Chapter 108: A Smart Boy
The boy looked at her with his big green eyes twinkling. He didn’t look very strong as he still was a child and his hands looked soft like he has never done hard labor in his life. But she could see that he has some training in swordplay as she saw the callouses. His bright face brimmed with hope and he had determination.
"To protect, Your Highness," he said with his eyes widening as if he was waiting if someone would ask him that question. "To protect those who are dear to me."
"Oh, dear! What a spectacular child!" Alexandra patted his shoulder. "How old are you to have such an honest wish?"
"I am twelve, Your Highness," he said. "but I am man enough!"
"Hmm..." Alexandra’s lips curved up. She was impressed by this boy’s patience and resilience. He endured everything Maximus did all this time to learn swordplay.
"You are leaving the one you serve to further your desire, Marcus," she asked him with her eyes squinted and her voice deep. Her soft demeanor by now is gone and she turned her questions to an interrogation.
"It’s in his blood!"
Maximus was the one who answered.
"Traitors!!"
Alexandra turned to look at Maximus and he looked menacing with his jaws clenched and his hands balled to fists. His eyes met with hers for a moment but then he averted them as if he was ashamed and turned his back to her.
She understood the meaning behind his words. And she understood why she hated the Zoros family.
When Maximus told her about the fate met by her grandfather, she was too distressed to think about it deeply. But for Luke to humiliate in the Townsquare, he must have had support from someone local. Her grandfather was a drunkard, but he was well-liked by the villagers. They wouldn’t have humiliated him unless someone else turned them against him.