Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Abel shuffled through the papers on his desk.

“I think it’s about time I gave you something else to do,” he said.

After a month of observation, Abel must have decided that I was someone trustworthy. Instead of simply guarding the second rampart, I would be entrusted with a new job. This was wonderful news because it meant I no longer had to fear getting kicked out. This worry had always been in the back of my mind.

If I remembered correctly, Abel had always been against the imperial family. Then that same imperial family had sent him a strange little girl who didn’t act her age. Of course Abel wouldn’t have trusted her. Keeping this in mind, I was actually a bit surprised to earn his trust this quickly.

With his chin perched on his hand, Abel selected a few of the papers on the desk and began to scan over them. “The residents of the fourth rampart have petitioned me to punish some of their mercenaries. They have complained about violent behavior and assaults against women,” he said with a nod and a smile. Although his demeanor was relaxed, there was a steel edge to his voice. “They must be out of their minds, daring to bother people on my land. I must say, their courage is impressive though,” he said as he handed me the documents to read through myself.

I quickly read through the words. Everything was as Abel had said. However, I noticed a familiar name kept popping up: Karl Mercenaries.

The mercenaries who were harassing Abel’s people happened to be the same men who had hurt Siegren. I now understood why he had passed this matter on to me. Even though I had never said anything to him, he must have noticed my concerns about sending Siegren back to his abusers. Had I been that obvious?

“Of course, I do not intend to let them get away. So, Fiona…”

Was this proof of his trust? Well, who was I to deny this opportunity? Of course, I would graciously accept this kind offer.

I looked up. “Yes, sir.”

“I give you temporary authority to command the soldiers of the fourth rampart. You will give the insolent what they deserve,” Abel said with a cruel tilt to his lips. “In Heylon, the shield of the north and my beloved land, we return everything tenfold—whether that be grace or vengeance. I trust you’ll do what is needed.”

Well, that was certainly a unique regional characteristic indeed. All right.

So Abel wanted me to make an example of these mercenaries. I would have to make it so that no one would dare harm his people again.

“That brat you were so concerned about,” said Abel.

“His name is Siegren...” I said.

Come on. Bastard child or not, Siegren was still an imperial prince. Did Abel have to call him so callously?

“Yes, that brat. You were meaning to see him off to the fourth rampart anyway, weren’t you? It would be a good opportunity to take care of this task as well,” said Abel.

“Understood, sir,” I said with a nod of my head. This was the perfect opportunity to not only settle Siegren’s work and living situation but also deal with his abusers.

Then Abel leaned back into his chair and swung his long legs on top of the desk. Bringing his hands up to his face, he gestured, slicing his throat with his slim fingers. “I have no need for those who cannot control their own fists and loins. Get rid of them.”

“Yes, sir,” I replied.

Geez, if only Abel could learn to be a little softer with his words.

With a bright smile, I gave him my word. “I will take care of them.”

* * *

Fiona Green was a mystery that Siegren just couldn’t figure out. Each time he thought he was finally beginning to understand her, she would surprise him yet again.

“Wow... Look at all this snow,” she said.

Siegren had been looking quietly on at the small girl peering out the window with wonder in her eyes. The carriage rocked erratically on the rugged road, carrying the both of them to the fourth rampart. He had fully recovered by this point, and it was time for him to return to work. But then Fiona had offered to accompany him, saying she had some business at the defensive wall as well.

She pointed at something outside the window. “Look at that, Siegren. Someone made a snowman. Shall we also make one later?”

“What use is that?” he asked.

Fiona bit her bottom lip. “Why are you so grumpy? You’re just a kid! Let’s play in the snow.”

“I’d rather be grumpy than mindlessly happy like you.”

“Are you still upset that I never told you I worked as a mage?”

“Upset? I’m the one who’s upset?” he asked.

Fiona slumped her shoulders. Judging by her actions, she was clearly the one who seemed more upset in this exchange.

With an exasperated look, Siegren finally spoke up with much reluctance in his voice. “I’ll help you make one later when you’re free... First, you have to do what the duke has ordered, don’t you?”

Fiona immediately cheered up. “All right! That’s a promise. If I finish the duke’s task early, let’s play together.”

Fiona turned back to the window and began humming an upbeat melody.

Siegren clicked his tongue as he watched her. What joy is she getting out of playing with someone like me?

Having grown up among mercenaries, he didn’t know anything that might delight girls his age. To start with, he spoke too harshly—so much so that he couldn’t even think of one kind word to say to a girl who wanted to befriend him.

Siegren still couldn’t believe this little girl was a mage. Since he had never seen her fight, he couldn’t imagine her in a battle. Those who fought in battles were supposed to be rugged and tough—covered in scars like him.

With soft, silvery hair that flowed down her back and clear, red eyes like roses that bloomed in the early summer months, Fiona resembled a winter fairy from the story books he had once read. Soldiers weren’t allowed to be this beautiful. Aside from the flush of her pale pink cheeks, she was almost ghostly white.

Because she was so pale, Fiona almost didn’t appear human. Ethereal, that was the word. She was ethereal. Whenever she walked outside, it was like watching a delicate white rabbit hopping across the snow. And this tiny little girl was a mage who guarded the second rampart, the most dangerous area of the northern frontlines? He couldn’t believe it.

Siegren felt a flare of resentment toward those who abandoned her to this fate. He felt a sudden surge of anger toward Fiona, too. How could she accept her fate so easily with a smile? She should worry more about herself instead of me.

He still couldn’t understand why she cared so much about him. What could she possibly gain from taking care of an orphan boy like him? Whenever he asked himself such questions, he felt suspicion rise against his will. Perhaps Fiona knew that he was of imperial descent. Perhaps she was trying to get close to him so she could use him in some way. Maybe even kill him.

He wanted to trust her. But he couldn’t. If he put his trust in her and she betrayed him, he wasn’t sure his heart would ever recover.

“Siegren,” called Fiona’s voice, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“What?”

“I have a question about the mercenaries.”

“What is it?”

“How do they set rules usually? I mean... How do you control them?”

Though Siegren had no idea why Fiona was asking such a question, he decided to answer honestly. “It’s pretty simple, actually. It’s survival of the fittest. Most mercenaries come from the dregs of society, and the only thing they recognize is strength. You can’t just talk sense into them.”

“So what then?”

“They usually grovel before those stronger than them and bully those weaker than them. If you want to control the mercenaries, you must become a bigger threat to them than they are to you. Most of them don’t get it unless you go that far.”

“I see.”

Hmm, so you have to force them into submission, thought Fiona with a nod. Well, that wasn’t really surprising, considering how power was all that mattered among the mercenaries. She’d better go hard on them, so even the simplest mercenary would get the message.

“Why are you asking?”

“Huh? Oh, it’s related to the matter for the duke,” she said with an innocent smile. “I only asked you since I don’t know much about the mercenaries.”

Before Siegren could ask anything else, the carriage halted. They had finally arrived at their destination.

“We’re here!” said Fiona.

Siegren stopped Fiona right as she was about to hop out of the open carriage door. “This carriage is quite high. You’ll fall at that rate.”

He got off the carriage first and reached out his hand. “Hold my hand and step down carefully.”

Fiona’s eyes widened before she broke out into quiet laughter. Her hand rested in Siegren’s gentle grasp. He clutched her small hand determinedly as if he would never let the small girl fall.

Fiona Green was a strange girl who was brave enough to reach out with a trusting hand to a boy she barely knew. Although he couldn’t trust her unconditional kindness, and he was wary about her intentions, he still wanted to return her kindness in some way.

It had been so long since he had been kind to others. But perhaps he would be able to pay back his debts little by little if he took care of her in little ways like this.

At least, he hoped so.

“Thank you, Siegren.”

“Of course...”

Suddenly, he felt a small desire building within him. For her sake, he wanted to become a better person.