“Pet dogs who learn to obey their masters don’t fight back, no matter how savagely they’re beaten. They also can’t speak up for themselves when there’s some kind of misunderstanding. I hardly see the shame in standing up for them yourself,” Lyse chastised Seren.
Lyse had learned that from an Olwenian baron as a child. He was an experienced huntsman who was kind enough to raise a baby boar he’d taken in right alongside his own hounds. He was quick to get attached to animals, even though his way of life involved killing them. He was a bear hunter by trade, and Lyse had many fond memories of going hunting together with him.
Seren stared at Lyse blankly for a while before breaking into laughter. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not like dogs can defend themselves, so that’s up to us. We’d be hailed as heroes if only they were human.”
“How true. It’s outrageous that people treat them with violence in the first place.” People who were cruel to dogs were liable to treat people they regarded as inferior the same way. “Now, are you all right? I don’t know who could be so cruel as to attack my dog like that...but they’re doing the same thing to you, aren’t they?”
“I...” Seren stammered, looking emotionless.
Who would want to admit to being humiliated and beaten? Being treated as subhuman was a guilty secret to most people. Lyse understood that, which was why she wanted Seren to come clean.
This could be connected to the attack on Lyse, so she wanted him to join their side. But she needed him to open up before the empire could help him in turn. Razanate wielded great power over its vassal nations and could easily welcome Seren within its own borders. It didn’t matter that Seren was a prince’s adopted son—only that he was willing to make the change. That was why Lyse had to press him, even if it hurt to do so.
“His Majesty’s benevolence knows no bounds. His strength is such that he can show mercy to those weaker than himself. I’m certain he can help you.”
The arrangement should be mutually beneficial. The empire needed what information Seren possessed about the Donan terrorists, which would go a long way to convincing the imperial nobility that he was worth protecting.
“I will do all I can to support you, and I’m sure my fiancé will do the same. I ask you to please put your faith in us,” Lyse implored him.
She’d been as forward as she could, and the ball was now in Seren’s court. Bombarding him with further questions would only befuddle him, so she quietly awaited his answer.
He stared at his lap before casting a sidelong glance at Sidis. Finally and hesitantly, he dared to speak. “I’m a sinner.”
“How?” Lyse asked for clarification.
“I’ve done terrible things. It’s atonement, I suppose. I deserve all of the abuse hurled at me—verbal and physical. It’s got nothing to do with this little guy,” he confessed, reaching over for Sidis. “I truly do love dogs. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself for getting a real dog or even a canine monster involved in this, so I’ll keep you out of it from now on. As for you, Miss Lyse, thank you for caring.”
Seren put his hand on Sidis and began slowly stroking him along his back. As he did, Sidis whipped around to face him.
“Wha...oof...” For a moment, Sidis forgot that he was in dog form and opened his mouth to speak, but he quickly snapped it shut. Seren found this odd, but as he cocked his head suspiciously...
The alarm bells began ringing. Lyse stood up and looked at Sidis, who braced to break into a full sprint. She then turned to Seren. “Another monster attack, Sir Seren. It sounds like they’re still at the ramparts, but there’s no telling when they’ll reach the palace. We should retreat to safety.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
Seren calmly obeyed, and the three of them rushed back inside the palace. Sidis made a beeline for his private chambers to return to human form, as Lyse, armed with her sword in hand, waited for him by the door before heading back outside.
“Oh, Sidis and Miss Lyse!” Alcede called out to them as he came running. “I’m glad I found you two! Hurry at once to the city walls!”
“For what?” Sidis questioned. He and Lyse were both puzzled as to why he’d stop them from preparing to intercept the monsters.
“The monsters have just stopped there. More precisely, the first line of defense has relayed to us that they’re behaving strangely and won’t leave the wall,” Alcede explained before dropping into a hushed voice. “The truth is that monsters began gathering last night. But there weren’t many of them, so the soldiers have had it under control until now.”
“So the monsters have just kept coming?” Sidis asked.
Alcede nodded in response.
“That’s right. I heard the alarm ring last night,” Lyse noted. She’d readied herself for battle, but never heard the palace alarm go off or anyone whistle after the fact. The monsters must have slowly been building up since.
“That’s why I want you to check out the scene. I can’t spare any more people here, lest someone target the palace in a compromised state of confusion,” Alcede said.
“Good thinking. We may have enemies inside the palace as well,” agreed Sidis. “Would you mind coming with me, Lyse?”
“Let’s go.”
Time was of the essence, so Sidis and Lyse mounted a raptor and made for the city wall. Flying there would only take a matter of minutes, as well as offer them an aerial view of the situation.
“He was right. The monsters are...”
It was a rare sight. The monsters were swarming around one particular stretch of wall. Their goal was always the Light of Origin, so they hardly ever loitered elsewhere—unless they were stopping to make a meal out of humans along their way. Yet here they were, assembling nowhere near the city gates. Hopefully the civilians in the surrounding area had already been evacuated.