Chapter 2

Once Chris was healed, I would just send him off to do chores.

In my camp, I don't keep any freeloaders around.

Chris recovered quickly.

Within two weeks, he was already back on his feet.

He kept to himself and never made any trouble for me.

He took care of his own bandages and meals, and most of the time, I would find him sitting quietly at the tent entrance, just watching the soldiers drill for hours.

He really wanted to fit in, but I could always see a bit of nervousness in him—being from Aurethland made him wary.

Most of the soldiers knew he was an Aurethland native. Thanks to my orders, they wouldn't touch him, but the coldness and exclusion in their words were always there.

Chris just endured it quietly, never trying to explain himself or running to complain.

But every time I came back to the tent, his eyes would brighten up when he saw me, like a stray puppy finally finding someone who cared.

That day, after wrapping up my duties, I headed back to camp and found him sitting in his usual spot again.

The sunset stretched his figure out across the ground, making him look even more alone.

I walked over to him and asked, "All healed up?"

He jumped to his feet right away, looking a bit nervous, and nodded. "Pretty much."

"Since you're healed, you can't just sit around and eat for free," I said. "The camp needs someone to look after the horses. Go do that."

It was the most inconspicuous job I could come up with.

But he froze, looking a little lost.

"I... I don't want to take care of the horses," he murmured.

I frowned. "Then what do you want to do?"

"I want to follow you," he said, lifting his head, his eyes shining with stubborn resolve. "I want to be your personal guard."

I almost thought I'd misheard him.

An Aurethland native, wanting to serve as my personal guard?

"Do you even know what a personal guard does?" I asked coldly. "They're the ones who charge into battle, who'd take a blade for me."

"I know," Chris replied, nodding with determination. "I'm not afraid to die."

"And what makes you think you're up for it?" I shot back, my voice even colder. "You can't even grip a sword properly."

Chris was stunned into silence, his face flushing bright red.

Yeah, what did he really have to back it up?

He was just a scrawny kid, the kind who looked like he couldn't hurt a fly.

I didn't bother with him and headed straight into the tent.

But Chris followed me in, kneeling stiffly and determined right in front of me.

"Ms. Serrano, please, just give me a chance," Chris pleaded.

His knees slammed against the hard ground with a heavy thud.

"I'll learn. I'll work as hard as I can. I can do anything, as long as I can stay by your side," Chris said.

Annoyance prickled at me as I watched him kneeling there.

"I don't need a burden," I said coldly.

"I won't be a burden!" Chris protested quickly. "I'll get strong—strong enough to keep you safe!"

Protect me?

I was Dravonland's legendary general. I didn't need some kid to protect me.

That had to be the funniest joke I'd ever heard.

I laughed, pure ridicule in my voice.

"Get out," I snapped.

Chris's whole body went rigid.

The spark in his amber eyes vanished, snuffed out in a heartbeat.

He dropped his head, got to his feet in silence, and walked out without saying a word.

That night, rain came down in sheets.

After finishing the last of my reports and about to call it a night, I realized Chris still hadn't returned to the tent.

I felt a sudden worry, threw on my coat, and headed outside.

Through the pouring rain, I caught sight of a scrawny figure kneeling ramrod straight outside my tent.

Rain drenched his hair and clothes, soaking him through, but he stayed upright—like a lone pine, unyielding in the storm.

My temper flared instantly.

"Are you out of your mind?" I snapped, rushing over to pull him up.

But Chris just kept kneeling, refusing to budge.

"If you won't say yes, General, I'll stay kneeling out here and I won't get up," Chris said.

His voice was soft in the rain, but every word cut through the downpour.

I looked at his pale face and those stubborn eyes that made my chest tighten.

The anger inside me slowly faded, replaced by something I couldn't quite name.

All these years, no one had ever dared to stand up to me like this.

And no one had ever pushed themselves to such extremes just to stay with me.

We stayed locked in that standoff for ages.

The rain poured even harder, and Chris's lips were turning purple from the cold. He was shivering all over, unable to stop.

I finally caved.

"Get up," I sighed. "Tomorrow, you'll start drills with Harvey."

Chris's head shot up, his eyes shining so bright that it was like he could light up the whole stormy night.

"Thank you, Ms. Serrano!" Chris exclaimed.

He tried to get up, but his legs were so numb that he almost toppled over.