The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 9.2

“Wow, look at you, grandmaster, all grown up and already flirting with the ladies.”

“Rene, enough fooling around. Why are you here with Odin Maduse?”

Ilya broke the quarrel between the two.

“I went undercover to find out some things. They think I’m a mercenary mage.”

“So did you find what you need?”

“No, not yet.”

Ilya pondered with his eyes on her. Rene, whom he had thought had died since she disappeared, was back in Tatar all of a sudden. It all went back to the time Ilya and Nazz were in grief as they had lost their comrades due to Maduse’s betrayal.

“I’m going back to Ajauntice to form an information organization. Young master, please make it back alive and become my master,” she had said.

Rene had formed a secret information organization as soon as she returned to Ajauntice and started to work independently.

“Rene, why did you choose me as your master? It would have been more convenient for you to go straight to Nasir.”

Rene pouted. “Who else would let a female be a boss other than you?”

“Fair enough. I have been exceptional since birth.” Ilya grinned as he sipped some wine.

Rene looked at Ilya, making an odd face. “By the way, recently the entire empire is riling up because of you, Your Highness.”

Ilya’s brows furrowed.

“I heard you’ve completely fallen for your beautiful wife. Is it true?”

Ilya remained silent.

“I want to go and greet the Madam, Your Highness.”

“Request denied.”

Rene ignored the instant refusal. “I sent a gift to our lovely Madam, you know. It should have arrived by now.”

The two men pulled their hair in worry.

* * *

Evelyn had been sighing continuously, more so when she looked out the window. She had been this way since she had heard the trumpet sounds that signaled the lord’s return.

He has come back. He must be exhausted from staying in the woods for a week. Will he visit here tonight? What should I do? Evelyn shook her head to shake off such pointless thoughts.

“Madam, your brother has arrived at the front of the gates with his knights.”

“Already?”

Evelyn’s face paled at Arthus’s words. Something hard hit the window.  Arthus drew his sword thinking it was an assassin.

“Open the window!” A large bird quacked as it banged its head on the window.

“My goodness! The bird… it speaks.”

Sophie, who had been feeding Livell a snack, dropped the spoon and bowl on the floor in fright. Livell’s eyes widened.

“Oh, it must be from Miss Rene…”

Arthus opened the window. The bird flew straight to Evelyn. Human words came from its yellow beak. Evelyn moved back in surprise.

“Master told me to come here.”

The talking bird looked lean and strong. As it spread its wings, it became taller than Evelyn. Its dark brown feathers covered its entire body except for the head and tail which were white. Its sharp, curved beak and feet were yellow.

“Master…?”

“The great wizard is my master.”

Arthus understood. He explained to Evelyn who was wide-eyed in surprise.

“Miss Rene, the castle’s wizard, said she would send a guard. This eagle must be it.”

“What? A guard?”

“Human, are you doubting my expertise? I am exceptional.”

The eagle growled as it spread its wings. Evelyn apologized.  “It’s not that…I was just surprised.”

Humph. The eagle sneered. Evelyn carefully moved her attention from the beast to Arthus.

“His Highness said there would be four guards. Where is the last one?”

Arthus pointed out the window.

“The last one should be hanging outside there somewhere. The knight specializes in stealth tactics.

“So then, Sir Belina, Arthus, the knight outside, and…this eagle will be guarding this place?”

Arthus scratched his head. “Yes Madam, there are many more knights guarding the annex but…we are the four knights whom His Majesty has directly appointed.”

“More like three knights and one beast…”

The eagle growled at Sophie. “Watch it, insolent human!”

“Ah, Young Master! You shouldn’t go there!”

Livell had left Sophie and was toddling toward the bird without anyone noticing. “Abababa.”

He seemed like he had an unusual interest in the talking bird. Livell rubbed his face on the bird’s wings.

“Little human, you’re getting spit on my wings. Go away.” The eagle grunted but did not push Livell away. The bird’s arrogant eyes softened as it looked at Livell.

Evelyn laughed as she watched the baby and the animal getting along.  “Please take good care of us, Mr. Eagle.”

“Humph. A human who knows its manners.” The eagle smirked but then it growled again. “Little human, my feathers are not food!”

“My apologies.” Evelyn quickly lifted Livell in her arms. He had been trying to chew the eagle’s feathers.

“Sophie, please ask to bring some more snacks.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Sophie, who had been cleaning up the spoon and bowl on the ground, quickly stood up and headed outside. The unexpected entrance of the eagle allowed Evelyn, for a moment, to forget about her grim reality and smile.