Chapter 13
I returned to the house I had rented in the village before nightfall.
I decided to postpone questioning the strange guard until later.
When I arrived home, I threw myself into a cold bath, letting the water wash away the dust and dirt that had clung to me all day, but it couldn't wash away the doubts that were beginning to take root inside me.
After feeling a little refreshed, I decided to go out and buy some fresh fruit, for which this quiet village was famous. Perhaps the fresh air would help clear my confused mind.
When I opened the wooden door to step out onto the quiet street that was slowly being enveloped by night, I saw the small-breasted guard, Ferma, leaning against the old wooden fence, her arms crossed over her chest, staring at me with angry eyes as sharp as a polished knife.
At that moment, I paid no apparent attention to her and continued forward with steady steps, ignoring her deliberate presence as if she were part of the street decor, but inside, my eyes kept watching her movements closely.
When I passed right by her, she moved her hand quickly to block my path, like a hunter stopping her fleeing prey.
I looked at her and tried to speak calmly, hiding my rising anger:
"Get out of my way, Ferma!"
The name of the small-breasted guard was Ferma. Ferma was distinguished by her fiery red hair and dark eyes, as well as her muscular and agile body, which suggested combat skills far beyond her small size, but that didn't matter now. Don't pay attention to those details, which are irrelevant to my ultimate goal.
Ferma looked at me with anger in her eyes and said in a tone as sharp as the clash of swords:
"Why did you do that, you fool?"
I replied coldly, trying to hide my confusion:
"Did what?"
Ferma said with obvious anger:
"Don't play dumb. The time I was busy carrying out the mission you sent me on coincided perfectly with the time those foolish knights went looking for this imaginary treasure based on ridiculous rumors, but it seems you never expected me to finish my mission and return so quickly to expose your lies and despicable actions!"
I smiled coldly and said indifferently:
"I don't know what you're talking about. You seem to be thinking too much."
Ferma said angrily, her eyes narrowing:
"When I returned to the village late last night, I saw the maid cleara sneak out of your house and hurry away into the darkness, so I followed her secretly. I never imagined she was heading for Sergia's residence!
Don't let stupidity get the better of you. After Sergia rejected her, you met with cleara and admitted that you were the one who told her to go to bed with him! How dare you send an innocent maid to a stranger without any regard for her dignity?
Ferma watched me with narrow eyes full of deep suspicion and obvious distrust, as if trying to read my hidden thoughts. I finally decided to confront her, or at least try to. I approached her with confident steps and spoke to her in a sharp tone:
" Who are you really? And why do you always interfere in my private affairs? Your interest in me seems to go beyond your duty as a guard."
She looked at me with cold eyes that reflected no emotion and said coldly:
"I already told you, I am your guard, and that is all you need to know.
I replied with suppressed anger:
"I don't believe you. How did you know where the knights were in the rugged mountains? And why did you save them?"
Ferma replied coldly:
"That's none of your business, and I will do whatever I deem necessary to protect those entrusted to my care."
I was angered by her suspicious silence and her disregard for my questions, wondering what real motives she was hiding behind that cold and mysterious mask.
I stepped forward angrily until I was close enough to touch her hard forehead and said in a threatening tone:
" It's also none of your business to question me about my maid. So what if I did? She is my maid and you are under my command! If I want the maid to go to bed with anyone, I'll send her without hesitation! Don't forget that you follow my orders to complete your mission, and if I order you to go to bed with any random villager in the village, you will carry out my orders without any objection!"