Chương 142: A Good Man

The sun was setting on the horizon when Ethan finally reached the center of Aqareth. During the journey, he had to wipe his eyes several times. The tears had continued to fall for most of the way until, slowly, they finally stopped. The orange light of sunset enveloped the square, reflecting off the surface of the large fountain that stood at its center. Felicity and Agnes were sitting on its edge. The moment Agnes saw Ethan, she jumped down from the fountain and ran toward him.

"Where have you been?" Ethan placed a hand on her head and affectionately ruffled her hair.

"Were you worried about me?"

"Of course not…" Agnes replied with a smile.

"But you did make us wait for hours in this heat". Ethan smiled faintly. Then he approached Felicity.

"Did you get anything to eat or drink?"

"I got Agnes an apple and filled three waterskins with water from this fountain". Felicity gestured toward the fountain with a nod.

"Though I can't guarantee the quality of the water". Ethan scratched the back of his head.

"Are we really that broke?" He looked around.

"I have ten crowns left. Considering the cost of entering the city, I imagine the inns here are pretty expensive". Felicity slipped a hand into her trouser pocket. She pulled out a pouch filled with coins and tossed it to him. Ethan caught it in midair. He stared at it for a few seconds before looking back at her.

"How…?"

"Felicity is a thief", Agnes interrupted. Ethan turned toward the girl.

"What?"

"I already told her it was wrong, but she's stubborn". Ethan became serious.

"Stealing is a crime". He stared at Felicity.

"We have to return it immediately. Who did you take it from?" Felicity sighed and stood up.

"Some rich guy. He certainly won't starve over a few coins". Ethan lowered his gaze toward the pouch.

"Rich or not, it's wrong. Maybe he wasn't even rich. He might have simply been well-dressed". He raised his eyes again.

"We have to find him". Felicity extended a hand toward him, her expression impassive.

"All right, Mr. Righteous. I'll go return it so we can sleep in the streets". She gestured toward Agnes with a nod.

"I imagine she can't wait either". Ethan sighed. He looked at Agnes, then at the square, which was now bathed in the light of the setting sun. Aqareth was a dangerous city at night. He knew that well.

"Let's find an inn". And so, they set off. After walking through several streets in the city center, they entered a moderately sized inn. The place was considerably more elegant than Ethan had expected. So were the prices. When the owner told them how much a room would cost, Felicity remained motionless for a few seconds. Then she placed both hands on the counter.

"Miss, I'm not going to tell you again. Those are the prices. If you can't afford them, find another inn". Felicity stared at him coldly.

"I want you to know something, you fat pig". Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Ethan closed his eyes for a moment.

"If there is a hell, I'm pretty sure there's a special circle reserved for greedy people like you". The owner's eyes widened.

"Who are you calling fat pig?!" He came out from behind the counter and approached Felicity threateningly. She immediately placed her hands on the hilts of her swords. Ethan stepped between them.

"I apologize for her behavior". He glanced toward Felicity.

"We've had a difficult few days". Then he turned back to the owner.

"We'll take a single room. Thank you". The man huffed, clearly irritated. Before returning behind the counter, he cast one last glance at Felicity.

"Miss…keep acting like that, and sooner or later someone's going to try to kill you". Felicity slowly removed her hands from her sword hilts.

"Everyone who has tried is dead". The owner fell silent. Ethan grabbed Agnes by the shoulder.

"Let's go". They climbed the stairs and reached room number three. It was small, but surprisingly cozy. There was a double bed, a small table, and a white armchair beside the window. Agnes immediately threw herself onto the bed. She bounced once on the mattress.

"This is so comfortable…" Her voice was already heavy with sleep. Less than a minute later, she was fast asleep. Ethan watched her for a few seconds. Then he dropped into the armchair.

"She's out".

"We walked all day in this heat", Felicity replied.

"It's normal". Felicity approached the bed and watched Agnes for a few moments. Then she turned toward Ethan. She studied him more carefully.

"Did something happen to you?" Ethan raised his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"Your eyes". Felicity gestured slightly toward his face.

"You look like you've been crying. Where were you?" Ethan remained silent. For a few seconds, he stared at the floor. Then he spoke.

"My mother's". Felicity said nothing.

"She was sick. She didn't have much time left". Ethan lowered his gaze.

"She decided to end her life and asked me to stay with her". His voice cracked slightly.

"We never had a good relationship. She was strict. She always saw herself as a victim. But in that moment…she was simply my mother". He looked at his hands.

"The woman who brought me into this world". A tear rolled down his cheek. Ethan immediately wiped it away, almost ashamed that he had let it fall.

"And seeing her like that…so fragile. So different from the woman I had always known…" Felicity watched him in silence.

"I'm sorry". Ethan raised his eyes toward her. For a few moments, he seemed unsure whether to continue. Then he spoke.

"Do you remember when you told me to find a purpose?" Felicity nodded.

"I had found one". Ethan looked toward the window.

"With some elves. They welcomed me as one of their own". A melancholy smile appeared on his face.

"I fell in love with a beautiful elf". The smile disappeared almost immediately.

"Then they slaughtered them all". Felicity remained motionless.

"Right in front of my eyes". Ethan swallowed.

"My purpose was destroyed". For a few seconds, he looked at Agnes, who was sleeping peacefully on the bed.

"Now my purpose has become protecting her. But what if I lose her?" His voice began to tremble.

"What if something happens to her too? I'm terrified just thinking about it. I don't know if I could get back up one more time". He took a deep breath.

"Maybe even my optimism wouldn't be enough". Felicity lowered her gaze. She remained silent for a few seconds. Then she looked Ethan in the eyes.

"I know exactly how you feel". Her voice was calm.

"I've lost everyone I loved. Everyone. Without exception". Ethan did not respond.

"But if we allow our past to affect the bonds we build in the future, then the people who took everything from us will have truly won". Ethan looked at her carefully.

"You need to protect Agnes. But you mustn't turn her into a mission". Felicity gestured toward the girl.

"She doesn't want that". Ethan lowered his gaze.

"I know". He smiled faintly.

"You're right". Felicity yawned. Then she removed her two swords and carefully placed them underneath the bed.

"Are you sleeping in the armchair?"

"Obviously". Felicity looked at him.

"Are you doing it to be a gentleman?" Ethan smiled.

"With you, there'd be no point". He settled more comfortably into the armchair.

"I'm doing it because Agnes snores, and I want to sleep". Felicity remained silent for a moment. Then the faintest smile appeared on her face.

"She snores, huh?" She looked at Agnes.

"I'm used to it with Leah. It won't be a problem". She lay down on the bed. Ethan made himself more comfortable in the armchair and stared at the ceiling. For the first time since leaving his mother's house, he remained completely still. Slowly, he placed a hand over his chest. He could still feel a weight inside him. But it was no longer just pain. There was something else, too. The memory of his mother's words. You're a good man. Then he closed his eyes.