"It look’s like you have all rested and ready to return back to your job."
"Of course My Lady, It’s all thanks to your grace that I was allowed to rest in the first place."
"Good that you know."
I quickly closed my mouth and looked back at to Alice and who’s in return was looking back at me.
Ahh shit! I just yawn in the presence of a noble.
Which is considered as rude behaviour.
Alice narrowed her eyes, her expression unreadable for a moment.
I straightened my back instantly, forcing my eyes wide open and slapping away whatever sleep clung to my bones. My heart pounded louder than it should have.
"I-I deeply apologize, My Lady," I said, bowing my head. "It was an involuntary action. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful."
The silence that followed was suffocating. For a second, I braced myself for a scolding—or worse, a punishment.
But then, unexpectedly... Alice let out a quiet sigh.
"You’ve barely had any proper sleep these past few days," she said, her tone softer than I expected. "I’ll overlook it this once."
I blinked. Did I just get... let off the hook?
"Yes, My Lady! Thank you, My Lady!" I bowed again, nearly hitting my forehead on my knees from the force.
Alice shook her head, turning away with a small flick of her hair. "But don’t let it happen again. You’re not some idle villager lazing in the sun. You represent my household now."
She glanced back at me once more. "And fix your collar. You look like you’ve been dragged through a bush."
My hand flew to my shirt immediately, fumbling to adjust the fabric and straighten out the creases. My ears were red, and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks.
She didn’t say anything else after that, but as she walked ahead, I could’ve sworn I saw a hint of a smirk tug at the corner of her lips.
Maybe... just maybe, I hadn’t messed up as badly as I thought.
I quickly followed up after her. It’s the 8 in the morning and it’s her tea time while she reads some latest news on the newspaper
But anyways, I am tired.
And I am sure you know why that is.
My body is full of fatigue and only that I still feel pain as everytime I moved my muscles and let’s not forget that my mana isn’t fully recovered either.
The fighting with Bjron and killing him has sure taken lot’s of me.
As I followed Lady Alice through the quiet hallway, I tried not to limp.
Every movement still sent a dull ache pulsing through my limbs, and mana stirred sluggishly in my core like cooled wax refusing to melt. I was exhausted, and I hadn’t even had breakfast yet.
Still, I kept my posture straight and my steps sharp. Appearances mattered. Especially around her.
Alice took her seat at the small terrace table overlooking the east garden, a steaming cup of tea already waiting.
The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves above us, casting dappled shadows across her silken robe. It should have been a peaceful sight.
But my body screamed otherwise.
I stood at her side silently while she picked up the latest newspaper, its crisp pages unfolding with a rustle. Her brow furrowed as she skimmed the front page, eyes scanning like a hawk in search of prey.
Her hand gripped the paper tighter. Her shoulders tensed.
"...What is this?" she muttered, more to herself than to me.
Curious, I shifted slightly, enough to see the bold headline in thick black ink that sprawled across the front:
> BREAKING NEWS: THE HEAD OF THE INFAMOUS BJRON THE BUTCHER, THE HUMAN EATER FOUND HANGING ON CLOCKTOWER IN CENTRAL PLAZA.
Alice’s eyes narrowed as she read on, her expression growing darker with each passing second.
—Locals discovered the severed head of the notorious criminal Bjron the Butcher early this morning. Witnesses say it was found hanging from the central clocktower, strung up with what appears to be enchanted chains. Authorities have yet to determine who is responsible, though speculation ranges from vigilantes to an unknown force delivering justice from the shadows...
Then there was other news related to this one.
> BREAKING NEWS: THE VIGILANTE OF THE NORTH!
—Local people are started calling the mysterious killer of the Bjron as Vigilante of the north, Drak hero. The victim’s family deeply happy as the one who is responsible for breaking their family apart has finally brought to justice.
> BREAKING NEWS: I WILL COME FOR YOU ALL. THE SCUMS OF THE NORTH!
—The Vigilante has left an unknown message. Who is the target of the Vigilante? A corrupted noble? Bandits? Or someone unknown?
Alice lowered the newspaper slowly, her fingers lingering on the edge of the page. Her expression had shifted—less anger now, more... contemplation.
I stood beside her, still, my heart thudding in my chest.
I was the one who did this after all.
I wanted to shook the north and it’s seems that I was able to do so.
The reason for me doing this was because I wanted criminal to fear.
I wanted them to hesitate before they even think of doing the crime.
I hope this message will do the work.
A breeze stirred her silver hair, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw sadness flash across her face. But it vanished as quickly as it came.
"Vigilante of the North," she echoed softly, setting the cup back on its saucer. "What a foolish title."
My throat tightened. I kept my face neutral.
"It’s romanticized," she continued. "Clean. Sanitized. As if justice is that simple."
She looked up at me suddenly, sharp and alert again. "What do you think, Julies?"
I blinked, then cleared my throat. "About what, My Lady?"
"About this so-called vigilante." Her gaze bored into mine. "Do you think he’s a hero?"