May Peace Grace Us

Chapter 26: Guards up

Aila did her best to show her most polite smile at the face of Alfred. To be honest, she found it surprising that she did not have a very big reaction towards the presence of her would-be killer and protagonist of this world. Instead, it felt mystifying for some reasons she cannot identify.

Though she had to admit Alfred was worthy of being her proud creation. In this world, he is only five years older than her, but he could already see eye to eye with prominent people in the business field. He is reminiscent of a vampire with his red eyes alongside his raven black hair; her setting for him being noble and ideal to the eyes and minds of her female readers. Not to mention his well-toned body, which was a result of his time in the military academy.

Recalling that Alfred had some military background, she remembered the time she had to do some research on how he could be a businessman although he hailed from the army. So Aila did some deliberate setting up to make some convenience for herself. Alfred was described as a young genius who skipped directly to college at the age of 10. He was only fourteen when he graduated with his bachelor's degree and eighteen when he got his doctorate.

Unwilling to be schemed by his family, he joined the military after he graduated with his PhD. And for the first time in his life he found what he truly wanted to be. Finding peace in the solitude and disciplined life of a soldier.

Typically, he should have been an active soldier after his graduation from the military academy or altogether leave everything behind for a life of a man of unbounded familial obligations, but his dear old grandfather had named him an heir of their family. He was so close to the old man that he felt obligated to follow his will. He made him have no choice but to leave behind the plans he created and looked forward to achieving just to give respect to his old man.

Like the Justines, Geroy was once a great family in the distant past. Though Geroy was not the original name of their family, their roots were always on the wealthier side than in the military, unlike the origins of Justines. They were bureaucrats before they were lords and making businesses and profits were in their blood. So, him inheriting the position of family head and managing the family industry was just awakening this gene in his blood.

Only that he was long disdainful of the way things are in his family and made a new business separate from the family. The funds were from his own pockets, taken from his side jobs he took on the side, together with the amount of pocket money he had not touched throughout the years. Slowly, he trained his younger brother to take over his spot, and just this year he officially handed over the position to his brother. This left him only his company, which he immediately expanded to gain enough power to protect himself from his unwilling and greedy relatives. He is really tired of taking care of those people.

If the apocalypse had not happened, after a few years, the man might have returned to the army like he had planned to stay in for at least a few years. But with the changes of the world, he was not able to do it because he was more concerned about other things than being a soldier he wanted to be. Making a leader in him more than a loyal man with arms.

Worthy of the image in his heart, Alfred was indeed ruthless and capable enough to do what he wanted even without the apocalypse looming upon their heads. But because of her willfulness as an author, she has made great changes in his aspirations and goals in life as she was writing his character. Letting him take a path he has never thought of himself.

As they shook hands, a flash of surprise or something was present in the eyes of the man.

Aila did not feel anything, as she was more concerned about their plans being ruined because the man’s presence seemed to be looming over them and keeping herself in check. Making her miss the man’s brief thoughtfulness before it was replaced with a fox’s smile. If she had seen it, maybe she would be more than shaken than she is already.

They talked a little bit before the mayor deliberately asked Albert to do something to retain Alfred in the city. Albert unwillingly proposed to give a tour of the man and his companions in the city, contrary to the plans he and Aila had for the day. He really hates it whenever this happens.

Alfred agreed to his proposal as he and his men wanted to relax for the day. Which in return made Aila too uncomfortable and gestured to Albert her desire to meet again some other time. Without knowing why she suddenly felt tired, she wanted to get away from here as this situation was giving her a bad feeling.

Finding a chance for her to say her wishes to get away, who knows Alfred made her stay and join the tour? She is regretting going out today. If she knew this would happen she would really ask her doctor to find ways to put her in a ward for the mentally ill just to not be in her situation now.

“Sorry to have dragged you to this,” Albert said, as the two finally had some privacy to talk. “I should not have proposed to you to come with me to my father.”

“As much as I want to blame you for this, I have a share in the mistake. If I did not agree with you and actually left for the best of my mental health, I would not be in this situation at all.” Aila sighs, as it was really her fault knowing that Alfred was there and forgot that things always go to the favor of the protagonist in this world.

Aila might be the creator and is very favored by the world she created, but really it cannot be denied that this world is made for the protagonist. The development of this world is heavily dependent on their will and actions. Therefore, they are given conveniences that even the creator cannot enjoy. Because the fundamental core of this world lies in them, and not in Aila, who made it.

This might be the reason why she died so easily back then. In the situation he and his people were in, it was inevitable that he would wish for no one to survive there. If there were some important characters needed for the development of the protagonist, they are sure to make some changes life. But as far as she knows her role in this world, she is simply not too important to die just like that.

Obviously, because of the love and fondness of the world she has created, she can live again. But it does not mean that such a thing will not happen again. As long as the protagonist has some thoughts about her or even if she is in the wrong place time and time again, she can still die like some insignificant cannon fodder in the background. She wants to avoid this as much as she can.

There was a ruckus at a distance that had Albert compelled to intervene. Even if he does not really want to follow the path his father has paved for him, he is more or less endocrine to care for the people in the least expected ways. Most of his acts were not from the heart and were simply for him to eliminate most annoyances in his life, but it does gain him some fame in the little ways he help the people.

Besides, his identity mostly saves the most inconveniences if he shows up. He does not want another problem to add to the existing one he has to deal with most of the time. So he really has to get out there and somehow break or mediate the noise.

Albert excuses himself and leaves Aila at his side, as Alfred and his subordinates are enjoying what the city has to offer. Currently, they are in a high-class restaurant having a light meal. Everyone is having the time of their life eating and drinking to their heart's content.

"What are you doing here, Miss Justine?" Alfred asked as he unknowingly arrived at Aila's side, who was enjoying the view of the metropolis.

Feeling her hair raise in fright, Aila immediately commanded her body not to act instinctively. She must control her body from doing harm to others, especially to this man whom the world is directly involved with.

"Nothing." Aila played a fool. "Just enjoying the view while waiting for Albert. He has someone to deal with for a while. How about you sir?"

Alfred had a charming smile as he answered. "My men were so loud that I went there for a breather. I did not expect anyone to be here."

"Well, I don't exactly mix well there, so I just stayed here." Aila only said before letting an awkward silence surround them.

Not uncomfortable with the silence, Alfred only smiled as he accompanied the others to his side. Aila did her best to stop herself from trembling in fear. Instinctive reaction that resounds deep in her soul.

“Did we ever meet?” Alfred asked off-handedly, “I think you really look familiar.”

Aila’s heart beat rapidly as she heard that. Although she cannot remember if the two of them had really met each other in both a past life and this life, she felt there was some sort of a trap in the other’s words. For this protagonist of hers never does anything that will not bring him to his goal.

Smiling with a careless arc in her face, Aila answered. “I think we never met sir. Even if I did visit the capital every few years, I am sure that in the places I have been I would not have you there.”

“Not there.” Alfred was casual in his tone. “ I think we met a few months ago. It was a cafe on university avenue.”

Aila turned vigilant as she remembered her blunder at that particular time of her life. Losing control of her temper and reflexes, she almost unconsciously killed her wanna-be bullies in that cafe’s bathroom. If Alfred had been there and she had not noticed, perhaps this guy had seen her violent actions.

Although she is not particularly concerned about it, she has already opened up about her tendencies. She is wary of why this guy is bringing it up.

“Maybe we did, but I don’t think I would forget a man like you if I got to see you myself.” Aila tried to dismiss the man’s attempt to use this as an opportunity to take advantage of her. “For someone with your looks, it is really impossible to not recognize you at a glance in a second meeting.”