Pawn XIV

"As per the king's demand, you are falling short on your servant quota, Lord Ivan," the king's knight stated sternly.

"Your demand is understood, but the timing is exceptionally tight," Lord Ivan voiced, attempting to reason with the King's emissary. "I'll need more time to gather the required number of servants. The last recruitment was just seven months ago."

The King's knight remained unyielding. "It is not a matter of convenience, Lord Ivan. The king's command stands firm. You must fulfill your quota."

"But how can we fulfill the requirement on such short notice? It's logistically impossible," Belle intervened, concern etched across her face. "We've just settled in with the current staff. It's unreasonable to disrupt everything now."

Lord Ivan attempted to negotiate, "Can we not be given more time or an alternative solution? We are willing to comply, but the time frame is excessively challenging."

The King's knight regarded them sternly. "The King's orders are final. The consequences of non-compliance will be dire. How are you planning to compensate for this, Lord Ivan?"

"Perhaps," Lord Ivan suggested hesitantly, "you could select from the remaining maids. All the manservants have been taken by you already, leaving only underage kids and the maids."

The knight frowned at the limited options. "We need able-bodied individuals, not children or those who cannot serve in the army," he retorted coldly.

One of the knights, with a jesting tone, remarked, "Well, Lord Ivan, if you're short on hands, we might have to borrow one from your own household. How about you or a member of your family joining our ranks?"

Ivan, burdened by the weight of the situation, could only maintain his silence.

The knight scanned the line of maids, realizing the awkwardness of the suggestion. He turned to them, "Is there anyone here willing to volunteer for this selection?" The maids kept their silence, collectively hoping to avoid being chosen. The knight, seeing no eager volunteers, sighed in resignation.

As his gaze moved across the apprehensive faces, he unexpectedly fixated on Leia. Just as he was about to call her name, a surprising voice shattered the tense atmosphere, "I'm willing."

The silent crowd gasped in disbelief, turning their astonished glances toward Aden.

Aden's unexpected declaration sent shockwaves through the gathering. The knight raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback. Aden, still standing near Leia, met the knight's gaze with a determined look.

Leia, understanding the potential danger her son might face, hurriedly stepped forward, "No, sir, he's just a child, he doesn't know what he's saying."

The knight, intrigued, decided to play along with the unexpected turn of events. "Are you certain, young one? Joining the king's army is a serious commitment."

Aden, despite his young age, maintained a resolute expression. "I'm certain, milord. If it helps my family, I'm willing to go."

Leia torn between gratitude for her son's sacrifice and the fear of losing him, found her voice. "Aden, you don't have to do this. I will find another way."

Aden, maintaining his composure, stepped forward, drawing the attention of everyone present. "Mother, if it can spare the others, I'm willing to join the selection," he calmly declared.

The knight, who had earlier joked about taking Lord Ivan or his family into the army, approached Aden with a smirk.

With a rough grip, he pulled Aden up into the air. "What do you think you can do, huh? We're fighting to kill, kid," the knight sneered.

As Aden clasped the knight's hand, initially, the knight didn't feel anything unusual. However, as Aden tightened his grip on the knight's wrist, a sudden pressure began to build, surprising him.

Leia, witnessing the exchange, held her breath, uncertain of what would happen next. The other maids and servants watched in stunned silence as Aden's determined actions added a layer of complexity to an already tense situation.

The knight's expression shifted from arrogance to surprise and discomfort. Aden's small hand held an unexpected strength, creating a tense moment in the courtyard.

The knight winced as the pressure increased, causing him to release Aden. The courtyard fell into a hushed silence as the onlookers processed the surprising display of power from the young boy.

The knight, rubbing his wrist, glanced at Aden with a mix of surprise and wariness. "Seems like there's more to you than meets the eye, kid," he muttered, reevaluating his perception of the seemingly ordinary boy.

"Before my departure, I wish to make a demand of the owner of this household, Lord Ivan, and I request the knight of the king to bear witness to it." Aden's words hung in the air, demanding attention.

Lord Ivan hesitated, caught between the pressure of Aden's demand and the scrutiny of the king's knight. "Speak your demand, boy," the knight urged.

Aden's gaze remained steady as he addressed Lord Ivan, "I demand that this household ensures the safety of my family under any circumstances." His eyes then shifted to his mother, Leia.

The knight, seemingly uninterested, commented, "Well, that's an easy enough demand."

However, Lord Ivan felt the weight of the king's knight's gaze, adding an extra layer of tension to the situation. With a reluctant nod, Lord Ivan acknowledged Aden's demand, realizing he had no other choice in this tight spot. The witnessing knight remained stoic, observing the unfolding events without displaying much emotion.

The king's knight, with an air of formality, began reciting the final decree that would mark the family's departure. Leia, finally allowed near her child, rushed toward Aden and enveloped him in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, "First your father, now you, why are you all leaving me?"

Aden, whispered into Leia's ear, "Mother, I'm going to ensure your safety," he paused, "and maybe look for father while at it." The unexpected revelation left Leia surprised. Despite the comforting words, the impending separation from her only son weighed heavily on her heart.

As the king's knight called out for the departing group, Aden gently released himself from Leia's embrace. However, she clung to him, unwilling to let go.

Belle, appearing from behind, tried to soothe Leia's anguish. In this moment, Aden leaned toward Belle and whispered, "I will also look for Evelyn." Belle, overwhelmed by the mention of her daughter's name, nodded tearfully, promising Aden that she would watch over his mother in his absence.

With a final glance directed at Lord Ivan, Aden conveyed a silent message – a silent vow that hung heavily in the air. It was an unspoken promise that if anything untoward happened to his family in his absence, he would return.