CHAPTER 24: ROSE GRANDCROSS DILEMMA(2)

                                                ROSE GRANDCROSS POV:

Eh? What? Why is he angry?

"Like your husband said yesterday. I am garbage. Worse even than shit. Treat me as such and throw at me everything you can."

Ah, MARK, you big idiot! What have you gone and said to this cute little thing!!

"I…Well, I didn't want to upset you." Wait, did he say husband? How does he know that? "And how do you know MARK is my husband?"

"Well, you said your surname was Grandcross so…"

"Even so, I could have been his sister. I don't look like him at all, so maybe?" Let's just the questions for later. Mark will have a lot to explain! "Okay. Now, we will have a light sparring to see your physical condition. I was told not to hold back, but I prefer to evaluate things with my own eyes. Do you have a weapon?"

"Yes, I have a dagger." I know I asked but who gave a weapon to a child? Are you crazy?

"Hmm, okay, let's start with that. Attack me with all you have."

***

Another surprise, that child has a battle sense I could have never imagined for a child. He is moving recklessly, but he really tries to connect his attacks. If polished, he can become really powerful. What am I saying? This is a child.

Also, I have noticed something really weird. He is fighting with a broken hand. He tried to slap me with it even though it is perfectly visible that it is broken. Who broke it? Who did that to a child? There are too many questions without answers. I can't continue like this. Let's finish this and go to the commander's office.

When I finish with Kevin, I tell him to go to the infirmary, but he refuses. Saying something like his hand will break again if he goes. It made me quite angry to hear that—another question I need answers about. The commander's office is closed. Where is she? That brute of a woman.

"The commander is absent, ma'am. She won't be back for another three years."

"I see. She must be gone for the campaign against the Longinus, I suppose." That bitch is gone while leaving such a problem here?! I always knew she was not fit to be the commander. And the vice commander is too fond of her to answer my questions. He is pretty much her plaything. I can't even believe he is Mark's brother sometimes.

When I come back, I directly ask for answers from my husband without any form of greeting.

"Mark, did you possibly know there is a child here. As an apprentice?"

"So you have seen it too. I was not dreaming then."

"What do you mean, not dreaming?! Can't you answer my question?!"

"That child murdered Tatiana during her escape from Syldavie. For the rest, I think you can understand."

I see. That's why the commander…. Such a bitch! It is evident that the child didn't do anything. HE IS A CHILD FOR MEETIA'S SAKE.

"Sir Mark, your daughter is here to see you."

While we are talking. Sombody knocks on the door and announces us that Lanuvel has arrived. Why did mother let her come? Especially right now?

"Dady! Mommy! I brought you flowers." As soon as I open the door, Lanuvel enters, running to her father with flowers. Yes, this how a seven years old child should be.

"How are you, dear? Did you embarrass grandmother again with your jokes?"

"No, I didn't. That's why she brought me today to see you." My daughter is such a sweet child. No, all children her age should be sweet. That's how it is. "Daddy, you look sad. Why? Did I do something?"

She noticed her dad is not himself. Well, neither am I right now.

"Don't worry, dear. We are alright. We are just really tired. Do you want to sleep with us today and go back tomorrow?"

"YESSS!" Mark proposes Lanuvel to sleep with us tonight. He must want to feel the tenderness of a child once again. And I entirely agree.

***

Three months later or so. I have noticed something outrageous. Kevin keeps coming with more and more broken bones. When it is not his hands, then his toes got broken. And then it's his ribs. Who is doing that?!!! If only I could find those bastards!! Or maybe he really has an illness that breaks his bones? But to break them like that, with precision to not hinder movement but still inflict great pain. And how is he even walking? I can only imagine his pain right now. Oh, poor child!!

Today, Kevin comes utterly exhausted. He looks like he didn't sleep at all. Well, I must ensure my role as an instructor. I am so sorry Kevin. I am so sorry.

"What kind of strikes are those?!!! Correct them already!! Faster!! FASTERRR!!"

While encouraging him, I notice that his breathing is weird. It's like he is trying to breathe less than normal. Who already told him such an advanced technique? And that's not a warrior technique. Only assassins do that. This child is such a mystery. I am inquisitive about why he keeps coming with broken bones. I must observe him tomorrow day and night.

The next day. I hide in the bushes next to the field while Kevin is training. There are at least 20 meters of distance, so he should not notice me. He executes five exercises among those I showed him and the most difficult ones at that. Is he really a child? Even adults would find it difficult to do those under the harsh sun, but he goes around without a problem. Still, he is sweating a lot. When he finishes training, he stops for about a minute, then out of nowhere, he throws his dagger at me.

How did he know I was here? It must be a coincidence. I evade it and jump on the nearest tree while he is coming over. It seems he really noticed I was there. How? Is he that talented? No, it cannot be. During the night, I went to his room to check on him, hoping to see something that could answer all those questions I have.

I open his door as silently as I can. But all I see is a child on his bed, in a weird position. I touch his forehead. HE IS BURNING. He has a fever. And he is sweating a lot. He must have fainted because of that. No, he is sweating too much, even for somebody who has a fever. I immediately create a water ball and douse him. I must bring him to the infirmary fast.