Chapter 73

Oops, Arya thought.

I think I may have done some serious damage somewhere.

It wasn't my intention but what's done is done.

….

This girl!!!

What the fuck!!!

My eye! My eye!

In such a short time and without even looking, she managed to throw a sharp blade at my eyes! I didn't even have time to react before 

I yank out the blade from my right eye and inspect it, fighting through the pain.

What? Such a dull-looking knife with a rounded tip and not even a sharp knife managed to gorge out my eyes!! Then this means that she processes monstrous strength to be able to throw the knife and price my eye so precisely!

I know it's no use now that I failed.

Oh why did this have to happen to me?

I just wanted to live my life peacefully with my daughter. I'm no fighter despite my strong built and muscular body!!

Willa. My little Willa. I….even if I die, I want you to be safe and happy.

"Hey, you, I'm sure that you didn't mean to do it intentionally so why don't you come out here and explain."

When did that human girl get in front of him?

….

The werewolf man knelt in front of Lucinda and Lucifer and his ears were down and his tail was limp.

Arya thought he looked like a puppy that was about to get scolded for peeing on the carpet.

Arya chose to stand aside as Lucinda and Lucifer said they wanted to deal with him.

The kids huddled in a clearing under a tree, looking scared and curious.

"Your royal highnesses, please forgive me for trying to kill you but please let me-"

"DADDY?!! DADDY!!!!"

A little werewolf girl escaped from the crowd and rushed up to him. She looked only 7 or 8 years old.

She leaped into the arms of the werewolf and he looked to be in shock but overjoyed.

"Willa…is that you?"

"Daddy, who do you think I am?"

"HAHA!!"

He wrapped her into a tight hug and Arya felt her heart light up. So heartwarming and touching.

….

After a somewhat awkward and tense get-to-you session, everyone in the clearing gathered together in a make-shift clearing for a private meeting except for Arya who decided to leave to take care of her own business as this was not her business.

But before she left, she regenerated his right eye and apologized for hurting him.

"I only meant to scare you but I think my aim is just too good, sir."

He laughed it off.

"No, no, you were right to react like that when lives are at risk. Besides, such good aim and strength that you showed with this butter knife testifies to your skill and ability."

'Thank you, sir. I'll be taking my leave now."

"Thank you for giving me back my eye."

"It was nothing, sir, but I have my own people to attend to."

Arya left with her guards.

The werewolf turned to Lucifer and bowed this head to the royal siblings.

"Your highnesses, I can't thank you enough for not only saving my Willa but also the other kids. You have no idea how many of us were forced into conscription for the sake of their children. It's a nightmare."

Lucifer nodded before questioning him again.

"What is going on in the army? We heard nothing about what is going on these past few weeks!"

"There has been a revolt. Many people are sick and tired of fighting and many decided they would much rather risk execution for desertion than stay in the army any longer."

Lucinda butted in.

"What about my father?"

He gulped.

"Willa, go play with the other kids. Daddy will play with you later."

Willa got up from his lap and raced off to where the other children were.

"My prince and princess, I don't have any good news for you about your father."

Lucifer and Lucinda prepared themselves.

"Your father seems to become more and more crazier and…his health is deteriorating as fast as his mental state is."

Lucinda clasped her hands to her mouth and Lucifer let the mask of calmness he was wearing slip off.

"And there seems to be a huge attack that's about to be launched. I'm not sure when but I happen to know the location of the camp."

Lucifer and Lucinda snapped to full attention.

"Really?"

He nodded. 

"Yes, I was sent here to kill off you two but I failed. I would have been killed for failure to fulfill the assassination or for deserting the army because I don't want to face punishment. Either way, I'm dead meat. But I have no reason to go back now since I have my daughter back. I hope that they haven't moved camps since I've been gone for quite some time."

Lucifer shook his head.

"They won't move camps. They would be staying in place to prepare to wait out the harsh winter. No one wants to fight in the winter. Besides, they have been fighting for quite some time now. Food supplies and morale must be low so they need a break from the fighting to recover."

Lucinda had to agree that that had some sense.

"Yes, the snow and ice would make travel difficult and the cold weather could hinder their ability to fight."

Lucinda looked up.

"It's starting to snow, Lucy!!"

A few flakes of snow started to rain down from the sky like flower petals.

A storm was coming.

This is the beginning of the end of this story.