Chapter 10: Sharing Hardships

Chapter 10: Sharing Hardships

To gain more freedom and rights, one had to first shoulder the corresponding duties. Bran decided to dig a bigger hole. He believed that “seeing you all suffer makes my own suffering feel like nothing…” His older brothers and sisters had celebrated a little too early.

Watching his satisfied Third Sister sit down, Bran cleared his throat, bared his teeth at the Duke again, and under his father’s wary gaze, spoke: “As a descendant of the Winchehil family, upholding the glory of our ancestors.” At these words, everyone in the dining hall set down their utensils and looked at Bran. Just like standing at attention and saluting during a flag-raising ceremony, when the name of the ancestors was invoked, whether you liked it or not, you had to show proper respect.

“Since my parents have bestowed upon me a brave Attendant, it means I—Bran Winchehil—have already received recognition and earned the right to move independently within our family’s Territory.” Bran paused, his originally playful attitude becoming a bit more serious. I, Bran, am not really a child; I’m just a stray ghost who ended up here. Thinking this, Bran stood up and said loudly with a serious face: “I will lead my Attendant to pioneer independently. From now on, I will share both joy and hardship with my Attendant, standing together through life and death.”

Not far away, Danny, hearing this, slowly stood up, as if making a major decision. Then, with a solemn expression, she forcefully thumped her chest and loudly repeated: “Through life and death!”

The great hall fell silent, only the echoes caused by Danny’s words lingering. The stubborn nature of the Northlanders was also evident in their oaths. Northlanders were not known for being thoughtful, but they were famously shrewd when it came to haggling over the details of an oath. It often happened in the Northlands that the oath between an Attendant and their Lord was not reviewed beforehand; the Lord would make a declaration, only to be stared down by the Attendant’s innocent, pleading eyes until he felt utterly ashamed.

After saying “share both joy and hardship, stand together through life and death,” Bran confidently waited for Danny to refuse. No one would pledge life and death with a little kid, even if he was the Duke’s child. And he was only the fourth in line; even if he had an Awakening, he held little power. To swear life and death with someone who had nothing? Are you out of your mind?

Danny was mostly responsible for guiding him. With the Northlanders’ stubborn nature, Danny should have been staring at Bran with innocent big eyes. How could you just agree!?

The oath was shouted in front of so many people, putting them on the spot. The next step would be for Bran and Danny to pack their bags and roll out of the Castle, and then the two would truly have to rely on each other, facing harsh winds and bitter rain. Thinking of this, Bran couldn’t help but shiver. He just wanted to use this chance to drive Danny out of his bedroom. He really hadn’t thought about wanting any sort of independence…

You should have refused, then we could have discussed the terms, asked for more benefits, like accommodation. Then maybe stirred up some trouble for the older brothers, crying, making a scene, even threatening to hang myself, to get the same rights as them, and so on. How could you just agree? Bran was completely baffled.

Perhaps Bran’s look of utter bewilderment made the Duke quite pleased. After a brief hesitation, he agreed to Bran’s request and even praised Bran a few times. When Bran turned to his mother with a pleading, ingratiating expression, she held back a smile and said Bran was truly worthy of being a Winchehil child. Bran grumbled inwardly: “I’m really not your child; I just ended up in the wrong womb.”

Inspired by Bran, his brothers and Sister seemed to want to express that they, too, were worthy of the great Winchehil name. Unfortunately, their Attendants were not yet in place, so they couldn’t do it today. Even if their Attendants arrived, whether they could be even less reliable than Danny was a question that needed consideration.

I’m full, Bran thought. He stood up, picking up the Black Cat Huahua, who was licking the plate, and held her in his arms. Only Huahua could comfort his fragile heart now. He needed to talk with his understanding, good cat Huahua about the helplessness of life. Unfortunately, his Little Loli of a younger sister also got up and followed, grabbing Huahua’s tail…