Unforeseen Loyalties
But… what am I supposed to do?
More importantly—what am I even supposed to ask?
Do I question him, demand to know why he is really here? That would be weird. I mean, the me of now has no basis to even suspect the real identity of Max.
Or… should I pretend ignorance, acting like I don't know him, and just accept that the Blade Sovereign and his granddaughter have come to wait on me?
Just thinking about it tightened my chest. Their coming meant the future itself was being re-written.
Damn it… how did it all go wrong?
The sole significant alteration that I had made in this existence was treating Isabella differently. Simply doing that small thing… had the course of history changed so drastically?
Or… should I call upon my former arrogance and kick them out, proclaiming I did not need an old man nor a little girl by my side?
Countless ideas whirled furiously in my mind, indecision gnawing at me like a ravenous wolf.
"My granddaughter…" Max started, his voice calm but heavy.
"She does not yet know the world. You might think her work inadequate, Young Master, but I will tell you, she learns fast. I will personally see that she is well-trained, so she exceeds all your expectations."
I looked at Isabella, and caught her cowering behind him, holding his robe for cover.
Through the tangles of her disheveled bangs, her eyes shook, wide with fear.
Why is she trembling? Do I look that scary?
Her tiny voice shattered the silence when our eyes locked.
"I… I'll do my best… I'll really do my best…"
If she was already this nervous, why did they even come here? Why not serve Loret Fireheart or Mio Fireheart instead?
What did these two expect to gain by putting themselves under my control?
Seconds ticked by, the silence straining tight in the air. Max and Isabella must have been holding their breaths, waiting for me to answer. Breaking out of my daze, I stuttered,
"Uh… Yes… it'd be my pleasure."
I had no strategy, no defense, no witty comeback. Saying those words, I felt like this second chance had been lost the minute it came.
Why… why has this come about so suddenly?
________________________________________
Last evening, Davis Fireheart had worked for hours on honing his Mana, channeling it through every inch of his body, every tendon, in his manor room.
Unaware to him, his father, Loret Fireheart, had had an uninvited visitor in his study. A lone candle shone between Loret and Max, creating shadows over the gleaming floor.
"Are you certain of this?" Loret Fireheart questioned warily, voice low, with a hint of concern.
"I don't see that I wouldn't. I am not in a position to be choosy," Max answered peacefully, picking up a teacup and taking a sip from it as it cooled.
"But… Great Elder, you could very likely gain membership in one of the Four Noble Clans. And here you are, going through all of this trouble…"
"I do not find this troubling, Lord Fireheart," Max answered, his tone gentle but firm.
"Besides, I do not consider this a burden. If it will help my granddaughter, I would do even more."
"Sir…" Loret faltered, being in one way grateful, in another way disturbed.
"It is unfortunate that I should impose this request on you for my granddaughter's sake. I am sorry to put such a burden on you."
"Elder, I—"
"I understand that two great sects are looking for Isabella, so I owe you an even greater debt now."
Loret Fireheart said nothing, not knowing how to respond.
To be honest, Max said, he hadn't really planned on asking for help in the first place. Even if both sects took action, they probably couldn't have found her if she had hidden in the mountains.
"…Then why?"
"Call it the vanity of an old man," Max spoke softly. "A peaceful life with me would not make Isabella happy. I wanted her to see the world, to view it in all its width."
"If that is so, then all the more reason to have her at my place. Davis is my son, but still a young and imperfect one."
Loret Fireheart was baffled as to why Max picked his son's residence for his visit. Davis differed from the daughters in being haughty and boastful, a stubborn child in mind as well as spirit. Loret had yearned to train and mold him but had been held back by invisible boundaries.
Loret was aware that the initial encounter between Davis and Max's granddaughter had occurred on the streets. He had rushed to apologize for what he guessed his son's actions must have been. But, he was shocked by what he found out about Davis's actions.
Max had laughed at Loret Fireheart's statements.
At the beginning, I was worried because of rumors," he confessed, "but I noticed Davis is a worthy child. Instead of the boy being naughty, it seems the Lord Fireheart wants to keep every child near him.
Max had soon heard about Davis from far-reaching rumors in Emberhold City, wondering how terrible this third child really was. Rumors had depicted him as unmanageable, but reality was more complex.
It was pure accident that he and his granddaughter happened to meet Davis that day. He had let Isabella run loose, eager as she had been for the first time in years.
And then he had watched her talking to a boy her own age. The Mana in Davis's body was unmistakably that of the flame arts of the Fireheart clan, less potent than the Lord himself but undeniable in origin.
His piercing eyes suggested his hot temper, but Isabella, with her radiant smile, presented to him a potato—an innocent act of kindness.
Contrary to Max's expectations, Davis did not act according to rumor. He protected her from harm, even offering her a chikki in return. He treated Max with respect, despite Max's simple, worn appearance.
The title of Blade Sovereign may have once instilled a false sense of invincibility, a belief that perfection was attainable. But…
Max, you still lack training.
Self-blame nipped at him. Judging a boy on appearances and rumor had been stupid.
"I am pleased with this child. Beyond that, I hope he will find us worthy."
If things had gone according to the rumors, what would have transpired? Had Davis harmed Isabella, would Max have acted? Or let her suffer in order to educate her about the world?
".Yes, sir. Let me know if something goes wrong," Loret Fireheart ended up saying at last, acquiescing to the situation before him.
As the exchange reached its end, Loret murmured, "But are you really comfortable with this?"
Max grasped the gravity of the question and could only give way to a sour, regretful smile.
"If the Lord Fireheart has his say… then I accept it.
It was mentioned that a sect leader with Heavenly Eyes was able to read the drift of mankind itself.
"Yes… something will surely happen if he himself has ordained it. You see, of course…"
A gentle gust wafted through the room, snuffing out the candle. Shadows leapt around on the walls as Max went on, his voice thick with remorse:
"Is Isabella the center of this impending calamity, and that she should carry a sword to survive it."
He laughed dryly, the wrinkles of age deepening around his eyes.
"Because I am the one who ran. I know that it is selfish, but why Isabella? Is it not unjust? I am the Blade Sovereign, yet there were others who could do it as well."
"Elder…"
He held up his hands to his face, tired of the harsh reality.
"I cannot make her hold a sword for the sake of disaster, much more when I myself cannot even give her a flower."
"I will never make her hold a sword, no matter if I have to die and my soul turns to ash."
If Davis Fireheart heard those words, his heart would be broken.