The three of them—Alf, Erinnete, and Hesbeirn—slowly dropped to one knee, bowing deeply.
But before they could fully kneel, Garius try to stop them.
"Stand up."
They hesitated.
"Don't kneel before me. A polite bow is enough."
But none of them moved.
"No, my lord."
Erinnete's voice was steady, but her eyes burned with unwavering determination.
"You have done everything for us. For the people. For Armand."
Hesbeirn nodded, his usual smirk replaced by rare seriousness.
"Without you, we would have been nothing. You gave us a home, a purpose, a future."
Alf spoke last, his tone quiet but firm.
"And that is why… we swear to protect you. Till the day—"
Before he could finish, Garius' sharp gaze landed on them.
"Don't finish that sentence."
His voice was calm, but there was a weight to it. A silent warning.
A lord who had already lost everything once… refused to hear vows of sacrifice.
"I don't need you to swear your lives to me."
He crossed his arms, exhaling deeply.
