Stella enjoyed her food while Dian couldn’t. Why? Do you ask? Well… I was just watching him. It’s not my problem that he can’t eat in public where everyone is watching. By the way, this stew is really good. Better than a month ago.

[ Dian ]

“Just tell me what is it!”

[ Eric ]

“I told you. It’s nothing.”

[ Dian ]

“I feel like you’re lying to me.”

[ Eric ]

“I’m certainly not.”

[ Dian ]

“So will you tell me or are you gonna stare like that for the rest of the day?”

[ Eric ]

“Like I said. There is nothing… nothing wrong…”

[ Stella ]

“He is jealous over that lady.”

[ Dian ]

“How do you know? Do you have some spell that lets you read minds?”

[ Stella ]

“Just a hunch.”

A woman's intuition is a fruitful thing. She is good at reading people. Or is it because she is a Valkyrie? Either way. She is becoming more and more strong in my eyes. And she had to say it out loud. Wait! Waitress… I mean Erin didn’t hear that right?! As I looked around I noticed her at a table far away from us. Good…

[ Dian ]

“Really?! You like her or something?”

[ Eric ]

“Sh! Don’t speak so loud. She might hear!” I whispered.

[ Hakon ]

“Hear what?”

[ Eric ]

“Aaa! Oh… It’s just you.”

[ Hakon ]

“Yeah. Can you come visit me after you are done eating? I have an important matter to speak with you.”

[ Eric ]

“Umm… Yeah. Sure. Will be there in a minute.”

I wonder what he wants to talk about. Maybe he has some job for me. After all, I’m blessed and the guy he trusts. He might wanna talk about my plan of rescuing Tae since it might have an impact on the village. When I entered Jarl’s house it was dark. Only one torch was lit up. The one by the throne. Hakon was standing by the throne. Watching it.

[ Eric ]

“Why is it so dark here?”

[ Hakon ]

“I don’t want anyone coming in. If it’s dark they’ll think no one is here.”

[ Eric ]

“So what do you want to talk about?”

[ Hakon ]

“What do you think about me as a Jarl, a leader.”

[ Eric ]

“I would say… you’re doing fine.”

[ Hakon ]

“Fine?”

[ Eric ]

“Yeah. After the attack, you rebuilt the village.”

[ Hakon ]

“I didn’t do that. You were the one who did the most work. The one who worked all day. Helped children that were scared of another monster attack. Instructed and coordinated people in the reconstruction of the village. If not for you… Some may have died that winter. I was only lending you some help.”

[ Eric ]

“Where are you heading with that conversation…”

[ Hakon ]

“I’m not fit to rule. I wasn’t going to. My brother was trained to rule. He went everywhere with father to establish contacts. Then he died and shortly afterward father too. I wasn’t prepared. But you. You’re a good leader. You have good judgment and a strategic mind, you care about the people. I saw you checking on everyone once you came back. I think… I think you should become the Jarl of this village.”

[ Eric ]

“I can’t…”

[ Hakon ]

“Why can’t you? You care about the village and the people like you!”

[ Eric ]

“That’s exactly why I can’t. I might not come back from where I’m going. Even when I come back I might become the target and If I would become the Jarl the village would be targeted too.”

[ Hakon ]

“But the village needs you! The people!”

[ Eric ]

“Okay. Depending on how things will progress after Tae’s rescue I will accept your offer and become the Jarl.”

[ Hakon ]

“Thank you.”

[ Eric ]

“Don’t be so hasty. I’m not a Jarl yet.” I said before I left the room.