Chapter 11: Final Boss
I turned my attention to the crowd, their stunned faces were a sight to behold. Their disbelief was almost palpable, a mixture of fear and realization sinking into their expressions.
"Wait a second... where’s that mother maid?"
A genuine curiosity crept into my mind. Scanning the crowd, I found her cowering inside the carriage, her face pale as if she had just witnessed the end of the world.
Good. That meant the idea of my newfound strength had taken root in her mind. Soon, the rest would follow suit. A shift in perception was exactly what I needed.
"I trust that none of you will question my authority again," I said coldly, my voice laced with an unspoken warning. "Next time, I won’t be so merciful."
A shudder rippled through the onlookers. The transformation was complete. The incompetent, spineless noble they once despised was now someone they feared.
Smirking, I stepped into the carriage, leaving behind the shaken crowd. The mother maid sat stiffly, avoiding eye contact. Her hands trembled as she gripped the reins, but she said nothing.
By the time we returned to the castle, night had fallen. The ride had been long and quiet—just the way I liked it. I had even managed to get some sleep along the way. To my mild surprise, I woke up without a dagger pressed to my throat.
"Accompany me to my chambers," I ordered as we arrived.
She flinched at my words but clenched her teeth and nodded.
I followed her down the familiar yet unfamiliar halls, still unable to fully grasp the castle’s layout. Maybe I needed another month to get used to it.