The General's Wife Wants to Leave
Chapter 82: How is the deer?

Chapter 82: How is the deer?

"I have forbidden all the kids not to play in the forest for the time being." Mrs. Powel decided to shift the topic of conversation as she noticed the embarrassed young lady. "I can’t believe the news that I heard yesterday that there were wolves in the forest." But the topic that Mrs. Powel chose caused the embarrassed young lady to shudder.

"Do you think the wolves will come into this orphanage, Sir Canillas?" asked the elderly lady to the young General, whom she thought to be the right person to answer her question as he was a general who had encountered many dangerous, unpredictable mishaps.

She had told the kids about the presence of the wolves in the forest, as she had no other choice but to tell them the truth. She would have kept that from them if they did not insist on playing in the forest after she forbade them, as they thought that her reason was not convincing enough.

As the kids were in the dining room with them now, Mrs. Powel thought that it was better to talk about that matter so the kids, who still doubted her words, even after she revealed the sudden presence of wolves, could hear about it themselves.

At the inquiry of Mrs. Powel, Canillas answered, "I don’t think so, Mrs. Powel. They were taken away yesterday." Canillas selected his choice of words as there were kids with them. "Besides, this building is surrounded by high walls and fences. So, as long as we are inside the safe area, we should be fine. But I suggest not visiting the forest for the time being until Duke de Lara sends Barasca knights and officers to handle this matter. So, you may please rest assured, Mrs. Powel."

Canillas’ answer was a matter of fact, as he knew that, after learning about the Powel Orphanage from his friends, who seemed to have become acquaintances with Barasca knights since they lived under the same roof in the knight’s quarter, the Powel Orphanage was under the care of Duke de Lara.

It meant that the Duke would not stay still and do nothing when what had happened the day before was informed to him, particularly when the matter involved his precious daughter.

"The wolves seemed to trespass the forest to hunt a deer yesterday," Canillas added another piece of information to Mrs. Powel, who just finished reminding the kids if they heard what was said by General von Rodega about staying inside the orphanage building and not visiting the forest until Duke of Barasca resolved it.

"A deer?" Mrs. Powel frowned. "Are there also deer in the forest?" She bewildered. "I just knew about this. Since I lived here, I haven’t seen deer once in the forest around this orphanage."

In contrast to the confused Mrs. Powel, Joanna, who was munching the sandwich with her eyes fixating on the tasty sandwich in her hands, had the thought to kick the big man in the dining room as she knew what deer he referred to. She agreed with Mrs. Powel that they never encountered a deer, not even once, every time they strolled around the forest.

"Well, if wolves could make a sudden appearance in the forest, it is not possible for deer to be there too," Canillas stated nonchalantly, glancing over his wife, who pretended to not care for what he was saying as she looked busy with her meal.

"Don’t you think so, Joanna?" Canillas poked her, not willing for her to not join in the interesting conversation.

Upon hearing she was mentioned, Joanna swallowed the sandwich she had chewed in her mouth. Wiping her lips with a napkin, she responded despite her strong intention to not only kick the big man but also hit him, as she did in the forest when she did not recognize that it was him at first sight.

"Well, Sir Canillas is right. Any possibility can happen, just like how Sir Canillas suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the forest yesterday." And as usual, Canillas found enjoyment in every response she made, especially when she uttered her words with cold sarcasm.

A smile spread across his face as he captured the piercing glare in his smiling eyes.

"So, what about the deer? Was it fine, Sir Canillas?" The question of worried Mrs. Powel broke the staring contest between husband and wife as the wife retreated first. She blinked before lowering her head to continue devouring her almost-finished sandwich.

"The deer was supposed to be fine, Mrs. Powel, as my men-at-arms managed to take the wolves away before they captured the deer," Canillas replied with a smile, sensing how much the deer wanted to kick him now.

A sigh of relief came from the elderly lady before she said, "It is good to hear that, Sir Canillas. I hope it is safe somewhere in the forest."

"I want to see the deer, Mrs. Powel," Emma, who had her attention peaked since the topic of the deer was brought up, said with her little voice. "In the book that Lady Joanna gave me, the deer is drawn beautifully. I want to see it, Mrs. Powel," Emma added in full enthusiasm. Her broad smile bloomed on her face.

Looking at the little girl who showed her interest in the deer, Canillas wanted to tell her that the deer was present in the room and she was enjoying the fruit now. He then let out a very low chuckle before finishing his meal, not paying attention to how Mrs. Powel tried to coax the little girl, who showed her eagerness to see the deer and whined when Mrs. Powel did not grant her request.

On the other hand, Joanna picked the sliced apple with a fork as if imagining she stabbed the big man who involved her in such absurd humor with her dagger. How could he bring up an unnecessary topic that piqued the kids’ interest, making Mrs. Powel busy to calm them?

When Joanna was busy nagging the big, naughty man in her head for the umpteenth time, a thought suddenly came to her mind.