The coffee stirs, creating ripples that form waves. As time passes, the waves increase, growing more intense. Soon, the white mug begins to shake on the table as the ground quakes.

     Oliver notices the mug shaking. He looks at the coffee inside and spots the rippling motion. Oliver knows something unpleasant will happen in a few seconds as his lips tighten to the back of his right cheek.

     A townswoman hurries in front of the cafe window. She peeks through and sees the Remaining Podeshire sitting on a chair inside. The woman then looks at her right side, raising her arm.

"I knew it! He's here!" she yelled as she waved her arms.

     The lady takes a few steps from the sidewalk and approaches her daughter, grabbing her on the forearm. She then drags her daughter with her. She rushes inside the cafe, squeezing through the ocean of chairs.

"Oh. Here we go again," Oliver placed his palm on his forehead, rolling his eyes.

"Not this again," Sophia sighed as she stood up.

     Outside, mobs of nearly hundreds race to the cafe. They flood the sidewalks like a storm surge. Some even startle the passing horses as they cross the road swiftly.

     Men and women clasp their young daughters' hands tightly as they hurry to the cafe. Meanwhile, others walk with empty hands. The focal point is the cafe, drawing people towards it with a sense of urgency, whether alone, accompanied by their spouse, or joined by their beloved daughters.

     Soon, crowds bustle around the cafe, reminiscent of ants gathering around their food. They budge inside the compact doorway, squeezing through desperately. The panicking baristas sprint to the entrance and spread their arms out to prevent more people from filling the store. Meanwhile, the customers inside try to shove themselves out the door against the incoming ones.

"Sir! I am most honoured to have the opportunity to meet you in person! I hope you are yet undecided in your search for a suitable bride. I appeal to you to consider my daughter!" a lady's voice quivered with desperation as she gently pushed her bewildered daughter forward.

Oliver stood up and stepped backwards. "Uh—"

"Oliver Podeshire! Please, select my daughter instead! I beg of you!" a man pleaded.

"No, please, favour our daughter!" a couple interjected with their hands gripping their reluctant daughter.

"Enough! Choose ours instead!" another pair demanded forcefully.

     Oliver's vision blurs. He cannot focus as his eye twitches. His mind begins to feel weighty. Oliver holds his heavy head, becoming ponderous after losing concentration.

     Oliver's head sways under the weight of the expectant crowd, causing his gaze to dart from side to side. As he glances around, he sees frantic and desperate parents, all vying for his hand in marriage. Overwhelmed, Oliver shakes his head as his eyes travel down, seeing bustling legs and swirling skirts.

Sophia stood before Oliver, overstretching her arms as she shielded him. "Please, allow him some privacy!" she pleaded.

"Respect the Remaining Podeshire's need for personal space. Show some consideration!" Gregory raised his voice as he barked his orders.

A man from the crowd pushed forward. "Come on! We only wish to present our daughter as a potential match," the man argued.

The crowd continued their clamour as their voices blended into an indistinct howl.

"Sir, pick her! Pick her!"

"Sir, choose her! Pick our daughter!"

"Please do give my daughter a chance, will you!?"

"Please! Oh, Defender, choose ours!"

Frustrated, Oliver stomped his foot with his eyes tightly shut. "I already have feelings for someone else!" he declared, piercing his proclamation through the noise.

     The blaring cafe instantly fell into a silent stillness—as if the air had been stripped of sound. The only audible presence came from the distant chirping of birds and the occasional rumble of passing carriages. The crowds screwed their mouths shut as they stared at the Remaining Podeshire.

Gradually, the crowd chattered, filling the silence with murmurs and whispers.

A lady stepped forward and asked, "...May I inquire as to whom you hold admiration for?"

A man gazed around the cafe. "Could it be one of the young ladies present here?" he wondered aloud.

"If so, then who?" a woman raised her hand.

     The crowd resumed their indistinct clamour as their voices vibrated through the cafe walls. The buzzing noise filled the air, making Oliver and his companions instinctively wish to cover their ears. The relentless noise and the oppressive heat, intensified by the sheer number of tightly packed men and women, made the atmosphere unbearable, thick and heavy.

"Please tell us who has captured your heart, good sir!" a woman sank to her knees.

"I hope it's our daughter!"

"Surely, it'll be our daughter!"

"No, it'll be my daughter, I know!"

     Oliver closed his eyes. His teeth further clenched to one another behind his tight lips. He faced his head down and paced back as the crowds encircled him. He then felt the wall touching his back.

"Sir, please!"

"Oh, good Defender, may we know who you admire!"

"It wouldn't hurt to inform us!"

     Oliver feels trapped. No words but faint gasps come out of his mouth. He glances around with his brows furrowed. Seeing the neverending approaching crowds urges him to yell as he punches the wall behind him.

"Enough!!" he cried out frustratedly.

     A clash of thunder boomed from the warm, blue sky. Lightning flashed, causing everything to flicker. The unexpected event caused everyone to stop throwing words, silencing themselves.

"The one I like... is..." Oliver's brows furrowed as his cheeks flushed. "Someone in here... or there! Or Nowhere!"

     Light catches Oliver's attention. He sees the luminance beaming from the door. He squints and spots a gap between two people. Taking the opportunity, he breathes in, then slips through the exit. Upon stepping into the streets, Oliver runs away as fast as a hungry leopard.