Maria looked towards Illia as she lay in the dirt, confusion and worry on her face.

"I know you want to have your fun with her, but think we could move to the forest doing this on the road could be troublesome yes?" Illia spoke before turning and walking towards the woods.

"Shut the fuck up, damn beast I'm tired of your mouth. Come on, let's go guys." Jack was livid at the fact that Illia was talking like the leader of the group. The two coachmen stepped down from their seats and started following Illia, Jack grabbed Maria's arm and yanked her to her feet. Maria's surprise and confusion faded and her survival instinct kicked in. She began kicking and pulling trying to get away as she realized what was happening. Father is finally trying to get rid of me!

"Fucking brat!" Jack exclaimed as he brought his fist out and smashed it into her cheek. Maria's eyes rolled as she spat blood, she felt her legs dragging in the dirt as she went limp. Pain thumped against her cheek and nose as she struggled to readjust her thoughts. She tasted the iron in her mouth and struggled to put strength back into her limbs.

Maria winced as a tree branch smacked her in the face, she trembled in fear as the road disappeared from her view.

They dragged her for a decent bit of time, Illia seemed to be looking for something. Suddenly Jack stopped, he frowned as he threw Maria against a tree. She yelped in pain as her back connected, her clothes were torn in several places, one of her shoes was missing and her feet and knees were dirty and bloody. She had scraps and cuts up her legs and knees.

"Why are you stopping?" Illia asked, frowning as she spun to glare at them in annoyance.

"Where the fuck are we going? I thought we were just gonna drag her into the forest and kill her. Bury the body and get the fuck out of here." He was annoyed as he drew his sword and approached her, Illia sighed and shrugged.

"This should be far enough, but you're gonna carry her corpse to the disposal site." Illia responded before turning and walking to the side where a thick tree grew slightly slanted, a large branch grew out and rested on the ground. She leaped and landing on the branch where she sat down to watch. Jack was taken aback but just clicked his tongue and turned around.

"Hey, why don't we play with her a little before we kill her." The older man spoke up, Maria felt a chill slide down her back as she pushed her feet beneath her and struggled to her feet.

"This is a very serious crime, do you think you'll ge-" she was cut off as she winced from the sword blade at her neck.

"Shut up, you don't Even know what situation your in. You're going to die here and I'm gonna get a nice chunk of change for protecting the Macuroll family's reputation." Jack snapped.

"Yo dude, you're fucked up." Dean suddenly spoke up, though he was talking to the older man who'd suggested toying with Maria. "She's fourteen." Jack turned around and glared at his two companies. "Hey, guys, kindly also shut it." Maria watched them talk and she slowly put strength into her legs as she turned and ducked under the sword.

"Shit, Jack!" Maria bolted when she heard that. She was forced to run in the direction that Illia had been directing them. Towards her own disposal ground. She thought Illia would chase her, or try to stop her but she just watched Maria run.

Maria stumbled over the roots on the forest floor, there was pain and injuries across her whole body but she pushed on. Ducking under branches and smashing through bushes she soon came to a sliding stop as the forest ended and a ravine came into view. Damnit, I have to figure out how to get down. She was leaning over the edge when she heard the noises from the forest, they were on her tail.

Maria looked down, looked back, then as they burst through the trees she jumped. Jack skidded to a stop as well. Disbelief painted his face, he frowned and slowly approached the edge, wondering if she'd survived or not. Suddenly pain ripped through the side of his head and neck, though his consciousness was cut before he could even react. Dean watched as his companion's corpse fell over the edge as well. Then he turned to the person who threw a knife into the side of his neck.

"Good job guys, you killed the heir, your reward is death." Illia smiled as she held up another knife.

"Traitor!" The other two exclaimed as they drew their swords and leaped forward however it was over on an instant. Illia dodged the first blade by an inch and kicked the older man in the back of his leg forcing him to his knees she then brought her blade across his neck before kicking the back of his head and slamming his face into the ground and then spun around and slung her blade into the forehead of the man known as Dean, he couldn't react it was too fast. He could only glare at the beast before him with hatred as darkness filled his vision till he could no longer see her smiling face.

Illia then collected the bodies and dragged them back to the carriage where she arranged them like they'd been attacked on the road. She then looked back towards the forest. "I'm not obligated to help you little girl, not anymore than this. Quite the courage though, jumping without a second thought." Illia was impressed, though she believed the girl was dead and truly her words were meaningless as this was simply the job she'd already been tasked with. She just did it prior to confirming the death of Maria. But her targets were dead, and her orders were complete. Afterall Seraph didn't ask me to kill the girl, only to silence his underlings afterwards. If my orders had been to kill her, she would be dead.

Illia sighed as she started her trek back to Aguris, she brushed her hair out of her eyes as a smile lit her lips. This assignment seems like it'll be actually fun. Though I can't wait for the finale.

~

Maria wanted to scream, but no sound would come out. She was in a lot of pain. She had managed to land on a rock outcrop on the way down. But she was certain that she'd sprained her ankle and hand and possibly broke her arm.

She expected them to come after her, but there was a commotion at the cliff side then it was quiet. Jack's corpse had fallen past her, she was staring as the blood smeared in the edge of her rock. She'd barely kept herself from screaming when he slammed into it and slid off the edge.

She struggled to her feet, glancing down she realized that she was lucky, a fall all the way down would have killed her however a climb back up was impossible. Jack's bloody mutilated Corpse was smashed up at the bottom.

Maria looked herself over really quickly to assess the damage. Her clothes were ripped and torn making her feel a bit embarrassed with the amount of skin she was revealing in spots she'd normally keep covered but also she was covered in wounds, mostly covering her legs though. But with the fall she had blood dripping from her elbow and a headache was hammering her skull. She sighed as she realized she was stuck, she sat down against the rock wall beside her and closed her eyes as she rested her fluttering heart. She was probably there for an hour before she heard something, the sound of feet and she watched as small rocks tumbled down from the cliffside above. She got up and approached the edge of the outcrop trying to see over the edge at who was up there.

She freaked out for a moment but soon she saw a person peering over the edge, he saw her almost immediately.

"Holy, are you ok!! Hold on a sec I'm coming down!" The boy exclaimed before disappearing for a moment. When he appeared again he was leaping off the edge with the end of a rope in his hand.

Maria stumbled backwards as he landed beside her, she knew who he was. There wasn't a noble who didn't, this was Cody, the Hero of Gia.

"Dang you don't look so good, here." Cody handed her a potion, but she was still starstruck for a moment eventually with his coaxing she drank the potion and a warm feeling spread through her body with spikes of pain as her light injuries faded quickly. She then winced and gritted her teeth as the pain exploded. Definitely a broken bone. She thought as she felt it mending.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"How'd you get down here anyways?" Cody asked as he peered up above him.

"Cody, can I ask for your help?" Maria took a shot, and as he looked at her inquisitively she began to explain her situation.

~

Cody pushed open the door to Macuroll's office as he was given the verbal cue to come in, and upon opening the door a gasp was heard.

"Maria, you're ok!" a young fox-eared girl exclaimed before suddenly covering her mouth, she moved away, buttoning her shirt and yanking up her skirt. Seraph had a look on his face like he really wanted to punch the young fox. It was a very enjoyable expression for Cody who smiled in return.

"Maria, my dear. What happened you look like you went through an ordeal." He said through clenched teeth.

"Clara, go to my room please." Maria ignored her father and spoke directly to the young Lithian, her white fluffy tail trembled in response to her voice.

"Yes, lady Maria." Clara hurriedly left the room, her ears lay flat against her head from nervousness or fear.

"Dad, we had a deal, you don't touch Clara and I stay away from Sarah and your business." Maria was angry but spoke calmly.

"Y-yes dear, I know." He stuttered from his own anger, but then pointed out of the room. "The Hero and I need to discuss what he came here for, go and play with your little fox, she's gonna need some comforting." He had a smirk on his face, Maria glanced at Cody before quickly leaving the room. He could see the emotions in her eyes, that solidified his decision.

"First before we begin, I suggest a lengthened bodyguard and escort. It seems assassins are targeting your daughter." The Hero began. "No extra charge, I'll do it out of the kindness of my heart." His voice was somehow cold and warm at the same time.

"Haha, that's a good joke kid, she'll be safe right here." He shot back, seeming confident enough, though a bit of sweat had started to form.

"I think not, due to the high likelihood that the assassins have infiltrated this estate," Cody replied, this caused Macuroll to pause.

"So, I can just assign a guard to her twenty-four seven," Macuroll replied, visibly annoyed. "Besides, not like they could have infiltrated that deep.

Cody frowned, "The assassin's and kidnappers were wearing the same uniforms as the guards of your estate and claimed to be paid by you. That's a major claim. I may have to go to someone higher up if you won't take action. There is officially no one in your estate that you can reliably trust to guard her. Unless there's a reason you want her to stay here, where it's guaranteed to be dangerous to her, and a high likelihood that the guard you assign her is also her assassin. Instead of Letting me guard her until the assassins have been dealt with, and it's not like it's a money problem as I'm offering it for free." Macuroll couldn't respond, he sat there looking angry for a moment before standing up.

"Fine, you take charge of her, but if anything happens to her, you'll pay me however much I deem necessary." Macuroll finally spoke through gritted teeth. Cody smiled and took his hand, they shook.

"All for the protection of your heir, Mr. Macuroll sir." He replied before turning and leaving the room. Cody was smiling, but Seraph, he was struggling to control his anger.

"Master, I executed the men after they deemed her dead. To their credit they did watch her jump into a rather deep ravine. Her survival is a surprise, though they wouldn't have failed if they simply verified her corpse." Illia suddenly spoke up causing him to flinch, she wasn't behind him earlier and he didn't hear her enter, "I decided that based on the orders you gave me, my job didn't involve Maria so I left that up to your men. I'm sorry that they failed you." She said this almost smugly with her ears twitching happily.

bang!

"Why did I trust Maxwell would actually lend me someone useful?" Seraph muttered, as he slammed his fist into the desk, leaving a visible dent. "Forget it, just make me some damn tea." he sighed as he slid back into his chair. The answer gave away to anxiety and stress, I've managed to pull the unluckiest drawn possible, the hero.

Cody closed the door behind him and started walking, he headed downstairs before stopping at the bottom and realizing he didn't know where Maria's room was.

"Do you need something sir hero?" A voice asked, Cody turned to see a girl at the top of the stairs, she was wearing a maid dress. Golden eyes looked him over, a orange and white fox tail swayed behind her and those ears.

"Interesting, you're very strong. Are you an assassin?" Cody accused softly as she descended the stairs. She smirked at his declaration, but simply stopped just in front of him.

"You're looking for the young lady's room aren't you hero. She's that way, first door on the left." Illia spoke softly, pointing down a hall to the left of the stairs. "Be careful, there are things working beneath the surface that are beyond what you can deal with, keep your nose where it belongs. I'd be sad to have to kill you." She whispered into his ear before walking past him and going down the hall to the right.

Cody shivered slightly at the interaction, she's a very good assassin, and likely a strong fighter too. He shook off the thoughts and headed to the left.

Cody knocked on the door, Maria let him in a few moments later. Her room was light pink with white trim and furniture. Maria was sitting on the bed, she'd changed her clothes and was brushing Clara's hair. The Fox was wearing an outfit different than the other servants in the house. She wore a fancy white frilled shirt that emphasized cuteness rather than sexiness like the maids were made to wear by Seraph. And she wore a black pleated skirt, with white lace trim at the hem of the skirt. Over top She wore a basic apron, she was a maid afterall. She wore thigh high white socks with bows at the top and black shoes. Lastly, like the other servants, she wore a metal collar with a serial number. Maria looked up at him as he entered.

"She ok?" Cody asked, gazing at Clara in concern.

Maria nodded, "Yeah, dad was just being mean, he hadn't touched her yet." Maria said 'yet' in a tone riddled with poison. She hugged Clara before sliding forward to sit on the edge of the bed beside Clara. "What's up?"

"Pack a bag for like a week or something, you'll be staying with me for a bit," Cody explained, Maria perked up.

"Really, how'd you manage that?" She asked though it didn't disguise her excitement.

"It wasn't difficult, my position as hero gives me leeway, so I told him that if he really wouldn't let me I would go higher with the accusations," Cody explained.

"No, I meant how'd you get him to pay?" She asked, as she got up and went to her closet, dragging a suitcase down.

"I didn't think I could, so I offered my services for free, and he cracked." Cody laughed, it wasn't a joy-filled laugh though, more of a 'this is ridiculous' laugh.

"What?" Maria paused, she gazed at Cody, surprise and suspicion in her eyes. Clara began gathering clothes and packing them into the bag. "Are you sure? As a Hero, you're naturally quite expensive."

"Not about the money this time, it's about the promise." He replied, she stiffened, and a blush crawled onto her face. She remembered how she was shaken up in the ravine and a hero had shown up so, she asked if he'd protect her. A silly question from a young girl seeing a fairytale hero. And he'd accepted, even promised her.

"Well, I was just saying stuff, you didn't have to take it seriously, jeez." She quickly finished packing. "Can I bring Clara, I'm worried about what would happen without me here." Clara stared wide-eyed at Maria.

"Lady Maria, thi- I will be f-fine." Clara stuttered, her tail waving nervously. Maria ignored her, instead, she stared at Cody for his answer.

"I don't mind at all, though it'll be a tight fit, I'm staying at the inn in town," Cody explained, a worried look appeared on Clara's face and she opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Maria spoke first.

"Ah, that'll be just fine, don't worry," Maria replied, for some reason, she looked excited. Once they finished packing Cody led the group out of the mansion and down the street. It didn't take long to find the inn, it was on the way to the guild.

Cody pushed open the doors to the Inn, he nodded at the receptionist and headed up the stairs, he then fished out his key and opened the door.

"You can take the bed, I'll sleep on the chair," Cody announced before setting down his bag. Maria took the whole room in.

"Whoa, is this what adventurers usually sleep in?" She asked, her eyes sparkled. she must really want to be an adventurer, He thought. "Ooh, Clara, we can sleep together!"

"Lady Maria I don't thi-" Clara began, but was cut off.

"Just Maria please, also I really wanna use your tail as a pillow." Maria exclaimed with sparkly eyes and Clara sighed before nodding, her fluffy white fox tail wagged a little in excitement or happiness. "Yes!" Maria punched the air excitedly.

After that Cody went out with Maria and Clara to the Market where he bought a bunch of essentials before stopping by a restaurant for dinner. Cody led the way to a table and sat down, the other two did as well. Cody picked up the menu and began to browse. It didn't take long to order mashed potatoes and vegetable soup. Maria and Clara both ordered the same seeming to follow Cody's example. Maria excitedly ate her meal, wondering aloud whether this was what adventurers ate. Clara ate quietly and from time to time would wipe Maria's mouth as in all her excitement she was very distracted. Upon finishing their meal they stepped out into the streets lit by the setting sun.

Cody led the way back to the in and climbed the stairs to his room. He opened the door and sat down with a sigh. Maria grabbed Clara's hand and dragged her to bed.

"Maria, nightclothes-"

"Oh forget it, we're on an adventure, so I'ma sleep in whatever I want." Maria retorted, she fell onto the bed, dragging Clara down with her. Clara sighed as her tail wrapped around her and rested on the pillow between her and Maria. Maria hugged Clara, snuggling her face into the soft fur.

"Clara, your tail is so soft." She mumbled, a yawn escaped her lips, Cody was tired as well but wasn't planning to sleep right away. Clara was about the same age as Maria, and he could tell that Maria really just wanted a friend her age. He leaned back in his chair as their breathing slowed into sleep. I've taken on quite the job, wonder what Aldwin would say or Annabelle. . . Ah who cares I can do this. I'll have to talk to the guild master tomorrow. See if he, as a neutral party, will help us. Cody pondered as he gazed out the window and watched the stars slowly become visible as the sun slipped behind the horizon. Beautiful, this wasn't a view I could ever see back home, no light pollution here. Just a beautiful star-filled sky.