With those voluminous, official robes that obscured his entire body, and the cowl covering his face and head, he did appear scary and fierce. Especially since no one could see or read his expressions.
However, Zarya knew the truth of him and he wasn’t the minion of evil they feared him to be. “Drus, this is Governor Cruel. See what I told you, he’s not a monster. He’s just a man, like any other.”
Darling knelt down on the floor and held his gloved hand out to her.
The girl stepped back to hide behind Zarya.
Kneeling down to her level, Zarya patted her on the back and turned her around to face Darling.
His damaged voice filled with patience, he tried again. “It’s all right, Drus. I won’t hurt you. I promise. You know, you remind me of my baby sister when she was a little girl.”
Her eyes widened in awe. “You have a sister?”
“I do, indeed. Like you, she’s very beautiful, and very dear to me.” There was a smile in his tone as he spoke gently to her. “I also have a couple of very mean brothers, as well.”
That made the corners of her mouth twitch as if she wanted to smile, too, but was still too afraid to try it. “Really?”
“Really. They’re standing right there.” He pointed toward them.
Drake and Ryn appeared less than amused by his description. But neither said anything to refute it.
The girl giggled.
Maris returned with a small box. He bowed formally as he presented it to Darling.
“Thank you, Lord Maris.” Darling opened the box and pulled a small medal out that he held up for Drus to see. “Do you know what this is, Drus?”
She shook her head.
“It’s called the Recognition of Honor and Courage. We give these to the soldiers who show exceptional bravery while under fire. Men and women who stand up for others even when it’s really scary for them to do so.” He tied a small knot in the ribbon to shorten its length. “I would like to present this to you.”
Drus scowled at him. “Why?”
“Because you were terrified for your father. Even though you thought he was fighting a scary monster, you came inside to check on him, and I’m quite sure you thought you’d get into a lot of trouble for it.”
She nodded vigorously. “Setchel said that I’d get fed to the monster, too.”
“See,” Darling continued, “that’s extremely brave. Now if you’ll kneel in front of me, I’d like to give you your award.”
Zarya smiled as Drus knelt like an adult in front of her governor.
Darling held the medal up and performed the entire official ceremony. “It is with my greatest honor and gratitude that I, the 139th Governor of Caron Druxton Ambridate Darling Setonius Cruel, bestow this medal on you, Drus Gerst, for exceptional bravery while under the duress of fear and fire. May you live always to be a shining example to the people that when other lives mattered most, yours mattered least. It is for others that the brave will always gladly lay down their lives so that all our people can live without fear.”
He placed the medal around her neck. “Now rise, Dame Drus. And let everyone know from this day forward that you are the bravest of the brave. You are the pride of the Caronese people and of her governor who thanks you for your courage and service.”
Her beautiful features lit up as she cradled her medal in her small hands. Laughing, she launched herself at Darling. She hit him with such force that it knocked him back and caused his cowl to fall to his shoulders.
Drus’s laughter turned to a terrified gasp as she looked up and saw his scarred face.
Zarya held her breath at the sudden tension in the room. The gerents and plebs glared with obvious disdain and aversion.
Eyes wide, Drus stared in dismay. “Did someone hurt you, Your Majesty?”
Agony and embarrassment burned bright in his blue eyes, but to his credit, Darling offered the girl a smile that was twisted slightly by the vicious scars across his lips. “They did.”
“Then you can’t be a monster.”
Darling frowned. “How so?”
“Monsters can’t be hurt by people, silly. My nan says so. You can only be hurt when you have a heart and monsters don’t have hearts. That’s why they steal them from others.” Smiling at him once again, she leaned in to give him a quick kiss on his bearded cheek, then she patted it kindly. “I’m glad the beautiful lady was right. You are just a man and a very nice one, too.”
Darling lowered his head and gave her a somber military salute. “Thank you, Dame Drus.” He rose to his feet as Zarya came forward to reclaim Drus’s hand.
She smiled down at the little girl. “Come on, sweetie. I’ll take you to the reception room where we have cakes and cookies so that you can wait for your father.”
Drus let out a squeal of excitement. “Cakes! Oooh, I can’t wait. I love cakes.”
Zarya paused at the door to watch Darling replace his cowl before he faced the men.