N-A-A Chapter 27 Debt Liquidation
Chapter 27 Debt Liquidation
"Miss, you really look like a lady now."
Hearing Bourne's praise, Natalie turned around and proudly puffed out her chest.
Byrne sat on a small wooden chair, basking in the sun. Since it was already autumn, he wore a thin, light gray cotton long shirt draped over his shoulders.
Seemingly infected by Natalie's innocence, Byrne laughed:
"Miss, you truly are worthy of being the Madam's daughter."
Although Natalie knew that she was still far inferior to her mother.
But she was still very happy to hear such praise:
"I've also grown a lot taller."
Previously, when Natalie stood on tiptoe, she was only up to Bourne's waist, but now she was almost up to Bourne's chest.
Natalie hopes she can grow to Bourne's shoulder, but considering her mother's height, the chances are slim.
Even so… Natalie raised her chin… Now no one can call me “little” anymore!
They have been in the village for three months since Natalie brought Bourne the healing potion.
After taking the alchemical potion, Bourne's complexion improved rapidly, and he regained consciousness two days later.
However, it will still take a long time to fully heal the injury.
Therefore, they chose to stay in the village temporarily, and Natalie took this opportunity to get enough nutrition, which enabled her to develop rapidly.
However, in reality, Natalie had already begun to grow physically when she first met Bourne, otherwise Mick wouldn't have been able to see through her female identity.
"Yes, miss."
Bourne nodded.
"But then you can't continue dressing as a boy. Maybe you can try growing your hair long. Girls should be pretty."
Natalie shook her head:
"A beautiful face will only attract the attention of those with ill intentions."
Natalie remembered the curator mentioning an old saying from his hometown: "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."
Besides, Natalie had no one she wanted to show off her beauty to.
"indeed……"
Bourne fell silent for a long time before continuing to speak.
"Miss, you've really grown up!"
"In a few months, I'll be fourteen, a grown woman!"
Bourne nodded:
"In the blink of an eye, we've reached the age for marriage. If the master and madam were still alive, they would definitely... Oh! I'm sorry, Miss, I shouldn't have brought this up."
Natalie smiled and shook her head:
"It's okay, I've already let it go."
"Don't worry, Miss, I will protect you. I swear, I will make sure you can move back into Goringburg and regain your legal status. You will definitely find a suitable husband who is worthy of your status."
Natalie's previously cheerful expression suddenly turned gloomy.
They're all like that.
"I never said I wanted to go back to Goringburg," Natalie thought unhappily. "Without family, it's just a pile of cold stones."
Mermaids are never greedy, and neither is Natalie; she only wants to cherish the present.
Her mother abandoned her in pursuit of revenge, but Natalie felt that this act was meaningless.
Revenge couldn't save her father and brothers, and Natalie couldn't help but complain, "Why didn't my mother cherish me more? Why did she choose to abandon me?"
Natalie felt that no one truly cared about her; everyone was self-righteous and incredibly stubborn.
Just as his mother was, so too was Bourne…
The curator was an exception, but Natalie always felt that the curator had a sense of detachment, so he shouldn't participate in the discussion.
As for Henry...
Henry was also stubborn, but the good thing about him was that he never forced Natalie to do anything.
Even though Henry sometimes found Natalie annoying, he would only express his feelings directly.
Henry never even said something like, "Don't bother me anymore."
It's just like a clumsy ox.
Natalie found the metaphor remarkably vivid and couldn't help but giggle.
Bourne chuckled in agreement, "Miss, what are you laughing at?"
"It brought back some happy memories."
Natalie shook her head, then asked Byrne,
"Bourne, how are you feeling physically?"
"The wound is still a little itchy, but it's not a big deal. However, since I started recuperating, I feel much weaker."
"Mick said the side effect of the treatment is that it can weaken a person both physically and mentally."
"Indeed, alchemical potions are incredibly powerful, but their side effects are equally significant."
Bourne nodded.
"Therefore, nobles would always stockpile some alchemical potions for emergencies, but only a handful were actually used."
Natalie nodded, and Bourne continued:
"Miss, I think there's no point in continuing to rest. We can consider setting off now."
Natalie was already tired of staying here. She had explored all the nearby mountains and rivers, and now all the novelty had worn off.
"But we should have told Mick beforehand," Natalie advised.
"I understand. I'll tell him today."
That evening, Natalie and Byrne had dinner at Mick's house.
Mick prepares a pork chop with sour sauce for Natalie:
"The jam is freshly made. It will taste even better if it sits for a while, but I still want you to try it first."
Natalie was delighted and couldn't wait to start tasting it.
She had been looking forward to the local specialties for three months, and today she finally got to eat them.
Bourne then started chatting with Mick.
"Not many knights received a fief."
“Yeah,” Mick nodded, “I was just lucky.”
"Any interesting stories?"
Mick shook his head:
"My story is unremarkable. In a battle, I took an arrow for the previous Duke of Twin Rivers, and he knighted me and granted me this land. However, the title of knight is not hereditary. After my death, my descendants are just commoners."
Bourne seemed somewhat curious:
Which battle?
"The Battle of Ziquan took place on the Lorraine Plain. Looking back, it's been almost twenty years. Did you participate in that battle?"
Bourne shook his head: "Back then, I was still at the knight school, chopping hay bales with a wooden sword."
"Hmm... I still remember that battle vividly. I gained titles and land from it, but most of the people who participated in it were undoubtedly losers."
"I had heard about it to some extent back then; it was widely rumored that it was a bizarre battle."
"Strange... Yes, strange! The Lorraine Plain is rich and open, and has been coveted since ancient times. However, due to its flat terrain, it is extremely difficult to defend. The allied forces should have been able to advance smoothly... But... at this moment, something strange happened."
Hearing this, Natalie slowed down her eating of the pork chop.
Mermaids are always full of curiosity, and Natalie is passionate about fantastical stories.
Bourne asked, "What's wrong?"
"The generals commanding the front lines were not injured in battle, but suddenly died while resting. Afterwards, when they were replaced, any new general who had been to the front lines would never survive more than three nights."