Chapter 3 Made up lies

Xavier Vaughn Howell is the one and only Grand Duke of the Etraniel Empire. He's the cousin of the Emperor and is the only blood-related relative the Emperor left to live. He holds half the military power next to the said Emperor, because of this, he is now known as 'General' despite being a duke.

"What brings you here, General?" The Goddess asked, curious as to what brought the General in a dark place like this and at this late at night.

Xavier stared at the lady in front of him. She is beautiful indeed. He had admired her from afar, and even from then she looks breathtaking. Up close, she looks ethereal... like she doesn't belong in the world he lives in.

"I'm on a night patrol my lady." He answers, "How about you? What are you doing, sitting in a shady place like this?"

The Goddess stared, "I'm just, taking a little rest."

One of his eyebrow arched, what kind of noble would want to rest in an unlit spot such as this? It's unsafe and there could be bad guys lurking in the shadows, waiting to attack. But thoughts like that doesn't seem to cross the lady's mind.

"My lady, it is dangerous to stay in this area. How about I escort you home? Can you tell me which house you belong to?" Xavier suggested.

Freyja froze as she realized she had nowhere to go to. Alma didn't exactly tell her anything about a house, that guy just shoved her into the boundary between their worlds after getting her dressed then called it a day.

The Goddess bit her lip, what is she going to do now? She can't really say that she's homeless when it looked like the General thinks she was someone of status.

After thinking about it for a long time, Freyja suddenly stood up, startling the General in the process. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I can go home by myself." She said, bowing, as she turns around to leave.

But, Xavier managed to grab her wrist, stopping her.

"I insist, my lady." With wide eyes, the Goddess looked at the hand that grabbed her. She then raised her head to meet the General's eyes.

Xavier looks so serious, and Freyja knows that he sincerely just wants to help. But she doesn't want to risk spilling any information that might give him a hint about her identity. A lady like her that dresses, acts, and speaks like a noble but doesn't even have a house? That's ridiculous.

Freyja hesitated, she's slowly getting frustrated and the growing feeling of regret is now starting to take over her. She suddenly wished she never agreed to descending the human world, then she wouldn't have to think about things like these.

"I..." she sighed, here goes nothing, "I got kicked out by my family so-" She turned her gaze away, silently hoping that the General won't be able to see through her lies, "I was hoping I could find a place to spend the night but as you can see, I haven't found anything yet."

Xavier stared at the embarrassed lady in front of him, he suddenly wondered what could be the reason she got disowned by her own family like that. And was it really that bad that they had to leave her out in the cold streets without giving her a single penny?

The Goddess let out a sigh of relief when the General finally decides let go of her wrist. "T-that, is why it's fine." She gave Xavier a small smile, "I know you are worried about my well-being but, this is something I wish to do alone. I'll be able to find a place to stay soon so please be at ease." She lowered her head once again, "Good night, General."

'Is she... serious?' Was Xavier's though as his mouth hanged open. He can't just leave her be it's dangerous, but she, herself, wanted to do things independently, and he knows that if he pushed her a little more further she might just get mad at him for being meddling so much.

The General ruffled his hair as a sign of frustration. What if he just offered the lady to stay with him in his house? 'No, that would be inappropriate.' But she can just stay there for tonight and he can help her find her own house later. 'A good idea but still sounds inappropriate.'

'C'mon Xavier it's not like you're actually going to try anything right?' He went quiet with the sudden thought that came. Yeah.. it's not like he'll have the guts to do anything to the lady.

And that is when he decided to make a run for it. He's sure that the Goddess hasn't gotten that far yet since it still hasn't been 20 minutes since she left.

It turns out the General was right. He immediately found Freyja talking to a store owner, though he doesn't want to interrupt their conversation, Xavier went and excused the lady before dragging her somewhere with lesser people.

Surprised by the sudden events, the Goddess was not able to react and had just let the General drag her to who knows where.

"My lady, you can sleep at my place tonight."

Freyja blinked... then blinked again, and again, and again, and again. She only stopped when she realized what the guy just said.

"D-did I hear you right?" She looked at Xavier with disbelief, "You want me to stay where?" She asked, trying to confirm if she had gone deaf or it was what he really said.

The General sighed, he just know that the lady will think that he is 'that' kind of guy because of his outrageous suggestion, but it's better than nothing right? His guilty conscience will eat him up if he doesn't do anything to help the Goddess.

"I... I am offering you to let the night pass at my house." Xavier then met Freyja's eyes, "I know you said you don't need my help but my lady, that would hurt my pride as a Knight. I had pledged to protect this Empire and its people, and if I can't even do a simple task such as to help you find some place to stay, I would feel guilty. So please, my lady... let me."