After Lord Charles left, Lord Mars stood in silence. He didn't hate Lord Charles, but there was a tension between them, a misunderstanding neither had the courage to fix. Mars wished things could go back to normal, back to when they were just two lords without all this weight between them.
He made his way to his quarters and pushed the door open. Inside, Mia and Lola were waiting. Lola bowed immediately and excused herself, leaving the two of them alone.
Mars turned to Mia. "You are my lady," he said. "There's no need to be formal with me. We are a match made in heaven." He gestured to the seat beside him. "Come, sit with me."
He handed her three thick books. "Study these," he told her. "You need to learn about your people."
Mia accepted them without objection. She knew she couldn't refuse. She sat down and began to read while Mars returned to his work.
The quiet didn't last. Blake burst through the door, breathless. "My lord, the east village has been attacked again," he reported. "The army stationed there is weak this time."
Mars stood immediately. "Send more of the army," he ordered. Without another word, he headed out toward the east village.
When he reached the east, he saw that the world was still in chaos. He joined the fight immediately, transforming into his golden signature dragon.
The enemy saw that the lord was here. They knew they couldn't stand a chance, so they started to flee. But Lord Mars was enraged by what they'd done and refused to let them escape. He made sure not a single one of them would survive.
He rained down his flame against all the enemy. They ran, but he refused to let them go. He burned them without mercy.
When all the enemy was eradicated, the villagers came forward and bowed down to the golden dragon.
"Thank you, oh my lord! Thank you, Supreme Lord, for coming to save us! We are grateful," they said.
Mars transformed back to his human form. "Is anyone hurt? Did anyone die?" he asked.
"Nobody is dead, just a few hurt this time around," a villager replied. "Thank you for coming immediately."
"Why are they targeting you?" Mars asked.
"We don't know, my lord," the villager said respectfully.
Mars frowned. "You know what? I will send my men to investigate the reason they keep attacking here. They've attacked twice now."
"Yes, yes, please do," the villager said.
"As for that, since you've been attacked twice, there is no need for you to stay in this village. Go join the southern village," Mars ordered. "I'll make sure my men escort you there safely from the sun."
"Yes, my lord. Thank you," they replied.
He turned around and disappeared.
He appeared quietly in his study and watched Mia— _her_— reading with total seriousness. He cracked a smile.
"You see that, our mate," his inner dragon said. "Yeah, I agree with you, Marcus."
"But why do you think they are attacking the eastern village?" Mars asked. "That was one thing I'm suspicious of. Let us take the villagers. If they don't attack the villages or come back to the village, we will know what they are looking for."
"I agree with you," Marcus replied. "Now you are making some sense."
After a long time, Mia noticed Mars present. "My Lord, you're back?"
"Yes," he replied. "What have you studied?"
Mia answered. "I've already studied castle history."
"Okay," he said. "Let's go and eat?"
"It is too early?"
"It's okay," he said. Then, Mia reluctantly followed him to eat. Foods were already arranged. "It's already served, my lord," Lola said and served them and went to stand behind Mia.
"My lord, can she sit beside me?"
He allowed Lola to sit beside Mia and eat inside.
Meanwhile, in the deeper part of the forest, the voice of a lady echoed.
"Useless! Useless!" she snapped. "Why can't you guys find what I sent you to look for in the east? Now that the east people are being taken to the north, I'm not going to be able to get it. Why are you guys so useless?"
"My Majesty, please," a voice replied. "Sending them to war won't be good like this. You waited for long for this to happen. You shouldn't destroy it with your own hands. Let me blend with the commoners and find out what you need."
"Hm. You're right," she said. "I have you. And you're my masterpiece. You have to blend into the golden castle first and join in the investigation of the east."
"Yes, your Majesty."
"You are good. Smart. Alright, I shall grant your request. But make sure you complete the mission and do not fail me."
"Yes, your Majesty," the other voice said.
A wicked laugh echoed. "Ahhhahaa"
Then she disappeared.