Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 256

"What are we going to do for lunch, then?"

"Why have so many of the town's restaurants closed up?"

"Are they no longer open for business? It's all rather peculiar!"

The inn staff were taken aback to find them all still in town.

"Didn't you lot go out rowing together?"

"No."

"Well, that's a shame!"

The inn staff looked genuinely sorry. "Your school had organised the rowing activity to finish up at Lake Skyward, famous for its crabs. Many of the town's restaurant owners were called in to help cook there, but you missed out."

Half of the restaurant owners were busy preparing meals, while the rest didn't want to miss the crab feast and set off early in the morning.

That was why the town was now so quiet.

On hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded.

Silence grasped them.

Then, shock grabbed their hearts.

What? Today's rowing is meant to end with a crab feast at Lake Skyward!?

Good Lord, we've missed out, big time!

Why hadn't they mentioned this earlier?

Someone piped up, "Why didn't you tell us yesterday? I would have definitely joined in!"

The innkeeper happened to pass by and chuckled at the comment. "Lake Skyward is near our town, and it's really renowned. Didn't you check all the info beforehand?"

A momentary silence followed.

"No."

"Well, that's a shame. But don't fret. Even though we didn't prepare meals today, we've got plenty of instant noodles in the pantry to tide you over."

Instant noodles!?

How could instant noodles compare to a crab feast?

They were speechless.

Words failed them.

They had assumed rowing would be a fruitless task, but now they were told there were rewards waiting.

"Then bring them out quick. I'm famished. Haven't eaten a thing since morning, and it's already noon."

The innkeeper motioned for a staff member to fetch the instant noodles, but cautioned, "Mind you, the instant noodles aren't complimentary."

The couple who had joined Violeta's group couldn't hide their elation.

Initially hesitant about the boating trip, they had expected little in return.

Little did they know they were headed for such a heavenly destination.

They captured numerous photos and shared them, quickly catching the eye of their classmates. Meanwhile, back at the inn, everyone else made do with instant noodles. They crumbled about the lack of exquisite crab soup and could only enhance their meal with a lone sausage!

As the images spread like wildfire, envy and remorse swept through the group. Some even directed their frustration towards Zelena and Hattie.

"There's a crab feast out there, and I'm stuck here with noodle soup. The difference is stark!"

"Yeah, if I'd known, I'd have joined Violeta without hesitation. It's just unbelievable."

"I'm a sucker for crab roe. Seeing that crab roe mixed rice in the photos is making my mouth water ... "

Zelena and Hattie, seated nearby, exchanged eye rolls at the grievances aired.

Hattie, known for her fiery temperament, rose abruptly from her seat and retorted, "What's the fuss? It's just crabs. Ever tried king crab? When we return, I'll treat you all at Yumloft. Enough fuss over something so trivial. It's beyond belief."

With that declaration, Hattie stormed off upstairs to her room.

Zelena, also standing now, addressed the group with a reassuring smile, "Don't let it get to you, everyone. That's just how Hattie is. Rest assured, since we promised yesterday to treat you, we'll make good on it. When we're back, forget the crab banquet; we'll treat you to a lavish seafood feast."

Silence swooped down on the room.

With one as the tough enforcer and the other as the comforting voice, they managed to mend fences and soothe bruised egos.