CH-22 Alternate version

Note from the author:

I rewrote the latest chapter to be more "intelligent" and "long-term vision" after receiving advice from an optimistic reader.

I didn't enjoy writing it, as there is no lightheartedness or eccentricity at all in it, but I was trying to prove a point to a reader who said I was short-sighted. I could be wrong.

Prove me wrong If you prefer it to the other, I will keep it posted as an alternate version of the chapter.

XX

"Where is Ragnar?"

Rollo asked as soon as he arrived at his brother's house.

All he could see was Lagertha washing clothes in a big basin outside.

He was not in the mood for nonsense, and he did not have time for it.

Seconds ago, he was transporting the crying and terrified Thyri to her mother's safe hideout.

Due to his whim, Rollo had too many things to deal with.

Things he knew would get better, but also things that bothered him today.

Lagertha finally noticed him standing there and asked, 

"Rollo? Why are you looking for Ragnar? He went out with Bjorn to find Floki."

She noticed something else and asked, 

"Who is the woman next to you?"

Scarlet had her own mouth and cheeky thoughts, so she spoke for herself,

"My name is Scarlet. I am the woman and servant of Master Rollo."

Lagertha expressed surprise, saying, 

"Master Rollo? You are called master by such a beautiful woman?"

She stared at Rollo with disbelief, as if she had never come across anyone so beautiful in her life.

Which she definitely had not.

There was a lot to explain and a lot she probably wanted to ask, but Rollo clarified simply for the time being, not wasting time on trivial matters, 

"She's someone I met recently outside of Kattegat; don't ask too many questions."

He added, his tone unfriendly with Lagertha today,

"Anyway, I'll wait for Ragnar to return here because I want to do this with the entire family. I will go inside with Scarlet… Continue washing your clothes."

He blurted out again, 

"Can we use your kitchen if you won't cook for us? I am a little hungry."

Lagertha remained silent for a long time, staring at the beautifully smirking Scarlet in a daze before zoning out.

She replied to her brother-in-law, 

"No need to bother; I'll cook something for you. Ragnar and Bjorn will be hungry by the time they return... But, what did you want to talk about? Is there anything you need to share with the family?"

Rollo did not respond to her curiosity; instead, he said, 

"I will tell you after you serve me dinner, you will owe me ten thousand times that after you learn the news I have come to announce."

Lagertha stopped washing the clothes.

She walked in front of him into the house, frowning, and asked, 

"What kind of news could make me so grateful to you, Rollo? I cannot recall ever being so grateful to you."

Rollo nodded and said, 

"That is a devastating truth. I don't remember it either, because you are a very ungrateful woman. Especially when it comes to me."

Scarlet laughed with a beautiful, rich, and luxurious laugh as Lagertha grumbled and asked, 

"What kind of big grudge do you have against me? The main thing I don't remember thanking you for was coming here with ale or food. Even when we were still…"

She paused as she began to move in a dangerous direction.

Rollo stated, 

"It is safe to discuss anything in front of Scarlet. But Gyda is inside, isn't she?

Lagertha replied discreetly, before opening the door for the group to enter, 

"Yes, I don't want her to hear anything about you and me."

Scarlet whispered in Rollo's ear as they entered and took seats at the table, while Lagertha went somewhere else, 

"Master, this woman is a bit funny. I understand why you've been so patient with her; however, don't you think it's time you took her away from your brother? I don't like seeing any woman disrespect and taunt you in this way… This one is especially shameless."

Scarlet knew everything about Rollo from the moment she was summoned. Fortunately, she could never betray him, even if someone omnipotent had the mind to make her do so.

Rollo responded quietly, 

"I have my own thoughts on this; you don't need to remind me, Scarlet. Don't worry, I will not treat her better than you. You will come first, ahead of my future women."

Scarlet felt elated and grateful, and her bubbly belly running feelings were fully conveyed without the need for words, 

"Thank you, Master. If you need me to educate and take care of disobedient women, I will gladly oblige."

Rollo chuckled and said, 

"I know this well without you having to remind me…"

Scarlet was a sadist.

He had few images in mind.

After some time, Lagertha came with the food, but her husband and son had yet to come back.

Rollo and his beautiful servant were eating when she sat down and remarked, 

"I have never seen breasts so big in my life and ass so bulging… Scarlet, where are you from? You're not just attractive, you're also tall."

Rollo had advised Lagertha not to ask too much, but Scarlet had her own freedom. Rollo did not forbid her from answering if she was willing.

Scarlet looked him in the eyes as he shrugged, and she responded to Lagertha, who had lesbian tendencies deep within her that she probably wasn't aware of, 

"I'm from the far east. I don't know much more than that. When I had the opportunity to meet with Master Rollo, I had already been roaming your western frontiers for several years... I don't remember much from my past."

Lagertha was perplexed, she asked with bluntness, 

"You call Rollo master... Were you some slave that he bought? I doubt any man would want to sell you to another."

Scarlet stated, 

"I was not a slave at first, but I was captured while wandering. Master Rollo happened to find me at the right time to save me from the ultimate humiliation. Since then, I have pledged my entire being to him."

"..."

The questions and answers flew as Rollo watched Scarlet lie to Lagertha with no effort. She shied away from anything that could create a gap in her story.

He considered himself a good liar, but she appeared to be even better.

Gyda was sleeping in her room, and Scarlet, with her cheek and curiosity, had to ask her own question after a while.

She called Lagertha by her name because she was only Rollo's servant. Not anyone else in the family.

She expressed what was on her mind, 

"Lagertha, don't you ever feel ashamed for forcing my master to keep your secret from your husband, his brother? You had sex with him before and after you met and married his brother... I believe you're the reason he gave you up so nicely. What have you got to say for your rebuttal?"