HLnovel Chapter 16 Disarming
Chapter 16 Disarming
Natalie regrets not dyeing her hair.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been caught.
Natalie had seen her mother change her hair color and even control its length, but she couldn't do it herself.
However, even if Natalie wanted to dye her hair, she probably wouldn't have the money to buy the dye.
Natalie looked at the man beside her who was holding her hand.
He was about the same height as the curator, but had broader shoulders, and his goatee was uneven, probably cut by himself with a dagger.
The man had a serious expression and stared intently into the distance.
He seemed to notice Natalie looking at him, and turned to glance at her:
"Miss, what's wrong?"
"You're hurting my grip."
Natalie wasn't lying; the man's hands were hard and calloused, making her skin feel very uncomfortable.
"Oh, sorry, I'll be careful. Let's use the other hand."
As he spoke, the man moved to Natalie's other side, and his grip on her hand loosened considerably.
Natalie unconsciously pouted:
"Actually, you don't need to hold my hand. I'm already thirteen years old, I won't get lost."
"No, Miss, you've tried to escape seven times in the past three days."
"I won't run away again," Natalie lied.
"Miss, a lady cannot lie casually."
"I order you to let me go."
"I regret that I cannot comply."
Natalie stared at the man's stubborn expression, as if she could see Henry listening to the curator's lecture, and couldn't help but gasp.
She knew he wouldn't let her go.
Three days ago, when Natalie was grabbed and knocked unconscious by this man, she thought she was going to be sent to prison.
When he woke up, he discovered that the man was a knight whom his father had once bestowed the title of knight upon.
His name is Pegasus Byrne.
Bourne said he should have died on the battlefield to protect his master, but Natalie's father didn't give him that chance.
He was assigned to protect his master's fleeing wife and daughters, and could only leave his master in a deadly predicament with tears in his eyes.
But the search lasted for three years, during which time very few clues were collected, until two days ago when they unexpectedly met Natalie.
Natalie doesn't remember Byrne, so she thinks he's lying to her.
Natalie only trusted Bourne after he vividly described the structure of Goringburg and interspersed it with some embarrassing anecdotes from Natalie's childhood.
I once listened to the curator tell a story at night. He said that in his hometown, people believed that there were three great joys in life, one of which was meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
Natalie was indeed happy for an hour, but her joy quickly cooled.
She begged Bourne to take her to the royal city, where her mother would surely go.
But Byrne refused Natalie, saying there was only one destination: the Lines Plateau.
Natalie accused him, saying that he was ordered to protect his master's wife and daughters, so why did he choose to turn a blind eye when he knew where his master was going?
Byrne said it was because he had found Natalie.
Natalie was his master's daughter, with the blood of the Lyons flowing through her veins, while the lady was ultimately just an outsider.
Bourne said he would never allow someone to seek out an outsider while disregarding the safety of the heir.
Therefore, for Natalie, "meeting an old friend in a foreign land" is not a happy event.
Natalie had to go find her mother, who was her only family.
The first step was to escape from Bourne.
"Bourne won't let me leave," Natalie thought, "but I want to become a mermaid, and mermaids use their wisdom to achieve their goals."
Natalie said to Bourne, "I'm hungry."
Bourne stopped in his tracks: "I'll get you some iron wheat cakes."
"I want to eat stew."
"Wait until nightfall, then travel during the day."
"But lighting a fire at night can attract robbers, and it's just as troublesome to attract patrols."
Byrne squinted at Natalie, remained silent for a long time, and finally managed to utter two words:
"That's right."
They came to the meadow, and Byrne let Natalie sit down to rest while he began to look for firewood and wild vegetables nearby.
"I can't run now," Natalie thought. "It's too open here; Bourne will catch up with me soon enough."
Byrne built a makeshift stove out of stones and branches, and placed his small iron pot, which he carried with him, on the fire.
Pour in water, add wild vegetables and dried meat, then sprinkle some salt from the wooden pot. Once the water boils, it's ready to eat.
Just then, Natalie said again, "I need to use the restroom."
"I'll go with you."
"But the food is almost cooked; it won't taste good if it gets burnt."
Byrne frowned again, but Natalie spoke up before he could veto it:
"I'm right behind that tree."
She pointed to a very thick tree with no other obstructions nearby, which Byrne could easily monitor from where he stood.
Bourne then nodded: "Okay, hurry up."
Natalie ran over and went behind the tree under Bourne's watchful eye.
But instead of crouching down, she began to move away along the straight line between the tree and Bourne.
Natalie deliberately chose a spot with a wide view to make Byrne lower his guard.
However, even a narrow blind spot is enough for petite Nana to escape.
She started running, glancing back every now and then to make sure she wasn't off track.
After turning around and no longer being able to see the tree clearly, Natalie finally escaped Bourne's control.
But Bourne will definitely catch up, so Natalie can't stop.
After running for an unknown amount of time, Natalie heard a commotion.
Natalie then hid behind a tree to secretly observe the situation.
On the main road, a column of soldiers was marching.
Natalie had planned to wait until they passed before continuing her escape, but an unexpected event occurred.
Suddenly a soldier shouted:
"Hey! There's someone behind the tree!"
Upon hearing this, Natalie hurriedly tried to escape, but the other party had riders, and Natalie was caught after only a few steps.
After her resistance failed, she was taken to the horse of a man wearing a light gray silk cloak.
The man had a long face, neatly trimmed short hair, and a clean-shaven beard.
The armor was olive-colored, and the belt buckle had an iron emblem, but Natalie didn't recognize it.
He began by saying:
"Kid, your hair color is quite unique."
Natalie was so shocked that her face turned pale and her lips trembled. It was because of her hair that Bourne recognized her.
"Who are you? Why are you spying on my troops?"
Natalie remained silent, flustered and unsure how to respond.
The man continued, "Speak, or I'll kill you."
Upon hearing the threat, Natalie decided to take the plunge and make up a story, hoping the other party would believe her.
Just then, she heard a loud shout:
"Wait!"
The soldiers raised their weapons toward the source of the sound: swords, guns, bows, and crossbows.
Natalie also looked in the direction of the sound.
It's Bourne.
The man asked, "Who are you?"
Bourne replied, "I am a mercenary. Please release my daughter."
"Idiot!" Natalie cursed inwardly. "You should have said 'son'!"
Sure enough, the man noticed.
"A daughter?" The man looked down at Natalie. "I thought it was a boy."
"Well... it's safer to dress as a boy," Byrne hurriedly explained.
"That's true..." the man said in a low voice, "Then why would a mercenary be here, and with his daughter?"
"I quit this job and want to find a place to settle down."
"Where did you come from?"
"Chaogang".
"Hmm?" The man narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. "So, do you know that place was robbed by pirates?"