Ripple of Kindness Chapter 3 Preview

The wails of Marleyan Soldiers echoed from the depths of Nagrindr. Wails not of pain, but of sorrow. Wails as they watched their brothers in arms chopped to bits by the troll-hags that gaurded over them. Not one piece of them was to be left behind, all would be returned to Marley.

Tales of their cries reached the rest of the city in three days. Including the palace halls of Fritz.

It was not surprising that King Fritz found himself preparing for a long, possibly all-day meeting with his council. Again. After recent events, they had much to do. Like planning what message to send to Marley, how well they could defend their territories from minor skirmishes and attacks if Marley tried to push thier luck. The Titaness was great for decimating armies and towns, but she could not be everyplace at once.

That said, Fritz was more than a little surprised to find that he was not first to the meeting room.

"Ymir?" he said in surprise, the woman standing to the side of the table, as if she was suppose to be there. But she wasn't. She had never attended a war meeting except for three or four times, and those were only because he had wanted to keep her close by at those times for various reasons. It wasn't like he was opposed to her attending, but still, it was first time she had come without him ordering her to come along.

Curious.

"May. I. Speak. With you. Master?" Ymir asked submissive, not meeting his eyes.

Ahh, so parhaps this wasn't about the war meeting. "It will be sometime before the members of my council arrive," he answered, wndering where this was going.

"What. Was done. To. The. Soldiers?" Ymir asked with a rigid look about her.

He rose an eyebrow before understanding set in. "You believe I had them tortured despite your wishes?" he asked neutrally.

"You. Never. Said. If you. Would. Or. Would not," she retorted in some form of acceptance, not surprised her request would go ignored. "I. Just. Want. To know. What. Happened. To. Them. Please?"

Fritz stared at her for a moment before shaking his head, moving past her to take a seat at the table, Ymir turning as he did but remained standing. "I didn't harm them, Ymir. I just gave them their punishment. Their dead companions were dismembered. The Warden of Nagrindr decided to do it where they could see it done. The remains have been sealed in barrels for them to carry home, and they'll be sent on their way today."

Fritz wasn't sure what he expected from that. Sadness or outrage for twisting her desire for mercy? Nothing at all, Ymir just desiring to know the truth of the matter?

What he got was something in between the two. Ymir looked up, meeting his gaze for the first time with eyes that were wavering back and forth between surprise and confusion. "But. They. Are. Unharmed?" she clarified.

"Yes," Fritz admited bluntly, almost annoyed he had to say it any blunter. Either from his tone or her own satisifaction, she lowered her eyes again yet seemed relieved at least. "Was that all you came for, Ymir?"

"Yes. I am. Sorry. To. Bother you," she said, bowing her head, than holding her pose for a moment. "Thank. You. For. Sparing. Them."

Fritz watched as she rose, watching her with interest. "Ymir, I-"

"Umm, King Fritz? Lady Ymir?" one of the guards called, opening the door slightly. He barely resisted flinching at the king's glare. "Apologizes, but Princess Sheena is here and she is very adament about seeing you, King Fritz."

Now he was the one confused. Him? Not Ymir? "Send her in," he granted, wondering what his youngest could be wanting. The only one that eager for his attention was usually Maria after impressing one of her teachers.

The guard let out a grateful noise before opening the door and letting the princess barreled in like she was possessed. She scanned the room with hawk-like scruttiny, instantly being surprised by her mother's pressence. "Mother?" she said before looking to her father with eyes somehow both releived and incredibly sad. "Father!" 

Fritz and Ymir shared mutually bewildered looks as Sheena ran over to the king and wrapped her arms around him. "Sheena? What is wrong? Why are you crying?" Fritz asked in confusion.

"I had a nightmare," Sheena answered in a whimper.

"That's all?" Fritz asked, perhaps a bit callously, but not cruelly. Ymir said nothing, merely observing the exchange.

"I-I'm sorry, I just...I just wanted to make sure you were okay," Sheena answered into his side.

"Why wouldn't I be okay, Sheena?" Fritz asked in surprise.

"T-that day? When that man hurt Mother with the spear? I-I was so scared for Mother, that I f-forgot! I forgot he was trying to hurt you!" Sheena cried, her body trembling. "And....and last night, I dreamed about it. Only Mother didn't block the spear in time. And...and you didn't get up."

Fritz's eyes widdened briefly before settling, his gaze warmed over as he ran his fingers through Sheena's hair in an effort to comfort her. "All is well, Sheena. Dry your tears."

"I-I know. Princesses shouldn't cry," Sheena said with a hiccup.