Chapter Twenty Eight

G L O R I F I E D : BABYSITTER

Haldir stood before the King with a sort of annoyed look as they waited for the boy to show up.

“I know I’m asking a lot.”

“You are.”

Mikael could only purse his lips.

Haldir was one third elf, and two thirds human. During the last war orphans and bastards were thrown to the dogs in place of heirs, if it was an option.

Haldir was an option.

“I want to see my kids.”

“I promise once my son is ready to trek alone I will give you double the holiday leave.”

“Triple it. I don’t know how long it will take to get him to that level.”

Mikael started to feel his son approach. His ego was surprisingly light today.

Haldir paused mid speech on his rant about children needing their father’s when he felt it.

Like little pins and needles were ghosting around his skin.

“He has a leak. He can’t turn off his mana, and in turn can’t turn off his aura.”

“That sounds messy.”

“It is. A lot of beings will not be able to stand it.”

“We are headed to the front where the unit's mood is critical in maintaining composure.”

“I know.”

“He will be ostracized and ridiculed and isolated.”

“See….”

Haldir did not like the way the King paused.

“About that. That’s why I need you.”

“Explain.”

“His personality is vile.”

Haldir raised a brow.

“How vile can a child be?”

The man's eyes became haunted.

“You will know after you meet him.”

The mood became awkward. It was always weird to hear another man talk about his child so viciously.

Even when his children got rowdy he never thought of them as vile. He never even thought of them as bad.

“I don’t know how he’s even alive.”

Haldir looked at the King in outrage.

“I don’t mean that in the way you’re taking it.”

“I fucking hope not. That child is KINA’S.”

Mikael rolled his eyes.

“I really mean he should not be alive. Lambert gave him til the age of eleven after he blew up a few times. But somehow he’s still…. I'm just happy my son is alive. But he’s dangerous, Haldir. You’ll know after you get to know him.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Haldir doubted that.

Osiris was pissed.

He couldn’t get these mother fuckers off.

Haldir watched the King’s face become serious as they watched his son drag his feet across the floor like a doe standing for the first time.

“What happened now?”

The boy's face snarled.

“It’s that little man’s weapon. I can’t get them off and they are heavy as fuck. So leave me alone.”

“That doesn’t explain the mana exhaustion.”

“Where’s the food.”

Mikael’s face became entangled.

“Will you please just answer me.”

Osiris looked the King up and down.

“No.”

Haldir then watched the King sigh loud and clear.

“Osiris Lux, sixth son, and Prince. I am Haldir Pelot. I will be at your service.”

Osiris made a face.

He was hoping that the old man forgot about this.

Osiris looked at the man.

He was tall, slim with a long torso and little waist. He had two toned hair that was colored two shades of cyber purple. It was long.

It came down to his calves.

His eyes were an icy blue, and reminded him of frost.

He could see the man’s ego brush against his skin in unease.

Osiris felt his stomach flutter.

It was soft, nothing sexual, just a feeling of want. Like I want a cup of coffee or I want to stare at their face. It almost felt like a crush. Osiris felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

So his sexuality was still the same.

Haldir watched the boy’s aura suddenly become a five star with him just standing there.

Osiris looked at the King.

“I told you I didn’t need someone.”

“He is simply acting as a guard. Every royal sent to war gets a guard or two.”

Haldir watched the boy glance his way.

“So what can you do.”

Haldir responded promptly.

“I am a Ranger Fighter with a hand gift. I am a five star warrior, and a three ring mana user. My specialty is ice and water magic.”

Punctual.

“What are your duties as a guard.”

“To protect, serve, and die for-”

“No, what are my father’s orders for you.”

Haldir did not skip a beat.

“I am to keep the peace.”

“..”

“That’s it?”

“And I am to train you until you can survive on your own.”

Osiris’s eyes became sharp.

Quickly he scanned the man’s body for any sign of the Queen.

Haldir felt the needles in the air pick up their pace.

“How were you hired.”

“I knew the King from another war from another time.”

“..”

“Do you have a position in the front?”

Haldir felt his heart clench.

Seeing a child talk of war… the King and himself, along with their party, fought so hard to keep this from happening again. There has been so many wars that each generation is doomed to repeat itself.

“I am in charge of maintaining the food, training, then management of the entire front unit which makes up 58 in total.”

Osiris’s eyebrows raised.

“We are severely understaffed.”

Osiris was just glad the man would be too busy to bother him after bootcamp.

The boy continued his awkward walk until he was standing before the steps of the carriage. He tried to lift a leg only for it to slam into the ground with a thud. He tried again. Failed. Again. Failed. Again. Failed. Eventually the boy forced mana into a small jump and he landed on the carriage.

It tilted with his weight.

The King cast a lift spell to help the carriage and let Osiris wait while he finished going over what he needed to before their departure.

Mikael tried his best to warn Haldir, but the stubborn man will have to learn the hard way. Just like the rest.

The air was cold as a breeze flushed through the courtyard. Osiris stared at the orange glow of the sun as it fell into the slightly shuttered carriage.

THE HUMMING RANG.