Chapter Thirteen: Rebellion! Rebellion!

On the other side, in the lounge behind the lord’s hall, Lady Yal, adorned in pearls and jewels, sat by the fireplace with a blanket over her knees, happily fiddling with her gems.

“Rebecca, it’s bad! Steward Holger has been executed by Lady Yal!” an elderly maid rushed in.

“What?” Rebecca’s hand trembled, dropping the jewels onto the floor. Her face grew pale with fear. “Did Holger say anything? Did he reveal what happened between him and me?”

“I don’t know, but knowing Holger’s character, it’s very likely. Lady Yal is furious. I’m too scared to get close!”

“He must have discovered something. What should I do? What should I do?” Rebecca paced back and forth, like a headless fly.

“Madam, I’ve warned you many times not to get involved with Holger behind Lady Yal’s back, but you never listen!”

“He kept threatening me. I was coerced! What else could I do? What should I do?” Rebecca was already panicking.

The old maid remained silent for a moment before saying, “Didn’t Holger give you a packet of medicine before? Hurry and take it out; maybe we can kill Lady Yal in advance!”

“But…” Rebecca hesitated.

“Go quickly! If we don’t act, we’ll all die! Once he’s dead, bring out the ‘illegitimate son’ Holger prepared to inherit Lady Yal’s position. You will still be the most honored woman in the territory!” The old maid stomped anxiously.

“But… he is my husband…”

“No time. Hurry and get it out. If you fail, we all die!” the old maid urged relentlessly.

“The gods will not forgive us… I always refused to use the medicine Holger gave me, but I never thought I’d have to use it today! In the end, I’ve walked the path I feared most.” Rebecca rummaged through a chest, finally finding a packet of powdered medicine. She handed it over trembling.

The old maid had no time to comfort her. She left and sprinkled the powder into the wine flagon that Robert Yal hadn’t finished. Then she brought over a sharp-eyed maid from outside.

“When Lady Yal returns, give him this to drink. It contains a little aphrodisiac. Once he’s drunk, I’ll help you into his bed! Madam intends for you to become Lady Yal’s second wife!”

“Really?” The maid’s face lit up with joy as if struck by immense happiness, but then doubt crept in.

“If you refuse, I’ll find someone else. The lady is pregnant and unwell lately. To prevent Lady Yal from seeking women outside, this is your chance!”

The maid nodded, her face still full of delight as she took the wine. Following the old maid’s instructions, she paid close attention to the details.

Just then, a slightly drunk Robert Yal staggered over, clutching the wine flagon. The soldiers guarding the door quickly bowed their heads upon seeing him.

He didn’t enter but stood beside a soldier, reeking of alcohol, eyes bloodshot, demanding, “I trusted you the most, so why would you try to kill Harold?”

The soldier was bewildered.

“Do you think I hate him?”

“My lord, I… what have I done? I’m just a guard… How could I harm your brother?” The soldier panicked, looking innocently at his companions.

They all lowered their heads, trembling.

“Speak!” Robert Yal roared.

“My lord, I didn’t!” The soldier was terrified—standing at the door and suddenly blamed.

“I know you didn’t!”

Hearing this, the soldier relaxed.

“Did you call me a stupid pig in your heart?”

He suddenly looked up, terrified, at Lord Robert. “No, my lord!”

“Do you use your skull as a bowl?”

“No, my lord!”

“I can tell you’re the type who often sneaks to my table to steal wine. I—” Robert burped loudly, his forehead nearly touching the soldier’s helmet, eyes fierce, “will be watching you!”

He then approached another soldier. “What’s your name?”

“‘The Plunderer’ Ya—”

“From now on, you’re ‘Low-level Chicken Thief.’ Any objections?” Before the soldier could finish, Yal interrupted.

“Yes, my lord!” The soldier, struck by the unexpected name, shouted back loudly.

Robert nodded in satisfaction, then staggered toward the hall; no one dared to support him.

“Bring me more wine!”

All the soldiers at the door looked at his retreating figure, sighed in relief, exchanged glances, shrugged, and showed helplessness.

“You’re new here. Yal always acts crazy when drunk. It’s always been this way; you’ll get used to it!”

“So scary!”

In the lord’s bedroom, Robert Yal was carried to bed by Lady Rebecca, the old maid, and the suspicious maid who had brought him the wine.

After giving the maid some instructions, the old maid pulled Rebecca out.

Once the door closed, the two, worried, drank the remaining wine clean. The old maid coughed, then went outside, where the soldiers all looked toward her.

“Lady Yal has an important task for you. His illegitimate son is out there—born when Yal was eleven with a maid who cared for him. The boy is now twelve and was hidden by the executed steward in a manor in Fjordheim Village, raised by a local landlord. I want you to investigate and bring him here as a surprise for Yal. When you return, the lord will reward you…”

“Yes!”

The old maid sighed in relief and returned to the lounge, holding Lady Rebecca’s trembling hand tightly. “It’s going to be alright, Rebecca, child. Everything will pass. You are still the most honored woman in this territory—now and forever.”

Lady Rebecca embraced the old maid tightly. “Thank you! You made the right decision for me when I was lost.”

***

While Lady Yal was anxious about her fate, another group was worried about how to rescue Onnie.

“Robert, Miss Onnie…” Ralph explained Onnie’s situation to Robert. “I need your help. I’m mobilizing everyone to save her. Take this dagger and guard the door. If anyone hesitates or opposes the plan, kill them immediately! No hesitation, understand?”

“Understood, Ralph. I will do it!” Robert solemnly accepted the dagger. Ralph’s hand trembled, but Robert’s was steady.

Minutes later, everyone—boys and girls alike—were gathered inside. Ralph had his foot on the table, surveying the room like Onnie was the boss and he the second in command.

Helping Onnie care for these children had given him a leader’s aura.

Unlike the earlier shaky hands, Ralph now trembled all over—not from fear, but from excitement for the upcoming mission.

“I gathered you here for an important announcement. Miss Onnie isn’t here, so I’m the temporary leader!

“We face a tough problem. For some reason, Miss Onnie angered Yal and is now hung on the oak tree in front of the High Priest’s door. I plan to rescue her, but I need your help!

“Onnie has cared for us like a mother; now it’s our turn to save her. I ask you, if anyone tried to hurt your mother, what would you do?”

“Kill them!” Robert was the first to shout, his voice immature but resolute.

“Yes! Whoever dares hurt Miss Onnie, we kill them!” Sheena stood up in agreement.

Others hesitated, knowing well what opposing Yal meant.

“This mission may cost you your life. If you’re afraid and don’t want to join, step forward. I’ll have someone handle moving the supplies. Anyone? Stand to my right!”

Five boys and one girl stepped forward. “I—I still have parents. I’m just here for food. I want to go home!”

“Anyone else?” Ralph’s left hand, hidden behind him, clenched the dagger tightly. He smiled as he asked, but his eyes gleamed with cold fury.

Two more boys, frightened, stepped forward. Ralph asked two more times; no one else came forward.

Ralph gave Robert a signal. Suddenly, Robert moved behind those who stepped forward and swiftly stabbed each in the back.

“This is what happens to those who betray Miss Onnie!” Ralph drew his dagger and, with Robert, chased after the children who chose to escape.

Everyone was stunned.

“Pick up the knives. Everyone, stab them once. From now on, we are brothers and sisters. If any of you end up like Miss Onnie, I swear to the gods I will risk everything to save you!” Ralph stabbed the dagger into the thigh of a traitorous child who was gasping for breath.

“Who’s first?”

“I am! I’ll go first!”

“Me too!”

“I’m coming!”