Villaness: Born Again

villaness: born again Chapter 7: A village scene

Autumn's POV
Three years had passed since I made the request to visit the village and help the common people and orphans. At six years old, I was now a familiar face in the village. The villagers had come to respect me for my kindness, though they also knew I was cold and ruthless to those who bullied others or let themselves be bullied. I believed that crime happened because victims blamed their current situation rather than fighting back, and I made sure everyone knew it.
Today was a typical day in the village. I walked through the bustling market, my eyes scanning the crowd for anyone in need. The villagers greeted me warmly, their respect evident in their smiles and bows. I nodded back, maintaining my composed demeanour.
"Lady Autumn, good morning!" a vendor called out, offering me a fresh apple.
"Good morning," I replied, accepting the apple with a small smile.
As I continued walking, I heard a commotion near the village square. Curiosity piqued, I made my way towards the noise. A crowd had gathered, and I pushed my way through to see what was happening. There, in the center, was a boy-thin, malnourished, but with a proud and defiant look in his eyes. He was being harassed by a group of older boys.

"Leave him alone," I commanded, my voice cutting through the air like a knife.

The bullies turned to look at me, their faces paling. "Lady Autumn, we were just-"

"I said, leave him alone," I repeated, my tone cold and unforgiving.

They scattered immediately, leaving the boy standing alone. I walked up to him, taking in his appearance. Despite his ragged clothes and thin frame, there was a fire in his eyes that intrigued me.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Luther. Luther Williamson," he replied, his voice steady despite his situation.

I blinked. Luther Williamson? My mind raced. He was one of the capture targets in the novel, destined to become a knight and serve the heroine. In the original story, he didn't take much interest in killing the villainess-me. Instead, he secretly helped the heroine while being devoted to his duty as a knight. He possessed explosion and wrath magic, making him a formidable ally and opponent.

"You were a slave?" I asked, noting the scars on his wrists.

He nodded. "Yes, but I escaped. I won't let them break me."

I admired his determination. There was something about him that reminded me of myself. "Luther, do you have any place to go?"

He shook his head. "No, but I'll manage. I always do."

I knelt down to his level, looking him in the eye. "You have potential, Luther. I can see it. How would you like to train as a knight?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "A knight? But... why would you help me?"

"Because you remind me of what it means to be strong," I said. "But there's a condition. You'll repay me the money I spend on you when you grow up. Agreed?"

Luther hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed."

I stood up and gestured for him to follow me. "Come with me. We'll get you to the knight training center."

As we walked, I explained my plan to him. "Luther, you'll train hard and become a knight. Not just for yourself, but to help others who are in the same position you were. Understand?"

"Yes, Lady Autumn," he said, determination burning in his eyes. "I won't let you down."

We reached the training center, and I introduced him to the head trainer. "This is Luther. He's to be trained as a knight."

The trainer looked skeptical but nodded. "As you wish, Lady Autumn."

I turned to Luther, giving him one last piece of advice. "Remember, strength isn't just about power. It's about standing up for what's right. Never forget that."

"I won't, Lady Autumn," he promised.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Luther had the potential to be a powerful ally. And in this world, allies were invaluable. My father always said that to weaken an enemy, you must strengthen yourself and those around you. By helping Luther, I was not only gaining a loyal ally but also sowing the seeds of change in this harsh world.

Today had been a good day. I had made a difference, and that was all that mattered.

**Luther's POV**

I couldn't believe my luck. Just when I thought I had hit rock bottom, Lady Autumn appeared like a beacon of hope. Her command to the bullies had been sharp and unwavering, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of safety.

When she asked for my name, I had been hesitant. But there was something about her presence-strong and unyielding-that made me trust her. When she offered to help me become a knight, I was stunned. A chance to train as a knight was beyond anything I could have hoped for.

Walking beside her, I felt a strange mixture of hope and determination. She spoke to me about strength and standing up for what's right. Her words resonated deeply with me. I had always wanted to be strong, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

There was something else, too. Lady Autumn was not only kind but also beautiful in a cold, distant way. Her icy demeanor and sharp gaze made her seem like an ice queen-unapproachable yet mesmerizing. I found myself drawn to her strength and determination, her ability to command respect and fear simultaneously. She was like an ice beauty, cold yet captivating.

At the training center, I vowed to repay her kindness. "I won't let you down, Lady Autumn," I had promised, and I meant every word.

As I watched her walk away, I felt a newfound resolve. I would become a knight, not just for myself, but to prove that her faith in me was not misplaced. Lady Autumn had given me a chance, and I intended to make the most of it.

Today, I had been saved by a girl who saw potential in me. And for that, I would be forever grateful.

That's it for today... I will do different characters pov too from now on... Dowdy