“The position of the Village Chief goes to the eldest brother; however, I was chosen instead. My elder brother Jake had a huge argument with my father and left the village three years ago. In these recent years, there have been attacks from various bandit and gangs, sadly, these people were sent by my elder brother Jake to force my father to change his decision. Now that the new village chief ceremony is nearing and seeing that my father still hasn’t changed his decision about making me village chief. Eldest brother Jake had sent over a force that could destroy this village and pressured my father in giving up his position to give it to eldest brother.

“Everything happened all because of me, if only I was not chosen to be the next village chief then none of this would have happened.”

Alex said while gazing off into the distance through the window in the room. Traces of worriedness could be seen within his eyes as grinding his teeth together, one can tell that there was a huge burden on his back. Blood could be seen dripping from his clenched hands, as he was blaming himself for bringing such a calamity to befall onto the village.

Alex was truly angry.

Angry at others?

No.

Angry at his eldest brother actions?

No.

Angry at his father’s decision?

No.

Alex was angry at himself. Angry that he was so useless and weak when everything comes down to others making the decisions for him. Angry about not having enough strength capable of handling his problems. The only thing he could do was just accept what had happened and let fate take its course. As for the things that will befall on the village in the future, it will either benefit the village or destroy it. In the end, he has no control over it.

But, with his personality, how could he idly sit by and watch his eldest brother’s force take over the very village he loved through force when the opportunity to change everything appears?

Thus, regaining his calmness, Alex had looked steadily and directly into Luc’s eyes filled with determination. Shortly afterward, Alex had plopped down on both of his knees and slowly lowered his arms. Slamming his forehead onto the ground, cracks could be seen around the area of Alex’s head that was pressed flatly against the wooden floor. Bystanders would be shocked from the display

He had resolved his heart. If he didn’t have the power to change the rest of everyone’s fate then why can’t he ask others?

Although, it was indeed shameless and selfish to beg for others to do things that you can’t do with no benefit for them. In the end, the decision all comes down to how desperate are you to ask for someone’s help?

Alex was a kind and loving person that held a strong sense of righteousness and justice. If others were in need then he would give them his assistance with all his might. Even if he came upon a stranger that was tattered in blood, he would still provide aid. Regardless, he would not dare resort to kill, instead, he would always think of the most peaceful way. That was the kind of character Alex was; a kind hearted person with a strong sense of virtue.

Just like the saying, only the stubborn advances ahead while the wise retreats. No matter how much pride he has, as a man, he would not kneel even if one was to skin him alive; however, when danger involves the whole village...

He will.

“Milord, please forgive this lowly peasant for speaking out his selfish thoughts.”

Currently, Luc was looking towards the middle-aged man that was currently kneeling before Luc with both arms and head planted against the ground.

With a gaze that held confusion within, Luc was simply looking at Alex and said, “Why did you have to go to such lengths just to speak your thoughts?”.

Luc had questioned Alex because all of his actions and respectfulness made no sense within Luc’s eyes. This was all because Luc was still foreign to such things.

Hearing Luc’s question and sensing his gaze, Alex had not dare look directly at Luc’s eye’s. He lifted his upper body off the ground but he remained a kneeling position. The whole time Alex was doing this, he did not dare to raise his head up and could only see Luc’s body that remained seated on the bed with the unconscious Diana laying on the bed next to him.

Luc was gently combing Diana’s hair with his fingers while enjoying the silky texture of her hair, he could also smell a whiff of sweet flowery yet pleasant fragrance from Diana.

Sensing the air around Luc, he took the silent response as if Luc had given him the approval to speak out his thoughts. Alex had spoken out.

“Although we just met, I would like to request you of something Milord.” Pausing momentarily and glancing at Luc, as if trying to ascertain if Luc had already objected his request. But to his surprise, there was no response from Luc at all as if he was clear to continue on explain what his request was about.

“This village has been peaceful ever since I was a child. Growing up till now, I have seen the hearts of these villagers and gained their trust as I have also made friends among them. Although, I have seen the hearts of theses innocent villagers. I have failed to see past through my eldest brother Jake’s thoughts and desire of becoming the next Village Chief.”

“My father had surprised us three brothers by announcing me as the next Village Chief. Which this undoubtedly created conflicts between my eldest brother and my father. Eventually, my eldest brother Jake detested me due to the fact that I will be the next Village Chief and not him. Filled with hatred and hostility towards my father and me, he left the village. Only to bring groups of bandits to attack the village.”

“Everyone was shocked when we eventually found out who was behind the bandit attack, but my father was the most shocked. Although my father knew that my eldest brother would hate him. He had not expected that my eldest brother would work with bandits and attack his own family. But who knew that this situation would become much worse. At the beginning, the attacks were not as severe, however, as time went by, the day for the new Village Chief Ceremony was arriving. As the time for Village Chief Ceremony was nearing, the bandits under my eldest brother Jake would become more ferocious each time they attack the village, even to the point of kidnapping the villager's.”

Traces of guilt could be seen all over Alex’s expression, he said “Now that there is approximately a month left for the Village Chief Ceremony. My eldest brother Jake last group of bandits that attacked us had told us that ‘the next time they visit us, it will no longer be a group of twenty but a hundred,’”.

*Sigh*

Once Alex had finished speaking out theses words, he had let out a sigh that seems to be expressing the heaviness that he was shouldering from the heart.

“Since we just met, there is absolutely no need and reason for Milord to accept this foolish one’s request. But I beg of you, almighty great one, please save our village! I beg of you please!” Despair could be heard clearly in Alex’s voice as he pleaded to Luc, tears flowed down his eyes. As the saying goes, a man does not cry even if he walks through fire, only in the times of extreme griefs does one cry.

Being pleaded in such a way, Luc was stunned on the inside but on the surface, he appears to be as calm as water. There were no words that Luc could find for him to say at the moment.

Suddenly, the sound of pots breaking could be heard outside of the room and along with some voices that were filled with the despair of. Shortly afterward, The noise from outside had woken Alex up from his weeping state. Immediately, Alex expression had turned into one with fear.

“Impossible…” Alex mutters under his breath as he immediately stood up and lost balance as he fell for a brief moment. Using the table next to him to lift himself back up, Alex had dashed out of the room with his quickest speed

Seeing such an expression, Luc couldn’t help but ask “what’s wrong?”.

Alex had momentarily stopped and turned towards Luc’s direction, before turning around he had bowed to Luc and left. Alex had left behind some words for Luc before he left, “Do not worry Milord, just escape from here. I apologize for not being able to entertain you any longer.”