NOVEL NEXT Chapter 136: A childhood friend (3/3)
Kael opened his mouth to reply, wanting to say that she, too insulted him in front of her teammates back then. They were also strangers to him, but the words caught in his throat as he remembered that Shiera is still a 17-year-old girl who only knows fighting against monsters, traveling in the wilderness. Moreover, she is the next Queen, and that pride will not let her be insulted by anyone.
He looked at her for a few more seconds and finally broke the silence, letting out a sigh. His voice turned softer as he said. "I didn't mean to embarrass you. I was just trying to lighten the mood. I didn't realize it would hurt you like that. I'm sorry."
Shiera looked away, crossing her arms. "Well, as long as you understand that."
He gave a faint smile and was about to say something, but then something clicked in his mind, and he couldn't help but ask. "Umm… by the way, I have something to tell you, you know, just in case, the issue will get blown up again."
"What is it?"
"I was actually thinking of asking her to work with me. She said she's an alchemist, and someone like that could really help me grow more as a merchant. You have no problem with that, right?"
He tried to keep his tone light this time, hoping that she wouldn't mind.
Trying to reason with his plan, he further added. "Think about it. If I team up with her, your sisters don't have to tag with me as I travel around, unnecessarily give up their jobs to protect me. As an alchemist, she can make potions. As a warrior, she can also hunt down beasts. That's huge. She could be a great partner…"
"Wha… wha… what are you saying?" Shiera cut in, almost screaming. "You… you… She… alone… travel together…"
Kael blinked. "Huh?"
Taking a breath and composing herself, Shiera said. "You haven't seen her in years, Kael. You don't know how much she has changed. And just like that, you want to partner with her? What if she had some bad intentions… You do know that problems just swirl around you. They come to find you all the time. And you were also abducted a few weeks ago. "
Kael looked at her and let out a pleasant smile. "What could one have any intentions against someone like me? People only recognized me as the Queen's son-in-law when I was with you. Other times, they treat me as just someone not worth taking action on. Moreover, I have Sith, Ignis, and Nyx with me. I'll be fine. Not to mention, it is quite possible, my sister won't leave me alone anyway. She might tag along too. And most importantly, I trust her."
"You trust her?" Shiera echoed, disbelief thick in her voice. "Then, what about her skill? If she is only a novice alchemist, she can't help you out. She has only been in this business for 4/5 years, right? You can become a good warrior during that time, but you can't just become a great alchemist."
Kael gave a small shrug. "Look, having a skilled but untrustworthy partner in business is more dangerous than having someone unskilled but loyal. Skills can be taught. Trust has to be earned, yeah, but sometimes, you just know who has your back."
Shiera's expression darkened. Her voice was lower now. "Just a minute ago, I told you. You haven't spoken to her in nearly a decade, Kael. People change. They don't stay frozen in time because you have a sweet childhood memory of them. You don't know who she's become. Whether she is a good person or a bad person."
Kael's gaze flickered. "Say, I have been thinking for a while…" He tilted his head slightly and asked, voice low and almost amused. "You've only known her for an hour, Shiera… why do you seem so agitated about her?" As if something clicked in his head, his tone was curious but teasing. "Don't tell me… You are not jealous or something, right?"
Shiera's eyes went wide at that question. Her breath hitched, and a soft red hue crept up her cheeks as she was flustered once again. "Wha… Wh-who… jealous? Me? Don't be ridiculous!"
Her hands instinctively shot to her hips in defiance, but her voice betrayed the panic behind her words. "Why would I be jealous? That doesn't even make any sense! You're just… just…"
Kael raised an eyebrow, wondering if she says he is trash or weak, or something.
But Shiera said. "You're my responsibility, alright? That's all! I'm only looking out for you on my four elder sisters' behalf. If anything happens to you, they'll blame me."
She crossed her arms now, trying to shield herself from her own betrayal of emotion.
"And don't forget. You're a married man and the Queen's son-in-law. If you keep getting close to women like that in public or travel with a woman alone, people will start talking and spread unnecessary rumors, alright? Anyways, you… You just do whatever you want, but you keep those things in your head, and I'm going to update your situation with my sisters either way. Whatever reasoning you have for partnering and all, you can go explain it to them."
She gave him one last warning glare, clearly done with the conversation, not waiting for his answer.
Then she turned and walked briskly back toward the campsite, her cape fluttering behind her like a curtain as a gust of wind passed through.
Kael stood frozen for a moment, brows slightly raised. He wasn't sure whether to laugh… or feel guilty. "Hmm… this girl cares about me, but doesn't like to admit it."
He then ran after her, catching up, but didn't say anything and just quietly walked with her back to the campsite, where everyone was waiting.
As Kael returned, the tension in the air had shifted. The others pretended not to notice, but Alice glanced up at him the moment he sat down, eyes curious and a little concerned. "Everything alright?" she asked softly.
Kael gave a casual shrug, trying to play it off. "Yeah. It's nothing."
Alice leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "I'm… sorry if I caused any disturbance. I didn't mean to."
Kael waved his hand. "Forget it. Just eat."
He reached out and picked up the large roasted leg of the boar, sinking his teeth into it calmly.
Across the table, Shiera sat upright, her face calm and blank—but she was barely eating. Her eyes didn't meet Kael's. Instead, they were more on Alice.