Chapter 30: The Young Master [Bonus]

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: The Young Master [Bonus]

Daniel raised his hand and gave Lyra a thumbs up. A wide grin spread across his face. It was a gesture of approval. A gesture of pride. A gesture that said, "You did amazing."

Lyra tilted her head. She looked at his hand. At the thumb sticking up. At the other fingers curled into a fist.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

Daniel blinked. Then he remembered. She had been blind her whole life. She had never seen a thumbs up before. She didn’t know what it meant.

"It means you did good," he said. "Really good."

Lyra’s face lit up. She smiled. A bright, genuine smile that made her whole face glow.

Daniel lowered his hand and turned toward the betting area. The rat-faced man was still standing there, his mouth open, his eyes wide. He was staring at the pile of coins on the crate. Then at Daniel. Then back at the coins.

"I... I don’t..." the man stammered. "She... she won?"

"She won," Daniel said. He walked over and held out his hand. "My winnings, please."

The man’s face twitched. He looked like he wanted to argue. Like he wanted to run. Like he wanted to do anything but hand over the money. But the crowd was watching. The crowd was waiting. And Daniel was standing there with his hand out, his eyes cold and patient.

The man swallowed. Then he scooped up the pile of coins and dropped them into Daniel’s palm.

Daniel counted quickly. Fifty-four silver from the bets. Plus his own nine ninety-nine. That made sixty-three silver and ninety-nine copper. Wait. He counted again. No. The total was seventy-three silver. The man had added his own money to the pile. Probably hoping to keep it.

Daniel smiled. "Pleasure doing business with you."

The man didn’t respond. He just turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Daniel pocketed the coins and walked toward Lyra. She was still standing over Baron’s unconscious body, her fists still clenched, her chest still heaving. She looked at him as he approached.

"You know," Daniel said, "that scene felt oddly familiar. With something I did."

Lyra’s lips curved into a smile. "You mean when you beat up that man in the street? The one who insulted me?"

"Yeah. That one."

She nodded. "I learned from the best."

Daniel reached out and patted her head. "You did very well, my little Lyra."

She scowled. "I’m not little."

"You’re little to me."

She opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. She was still smiling.

Rabbit was still on Daniel’s back. She had been quiet the whole time. Watching. Listening. Her arms were still wrapped around his neck, her breath warm against his ear. She spoke now, her voice soft and trembling.

"She... she really won?"

"She really won," Daniel confirmed.

Rabbit was silent for a moment. Then she started to cry. Soft, quiet sobs that shook her whole body. Daniel felt her tears against his neck.

"Hey," he said gently. "It’s okay. You’re safe now."

"I... I don’t understand," Rabbit whispered. "Why? Why did you help me? Why did you free me?"

Daniel thought about it. "Because it was the right thing to do."

Rabbit didn’t respond. She just held on tighter.

The crowd was starting to disperse. People were muttering to each other, casting glances at Lyra, at Daniel, at the unconscious Baron on the ground. Some looked impressed. Some looked scared. Some looked like they were already planning to spread the story to everyone they knew.

Daniel looked down at Baron. The man was still out cold. His face was a mess. His breathing was shallow. He would live, but he wouldn’t be smiling for a while.

"We should go," Daniel said. "Before someone else shows up."

Lyra nodded. "Where?"

"Anywhere. Let’s just—"

"YOUNG MASTER!"

The shout echoed through the street. Loud. Angry. Desperate.

Daniel turned.

A man was running toward them. A tall, muscular man. He was built like a brick wall, with broad shoulders, thick arms, and a face that looked like it had been carved from stone. He wore simple but sturdy clothes, and a long sword hung at his hip.

He reached Baron’s body and dropped to his knees. His hands moved over the fallen man, checking for wounds, checking for breath. His face twisted with rage.

"Who did this?" he roared. "Who hurt the young master? I shall have their head!"

Daniel stepped in front of Lyra. Rabbit clung to his back.

The man looked up. His eyes locked onto Daniel. Then onto Lyra. Then onto Baron’s body again.

"You," he growled. "You did this. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you both."

[I will upload the remaining Chapter’s of the mass release tomorrow, thank you for reading and have a nice day]