The warm afternoon wind blew making the leaves on the ground take small flights into the air. The branches swayed lightly and the leaves rustled. . I held my hair to keep it off my face and smiled at the astonished face of Sir Klaus.
"This.." Klaus tried to speak more but was only able to open and close his mouth like a fish.
"What do you think about working for House Castellan, Sir Klaus?" I smiled at him.
"That.. Is that really okay, young lady?" He asked reluctantly. "Your name could be smudged just by having me around."
His eyes widened as if remembering something.
"The king! The king may use it as an excuse to put pressure on House Castellan!"
I chuckled.
"If the king could actually do that, he would have done it before." I shrugged. "Having you work for us won't be the worst for our family. We have been through a lot just these couple weeks. I would also love to see what he would dare to do to your house if he learns that you are working for us."
Sebastiene smiled coldly at the thought.
"Th-then, you will really take me in?" Klaus asked anxiously. "You will also protect my family?"
"As long as you swear loyalty to our house, I will swear upon the goddess of life, Parsua, to protect you family and be in your aid if needed." I answered with certainty.
At first, Klaus looked unconvinced but he thought about it deeply and nodded.
"I agree." He looked at me with a very serious expression.
"Good." I nodded. "You will leave with us right now."
"Eh?" Klaus froze for a moment.
"I need to be home before dinner so you better pack your things." I urged him with a frown.
"But how should I explain it to my family, young lady?" He asked worriedly.
"Seb will take care of it at home." I answered indifferently. "Go pack your things before I change my mind."
Klaus went back inside the house followed by Klent and Sebastiene.
While we waited, the village head spoke up.
"I never thought that Lord Klaus went through something like that." He sighed.
"That is why one should never believe in baseless rumors, even more, spread them. Isn't that right, Marionne?" I asked the general standing behind me without looking.
"Yes, my lady." She answered stiffly.
The village head took a glance at Marionne and I could actually see the way he shivered. Marionne most probably have a dark expression on. She did believed the rumors and even tried to pass it on to me.
The three men came out a few moments later all laughing and chatting comfortably with each other. I guess they hit it off and became fast friends.
"I am ready to go, young lady." Klaus smiled at me.
I frowned when I looked at him.
"Where are your things?" I asked.
"Sebastiene used his portal to send my things to Castellan castle first, young lady." Klaus answered.
I raised a brow towards Sebastiene who just smiled casually.
"Okay." I nodded. "If you are ready to go, we should head down. I still need to take a look at the village."
The travel back to the village was quicker than our travel towards the villa. Maybe because we were going down the mountain or maybe because of how lively the men chatted while we walked. We arrived at the village and walked around. The village head introduced me to the people as we go about. He also introduced me to the guards and the inn owner. The three men with me made all the ladies blush. Sebastiene with his set smile and eyes looking out for me, Klaus with his aloof personality and Klent who smiled and interacted with everyone.
After going around and checking the village, we started for the portal outside.
"Thank you, Sir Joel." I smiled at the old village head.
"We should be the ones to be thankful to you, my lady." The village head smiled. "We never thought that you would personally come to check on us. I thought that the knighting ceremony would be the last time I'll ever see a Castellan."
"There will be plenty more times that you will see us." I looked at him. "Not only me, the others will be making their own travels and rounds. Please see to them when they are here."
Sebastiene finished preparing the portal and waited for me.
"It's time for us to go. I will see you again, village head." I looked at him. "If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to send a message to the castle."
"Yes, my lady."
I nodded at took one last look at the beautiful village before turning around and entering the portal. The village head and the guards bowed to us.