Chương 87: Treat Me Like Agnes

Xia and Ethan arrived at an isolated wooden house.

"The tracks lead here", Xia said.

"Thanks", Ethan replied. He walked up to the door and slowly pushed it open. Silence filled the house. He moved through it, passing from one room to the next.

"Agnes? Are you here?" No answer. He kept walking until he found her. Agnes was sitting in a corner with her knees pulled tightly against her chest. When she recognized him, she slowly raised her head.

"What are you doing here?"

"What kind of question is that? I came to bring you back".

"And why? I thought you didn't want me". Ethan stared at her.

"You were eavesdropping".

"Since you weren't capable of telling me the truth, I had to". Ethan clenched his jaw.

"Now you know it. You'll stay with them until we find a family willing to adopt you. Let's go". Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. He motioned for her to follow. Agnes stood up but remained where she was.

"Why are you so desperate to get rid of me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Like I have some contagious disease".

"Because you're a burden", he replied coldly.

"And because I can't protect you. You'll be safe with that mage. She's far stronger than I am". Agnes shook her head.

"Who saved me from the goblins? You or Xia?" She took a step toward him.

"Who's protected me until today? You or her?" Ethan said nothing.

"Answer me!" He remained silent for a few seconds. Then he clenched his fists, and his expression hardened.

"You want to know the truth?" he said.

"If you stay with me, you'll be slaughtered within a few months. Killed. If you remain by my side, you'll die. Don't you understand? I'm not capable of protecting anyone…except myself". Agnes looked at him with anger and pain in her eyes.

"Why are you so stupid?" she said, tears welling up.

"I never asked you to protect me! You were the one who saved me, the one who took me away from the village, the one who protected me until now! I don't want your protection. I never asked for it".

"Then what do you want from me, you damned brat?" Ethan snapped.

"What the hell do you want?" Agnes met his gaze, her eyes glistening.

"I want to be treated like a person!" she shouted.

"I want you to stop seeing me as someone you have to protect…as a burden. Treat me like a person…treat me like Agnes". Ethan stood motionless. He looked at her for a long moment before speaking in a much quieter voice.

"You never asked me to protect you…did you?" He took a step back.

"Then I'll stop". Agnes kept staring at him through tear-filled eyes. At that moment, Xia entered the room.

"Felicity and Leah are in danger. We have to go". She immediately opened a portal that enveloped Ethan and Agnes. A moment later, they reappeared a short distance away. Felicity and Leah were facing an elderly mage with long, greasy hair, a frail body and piercing eyes. The moment he saw Xia, he smiled.

"Oh…now things are getting interesting". Felicity was breathing heavily. A shallow cut ran across her shoulder.

"This bastard is strong".

"He's after the legendary swords, Xia", Leah added, tightening her grip on the hilt of her weapon. Without a moment's hesitation, Xia stepped forward, her gaze focused and her body already poised for battle. Ethan, meanwhile, remained off to the side beside Agnes.