Chapter 128
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"It seems like you have been through a lot," Anfey said . "So I'm curious . How did you end up with the likes of Ahab?"
"I thought they were a normal merchant’s caravan," the princess said, sighing .
"In deserted places like that, a normal caravan can easily turn into bandits, as long as there is a good enough motive . "
"I know now . "
"How did you end up in the Country of Mercenaries?" Anfey asked, switching the topic .
"I thought I would at least deserve a satisfying marriage, after everything I've done . " A smile bloomed on the princess’s face, but her eyes were cold . "I objected, but it was to no avail . So there I was . "
"After you were captured by Ahab?"
"I couldn’t tell them who I was . Isis was afraid they would hurt me, so she told them who I was . Thank god Ahab wasn’t there, or else he would have either killed me or sent me to the Tiger of Tawau mercenaries . "
Anfey nodded . He knew how these things go . If Ahab had truly believed she was a princess, he would have given her to the Tiger of Tawau mercenaries as a gift . After Ahab had tortured and humiliated her companions, he might have killed her to avoid her rage . Then he would have covered up what he did, and the missing princess would remain a mystery forever .
"Why did you believe me?" The princess asked, staring at Anfey .
"You didn’t have a reason to lie, did you?" Anfey asked . Of course, he couldn’t tell her the real reason .
"You’re a strange one . "
"Why do you say that?"
"Normal people would react to what I just told you . They would be angry at the merchants, or pity me and Isis . You, though, you’re calm . You don’t look like a young man . "
"Maybe it’s because I can understand you," Anfey said quietly .
"You know my secret now . What are you going to do? Can you tell me?"
"If I take you to the Tiger of Tawau mercenary group, I would make some good friends with powerful people," Anfey said .
"Of course . No wonder you can understand . You’re like my father . You value your interests more than anything else . " The princess smiled, but the light in her eyes dimmed .
"Has anyone ever told you that you’re beautiful when you curse?" Anfey said, unmoved by her words .
"The princess of Shansa Empire, trying to escape a marriage . A princess turned into a slave . It would be a great scandal once it gets out . Have you thought about the fact that you may not make any friends?"
"Really?" Anfey asked, lifting a brow .
"If my father was in charge, he would kill you, all of you . And you have to realize my father alone would dictate to the mercenaries . "
Anfey looked at the princess, and the smile fell from his face . He was concerned for this very reason, and wasn’t planning on giving the princess to the mercenaries . It wasn’t a surprise that he had realized this, but the princess did too . She had already impressed him .
"The first time I saw you, you were so calm . It is very hard to remain calm in a situation like that . I just thought you were good at enduring that kind of thing . I did not know you were this brilliant . Why didn’t you try to escape? Ahab was about as smart as rock compared to you . "
"For a defenseless woman, a woman who was treated like a toy and not a person, what would you have wanted me to do? Beg? Cry? Struggle? Curse? Submit?" The princess looked at Anfey, shaking her head . "Do you think any of those would work?"
"Makes sense . But sometimes violence is the only answer . "
"You just said I was brilliant?" The princess’s eyes suddenly lit up . "You aren’t sending me to the mercenaries? Because you know it’s likely they wouldn’t treat you well . "
"Where do you want to go?" Anfey asked . He shifted the topic, and did not confirm or deny her words .
"I want to stay here . "
"Here?"
"With your mercenary group . "
"I don’t understand . If you choose to go to the Tiger of Tawau mercenary group, at least you can enjoy a life of luxury . You don’t have to worry about your next meal or your health . What's the point of staying with us? I'm going to be honest with you . My mercenary group is brand new . There are less than twenty people in it . "
"I've always lived for other people . From now on I want to live for myself . I decided that when I ran away . "
"You think you can get what you want with us?"
"I can try . You saved me . I trust you . "
"Adventurous," Anfey said as he stood up . "It doesn’t matter what you want to do . You have to eat . Destroying your own body does nothing . "
"Can’t you answer me now?" the princess asked calmly . Anfey’s tactic of shifting the topic did not work .
"I need time to think about it," Anfey said . "Go eat and rest . "
"Alright," the princess replied quietly .
"By the way, I do not know your name," Anfey turned around and said .
"Don’t worry about the old one . Give me a new name . "
"Let me think about that as well . "
"You need time to think about a name?" the princess asked and she smiled .
"Of course," Anfey said . He stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind him . Blavi was standing at the end of the hall, grinning at him . Anfey glared at him, and Blavi reassumed his post .
Anfey sighed . He had taken quite some time speaking with the princess . Who knew what kind of rumors would circulate in the group tomorrow?
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As usual, the magical surges from Anfey’s room could be felt throughout the hotel . What surprised those who felt them was that they were no longer just fire elements . There were surges for every element . Plus, an apprentice's surges would not be this strong . Anfey’s magic had grown, but it was still somewhere between an apprentice and a junior mage . This was impossible . However, no one wanted to ask him, so everyone decided to just observe in secret .
Anfey woke up at dawn . The two girls who were already waiting outside and observing him through the crack pushed open the door and walked inside . They were commoners and did not have money or power . They weren’t beautiful either, which made them self-conscious . This was the only way they could repay his kindness .
Anfey hesitated but did not turn them away . He finished dressing and cleaning himself with their help . Christian and Suzanna walked into the room together .
"Christian, just on time . Tell me about yesterday . "
"It’s done . Our group was lauded by the Mercenaries Union . "
"Good . "
Christian nodded . He turned to the two girls and said, "Pardon me, can you leave us for a moment? We have some important things to discuss . "
"Yes, Lord Christian," the girls said . They bowed and left the room .
"What happened?"
"Anfey, we have to crack down on our policies," Christian said . "You know . We’re all young, and sometimes young people are hard to control . The girls were grateful that we saved them, then…"
"They hooked up?" Anfey asked . "Something like that is hard to control . As long as the girls are willing, I mean . "
"It is hard . We need the leader to set an example for everyone else," Suzanna said quietly .
"Set an example? Suzanna, you're acting strange . If you like me and don't want to see me do things like that, you can just tell me . You don’t need to say something like that . " Anfey looked at Suzanna, amused .
"Shut up," Suzanna said, blushing . "What were you doing last night?"
"You said the woman wasn’t speaking or eating, so I went and talked to her," Anfey said, feeling as if he was telling his wife about his day in detail .
"Our leader is so charming that she has returned to normal . Congrats, Anfey, you don’t have to worry anymore . "
"Keep an eye on her, though," Anfey reminded them .
"Why?"
"She really is the Shansa princess . "
Christian and Suzanna widened their eyes . One of them knew about the plan, and the other was actively involved in it . They both knew the details . Learning that the target was among them came as a huge surprise .
"Anfey, what are we going to do? Kill her?"
"No, there’s no need for that," Anfey said slowly . "We can wait until after the wedding to reveal her and cause a scandal . But it seems like she wants to forget about her past . She may not cooperate . "
"When have you ever thought about other people’s feelings when you decide to do something?" Suzanna asked . "I don’t think this would be an exception . "
"Give me some time and let me think about it," Anfey said and smiled bitterly .
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