Zafrina was running from the hallway. She did not know why, but every time she recalled the feeling of his blood type, her heart beat harder than before.
She arrived in front of Maverick's room. Opening the door, she looked at her brother. "Your friend is in the courtyard. You can visit them later. I will tell the maids to prepare some food."
"I already told them that. But anyway, why are your cheeks red?"
She glared at him and slammed the door shut.
Maverick was speechless. "What did I do?"
Zafrina ran to her room, closed the door, and jumped onto her bed. She put her face in her pillow and screamed. "Why did I run away?"
Her cheeks reddened. "I have never seen that type of blood before. He's so hot…" She screamed again and bashed her head onto the pillow while kicking the bed.
And then she felt her back aching. The muscles tightened from her lower back all the way up to her shoulders and neck. She had been like this since she was a child, but she never got used to it.
She stood up and stretched her hands upward, trying to loosen up her back muscles. She cracked her neck, and did some shoulder exercises. After that she drank a potion to reduce the pain.
Zafrina sighed. "The more I drink this potion, the less effective it becomes. Sooner or later, this will not be enough to stop the pain."
…
Aldred was lounging around in the courtyard with his comrades. Currently he was in his adult form, and Ivette was sitting on his lap. She blushed. It was her brother that told her to do this. Although she liked it, it was still too embarrassing.
"I never got the chance to ask, but where do you come, Ivette?" Aldred asked.
"I come from Thory."
"The capital?" Mary asked.
Ivette nodded. "Things there are so expensive, that's why our parents had to take that debt."
Mary nodded. "Everything in that place is expensive. Even a spit might cost you one gold coin."
"Considering a Gold Rank only got paid 5 to 10 gold per month, that is very expensive," Aldred said.
"Well," Mary started. "The salary there is different too. You can get 100-200 coins per month if you are lucky."
"I am surprised why not everyone goes to the capital."
"Competition and opportunity. At first, jobs were easy to get, but since a lot of people moved in, there became less opportunities and too many competitors. Since then, less people started to move in. And those who moved in usually end up in a slum."
Ivette nodded. "My father was an immigrant, but he never talked about where he came from. All I know is I was born in Thory, and so does my brother."
Ivette glanced at her brother who was sitting a distance. He used hands to signal her to get closer. Ivette blushed, and moved closer to Aldred while sitting on his lap.
Now Raff signaled her to hug him. Ivette did as instructed.
Aldred was surprised a little at how blunt Ivette became, then he saw Raff give him a wink and a thumbs up. Aldred smiled and gave him a thumbs up as well.
'Where can I find a supportive brother-in-law like him again.' Aldred smiled.
"Hey, guys. Enjoying yourself?" Maverick came and asked.
"We love the place, Maverick," Aldred replied.
"That's good. The maids will come in a few minutes to bring the food."
"Where is the kitchen?" Bartrem asked.
Maverick raised an eyebrow. "It's straight through that hall and then to the left."
"Thank you." Bartrem left immediately.
"Uhh…"
"Don't worry about him. He has grown fond of cooking."
"I did not expect that from someone who usually leads charging soldiers against monsters."
"I did not expect that either. Ever since we began our journey, he's been growing better and better in cooking. Anyway, I wanted to help your sister with her back pain, but I did not get the chance."
"I will call for her later. Oh, look. The food is here… Zafrina, why are you bringing the food as well?"
Coming with the maids was Zafrina who elegantly brought the plates and then set the food properly on the tables along with all the utensils.
"These are your friends that you made in Mount Fargon. Of course I have to treat them properly."
"Sometimes I wonder if you really are my little sister."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, you act like you're the big sister."
"It's because both of you are too childish. Humph!"
Maverick did not retort back instead asked. "Sister, do you still have back pain?"
"I do. Why?"
"My friend here can help you with it."
"Eh, who is he? I have never seen him before."
Maverick was confused at first and then laughed. "That's Aldred. He can turn to child form and adult form whenever he wants."
Aldred then morphed into a child with Ivette still in his embrace. "Hello."
When Zafrina detected his unique blood, she realized that it was true. What an amazing ability.
"A lot of healers have tried to heal me. Are you sure you can do what they cannot?"
"Zafrina, I can understand you underestimate me, but don't underestimate my friend here. Have you seen any person ride a Xer Xai before?"
"No… I haven't."
"I have climbed Mount Fargon with him for quite some time. Give him a chance."
"Okay. What do I do?"
"First of all, I need a room."
"A room? You cannot do it here?" Maverick asked.
Aldred shook his head and then whispered something into his ear. Maverick's expression suddenly turned dark.
"Are you still okay with that?"
Maverick took a deep breath, and nodded. "I am fine. Anything for my sister."
Mary raised an eyebrow, wondering what Aldred whispered to him.
Maverick walked to his sister and whispered something into her ear.
Zafrina blushed. "Do I really have to?"
"If this works, your back pain will disappear forever."
Zafrina nodded and they entered a room.
Only Zafrina and Aldred were inside.
"Now, bend down and stick your butt out."
...
Give the authors some threat in his discord server for doing such evil cliff hanger.
