Follower

After making sure that Arella was absolutely fine, Adrian had a happy breakfast with her. And Andrew came right on time to report to his duties. He was excited to take Arella to the military compound today. But Adrian ruthlessly nipped it in the bud.

Before going out, Adrian informed Andrew that he was to become a watchman. That is, he was to stand guard outside Arella's room till Adrian came back. 

A blank expression appeared on Andrew's face. To Arella, it looked as if he found it hard to digest the sudden news of his demotion. 

Arella pitied him and was about to step up. She wanted to claim that she did not need anybody on guard. She will not go out. And also, this was just a temporary arrangement, he would not have to do it for longer. But before she could utter anything, Andrew started laughing.

Arella blinked in confusion. Poor him, he had not lost his mind, did he? Was his pride wounded too much? C rank was low, but it was not as low as to be demoted to a watchman, right?

"You mean I have to do nothing today, and I can laze around while keeping an eye on Madam? Can something so good happen to me? I cannot believe it!" Andrew's eyes twinkled with pure bliss, and his voice sounded excited. 

Arella pursed her lips at Andrew's remark. Maybe she was thinking too much earlier. Forget it. Whatever makes him happy. If he has no problem with it, why should she bother? 

After Adrian left, Arella wanted to take a leisurely stroll in the garden. Since the morning, she has had this urge to be near the Sun. Andrew elatedly accompanied her.

While walking, in the back of the garden, Arella came across an acquaintance. It was the same beauty who had made advances on Adrian a few days ago. She was busy pruning the outgrowth and had her back to Arella. 

She was very clumsy, making more cuts on her hand than the plants. From the sidelines, Arella kept on looking at her. She looked different today. Her proud shoulders were hunched down, and her pretty hands had a lot of cuts. 

She wore the baggy outfit of the gardeners that failed to accentuate her figure like the outfit of the helpers. The clean and confident beauty was somehow lost in the clothes. 

Perhaps becoming aware of a sight on her, she straightened up and turned around. When she saw Madam, she instinctively lowered her face.

"Good Morning, Madam. Do you need me for something?" The beauty kept her face lowered, but her gritted words revealed her temperament.

"No." Arella calmly answered. She had no grudge toward this girl. To be honest, she was somewhat appreciative of her boldness. Too bad, to others, her boldness was akin to foolishness.

"Then I will not disturb Madam. I will go tend to another plant." The beauty bowed and then meekly left Arella's field of vision.

Arella saw her fading back, running away as if she was afraid of something happening to her. Only a few days had passed, and her confident demeanor was nowhere to be found. When she turned around earlier, Arella noticed that her face had a few scratches and dirt. Even her eyes were not bright any longer.

Arella wondered if the beauty was punished behind her back. Otherwise, why would she become so humble in a matter of days? Was she not only asked to tend to the gardens? Was there anything she was not aware of?

So, Arella turned around and asked Andrew, who had kept his mouth shut till now.

"Oh, that? That's actually nothing. The harsh reality must have jolted that girl awake from her fantasies." Andrew nonchalantly spoke.

"What do you mean by harsh realities?" Arella asked as both of them started walking slowly.

"The helpers are permanent while the gardeners are temporary. They have a huge difference between them, not only in pay scale but also in status. That girl might have had it easy being a permanent staff. But now things have changed." Andrew stopped mid way.

"What changed?" Arella could not stop herself from asking. Could there be a huge difference between permanent and temporary helpers?

"I remember her. That is why I was surprised when I saw her in the gardener's uniform. She always thought that she was superior. So, she always showed off, offending a lot of people. Now, that she has fallen down, I am afraid more than one person would be waiting to exact their revenge on her." Andrew enjoyed seeing her in misery.

He did not tell, that long back, it was the same person who had once proudly stopped him from even entering the villa on the basis of his low aptitude.

Huh, he too, held a grudge against her. Now would be a good time to let her take care of the garden in his house as well. Andrew wickedly smirked.

"I hope she does not get bullied much," Arella whispered lightly. She knew that it was the beauty's fault and she must get punished for it. She just hoped that it was not harsh. 

"Oh no! Everybody on the military compound knows the covert tactics. They will hit where it hurts the most without being over the line. You do not have to think too much about it. Everybody is responsible for their own actions. She will get what she owes." Andrew weakly comforted Arella. 

Both Andrew and Arella walked and then went into the villa. Arella planned to have some rest, so she suggested Andrew to leave. To her surprise, Andrew rejected her offer without a moment's delay.

"Is it because of Adrian? Don't worry, he wants me to have some rest. You do not have to stand by the door at all." Arella tried to convince him.

"No. That is not the case. I would like to stay." Andrew quickly responded.

"Huh?" Arella could fathom why Andrew would reject the moments of leisure by staying.

Andrew pursed his lips, thinking whether he should tell her or not. If he did, she would not report him as a pervert, right?

"I feel happy in your company. I mean no ill intentions. I like following you. To me, you look as bright and warm as a Sun." Andrew lowered his head and honestly confessed. He himself does not know what changed. But since the morning, being in Arella's company has put him in a good mood.

"The Sun?" Arella grabbed the main point blatantly ignoring his misleading romantic confession like words. Maybe in the subconscious, she knew that Andrew meant no harm. That is why she only picked up the logical reason from his words. 

Since the morning, even she had felt an affinity for the Sun. Was Andrew feeling the same? The only difference was that Andrew saw her as the Sun. Was it related to the potential of her being a Bird clan member? Was it something like an intrinsic clan affection toward the members?

Was Andrew like this because she might be a Bird clan member? But what about the Sun? Why would he see her as the Sun?

"Hum. The Bird clan has an inclination toward the Sun. We prefer light. And Arella, do not get me wrong, but in my eyes, your glow is the same as the Sun. A little less brighter, but you give off the same feeling. So, if you do not mind, from today onward, can I be your follower?"