“It was fine till you were hiding your first Bond. While it was indeed over the top, most people bought the excuse of your bond being shy.
You were just summoned to this world. Being scared was normal. Bonds often mirror their Tamers’ personalities. A timid Bond hiding from strangers was somewhat believable.
However…”
Veylara then looked into Kael’s eyes and,
“You hiding the fact that you are already an Advanced-Level Tamer and not an Apprentice-Level Tamer isn’t something Drakthar would ignore.”
“But they won’t find ou-“
Kael wanted to retort but very quickly, he turned silent.
After all, this woman in front of him did find out without him having to say anything.
“People at my level can see one’s Inner Strength.”
Veylara answered.
“Inner Strength?”
Kael furrowed his brows.
“We call it strength of a Soul.
It tells us a Tamer’s Level, something similar to your eyes. Of course, not many know about it. This is probably the reason why Elira didn’t stop you from hiding it.”
Kael narrowed his eyes at those words.
“What? Seeing her reaction, I presume she already knew, did she not?
That child isn’t exactly good at hiding her thoughts either, you see.”
Veylara smiled.
‘Now I think it’s you who is the problem.’
Kael retorted in his head. He was sure that this woman had the ability to read people’s minds.
How is one supposed to hide their thoughts from someone like her?
Right now, however, he didn’t have time for this.
“So are you saying… that the King already knows I am an Advanced-Level Tamer?”
“He does.”
Veylara nodded.
“Then why didn’t he say anything?”
“If I knew what the King was thinking, I’d be sitting at his place.”
Veylara laughed again.
“…”
Kael continued to stare at the woman, wanting an answer but,
“I am not trying to fool you.
I really do not know. Maybe he knew you would meet me and counted on me to make you realize it.
That man does not wish to antagonize you. That goes against his self-interest. Of course, if you continue to lie to him, things will get complicated and your relationship of mutual interest might end.”
“Then… what should I do…?
Should I visit him personally and reveal all my secrets?”
Kael questioned, somewhat desperate.
The woman, however, stared at him with a deadpan look on her face and,
“You need to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship, not a master-slave one. There is no need to reveal everything.”
She answered.
“But then how will he trust me?”
“He doesn’t have to trust you. You just need to show him that you trust him, that he can manipulate and use the naïve you. Show him that you are and will be a useful tool so he should continue protecting you.”
She then stared at him and,
“Continue hiding your first Bond. If it is strong enough for you to go so far and hide it, I am sure it is worth it to keep it as a trump card.
Most people will buy your story about your Bond being shy and scared of coming out for the next few months since there is no certain way to prove that wrong. But you cannot lie to the King about the level you are on. He and others will see through it.”
Veylara paused for a moment as she took a deep breath, and then,
“Understand this, Kael.
You can create all the enemies in the world as you like, and as long as the King thinks you are of use, you will be safe.
Use that to your advantage. Grow under his shadow in silence.”
She then leaned forward as her tone turned heavier.
“Tomorrow when you return, reveal that you are now an Advanced-Level Tamer and get your Third Bond.”
“But…
I cannot get a Third Bond…”
Kael mentioned the problem.
“What…?”
“I already have it.”
“Have what?”
“The Third Bond.”
“Huh? Where did you get it from?”
“I got her when I was returning from my test.”
“I don’t remember this being mentioned in the report I read.”
Veylara frowned.
“Well…”
“You manipulated the reports? Are you telling me that the soldiers sent with you gave a false report?”
Veylara narrowed her eyes.
“No! No, of course not!”
Kael very quickly shook his head.
“They didn’t know about it.”
“But they were with you the entire time other than when you were out playing with your Bond or when that Corrupted Beast chased after you.
Did you find the Beast during that time?”
Veylara questioned.
“Well…”
Kael momentarily turned silent.
“You didn’t…”
And once again, Veylara read his expression and narrowed her eyes again.
“Then where did you find it?”
She repeated her question.
“I just did. I’ll tell you that later. You just need to know that she is not a Random Beast. She is Special, very Special.”
“You picked her up while you were returning from a border town.”
Veylara spoke with a deadpan look on her face. Clearly, she didn’t believe a thing Kael said.
How special could a Beast he randomly found be?
“I picked her up because she was special.”
Kael, of course, was very quick to defend his daughter.
Veylara stared at Kael and stayed silent.
She had heard of Hero’s this side. The one where his entire persona changes whenever he is defending his Bonds.
‘He loves them a little too much…’
She muttered in her head.
‘He is like a younger me.’
She chuckled.
“If you are that confident, reveal her to the King then. There is no rule that the Hero has to pick a Bond from the Royal Sanctuary. If you find a Beast to your liking anywhere, you are free to pick it up.
The King won’t care about what Beast you Bond with as long as you get stronger. If she is as special as you say, he will not mind.”
Veylara spoke up.
“Well…
That’s the problem.”
Kael smiled wryly.
“She is… too special.”
He muttered.
“What are you talking about?”
Veylara frowned. She had no clue what the Hero was on about, but then,
“Cirri,
Come out.”