Aria’s eyes, along with everyone else’s, widened in astonishment. “Hey, girl, what are you doing?” Aria asked, clearly confused. “Why do you want to be my servant all of a sudden?” Her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of Yona’s unexpected plea.
Still kneeling, Yona looked up at Aria with determined eyes. “Three years ago, during the beast rampage, you saved my family from certain death. Your bravery and kindness are something we can never repay, but I vowed myself to honor your kindness by dedicating my life to your service.” Her voice was firm, filled with the fierce resolve of someone who had made a life-altering decision.
The intensity of Yona’s words hung in the air, leaving the group momentarily speechless.
Aria, taken aback by the depth of Yona’s dedication, could see the sincerity in her eyes. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure if she should accept such a serious vow.
Aria glanced at Ethan for approval, and Ethan nodded in silent agreement. She knew this decision wasn’t just about her now; it would shape their future together. So she started to think about his opinion already. If this was any normal time, she would’ve refused already. There were thousands of people like Yona waiting at their doorsteps, who seek to be her personal attendee everyday.
However, she didn’t want accept any of them finding it exhausting to deal with. She didn’t want to rely on others strength for a single moment.
On the other hand, Ethan agreed, recognizing that Yona could be a valuable support to Aria in these uncertain times. Moreover, Yona was his friend, and he felt a strong obligation to help.
It wasn’t such a bad thing for Yona to be an attendant for someone like Aria, with her noble background. With access to their resources and influence, Yona could quickly become more powerful.
Aria felt her heart soften. Ethan’s approval reassured her that Yona’s loyalty would not only be a gesture of gratitude but could also serve as a valuable alliance in the future.
“Yona,” Aria began softly, “I never expected this, but I can see how much this means to you. If this is truly your wish, then I accept your offer. But know this, you are not just a servant to me. You are a friend, and I will treat you as such.” Her eyes reflected the purity of her claim.
Yona’s eyes shimmered with a mixture of relief and gratitude. “Thank you, Lady Aria. I will serve you with all my strength and loyalty.”
Cedric rubbed his eyes, disbelief etched across his face. “How did one of our party members suddenly become someone else’s attendant? Who’s going to help clear dungeons with us now?” he muttered, trying to wrap his head around the situation.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a commanding voice that echoed across the battlefield.
“Aria, come here!” Aria’s uncle called out, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Aria’s gaze immediately shifted towards her uncle, sensing the urgency in his voice. She quickly responded, but not before turning to Yona. “Come, Yona, let me introduce you to my uncle,” she said with a smile, glancing bashfully at Ethan, signaling him to follow along.
As the trio moved towards Aria’s uncle, Cedric and Marcus exchanged awkward glances. The sudden shift in dynamics left them both feeling a bit disoriented.
Cedric, trying to lighten the mood, patted Marcus on the back. “Don’t worry, Marcus. You’ll find another beautiful life partner soon enough.”
Marcus, his eyes still red from the painful memories, shook his head. “I don’t need anyone else. Emma was, and will always be, the only one for me.” His voice was filled with sorrow and unwavering resolve, making it clear that no one could replace the woman he had lost.
….
“Hello, Uncle!” Ethan greeted with a smile, his voice steady despite the slight awkwardness he felt. Though initially uncertain about addressing Aria’s uncle so informally, he resolved to do so, considering the future they might share.
Aria’s uncle raised an eyebrow at Ethan’s choice of words, a hint of surprise flashing across his features. “Hm… Directly ‘Uncle’? Where’s the ‘Sir’ part?” he mused inwardly, his gaze shifting between Aria and Ethan. The familiarity in their interaction was unmistakable, and it became clear to him just how close they had grown in such a short period.
He merely nodded in response, choosing not to comment further. Despite the unusual circumstances, he recognized that their futures weren’t as uncertain as he had initially feared.
Ethan’s growth over the past few days had been nothing short of remarkable, and it was clear that he had become significantly more powerful. “The boy was nothing but a miracle!”
As Aria’s uncle observed Ethan’s recent fights with the lower-level beasts, he couldn’t help but be impressed by the young man’s prowess. Each battle had shown Ethan’s rapid improvement, his skills and strength evolving at a pace that was almost unbelievable.
However, this realization brought with it a new concern. His thoughts turned to his own son, Drake. Just a few days ago, Drake and Ethan had been evenly matched in strength and skill. But now, it was evident that if they were to face each other again, Ethan would likely dominate the fight.
A sense of protectiveness surged within him. “No,” he thought firmly. “I must not allow them to duel again… Never ever…” The idea of his son’s confidence being shattered by such a defeat was something he couldn’t bear to imagine…
Shifting his gaze to the girl beside Aria, Aria’s uncle asked, “Who is this, Aria?”
Aria smiled warmly, glancing at Yona before answering, “She’s my attendant, Uncle. We’ve already completed the ceremony.”
Her uncle, Astrid, couldn’t hide his surprise. Aria had been strongly encouraged before to get a personal attendant to enhance her image as a noble, but she had refused every time. This sudden change in her mentality was unexpected.
“What’s your opinion on it, Uncle?” Aria asked, her tone gentle yet curious.
Astrid studied Yona for a moment, noticing the seriousness in her demeanor and the resolve in her eyes. He was impressed by her poise but couldn’t shake the surprise that his niece had suddenly embraced this role reversal. His mind raced with questions.
He recalled how stubborn Aria had been in the past, insisting on her independence despite the pressures of her noble status. “What could have caused this shift?” he wondered. His gaze shifted subtly to Ethan, standing confidently beside Aria.
“Is it him?” Astrid mused internally. The thought lingered in his mind as he considered the possibility. Could Ethan be the exact reason for Aria’s sudden change in attitude?
After a moment, Astrid nodded approvingly, amd replied with smile,
“That’s great! If it helps you, Aria, then I have no objections. Just remember that being a noble comes with responsibilities, and having an attendant isn’t just about enhancing your image—it’s about trust and loyalty.”
Aria smiled at her uncle’s words, feeling reassured. “Thank you, Uncle. I know, and I trust Yona completely. She’s already proven her loyalty.” When she said this, she glanced Ethan’s handsome profile, knowing full well that Yona was Ethan’s friend and thus the unwavering trust.
This action confirmed Astrid’s suspicions entirely. He heaved a helpless sigh, realizing that the connection between Aria and Ethan was indeed influencing her decisions in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
“Alright, Aria,” he finally said, his tone carrying a hint of resignation. “Now, let’s go. We’re going home. Your father is waiting for you. The battle is over.”
Guys, added numbers to the chapters. It was getting harder to keep track. So, yeah. No major changes though.
