anwhile, at Ahrens. Luke was standing outside the main door of Erin’s residence which led to the foyer. Though he was allowed to enter the residence, he always preferred to stay outside unless it was necessary.
His gaze noticed soone’s presence behind the tall decorative bushes in the garden on the right side of the residence. Luke looked around and walked ahead while servant present around the vicinity dared not ask him where he was going. Due to his quiet and cold nature, hardly anyone talked to him or asked him any question. They preferred to stay out of his sight.
He stopped under the huge tree, where a man approached him. "Today, I finally brought what you need," the man said, offering Luke a small wooden bottle with a friendly deanor. Luke accepted it and heard the man again. "This will help you get rid of the tiredness. The job of a guard can be truly tireso. Make sure to drink it in an hour or so."
The aning of this brief conversation was understood only by the two n. The guard hinted that the person Luke had been waiting for was coming to Ahrens in about an hour. When Luke said he didn’t like the bottle and the man replied that there would be a different one next ti, it ant Luke didn’t want the sa man to bring him information again.
As Luke turned to leave, he sensed a gaze from the direction of the first floor of the residence. He opened the wooden bottle’s lid and took a sip. As he tilted his head back to drink, he saw Erin standing at the window, looking at him.
His gaze t hers, and he looked straight into her scrutinizing eyes without a hint of hesitation in him. As if nothing happened, he closed the lid of the bottle and returned to his place, resuming his position as a guard.
Erin smirked. "Such a fearless attitude in a construction worker? Has becoming my bodyguard changed him? What do you think, Bree?"
"My lady, you are aware he has always been like this, even when he was a construction worker. There is no fear or politeness in him. The way he ignores everyone, it’s like he looks down on others..."
"Or he’s simply avoiding trouble by not letting others get close to him, sparing himself from being questioned," Erin comnted.
"That’s true as well, my lady. All the servants and guards are wary of him, and no one dares talk to him unless it’s required. It was the sa with the construction workers working with him..."
"....But that certain guard from my father’s residence managed to be so friendly with him?" Erin pondered, interrupting Bree.
"That’s certainly not normal, my Lady."
"Have soone keep watch on that guard and see if any other guard from my father’s side ets him again," Erin instructed.
"Yes, my Lady," Bree replied. "There is a ssage that we are having guests today, and Lord Ahren has summoned you to his residence."
"Who is the guest?"
"Marquis Luis Mortir, Lord of the northeast territory. He is here with his daughter."
Erin raised a brow, "Grace?"
"Yes, my Lady. You t her once a few years back."
Erin sighed. "I hope with age her brain has grown as well."
Bree suppressed a laugh. "I hope so, my Lady."
After an hour, Erin was ready to leave for her father’s residence. Just as she reached her carriage and Luke opened the door for her, she said, "It’s just my father’s residence I am going to. I do not need a bodyguard there. You can use this ti as a break."
Luke raised his head and looked at her. "I have already taken my break."
"Then consider it an another rest ti for your hard work," she suggested.
"I do not need that," he countered. "I prefer to work for what I get paid for."
Erin stared at him, her gaze unwavering. "I wonder what gives you the courage to act so haughty in front of ? Do you think I won’t punish you for your disobedience, or do you think you are soone special to just because I insisted you be my bodyguard?"
"You have always known this is how I am, lady Erin," he replied. "You can state the punishnt for ."
Both of their eyes stubbornly looking into each others, no one ready to back down.
She raised a brow. "How about I free you from being my bodyguard?"
Involuntarily, the grip of his hand tightened on his sword’s handle, which didn’t go unnoticed by Erin.
Luke maintained his composure and said, "I will leave once this month is over as I have already received my pay."
"What if I say you can leave now and do not need to return your pay?" Erin asked.
"I do not like to owe others."
’As expected,’ she mused inwardly and turned to climb into the carriage. "Maybe I can cultivate patience to tolerate you for half a month more."
Luke, as usual, offered her his leather-covered arm, and she placed her hand on it for support as she climbed into the carriage.
They arrived at Lord Ahren’s residence, where Erin’s parents and her eldest brother were present. As Erin stepped out of the carriage and approached the entrance, she said, "I do not need a bodyguard inside."
Luke waited outside, watching her enter the residence.
One of the guards working outside approached him. "So, you’re that arrogant bodyguard of Lady Erin?"
Luke turned to look at him, but the man walked even closer, circling him while drinking from his leather water carrier. "Let see what it is about you that scares everyone."
Luke gripped the handle of his sword that hung at his right side. So many guards were present around, watching them.
"Hah, I see nothing at all," the guard mocked, and the others laughed.
Suddenly, the man pretended to accidentally tilt his water bottle, splashing water on Luke.
"Oh, apologies," the man said teasingly and started to dust off Luke’s right shoulder. "Let clean it, or who knows what soone scary like you might do to ?"
Luke stood rigid, his cold gaze fixed on the man, who whispered, "He is already inside with his daughter. Seems like they are going to stay here the night," then stepped back. "Seems fine now..."
"Unless you want your hands chopped off," Luke said coldly, his hand ready to draw his sword.
The guard retreated, raising his hands in defense, and laughed teasingly, "Apologies, my Lord."
While the others found it entertaining, the guard was genuinely asking for forgiveness, fearing the consequences of spilling water on his real master.
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