How to Make a Sinner Sleep - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Arlo skipped along the streets happily, holding tightly onto the butterfly pressed into his palm. "Tell me again, what she told you it meant! I didn't understand!"
Kaden gave a short laugh at the overwhelming excitement that couldn't be faked. He cleared his throat and repeated the words the woman had spoken.
"A butterfly represents change and transformation in your future. Perhaps what awaits for you is something unimaginable, where you will stand in a position you never knew before. I feel brilliance and beauty in your future, little boy."
Arlo paused, pouting. "Not that last bit—I am not little."
"Really? Although I can lean against you like this?" Kaden rested a portion of his weight on the boy's head, as the child swatted him away angrily.
"Your large size does not equate to me being small!" said the boy stubbornly.
"And you trying to sound intelligent doesn't make you more grown up." commented Kaden at the purposefully composed words. "There's nothing wrong with being small—in your case, it simply means your growth will be more spectacular."
"How does that make sense?"
Kaden tugged Arlo closer, avoiding a rumbling carriage on the street as he pushed the child gently to his opposite side. "Say, if you were my height and grew two inches taller, would that be amazing?"
"Nope."
"But if you were your height, and then you grew taller than me one day—isn't that more incredible?"
"Oh! Yeah, it is! Then, just wait and see—I'll grow way taller than you soon!"
After appeasing the child, Kaden walked around and bought some food for them to take a break and eat. He couldn't help but smile at Arlo's silly expression of relishing simple foods, an expression he likely would've made too, in the past.
Even if the child was a little warped, his thoughts a little darker than the typical child's, he was still young and bright.
Yet to reach the depths of murky darkness.
Kaden felt relieved that he'd found Arlo when he did, even if Yoser haunted his dreams at night and the suitcases in the corner of that room still flickered to mind.
What had become of the boy in the past?
Another mangled corpse on the streets, robbed and left to rot alone? Sold to the richest bidder, forced to prostitution as a child that hardly knew what such a thing entailed? Beaten, day after day, by the father he relied on?
Or would Arlo have put an end to that abuse with his own hands?
Kaden paused at that thought, glancing at the child, who was happily chewing on food. It wasn't an uncommon possibility, in fact, it was rather likely.
He felt some relief, knowing that whatever did or could've happened would no longer. That in his miserable life, at least he'd saved one person—he'd saved somebody, rather than reaped.
That feeling brought a rush of salvation he couldn't describe.
"When I become gigantic," said Arlo, intruding in the euphoric thoughts with a silly, oblivious grin. "Promise me one thing, okay?"
"That would depend on what it is."
"Hey! Don't adults make lots of promises to kids? Even if you can't keep them—"
"Do you want me to break the promise?"
The boy shifted with a pout. "Well, no."
"Then I won't make you a promise without considering it, boy." Kaden crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow in question. "What promise, hm? If I can fulfill it, then I'll swear to you."
"What if you say no?"
"I can't really say yes if you refuse to tell me, can I?"
Arlo shifted again, as if working up the courage to speak—surprising, considering the child liked to say what was on his mind, no matter how blunt or rude.
Honestly, Kaden felt a little curious, but wouldn't pry in the end. His future was too uncertain, and he didn't want to promise a forever or anything of the sorts to the child, not knowing if he could continue these peaceful days.
Seeing the seriousness in Kaden's sharp, watching green gaze, Arlo straightened his slender back, working up the determination.
"Kaden." the boy spoke in a purposefully low and serious voice, that considering the natural pitch of youth, sounded a little comical.
"Yes?"
"When I become gigantic,"
Kaden listened quietly, stopping where they stood as he shuffled them to a less boisterous area.
"When I become gigantic, will you let me be your knight?" Arlo spat out finally, in a rushed jumble of words before "I-I'm poor, but one day, the kind lady said I could become great—and—"
Before panic and fluster could tinge Arlo's skin in a darker shade of red, Kaden laughed. "Is that all?"
"I'm serious!"
"Then I'll give a serious response."
It was something he never would've expected or considered to leave the arrogant child's lips, who had only begun to see light. Many nobles had knights that dedicated themselves to their master, but Kaden hadn't ever had one.
Most of the knights, trained to the peak of swordsmanship, wanted nothing to do with the scum of the earth that obeyed the royals like a crazy yet obedient dog.
That wasn't glory—that was subjecting themselves to the worse treatment.
Although Kaden couldn't say his terrible reputation helped that fact, and gave up the idea of finding somebody who could pledge themselves to him.
He hadn't needed it. Hadn't wanted it.
Yet he smiled, a warm and carefree smile that left even Arlo staring in surprise, and ruffled the boy's head.
"Do as you please. You are the only knight I'd be willing to accept."
Arlo blinked, eyes wide as saucers now, and an uncontrollable smile twitched on his lips before spreading out. "Really, really? You're not lying, are you?"
"If you succeed on that path, and if I am able to, I will agree to your request."
It wasn't a simple thing; a pledge of loyalty. Anybody could swear their eternal allegiance, and have it bound by a specified magic—considering what he knew, were likely marks drawn up by certain blessed,
Of course, such a binding contract couldn't be made easily. Because if one of the two parties betrayed the other, it would inflict a painful punishment, and at times even death.
A type of curse, in a way. Some took it even further and bound lives together, in a way that if one died, the other would too.
Regardless, a knight's contract was an intense devotion of loyalty. Should their master come to death, they would lay down their swords and forsake their learnings, never to fight again.
Kaden wouldn't allow Arlo to recklessly make such a contract, but he was truthful when he said he wouldn't accept any other knight.
If the day came that Kaden still remained and Arlo still wanted to become his knight, then he wouldn't stop that boy—one day, man—from pledging his alliance. Knowing the child, it would be far too troublesome to even try.
Arlo nodded with excitement. "Then there's no turning back, okay? You can't turn me down in the future now!"
"You have many years to come."
"Don't underestimate the resolve of a street kid!"
"I wouldn't dare." teased Kaden, noticing the boy's gaze stray to a wallet that jutted out a man's swaying jacket, perfect for the taking. He sighed softly, pulling the child away from his subconscious desire.
Habits couldn't die in a day, and theft had been a necessary skill and instinct for Arlo to survive to this point.
"Arlo, you're under my protection and responsibility now."
The boy looked away from the fat pocket of cash, blinking at Kaden with a smile. "En! I know!"
"That means whatever you do reflects on me. Any punishment you receive, I will receive double. Your crimes are my crimes, your mistakes are also mine. Do you understand?"
A touch a fear clouded the child's stare, before he nodded hastily. "Yes! I'm sorry, I really wasn't gonna grab it, I just saw it and—"
"It's alright." said Kaden quietly, not a single inch of suspicion in his tone. "I believe you. I just want you to be aware, in the case anything happened because I chose to remain silent."
"Thank you for the warning!"
Kaden shook his head in bemusement. "You're welcome."
After their conversation, the pair continued to explore the town, filled with bustling stalls and excitement. Kaden found a moment to slip past the table of the carving woman while she was talking to a customer, and slipped a gold coin near her.
She didn't notice, too distracted to pay attention to the sly of moving hands, though she caught Kaden's gaze in the crowd and smiled.
They tried several other snacks, wearing matching expressions of satisfaction as they filled their belly with foods, both hot and cold, sweet and sour.
As they explored, Kaden eavesdropped on a conversation in the alleys, between two men clad in black, faces shadowed by their luxurious hats. He leaned against a wall, arms crossed and he watched Arlo chat with a kid bouncing a ball on the streets.
"You said there'd be magic weapons dealing in the meeting tonight? Is that confirmed?" asked one in a gruff manner, scowling.
The other's voice was more elegant and smooth. "Yes, the product has arrived and been successfully produced. You are aware of the difficulties of finding magic infused weapons—they are made with a part of the creator. There will be several to sell."
"Ha! If you're so sure, I'm sure as hell expecting them there! Same location?"
"Unfortunately, due to some complications of privacy, we've changed the location of the meeting. We have partnered with the Night Carriage Services—tell them the code, and they will deliver you to our door."
"Isn't that risky?"
"I guarantee, we have put all the necessary means to ensure the privacy of the participants and the location. Even you would be unable to determine where it is."
"Alright, whatever. I don't dare argue with you. The code?"
"The red moon appears to be especially sorrowful tonight."
"The moon ain't red, though?"
"It's the code, sir. If it were meant to make sense, then that would take all the fun out of it." There was flattery in the voice, but a hint of laziness and measured politeness.
No doubt, Kaden determined in seconds using both his intuition and his experience of behaviour, this wasn't a person to mess with. A messenger to relay the location change and possible merchandise...
A messenger to a secret meeting couldn't be simple. No, they were the most skilled sort, to remain undetected and unharmed. They couldn't be threatened, and maintained security with no flaws.
And if that was the case,
Kaden closed his eyes lightly, a faint smile appearing on his dry lips.
—then that man knew he was listening.
The conversation faded, and after a few more moments, the sound of footsteps neared. A person leaned against the wall beside Kaden, waiting for a few seconds.
The elegant voice then spoke. "Aren't children lively? It takes my back to my youth, the days when I ran free and rampant on the streets. How time ages you. Thankfully, I didn't sneak into alleys or hear things that shouldn't be heard."
How could Kaden not understand the conversation, being spoken to in such a way? To begin with, he often muttered simple threats to people like this, in the past.
'I have years of experience on you.' thought Kaden to himself, completely calm.
Scamming, thievery and secret meetings? Threats in conversation, or fighting like an utter madmen to scare everybody? The fear and hatred towards him weren't just a fabricated lie.
"A child too scared to run into alleys or to listen to advantageous things wouldn't have survived the slums. It seems your childhood and mine quite differ." smiled Kaden.
In a way, he was hinting at his experience, and also indirectly calling the other a coward, who remained in a safe, comfortable spot.
"Even children know when danger nears."
"Ah, but I was a child who toyed and played with it. Or perhaps, the danger you're referring to wasn't all that frightening to me?"
Kaden's smile remained irritatingly pleasant on his face, driving the natural urge of the watcher to reach their hands out and strangle him. He glanced sideways through his eerie eyes of deep green, like a feline's unflinching gaze.
The man laughed sharply. "You're rather bold, considering you have something to protect, right before us both."
"I'm bold because I'm confident in my skill to protect them." shrugged Kaden.
"One shouldn't be overconfident."
"And one shouldn't doubt themselves to much." He faked a look of sympathy. "Do you need to talk about your self-insecurities, rather than project them onto me? I'm quite willing to listen, especially to handsome men like yourself."
"...there is both a disparity yet similarities to the rumours."
"The ones where I'm utterly mad and chaotic, or frightening and blood-thirsty?"
"That your mood and attitude changes faster than a woman at her time of the month."
"....." Now that was a rumour Kaden hadn't frequently encountered, or at least been told to his face. Well, he couldn't really deny it, thinking about his attitude towards different people.
But it was exactly that—how he wanted to be perceived was different to every person. Dominating and terrible to Yoser, who feared him to no ends. Flirtatious and ridiculous to Noah, who was often irritated.
A reliable adult to Arlo, who needed that in his life. His awkwardness and coldness at the Academy wasn't a lie, though he never sought the praise nor dislike from the students, and behaved in a way that created a sense of distance.
It wasn't as if any sides were a complete lie, but simply his natural way of acting to different people.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
The disguised man snorted inelegantly. "In what reality is that a compliment?"
"I take it as society claiming to be a person of many layers, unpredictable but clearly fascinating enough to be discussed."
"Are you an idiot—" A cough, and a hasty clearing of the throat interrupted, and the man smoothened out the folds of his clothes.
Kaden took a better look at the neat collar, and perfectly arranged suit. A bed of curled hair under the hat, and a youthful looking face that was more on the androgynous side. Only, what fool would reveal his face when undercover?
"If I peeled off your skin, would your real face be underneath?"
"How terrifying." gasped the man, though there was no fear in his amused stare. "I'd prefer that you didn't, honestly."
"As you might have heard, I don't like meeting others' preferences."
The man muttered something inaudible under his breath, waving his hand dismissively. "In light of our wonderful conversation, feel free to attend the meeting. I'll put in a good word with the organizer."
"Organizer?"
"The person in the center of the storm, the one setting up these meetings and trades. Or at least, the person that has the most involvement."
"I see." Kaden glanced at the youth, shaking his head as they watched Arlo happily kick a ball into the air. He smiled softly, before looking sideways and realizing that the man was still there. "Why are you still here?"
The man blinked. "It's as if you think I don't have any feelings."
"It's not that I think you don't have any, but I don't care even if you do."
There was a familiar breath of laughter, the sort that sounded relaxed and carefree as the messenger spun around, tipping his hat once and disappearing directly into the crowd, as if he had never been there.
The next time, no doubt that person would be wearing a different face, different hair and a different gait. Perhaps revealing a little of himself every time, or learning unexpected sides.
As faceless as any other, among the many pretenders in the city.