4 Ace’s Promise

As the mother-son duo neared Surielle's house, they noticed her talking to a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length blonde hair, donning an elegant and well-looked-after spear on his back.

'That's one of the guards from the Baruch Clan. Why's he here?' Ace wondered.

Almost as if to answer his question, they managed to catch the end of their conversation.

"I can lock up for the day and perform Madam Lina's check-up now. Just give me…"

Before Surielle could finish her sentence, the guard quickly stopped her. "There's no need for that. Lord Hogg told me to ask you to come after you finish for the day as he knows that many people in town rely on your expertise. It'd be wrong to ask you to lock up early, especially as Madam Lina is still stable."

"Lord Hogg is as benevolent as ever. Mr. Lance, Please tell him that this old bag of bones will hurry over as soon as the day is over." Surielle replied whilst bowing to show her respect.

It was clear that everyone in town greatly respected the Baruch family, even if they were no longer as awe-inspiring as they had been in the past.

"No need for all that; you're the one doing us a favour. I'll see you lat…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lance felt his breath being stolen as he laid his eyes on what he could only describe as the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

"You're blocking the way, old man!"

Ace said impatiently after spending the last half dozen seconds watching his mother and Lance staring into each other's eyes bashfully.

"Ace, don't be rude. Say sorry!"

Ace was entirely against apologising. Even though he was in the body of a toddler, he still retained his pride as the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates; how could someone like that apologise to a trivial guard?

"NOW!"

But when he heard his mom shout at him for the first time since his birth, he instantly put away his pride.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness!"

Even though he was looking directly at Lance as he apologised, his observation haki was focused on his mother.

She was trembling, and to everyone else, it looked like she was just angry, but Ace could feel there was more to it.

'That's not anger; it's fear. Mom's terrified!'

Ace knew it had nothing to do with Lance. It was only a few seconds ago that they had been staring into each other's eyes like it was love at first sight, but he had no idea what could cause his mother, who was usually so gentle, to react like that.

"It's okay; I took no offense," Lance said as he put an arm on the shaking mother to try to reassure her, but as soon as he made contact, Milianna flinched and fell back, tripping over herself in fear and surprise.

Not expecting her to react so strongly, Lance stepped forward, preparing to help her to her feet when he was forced to snap his neck back.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!"

Ace's little fist shot past where the warrior's face had been before he jumped in front of his mother as if he was willing to give his life to protect her.

Deep down, he knew Lance was just offering his support, but seeing the fear in her eyes; Ace acted purely on impulse to protect the only family he had in this foreign world.

Lance looked deeply at Ace, who stood protectively in front of his mother as if to guard her, and then at the boy's fist. 'That punch, just what was that?'

It wasn't that the punch would've caused him any harm, Lance was far too powerful, and Ace was nothing but a toddler, but his instincts honed from all his years on the battlefield still warned him there was something faintly dangerous about it, which was why he dodged the punch on instinct.

"I'm sorry for scaring you; it wasn't my intention. I hope you can forgive me!" Lance stated dejectedly as he raised his hands to show he meant no harm before turning to leave, not wanting to cause any further upset.

It wasn't till he left that Milianna finally took a breath and pulled Ace into her arms.

She didn't say anything, but Ace could feel her heart beating through her chest. He said nothing and just hugged her back until she stabilized her emotions enough to lead him back home.

Surielle didn't know what to say either; she just watched silently as they left, not even mentioning why they came.

Neither Ace nor Milianna said a word the whole walk back. It wasn't till they got home that Ace finally broke their extended silence. "Why were you so scared?"

Ace watched in shock as all life left his mother's eyes, her body trembling in fear as she registered his question.

"Mom?"

"Sorry, son. I just remembered something I didn't want to."

Ace was about to apologise for asking when she continued.

"Ace, promise me that no matter how powerful you become in the future, you will never use your power to take advantage of those weaker and undeserving."

"I… I promise!"

Hearing his promise, Milianna forced herself to smile before returning to the bedroom.

"I feel a little tired; I need to take a nap!"

Ace watched as his mom left for the bedroom, but his mind was spinning far too much to respond. Having lived through the great age of pirates, he had seen everything from massacres, to pillaging, to rape. After watching his mom's reaction to a seemingly harmless gesture from a stranger, it was hard for his mind not to think the worst.

His fists were clenched so tight that his nails actually broke the skin on his palm, and his body shook in anger.

"Mom, I swear on my life; as long as I'm alive, I will never allow anyone to lay so much as a finger on you!"