We Are Under Your Care

Serfred put some wood on the fireplace as he started the fire. He sighed, seeing that they did not settled down and continued to stand by the door. "You guys should sit down and warm yourself up by the fire."

They looked at each other as they went closer to the fire and sat down on the chair.

"Hmm, that idiot is showing off again." Serfred saw the drop of rain on the window.

"My Lord..."

"Old man don't call me that, my name is Serfred most of the people in the village calls me Fred. Plus, I'm not the master of this house but the girl and the idiot." Serfred explained to them.

"Thank you for helping us then Fred." The old man replied

Moments later, the main door opened. Serfred went out of the room to greet the two who just came back.

"Was it really necessary for you to make it rain, look Lady Tina is soaking wet." Serfred yelled at Lirius who was just ignoring him.

"Go upstairs and get change already." Lirius grab the girl's coat as she headed up stairs.

"Are you even listening?" Serfred looked at the man who was heading to his lab.

Lirius paused before moving forward and looked at Serfred. "Dry Fuji for me."

Serfred drag Fuji to the other room which alerted the people inside seeing the wolf. "Don't worry, he won't hurt you as long as you don't do anything against him."

Serfred was drying Fuji by the fireplace when the little girl approached him, "Can I help?"

"Sure." Serfred handed him the extra towel.

At the same time, Lirius and Athena meet up with each other by the staircase.

"How are they?"

Lirius grab the girl's hand as he helped her down the stairs. "There in the seating area warming up."

Serfred just finished drying Fuji when the two entered the room. Seeing the girl beside Fuji pleased Athena that she was not afraid of him after what just happened. Instead, it was the elder who seem to be more frightened.

"Don't worry, he won't harm you..." Athena walked inside the room with Lirius.

"My Lady." The old man got up and greeted her and the rest followed.

"Now, tell me... Why were they following you? The man after you seems to be a noble person." Athena seated next to Fuji.

They all looked at each other contemplating on the situation.

Esme step forward looking all depress and guilty. "It's all because of me."

Lance grab Esme's arm and looked at her. "No, it's my fault as well."

Seeing the two quarrel Athena can figure out what happened...

"Enough!" The old man said, "Let me explain everything to you my Lady. I am Greyford, I am the steward of the man you just killed. He is one of the sons of Baron Bruhns."

"So you been in the run for a couple of days now then?" Serfred asked knowing Baron Bruhns land is at least half a day ride by horse.

"Yes."

The Baron's town is one of the places we trade our crops. Hmmm, I wonder if killing his son will affect our trade in the future.

"Tina, what's wrong?" Lirius notice the girl seems to be in deep thought.

"I was wondering if they'll seek revenge on the village since it was Fuji who killed his son. I'm sure those who survived have already told the Baron of what happened." Athena embrace Fuji worried of the possibility they'll come after him.

"That won't happen... Twilight wolf doesn't exist in the North, the Baron will probably think he was killed by one of them or along the way. They did step in the Northern Region, there are loads of creature strong enough to kill them in one strike."

Serfred step inside the room bring a tray of hot drinks. "Don't worry, if they do come for Fuji will just have to kill them first."

"Serfred, I'll leave them to you." Athena then got up from the floor and looked at them. "Rest for now, I'll think of a solution for you all tomorrow."

It surprised all of them when Lirius grab hold of Athena and carried her out of the room. Seeing Jocelyn was still a child, she wondered and asked. "Is Lady Tina married to Sir Lirius?"

Serfred expression explained it all, he was completely in shock from what he just heard that he felt like the whole world just collapse on his head.

"Jocelyn..." Esme quickly grab the girl, "Please forgive my sister for not knowing her place."

"I'm sorry." Jocelyn bowed in front of Serfred with an upset expression on her face.

"It's fine, also she is not married. She is but 14 and even though both of them are the masters of this house, they don't have such a relationship with each other." Serfred sighed as he realized how against he is towards Athena and Lirius being together. "Anyway, she too weak which is why Lirius carried her."

The next day, the old man roamed around the house and notice its state. He did not expect the house to be in such bad shaped.

They must not have anyone doing any of the house work. Seeing they are all too busy with other affairs.

He woke the rest of them and gathered them around. "Esme you and Jocelyn swipe and mop the floor. Lance, go check the kitchen and prepare a meal for the master."

The three of them went ahead and did what the old man instructed them. As if magic happened, they were able to clean the whole house in no time.

It was daybreak when Athena, Serfred and Lirius sense strong presence inside the house. The three of them quickly run out of their room wondering what was going on. When they meet each other by the stairs, they were shocked to see how clean it was and the entrance way.

"Where are we?" Athena continued to look around dumbfounded on how spotless the place was.

"Lirius, what the heck did you do this time?" Serfred yelled thinking Lirius must have made another mistake on his experiment.

Lirius did not say a word and wonder what was going on indeed.

As the three of them head to the dining hall, they were surprised to see water magic floating in the air. They were cleaning the windows, floors, and furniture in no time.

"My lady, master we have prepared breakfast for you." Greyford walked up to them.

The three of them followed Greyford to the breakfast room. Lance was setting up the round table with different cooked meal.

Athena was assisted by Greyford as she sat down on the chair. "Am I dreaming?"

They were all amazed to see the different food in the table.

Athena took the first bite as she took a sip of the soup and her eyes lit up in delight. "Finally, I'm in heaven."

Serfred and Lirius did not hesitate and tried the food. They too were in delight of how the food taste melt into their mouth.

"When was the last time we actually ate something this good." Serfred started devouring the food.

Lirius stay quiet and was a little upset since he was the one preparing the food for the three of them. But he dare not say a word since he too was so please of the food.

"If my Lady was pleased with everything. If I may be bold to ask, instead of sending us away. It would be our honor to serve you for saving our life." Greyford bowed as he plead in front of them as they all followed the old man gesture and plead.

Serfred felt like he needed to voice out his opinion before Athena makes her decision. "We do need help taking care of the house, at the same time you need to eat proper food since your body is recovering."

"I trust you to make the decision for the manor, whatever you decide I'll support you." Lirius added

Athena ponder for a moment, that fact they might get himself in trouble since the Baron might come after them one day. She shook her head not forgetting about what to come ahead. "Everyone, we are under your care then."

The four of them smiled with teary eyes, they did not expect Athena would actually let them stay.

During the day, Athena would be assisted by Jocelyn and Esme in preparing herself. Athena found it uncomfortable since it's been awhile someone actually help her get change.

Afterwards, Esme would clean the rest of the house whilst Lirius decided to make Jocelyn as his disciple.

Esme and her sister were a gifted caster. Esme was able to use water magic, while Jocelyn can control water and wind at such a young age. Whilst, Lance was able to use fire magic at the same time was skilled in using the sword which makes him Magic Swordsman. Greyford explained to him that he too can use wind magic, at the same time he was good in working with documents.

The rest of the day, it was Greyford who accompanied Athena who stay in the office the whole day as she planned out her next course of action.

It impress Greyford to see how talented Athena was not only in magic but doing paperwork.

*To think such young girl was able to manage everything on her own. From what I heard from the people who came by to report to her, she was the one who brought life to the village. Before everyone in the village was just waiting for them to dead but now they are able to live and have a future. I continue to follow her as she inspect the different parts of the village, from the craftsman, farmland, and more… This little girl was managing everything on her own. Whilst she was busy checking on things, I did not hesitate to ask the people about her. But they all said the same time, she was the one who brought life to the village.

The last place we visited was the church. I did not expect such marvelous construction was on it way. I saw the plans she designed for the church back in the office and it was a masterpiece indeed. For it to stand as the top of the village. It was not only a place for worship but from what I heard, the girl asked the church to actually teach the children.

To think a child was able to do all of this without the support of the Empire. But what alarms me is the fact someone actually dare killed her a few months ago. I wonder why they wish to kill her when she seems to be related to House Adolphus family for having the amber eyes. Knowing that she is a powerful Elementalist since the people said she is must be the reason why her life is in danger. Since they are one rare and powerful magic user.*

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