Chapter 16: A Trade!
"What are you doing?" Harry asked, confusion etched on his face as he watched Alice's unexpected actions.
He had only offered his help, so why was she undressing? They stared at each other, the tension in the air palpable.
"Ah?" Alice suddenly realized what she was doing and hastily scrambled to retrieve the scattered pieces of her clothing, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
The atmosphere grew awkward, and Harry was taken aback by her misunderstanding. Was it that the world was too permissive, or was he simply too naïve in his words?
Regaining his composure, he spoke calmly. "You want to leave here, right? If you're willing to help me with something, I'll assist you in your escape."
"How?" Alice asked, curiosity mingling with uncertainty.
Harry's voice lowered, filled with a quiet intensity. "You know the layout of this place. Without outside help, it's nearly impossible for you to escape. Even if you manage it this time, there will be no second chance. Baron Senda is determined to marry you off soon. If you miss this opportunity, it may never come again."
His words hung in the air, laced with an alluring promise that tugged at her heart. Alice's expression shifted to one of contemplation as she processed his words. Deep down, she understood he was right. What she wanted to do was something her father would vehemently oppose, and if she wished to pursue her own happiness, she had to find a way out.
"What… what do you need me to do?" she finally asked, hesitating. "I'm just an ordinary girl. I don't have any special powers…"
"Don't worry," Harry reassured her, a faint smile on his lips. "If you're willing, I can help you get what you want. Just follow my lead."
Alice took a deep breath, feeling a mix of trepidation and hope as she nodded slowly.
---
After the banquet, Reggie approached Harry, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol and laughter. "Harry! How was your chat with Miss Alice?" He grinned widely. "I heard from Baron Senda that you've asked to marry her?"
"Yes…" Harry replied, a hint of shyness playing on his features. "Miss Alice is wonderful. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever met."
"Haha! Of course!" Reggie's laughter filled the space, satisfaction radiating from him. He clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Miss Alice is renowned for her beauty. Honestly, if I weren't already married, I'd be pursuing her myself!"
"Rest assured, Mr. Senda is pleased with you as well. As long as you're committed, this marriage is all but guaranteed."
Reggie's expression turned serious for a moment. "And don't worry about any details. I'll cover all the expenses for your wedding. You won't have to lift a finger."
Harry felt a mix of gratitude and intrigue. This path was unfolding in ways he hadn't anticipated, and it felt like a chance to navigate not only his fate but also Alice's.
"Yes, thank you, Brother Reggie," Harry replied, nodding respectfully, his demeanor polished and sincere.
Reggie beamed with satisfaction, pleased by Harry's response. To him, Harry's willingness to marry Alice felt like a significant step forward. After all, they were already brothers, Reggie's wife was none other than Baron Senda's other daughter, Alice's sister. This connection meant that by marrying Alice, they wouldn't just be linked as friends; they would be family.
In Reggie's mind, this solidified their bond. Once Harry became part of the Senda family, he would have little choice but to remain close, even if he wished to venture out on his own.
Baron Senda was equally delighted by the prospect of this union. Both the Kumu and Senda families were steeped in knightly tradition, though the Senda family had fallen behind in producing exceptional talent. That's why he had married his daughter to Reggie, hoping to forge a powerful alliance.
Harry, in Baron Senda's eyes, represented a beacon of hope. Although young, he was a top apprentice with the potential to become a real knight one day. The baron saw marrying Alice off to such a promising young man as a worthwhile investment.
Even Harry's less-than-ideal background was perceived as an asset; a modest upbringing would make him more manageable, with fewer expectations from the family. This marriage seemed like a win-win for everyone involved.
Everyone, that is, except for one.
Late at night, a silver moon cast its glow over the quiet manor. While the other guests had retired for the night, Harry remained awake, standing silently in the shadows of the estate as if he were waiting for something or someone.
After a moment, the sound of soft footsteps broke the silence, and Alice appeared before him, her silhouette illuminated by the moonlight.
"I'm here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Harry smiled at her. "Did you bring the things?"
"I brought… I brought…" Alice stammered, her eyes darting nervously as she fumbled with a small bundle hidden beneath her cloak.
"What is it?" he encouraged gently, taking a step closer, intrigued.
Alice took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "I managed to get some supplies; things we might need for our plan. I wasn't sure if I could, but… I did." She revealed a few items: a small dagger, some provisions, and a map of the manor's layout.
Harry's expression shifted to one of admiration. "You did well, Alice. This will help us."
She smiled, relieved. "I just want to be free," she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "I can't stay here, not knowing what my father plans for me."
"We'll find a way," Harry reassured her, determination building within him. "Together."
Alice nodded, her eyes brightening with hope. In that moment, under the watchful moon, Alice felt a rush of heat in her cheeks, flustered like a child caught in a misdeed. She looked uneasy, glancing nervously at Harry before finally taking a deep breath and pulling something from her cloak.
In her hands was a book, its cover worn yet fresh, and the ink still glistening as if it had just been written. Harry's eyes widened in excitement; it was the very thing he needed.
"This is the Knight's Aura Technique, isn't it?" he exclaimed, reaching out to examine it closely.
"Yes," Alice confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought it might be useful for you."
He couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of gratitude. "No one else found out about this, did they?"
"Probably not," she replied, her brow furrowing in confusion. "I didn't see a single guard on my way here. It felt… strange."
Harry held back a chuckle, knowing well why she hadn't encountered anyone. He had warned the guards to allow him free passage as the future son-in-law of Baron Senda. In this open-minded society, he suspected that even if they were caught, the consequences would be minimal, as long as they didn't go too far.
"Are you sure you're safe here?" Harry asked, his tone suddenly serious.
"I think so," Alice replied, her unease lingering.
"When will you fulfill your promise to me?" she pressed, her impatience surfacing.
"Don't worry," Harry assured her, his voice steady. "If I give my word, I'll keep it."
Relief washed over Alice, and she turned to leave. "Then I should go back now," she said, but her tone lacked conviction.
"Don't be in such a hurry," Harry called after her, his voice softening.
Before she could respond, he closed the distance between them, enveloping her in a gentle embrace.
Alice froze, her surprise evident. "Let me go," she said, her voice a mixture of shock and indignation.
"Why? Are you shy?" Harry teased lightly, maintaining his calm demeanor. "You've come all this way, so why not stay and have a proper conversation instead of rushing back?"
Alice's heart raced. She instinctively tried to push him away but found his grip surprisingly firm. "This isn't right," she protested, her face burning.
"Isn't it?" Harry replied, his gaze steady and unyielding. "We have much to discuss, after all. And I promise, it won't be dull."
In that moment, a mix of tension and curiosity hung in the air, the weight of their unspoken feelings palpable between them.
Under the soft glow of the moonlight, Harry's features came into view. His tall stature and strikingly handsome face betrayed his youth, yet he carried an air of confidence that hinted at his exceptional potential.
Alice stood before him, her initial resistance melting away as a warm flush crept across her cheeks. She felt a mixture of shyness and intrigue, unaware that Harry's gaze was fixed on the horizon, not on her.
"You haven't left yet?" he asked, his voice steady as he peered into the distance.
"What do you mean?" she replied, slightly bewildered, her heart racing.
"There are some figures out there," he murmured, nodding toward the shadows beyond the manor. "It looks like we're being watched."
Meanwhile, not far off, Baron Senda observed the scene with a bemused smile. "It appears Alice is quite taken with him. That's a promising sign," he remarked, glancing at a tall, middle-aged man beside him.
"Yes," the man agreed, a knowing grin on his face. "Despite his humble origins, Mr. Harry is exceptional in both talent and looks. It's no wonder Miss Alice is drawn to him."
Baron Senda nodded, satisfaction etched on his face. "If that's the case, I doubt she'll be talking about running away anymore."
But then a flicker of concern crossed the baron's features. "Wait," he said, suddenly serious. "I offered him my hospitality, only for him to try to seduce my daughter? I won't stand for this!"
"Mouse, keep a close watch on the surroundings," he ordered, his voice low and menacing. "I don't want him around here during this time. If you see him, you know what to do."
"Don't worry," Mouse replied with a sinister grin. "I'll make him regret ever stepping foot in this world."
"Cut off all his limbs and bring him back to me alive," Baron Senda commanded, his voice laced with cold fury. "I want him crawling at my feet like a wretched dog, filled with remorse for his actions."
Back at the moonlit scene, Harry felt the tension fade as he released Alice from his embrace. "You should head back and get some rest," he said with a gentle smile. "Don't worry, I'll come see you tomorrow. We'll have our chance then."
"Good night," Alice replied softly, a mixture of emotions swirling in her eyes as she waved at him.
Harry turned away, leaving her standing there, staring at his retreating figure, lost in thought. Her feelings were complex, confusion and curiosity battling against the backdrop of excitement. After a moment of contemplation, she sighed and turned to make her own way back, her heart still fluttering from the encounter.