The man laughed.
- Let me guess! Did she make you promise to take her to Grandma and her sister's house? - he said in an ironic tone. - That girl is a liar! She doesn't have a grandmother, let alone a sister.
Looking at Olivia, I asked her a silent question and she nodded.
- I'm so sorry! I said that just in the hope that you'd help me. - she declared she was crying.
- And what did you intend to do alone on the road? - I asked.
- I didn't think about this part, I just wanted to stay away from that monster. - she said pointing to her uncle. - Because he's a monster! I just want to go far away from him!
The man rolled his eyes out.
- Shut up, bitch! - he threatened to move again, but I stopped him. - Get out of my way or I won't answer for myself.
I didn't think twice and I didn't let him make a new threat. Punching the man in the face, I made him stagger backwards.
- Nobody threatens me and I got away with it! - said pulling the sword from the hem. - If you want Olivia, you'll have to go over my head.
The man took his hand to his mouth and brought it back. His eyes smoked when he saw the blood on his hand. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. He let out a scream before pulling the sword from the hem he was wearing and coming towards me.
- In your place, I wouldn't do that!
Alec's voice came from behind the man. He held his breath before he released the sword.
- Not that she needs a knight in shining armor, but if she tries to hurt my wife, I'll have no mercy. - Alec looked at Olivia and then at the innkeeper. - Are you all right?
They nodded, so he turned to the man.
- Turn around! - Alec ordered it.
The man slowly turned and looked up, recognizing Alec immediately. He looked at me and Alec grabbed his throat.
- Don't look at her! Look at me! Look at me! - he ordered between his teeth. - Do you know who I am?
- Yes, Your Highness! - the man said out of breath. - I didn't mean to offend your wife or anyone in this room, I just came to...
- Pick up your niece. - Alec has completed. - I heard the whole conversation.
- She gives me a lot of work, but she's the only family I have left. I promised my sister I'd take care of her.
- I can bet on that, especially the scared expression on her face. - Alec smiled at Olivia, who sighed.
- I told that polite man Olivia's coming with us! - said adamant.
Alec frowned, but he didn't question my decision.
- Do you hear me? - he asked.
- Your Highness... - He grumbled.
- I said, did you hear it? - Alec repeated.
- Yes. - He answered.
- I'm glad we got it right. - Alec smiled with a light punch on the man's shoulder. - Now, if we know that you have threatened, abused or destroyed any citizen of this village, I will pluck their eyes out and give them to the dogs. Do you understand?
The man looked at Alec with an expression of fear, then looked at me with a look of hatred. He looked at Olivia and, without saying a word, left the inn.
- Thank you! - said Olivia hugging me. - I swear I will pay with my life, out of your kindness!
- It's okay! It's okay! - said smiling. - I want you to go upstairs and get your things. From now on, you're my maid.
- Yes, ma'am! - Olivia nodded before running to the top of the stairwell.
- I'll help you! - said the lady, before she left running after Olivia.
Alec kept staring at me.
- Aia? - he said.
- I'm a princess. - I said shrugging my shoulders and put the sword in the hem. - Now that my husband made me wear dresses, I need someone to help me.
Alec let out a laugh, then he sighed.
- You know that's not a good idea. - he said. - This trip was scheduled for two people.
- Two warriors, Alec. - I did.
- She tried to kill me! - he argued.
- She tried to go back when she said she was married, but she couldn't get him out. - I argued. - Olivia was very scared when I found her coming down the stairs. Even though it pissed me off a lot, I believe she tried to do the right thing. The men were huge.
Alec had a laugh.
- A few nights ago he fought me over Olivia and now he's defending her. - he shook his head from side to side. - I can't understand her.
I sighed against it.
- Alec, she's just a little girl. I was scared, living with an abusive madman. - he said by closing his eyes. - I know what it's like to be desperate enough to commit a madness.
- She's not one of your sisters!
- But it could be!
Alec kept staring at me. He knew what I thought. I also figured he knew how I felt about Olivia.
- All right! All right! - Alec fired. - She's coming with us.
I opened a smile, happy to save a
