Married into Alpha Lord

Chapter 53

Walking down the busy road, the weather feels colder than usual. A brush of wind passes by and makes me shiver in my summer clothes. I didn't go out much last year, but summer here truly feels cold.

As I got closer to the Main Plaza, I saw a man whom I seek. The man who oddly looks anxious around the chill crowd around him.

I approached him who was looking in the other direction and tapped his back. He immediately turned back at me. He looks both cautious, worried, and relieved at the same time.

"Let's go home, Leo," I said smiling, amused by his facial expression.

His relieved face changed to slight annoyance and anger. "Where have you been, Si-,"

"A a...!" I hold him.

"Caden," he ended it.

"You get my message right?" I asked, walking first with him following me beside.

He sighed, showing me a piece of paper. A paper that I wrote before slipping out of him while he paid for our coffee.

"Meet me at Main Plaza at five. Enjoy your day," he read in a monotonous voice. "First of all, it's almost six. Then, seriously Caden, Stop slipping off of me, what should I say if Master Darren asked?"

"You can tell the truth, or you could just say I went shopping," I replied, showing him a bag of books in my hand. Leo gave another sighed. He then offers his help to carry the books.

"Does Darren ask questions?"

"... Not always," he answered. Hmm, nodding off I continue our walk.

The sun was halfway down and painted the sky with beautiful purple orange color. I shivered again when another cold wind passed by. Something cold dropped from the sky and when I halted to look up, I saw soft snowfall from the sky. Summer snow, an event that only happened in Northern territory. I looked around and found people pulling out their umbrellas or pulling aside to put on their jackets. I look up again, staring at this beautiful scenery. I took a deep breath and felt the cold wind entering my body.

"Caden, please put this jacket on," Leo suddenly gave me his jacket while pulling out an umbrella that I didn't realize he brought.

"The umbrella is enough," I open the umbrella for me.

"Absolutely not! I'm gonna die if you got sick," he excessively nag. It's my turn to give a long sighed and surrender. I took his jacket and put it on before continuing to walk back home.

"Ca-! Sir," Harry suddenly jumped at me but managed to put on his formal facade when he noticed others around. He approached me with fast steps while I was returning Leo's jacket.

"Why are you so late!" he scolded me in a tiny voice, making me walk with him. I give him a questioning look. I've returned later than this and no one has ever asked me, not even Darren. Why now?

"Master Darren is waiting for you in the dining room," he informed.

"Isn't today they hold the monthly dining?" I asked. I have not joined that occasion for so long, Darren told me I don't have to if I don't want to. I never did ever since.

"I was just told to bring you in. Come on," he said and quickened the walks.

We arrived at the largest dining room that could serve many guests. The door was open and I entered, followed by Harry and Leo closely behind. The people there halt their conversation and look at me as I walk towards the table. Leo stayed close to the wall while Harry accompanied me to the empty seat on Darren's right. I sat down and a soup immediately served to me.

I sat quietly, taking a glass of water, as others continued their conversation. Darren gave me a smile and I smiled back at him before slowly scooping my soup. I notice familiar faces whom I often encounter while working in Darren's office. Still, I didn't bother to start talks with them.

Why am I even here? Usually, there are only two causes, either Darren just wants to have dinner with me, or he has something to announce.

"As everyone has been here, I'd like to talk about something," Darren started.

It's the second one.

Everyone quieted down as Darren spoke up. I also stopped spooning down my soup and took my attention to him. "As you may have heard, the conflicts with the West have escalated in these last several weeks. Several territories have been attacked and left deserted. The Royal's military has been dispatched and been guarding there since last week," he started. No one just nodded with frowns on their face. "Unfortunately, the West has taken some alliances so their number never lower even though the military is able to keep their defense. Knowing that, our Northern's military have been summoned to help and end this conflict once and for all."

Deg. I can feel my heart suddenly beat louder. I know where this will go.

"Also, I've been personally asked. I'll join them and leave in three days," Darren ends.

To my surprise, nobody looks surprised?

"Caleb," Darren let his cousin take over

Afterward, Caleb starts explaining the whole situation in detail. The order comes this morning, a royal order from the King. As it was deemed a national affair, the knight and shoulder were dispatched immediately. Tomorrow morning, they will leave. He then continues on explaining a brief strategy on how they'll handle the situation in the most efficient way. All people are just agreeing or asking some follow up questions. Detailing up the necessary support from our territory to support them in winning these conflicts.

I honestly had lost the conversation. I stop eating, staring blankly at my soup. I couldn't care less about what happened to this country, but... I feel strange, uneasy. I can't get rid of this feeling of worries knowing Darren is joining on the front line. Could I follow him? I've experienced war countless times, as a mere soldier, a knight, a commander, even being the one who created the war. I know how to fight and many arts of war. I'm sure my knowledge and skill could be useful. Just, let me be there! Let me be with him!

Darren's hand suddenly holds mine, making my wandering thoughts come back to reality. I look at him as he looks back with an unreadable expression. He wants to say something. Before I know it, the discussion between Caleb and the rest has ended and he returns the table to Darren.

"On my leave, I'll assign Caden to handle the fief," Darren suddenly said, looking at me, instead of the people there. His tone sounds like a statement, but his face looks like he requested me to cooperate.

Again, to my surprise, no one said anything regarding that. I even caught several people nodding, agreeing to Darren's request.

His hand holding mine tighter. He hasn't said anything to me regarding this. I was too surprised and confused to say anything, my brain hadn't finished processing information about his leave and he just now gave his authority to me, in front of other Lords, without any objection.

And just like that, the dinner ends.