Chapter 13 – Deliberation of an Outstanding Citizen

“What’s with the commotion?”

Noise from the crowded streets of Rosebell buzzes in the background, but my focus zeroes in on the argument outside a posh diner.

A thin, ragged boy stands petrified, clutching a few tarnished rags. Across from him, a fat old noble in a tailored suit waves him off like a fly. “Money? You think I made it to the top by handing out charity? Go crawl back to whatever hole you came from!”

The boy’s teeth dig into his lower lip as he barely manages a whisper. “…Please. I only need food. I don’t need coins, just food.”

The pompous noble derides, his single laugh loud enough to carry down the streets. “Food?! You vermin think you deserve top-grade food? Try eating the dirt where you belong!”

The cruelty cut deep, the already feeble kid wincing instinctively, almost to the point of shedding tears.

Stop… That’s the salt and water your body needs to survive… People who starve… they aren’t even permitted to cry easily.

As an outsider, I know it’s none of my business. But I wasn’t brought up to quietly observe something like this. Honestly, the scene is so despicable that I can’t bear to watch it any further.

-- Right when someone beats me to it.

“Stop that!”

There she is.

Leviathan stands out like a jewel, even when facing the oligarch. Those sharp, noblewoman’s eyes -- so quick to judge, so used to being in control -- are now moist with tears. She looks… upset. Like, really upset. She places herself between the noble and the kid, her hands hovering awkwardly at her sides. “You can’t talk to him like that. He’s just a child!”

The oligarch’s sneer deepens. “--Siding with a street rat with that attitude?”

Leviathan’s cheeks flush, quivering as if she hasn’t prepared for this level of resistance. “I’m not--! I mean… It’s just--!” She falters, clearly overwhelmed. She doesn’t appear to have the mental fortitude to make a stand like this.

The pig in human flesh scorns her. “You think beauty earns you a seat at the table? Please. You’re no better than him -- A fool who doesn’t know her place!”

He goes for the bowl on his table, and before I can react, he hurls its contents at her.

The soup splatters across her chest and arms, the force not making her stumble back as much as the sudden temperature change. She gasps, the scorching soup sticking to her, blinking rapidly as if trying to process what happened.

She could’ve dodged.

She did dodge.

But she remembered the frail boy behind her at the last moment.

“Hey. Hey, hey, hey!” I’ll be kind too. Kindly fail to mind my own fucking business. I’m at their side in two strides, glaring down at the noble with heat equal to that of his disrespect. “You attack anyone who disagrees with you? Pretty bold for someone who can’t handle a little pushback. A small meal, that’s what the kid wants, and you go and waste it?!”

The noble hesitates, his eyes darting between me and the growing crowd. “And who are you supposed to be? Her bodyguard? Another beggar looking for handouts?”

I jam in enough to butt heads with him. “What’s it to you? I might just be a sword-swinging newspaper boy who doesn’t like wasting food. Or patience. You got a problem with that?”

“Did you threaten me? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my family is??”

“You’re making a mockery of yourself. Can’t you tell he’s hungry?”

His bloated face is starting to turn purple with frustration as he shoves me and squirms back. “If he’s hungry, he can buy his own food, like a decent person,” he scorns, waving me off like I’m in the wrong. “Instead of showing his filthy, reeking self in front of my afternoon.”

“Some people can’t afford that luxury. Thanks to assholes like you, the kid’s only trying to survive.”

“Then give the scum your money!” His face contorts in fury. “You and the alley rat, crawl back to the sewers with your princess, and eat the shit you deserve! Stop disrupting my peaceful afternoon, you peasant scum!”

Before I can react, the noble flings his utensil at me with surprising force. It’s easy to evade, even without overlapping scenes of Edward’s incoming sword. Unfortunately, some bits of frosting splatter on my cheek.

Leviathan jumps to my aid, and I quietly wipe the frosting -- as quietly as my pride can muster.

“Me? A peasant…?!”

The arrogant noble nervously swallows at the fire in my eyes, Leviathan is nearly as tearful as the boy. The frosting dripping down my cheek is the last thing on my mind as she glares at the noble, trembling with rage. “You can’t treat people like that!” she exclaims. “Status doesn’t matter when it comes to these things! Can’t you see that?!”

“Stand fast, Leviathan. Let’s teach this punk a little something. Teach him exactly who he’s facing!”

My arm is outstretched to calm her, a request for her to hold back. She looks at me, surprised. I know she wants to argue, but she holds her tongue. I turn my unwavering gaze back to the noble.

“You’re right,” I continue, my slow tone sharp daggers. “We shouldn’t have interrupted your precious meal. My bad.” The sarcasm drips from every syllable.

I know the noble is looking for a fight. Instead of playing into his tantrum, I offer him something he clearly doesn’t expect: an apology. Not for him, but for the scene we’ve caused. The arrogance in his eyes falters for a moment before the venom returns quickly.

“Get those peasants out of my sight!” he spits.

I don’t flinch.

Neither does the boy, whose eyes are locked on the spilled soup like it’s his last meal in the world.

A patrol guard, who I’d spotted earlier, steps forward, rushing to intervene, his boots heavy on the cobblestones. “What appears to be the problem?” the guard demands, his hand resting on his sword hilt. I vaguely know this man from selling newspapers.

“This gentleman didn’t like his meal, and in his infinite generosity, decided to share with Milady noblesse here. His hand must’ve slipped. Waste happens.”

The noble recoils at my words, but I don’t give him the satisfaction of backing down. “Someone should take out the trash. I’m tempted to roll up my sleeves myself. He clearly has enough of it. He’s been yelling on and on about how there’s actually sewer rats in our Royal Family’s city. Can you believe it?”

The elephant-sized geezer splutters, his face turning cerise. “I said, take them away!” he stresses, but the guard is already motioning for the noble’s removal and questioning. “Move along, sir. You’re causing a disturbance!”

The noble retreats abruptly, fumbling for his coat. “Disgusting peasants!” he bellows, storming back inside the restaurant. His insults fade as the crowd begins to disperse.

I turn to the boy, picking at the spilled soup as if knowing it’s his only lifeline. His small, trembling frame appears so fragile against the harshness of the world around him.

I crouch down to meet his eyes, keeping my entry gentle but firm. “Hey. You’re hungry, right?”

He nods, his body shaking, whether out of exhaustion or the shame of asking for help, I’m not sure.

I don’t dither. I reach into my pocket and pull out a large handful of coins, way more than enough to get him a decent meal. I press the Gold into his small hands, not giving him the chance to refuse.

“Go get yourself something hot to eat.”

The boy’s eyes widen, mouth parting as though to protest. “B-But… this is too much…”

I ruffle his hair, standing up. “Up here. Keep your head held high. Just eat, alright? And if someone else needs it, you share. I’m often around the Central Street fountain, don’t be afraid to say hi.”

He hesitates for a moment, looking up at me with wide eyes full of disbelief. Then, as though he can’t hold it in any longer, he smiles, tears pooling at the corners of his eyes. “Thank you!” His voice cracks with emotion, and before I can say anything else, he runs off down the street, clutching the coins tightly.

I watch him go, hands on my hips, the corner of my mouth lifting into a small, self-satisfied smile.

Leviathan steps closer, her eyes full of curiosity. “You didn’t have to do that,” she says quietly, almost in awe. “You gave him so much. You didn’t even hesitate.”

I glance at her, frowning slightly. “What, you’d rather I let him go hungry?”

“No, of course not,” she says quickly, shaking her head. “It’s just… you didn’t have to. It was a lot.”

“He needed it. Simple as that.”

She smiles -- a genuine, warm smile that seems to light up her entire face. “You’re a good person, Brawler.”

I snort, looking away, suddenly uncomfortable at my show of character. “I am -- I’m doing what you started. Nothing more.”

We walk in silence for a moment, the tension easing between us. The weight of the encounter lifts, and I’m grateful for the small reprieve.

The fountain glistens ahead, its crystal-clear water shimmering beneath the sunlight. A monolithic statue of the royal family’s predecessor towers at its center, but I barely glance at it as I crouch down, cupping my hands in the water.

“See?” I hold it out to her. “It’s the freshest in the capital. You’ve still got soup on you.”

“Thanks,” she steps closer, dipping her fingers into the fountain. She wipes the soup off her face and arms, but partway through, she stops mid-motion, going oddly still.

“Everything okay?”

“I… didn’t mean to cause trouble earlier,” she says softly, almost apologetic.

“Look, I’m not mad. It’s just… guys like him don’t budge after one or two arguments. They need to be shown what they’re worth.”

Her lips quiver slightly, that stubborn light in her eyes still there. “I couldn’t stand there and let him suffer.”

“I get it,” I stand, shaking the water from my hands. “You did what you thought was right. Next time, just try not to start with the soup, okay?”

“Okay.” She tilts her head, hair slipping over her shoulder like silk, catching the light like a golden waterfall. Her green eyes gleam. “And what about you, Mr. Bodyguard? You have cream all over.”

I brush my cheek. “I’m fine.”

“Then we’ll continue with you,” she says, teasing.

Before I can protest, she leans in, her other hand resting lightly on my shoulder for balance, wiping away the stains with a care that feels far too intimate.

“You don’t have to--” I start, but the words falter when her fingers linger, tracing the sharp line of my cheekbone.

“You have such a strong face,” she murmurs, almost to herself. “It’s no wonder you scared that noble so easily.”

A grin tugs at my lips. “Strong, huh? Of course, I do! Tell me you’re impressed.”

“Perhaps just a little.”

Her hand drifts down. I feel the absence of her touch like a cold wind, but I quickly shove the thought aside.

“There,” she steps back slightly. “Much better.”

“Well, if you’re done playing nursemaid, you can clean yourself up now.”

“Alright.” She laughs, a light, musical sound, before leaning over the fountain. As she washes, her dress slips slightly off her shoulder, baring the smooth curve beneath.

She doesn’t fix it.

Or maybe she does notice, because when she glances back at me, her smirk is pure mischief.

“Don’t stare too hard, Mr. Bodyguard,” she teases, flicking a little water my way.

I scoff, turning away. “As if I’d stare at an airhead who can’t even keep her dress on properly.”

“Is that so?” she says, her voice lilting with amusement. “You’re awfully red for someone who’s not staring.”

“Cover up before you cause a scene.” I offer her my vest.

“I -- thank you,” She reaches, but before she closes around my fabric, a subtle distortion. A soft crinkling of reality.

“What?”

Before I get an answer, the air around her ripples.

All stains vanish from her dress like they were never there. Shattered fragments of energy flicker in the air, disappearing as fast as they came.

She gives me a sheepish smile. “Now it won’t get dirty.”

I deadpan, unsurprised. “You--”

“Oh goodness! I wasn’t going to do it here!”

“What are you, some kind of cleaning Deity?”

“N-No, I--”

“Sure. A normal girl who can erase stains with a wave of her hand. Totally not suspicious.”

“We should move.” She fidgets nervously, attention darting around the open square. “It’s not safe.”

She’s right. A few strangers are watching our way. I remember Silas telling me about Armament Users’ powers, and how they make prospective targets of the mighty. If they’ve seen too much, they’ll start asking questions. Without a word, I guide her into a distant alley, making sure no one follows.

Once we’re out of sight, she lets out a sigh of relief. She’s fully clean, not even damp.

“I have to admit, seeing you clean yourself like that was…” I trail off, not really sure where I’m going with it.

“What? Was it too impressive for you?”

“Hardly. Seeing you realign to take the hit was more impressive. You made yourself a hero of the kid.”

She grins, relieved that I’m not pressing her about what happened. “Isn’t that you?”

“No, there was only one beauty who stood up for him first. I just didn’t expect this favorite customer of mine to be a walking magic show.”

“I’m not a walking magic show. I only… know how to clean up after myself.”

“Yeah?” I lean against the wall, relaxed, watching her. “Bet your wardrobe’s spotless too.”

“Well, I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

“I noticed.”

Her fingers brush over the hem of her dress, too aware of herself now. “It’s trendy…”

“Is that what they call catching bodyguards in Burrya? No need to be embarrassed. You’ve got a habit of drawing the right kind of attention. You’re a Deity too, right? Lucky day.”

“You don’t have to pretend, you know. I’m not--” She stops herself, almost as if she’s about to say something important.

“No what?” I place a hand on her shoulder to pull her back from whatever doubt tried to slip in. “Forget about it. We’re good. You’re fine as you are.”

Her gaze softens and she smiles earnestly. “Thank you, Brawler. You’ve… really been kind. But dear me, it seems my secret is out.”

“It’s hardly ever been a secret though??”

“I’ll try with others I come across in this capital, I promise. My name gives it away fairly easily, doesn’t it? It’s a rather long one anyway, so please call me Levee. If it’s not a bother.”

“Not sure if I can. That’s about the cutest nickname I’ve ever heard. So, Levee. What brings you and Finley here?”

“Business. The two of us traveled from Burrya on matters of importance. It’s been a while since we’ve visited Rosebell. Despite a few things, I’m glad the city still looks this nice.”

“Well, this is the wealthy north side. The place I come from -- the east side of Rosebell -- isn’t as polished. But there’s definitely a different kind of treasure to be found there.”

“What do you mean? Like… Gold?”

I chuckle. “Sort of. I’ll bring you there someday. I’m happy to be your tour guide for a while. How about it?”

“Please! Please! Please!”

“Okay, okay.”

…

“Hey Omine. I’m cool and all, but my hand may not be enough compared to Pink Amber.”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just… It feels like I’m contracting this fever.”

“It’s okay. You’re the one who so brazenly said we’re your treasure.”

“Gah!”

“Worth more than Gold.”

“How embarrassing! But it’s the truth.”

“Oh, so it’s the truth now? Tell me more. About the Silas Family and this new girl you’ve met.”