0017: Imposter with a scar

He tried to distract himself from thinking about her by focusing on his work, but he couldn't. The girl kept appearing in his mind. He put aside the scrolls he was working on and stood up.

"What's bothering you, my Lord?"

"Many things, Ray. Many."

A young man in a black cloak entered the room. He had a scar on his left cheek, indicating his rank as a warrior. He watched his leader pacing the room, clearly disturbed.

"Is it about the girl?"

"How do you know about her, Ray?" He looked restless as he spoke. 

"I am your left eye, my Lord. I know everything. Just because I've been in the south doesn't mean I'm unaware of what concerns you. A girl suddenly appeared. A girl who isn't afraid of you. She's injured now because of your carelessness."

"She's the careless one, not me."

"Devon..."

"She insisted on leaving the kingdom to explore. And now she's wounded."

"And you want to teach her a lesson." Ray completed. 

Devon turned to look at Ray, who stood still with his hands behind his back.

"Yes, I do. Her presence here will put her life in danger. A lesson from the lady consort will teach her the morals and ethics of our kingdom."

"She will not learn. She'll only put more lives at risk."

There was a knock on the door. Devon looked up as the door creaked open, revealing a maid. She bowed her head and spoke to the two men in the room.

"The lady leader is here, my Lord."

"Alright, you can leave. I'll be there soon."

She walked away with her head still bowed. "She won't learn," Ray continued their conversation.

"She has to, Ray. The lady consort is here and she's willing to teach her. The lady consort can handle any stubborn or strong-headed lady in the kingdom."

"But she's not from this kingdom, Devon."

Devon usually listened to Ray's advice, especially when he needed someone to guide him. Ray was a trustworthy friend and warrior. But this situation was different.

They were talking about a girl from another universe, and she was incredibly stubborn. Her life would be in danger every day if she didn't understand the rules of the kingdom.

"That makes it even more difficult, Ray."

"She'll put other women's lives at risk if you send her to the women's house."

She won't."

Devon ignored him and left the room to meet the women's leader.

"And I wonder who the stubborn one really is," Ray sighed before leaving his room.

**

Great General," the lady consort stood up to greet Devon as he entered the chamber.

The girl she had brought with her also greeted Devon, unable to believe she was in the presence of the great general.

"Please sit, Clarabelle," Devon addressed her by name.

"Yes, Lord," she replied, taking a seat while the other girl remained standing.

Clarabelle sat in front of the great general, her flirtatious and gentle smile on display. Devan stood by the stairs, observing the interaction between his brother and the women leader. Ray watched from the stairs as well.

"Now, let's discuss business, shall we?"

Devon said. "Yes, my Lord," Clarabelle responded.

"I would like to entrust a girl to your care, Clarabelle," Devon stated. "A girl?" Clarabelle's smile widened, but Devon showed no interest in her. He didn't even notice her attempts to flirt with him.

"Yes, a very stubborn girl."

"There is no stubborn girl in the Kingdom that I cannot handle," she chuckled flirtatiously, but Devon remained oblivious to her actions. "So, is she your sister?"

"No, she is not," Devon replied.

"That unaffectionate man, can't he see that the young, pretty woman is flirting with him?" Ray muttered, aware of the lady consort's intentions.

"She is a friend of the great general," Devon clarified. "She is not, and I am not related to her," he said nonchalantly.

The lady consort was confused. If she is not related to him, then why is he helping her? This is very strange to her.

"She is closer to me," Devan spoke up, walking down the stairs towards the lady consort.

"Oh," the woman quickly stood up to greet him. "Good day, young warrior."

"Leticia is a friend of mine."

"Leticia?" Devon frowned deeply at his brother's formal address. How could he call her by her name like that? And who gave him the right to become friends with her?

"Leticia?" Clarabelle smiled. It is a relief to her that the girl is not related to the great master. "And I expect you to take good care of her, Clarabelle."

"You know I will, young warrior," Clarabelle assured him.

Ray observed carefully. It seems that this girl is not just an ordinary girl for the two brothers to react this way. The older one appears nonchalant, but upon closer inspection, it is clear that he truly cares about her. The other one seems very serious about her. Perhaps he will have to visit this Leticia girl to truly understand who she is.

...

"Argh!" I placed my hand on my wounded stomach. I am tired of sleeping for such a long time now. And besides, the wound is already closing up, right? 

I sat up, and a small groan released from my lips. 

"Leticia." 

I heard a male's voice. Wait, that's an unfamiliar voice. That's not Devon's voice, now Devan's. I lift up my head to see whom it was. 

A man walked into the room I was. A man in black. Wait! Is it another Mensamor? No! 

"Why look tensed. I am not going to hurt you." 

He gently walked towards me. Is he amongst those magical and harmful men? He must ne amongst them. 

"Wh...what do you wa...wa...want from me?" I couldn't help but stutter as I questioned him. 

"So you are the girl who does not fear the great General. And when I thought you wouldn't be scared of anyone else, you are here scared of me?" 

He then lifts his head to look at me. Wait! No tattoo on his face, but a scary scar. This man must have killed a lot of people in his life to have a scar like this. Oh, is he going to kill me now?

"De....de....de... Devon?!!"