"Good work for the auction raid Aria…" dad said while we were sipping tea in his office.
"Yeah…all thanks to Cronus, Elizabeth was scared," I said.
Ahh…it was a really good day. Sebalion and the Bellhouse knights came at the right time and freed all the kids. I also got Elizabeth and the fire manipulating boy. It was an amazing achievement for a lazy noble like me.
"All people in the capital were talking about your bravery we were also called by the king for your achievement."
"Well, after more than five years of talking shit about me how can they praise the same person all of a sudden ?"
"Aria ?"
" I never thought Sebalion had such a loose mouth…maybe the advisor and the king already knew about the mission since Sebalion notified them," I said diverting the topic.
"Aria?"
"It must be Declan's idea to not take action until such crucial information truly comes into light."
"That bastard is like a snake…however we were given lots of rewards."
"Aria Bellhouse speak to me!"
"Black widow, the husband eater, the witch of the Bellhouse. It feels overwhelming that suddenly everyone believes that I am a hero. Anyway, we were given spoils of the raid. A mansion under Ronald Polimont's name and one of his seaports owned by him. It would be nice if we think about a business to start since war cannot be won without capital."
"Child, I never knew that you were aware !"
"Father after my death I became aware of many things. My two husbands who died before I reached the age of twenty still haunt me. And it hurts more after the multitudes started praising me all of a sudden." I laughed, it was more of a snort."
"Aria the two deaths were not your fault, it was ours. It is a new chance for all of us."
"You may be right about that. You know yesterday I dreamt of Stephen, he told me that this public adulation that I will receive will turn into a curse." I sniffed back the tears.
My father held my hands and hugged me.
"Listen Aria, we do not know what will happen from now on but one thing is clear, you have one the first battle and I am sure the war will also be yours. Believe in me even a little. This time you will not be hurt ."
"Yeah..." I whispered as my father patted my back.
**
" Let us think about it with mum and brother at dinner… By the way, Cronus seemed happy that we chose that simple mansion what is there that caught his fancy?" I said after calming down. We were drinking Hibiscus tea my father's favorite.
"Huh?...did he not tell you? There seemed to have a large number of illegal weapons from across the continent. "
"What?... He wants to be a weapon dealer now ?" I asked amused at his newfound interest.
"No…probably study them and gather information."
"I am telling you that Demon is a nerd." I joked as my father laughed heartily.
"I heard you ….'
Cronus' voice sounded from a distance. He certainly looked irritated with furrowed eyebrows and thin marks on his forehead.
"Ah…Cronus good timing…How are Elizabeth and that kid that you knocked out." I asked swiftly changing the topic.
" That Kid is still unconscious and a deviant doctor has checked his body. Elizabeth is fine…fed and dressed, she is quite attached to me ."
"Just like a little duckling huh?" father snide a remark.
"Moreover that dumbass Sebalion seemed to always come to and try finding out about Elizabeth." He said with a disgusted expression.
"Seriously? That pedo pisses me off. Just yesterday he asked me if a pretty girl with black hair was among the slaves. That twenty-four-year-old dog should just marry someone than prey on such a little girl."
"Well, your maids did what was needed so there is no way he would come back…"
"What did the maids do?" Father and I asked.
"They threw him out and started beating him with their shoes while cursing him to be a child predator. They then threw him in front of the guard dogs. They knew about his fear of dogs ."
"He is very famous in the capital for his face…now the rumors about him being a child predator would spread. Well …it was not in my plan but that creep surely deserved it ."
"We can still use him …just manipulate him and take him under your wing when he would be thrown out of the first Squadron," Father said while sipping tea.
Cronus and I fell silent on hearing his devious plans.
He was evil.
"You truly are the descendant of Ares...'I heard Cronus whisper under his breath.
"Also one of the representatives is being called to meet the king for reward so Aria do you want to go or shall I go."
"I am going. I need to face my enemies head-on and set demands for the next phase of my plan." I said.
The war has just started…
And I am going to win it.
**
"My lady! Where is Elizabeth I need to see her ." the mad rabid dog roared from behind the iron gate.
"I don't know Sebalion," I shouted from the other side.
"I know she is there! You have kept her away from me !" He shouted.
His father had long thrown him out of the Barony. Oily head, dirty face, and wounds from being bitten by my guard dogs. He looked mad and helpless. His eyes were the same as mine, the influence of the novel had overtaken my mind too once. His own life had already been destroyed yet he asked for Elizabeth.
"I will let you meet her only after three months till then you will work in the stables," I said. This was the last way to save him. Had I not seen him today because of this ruckus I might have still considered him as a pedophile and creep.
"I will! Thank you my lady!" he thanked me, the craziness in his eyes calming down.
"Cronus ?" I sighed my head on the massive iron gate.
"Hmm..."
"I never knew that the influence of the novel was so strong !"
"Neither do I ."