New Maid (2)

Two days ago, in the northern mountains.

The Aurelians were preparing to leave the mountains following the avalanche.

The barbarians who relied on the Marki Empire's technology stood no chance against the avalanche, unlike the Aurelians.

More importantly, the Aurelian soldiers were relieved things had ended this way. None of them wanted to face the silver-haired girl in battle. They were brave, but not stupid.

Most soldiers there were fresh recruits and hence didn't fight the demon lord's army. But if they had to guess, that girl had to be on par with the demonic generals who wiped out entire cities alone.

That's why they were eager to leave and let the barbarians rest in their frosty tombs.

However, just as they were about to leave, their queen gave an unexpected order.

"Save them."

A soldier rolled his eyes at that order. He was sure those barbarians wouldn't show them the consideration their queen was offering. That's why he couldn't understand why Amara cared so much about their survival.

The barbarians and Aurelians had been at war for years. Saving them from the avalanche would not erase their deep-rooted hatred. Yet Amara didn't care and ordered them to save the barbarians.

Following the order, the soldiers tirelessly dug through the snow, ignoring the subtle pain in their backs or the white mist escaping their mouths. Hours passed with no sign of life under the snow.

Amara had been watching the scene from a distance. The progress was too slow, but she couldn't complain. The soldiers were tired after fighting a battle and now were digging without breaks.

If only Lucien were here.

She thought.

One recovery spell from the saint and all their vigor would return twice as strong. Eventually, she got frustrated and grabbed a shovel herself. But before she could get off her horse, someone found something.

"Over here!"

Amara looked at the soldier, who signaled others over. They rushed to his side, helping him dig through the partially covered entrance of their abandoned outpost.

As they dug through, they heard the barbarians' muffled voices. The soldiers looked at Amara, wondering if they should continue.

"Keep digging."

Amara instructed, and they got back to work.

Eventually, they broke through the clogged door. Inside, the barbarians huddled together for warmth. Their faces were pale from the cold, their bodies shivering. Some of them even bore signs of frostbite.

But all that changed when they saw the Aurelians. Even with their trembling hands, they reached for their weapons.

Perhaps they thought the Aurelians were there to finish the job. They weren't wrong, only a foolish enemy wouldn't take advantage of such a scenario.

But to their surprise, the Aurelians dropped their shovels and raised their hands.

The next moment, more soldiers entered the room… carrying warm blankets and medications. Another one walked in with a basket of bread and dried meat. The soldiers placed all of that on the ground before retreating.

The barbarians hesitated, their eyes darting between the Aurelians and the supplies. It was a trap. It had to be. But then another soldier stepped forward, pulling out a flint to start a fire.

The fire's warmth softened the barbarians' hostility. The soldiers ignored the weapons pointed at them and handed out the blankets and food.

It was as though the barbarians weren't their mortal enemies, but loyal friends.

At the back of the room, a woman watched everything with suspicion. Analeis couldn't make sense of what was happening. Why were the Aurelians helping them?

After having their fill, the barbarians left the outpost, only to be greeted by more soldiers outside. However, Analeis's eyes immediately fell on Amara, sitting atop her horse.

"How's your leg?" Amara asked, nodding at Analeis's feet.

Analeis shifted uncomfortably. The cold had worsened her wound, but she would not show her pain to the enemy commander. Despite all the soldiers did for her clan, she still suspected Amara had an alternate motive behind her actions.

For all she knew, it could be a ruse to get the barbarians to lower their guard before attacking them for some twisted pleasure.

Meanwhile, Amara started at Analeis's roughly bandaged wound. A deep blue scar peeked through the bandage. It was a clear sign of infection worsened by hours in the snow.

She's tough.

Amara silently praised the teenager.

"You should worry about yourself first."

Analeis broke the silence between them. Amara looked at her bandaged shoulder and smiled.

"I'll live," she replied, before turning to the healers. "See to their wounds. Do what you can to help."

The healer stepped forward, but before he could take another step, Analeis raised her axe, pointing it at Amara.

"Stay back!" she yelled.

As much as she wanted to align with the Aurelians, Analeis knew things were going too easy. They were enemies, for heaven's sake. She wouldn't trust them without a proper explanation.

However, her action led to an expected reaction. The Aurelian soldiers, too, drew their weapons, ready to defend their queen. The barbarians followed suit, aiming their guns at Amara.

The peace barely lasted an hour. It seemed another battle was about to break out.

But then Amara raised her hand, instructing her soldiers to stand down. They did so with no hesitation, much to Analeis's surprise.

"Why are you doing this?" Analeis gritted her teeth. "Why are you helping us?"

Not even the Marki were so generous to the barbarians. Then why was Aurelia acting so kind before them? It made no sense.

Amara smiled again, before looking at the sky as if remembering something.

"I'm repaying a long-owed favor."

That's all she said. There was no explanation, nothing.

But then she unsheathed her blade, pointing it at Analeis's head.

"Surrender," she mumbled, "and I will treat your people with honor. Refuse, and you'll all die in disgrace."

The queen's words were harsh, but Analeis understood the hidden meaning.

Amara wasn't trying to humiliate or threaten her. The offer of surrender was a way to help her people without stripping Analeis of her dignity as a leader.

After all, she was surrendering to the enemy for her clan's sake, not because she was weak.

***

Back in the present, at Aurelia Castle.

That's how Analeis ended up at the castle. She was a prisoner, sort of. But in Amara's eyes, the Silver Wolf was more of an ally.

As Amara told him about the incident, Aaran understood why Amara brought Analeis to her side. She was undoubtedly strong, and Aurelia lacked such talent.

With unknown sources targeting them, it was important to find powerful allies.

I would rather have her on our side than face her wrath later.

Analeis and the barbarians could also help them fend off the monsters. It was a brilliant move. But then his mother said something that changed everything.

"I… can't trust the soldiers any more," she said, parting with Aaran. "From now on, Analeis will be your maid and bodyguard."

Say what!?