𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 [ʀᴡʙʏ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 45

I sheathed my daggers slowly, making sure the movement was deliberate and non-threatening. Then I raised my hands in defeat, my expression calm but with a hint of arrogance.

Klaus: "Alright,"I said, my voice in an almost mocking tone. "You got us outnumbered. There's no way we'd win against you."

The bandit leader grinned, his rifle still trained on me.

Bandit: "That's what I thought. Smart move, kid."

Weiss shot me a look, her blue eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

Weiss: "Klaus, what are you—"

I cut her off with a subtle shake of my head, my gaze flicking to the bandits surrounding us. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her grip on Myrtenaster tightening as she lowered the blade slightly. She didn't sheath it, though—smart girl.

The bandit leader chuckled, his tone smug.

Bandit: "See? Even your little friend knows when to quit."

But then one of the bandits—a woman with sharp features and a scar running down her cheek—stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she studied Weiss.

Female Bandit: "Wait a minute, Isn't that a Schnee? Weiss Schnee?"

Bandit: Well, well. Looks like we've got ourselves a celebrity.

The air grew tense, the bandits murmuring among themselves as they turned their attention to Weiss. The bandit leader's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and malice.

Weiss straightened, her expression calm but with a hint of defiance.

Weiss: "What of it?" she asked, her voice steady.

The female bandit smirked, her tone mocking.

Female Bandit: "Heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, wandering around in the middle of nowhere with some nobody? This just got a whole lot more interesting."

Bandit Leader: "Well, this just keeps getting better. A Schnee and her bodyguard, wandering into Branwen territory. Raven's gonna love this."

The bandit leader chuckled, his rifle still trained on me. I kept my expression neutral, but I could feel the tension in the air thickening. Weiss was still calm, her grip on Myrtenaster firm, but I could see the gears turning in her head. She knew something was up, even if she didn't know what yet.

The female bandit stepped closer to Weiss, her smirk widening.

Female Bandit: "You know, I've always wanted to meet a Schnee. Tell me, princess—how does it feel to be so far from home?"

Weiss: "I'm exactly where I need to be."

The bandit laughed, the sound harsh and grating.

Bandit: "Feisty. I like that."

I took a deep breath before sighing, my hands still raised but my body tense, ready to spring into action.

Klaus: "Look," I said, my tone calm but firm. "We're not here to fight. But if you try to hurt her, you're gonna regret it."

Bandit: "Big words for a guy with his hands in the air." He chuckled

Klaus: "You'd be surprised."

The bandit leader's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a predatory light as he stepped closer to Weiss.

Bandit: "Cuff them and blindfold them," he ordered, his voice dripping with malice. "We'll take them to camp. And let's see how much a Schnee girl will sell in the market."