Seto was still sleeping when he heard someone opening the door. The voice gasped when he saw Seto and Lora in bed together. The man slammed the wall with the palm of his hand. “What have you done? You two slept together?” He walked towards the bed, forced the young girl out of her bed, and grabbed Lora’s hair. He didn’t care she was naked. He was going to teach her a lesson. “You indecent whore. That’s not how I raised my daughter, giving her purity to a man she just met.”

Lora was sleeping when she heard her father screaming. She felt a sudden pain and started crying. Her father was forceful, but Lora couldn’t do anything to him. He was too strong. She was struggling to break free from her father’s grasp until he let go. When she watched why her father stopped out of a sudden, she saw that Seto removed her father’s hands from her hair. Everyone was speechless. Seto took Lora’s clothes and gave them to her. Lora hurriedly pulled them on while Seto dressed. He took his time, not bothering about the mad man in the room. George didn’t dare to speak when he felt Seto’s strength for himself. Although he was angry at his daughter, he was powerless with this man standing in her room.

“I think that’s enough,” said Seto. “She’s my woman now, and I don’t like people touching my things. If it weren’t for the fact that you were her father, I would have killed you on the spot.”

George was angry but felt Seto’s intense grip on his hand. He remembered how Seto slew a troll with his own hands. Seto was somebody he couldn’t afford to offend. He decided to be cautious. “She’s my daughter. How could I not be mad? I found out she lost her virginity?” He stared at the bed and noticed the bloodstains on the sheets. At first, he assumed that his daughter lost her virginity when he saw the two in bed, but now he confirmed his suspicion. He felt furious and helpless.

“So what if I took her virginity? Do you think others will think less of her now? It doesn’t matter what they think. She’s my woman now. I’ll take responsibility for her.”

Lora felt relief in her heart when Seto said that. She held him and kissed his lips. It seems I made the right choice. 

Her father was speechless when he thought about it. Why was he so mad? It was her future that concerned him the most. He was worried that she wouldn’t be able to find a husband anymore, but now that Seto said he would take care of her, he felt reassured. The one thing that worried him the most was how he was going to take care of her.

“How are you going to take care of her? You said you didn’t have anything. I don’t want my daughter to live in the same conditions as she’s living in right now.”

“I’m going to become an adventurer. I’m thinking of taking her with me if that’s alright with her.”

“Of course, that’s alright with me. I’ll do anything to be with you.” She kissed him again and hugged his body.

George became concerned. “Being an adventurer is a dangerous job. What if a more powerful monster attacks her? Would you be able to protect her? If she’s going with you, what about the cities? Here in the village, there aren’t any nobles with improper intentions.” The world was a cruel place, even more so for women. What if a noble set his eyes on Lora? Would the no-name Seto be able to protect her? There were so many things George was uneasy with.

Seto looked George in his eyes with an earnest expression. “You don’t have to worry about all that stuff. So what if a monster attacks her? I’ll kill it. So what if a noble tries to do something funny to her? I’ll destroy his lineage. In this world, the strong dominate, and guess which one I am. If somebody attempts to touch her, even if it’s a child, I’ll kill them.”

George didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he heard Seto’s words. That man was so full of himself, but deep in his heart, he felt relieved. Although he talks big, I’m confident he has the strength to back it up. It seems my little girl is in good hands.

“I see. If that’s the case, there’s nothing I have to be worried about. Although you have to promise me, you’ll take Lora back to our village once in a while. And if I ever find out you treated her poorly. I’m going to make you regret it.” George knew he couldn’t made the statement a reality. He had a specific image to maintain.

“Don’t worry. I won’t treat Lora poorly.” Except in bed, then I’ll ravage her.

“Will you and mother be alright?” she asked when she hugged her father.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep your mother safe. She’s going to miss you. Your brother will miss you too, but he’s hunting. When will you leave?”

“I was planning to leave as soon as possible.” Seto entered the conversation.

“I see.” George knew this day would come that his little girl would leave the house, but he didn’t expect it to be that fast. “You should at least stay for breakfast. Theo should be back by then. He woke up early. Then Lora will be able to say her farewell to everyone.”

Lora looked at Seto. She was nervous about his decision. She didn’t want to be a burden to him. If he wanted to leave right now, she wouldn’t protest. She would feel a little sad for leaving without saying farewell to her brother, but making Seto happy was her number one priority.

“That’s fine for me.” Lora let out a sigh when she heard his answer.

“Let’s get going then,” said Seto.

The three of them went into the kitchen, where Lora’s mother, Elizabeth, greeted them. She was making breakfast. George walked towards her and described to her what happened. She was upset, sad, and concerned, but George comforted her that Seto would take responsibility for her. She nodded and went to her daughter to hug her. “I’m going to miss my little girl. You’ve grown up so fast. I guess I can’t keep you, my little girl, forever.” She then looked towards Seto. “And you young man, I hope you’ll keep my daughter safe.”

“Of course I will, ma’am.”

Lora’s mother then whispered something in her daughter’s ears, which caused Lora to become as red as a tomato.

“What did she say?” asked Seto. He was confused.

“It’s nothing.”

Seto didn’t care and waited for breakfast to be made.

A few moments later, the door opened. It was Lora’s brother: Theo.

He carried a fawn with him, which he held with one arm. He stored the deer somewhere safe and stepped towards the kitchen table. When he saw Seto, his eyes lit up. “Seto, where did you go last night? When I woke up this morning, I thought you were gone.”

George and Lora’s expressions became uncomfortable. Lora became as red as a tomato, but Theo was too thick-skulled to notice it. George coughed but didn’t say anything.

Seto chuckled. He placed a hand on Theo’s shoulder. “That’s not important. I’m going to leave soon. I’m going to bring your sister with me.”

Theo was speechless. He didn’t anticipate such a thing and his eyes widened. “That’s unexpected.” He understood that Seto was a great man. That’s why he wasn’t mad. “What is she to you? A lover? A companion?” He suspected his sister fancied Seto, but he didn’t know how Seto felt. He knew Seto wouldn’t mistreat his sister, but he wanted to confirm their relationship.

“We’re lovers,” said Seto.

Theo nodded. “I see. You should take good care of my sister. I won’t forgive you if something bad happens to her. Her safety is the most important thing. I hope you can give my sister the better life she deserves.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Seto said with assurance.

“When are you leaving?”

“After breakfast.”

“So soon? Then let’s make this the best breakfast we’ve ever had.”