Rearing Demons
Chapter 72: Start of a Date

Chapter 72: Start of a Date

Rose and Luna continued their strenuous work for the day. Their jobs as slaves—though tortuous and difficult—were extremely simple. All they had to do was lug heavy stones across vast areas, which would later be used to build various structures. There were other tasks as well, but generally, it was all about moving things around.

Of course, many people would die from exhaustion, hunger, thirst, or be beaten to death.

"Mom..." Luna, struggling to haul another heavy stone alongside her mother, panted, "Tell me more about you and Dad."

Ever since she’d started hearing about the happy life her mother once lived, she had become addicted to the stories. Amidst the pain, the only thing keeping her distracted was the tale.

"Right now?" Huffing and puffing, Rose looked at her daughter.

"If you can," Luna nodded. Though both were exhausted, the story gave them hope and distracted them from their suffering.

"Alright."

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"Where are you going?" Rose asked as she dressed in modest but decent clothes—nothing too extravagant, yet pretty in its own way, much like Rose herself.

"Dad," Rose turned to her father, "I’m going on a date with the Noble Weir." She didn’t hide it from him; in fact, it was a normal occurrence. The number of suitors she had was uncountable, and sometimes she went on dates merely to ward them off.

Hearing her words, her father sighed. "My little baby, you don’t have to do that." He walked over and patted her head, smiling kindly. "I can make it so that no one bothers you if you truly desire it."

"I know, Dad." She smiled at him—a smile others would yearn to see. "But doing it this way is also fun for me."

"You little brat," he ruffled her hair gently. "Do whatever you like. Don’t worry about these little nobles; you are my daughter, and I will protect you as long as I’m alive."

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Coming to this part of the story, Rose felt her nose sniffle.

Her father had passed away a few years before Luna was born—before her life had descended into hell.

Dad, only you could protect me during the worst times. Now, look at your pitiful daughter,

She yearned for her father every night. Every time she was forced to endure unspeakable acts by men to protect her daughter and husband—acts she had never done with her own husband—she could only cry for the one who had protected her.

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"I know, Dad." She gave him a big hug. "That’s why I can even do this." She looked up at him with her beautiful eyes. "But this Weir has become a bit annoying. If the date doesn’t go well, please handle it for me."

"Don’t worry, I’ve already warned his father."Hugging her back, he pecked her forehead. "You think I don’t know what goes on in your life?"

"Great, thank you." She smiled sweetly before letting go. "Now I can reject him with peace of mind."

"That is good then," he nodded. "Also, before you head out, I wanted to tell you something."

"Yes?" she looked at him with wonder, her pretty face showing an expression few ever saw.

"I’ll be visiting a nearby kingdom with the King," he said. "Until I return, you will be received at the academy and instead teach the two Princes and three Princesses."

"Huh?" she replied in surprise and slight annoyance. "Why?"

"I just told you," he said, a bit surprised by her reaction. "Don’t you want to?"

She wanted to protest, but seeing her father’s gentle face, she decided to do as he wished. "That isn’t it—I’ll do it, don’t worry."

"Are you sure? If you don’t wish to, I can arrange for someone else," he offered, not wanting to pressure his precious daughter.

"No, no—I can do it." She didn’t want her father to face more trouble than he already did.

"Thank you." He smiled. "I’ve asked the King to warn the Nobles not to bother you while we’re away, so you can stay worry-free." Then he passed her a small rock—a jade, bright green and beautiful. "This is to ensure that if the nobles don’t listen, nothing will happen. In case of danger, this jade will alert the secret guard to come and protect you."

Seeing his meticulous planning, she smiled. "Dad, you worry too much."

"If I don’t, you’ll get into a scuffle with all the noble houses," he laughed. "Anyway, go on now."

"Alright, I’ll be back soon," she nodded and walked away.

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"Rose, you look stunning." In a fancy restaurant, Rose arrived and was quickly noticed by Weir.

"Thank you," she replied blandly as she walked toward the table Weir had reserved for them.

Weir helped her sit, then took his own seat, acting like a true gentleman. "Thank you for giving me this chance," he said with a genuine smile.

She only nodded in reply.

Noticing her distant manner, Weir laughed bitterly. Yet, he was prepared for this and had planned an eventful date. "So, Rose, why don’t we get to know each other properly?"

"I think I already know you enough, don’t I?" she replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I don’t think you do," he said with a smile.

"What don’t I know?" she asked, though her tone was plain and indifferent.

Undeterred, Weir continued, "Well, did you know I tend a farm back at the estate?"

"You mean the farm your slaves handle?" she interjected. "A man who uses slaves—aren’t you amazing?"

"You don’t like me using slaves? Alright, that won’t happen anymore." Without waiting for further words, Weir quickly signaled one of his servants. "Go, free all the slaves in our house and pay them enough so they can start afresh." Then he turned to Rose, who looked slightly dumbfounded. "Happy?"

She gazed at him more deeply. "Freeing slaves to impress me versus freeing them because you believe they deserve freedom are different things," she said flatly as she sipped water.

"You’re right," he nodded. "But for those taught one thing, trying to change is a learning process. For you, I’m willing to unlearn everything I was taught."

Despite the date just starting, she had to admit it was unlike any other she had experienced.

"You’re willing to unlearn all your bad habits?" she teased.

"If it’s possible, then yes. I told you before—I love you, so why wouldn’t I?"

"How many girls have you said that to?" she asked, rolling her eyes; many nobles had tried the same to win her over, and it had become tiresome.

"Let me see..." He lifted his hand and began to count on his fingers. "Probably around fifty," he said with a smile.

"And you expect this to work?" she frowned, a bit annoyed.

"Well, you’re angry, aren’t you?" He leaned on the table, smiling. "Don’t worry, you’re the only one I’ve said that to—I just wanted a reaction from you."

"Sure," she replied, though slightly annoyed, she had to admit his words did provoke a reaction—even if it was just irritation, it was better than indifference.

"But seriously, you should stop..." he suddenly said, frowning deeper.

"What?" she asked, perplexed. "Stop what?"

"Stop being so pretty," he said with a mischievous smile. At that, Rose stood up.

"Alright, I think the date is over now," she declared, picking up her bag to leave, but Weir quickly rose, not blocking her exit.

"Sorry, sorry," he said as he stepped beside her. "I’ve always wanted to say that to you, so it just slipped out."

"If you want to continue this date, don’t let it slip again," she said, frowning, though she was clearly intrigued by the date.

Weir, known as a ladies’ man—pushy and often annoying—seemed different tonight. He was more carefree, more mature even, despite it being only a short time since they last spoke.

"I won’t," he smiled, helping her back into her seat.

Sitting across from her, he handed her a menu. "Order whatever you want to eat."

"I’m not hungry," she replied, not looking at the paper.

"That’s fine," he said, waving for a server. "Can I get one of everything?"

"Are you going to eat that?" she asked, frowning.

"Yeah," he nodded with a smile.

"You know, wasting food isn’t good, right?" she pressed.

"Who said I’m going to waste any of this? I have a pretty good appetite," he replied, a bit confused.

"And if you do waste?" she asked. "What then?"

"There won’t be an if," Weir replied with a playful smile. "Miss Rose, don’t worry about my stomach—I’m sure you’ll be worried about yours soon enough."

"Don’t worry about me," she said.

"I’m not," he replied with a smile. "I’m telling you to worry."

"I’m fine," she said, slightly annoyed.

Weir then watched as the server began to place many dishes on the table, as if everything had been prepared in advance. The food was warm, fresh, and fragrant.

"Delicious," he said, staring hungrily at the food, then began to eat with impeccable manners.

Seeing him ignore her and simply eat, she was a bit surprised—he must be trying the "playing hard to get" method, though it wouldn’t work; too many had tried the same.

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"Mom, did you actually watch him eat so many dishes?" Luna asked in wonder.

Laughing bitterly, Rose nodded. "I did. We didn’t speak. He just ate."

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