At the palace gates, a crowd had gathered, surrounding a small hut being constructed on the right side. Fences had been set up all around, and soldiers of the Grant Family were busy assembling a rounded roof.
Joseph Qiao and Lucille Xing watched from the side. Their future job would be to care for the Ninefeather Bird that was about to be housed here. Several days had passed, and Joseph Qiao still looked gloomy.
"What's wrong? Missing your father again?"
Lucille Xing asked. Joseph Qiao lowered his head and said nothing. He probably understood why his father had done this—for the sake of the whole tribe. Now, he was the Grant Tribe’s hostage. He was undoubtedly the tribe’s next heir, and after witnessing the Grant Family’s army, he finally understood why his father feared the Grant Family.
Over these days, Joseph Qiao had observed the Grant Family’s soldiers—young and vigorous, with no sign of the old, weak, or sick. He heard that those of age worked in the valleys around Grant City, while the younger ones labored in the surrounding wilds, waiting until they were old enough to replace the adults and become soldiers themselves.
Whether man or woman, they all looked strong.
"You two will live here from today on, keeping watch over the Ninefeather Bird day and night."
The lead soldier shouted. Joseph Qiao detested this life of dependence and being at the mercy of others. As he grew older, he became keenly aware of his tribe’s subjugation by the Grant Family, but now that feeling was even stronger.
King Grant had told him that since the Ninefeather Bird was captured by their tribe, naturally he should be the one to take care of it.
As for Lucille Xing, Louis Yu had asked her to stay, saying she should help look after Joseph Qiao. After all, Lucille Xing had lived here since she was a child.