Our Family Has Fallen

Lance’s gaze seemed to be drawn to the hawk as well, as if he could see a trace of anger in its eyes, but more than that, fear.

It must be remembering the grudge from being caught by Lance and trapped in a cage before, but it’s also afraid of being caught again.

This bird has quite a bit of intelligence.

Lance just smiled slightly at this and then looked towards the figure walking out from the green cloak nearby.

That smile became even brighter in an instant.

A bird that falls into my hands will come back no matter how far it flies.

Eagle Flock—Laura!

Lance’s smile seemed to have a kind of magic, inexplicably making people feel at ease.

Laura was originally a bit conflicted, but at this moment, her anxious heart, which was restless all the way, seemed to receive some kind of comfort, even the fatigue on her body was somewhat alleviated.

No wonder, Lance is using the Bless to maintain the state.

Sometimes first impressions are crucial; Lance only needs a small gesture to achieve a great effect.

Small gesture, not a big setup.

”Do you need something from me?” Lance’s attitude was gentle, completely unlike the aggressive way he treated the chubby man earlier.

”Sir! I want to join you, and I hope to receive your protection.”

Laura was straightforward as well, directly stating her request.

Originally, Lance thought he would need to listen to her troubles, give her some psychological counseling, follow the process, and finally get to this.

Unexpectedly, she directly said, ”If you don’t abandon me,” which was too straightforward, even catching Lance off guard.

Can’t help but wonder... Are you going to play double agent?

Lance’s silence made Laura feel a bit panicked. You could say that for the things she did to get away from Bastia, if any of it was leaked upon her return, it would cost lives.

Fortunately, Lance reacted quickly, instantly capturing her reaction, and he softly comforted her.

”Did you encounter some trouble? If you don’t mind, you can tell me about it, maybe I can help.”

The statement lowered his status and reduced the distance between them, but in reality, it was a way to shirk responsibility by not directly responding to her.

Laura had no other choice, after a slight hesitation, she actively removed her hood, revealing the half-violently-cut asymmetrical hair.

Seeing this, Lance seemed to understand something; is this punishment for mission failure upon return, with a reluctant betrayal?

But as Laura recounted her experiences over the past few days, Lance’s suspicion quickly turned into understanding.

Abandoned by the Earl, directly offending the leader, humiliated, targeted... This is too unlucky!

Lance had not expected the storyline to become so bizarre when he let her return; it was not Laura’s betrayal, but their twisted system that pushed her towards him.

But is it really that simple?

Lance doesn’t have a cheat to see through loyalty at a glance, her background is somewhat problematic, and no one knows if she’s an undercover.

However, Lance, after all, isn’t the high-and-mighty Count Bastia to dismiss her lightly.

Instead, he pondered for a moment, seriously considering the current situation, before speaking.

”The reason I let you go back then was simple, just wanted someone to notify the earl to come and redeem people, never thought they would treat you like this.”

First, Lance completed a separation, regardless of whether he had ulterior motives, at this moment he can’t say he did.

Before Laura could respond, he gave her a clear answer.

”If I easily accept your allegiance it would be abnormal, given that I can’t confirm if you’ve truly left Bastia or if you’re on a mission from the Earl to infiltrate.”

After all, you know what being part of the Eagle Flock means.”

At these words, Laura’s response was visibly deflated, seemingly helpless and disappointed, her lips parting as if to say something in defense.

But she knew her identity within the Eagle Flock made it hard to trust, even if she was just taking assignments and completing tasks without being involved in those sordid matters.

Now she understood it was closely related to her and just because she didn’t do those things doesn’t mean she won’t be affected.

Previously indifferent, now she’s feeling the backlash of the Eagle Flock’s reputation.

So now she can only leave here, choose to wander...

”So!” Lance spoke with a serious expression, ”Welcome to become part of Hamlet.”

Laura was ready to escape but was stunned by these words.

This... doesn’t seem right... how is it different from what I thought?

Lance wanted this effect, catching you off guard, making you pause as well.

Still, he explained and reassured her a bit simultaneously.

”Though it was a casual act on my part, if not for choosing to let you go back, you might not have encountered those things, without a doubt, I share some responsibility for the hardships you suffered, I cannot choose to ignore you in your most difficult times.”

Saying this, Lance looked at Laura, nodding with a smile.

”But what if I really am an undercover?” Laura reacted and instead questioned herself first.

”No more talking, I choose to trust you and won’t care about those things.” Lance waved his hand to interrupt her doubts, ”Laura from the Bastia Eagle Flock already died in this battle, now there is only Laura from Hamlet.”

He dared to take on Alhazred, the mad Mystical Scholar, so why would he fear a small Eagle Flock member?

Undercover or not, as long as she’s useful, he’ll use her thoroughly without feeling bad, and when discarding, even less guilt.

What Lance was thinking, Laura didn’t know, but for the first time, she received this treatment, somewhat not knowing how to face such simple yet strong trust.

This was an even bigger impact for someone like her, who appeared cold due to growing up lacking emotional warmth.

She really couldn’t understand why there are such people in the world?

Why such fervent emotions exist?

Her heart beat violently, blood rushed to her brain, even making her face feel hot, this was an unprecedented feeling.

”Alright, you’ve been very exhausted all along this journey, go and rest well in the town, if there’s anything we’ll discuss it tomorrow.” Lance raised his hand to pat her shoulder as a gesture of closeness.

He was just about to mount his horse but was stopped by a just-reacted Laura.

”Sir, I have something to report.”

Hearing this, Lance paused in his actions, and the smile on his face slightly changed.

He couldn’t not know that Laura’s greatest role wasn’t in fighting, but in what she knew about Bastia, given her position in the Eagle Flock, right?

Just that there are some things he can’t ask directly, that would make it seem very purposeful and could be seen as coercive, if someone suspicious would think along this flaw, it would immediately overturn the persona he just established.

It must be Laura herself who voluntarily speaks for it to be effective.

Laura didn’t throw out her trump card at the beginning, even when mentioning her miserable state it was just tip of the iceberg, that attitude was somewhat observational.

But now with the Lord explicitly accepting her, she must use her trump card to gain deeper trust.

”Among those refugees blends a very important person, she is Baron Lawrence’s only daughter — Margaret.”

Upon hearing these words, Lance finally had a visible reaction on his face, this is a big fish.

”How do you know?”

”Because I rescued her from those people.” Laura couldn’t help but feel a bit proud when saying this, her foresight indeed was not wrong.

”Rescued? What’s the situation?” Lance couldn’t help but furrow his brows, initially thought she meant in the convoy, but the situation seems a bit incorrect.

The story must start from the beginning, Laura briefly recounted the unexpected encounter, then discreetly watched over Margaret along the way.

Only after finishing, Lance understood something, a noble lady eloping so abstract?

More outrageous is that it all came together, and then came to Hamlet?

This...

Lance didn’t know whether to call it coincidence or fate, but the only thing he could be sure of was this character is very important.

”Please continue speaking about your journey’s circumstances.”

Lance didn’t intend to mount the horse, but instead led it while walking, Laura followed alongside, speaking about the journey’s events...