Chapter 32 – Bom POV
We were sitting in a tavern smelling like wet wood, cheap ale, and slightly burned meat.
I leaned back, gesturing at the others.
"So… literally, our dear Bob managed to get the attention of Icesword spies by the statue of Zerathune, I guess?"
Clavis nodded seriously.
"Yes. I think it's because of the statue. They found him very similar to the late Queen Guandeline."
Faye held back a laugh, nearly choking on her drink.
"So the king… what was his name again? Thinks that Bob is his dear late wife?"
She looked at me like she was about to explode from how funny this was.
I nodded.
"Yes. King Veydris Icesword himself."
Regis frowned, crossing his arms.
"Look, I agreed to this trip to heal Faye's memory, not to start a war with an enemy kingdom. If you want to save Bob, we need to make sure Regisialand isn't dragged into this."
While he was talking, I felt it—a strange presence. Not dangerous like the night terrors… more curious, almost playful.
I turned my head. There she was. A girl spying on us from a corner of the tavern.
Okay, fine… she was kind of my type. Black hair, blue curious eyes. Was she… a foxy?
[foxy: monsters with human form who can transform into foxes to spy. Famous in wars. The cause of many wars actually.]
I was still staring at her when Regis snapped:
"Bom! Can you focus with me?"
Hector added, smirking:
"Are you tired… because there's no chicken here?"
Puppy eyes. Tears welling. My heart shattered.
"Don't… make me remember this…" I mumbled.
I stared at the meat and salad in front of me and sighed.
Of course, Faye, Regis, Clavis, and Hector all looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Well… maybe I had. But still handsome, right?
"And no," I added, throwing my hands in the air, "I wasn't listening to Regis. I was too focused on something else."
Before anyone could stop me, I blurred across the tavern, grabbed the foxy girl, and held her tight.
Faye nearly dropped her food. Clavis and Hector looked… intrigued.
Regis muttered: "And who… is she? I don't understand."
I grinned.
"A spy. A foxy. And yes… cute."
She glared at me with deadly blue eyes, like she wanted to tear me apart.
"Remove your dirty hand from me, now!" she shrieked.
I smirked, leaning close.
"I will, darling… only if you tell me why you were spying on us. And don't dare transform in my hands, or I promise… fox soup."
Devilish smile activated. She froze. Terrified.
Faye leaned forward.
"Who are you?"
The foxy girl trembled.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone… I just wanted to—"
Clavis cut her off.
"To what?"
"…Help," she whispered.
Help? A foxy? Those monsters were notorious for cunning, trickery, and betrayal. Helping? Impossible.