Rai's Identity

Rai's POV

Now that we are returning to the town, everything seems new. After hearing the whole tale, the people pardoned the mayor. The mayor gave up his title because he felt bad about what he had done.

The knights captured the remaining enemies and were sent to the kingdom to be interrogated by the head court.

"Please have a seat, my lord." After the count found out my identity, he treated me differently.

"Do you want to drink tea?" The count is pouring my tea; why? Given that it's his job, shouldn't the butler be handling this?

"I have brought the snacks, master." Wither suddenly appeared with his hands full of desserts.

"Hurry! The Lord must be hungry." The count quickly handed all certain types of snacks.

"It's fine now, count. You can stop serving me now, I can do it myself." I said trying to stop him from serving me for more.

"What are you saying, my lord? It is our responsibility to serve the Alexio descendants." Even the count's son is serving me right now.

"If you keep doing this, people might be suspicious about my identity." I said.

"But isn't it better to let the people know about your existence?" I shake my head in disagreement with what the count's son said.

"Mr. Killian- " I was quickly cut off.

"It's Killian." he said, while his eyes were sparkling.

"*Fake cough* Then, Killian, if everyone knew my existence, it'd be a big problem." I answered.

"What are you trying to say, my lord?" The count asked.

"For years, I have been defending this continent from the shadows. If word gets out, though, everyone will try to kill me, especially the dark magic users. I sincerely hope you will keep my existence a secret from everyone." I gently lowered my head.

"Then we swear, in the name of Lysanthir, to keep it a secret." In unison, they fell to one knee.

"Thank you so much." I appreciate their effort in helping me hide my identity.

"No, it is us who would like to thank you for protecting this continent with no one knowing." The count said while admiring at my face. Well, it's a given to protect this continent since they are my people.

When morning arrived, the butler was busy getting ready to leave town. The count and his son were not with me today. Perhaps they are taking action.

'Knock, knock.'

"Come in." The butler appeared, and he gently lowered his head.

"My lord, the carriage is already here." I lifted myself and put on my cloak.

"I didn't see the count today." I said while wandering my head to look for him.

The butler opened the carriage and said, "Master is on his last mission. He will be here in a minute." When I entered, he shut the door behind me. I take a book out of my bag and start reading it.

'Knock, knock.' As soon as I shut the book, the door opened. The pair entered and took a seat in front of me.

"Master, we're ready to go." Wither said.

"*Nod* Then let's hurry." The carriage moved. With joy on their faces, I could see and hear the people shouting.

I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together before we could leave Thianven territory.

A light emerged from my chest and I said, "May God bless everyone." Gazing outdoors, I observed the folks joyfully bidding us farewell.

"Did my lord just bless this town?" I looked at him and just nodded, since I was too lazy to talk right now.

"Master, we'll be taking a few minutes' break before we proceed to the rocky valley."

"Go ahead." the count said.

"Yes." 

"My lord, do you need anything?" I shook my head and loosened my hood. I freely let my hair down.

"I'm all right." I said.

"Then please inform me or my son if you need anything."

"I will, thanks." I give the count a reassuring smile.

I simply nodded, and the two went outside. "Then we will head out first to secure this place." I shut my eyes and allowed my thoughts to travel to Ellen once I was certain they were no longer there.

"It's been a long time, child." Ellen greeted me.

"How are you and everyone doing?" I asked.

"Everyone is doing fine, my dear child." 

"I see that's good to hear." I smiled in relief.

"How about you, my child? Are you having fun?" Ellen asked while her branches were fluttering.

"*Nod* Everything seems fine, for now." I brush the leaves out of my face.

"*Chuckle* are you concerned that other people are aware of your true identity, and may do you harm?" Ellen seems so excited that I made friends on my journey.

"*Sigh* I'm afraid, in addition to being worried. What if all they do is use me as a means of obtaining information regarding the location of the Alexio kingdom?" I was a little scared. What if they suddenly betray me?

"The count and his people are good, my child, I assure you. Please have faith in him and his men; they will come to your aid when needed." Ellen's leaves suddenly surrounded me until I could not see her.

"My lord." My eyes twitched when I noticed someone was nudging my shoulder.

"My lord?"

My eyes slowly opened, and I saw the count and his son staring at me worriedly.

"Are you all right, my lord?" The count said with a worried look on his face.

"I'm all right, I think I dozed off a bit." The two sighed in relief.

"Master, we are ready to go." Wither suddenly appeared.

"Let's go." The carriage moved again, and we continued our journey.

"Master, right now we are in the rocky valley. I apologized for the shaky ride."

"It's okay, we have to keep moving because this place is dangerous.."

"Yes, we will now speed up." This rocky valley is known for having many monsters hiding there, so we moved quickly. I clasped my hands and prayed in private for protection.

"Master, we are almost out of the rocky valley."

"Tell the knights to not let their guard down." The count commanded.

"As you wish."

'Hhiiyyaahh!!'

It became shakier than before since they doubled the speed.

"Please hold on, my lord." I am holding on to the side even if you don't say anything because I could fall out of my seat.

"Are we there yet?" I asked.

"We are nearly there, my lord. "A few minutes later, I noticed the ends of the rock valley through the window, and everyone exhaled with relief as soon as we were out of the valley.

"It appears that we were able to overcome the Rock Valley thanks to your prayer, my lord." I turned to face the count, who was beaming broadly.

It doesn't feel so horrible to trust people, I thought to myself as I glanced up at the sky and grinned subtly. "I guess it was helpful."