Chapter 02 - Deal

The heavy rain started to pour as it washes away the fog that surrounded the jungle. Then, finally, the early blurry figure started to materialize. Now Gerald could deduce that it was a girl around fifteen years old. Her black like the night hair was tied in a French braid. Her figure was like a lamp in contrast to the darkness of the forest. It's like there was limelight that was exclusively illuminating her.

Her face was like a porcelain doll shaped like an egg and big blue eyes with long eyelashes. The girl had straight yet dark brows. She also had a straight bridge nose and a small lip with the shape of a heart that held a faint smile. She wore a long white dress with wide sleeves that covered her arms. Her overall beauty could rank as one among the top.

But for some reason, she gave him an uneasy feeling. First, this was the Mystical Forest. How on earth does a young girl like her end up in this place? The second reason was even though the rain was heavily pouring, none of it seemed to touch her. It's like there was a shield protecting her from the water. She walked towards him and stopped a few meters away before she spoke again.

"Gentleman, it seems that you have suffered a lot."

Duke Gerald was still feeling uncomfortable because of his injuries. His neck was getting tired due to his position while looking towards the girl. He suddenly thought of the beautiful young woman in the legends who used their charm to seduce men and later transformed into a terrifying monster that devoured its victim.

When the thought registered in his mind, a visible fear appeared on his face. He had been into a lot of battles, but he fought with humans, not monsters. Those were the job of mages that could use their magic to counter them. The young girl seemed to read his mind because he saw her roll her eyes.

"Old man, you are quite rude. My apologies for shattering your expectations, but I'm not a man-eating monster. Even if I am, in my opinion, you are not a tasty delicacy."

He then saw the girl raise her right hand, and in an instant, a bluish aura enveloped his whole being. His injuries started to mend and return to his original flesh without leaving a scar. Duke Gerald also felt the disappearance of all the exhaustion from every part of his body. Now, he could shift them without so much burden.

"Healing Magic?" he thought, "So, this girl is a mage?"

The rain stopped pouring little by little, and only the sound of slight thunder and insects could be heard.

"Thank you," he spoke and tried to stand from his position.

A middle-aged man and a young girl were now facing each other inside the mysterious forest. He should be thankful since she helped him out, but he can't help but be suspicious. He stared at the girl who was smiling gently at him.

"Who are you? Why did you help me?" he asked with some vigilance.

The girl raised her brow before she faintly smiled and answered.

"Should I let you die then? Earlier, I'm not sure of your reasons why you entered this forest, but now I know."

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The Duke kept his silence.

"Its desperation." The girl answered.

She then continued.

"For your earlier question, my name is Louise Von Royall." The young lady introduced, "As to why I helped you, I'm not sure, because I feel like doing it? But, of course, it is not for free, sir Duke of the Green Kingdom."

When he heard her response, his earlier vigilance became more apparent. He glared towards the girl. How did she know who he was? In addition, her surname does not ring a bell. So Duke Gerald was very confident that she was not from their kingdom.

Louise lightly laughed upon witnessing his reaction. She raised both hands in a relaxed manner.

"No need to be suspicious. If I want to harm you, then we will not be talking peacefully like this, don't you think?"

She opened her right hand, and a light bluish spark came from it.

"And for your reference, I'm not the type of person who wasted my resources for nothing."

She pointed to the handle of his sword and spoke, "That accessory on your sword had a symbol of the king of Green kingdom on it. I also heard that they were customized and specially bestowed on the nobles with great services. The color varies depending on the rank of the recipient, and the red represents the Duke." she explained.

"How did you know it? You are not from Green, I'm sure of it." He bombarded her with questions without letting his guard down.

"Sir, in this kind of era, the gathering of intelligence is a must. I have ears, I have eyes, and my mind is brilliant enough to deduce those. I don't have to be a resident of the Green to know those little facts," she grinned.

Gerald contemplated and started to lower his guard a little.

"Then, what do you want?"

"Good question."

Louise raised her skirt and bowed towards him slightly.

"This lady here needs to ask you for a small favor, your grace."

"That depends on the favor that you will be asking," Gerald responded.

"It's not much. I need to have temporary lodging to shelter myself. I wanted to ask the Duke for this great favor."

The Duke stared at the young woman with incredulous eyes. This girl sure had ways in words. Earlier, she called him gentlemen, and when he thought of her being a monster, he became an older man, and now since she was asking him for a favor, she was calling him Your Grace. He could also discern that she does not put him in her eyes at all. She just casually talked to him like they were old pal. Well, maybe except for her bow.

"How can I shelter some stranger like you? I don't even know your background. What if you are a spy from another kingdom? And, with regards to your help, I can pay you back in a different way." He rejected.

"I swear an oath to heaven that I'm not a spy from another kingdom. If ever I am, may the lightning strike and kill me." Louise swore an oath right away upon hearing him.

"Still a no. Even if you did not harm me, it doesn't clear my suspicion towards you," Gerald stated matter-of-factly.

"Sigh. That is the Duke of Green for you. Fine. Then will separate from here."

She turned and walked away from him.

The Duke found himself dumbfounded on the spot. Is she just leaving like that?

The girl was already a few meters away from him when she suddenly stopped and turned her head.

"I healed your injuries already, so I guess you will be fine. I cannot guarantee your life, though; this is still the Mystical Forest you see. So take care of yourself, old man." After saying that, she again turned around and continued to walk.

Seeing this turn of events, the Duke weighed his options. He was just an average human without powers. Being alone in this man-eating jungle will be his sure way to the afterlife. However, he still needed to consider his real purpose as to why he was here.

"Wait!" Gerald suddenly called out.

Louise stopped from her tracks but without turning her head. As if she was waiting for him to continue.

"Fine! I'll provide shelter for you."

Louise then turned to face him.

"Alright, then swear an oath that you will never break your promise."

Gerald swore an oath. The girl sweetly smiled as if she had won an enormous bargain. Then, she extended her right hand towards him.

"Let's shake our hands for this deal then."

The Duke reluctantly shook her hand. Maybe it is just him, but he felt like someone took advantage of him for some reason.