I was met with a splash of burning hot tea straight to my face, it burned my face instantly, hot and sharp. I closed my eyes and flinched but i dare not move an inch
— What the hell is this shit?! You call this tea?! It tastes like ass!
[ i was used to this kind of treatment ]
[ i can tolerate anything ]
"You useless child, did your mom not teach you anything?", he scoffed and sat back. His face was somehow between a disgusted feeling and disappointment. Maybe even a little angry.
— Master Sen…
— I-i'm terribly sorry..!
i kept my head down, soaked. The tea dripping down as i held my head strongly low.
— My mom died when i was born so i was raised by my father…
His face was smug, he titled his head, hand under his chin like he just thought of something bright. The look on his face said it all,
— So you are a cursed child. Serves you! You don't deserve a mom.
i sat on the ground, like a dog under his owner's feet,
— I guess you are right…
that's when i raised my head and looked up to him, "What about you Master? Do you have a good mom?
when i said those words, the room was all of a sudden gloomy, Master's face was blank.
— Hey kid, are you trying to make me feel bad for you?
A single tear sweat popped on his face, slowly coming down
It was heavy, i quickly wanted to shift the conversation before he lost his temper, "NO!", i yelled in a low voice
With my lower body, i closed the distance between us with a jolt movement. My legs folded, hands resting on my lap. I tried to minimalise how much space i occupied,
— I accept my life! I'm a curse! Master Sen, i know it makes you laugh whenever i tell you how useless and miserable i am!
…
…
Master sat with his legs spread, grounded on his chair. His right arm was resting on the corner of the round table, while his other one was on his lap holding the empty tea cup. His head straight, his eyes not moving, his brows drew in faintly, he was fixed on what i just said.
It was a long pause between us.
no words
not a single word
quiet, i try to open my mouth and babble something nonsense but before i could think of something, he took the shift,
— So now you're a comedian and not a servant?
I thought if i said those words it will bring a laugh out of him, but it turns out i just made the situation worse.
— You really are a strange kid…
he said as he placed the tea cup on the table
Now he's face was full of worry, and maybe a bit creeped out
— Tell me this, you are messing and being useless on purpose? Or are you doing it to get my attention?
i placed my palm on the wooden floor and sincerely said, "i'm useless… i'm doing it to entertain you master"
He crossed his legs and arms and backed up, turning his head sharply to the other side, "hmph."
"stop it. You're useless at everything! You never entertained me so stop. You make me feel bad for you!"
He bite his lip, now three sweat tears could be seen on his face, "I'm a human too! Not some evil villain!"
"You're the useless of the most useless!!"
i stood on my knees, holding my hands, i open my mouth smiling through my crooked teeth, "Thank you Master! Thank you for granting me the title for being 'The Most Useless of The Most Useless'!!"
Master titled his gaze towards my presence, one eyebrow raised, his lips parted in a crooked smile. There was a flicker of concern in his eyes but it was buried under something delight. Something more amusing.
He rubbed his two fingers, "hmph!", he grinned, "someone like you doesn't even deserve to get that title, but it's fine i guess! You do entertain me..a bit"
"i'll tell you", he sat cross-leg
"I'll tell you about my mom..well, about her."
i stared at master, i focused all my attention on him.
i sit quietly,
— She is my inspiration.
he said as he glanced at the oil painting hung on the wall, the candle's light hitting the painter.
— My mother worked for the
— She's my sun, my spring and my everything
Master's facial expression was something you will not see often, it felt strange hearing him talk with his heart.
— She was a teacher there. She used to tutor me as a kid..She was so sweet and always made me smile.
Master closes his eyes, reminiscing about his good memories.
— But..
the tone was flat
— She was killed by the
— They killed my beloved Harly!
His eyes grow dark and his mood shifted, "But i'm not angry..No..no..not anymore", he grinned
His sharp teeth showing, "I can bring her back to life!"
He gripped his hand tightly, "Thanks to Anny, I will bring back Harly back."
— Anny?..
— Yes, she's the key to bring anyone who's dead back to life!
Master and i felt a bit close..He spoke to me normally, like he finally saw me as human, "Tell me, is there anyone you look up?"
i blushed at that question, "..there..is…", my face was a bit sweaty
— Who?
With an ugly smile i said, "It's.. you, of course, Master!"
───────────────────
The guard was surprised by the unknown guest, "Who are you..? How did you manage to.."
"The uniform of the Royal guard…You're a Victorian..!"
The man backed up, he quickly grabbed the blood sample out of the machine and hit a few buttons but before he could look up, a flying kick strikes him in the face. Barely managed to dodge it, he positioned himself quick and grabbed Victor's leg. His coat dancing in the air with each kicks. The man single-handedly blocked his kicks. He was strong enough to go against my butler. Victor launched a powerful final kick towards the guard, aiming straight at his face. Surprisingly the guard leaned back, his torso curving backward in a fluid dodge. The kick whooshed past his face, missing by inches. He regained his balance. His hands free, he summoned his sword in just a few seconds. While Victor tried to gain back his balance from his last kick, the guard didn't miss the opportunity to strike while Victor's vision was blocked by his coat.
Whoosh—
Victor seen through him, he bent down on the floor, with his lower leg, he pushed his body forward, a punch forming mid-air while the guard wielded his sword across the room.
POW—
The guard flew across the room, hitting the hard metallic wall, knocking a few objects as he landed.
────────────────────
— BEEEP
— BEEP
the siren went off, in the room, Master rose up, "FUCK!"
[ ALARM ! There's an intruder in block 3!! ANNY IS ESCAPING! ALL MEMBERS PROCEED TO MOVE ! …]
────────────────────
The siren alarm was loud,
— Victor..there's a lot of guards here..! We have to run!
scared i panicked and dashed towards Victor's arms
— princess Anny, hurry come to my arms
footsteps approaching, "STOP, I ORDER YOU!", the guards rushing towards us said.
— We aren't afraid of using skills if it means to capture Anny!
Victor picked me up and backed up as the guards move slowly, calculating Victor's movements.
He whispered, "hold on tight, don't let go okay?"
i grabbed on his neck tightly and said, "Why..?! You're not thinking of.."
in a spawn of a second, Victor made his move: he dashed backwards looking straight at the guards and i let out a loud scream as the glass behind us shattered into pieces
The guards shocked, they watched us jump from a 4 story building. Victor covering me from head to toe with his coat, protecting me from the glass hitting any part of my body.
— AHHHHHHHH
poof.
────────────────────
[ … ]
— you can open your eyes now.
[ ow..ow did i die..? ]
i blinked and slowly opened my eyes.
the cold breeze hitting my body, i looked around, looks like we escaped.
We were in the woods with rocky hills.
— of course not! I'll never hurt you princess Anny.
I lifted my head and looked at Victor, his golden blonde hair waving slightly. A warm smile on his face.
— victor…
sob
sob…
— Why.. didn't you come fast!! I-i almost died thinking i was left all alone!!
i swallowed my tears.
"…"
— My apologies princess, are you cold? Here you can wear my coat.
he removed his musty old coat and placed it around my shoulder.
— I'm not cold!!
sob..sob..
"There", he patted his coat as he placed it on my small body.
— I-..I regret running away..! I-i..lost both of my friends! Eris..Eris will die..
i couldn't hold myself back, any longer i kept these thoughts, my head would explode. Seeing Victor both bought me comfort and someone i could share my struggle with.
— All because of me…The mister.. he also died..because of me!
i wrapped the coat and held on to it, "And now..everyone wants me dead! Apparently! What did i even do to them?"
my eyes were filled with tears, it made it hard to see where i was walking. I took small steps, with which steps i pushed myself harder.
my legs were tired, my head was hurting, my chest was heavy and my throat felt trapped and hard to swallow. My hands freezing cold as my body ached.
Victor held my hand, looking down he said,
— Listen to me Anny. I always tell you to think of me as your older brother, and now, i want you to listen to me. It's going to be okay.
— Eris, she's not gonna die. She should still be on her way to
I kicked the tiny rock with my foot
— We can still try to save her but the queen.. Your mother will be here in just 2-3 days.
I stopped
— The choice is yours.
— What?
i clinched tightly to my dress, on one hand i grabbed hold of his coat, the wind was strong.
— Are you serious?
Stunned, my mouth hung open for a split second then the madness rushed over me. My lips pressed into a thin line and my eyes burning with fury. I raised my tone, "Are you telling me to choose between saving Eris from her death! Or go back to die?"
I couldn't believe what he just threw at me. "You're joking"
— no?.. anny.. i would never let anyone hurt you.
I interrupted his phrase and launched, "Hurt me? Oh please i heard a similar one just a few hours ago and guess what! He's fucking dead now!"
"Promises. Such a joke!"
"You..you all are stupid!"
Turning his face, he tried to get me to listen, "Your mom will never condone to such things! I simply—"
— Yeah right! Well i hate her!.. I hate her! I hate my mom!
[ fuck fuck fucking hell ]
i removed the heavy coat and slammed it on the floor, stomping it, " I hate you! I HATE EVERYONE!"
my eyes were red from crying, i ran straight as Victor stood in silence.
"I hate you victor!"
sigh.