Revenge is best served cold

Chapter 1912

The summer night breeze was blissfully cool. I was strolling ahead, and Griffin

was just a step behind me. By this hour, the entire village had settled down for the night. The path was all ours, just Griffin and me, with not another soul in sight. He kept a respectful distance, about a meter away, like a personal bodyguard shadowing my every move.

I was trying to come up with a plan to send Griffin on his way. But he was like a shadow, impossible to shake off. Eventually, I stopped and turned to face him. He halted too, and maybe feeling a bit too close, took a step back.

He was tall, towering a good two heads above me. But he looked so thin and frail. Had he skipped meals for days?

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Let me get you something tasty."

Griffin looked a bit taken aback. In these parts, the watermelons were ripe and ready, and there was some corn too. I dashed into a neighbor's field, grabbed a watermelon, and plucked a couple of ears of corn, handing them over to him. He ate swiftly, yet managed to keep a certain grace about him. Not like the villagers, who devoured their food with gusto, without a care for appearances.

Resting my chin on my hand, I asked, "Where are you from?"

He hesitated, the question seemed to stump him.

"Is it far?"

He nodded.

"What about your family?"

Silence.

not

Still, no answer.

have anywhere

He nodded slightly.

next?" I gently coaxed, hoping to get some insight into

corn down, his

caught me off

"Follow me?"

you're my master now. I'll stick

Griffin placed the corn aside and kneeled before me, saying, "I'll do whatever you

challenge. Was he trying to attach himself to me out of gratitude? Griffin, however, seemed to find nothing odd in his actions. He continued, "You're my master,

"Kneeling shows loyalty?"

could cut off

he was already missing a pinky. Realizing he was serious, quickly pressed his hand downl never said I wanted to be your master, nor did

on, I only listen

clear and sincere, with not a hint of doubt. I wanted to tell him to leave, to order him never to return. Another mouth to feed in the village was a burden, especially when