The Herb King

188 Princess Aenwyn

Aethelwolf remained calm even after winning the bid. He was thinking of several countermeasures in case the elven kingdom would attack them. ‘I thought you are smart, Brian! Dammit!’ He cursed in his heart.

Brian Linaza was giving a short closing speech and he left after saying the closing remarks. Soon, the guests started leaving as well.

“Wait for me outside.” Aethelwolf said to the others before heading to Brian Linaza’s office.

Upon entering, he saw Brian Linaza seated on a sofa and the elven princess was standing behind him with a blank look on her beautiful face.

When Aethelwolf entered the office, Brian immediately stood up and shook hands with him. “Congratulations, Sir Aethelwolf. You can take her with you any time. Just let me know if you need anything.” He said with a big smile.

Aethelwolf nodded his head. “Thank you, Sir Brian. The payment has already been sent to your treasurer. I still have some matters to take care of at home so I won’t stay for long. I’ll take her with me now.” Aethelwolf grabbed the elf’s hand and pulled her next to him. He then turned his gaze to Brian and said. “Goodbye, Sir Brian.”

“Just drip your blood into the Slave Rune if you want her to remain loyal to you. She is still under my control at the moment, but you should be able to undo it after dripping your blood into the rune. Farewell, Sir Aethelwolf.”

Brian Linaza watched them leave his office and when the door was closed, his eyes narrowed.

.....

Meanwhile, Aethelwolf went out of the Golden Dragon Auction House.

Julie Irish and the others stared curiously at the elf.

She looked even more beautiful up close and the nearby men were mesmerized by her otherworldly beauty.

“Did you get the other items?” Aethelwolf asked.

Olivia showed him the storage ring on her finger and said. “Papa, everything is in here. Grandpa Johann has already checked them.”

“Good! Let’s talk in the mansion.” Aethelwolf turned his head to Albert and said to him. “You know what to do. Bring them to me before nightfall.” He then grabbed the elf’s hand and entered the carriage with her.

Albert bowed his head and left.

Johann and the others also boarded their carriage.

Aethelwolf stared at the listless elven princess and said. “Hello! My name is Aethelwolf.”

The elven princess raised her head in surprise. She looked at Aethelwolf in disbelief as she muttered. “How do you know the Language of Beasts? You are a human so it shouldn’t be possible for you to learn it. Only someone with the bloodline of beasts could understand this language, much more speak it.”

“It is a long story, but before that, I should remove that first.” Aethelwolf pointed at the choker on her neck.

Princess Aenwyn shook her head and replied. “Don’t bother. This is a Level 4 Slave Rune and ordinary Level 4 Espers wouldn’t be able to break it. Besides, that man will know if you try to destroy it.”

“You mean Brian?” Aethelwolf furrowed his eyebrows. “It looks like he has some ulterior motives when he decided to auction you off.”

Princess Aenwyn remained silent at his words.

“Don’t worry. Others might not be able to remove the binding of the Slave Rune, but I’m not an ordinary Level 4 Esper.” Aethelwolf reassured her.

The elven princess turned her head and looked at him deeply. “You won’t gain anything if you free me and I might try to escape once you unbind the seal so why are you helping me? It would be better for you if you just drip your blood into the Slave Rune. That way, you will gain a loyal servant.” Her voice was emotionless but it still sounded pleasant to the ears.

Aethelwolf smiled at her as he replied. “Because I heard you asking for help.”

Princess Aenwyn looked away from him when she heard his words. “Only Level 4 Engravers can take this off from me. Even if you are a powerful Level 4 Esper, you wouldn’t be able to remove it.”

Olivia who was silent the whole time suddenly spoke while holding the Soul Jade on her necklace. “Papa is a Level 4 Engraver. He even made this necklace for me.”

Princess Aenwyn furrowed her eyebrows as she stared at the little girl’s necklace. She became even more confused about what was happening. ‘This little girl also knows how to speak the Language of Beasts? How is that possible?’

Aethelwolf patted the little girl’s head and gently said. “Olivia, it is not good to interrupt when adults are speaking.”

“Sorry.” Olivia lowered her head. She then took out a cookie from her storage ring and ate in silence.

Nom. Nom. Nom.

“She is my daughter. Please don’t mind her.” Aethelwolf smiled at the elven princess as he patted Olivia’s back.

“Are you really a Level 4 Engraver?” The princess asked while staring at Aethelwolf.

“That’s right. Let me remove that and you’ll know whether I’m speaking the truth or not.” Aethelwolf said calmly.

Princess Aenwyn looked at him silently for a few seconds before she nodded her head. “Alright.”

“Please move your head close to me.” Aethelwolf said to her. The elven princess obliged and she leaned closer to him.

Aethelwolf touched the runes inscribed on the choker and studied it carefully. He noticed that there was another rune inscribed on the choker other than the Slave Rune. It wasn’t a high-level rune, but it was hidden behind the Slave Rune and only high-ranking Engravers would be able to see it. “Level 2 Signal Rune. How did you know that there is another rune in this choker?” Aethelwolf asked softly.

“I’m also an Engraver, but I’m only a Level 3 Engraver. He hid a Signal Rune behind the Slave Rune. I noticed it when they locked the choker on me.” Princess Aenwyn replied calmly.

Aethelwolf poured his world essence into the runes and inspected its structure closely. He needed to understand its magical formula so that he would be able to remove it without alerting Brian.

“The Engraver that Brian hired is not that bad. He is quite creative in designing this magic formula, but it is still lacking.” Aethelwolf’s nonchalant voice entered the elven princess’ ears.