7

CHAPTER 7

"Get ready!!!" the man shouted and seemed to be out of his mind.

Maybe anger blinded them?

He just stared at them and made no preparations. She has a faith from above. From the person who's watching from above— literally.

he just remained standing and waited for their attack. A man raised his fist in the air and was about to punch him, but before he could do that, someone came to save him from above.

“Ack! Argh! Urgh!” the man groaned and backed away.

he couldn't see every move of the man guarding him, as long as he knew he singled out the enemies and knocked everyone unconscious. No blood spread around.

It seemed like it only took a minute for him to watch because it ended so easily. he didn't get popcorn and e enjoy and action movie.

He walked closer to the man then let's stand next to him. "Admit it, who ordered you to watch over me?" he asked gruffly while smiling and looking up at the man.

Oh...my...gosh. He's tall...

he looked at her from head to toe...and really only up to her shoulders.

The man didn't say a word and just kept looking at her.

Is he a mute or he really doesn't want to talk?

He shook his head as he passed it. he walked towards the body of the man he had thrown the durian from earlier then regretfully looked at the durian. It's really good that this fruit has full body armor.

“My precious. What did I do to you?" he said crying as his mouth fell. he lifted the durian and stared at it. "You look messed up." how can he eat it now? But it's good that the face of the man he threw a stone didn't bleed, because if it did, he would lose his appetite.

"Please call the guards Mr. Guard. these men should be punished.” he said to the man guarding him then kicked the men who were abusing them with their size and strength. Then he turned it. "And, oh, please come back." he winked at her.

because the man didn't say a word, he stared at him but he couldn't see his appearance properly because he was wearing a cloak and he was wearing a mask that only covered his eyes.

"Sir. Are you listening?” he aroused in her spirit then repeatedly made the sound of his fingers.

it suddenly sighed then bowed and suddenly disappeared. He winced slightly when it disappeared. If the man shows up, it's like he's being forced. Does it not know the word favor? and another thing, he couldn't move properly for four days because he was always watching his every move.

He sighed. But I hope it comes back. He wanted to know more.

He stayed in that place until they arrived with Marina and the child with her. both were crying as they approached him.

"Miss, are you hurt?" she asked crying then rubbed her cold. "Great, you've got us worried."

He laughed a little at the look of it. "Maybe when the man you like sees you, he will definitely be disappointed." he joked but it didn't affect Marina.

"How can you joke like that? What if you don't come back bu—”

“I've been in that situation many times, Marina. so don't worry." he said patting his shoulder. Then he turned to the boy and then crouched down.

"There are no bad people who will fight you so hold on." he said in a calm voice.

The boy nodded repeatedly. It looks cute.

he took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face which surprised the boy. But he also calmed down and let him go.

He smiled. "That's it, there's no more dirt on your face." he secretly wet the handkerchief earlier and when he finished he immediately dried it using the enchantment so the boy's face became clean.

Even now he saw her blue eyes like his own. And it also has black hair, but because of the dirt it looks gray.

is it related to the Archduke? As far as he knows, only his family has this hair color.

”Young Lady of Baron Lynn. We're here to get the criminals."

He looked behind the boy when a soldier spoke. He stood up and shook his head.

"They're here." he said then gesturing his hand in the direction of the people lying on the ground.

The soldiers bowed to him first before taking the men. They went with them when they came out. But he didn't expect that many people were waiting outside. other soldiers were also busy keeping people aside because they were pushing each other just to catch the news. Marites indeed.

Then he turned to a soldier. It seems to be filled with them. "What will be the case for them?" he asked.

"We'll investigate further, but for now it's Human Trafficking first, Miss." he said as he nodded.

"All right. Thank you for coming." he said and the soldier bowed again before leaving.

When Marina and the boy were alone, she looked around. he was looking for where that man was.

CHAPTER 7 CONT

He was suddenly startled when someone touched his shoulder. He automatically turned around and let out a deep breath when he saw that this was the man he was looking for.

it just stood and faced him. It looks like a pole.

"Miss, who is he?" Marina asked as she looked at him.

He just smiled meaningfully. "My man, Marina." smiling as he promised then he took the man's hand and clasped their hands together. He was startled by what he did but he ignored it.

Marina was stunned. And because it was carrying two baskets, it covered the child's sight with its body. "There is a child here, Miss." he reprimanded him which he just laughed at.

"Come on, let's eat first." he said, then pulled the man to a bench. Marina followed and then the boy.

When he was on the bench, he took the two baskets and opened them. He was very grateful to see that the durian was there. Marina is really a quick witted woman!

he took out the durian then borrowed a knife from the man. It hesitated at first but eventually gave in. He gave the knife to him and he used it to open the Durian.

The smell immediately stung his nose when he opened it. Marina and the man with her were covered over their noses. While he and the child were eagerly looking at the fruit.

"It sure is sweet." he said smiling then take it. His hand was clean so that's what he used.

"Miss, have mercy." Marina said with difficulty while still covering her mouth and nose with her hand.

He gasped in the air. "The grapes are in a basket, Marina. You can take it and eat it. and wherever you land to avoid the smell, I will look for you." he said at length and when he turned to Marina, she was gone. He really left her just because of the smell of durian.

The man was about to stand up so he quickly pulled him back to sitting. "I should repay your kindness, Mister." he said smiling then brought the durian he was holding to his mouth. “Have a bite.” he offered and it looked like he was going to throw up. But he doesn't care. "Open your mouth, Mister." he smiled frighteningly and made her swallow again and again. he didn't seem to want to eat but he was forced to open his mouth and then took a small bite of the durian he was holding.

When he succeeded, he was applauded. "Thanks, Mister!" he then removed the gloves from her hand which surprised her. “Please hold it. consume it, Mister.” he said and he nodded as if he was weak.

His grin got bigger. Haha. It will suffer.

Then he turned to the boy who was just staring at the durian on the chair. he picked up the boy then made him sit next to the man and both of them were surprised but he just didn't care.

He took the handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the child's hand and made sure it was free of dirt. "Your hands must be clean before you eat." he instructed the boy then gave him a durian. "Eat well." he said smiling making the boy dumbfounded.

It swallowed and then bent down. It looks anxious. "Uhm...Lady...aren't you shy? p-I'm looking at you because of me." he said sadly.

He smiled then rubbed his head. "Don't worry about what other people think about you, worry about yourself." he removed her hair from her face. "Leave them alone because they are wasting their time mocking others. And you won't make money if you give them attention. So ignore them and just eat well.” he said sweetly then followed it and the boy ate.

when he remembered something. "By the way, do you have a family?" he asked as the boy ate. He was stunned for a moment but also shook his head.

"Do you have anything to go home with?" he asked again and she shook her head again. He smiled sweetly. "Then, do you want to come with me?" he asked making her stop chewing and look into his eyes.

The boy stared at him for a few seconds so he suddenly became worried. He immediately explained "I won't force you if you don't want to. but if you want, I'm open to take you with me. And if you think we are bad people, you can leave after you eat.” he said.

The child blinked and his eyes suddenly watered. Later, he started crying, which confused him. because he didn't know how to support a child, he called Marina who was eating on another bench. He interrupted it.

.

.

.

"I didn't know that you like to make children cry, miss." Marina said shaking her head as they walked to their carriage. the afternoon caught up with them and now they can go home. She was carrying a basket while the other was hers, and the boy was being carried by the man.

He looked at the child. It is sleeping soundly now. Maybe he got tired of crying. its eyes are also puffy and it is still sniffling.

He smiled. He didn't know but he happily agreed to go with him. Is this what it feels like to help someone else? He had forgotten that feeling because it had been a long time.

"Here we are, miss." Marina said as she turned to him. It was ahead because it had walked earlier, so it was the first to know that they had arrived. While the two men walked together.

Marina placed their things and took the basket she was carrying. he let her get into the carriage first because he was going to take the child.

"Aren't you coming?" he asked the man and he quickly shook his head.

When he got the boy he sighed. "Could you bend down for a moment?" he said and even though he was surprised, he still bowed.

he smiled when their faces were level. He lovingly touched her other cheek which stopped her in shock.

"Thank you so much, my lord." he said smiling then kissed her on the cheek.

It was stunned for a few moments and also recovered from the hug. “W-what—”

"I already know it from the start, My Lord." he cut off his words then turned around and walked towards the carriage. When he got on board the Archduke was still there looking at him. Yes, the Archduke indeed. he didn't know why he was here but he was still happy because he was around him.

"Take care, my Lord." she mouthed then smiled sweetly at him.

The carriage began to run and in the blink of an eye the Archduke was gone.

He laughed a little. Did the trick he did work?

He shook his head and looked at the boy who was leaning on his chest and sleeping.

This child will be her adopted brother, and if not, she'll make another way to give this kid a peaceful life. Away from harm and slavery.