The Siren's Lullaby (Isekai Book 2)

The request

>>Enri

One clean sweep and the target's head was cut off. The wooden head of the doll target fell to the ground as I sheath my sword and took a deep breath.

It was the start of winter, so early in the mornings one could see the steam come out of mouths during deep exhales.

"Bravo!" Rose, a guard of mine came over, "You're aging and still so agile!" She teased me as she walked up to me.

I sighed when I looked at her, "There's still time before the morning assembly, why are you here?" I walked to the bench and picked the towel up to wipe myself.

"Um, well," She stepped closer as she looked around, "The duke has summoned you."

"The duke?" I brought the towel down from my neck, "Why? What does the duke need from me?"

"He's your older brother, no? He might just want to see you." She passed me an awkward grin.

I scoffed, "The duke asking for me just to see me?" I shook my head lightly, "Impossible." I threw the towel back at the bench, "Tell him I'm not coming." I began to walk towards the changing area.

"He said it's important." I stopped and looked back at her.

"I'm not going." I told her sternly and she hissed at me.

"Why are you getting mad at me!" She clicked her tongue but I ignored her and kept walking, "Your mother asked you to come."

I paused, "The duchess?"

"Yes,"

I turned around to glare at her, "Why didn't you tell me that?"

"Because the duke asked too?" She shrugged, "I thought it would be the same thing since they're both your family."

...

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. To outsiders I guess it may seem like the same thing.

"Fine," I exhaled, "I'll go." I began to walk away when she called me again.

"Say captain?"

I let out a groan, "What now?" I glanced back at her.

"Did you really reject the ladies that came to the banquet last week?"

"Why are you so curious about that?"

"Well, just because, it's unlike you..." She pouted her lips knowing full well the answer to that question yet feigned ignorance.

"I did," I looked away as I sighed.

"Why??!" She frowned, "You could have just gone to play like you usually do."

"Haven't I stopped doing that for a while now? What made you think I'd start again?"

"Well, maybe, I don't know, didn't you like playing around?" She spoke such disrespectful words with a worried expression plastered on her face and exactly because of that I couldn't even get angry at her.

"You just said I'm aging yourself. It's time I act my age." I began to walk away once more.

"I-" She stuttered, "I didn't really mean it, I was just joking! You're only thirty two! You're young!" She suddenly got angry, "Captain!!" She screamed my title to make me stop in my path once more.

"What?!" I was annoyed at this point.

"You didn't get over her, did you?" She looked at me pitifully, "That girl you liked two years ago." She stomped her away to me and stood by my side.

I closed my eyes and licked my lips softly, "That's not it."

"That is it!!" She pulled my arm towards her as I tried to leave again with both her hands, "You changed after that!"