I Married Three Calamities (And Got A System For It)

Chapter 29: Chapter 28: Alice & Veronica

Mars was still staring down at his hands even after Veronica had left. He still couldn’t believe what was happening to him.

If Veronica really assigned him a Protector to follow him around, then everything he’d just done would be for nothing.

At first, he’d considered not going back to the house, but he discarded that option immediately. He was honestly afraid of what these three crazy women might do if he wasn’t there to keep an eye on them.

Mars hadn’t known them long, but he knew enough to feel that possibility chill his heart.

The other option was to bring the Protector herself to the house. There, she’d meet the three infamous princesses of the Primes, all living under the same roof.

That would ruin everything.

There was a reason the Prime Families hadn’t shared Mars’s identity with the public, despite openly stating that all three princesses had married the same man.

It was simply because they knew Mars wouldn’t survive long if they did. Many people hated Solaris, Willow, and Moon. And plenty of them would jump at the chance to exploit their current status to do whatever they’d always wanted to do to them.

Those people were far too strong for Mars, or the three women, to handle right now.

So the Families had hidden him. Not out of love, but because they needed the three infamous princesses kept away from prying eyes.

’Because of this... I killed Loris,’ Mars thought, clenching his fists tightly. ’To protect our anonymity until we can deal with whatever comes for us. Now you’re telling me all of that was pointless?’

He sighed under his breath, closing his eyes, seeing no clear path forward.

But Mars Fox wasn’t one to give up. If he were, he’d have given up years ago. If there was one thing his life had taught him, it was resilience.

’Alright, alright, alright,’ he whispered to himself, closing his eyes to think deeply. ’There has to be a way. There’s always one. Think, Mars. Think. Something... just find something.’

The world around Mars faded as he sank deep into his own mind, searching for a way forward.

Just like always.

’Another one.’

...

At the same time, while Mars was internally panicking, Veronica was doing exactly what she’d promised.

She logged her investigation and wrote up a report of her conversation with Mars in the Protectors’ database.

She hadn’t wanted Mars to have a record — the young man truly didn’t deserve one — but it was unavoidable. From now on, wherever he went, Mars’s file would be accessible to the Protectors.

Still, Veronica wrote him a favorable profile, hoping it would help. Again, she wondered why she felt such compassion for him.

This time, though, she didn’t dwell on the thought for long. Once she’d made sure everything was properly recorded, she sent an email with the interrogation’s verdict to the other Protectors and to her own chief.

Then she called another Protector to join her in her office.

The woman arrived soon after.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in, Agent Alice," Veronica said, sitting comfortably in her chair, fingers tapping the table.

"Yes, Captain."

The door swung open, and a woman stepped inside. She was older, around 40 or so, with a mature, warm presence.

A faint smile touched her face — the kind that seemed to hold the love a mother has for her child. It was soft and tender, and Veronica felt instantly at ease just looking at her.

The older woman had brown hair streaked with white. Her eyes were equally brown, faint wrinkles lining her face here and there.

She was tall, around 6’4", with a toned, curvy, healthy build that clearly showed an active training life.

In her Protector’s uniform, Alice was truly a striking presence.

She approached Veronica’s desk and stood a few steps in front of it, bowing slightly in respect.

"You called for me, Captain Snow?"

"I did," Veronica replied. "I assume you’ve heard about the incident on Rue Bauvary, three hours ago."

"I have. Is this about that?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes," she nodded. "A young man was caught up in the crime, but was cleared after interrogation. However, he’s been in close contact with someone presumed to be a Reds member, which puts him in real, potentially lethal danger."

Agent Alice listened closely, already guessing where her captain was headed.

"I need you, Agent Alice, to serve as his Protector for a month. You’ll report to me if anything happens to him, and protect him if he’s attacked. We might learn more about the Reds through him."

"Understood, Captain," Alice replied, then her brow knitted slightly. "But I doubt that’s all you want from me, is it? Otherwise, we have plenty of Protectors better suited for this than an old lady like me."

Veronica smiled faintly, nodding, her fingers tapping the table even faster. "You’re right, I suppose."

"Then?"

"You know I’ve always seen you as something of a mother figure," she said, looking at Alice with genuine affection. "A mother figure I lost young. One I had to become myself for my little sister, when I was only 16."

Alice nodded curtly, simply smiling at her words.

"And because of that, I want you to be... hm... more than just a Protector for the young man I’m assigning you," she replied. "He’s lost a lot in his life, and had to face all of it alone. So... yeah."

Alice shook her head slowly. "Little Snow," she said, using her nickname directly, a sign this wasn’t Alice the agent speaking.

This was Alice, the mother Veronica had always wished for.

"I’ve told you many times not to let your kind heart outweigh your duty."

"I promise it isn’t, Mother Alice. It really isn’t," she shook her head, smiling wryly. "I... just know what it’s like to lose your mother. And well... he has silver hair too."

"You’re a lost cause," Alice replied, shaking her head, chuckling. "I need to stay close to you, or that kindness of yours will get you killed one day, Little Snow."

"Impossible! I’m the strongest!"

"But clearly not the smartest."

"Argh."

"Hahah," Alice laughed. "Alright, I’ll do it, for you." She accepted, smiling tenderly. "I know what it’s like to lose someone dear too. So I’ll be whatever you want me to be for him, if he lets me be that for him."

"Thank you, Mother Alice," Veronica said gratefully. "He’s... he’s a compassionate boy. You’ll like him."

"You’ve known him for two hours at most. How could you even tell?" Alice looked at her worriedly. "I really do need to stay close to you, Little Snow."

"Argh! Trust me! I’m not wrong this time! He’s a good kid!"

"If you say so. I’ll see for myself," Alice replied. "When do I start?"

Veronica composed herself and answered, "Now."

"I see. What’s his name?"

"Mars," Veronica said, glancing at her computer, where a picture of Mars was displayed. "Mars Fox."

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