Summoned and Unwanted

[Even though I still think revealing our identity was a mistake, I didn’t know you would start threatening Awa after saving her twice now.]

[But either way, I hope Awa will realize our secret is as important as her life.]

-Awa needs to know I am different than other humans, yet she also needs to keep the reason to herself.-

[Sigh. You are a confusing person Vincent. First, you wanted to save her because you felt guilty abandoning her, but now you are threatening her life.]

-... life is complicated.- Vincent vaguely responded.

*Gulp* Awa shivered at the danger she would be involved in if her mouth ever exposed Vincent’s secret.

The previous kind man, who was so kind that it felt very suspicious, suddenly vanished. In front of Awa was a man that would do anything to protect his people.

*Gulp...* “C-ca... can I have some time to think?” *Gulp* “Are you planning to harm my people?” Awa asked with a wavering voice while cold sweat trickled. She was afraid of the current man that defeated Orso by himself.

.....

“You can have some time to think.” Vincent started walking to the sofa. He suddenly stopped and turned his head around. “I might hurt someone if what I see is not to my liking.”

*Tap, tap* Plow tapped her small paw on the table to attract attention.

“You need to say something, Plow?”

“Vincent Vincent wants to punish baddie leader?” *Pho?*

“Haha. Even a little fox is more astute than the Dullahans.” Vincent mocked. He stopped looking at Awa and went to relax on the sofa.

After fighting Orso, Vincent was acting though in front of Awa. Vincent was trying to hide how exhausted he felt, but after his eyes closed once, they remained closed shut.

Plow happily jumped on the sofa. Her ears raised after she heard a familiar sound, and her lips formed a little smile.

“Plow can sleep on bed again.” She murmured quietly after discovering a sleeping Vincent on the sofa.

Awa remained in the kitchen by herself. In front of her were the painting of Vincent’s wives and the statue of one of his wives.

Awa gazed at the painting and started to think about her parents. The more Awa was reminded of how she wanted to take good care of her parents. The more Awa wanted to live.

Awa was still slightly trembling from the bloodlust. Vincent expanded toward her direction. She understood each and every word Vincent said was because of the secret he forced upon her.

‘He will be hunted by the humans if they know his secret, but aren’t I in the same position? Instead of killing my family and me, they will enslave us because of their wicked greed.’

Awa moved her gaze to Sakura’s wooden statue.

‘Horns on a head means a person from the demon race. Is one of the women a member of the demon clan?’ Awa moved her head back to the painting and continued thinking, ‘A strange goblin, and a wolf woman. Do they know they live with a person holding a dangerous secret?’

Awa shook her head. ‘I should stop thinking about how they live. I should think about the proposal... no... the forced acceptance of a dangerous secret.’

Awa reclined on the chair and looked at the ceiling. *Sigh* ‘He saw my intentions to deceive him. He told me his real identity and threatened me afterward.’ *Sigh* ‘Is he... is Vincent a disaster worse than the great Orso?’

*Noon*

Vincent yawned. He opened his eyes after a great rest. He lowered his gaze and saw Plow cutely licking her paw while her ears.

-Any development?- Vincent curiously asked Kazumi.

[Yes.]

-Is there anything else to say?- Vincent asked while not understanding why Kazumi didn’t explain immediately.

[I had a small chat with Awa, and she agreed to let herself be carried by you and lead you to her people.] Kazumi informed Vincent of the important parts.

Kazumi didn’t want to tell Vincent how Awa was frightened enough to faint after her consciousness entered her soul. To convince Awa that she wasn’t in Vallhalla was a difficult feat to complete.

Vincent held on to Plow and got up. As he approached Awa, he noticed Awa’s cheeks were starting to blush.

Vincent stopped. ‘Don’t tell me Kazumi told Awa...’

“Take responsibility for saving my life and seeing me without clothes. ” Awa said all of a sudden, interrupting Vincent’s train of thought.

“Ohh. So you decided to come live in my home? Do not worry about your parents. They will be treated well.”

“Huh? I was told but the spirit... I mean, Kazumi, that you are willing to challenge our clan leader in a duel and win my hand in marriage. I was told you would accept divorcing me and let me remain the clan chieftain.” Awa responded. Both of them were talking with different intentions.

[Yep. I told Awa that you could make her the leader. However, I only came to this suggestion after hearing Awa reveal what the job of the clan chieftain actually entitled.]

-Entitled?-

[I will explain. Apparently, the role of a clan chieftain is more important than the role of a clan leader. While the husband goes hunting, the wife takes care of her people and her little village. The vice leader becomes the leader, as Awa explained.]

-Are you saying Awa is more astute than we thought?-

[Yes. Awa has learned the tactics to lead her people during emergencies, such as sudden ambushes from slave traders or wild animals.]

[Furthermore, when Awa was still young, she excelled in management, reading, writing, and as Awa put it, dividing the nutrients of one plate into two or more.]

Vincent looked at Awa attentively. -Are you saying Awa is a natural-born genius?- He questioned curiously.

[You might say that. But remember, I am more of a genius than anyone you will ever meet in your life.] Kazumi responded while boasting about her photographic memory skill.

“Okay, Awa. Now I understand a little better about the situation.” Vincent said before sitting on a chair and brushing Plow’s fur.

“Did the spirit... I mean, Kazumi, tell you about what we discussed?” Awa asked with a pair of red cheeks.

“I know most about what the two of you discussed. But are you sure you are up to the task of leading a human to your people? Will you not become hated for bringing a human to your people?”

“My eyes are opened now.” Awa said while gently nodding.

“You saved my life twice and also showed me how foolish it is to say we are proud Dullahans when we do not pride ourselves in helping one another.”

“I can not stand to see another mother and her baby die because they weren’t given priority food. I want to change the rules. I want to make the Dullahans live a better life by supporting each other in these terrible times. I...”

Vincent interrupted Awa while revealing a proud smile. “I hear your conviction loud and clear, Awa. I will become the hated person before I leave and let the Dullahans in your hands.”

“Thank you.” Awa smiled.

“And if you find it difficult, the door to my home will always be open to you and your people. They will be given ordinary jobs, at least two meals a day, fresh water, clean clothes, and a clean place to sleep.” Vincent offered.

Vincent stood up and placed Plow on the floor. He glanced at Awa and saw her looking at him with a pair of redder cheeks than before.

A warm smile appeared on Vincent’s face while his lips moved to say, “How about we depart? I need to take you home like the gentleman I am and return to my home, where I hope to rest before fighting for my life once again.”

Vincent summoned a couple of warm clothes for himself and Awa. He started wearing the warmer clothes in front of Awa casually now that he didn’t need to hide the hero mark.

On the other hand, Awa averted her gaze while peeking at Vincent’s body. She became flustered when Vincent was done, and it was her turn to wear warmer clothes.

Awa felt ashamed and humiliated to have someone dress her. Unlike before, she wasn’t stripped naked. Instead, an extra warm shirt was put on her current warm shirt.

“Hehe. You get shy too easily.” Vincent teased.

“...” Awa didn’t respond. She slowly stood up by herself and stayed on her feet, waiting to be carried. Awa remained silent.

Vincent went in front of Awa and turned around. He soon heard a loud, nervous gulp. He later felt little soft flesh touching his back, followed by a lot of bones.

After storing the cabin, they departed in the direction Awa pointed. Vincent was carrying Awa; beside them were an eager little fox and a cautious short plant.

An hour passed without Awa saying a word to Vincent. Vincent could tell Awa was feeling embarrassed at the moment because of Kazumi.

Kazumi was having a blast laughing and teasing Vincent about his soon-to-be marriage and soon-to-be divorce with Awa, all happing in one day.

Vincent needed to change the subject and hasten his pace. To do that, he needed to have a conversation with Awa where he could feel the time fly and forget his legs felt tired walking on the snow.