Chương 66: Elisabeth’s slow healing
Seeing this black cat with the head of an eagle actually ask about her name, she only said. "Elisabeth"
Aerius spread out a little bit of his little wings and said in an excited tone. "Beautiful girl I'm called Aerius. Ahem, can you pet me a little bit?"
Hearing this weird cat request, she extended her hands over her shoulder and stroked a little bit the creature over its black fur and even his eagle head. She later felt something hitting over her back, and looking at Aerius, she noted that the creature had a long tail, not comparable to a simple cat.
She wanted to stop, but Aerius insisted, looking with pleading eyes towards her face. Not wanting to offend what could be Vlad's pet, she continued playing a bit with Aerius black fur.
Then Vlad said to her, with some annoyance. "That should be enough. Spoiling that little bastard too much will make him want more from you."
She suddenly stopped, focusing her attention on Vlad, who came with some cups filled with steaming water inside, that looked like tea. Later, Vlad grabbed Aerius from her shoulder with an annoyed face, yet he said to Elisabeth calmly.
"That's for you Elisabeth, drink some to relax while I'll go out to check on the others. So make yourself comfortable."
"Yes, young master." she nodded her head and walked shyly towards the chair that Vlad pointed to when he said to relax herself.
When Vlad and Aerius walked outside of the house, she turned to look curiously at Vlad's home while gripping the teacup, while she shook a bit when remembering that she was almost r*ped and killed by those syndicate guys.
She began tearing up when remembering the betrayal of her husband, who just ran away from her, abandoning her and letting the syndicate guys do as they wished with her.
As she cried by herself, remembering all those dark memories she has been through since she moved out with this husband of hers in Sagletius from a humble little village kilometers away towards the capital with the hope of having a better life than they did in their village.
She gritted her teeth, remembering the faces of her dead parents and faces of her two smaller brothers, but feeling the warmness of the teacup and still going fireplace, she slowly began calming herself.
Now thinking of the moment, Vlad rescued her from the hands of the syndicate hands and even offering to help her in her situation, bringing her to this secluded and peaceful place.
Her sadness slowly vanished in a corner of her mind with each time she took a sip of Vlad's tea, and with each moment, she remembered the part when she thought Vlad would just abandon her on the streets just like her so-called faithful. Yet, instead of doing so, he smiled a bit warmly and awkwardly at her. That exact memory she tried to engrain in her brain forever reminded her to be grateful to Vlad's gesture.
'He asked me about my reading and writing skills, if I know to cook and if I'm good with children. Does he want me to take care of some children? Fortunately, he wants me to take care of some children and not force me to do something I don't wish.'
'What is his identity? Why haven't I seen him since I moved inside Sagletius? Sigh, he even entered into a conflict with those bastards to save me. Doesn't he know that they control the entire district with an iron fist? I have to warn him about them, so he doesn't make any mistakes.'
'That's something I can easily do for him, the only person who genuinely thought of me in my worst days besides my family. As you were there for me, I'll also be there for you, even if you've only been a stranger not too long.'
Thinking that in her head, she gave a larger smile, touching a little with her slender fingers the teacup, which had half of the tea inside.
Vlad, who walked outside of the house, heard Elisabeth sobbing and crying, which made him shake his head. Similarly, Aerius, who also had high senses even in his younger form, heard the young woman's crying. He later asked Vlad with a confused tone.
"From where did you pick that beautiful girl? She seems to suffer quite a lot even if she doesn't like to show it on her face when we were inside. Well, all I can do for her is cheer her up a bit, so you better don't stop me when I play with her."
"Sigh little guy this notion of yours about playing around with girls is messed up. But sure, if you can cheer her up a little bit do so. She probably is affected by the trauma of almost being r*ped and probably even killed by those animals inside the district. To top it off she was even abandoned by her so-called husband, being left prey for those syndicate members while the bastard made for his name quite the debt."
"Best case scenario if I didn't rescue her, she would just be a prostitute forced to do whatever those barbarians have in mind." said Vlad in a calm manner while walking towards the orphanage with steady steps.
Aerius turned his head to look at where Elisabeth was, then turned his head forward, hearing Vlad said to him casually.
"Little guy I managed to get a big sum of money from that jewelry you found in the junkyard, and as we agreed I will let you spend some of that money since it's your own finding. My word was given, I will not care of how you spend it."
Hearing Vlad said that while walking calmly forward without even changing an emotion on his face. From his shoulder, he asked him with some expectations.
"How much money are you talking about Vlad? "
Vlad clicked his tongue and only said. "Millions. 15.500.000 𝔅."
"How much is that? I don't know to count so far. Millions, weren't you with some 60.000 𝔅 left after spending the money for clothes and food for the kids? Now we got millions? Haha, my money. I finally can spend some money how I wish. Thanks, boss. Not even Louis was so kind to me to offer me money." said Aerius while jumping from Vlad's shoulder to his head for a repetitive time before being grabbed by Vlad's hand, keeping in check his excitement in an acceptable manner.
After Aerius calmed a bit, he placed him back on his shoulder and only said. "I will give you money to spend around after 1 month when I clean this first district. The place is not safe for you to roam around freely."
"One month's time? Ohh, it seems that your deal with that Aldenis person was even deeper."
Vlad didn't continue with more details, and when he was about to enter in the orphanage house, he was jumped by a little girl with jet-black hair and purple eyes. Seeing the little girl throw herself in his embrace, he picked her up, ruffled her hair, and asked.
"How was your sleep little Fay? Do you like this new home?"
The little girl turned her face up to look at Vlad's face from his embrace and said, after nodding hard. "Yes big brother, this place is so peaceful. The house is warm, the bed is comfortable, I'm even with my friends. I can't ask for more from you big brother."
"I see, I'm glad to hear this little Fay. This is also why big brother picked you from the streets, to let you feel warmth and comfort, even if it's not much, with time this place will become a home and place for many kids such as you."
As he said that, he entered inside the orphanage and saw the rest of the kids being seated in their beds, Robert who was sitting on a chair close to the rest of the boys, and Sofiya who had a book in her hands while being seated in the center of the main room.
She was talking about some fables unknown to him, but he picked some of the contents she was telling the kids in her calm and warm tone.
"The fabled great kingdom Atlas that was said to be created precisely in our lands by the Sun King together with his beloved citizens when he was young. It is said that his path in life was full of obstacles. He was weak, just like you were right now.
However, he slowly found his power to go forward and push away his enemies. He walked his lands in search of his future companions. The Guardian of Skies Ziz, the Guardian of the Seas Leviathan, and the Guardian of the Lands Behemoth, the three guardians looked over the Great Atlas together with the Sun King. They watched it grow to a magnificent kingdom that would forever be told to future descendants.
Then she continued with other fables about Sun King Vermilion Louis that captivated the kids, even Robert, who wasn't from Kaysang, listened with curiosity to the legends of this kingdom.
Meanwhile, Aerius, who was on Vlad's shoulder, said to Vlad. "Isn't she talking about me? But my name is Aerius, not Ziz, this is unfair."
"Shh little guy, there was a reason for changing the story so it wouldn't make others suspicious. I don't know who wrote this story about Louis and you guys, but he was a smart person. In this way using the method of oral or written fables, the truths about Atlas would never be erased from the memory of the simple citizens who would grow up hearing those stories."
"Ohh, so this is why it doesn't even tell Louis's name or my name." said Aerius in a whisper to Vlad, as if to not disturb Sofiya's storytelling.
Like this, Sofiya continued reading and telling the kids stories until she raised her head from the book and away from the kids and noticed Vlad standing in a corner while holding Fay in his arms. He gave her a smile and nodded at her by saying.
"Congratulations, I never thought you would do so well with those kids. Also, the stories were very pleasant to hear, isn't it right guys?"
Finally, the kid's state of focus broke and come back to reality, along with Vlad's calm tone. They responded in high spirit, except Robert, who was contemplating on the story told by Sofiya.
"Ahhh, big brother you've come back. Have you brought something with you from the city?" asked Alicia, who was relatively closer seated to Vlad.
"Unfortunately no, but I brought someone along with me." smiled Vlad at Alicia before looking at the rest of the small guys looking expectantly at him.
Fay, in his embrace, asked him in her cute tone. "Big brother, did you found another friend from the streets that doesn't have a home?"
Hearing this, Vlad only patted her head and said to Fay and the rest of the kids. "Sadly I didn't brought you a little friend, instead I brought a big sister to look after you when Sofiya is not around."
"Ehh, there will be two big sisters looking after us? Where is she, isn't she with you big brother?"
"Have patience, you will meet her in no time. Go prepare yourself for your meal, we'll go soon in the city to dine." As he said that, he also put Fay down from his embrace and started seeing the kids fleeing outside with some clothes in their hands.
Robert was still inside the building, looking at Vlad, Aerius and Sofiya and asked him. "So did everything went as planned Vlad? Also, who's this person you brought from the city."
"A young woman who's been through many things, let's let her relax a bit and get her thoughts in order before pushing all those brats on her. Similarly, the business went well, I got about 15,5 millions for those gold jewellery that Aerius found in the junkyard."
Just as Vlad said that the expression on Robert and Sofiya, particularly Sofiya's expression changed, and placing the book in her hands on a chair, she asked him.
"Did you really got so much money for those jewels? Did those syndicate bastards actually pay so much for just some jewels? Unbelievable, you can do so much with this kind of money."
Seeing Sofiya's expression, Vlad chuckled a bit and said to her a bit sarcastically. "Why are you pulling that face? Don't tell me you have never seen so much money in your life?"
"Hmph, you moron, is not like you ever did saw this kind of money in your life. Ahem, but sure congratulations, you can do much more for those little guys with this kind of money. You also don't have to worry about money in the future. So what do you think of my first day with the kids? Have I sounded weird or were my stories boring?" asked Sofiya with some reservations when looking at Vlad's face.
Vlad's face turned serious, instantly making Sofiya even more nervous, making her touch her fingers around. However, that nervous state instantly vanished when she heard Vlad slight chuckle and even Robert following along.
Robert only said to Sofiya, "Big sister I think you did well on your first day as a teacher. Your style works very well with those kids. Your stories were also engaging which makes you think about what you're talking about. I'll gladly listen to another of your stories when you come."
With Robert confirmation, her face becomes a bit more confident, yet she still looked directly at Vlad as if wanting to hear him say something.
"You did well, your story even sounded as if it was the truth. But instead of a great Atlas as in the story, we got a corrupted country. However the part about Sun King coming back to rescue the kingdom regardless of time, I like it. Whoever wrote this story he really is good at storytelling."
With Vlad's confirmation, Sofiya beamed with a confident smile as she started walking out from the building yet stopping at the door.
"Where's this girl you just brought, I want to meet her, maybe I know her if she's from the district."
"Let's wait for a bit more, she only come here and maybe is still affected by the incident she went through since she was almost r*ped and killed by those syndicate animals. Assaulting her all of a sudden might have other unwanted effects on her mentality."
"Right, since we're the four of us are all alone. I will tell you the insides of the other business I did with Aldenis. He's willing to collaborate with me in cleaning the district of the rest of syndicates, giving the simple guys some deserved peace." replied Vlad to Sofiya, who was at the door, readying herself to meet Elisabeth.
"What? Those bunch of animals actually went this far? Isn't it enough that they exploit and extort the simple people trying their best to live their lives. You killed them all right Vlad, if not I'll go bring my rifle and put a bullet right in their skulls." said Sofiya with a higher tone that contained indignation and fury for what the syndicate guys actually tried doing.
Vlad only said in a dull tone. "Would you expect me to leave them alive? You've mistaken my lady, I will kill all of those scum that are sucking this kingdom dry of his life. In one month's time, everything will change in the district now that I got Aldenis to act as a cover for me."
Sofiya turned a bit serious and walked back in the room, taking a seat, arranging her legs a bit before asking Vlad. "Do you trust that old man Aldenis? What if he scams you, and tries to kill you teaming up with the other syndicate leaders. If you want I can assist you with my marksman ability."
"There's no need for that Sofiya. In one month time, I will be a different person compared to how I'm right now. My devil power mastery grows with each day I spend using my powers regardless if I'm fighting or I'm training alone. Yet, it's nice to see that someone is so eager to help me out in this fight against the syndicates." said Vlad calmly while taking a seat on a simple wooden chair, being face to face with Sofiya.
"Don't be arrogant Vlad, you should accept my helping hand. Those syndicate guys are in large numbers, it's unknown what will hit you from behind when you less expect." reminded Sofiya to Vlad to make him accept her helping hand.
However, as she ended saying that, Aerius jumped from Vlad's shoulder and arrived on Sofiya's shoulder, saying to her in his young and vibrant tone. "You're worrying too much Sofiya, you don't know Vlad, but he's very strong, especially when he's in a dangerous situation. You'll instantly get scared when you meet that Vlad."
'That Vlad? What are you trying to say, little guy? I can understand that maybe he's stronger than me when I'm not with my riffle, but to have you say I will get scared when I meet "that Vlad". These guys are full of secrets.'
Aerius wanted to talk more to Sofiya but felt Vlad's piercing gaze on him, which made him end what he wanted to say. Vlad shifted his piercing gaze from Aerius and switched to look at Sofiya casually, saying to her.
"I can hear your heartbeat from here, I can feel your blood flow, the warmth released from your heart, I can even influence a little bit your blood flow in diverse ways that would make you blunder and dispose or immobilize you. These are the powers of my blood powers, in short terms I'm the monarch of blood."
"However, don't get discouraged and keep that fiery spirit with you, continue training yourself in what you're doing, shooting those firearms I guess? Why do I say this? Most likely, I will require your help in the future. If you want you can even train with little Robert in the art of fighting I'm teaching him at night, swords, close combat, even spears."
When Vlad revealed to her some of his blood abilities, it made her stop her insistence on getting to fight with the syndicate guys and realizing that Vlad was layered like an onion that she only got to the first layer.
After some basic talking, the little guys entered inside changed in their good clothes, still looking a bit big for them because of their weight problem, but Vlad was assured that they will get on the good foot soon with great care and supportive nutrition.
As he got up, he said to the little guys with a smile on his face. "Well, since you got all prepared let's go meet this big sister I brought home."
In just some minutes, Vlad slowly entered first inside the wooden house and looked at Elisabeth seated on the chair with a bear pelt. She also heard the wooden door being opened and got up from her seat, arranging a bit the tattered clothes of the killed guys. She later heard Vlad's calm and warm tone ask her.
"Have you calmed a bit, Elisabeth? Are you prepared to meet your new roommates? The little guys you'll have to take care of them alone when I'm not around?"
"I'm much better. Thanks for asking Vlad. I'm prepared, let me see what children I have to take care of." said Elisabeth with some determined tone while looking at Vlad's face.
Vlad walked towards her and took her shoulder, moving forward with her as if to encourage her more than what she showed from outside. He felt her shoulders shaking a little when he touched her, but he patted her back a little, to calm her a bit.
After some moments of doubt, Elisabeth exited the wooden house, and to her surprise, she saw 6 kids around 10 to 12 years old and a young lady with sparkling white hair that she remembered seeing around the market on certain days, but never finding out her name.
Looking at the kids, she could see that 5 of them were quite skinny for their age, a sign that they suffered a lot in those early years of their life. The other one, who looked normal and seemed taller than the rest of the kids, only gave her a slight noble bow and smiled at her.
She yet again felt Vlad hand on her back, as he said to the kids. "Well kids I told you I would let you meet the big sister I brought you from the city, she's Elisabeth. You better treat her well, just like how you've treated Sofiya today."
"Go on Elisabeth, say something to the kids, just look at their mesmerized faces. They already like you." said Vlad with a calm voice that followed to Elisabeth's ear.
The kids indeed were surprised to see this lady that was quite beautiful in her own ways. The boys began stealing glances from her shyly while the two little girls looked with big eyes at Elisabeth.
Then they heard Elisabeth calmed voice tone, which still holds some back a bit, said to them. "It's as Vlad said, I'm Elisabeth and I think I will take care of you in the future, if you need anything just tell me and I will try my best to help you."
When the little girls heard Elisabeth's voice, even feeling a bit of her uncertainty, they rushed at her and hugged her legs, introducing themselves at the same time.
Then the boys followed along. Tomas, Daniel, and Matthew introduced themselves to Elisabeth, followed by Robert and Sofiya, who said to her.
"Big sister, I think I've seen you doing your groceries in the market quite a lot, I'm Sofiya. I've heard from Vlad what happened to you, and all I can say to you is that I will be here if you need my support."
Hearing all of their warm welcomes made Elisabeth tear up a bit, yet when looking at the little girls sticking to her, she gave a large smile and said to them. "Thank you all, also thank you Vlad for giving me this chance. I will not disappoint you."
"Well, life has its ups and downs, and what happened in the past remains in the past, there's no need to stress too much about it. Ahem, since you are all ready, let's go to the district and eat something, also this time we'll also buy some food to cook here since we have Elisabeth."
...
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