39 Luke Eliott Walker

"You have to escape, Luke!"

"Promise us that when you come back you'll make our clan great again!"

Tears were flowing down my cheeks as I saw my older brothers' backs as they fought the Orcs.

We were having a peaceful time earlier until we were attacked by the Orcs. I tried fighting the Orcs, helping my clansmen escape but seeing my parents killed in front of me made my strength left my body.

"Run Luke! Run!"

I didn't want to run, I wanted to help my brothers but my legs were shaking and my body won't move.

The orcs were too strong, how did they became this strong?

"Sky! Go take our brother away from this place!"

"You can't fight them by yourself!"

"Don't worry, I won't die so easily, now go take Luke and protect him!"

Sky carried me and I tried to struggle from his hold. "Let go of me! I don't want to go!"

"If you stay here, you'll just be a burden!" My brother growled in anger.

I am a burden...? Because of me, my brothers were put in danger... If I have run away earlier, they could have escaped too, right?

This was my fault... Yes, it was my fault that they need to protect me now.

"I will go back and help the others escape. Promise me that you'll come back and gather our people, Luke. Promise me that you'll get stronger and get revenge for our parents!"

I realized that we were now away from our home...

"Luke!"

"I-I promise..."

Sky smiled at me and patted my head before he turned and went back. I was left alone.

I need to become stronger, yes. If I become strong, I can protect my family. Sky brought me this far and I promised him this.

I will not become a burden to anyone!

I turned and run, running with my full speed.

----

When I woke up, I saw a familiar ceiling. That's right, I fainted after running for days. A human named Charles Trancy saved me and decided to take me in.

I know that human beings would deny and despise me for being a monster but meeting Duke Trancy made me think about how I view about them. My family would always say that they are selfish and they bring bad luck, but it was Duke Trancy who took care of me when he found me.

I am really grateful because he gave me food to eat and shelter to stay. I found out that he was an A+ ranked magician... If he can help me become stronger, I can go back and take revenge for my parents, right?

Even so, from time to time, I would still dream of the old days... My chest would hurt whenever I think of how my clan was destroyed by those filthy Orcs.

Today, I will be meeting Duke Trancy's daughter. With some pain still remaining in my chest, I began preparing.

----

"My name is Violet Brielle Trancy, I'll be in your care from now on."

So this is Violet Brielle Trancy, my saviour's beloved daughter.

She looked adorable and the redness of her eyes reminded me of my clan. Red eyes are common in the Ogre clan.

"I-I'll be in your care as well. My name is Luke Eliott Walker. Its a p-pleasure to meet you." I bowed at her. I feel so nervous right now.

Despite how she looked like, this must just be an appearance, right? I have yet to see her true self once we get alone.

"From now on, you will carry the name Trancy with you with honor and I shall be your father by law. Do address me as you see fit." Duke Trancy said with a smile as he patted his head.

"Yes, Mr. Cha--I mean.. father."

Father? He's going to be my father? No, I won't accept him as my father. I only have one father but I have to give my best attitude in order to keep living in disguise here. I need Duke Trancy's help to make me stronger.

"I hope both of you would get along well."

----

I find it kind of annoying when Violet started following me wherever I go. Girls like her are the same, they are attracted by my charms.

"Luke, thanks for coming along with me today."

The smile on her never left her lips whenever she talked with me, she always look so happy.

"Lady Violet" I want to tell her that she can stop following me around since I find it annoying.

"It's Violet! Stop being polite to me!" she pouted as she scolded me.

Here we go again. She won't allow me to speak and I was irritated by the way she acts.

Anyway, she followed me in the library this time.

I scratched my cheek with my finger as I looked away. I feel so bad whenever I try to put distance with her, she looks like she genuinely admire me without anything else in mind but I still find her annoying since she keeps on bothering me.

"I will only listen to you if you call me Violet or little sister. In return, let me call you big brother okay?" she looked at me with her adorable face, her eyes were big and watery, it made me feel more guilty for what I was about to say to her earlier.

"Please? Pleeeease? Let me call you big brother!" she pleaded with her hands clasped together.

I blinked a few times before my lips curled up to a smile. So this is the reason why she kept on following me? I laughed at this, and here I thought that she fell in love with me at first sight. "You're pretty cute, aren't you?"

Now that I think of it, she was following me since she sees me as a brother, right? She just wanted to get a permission from me. Hmm... I guess now I find her less annoying with this in mind.

I patted her head and grinned. "Okay, okay. Since we're a family now, I'll call you little sister and you can call me big brother"

Having a little sister won't be bad right? I never experienced having one so this should be a first to me.

She reflected my grin and she began jumping happily. "Yey! I finally have a big brother!"

She's this happy?

"You don't know how boring it is to be alone with no one to talk to!" she pouted as she crossed her arms and huffed. "Daddy is always on another town and the maids are always too polite. Plus, that annoying prince keeps on being annoying and it annoys me!"

I stared at her as she started ranting out to me. I never expected a noble girl to be like this.

----

I actually enjoyed Violet's company after I accepted her as my sister although I became a person where she would rant her problems out but I don't mind, seeing her show different kind of expressions amused me.

Violet was different, I would always see her reject the invitations coming from different nobles, she would always come up with different kind of excuses just to reject the invitations and because of that I took her place and I started attending the boring parties by myself.

I was always surrounded by girls, I tried my best to be kind at them since in the future, I might be able to use them to gain power.

"Are you listening brother?"

Hm? What was she talking about again? "Yes, I am."

"I want to have new friends." She said, sulking.

"Then you should accept one of those invitations that are sent to by different nobles."

She frowned with my suggestion. "Nobles are two-faced people! They would only try to approach me to gain favor!"

I was surprised by her answer, she know this despite her age? What she said was true. Whenever I attended such parties, since I became the son of Duke Trancy, different kind of people tried to lick my shoes. I sighed upon remember those events.

"Aren't you a noble yourself?"

"I'm an exemption."

I snickered. "Wow, what a hypocrite girl you are."

"I'm not a two-faced girl!"

"Whatever you say." I chuckled.

"Brotheeeer!" She hugged me as her eyes became so watery.

I patted her head. "Your birthday is coming, different kind of people will come and who knows you might be able to meet some nice kids there."

I was amused by how her face instantly became bright in an instant with what I said.

"You're right! There would be a lot of children so maybe I can make some friends there!"

I sighed, I don't know whether this sister of mine is an intelligent girl or an idiot girl. Noble children would also attend the parties that she rejected attending. Sigh, she's so troublesome to deal with.

----

This was the first time I saw the Prince Alyn, Violet's fiance.

When I entered the hall with Violet, I felt his cold gaze on me. This prince is not like any normal naive kid. The look on his eyes made me feel like I should not get into his bad side.

I'm worried about Violet, having him as a fiance would not be good for her. He will surely bring her trouble in the future. Now I know why Violet didn't like him.

So many nobles greeted her and most of them tried to carry favor from Charles although I can see that Charles is already an expert in dealing with them.

I saw my sister on the dance floor, having her first dance with the prince.

My heart started throbbing. What is this feeling?

After they danced, I approached them. "May I ask my sister for a dance now?"

"Sister?" The prince turned to me.

"Ah great! I'll take this opportunity to introduce him to you, your highness. This is my big brother, Luke Eliott Trancy. Brother, this is my.. um.. fiancé, his highness' second prince, Alyn."

"Ah, so you ARE the adopted son of the Duke Trancy. Its such an honor to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, your highness." I smiled at him and shook his hand.

He tightened his hold and so did I as we both smiled at each other.

This boy, I will not accept him as Violet's fiancee, she deserves someone better. I need to think of something on how to break their engagement.

After we shook our hands, I turned to Violet and smiled. "May I?"

She nodded and placed her hand on mine.

I noticed Alyn's hand holding my sister's other hand, he won't let go.

My sister turned to him, "Yes?"

I was surprised to see him lean down on my sister's level and whispered something her which made Violet's face bright red.

I pursed my lips. She doesn't like him so why is she reacting this way?

He leaned away and took one last glance to me as a smirk formed its way on his lips. He raised her hand and kissed it before he lets go. "Do take care of my fiancé, brother-in-law."

Brother-in-law... that's right, I'm Violet's brother, that's my role here so why is my chest tightening? Why do I feel irritated?

"Brother Luke!"

I snapped out from my thoughts and turned to Violet, she was smiling at me. "Let's dance?"

I sighed and placed my hand on her waist. "Make sure not to step on my foot this time, okay?"

She grinned at me. "I'm pretty sure I won't. I didn't step on the prince's foot you know."

"Well then, congratulations."

I don't want to share her with anyone.

Upon realizing what I just thought, it hit me. I want Violet for myself. She is too innocent and pure, I don't want her to be tainted by anyone. I want to keep her in a safe place. Should I bring her with me once I return to my clan?

Wait... what am I thinking?

I excused myself after the dance. I need some time to think about this feelings.

----

Violet and I were heading to our Summer Villa when a group of bandits attacked us. They were around B- to B rank magicians and fighters.

The seven knights that my father assigned to us were mixed of bronze and silver armored knights, they were ranked C- to B- knights.

I promised Violet that I will protect her, I will not allow their filthy hands to touch her!

This time,at least this time, I will be able to protect my family! I will not be the weak boy I was before.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH HER!" I threw a fireball towards the guy who was trying to drag Violet away.

I was panting heavily, I can feel my strength leaving my body.I need to get stronger, I need to be stronger so that I can protect the people I love!

I realized how my nails grew long and became black...

"An Ogre..."

"Ogre.."

"He'll definitely sell the highest! Men! Capture him!"

I transformed to my original form. No... this can't be happening!

I instantly turned my head to Violet, she was looking at me with wide eyes, she looked so surprised by seeing me like this.

Ahh... She'll start hating me. She'll start being afraid of me, she'll want to run away from me. She'll start seeing me as a horrible monster.

The pain in my chest was more painful than the wounds I got from fighting the bandits.

I was surrounded. I need to think of something, I can't allow them to hurt her even is she's scared of me. Fighting these bandits are not important, what's important is for Violet and I to escape.

We were cornered by them. I realized Violet's trembling body, she looked so scared right now... She was scared of me. I feel sad about this.

But despite how down I feel, I patted her head. I smiled reassuringly as I held her hand. "Don't worry, I will protect you no matter what."

I furrowed my brows as I suddenly felt a stinging pain on my shoulder and when I looked, I saw an arrow sticking in.

"Luke!"

I pulled the arrow from my shoulder. "This is nothing."

"Hahaha! That arrow is coated with a powerful tranquilizer, you won't be able to move any minute now!", one of them said with a victorious grin.

This is not good, I need to do something before my body becomes numb!

I looked at her with a smile and asked, "Violet, do you trust me?"

She stared at me with big watery eyes. The way she looked at me... there was no fear?

I'm afraid that if we stay here any longer, these bandits would capture us that's why I was prepared to hold her and jump even if it was against her will until I heard her soft voice, "I trust you."

She trusts me.. even after seeing my monstrous form...

But since she's in a life and death situation, she'll obviously stick with me, right? After all, I was protecting her from the bandits. Once all of this are over, she'll run away from me.

I hugged her and jumped down the waterfall.

Seeing her scream on top of her lungs made me smile, this side of Violet is cute too.

"Don't worry, you won't die." I reassured her.

I don't want to die, I have so many things to do but if it's for protecting her, as long as she's going to be fine... leaving everything behind would be okay, right?

I'm sorry father, mother... I will not be able to take my revenge for the two of you... I'm sorry brother Sky, Haku, I won't be able to fulfill my promise... gathering our people and rebuilding our clan... that would be impossible. I hope that the two of you are okay... I will leave the clan in your hands...

I felt my conscious fading away and my body becoming numb that's why I hugged her close, making sure that I protected her from the impact against the water as I fainted.