8 Follow them

The sight was undesirable.

My lady was going through a whirlwind of emotions and I was here being held by her mother's presence.

When I gazed at her she gave me a warm smile followed by a whisper.

Just watch.

As ordered I stood my ground as I restrained my urge to reach out for her hand.

Herion knelt, facing his daughter with paternal air surrounding him.

"Like any bet, there are times when you win and lose. When you win, a great companion is acquired, when you lose, it's a formidable enemy. The trick to this bet is to know who are you betting with"

Instead of being sad, now Verónic seemed confused, a spark of hope began to twinkle within her eyes.

Herion's eyes were on me. We were looking at each other, and I was getting unexpectedly nervous.

"That servant of yours is a good example of what I mean. When you found him at the edge of death, you trusted in your instincts and took him into our home"

Flashbacks of what happened filled my mind as he kept talking. An indescribable feeling twirled in my stomach with each flying memory.

The cold embrace of winter. The deep loneliness of a humongous forest and the resentment for being disposed like a broken toy.

Nothing but fear and anger were wondering around Dominique's soul at that time.

The backstory of Dominique wasn't deeply explained since he was a secondary character, but now that I have his body and memories, I realize that he didn't have an easy life.

Who knows... Maybe that's why I reincarnated as him...

"You might haven't realized it, but both of you had changed each other. You opened your heart to him, and so he did to you"

"Father..."

"Do not fear people Veronica. Everyone needs someone. Even you"

"Everyone needs someone..."

Repeated Verónica as to print those words into her brain.

She then placed her ruby eyes on me.

Both nervousness and happiness flowered within my jumping heart.

It almost stops when she gave me a smile beyond words...

"Don't fear giving your expectations to someone, Verónica. Just get to know the person before taking the risk, and most of the times everything will be fine"

The girl nodded with newfound determination on her features.

"Yes, father, I understand what you're trying to say. Thank you"

Herion rose from the ground with a satisfied expression and walked towards his office. I didn't need to hear his voice to know that he was telling me to follow.

"Master Herion truly is great... In many senses..."

Delilah nodded in proud agreement and walked to the side of her husband.

The knights followed them shortly after, leaving me at the back.

"Dominique"

Turning around to face the smooth voice calling me, I was punched by her otherworldly gorgeousness.

We stood there staring at each other for a couple of seconds before she opened her mouth.

"Come back to me safely... And bring my father with you... It's an order"

Each word was a soft whisper charged with unbreakable resolution.

The doubts she had before were gone.

The flowers and the subtle moonlight embracing her figure were the perfect addition to her outstanding beauty.

As if a switch had automatically turned on, I walked to her.

When we were close enough to feel the warmth of the other, I gently grabbed her hand as I slightly bowed.

"Your wishes are my orders. I will meet your expectations"

The same hand caressed my cheek before lifting my head.

Unanticipated as it was. A soft and warm pleasure invaded my forehead.

With peeled eyes and increased heart rate. I searched answers into her gaze.

What I found left my heart in a cage.

She was sweetly smiling. Not like any other times she had shown me before.

This one was different.

Special.

It wasn't just the smile of a satisfied master or a close relative.

It was the smile of a woman.

"You will always follow my orders Domi... Don't you?"

Unfair.

It was savage the way she used my loyalty and feelings to get what she wanted.

And even so...

Resistance was futile.

Carefully taking her hand on mine I once again bowed.

"I'll always be at your orders. Master Veronica"

Then I landed my lips on her sweet white skin.

She nodded pleased with my answer, and we departed ways shortly after.

*

"This is where they are. I said pointing at the map on the desk"

"That's a common meeting place, quite odd for bandits to reunite there"

The captain expressed his thoughts with a confused look. There was little I could do to change his mind about the veracity of the information.

"It's not that unthinkable. A place open to the public eye can work as a good cover for moving out of the capital without getting suspicious. They could say that they are in exportation duties"

The logic of Herion was enough to swift away all the preoccupations of the captain and his men.

"If that's the case, then they will have to ride through here, the river Amirosa. That's the fastest route to get into the sea of trees and then the border"

As expected of Dominique's body, I felt a shiver run down my spine when that place was mentioned.

Unpleasant memories reincarnated inside my brain.

"Captain, settle your men in that river. I'll lead the assault, if anyone happens to escape us, you'll have to deal with them"

"Yes, my lord"

"Boy"

My back instinctively bowed when he called me, the pressure of the mood and his resolve was a heavy weight in my back.

"You'll come with me"

That order forced me to straighten. I was expecting to get impaired with the captain, but I never thought it would be him instead.

"My lord. If you excuse my rudeness"

The knight stepped forward.

"Speak your mind fast captain, time is short.

The golden man knelt, and so the knights behind him"

"We can't bring him with us. He may be skilled with magic, but he's not a soldier. If he comes with us he's just going to get killed... My lady Veronica wouldn't like that... Please, reconsider this decision"

The captain tried to appeal to my usual housekeeping job to convince Herion.

Not a bad move considering I've never fought using this body.

Herion's burning stare fell on me.

I would be lying if I said it wasn't scary, but I had orders more important than my instincts.

"Captain. I thank you for your concern but it is unnecessary. I assure you that I'm more than capable to take care of myself"

The knight rose and walked towards me.

"I care little for what happens to you, stray. My only concerns are my lord and my lady. If you can't achieve results for their expectations, then a burden like you is better off in the stables than on the battlefield"

His spear was embraced by the fire. Bloodthirst was bathing me mercilessly.

He was trying to intimidate me.

If I didn't know this person thanks to the original story, I would have beat the crap out of him in response.

He is looking down on me... Just like they did...

With the image of my progenitors filling my mind, it became a child's game to ignore his efforts to make me feel fear.

Instead, a vengeful need was taking control over me.

"Then you have nothing to worry about, we have the same goal"

The shadows began to twirl and move ambiguously. Hands and beastly faces took shape in every corner of the room.

The knights of the captain prepared their weapons, it was evident that they felt threatened and in danger.

They were not wrong.

The intangible monsters rose from the walls and floors. Their irregular shapes squealed in hunger for battle.

"You have my word. I won't shame the name of my lady. And if anyone tries to harm my lord..."

I made a human-like body with the shadows and grabbed its arms.

"I'll turn the bastard into a pile of pestilent flesh"

Just as I said, I dismembered the body with my hands. The shadows around devoured the remainings in feral violence.

The captain remained quiet, unsure of how to respond. His soldiers were still ready to fight at any moment, but their shaky breathing and hard grasping were enough to know that they were affected by my display.

"That's enough"

Herion stepped in between us.

We all abandoned all hostilities and drew our weapons and magic.

"Captain, do you still think he's not fit for a fight?"

Exchanging stares, the captain sighed in defeat.

"... No, my lord... He can be a useful element..."

"... Thank you for the compliment..."

"I was just recognizing your resolution, don't get ahead of yourself"

"Still, it is nice to hear you say that much"

"..."

With that, the permission to give my assistance on the battlefield was granted.

"Putting this aside, I still need soldiers to protect you my lord... He might be strong, but I don't trust him to protect your back just yet"

Without presuming of ignorance. I nodded.

"Fair enough, Dominique, you'll come with me as planned, prepare yourself and meet us in the stables in 6"

I bowed as I said, " Yes, my lord".

"Then move! Let us show these bandits what happens when you threaten the Fotiadis house!"

"Sir! Yes sir!"

We all walked out of the office. I noticed that several knights were looking at me on the way.

"What is it?"

...

None of them said a word.

Instead, they all turned around in silence and went somewhere else.

"... The hell was that?"

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