Blood Contract (2)
"She is different," the ghost nodded. "Calm and yet fierce."
"I told you so."
Aaran wanted to know what his mother planned to do with the barbarians. Hence, he sent Darius over to tell him about it all.
As expected, the news of barbarians having a place in Aurelia did not sit well with the commoners. But Amara tricked everyone into witnessing the discipline and restraint these so-called barbarians displayed, quickly shutting down their first line of excuses.
That set the direction of the debate.
People were worried about their security? Then the barbarians would be stationed on the castle walls instead of inside the capital.
Where will they live? The Simmons family had had plenty of unused land. The barbarians could settle there and grow their own food.
People wanted labor? The barbarians would work for half the usual wage, for double the hours.
Those against Amara tried many tactics, but she was already prepared to counter them. The more questions they threw at her, the more she highlighted the barbarians' usefulness.
Soon, the opponents realized they were only helping her by asking questions and stopped.
Still, there was some uncertainty among the people, so Amara pulled her ultimate weapon.
"…the barbarians agreed to sign a blood contract?"
"The one with white hair already signed it—with the queen," Darius answered.
Aaran raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected his mother to go this far just to prove her point.
Unlike the slavery contract, the blood contract didn't take away people's free will and freedom. Instead, it sets certain terms and conditions the contracted party can't break. If they did, they would suffer tremendously.
But there was another part of that contract.
A guarantor had to back the person signing the contract. While the guarantor won't suffer physically, but would be held accountable legally for their actions.
Amara had become the said guarantor.
Aaran sighed. He knew his mother had a soft spot for barbarians, but he didn't think she'd do something so reckless.
Thankfully, she had only signed it with Analeis, and not all the barbarians. But Aaran knew his father wouldn't be pleased to hear about it.
"Your mother cares about you, little liege."
Darius tried to reassure Aaran. He had seen the terms of the contract and most of them revolved around Aaran's safety and well-being.
Amara added a clause specifying that Analeis couldn't discuss Aaran's abilities or strengths—present or future—with anyone.
Amara did that because she was worried about protecting Aaran's secret, along with protecting him.
Dread helped Aaran fend off the assassins, but Amara knew that if things got worse, Dread might have to reveal himself publically to protect him.
She didn't want that because the empire would not take kindly to it.
Besides, Analeis was about to be in charge of Aaran's security. Hence, Amara planned to tell her about Aaran's necromancy in private. That way, Analeis wouldn't be shocked if a teddy bear suddenly started moving.
The discussion between Aaran and Darius naturally died down, but then there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Soon after, Amara and Analeis walked into the room.
Unlike the calmness Darius told him about, Analeis was frowning in annoyance. She wore a black dress with a frilly white apron over it. The black stocking and frilled hairband added to her charm.
The dress was shorter than those of other nannies and servants, stopping at her knees instead of her ankles. It was such as not to restrict her movement, considering she wasn't just a maid, but also a bodyguard.
Never in any of his life did Aaran think he'd see the deadly Silver Wolf in a maid costume. But he had to admit, she looked kind of cute.
"How may I serve you, my lord?"
Analeis asked, bowing before Aaran. He understood Amara had put her up to it, and while it felt awkward, it was better than having her as an enemy.
However, Amara mistook Aaran's gaze for something else.
"Do you like her, son?" she teased.
Aaran immediately shook his head, but his reaction only made Amara chuckle more.
"You should get along with her, son. She'd be helping you often."
"What do you mean, mother?"
"It's time for you to start connecting with others your age," Amara said. "It's a little early, but your education is important."
Aaran silently nodded, knowing where the conversation was headed.
Time flies, huh?
Amara's words could only mean one thing.
It was time to head to the Empire's preschool. A place only a select few got into. It was the same place where the gods tasked him to win art competitions.
Back then, he hadn't started until he was six years old. But this time, Amara was determined to send him as soon as possible.
Aaran knew it had to be because of the assassins. Knowing his mother, she must have figured out the temple was behind it all and wanted to keep him safe.
Since the preschool was in the heart of the empire's capital, even the temple wouldn't dare send assassins there. This was Amara's way of keeping Aaran safe while she investigated the temple and dealt with them.
"Of course, you can take your teddy with you," Amara continued, as she turned to leave. "As long as Analeis accompanies you."
"…as you wish, mother."
Aaran resigned, knowing Amara wouldn't backdown.