs?" She smiled politely, trying to lighten the mood.

The four men she singled out paled with apprehension until one man finally spoke.

"We were just passing through this town, my lady," he said. "I have my own farm near Yalewood beyond this town, and I must return home soon."

"Well, you are going to get home five days late," Orpheus remarked, kicking the man's chair and sending him sprawling to the floor. "Sign your mark on the lady's parchment, and that is not a request."

"Orpheus," Lady Karina said softly, somewhat like a reprimand, shaking her head reproachfully. Then she lifted her voice again. "Women are welcome too; they would be of great help and it is a very good wage for five days of labour."

The man Orpheus had unceremoniously booted off his chair had picked himself up, brushing off his knees. He eyed the Black Frost Demon warily before looking back at his companions.

It was evident that they were silently discussing what would be their next decision.

And as Lady Karina looked hopefully around the tavern, Orpheus suddenly kicked over a table, smashing it to splinters.

"If you do not want me to burn this tavern in a sea of flames over your heads, then you will all move off your arses and sign the lady's parchment," he boomed.

"And if anyone is still seated by the time I have finished my directive, then I will personally use them as fuel to the fire," he added.

Everyone in the tavern shot to their feet immediately, stampeding their way towards Lady Karina like a herd of frightened animals.

She shrieked as the men jostled too close, unsettling the table and spilling her ink. The drops soaked onto her skirt and she gasped with great disappointment.

"Oh, no." Lady Karina stood up, the big black splotches on her gown showing clearly. "It is ruined..."

Orpheus was on her in a minute, hustling his way through the herd. "Who did this?" He demanded. "Point him out to me."

His dual-coloured eyes blazed, prepared to cut down whoever it was that dared to soil the lady's beautiful dress.

Lady Karina looked up at him, her face red with frustration. Then, she pointed right at him accusingly.

"You did this," came her stern response.

"What?" Orpheus gave her a questioning look.

"If you hadn't threatened these people and handled things in an orderly fashion, then they would not have panicked."