novelslam Chapter 228 228: 6.38 - Some Are Born Kind
Chapter 228 228: 6.38 - Some Are Born Kind
The gravel road was lined with willow trees, casting long shadows on the ground. The soft breeze blew Lady Bianca's pink hair across her face, making her frown and tuck the loose strands behind her ear.
She was humming a tune as she swept the leaves off the estate road, oblivious to the danger lurking behind her.
Lucian slowly made his way towards her, his coat fluttering behind him. He was dressed in a light blue shirt and dark trousers. It was a scholarly look that suited him well.
"If it isn't my beloved student, the aspiring saintess in the making. What are you doing in a place like this?"
Lady Bianca looked up from her work, her eyes widening in surprise, "Mr. Arclight! What a coincidence to meet you here! I'm just helping out the Aramere household with some chores. They have been kind enough to take me in after the death of my aunt, who used to work for them."
She had yet to recognize Lucian as that Lucian Arclight, the Glory's founder, or else she wouldn't be this friendly with him. A fellow bullied teacher was what she saw. So, she was not hesitant to share more about her life, "And how about you, Mr. Arclight?"
"Ah, I'm getting ready to go south. The war has been taking its toll on everyone," Lucian walked to the side of the road, not wanting to get in her way.
Lady Bianca stopped sweeping and listened to him attentively.
"I feel guilty for not being on the frontlines, and hope to help out in any way I can," Lucian continued, "even if it's just taking care of the injured."
The heroine was deep in thought, then she beamed at him, "Take me with you. I want to join you. I want to help too."
Lucian blinked his eyes before shaking his head, as if he couldn't believe what she had just requested from him, "The war is dangerous. It's not a place for a young lady like you."
She turned defiant, her brows almost touching, "I'm not afraid. I have been training hard at the academy, and I want to put my skills to good use. Please, Mr. Arclight, let me go with you."
"No," he said, killing her hopeful expression, "I'm sorry, but I can't allow that. I don't want to be responsible for anything that happens to you."
"Then...then I will go alone!" she stomped her foot, "I will find a way to join the army, and I will show you that I am not as weak as you think I am!"
"Wait, wait, I never said you were weak," Lucian tried to calm her down, but she already stormed away.
He quickly caught up to her and gently grabbed her arm, "Hold on. You can't just leave like that. It's not safe for you to travel by yourself. You don't even know the way. Do you even have any money?"
She stopped abruptly as if hit by the last remark, "I...I can halt the carriages that are going there and ask for a ride, it will be fine. As for money, I have some savings. Don't worry about me."
"This won't do. I will talk to the Viscount, and make sure my student is not getting in harm's way," he said, and marched into the Aramere estate with her in tow.
"Wait! Alright, Alright. I won't go," she panicked when she saw him being serious about snitching on her, "I will stay here. I promise!"
Lucian turned to look at her, "Promise? Really?"
"Yes...Yes, I promise," she nodded, crossing her fingers behind her back, "I won't go anywhere."
Lucian sighed in relief, "Good. I'm glad you understand."
"O-of course, Mr. Arclight. I just got a bit carried away. I'm sorry." Lady Bianca smiled. She probably thought she had convinced him, and that he would leave her be now.
Lucian did leave her be, and returned to the main road to stretch his legs a bit more.
She waited until he was out of sight before she bolted back to her room and began to pack her bags.
"Make sure she gets to the south safely," Lucian mouthed toward Jax's binoculars, "Let her infiltrate Glory's caravan on her own, and see how she handles the situation."
Jax raised his palm to let Lucian know that he heard the order, and then retreated back into the shadows of the tree.
Goblin climbed down the tree and joined Lucian on the ground, "Who is she, Boss?"
"A very talented girl, who might help Jax with his problem," Lucian answered, walking back to his carriage, "Join me inside."
Goblin followed, closing the door behind him.
"Pass to Jax that he needs to stage an accident where she has to use her blessings on him," Lucian explained, his eyes closed, as if he was napping, but in reality, he was using his connection with Lion Head to change his son's diapers, "Keep his identity as my Vice hidden. He's just a poor, injured southerner who was bullied and thrown before the Glory's Caravan, got it?"
"Yes, Boss," Goblin transferred the message to Jax telepathically, then asked, "How can this girl help him?"
"With a miracle," Lucian answered, "Only miracles can defy fate, and her blessings might be miraculous enough to make the impossible possible."
"A female version of Boss?" Goblin asked, catching Lucian off guard.
Lucian wished it to be true. She was the real deal while he was more of a fake. He was someone who could make the rules work in his favor, while she could change the rules to her will.
She would become a gift to humanity, with powers that could bring hope to the hopeless. People like her used to be Lucian's aspiration, until he got lost in his desires and his own selfish needs.
Some people were born kind no matter what hardship life threw at them, and Lucian would like to become one of them, somewhere in the future, hopefully.
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The way to Breezy Cove was three days away by land. Lucian and his men moved quickly, avoiding any unnecessary stops and speeding through the night. By the time they arrived, the dockworkers (ferals) were just starting their day.
The ship was a brigantine, a large vessel with three masts and three decks. It did not have enough space for 200 men, but it had two more ships, one on each side, so the ferals were divided between them.
The three ships cost as much as a noble estate, and the Glory's treasury would cry if they were to be destroyed in a battle.
Lucian walked up the ship ramp, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a vest that was left open. His pants were tucked into his boots, and a wide belt was hanging loosely around his waist.
The outfit made him look more like a sailor than a wealthy merchant, which was the idea.
It was Lord A's who would be playing the merchant part. They spread enough rumors for the pirates to know they were coming, even bribing a few to make it convincing that they didn't want any trouble.
Lord A's was wearing a fur coat and a feathered hat, his attire very different from Lucian's. Bright red like a bullseye, and his many rings and necklaces jingled with every step he took. He looked like a man trying too hard to impress, which was exactly the image they wanted to project.
"Woah, Vice Ashtor," Goblin followed next to Lucian, entering the captain's quarters, "Your look is on point today."
"Finally someone who appreciates my taste," Lord A's grinned widely, flipping his coat to show its silver lining, "This is pure craftsmanship, boy. Pure craftsmanship."
"I didn't say I like it. I said it's on point," Goblin quickly corrected himself.
Lord A's lost his grin, but immediately put it back on, "Well, it's not for you to like. It's for the pirates to drool over."