Those blue eyes of his sparkled in wonder, and he expressed, "Whoa! It had been a long time since I went outside!"
His tone didn't hide his uplifted mood.
Odette glanced at him. A bright, wide smile sat on his face; it was a very much genuine. Was this all that took to make him happy? What a simple child!
Both of them walked through the streets. Odette didn't change her training outfit but had the family crest removed because she didn't wish to attract unnecessary attention.
Honestly, it was shocking to Odette that she skipped training in order to do something silly as this. Before she could control her mouth, she offered to bring him out when she saw how miserable he looked. Why couldn't she be heartless in that instant?
She clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Nonetheless, Odette wanted to indulge in this for the sake of her plan. She had to have Adrian be more attached to her if she wanted to derive further fun from this.
In the end, she convinced herself to carry on with this for the great plans she had in her mind. She repeated in her head on how she wasn't a coward.
"I will buy whatever you want to eat, but this is the last time I am doing this for you. Next time Dennis steals from you, you will be punished."
Odette sounded serious.
Adrian tilted his head to look at Odette and asked, "Lady Odette, can you ask Dennis to give me back my coins?"
Amusement crossed through Odette's eyes. Her lips curled up as she responded, "Now, why would I do that? It is your fault after all."
Feeling wronged, Adrian pouted and defended himself: "How come? This is not my fault. How could have I known Dennis would be a thief? I wouldn't have kept the pouch in his care if I knew how he would be."
Odette stared at him with ridicule.
"Do you think a thief would come to you and inform you that he is a thief?" she retorted.
"Well, no, but, but, but this is not how it works. Shouldn't that mean everyone is a thief?" Adrian pointed out.
"Fool, that is how you should think. Everyone should be suspicious in your eyes. Only idiots trust, especially here in the Albinius household. It's either you eat or get eaten," Odette explained, and following that, her eyes turned cold. This was a lesson in her life she understood after much hardship.
Adrian stared at Odette, confused.
"Lady Odette, can't you use easier terms? What do you mean by eating and getting eaten? Is there a monster who will eat me? I don't want to eat it. It's gross!" Adrian whined.
Odette shook her head at the boy's idiocy and commented, "It would be interesting if life teaches you that instead of me."
That smile on Odette's face was chilling.
"How mean," he said, "but, Lady Odette, I will always trust you."
The sincerity in his eyes were scalding for Odette, and she turned away her gaze.
"Good."