Chapter 10

Zach leaned back and remained still as he listened to the record. After four hours, he paused the recording and stood. 

"Too much, there's too much information I do not know." He brushed his bangs backward and closed his eyes. "It's interesting to learn new things, but this troubles me."

'The more uninformed I am, the more I have to rely on others. Since there's no guarantee I can return home and that Miss Sonia's help will last, I need to learn fast, regain my physical strength, and start generating income. To do all that...'

He unwrapped the folding cane he placed beside the bed and just stood there, gripping it tightly. 'I need to start with this.'

Knock

Knock

"Sir, may I come in?" 

Zach placed the cane down. "Come in."

"Sir, your meal is ready. Would you like to have it here?" Kai asked. His long lashes were evident as he observed Zach with dead sleepy eyes.

"I'll eat later."

Kai glanced at his wristwatch. His movement refined. "Madam strictly ordered us to feed you on time."

"Regardless of my opinion?" he said with raised brows.

"I'm just following orders." Kai's eyes sharpened as the wind blew over his bangs. "I cannot disobey her."

A crisp laughter broke in the room, parting Kai's pursed lips with surprise.

"Haha, fine, fine, bring it here and feed me well," Zach said.

'Amusing, truly amusing, I can't believe there would come a time when I'd be too powerless my opinion wouldn't even matter.' 

He wrapped the cane back.

'Right, in this world, I'm just an ordinary man, not the lord of a state or a guardian, just a freeloader at her mercy.' 

He fumbled his way back to the chair and closed his eyes.

...

"The guardian of Zhaque has arrived. Start the meeting."

"Marquis, Reheim requested half of our soldiers, but the rainy season is near if we send soldiers now…"

"My lord, the blizzard has stopped. Should we exterminate the remaining monsters now?"

"Sir, this is the list of ladies who are not yet engaged."

"Eliminate all ladies who are too weak to defend themselves, and when I say weak, I do not mean physically."

"Yes sir, is there anything else?" his aide Louise asked as he watched Zach button his cuff. 

"Eliminate everyone who's not well versed in politics, economics, and tactical deployment."

"But sir, if I do that…"

Zach smiled. "And I'd prefer someone who can stand as my equal. It would be good if she's not timid and submissive."

"Young lord, please rest now. The sun has set. The soldiers are tired. They cannot spar with you anymore," an old butler said.

Zach wiped the blood on his face. His breathing was ragged and unstable. "If the foot soldiers can no longer fight, then call the lieutenants."

"But young lord, your body can't take it anymore…"

"Shut up. I need to get stronger. If you understand that, call them now," he said with killing intent. His veins popping as he held his glaive with bruised and calloused hands.

"Edmund," a mellow voice called.

"Mother, hehe look the flowers bloom when I use my powers, aren't they pretty?"

"Very pretty," she said before taking him in a tight embrace. "My sweet child, of all the children in Zhaque, why must it be you?"

Tears streamed down her delicate features as she hugged him tighter.

"Mother, aren't you happy? I'm blessed with the power to protect our land and our people?"

She let him go and caressed his puffy cheeks before giving him a bitter-sweet smile. Then she started wiping her tears. "Mother is happy… I'm happy even when you were still an ordinary child."

Zach grinned. He summoned water butterflies around them before cupping his mother's face with his little hands. "I'm happy too, mother because this power will allow me to protect our state, just like what you and father did."

"Edmund," she called softly. "One month, just for another month, can you just be my child? Not the guardian of Zhaque, or the successor of the marquisate?" 

She gripped Zach's shoulder and looked at his deep green eyes. Ever since he awoke as a guardian, he has been growing too fast, both physically and mentally. It scares her.

"Mother, I need to go to the academy within two weeks. It's a royal edict."

Her heart throbbed when he spoke in a mature and eloquent manner. "But Edmund, you just turned four years old this year," she said while looking at her child, who looks eight.

She cupped his face. "You know too right Edmund, we lost your father…"

"Because he was the previous guardian of Zhaque, but he always took pride in it. I can remember," Zach continued, before wiping her tears. "Mother, don't worry. I'll be so strong you won't ever lose me." He hugged her and looked far into the horizon. 

"Really, Edmund?"

"Mm, I promise I'll survive no matter what, so please cry no more."

...

"Sir, sir, are you awake? Your meal has been served." 

Zach opened his eyes and remained still. 'I kept that promise, but now that I'm in this world, I'm not sure until when can I keep it. Especially since I might turn into...'

"Sir?"

"Sir?" Kai repeated when Zach clenched his hand on the table.

"Did you bring warm soup?"

"Yes sir, is chicken soup alright?"

"As long as it's warm," he said before asking what else did Kai bring and their location.

After his meal, Zach continued to listen to the recordings. He was astonished and flabbergasted as his questions piled up. He looked forward to Sonia's return so he could ask for answers, but she did not come home that day and the following days after that. 

'Does my presence make her uncomfortable? She's avoiding home for now?'

Zach placed the cane at the side of the study table and sat.

'I want to talk to her as soon as possible.'

He sighed and just fumbled for the speaker.

He has already listened to most of the recordings and has forced himself to learn to use the cane they bought. He has also familiarized himself with his room's layout and has been asking Kai the same question. 

"Kai, do you think Miss Sonia will return today?"