Chapter 28

"Holy crap. This is delicious!" Conner couldn't help himself and went for seconds of Jade's chicken pesto pasta. "This right here can count as your rent. You can even freeze the leftovers for me to eat when I'm not home, and it'll count. Like damn, how are you this good? Is food the same here as it is where you're from?"

"Some are quite similar, but it comes with experience with the royal eater himself," Jade said as he continued to eat his own food with elegance.

"I'll up your food allowance more, too, since we have another mouth to feed."

"I can help with money." Jade pulled out his wallet.

Conner's eyes widened. "How'd you get so much? Please don't tell me you robbed someone."

"No; I sold some of my gold coins. They're worth quite a lot here."

"Gold coins? Like real gold?"

"Yes, real gold, and I have more coins where that came from."

"But both of you need to make sure you remember that his gold coins aren't a renewable source," Ariel pointed out.

Conner nodded. "I'll still leave more for Ariel to use, and if you want to buy more, you can cover it, okay?"

"Yes, sir." Jade nodded.

"On that 'sir' part. I get enough of that at work; you don't need to call me that. Conner works."

"Okay."

Conner gobbled down his next plateful and patted his belly. "It's like having a gourmet chef at home. Man, food is an easy distraction for me. Back to what we were talking about before." He scratched his head.

"Conner, I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm probably safer with him here than home alone, like normal."

"Ouch... Do you trust him that much?"

"Yes."

Jade's eyes widened slightly, and he couldn't stop a smile from playing on his face.

"I see." Conner sighed. "You know, that's not the only thing I'm worried about here, right?" He motioned his hand between the two of them. "I'm worried about something happening... Hell, what am I saying? I don't want to think like this. You're too young to date." He pointed at Ariel, and she froze.

"Date?"

"Yes. You don't think I see what's going on between you two, despite the short time and monumental differences? I didn't think I'd have to worry about this type of thing for a few years. It's a bit much to handle. I mean, he's already got you wearing jewellery. That means something. And him going to school here seems suspicious. Did you go there to learn, or is there another reason?"

Conner's too perceptive for his own good.

"'Cause despite how much you try to brush it off, I know you've been having problems in school again." He wiggled his finger at Ariel. "I know it's not your fault, but this isn't the first school with a bully problem. If I was allowed to, I'd go in there and teach them all a lesson they wouldn't forget, but that's not allowed. And I don't want to chance being kicked out of the army, considering it's our livelihood."

"Yeah, please don't run in and cause trouble. It was bad enough the first time you did that."

"It was glorious, but also before I was in the army."

"You're lucky you didn't get a criminal record from it."

"If I may ask, what did he do?" Jade asked.

"Don't ask. Please, don't ask. There's a reason I switched schools not long after that incident." Ariel covered her face with her hands.

"Well, to make things clear, I did join her school to help quell the bullying. It's too early to say if it has worked, though."

I'd say I've never seen Janice that embarrassed before, so it might've worked, but she's also delusional.

"As long as no one ends up looking into your background, I think it's great you stood up for my sister." Conner nodded, wishing he could do it instead. "Especially since we know you standing up for yourself has caused trouble in the past. You can be harsh with your words, and it goes over their heads half the time. Problem is, they have a problem with how you talk sometimes, because it makes them feel stupid."

Ariel shrugged. "I've kept to myself as much as possible, and I've tried to keep my vocabulary simple since I got here, but it's still not enough. For some reason, it seems I'll always be a target."

"They target you because you're special." Jade wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Because you excel in school and because the teachers notice this. It's not your fault."

Conner glared at Jade's arm as he nodded. "Love you defending her, but keep a bit of distance." He pointed at Jade.

"Yes, sir, but I must tell you, those at school think we're dating, and I will at least hold her hand. I hope that doesn't bother you."

"Is that how you're getting rid of the bullies? A fake relationship with my sister? I mean, I guess a guy your size and stature should be able to defend her when you're around, but what about when she's alone? Have you instilled enough fear in these bullies to make sure they don't mess with her when you're not there?"

"Hey!" Ariel cried out. "What are you telling him to do? Beat people up?"

He held up his hands in defence. "With words, not fists, unless they throw the first punch, then it's fair game."

"I swear, it sounds like you're telling him to threaten them."

"Hey, if it works, and no one can prove it, why not? Make sure no phones are recording you if you choose to go down this route."

"I'm hoping what I've said will be enough." Jade collected the empty dishes and went to wash them.

"He does the dishes, too? Damn, you found someone to do the chore you seem to hate the most."

"Second most." Ariel cringed.

"Oh, right, cleaning the bathroom. How could I forget?"

"So." Ariel fiddled with her thumbs. "What are you going to do about him staying here when you're not around?"

"Ha..." Conner leaned back and sighed. "I want to trust him, but he's basically an alien."

"Doesn't make him bad." Can't believe he's talking like this with him right there.

"No, it doesn't, but it also doesn't help me figure out if he's good. I mean, so far it sounds like his actions make him a decent person, more than decent, even, but what if that all could change in a heartbeat? What then? I'm not confident you could defend against him. Hell, I'm not confident I could, either."

"Conner, I trust him. He's more noble and upstanding than most humans either of us know."

Conner crossed his arms as he thought. "You always were a good judge of character. I remember you accidentally calling someone a weasel, and they eventually showed themselves to be that."

"Various descriptors, and all have been correct. I'm intuitive like that."

"Agreed."

The running water stopped, and Jade returned to the table. "I'm sorry for causing you such distress. If it is too much, I will leave. I have learned a lot from Ariel, and I'm confident I can find somewhere to stay with what I have on me."

"No, no, no." Conner waved his hands around. "I'm not kicking you out. I thought we settled that already. Seeing as I can't put surveillance cameras in the house, and can't be around all the time, I'm going to have to... trust you..."

Could that be any harder for him to say?

"Trust both of you. We have to have some ground rules, especially with two teenagers." He pointed at both of them. "No entering each other's bedrooms at night, or beds, ever. No hanky panky or canoodling."

Ariel covered her burning face. I can't believe he just said that!

"This needs to be said. I have to be a responsible guardian in some way."

"I will do my best to abide by your rules." Jade bowed.

"Do your best? Kinda suggests my rules might be broken at some point."

"I thought you were the one that said you can only expect someone to do their best?" Ariel pointed out.

"In school, and stuff, but rules?"

"Do I need to remind you what you've done?"

Conner's jaw clenched, his mouth in a tight line. "No, you don't. Fine, whatever. If anything unruly happens, I reserve the right to kick you out."

"It is your house; you will always have that right."

"Okay. Now... I have to get my head out of the gutter. Jade, can I see these runes you talked about? I might know someone who can help you."