After talking towards Ger and even introducing herself to him. They immediately found a sit and eat there as Ger assisted them. Now, it was again nearly 10:00 am in the morning. Silently, Victoria was counting in her mind
'Three….two….one'
*Bell rings*
Then ladies began entering the bakeshop once again. Victoria just couldn't stopped giggling because the ladies were into Ger as they immediately went to him, knowing sharply that the owner wasn't even around
Murmurs and giggles were once again filling the rooms, the others were buying some breads while the other keep talking towards the Ger.
"Oh goodness, they are here again"
"Yes, well, who wouldn't be, it's because the young man that always assists the owner of this Bakeshop is a handsome young man after all. That's why ladies had been coming over every time we go here"
"And you're truly right Sir Howald"
"Well, it's always my honor Milady"
Then the two of them laugh while Melly only shook her head and started laughing once again
After a few minutes, they had already left the bakeshop and now, Victoria was walking ahead towards stores and stores. She was basically leading the two behind her on a narrow alley. She was walking near towards that place when a noise had started being heard. There, some people around gathered. Given the personal knight of the duke's sharp senses, he immediately covered and put the lady behind him while lots of people where crowding. However, Victoria doesn't seemed to be fazed at all
"You son of a b*tch! How dare you steal something from us, huh?"
"Yes! Hand that thing now, or else we'll let the knights on the knightward's office handle your behavior, boy!"
"Give us the thing you've stolen or be tortured inside the knightward. Now, choose!"
"Ugh! P-Please I-I don't know w-what y-you're t-talking a-abou---- Ugh!"
However, the young boy hadn't finished what he was saying when the guys had started beating him again. They were stamping him with their feet while the young boy was all injured lying on the ground. The people that surround them only looked at the boy being attacked however, no one even dared to help the boy
It was until Victoria instructed Howald to help the boy.
"Sir Howald, please help the boy. He's only a young boy however----"
Yet, Victoria wasn't able to continue what she was saying because no one saw that the one being hit upon was a young boy except for the people that surrounds the one being attacked. At first Howald was confused, he didn't know why the lady suddenly know that the one being attacked was a boy.
'Goodness, I nearly talked it out. It's because in the original novel, I know that some conflict will arise inside the market any days. That was when a young boy was brutally tortured and murdered by the knights. It wasn't well given importance with because the boy wasn't of a noble status however, she later on finds out that the boy had something connection with George --- the original Victoria's personal knight in the novel. Now I have the time to change that'
"Milady, how do you even know that the one being attacked was a boy?"
"I-I saw a glimpse earlier before people started surrounding them"
"Oh so that's why. However, Milady even though it's like that, my top priority was to protect you. It was what Duke William instructed me"
"Even when I'm already commanding you, Sir Howald?"
"…"
However, for those words, Howald suddenly stopped his movements and faced the lady with seriousness. Yet, he truly saw some determination in her eye that made him doubt if he's capable of protecting the lday if he had obeyes her orders
"Milady it was---"
Now, Victoria had cut him off
"Sir Howald I know that it may sounds demanding however, would you even sleep soundly at night after witnessing something horrible in front of your eyes yet you didn't even do anything? Besides, you're a knight but not only our knight. Do you even remember what a knight should be?"
By hearing those words, Howald felt like he was bathed in cold water. He knew --- he truly knew however, he kept denying it because his priority was the lady and not the one being attack. However, he's also a knight and what Victoria had said to him was like a cold water splashing through his body. Now, he's aware why the lady was so eager to save the young boy
'Why hadn't I thought of this before. Sure, Milady had changed however, now that she changed, she was now prone to trusting people, she was also gullible however, she was kind and honest about her feelings. That's what made me eager to protect her and Melly from any danger. Yet, I've been suddenly slapped by reality about what Lady Victoria had said and it's true. It's according to the knight code, she may forgot some memories in the past however, she's still intelligent as usual'
Then as if Howald had decided, he looked seriously at Melly who was sighing now and nodding seriously at him in return
"Alright, Milady. However, I wanted you two to stay away from any danger. Please, Melly protect the lady in my stead if ever there was something to happen"
"Of course Sir Howald but please don't say such words that aren't yet occurring"
"Alright I put my trust in you"
Then like a flash of lightning, Howald immediately went to the crowded area while Melly and Victoria only stepped aside in front of an antique looking shop
"People, would you please spare some time for me to inspect what is currently happening"
Then the people, formed parallel lines after hearing a deep brave voice. They even bowed respectfully upon seeing Howald because of his knightly clothes and sword that was besides his waist
Yet, the people attacking the young boy seemed to continue hurting and moving and stamping the poor boy. Their moves was only halted when Howald had put his free hand to one of the guy's attacking the young boy
"What are---"
The guy hadn't continued what he was speaking when he saw how Howald was looking in front of him. He even saw how the his other hand was holding a sword with his uniform appearing in front of him and the others
"Oh! We're glad that a knight was already here. Sir, this young kid had stolen something valuable from us"
The guy said pointing the bloodied and injured boy
'Sure enough this guy will believe us. He's a knight that will take any bribe after all'
After thinking of those things, the man who was talking towards Howald had signaled the other to bring something to him. Then, immediately Howald saw a box in front of him
"Sir it was a gift to you if you put this child in the knightward's office. He's surely a troublesome guy. Now, you can open the box"
The guy went nearer to where Howald was and whispered to his ears. That's when Howald already knew what was going on
'So the ones that were eventually bad are these guys. They're pretending that the young boy had stolen something fromthemwhen they were the one bribing me now. How ironic'
Howald wanted to laugh. It's as if the lady was right all along. He wouldn't have slept in a comfortable way knowing how guilt his conscience might be. It's because of the knight code that the lady had uttered earlier that's why he was eager to do the job of being a knight now
"Before I opened this, what did this guy did to you all?"
"Ah, let's say he hindered our supposed operations. Now, take this and repor---"
Before the man could even finish what he was saying, Howald immediately throw the box and twisted the man's arms.
"Ahhhhh!"
That made the man yelp in pain.
"What are you doing with our boss?
"Yeah, let go of him this instance!"
"If you will not let go then prepare to die!"
'So this man was the leader, huh? Looks like they've already slipped something away from their tongues. They're the one's who were bribing such knights to justify they're assault. However, it will never work on me, guys'
Then with that, instead of answering back. He only smirked and twisted the arms of the guy more. There, the men were immediately running towards his way and was about to attack him if he hadn't had any counter attack with them. There, he hit the guys with the face, stomach and head. Within a few seconds, all of them were already knock out to the ground. However, they were only in pained and not killed.
Howald wasn't the type of person to kill someone with a petty reason. He's like that ever since he became a knight of the Chutlier household.
"Ahhh!"
"Ugh!"
"I-I think i m-might d-die!"
The guys yelp in pain and injury however their leader seemed to be knock out for good in the meantime. Then, without any hesitation, Howald help the young boy who was bloodied and injured with the way he was beaten by the guys earlier.
"Are you alright?"
"…"
The young boy couldn't even get to speak because of the trauma. Now, after a few seconds, the market's knights came towards the event and saw how the place were quite a bit messy. They were confused for a moment to see such scenario in front of their eyes when they saw Howald
"Sir, what did happened in here?"
One of the knights asked as the others bowed respectfully. They know that the symbol appearing in Howald's right chest was the Chutlier's symbol indicating that he's a rightful knight of a duke's household
"I saw these guys hurt this young boy, however, I as a knight do not tolerate to take bribes from such people. Understand that? Do you all remember about knight code 101? You need to respect your employers and be loyal to them, by doing so taking bribes and any other like those are unforgivable"
By stating those words, some of the knights have been warned that's why they felt paralyzed in their own situation. However, the knight that talked to Howald was confident enough and answered directly to him
"Yes, Sir!"
Then he saluted followed by the others
"Now, you may take them towards the knightward's office. I'll be the one to take care of this young boy"
"Yes, Sir. Understood"
All of the knights bowed respectfully. After doing so, they immediately took the guys without any hesitation. The crowds clapped at Howald and murmurs as well as other praises were heard from the people. Howald, on the other hand, smiled towards the people and nodded at them
Then with that, he removed himself towards the people and went towards the lady and Melly who was smilingly proud at him
"We're very proud of you Sir Howald"
"I'm grateful Milady. However, this young boy seemed to be needing some care. He suddenly passed out after I ask him"
"Alright, let's proceed to the nearest clinic here"
"I just know a place, Milady"