"My, my. Look who's back at this hour. So are you going to explain everything yourself, or…hm?" Miss Rebecca looked at me with a gentle yet scolding expression.
I let out a breath and looked up at her. She seemed worried and I knew I'd have to tell her everything anyway to ease her worries. I then lowered my voice and gaze, thinking it was the best way to talk at the moment."Oh, hey miss Rebecca. I..uh, came back a bit late…I'll.. explain everything."
I glanced up at her and saw her rubbing her eyebrows. She looked relieved, there was a half smile on her face.
She leaned slightly and pulled me into a tight hug. I felt her burying her face in my shoulder. Relief washed over me as I hesitantly wrapped my arms around her.
"Your breath tickles against my neck, Miss. Rebecca." The words were just a soft whisper when escaped from my lips. I couldn't help but smile at that moment.
She chuckled as she pulled back slightly just enough to look at me, her fulvous hair brushing against my face. Periwinkle eyes that looked into mine gave me comfort and familiarity that I wished to keep safe. She glared at me— almost half-heartedly, it seemed.
"You brat… do you have any idea what time it is?" She lifted her hand and pinched my right cheek—almost gently. Though of course I flinched and swatted her hand away gently. I rubbed my cheek in mock hurt and pouted at her.
"Geez, you're always scolding, Miss. Rebecca. Can't I even enjoy my precious time?" I pursed my lips when I said those words because I just wanted to appear grumpy for no reason.
She chuckled at my behaviour and flicked my forehead as she got up. "Do you even know how ridiculous you look like that, you brat?"
My pout only deepened at the flick. I rubbed my forehead and looked up at her, her celadon dress which had white pattern in it was slightly dirty around her sleeves. Knowing her, she never wore dirty clothes at night. I ignored the fact that once again, my words came out grumpy.
"Hey! Stop calling me that or I'll start calling you grandma or something."
Hearing my words her lips just curled into an amused smile, as if she was daring me to actually say those words. She grabbed my wrist and started pulling me inside the herbalist shop, a shop which was also our home. Small yet cozy and comforting. Filled with warmth I'd never get from elsewhere.
I let out a sigh as a soft smile tugged at the corner of my lips. I let myself be pulled by her, or rather I followed her behind as she kept her grip firm on my wrist. This was the stark contrast when I'm outside in a world full of nobles and here, right in this small herbalist shop.
She closed the door behind us and let go of my wrist as she gestured to me to sit down on the chair next to the counter where she made all the medicines. Without protesting I sat down obediently, my hands clasped in my lap. I must've looked like a scolded puppy.
She leaned down, a smirk on her face as she patted my head—almost teasingly. "Good boy. Finally starting to learn how to obey, huh?" Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Whatever…" I narrowed my eyes and spoke. My stomach grumbled right when she was teasing me, of course she'd tease me a bit more. So I prepared myself mentally… though there was a faint blush on my face.
But instead, she let out a sigh and stood back up and gave me a concerned yet amused look. "Just sit here silently, okay? I'll go fetch something to eat." She said those words without any teasing? I couldn't believe myself. I was in utter disbelief at both her reaction and words. My lips parted slightly — to say something, but I just nodded my head softly.
She nodded as well and walked towards the kitchen. I was now left alone, the smell of the different herbs filled my nostrils. I glanced around and saw how many herbs were scattered on the table, some of them were left out to dry, while some were being prepared to be turned into a proper medicine.
'She's working so hard. Maybe I should start learning a thing or two about medicines and start helping her out.' I thought, my gaze drifting here and there inside the shop as it all felt familiar and comforting. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I shook my head. As much as I tried but a soft chuckle escaped my lips.
"Well you seem pretty happy there." My gaze drifted to my right side as I saw Miss. Rebecca walked towards me from the kitchen. In her hand, she held a plate which had some pancakes.
'pancakes? At this hour? But they still look delicious as hell..'
"Here, you're drooling all over the place. You look like a cute puppy right now." Miss. Rebecca placed the plate on the table in front of me as she sat beside me at the counter, an amused smile on her face as she shook her head.
"Just eat it, you brat. Stop looking at me like that."
"Whatever…" I muttered under my breath as I picked up the fork and knife, eating slowly, knowing well I could just devour these pancakes.
"And I'm not a puppy." I pouted as I took another bite, glancing at her for a brief moment.
"Yeah, sure. You're not a puppy. But you sure look like one when you're hungry and pout like that." She chuckled as she teased me. She then began picking up the herbs from the table with precise and careful movements, putting some in a dry jar, while a few in water filled jars.
I ignored her words and continued eating, still remembering everything that happened earlier. The moment with those damned lunatics, king, princess Rose…and that voice…who'll die? Why will they die? For what reason? What does this person behind this voice want from me?
My brow furrowed for a moment as I sat down the fork and knife on the plate, finished eating. I tried not to think about that just because I didn't want Miss Rebecca to catch onto something that she'll worry about for no reason.
I glanced back at Miss Rebecca and saw that she had cleaned up with the medicines, or potential medicines to be precise. She got up from her chair and walked towards me, I gulped down as I knew what was coming. She pulled the chair with her and sat right in front of me and looked at me, her gaze piercing through me.
I felt my heart race with anticipation. I fidgeted with the hem of my coat, trying to hide my nervousness with a smile.
"Go on, you know what's up." She spoke, her voice gentle yet firm, arms crossed, eyes narrowed slightly, a firm expression on her face.
I gulped down hard this time and looked down at the floor before looking back at her. Letting out a sigh, I spoke, my voice wavering slightly. "P…please don't get mad…okay?" I asked almost innocently.
"Depends on what you're going to tell me."
"NOW!" She firmly spoke. A shiver ran down my spine at her tone as I slowly nodded.
I then began telling her everything that happened, how I had a fight with those noble kids and then went to the king's court, and everything that happened with princess Rose as well.
She would gasp now and then whenever another plot twist came. Her eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.
Her eyes widened in shock as she heard my explanation, her body stiffening for a moment.
"That…was all…that happened…" I didn't look at her the whole time I spoke, I didn't dare look at her!
"You…" I braced myself for what came next as I heard her voice and her getting up from the chair.
"Thank goodness, you're safe…" I felt her arms wrapping around me, her voice heavy with emotions. I looked up, my eyes widening in surprise. I opened my mouth to say something but the words were stuck in my throat. Her arms slightly tightened around me as she looked at me, her expression unexpectedly soft and gentle, so was her voice….it felt…soothing…more than ever.
"You buffoon…first you come home late and then drop a bomb like that on me? Have some mercy on both my brain and heart…you idiot…" She flicked my forehead gently.
Instead of being grumpy, I simply chuckled, almost relieved. I rubbed my forehead, a bashful smile on my face. "Hehe…sorry…but even you get that that wasn't my fault…right?"
Miss Rebecca let out a sigh as she slowly unwrapped her arms around me and got up. I remained seated and looked up at her.
"Sure, it wasn't your fault. But what if things went differently? What if Princess wasn't there to save you, huh? Things could've been worse, you know." Her expression was one of relief and amusement.
"I know…but that was something I didn't have control over…" my voice dropped slightly as I looked down in guilt.
"Well, you're fine, and that's what matters. As long as you're safe, I have nothing to worry about…but seriously…don't just scare the hell out of me like that Gray.." she patted my head and spoke softly.
I let out a sigh and looked up at her,
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine. But…getting your ass saved by the princess herself? What are you? A damsel in distress?" She chuckled teasingly, messing up my hair before pulling her hand back.
"Hey…you say if I knew everything and I could've done something about it!" I felt my face flushing at her teasing. It felt like I was a fragile princess and she was the knight in shining armour here. But..it still is true…somewhat…
"Oh, and not only that but becoming friends with her as well? Geez…is there something more to it too? She smirked at me as she ignored my words and continued with her teasing. My face was flushing even more. I felt like a mess at this point.
"W…what's that supposed to mean? We're just friends, okay? Nothing more…"
"Heh…sure, just friends." She gazed at me for a few moments before picking up the plate from the table as she turned towards the kitchen and took a few steps forward and spoke.
"Alright, alright…enough with the chitter chatter. Now go and take a bath, you stink."
"Ugh, fine, fine." I grumbled in annoyance and walked upstairs. The wooden stairs were a bit older as the wood crackled a bit every time someone walked on them. I arrived outside the bathroom and began removing my clothes, hanging them on the door since that's what I did to avoid doing extra work.
"Gaah…Miss. Rebbeca's gonna scold me."
Having nothing but my shorts on, I walked inside the bathroom and closed the door behind. The tub was already filled with warm water and I immediately sat down and sank under the water for a moment before getting up, just enjoying my moment in the warm water.
I closed my eyes, remembering the earlier conversation with Miss Rebecca. I told her everything instead of that voice…I just didn't want to. It would have made her worry more.
I dipped into the water completely, sinking down a bit. 'Who is the person behind that voice anyway? Or maybe it's not a person at all…something else. Something that isn't human. What are the odds?'
I thought, forgetting to breathe as I immediately got up from the water, gasping for breath. 'Geez, what's wrong with me?'
I took my sweet time bathing myself. After a while, I got out of the bathroom. Wearing a black t-shirt and gray pajamas I went to my room that was just a few steps left from the bathroom.
I closed the wooden door behind me as I entered my room, seeing a sketch of a vast ocean, the crescent moon high in the sky casting its blue light on a lone ship in that scene that I made.
Beneath it was the window that gave a perfect view of the city since my room faced opposite from the alley. Letting out a sigh, I flopped down on my bed that was right beside that window.
I laid down on my side, my eyes fluttering close as the exhaustion caught up and I fell asleep right away, the thoughts still lingering in my mind.
'Gray— what a strange name...'
'To think you'd be named after such a boring colour...'
'No last name. Just an emotionless name...'
"What the…who is it?" I asked, as I saw—felt myself standing in a pitch black void. I couldn't even see my own knees. But it wasn't scary…it was calming.
My face was expressionless as I stood still and called out one more time. "Who are you?"
That voice that was calm, deep, and almost gentle made it terrifying, didn't respond. Looking around wasn't gonna help either, since I couldn't even see my own knees. What was even there to look for?
'I am you...'
"What!? Stop joking around…and how did I even end up here?" I asked firmly, my brows furrowed as I stood still.
'I am just... simply you.'
My throat felt heavy as I gulped down the saliva in my mouth, a cold drop of sweat ran down my cheeks from my forehead.
"Stop beating around the bush and answer my damn question!!" I barked, my hands balled into a fist.
"Who the hell are you!? Why am I here!? For what reason!?"
'I told you already…I am just simply you. As for your second question, you came here yourself. The reason? That's something you have to find out for yourself.'
"What the hell are you even saying? You're not making any sense…" Before I could say something else, a sharp pain went through me, and it wasn't my physical body, my brain felt so heavy—images flashing like lightning in the dark clouds and I couldn't focus on anything.
'...Gray…the boy who draws both day and night towards him…'
Another voice rang through my ears, or rather I heard it from deep within me. It wasn't the same as the one that gave me chills…but rather much warm and gentle, yet hiding a terrifying edge. Like a flicker of light in this eternal darkness. A faint flicker of hope in a world full of despair.
"What the…"
I fell on my knees as I grabbed my head and I applied pressure from both sides to get some relief—but it was all for naught. The pain was so much that I couldn't even utter a single word.
A single, just a single glance…that's all I got from those flashing images or sceneries. And I stood there— petrified. My body still as I forgot about the pain completely after seeing that horrifying picture.
I didn't know what to do anymore, what to say as my mind went completely blank. All I saw was…A beheaded body, its limbs torn apart, a hole the size of a fist right in its gut, and a head…of ME? And Miss Rebecca was just…sitting beside it, with three shots of arrows in her stomach?
Suddenly, my eyes opened as I looked around…it was my room—in the middle of the night…. "It was all just a dream." I talked to myself, my voice a bit breathless as I tried to catch my breath, body sweating like crazy as the cold night breeze hit my face from the window, giving me sudden goosebumps.
My gaze fell on the mark on my forearm. It felt…alive for some reason.
I let out a sigh, falling back in the bed. My throat still felt heavy as I recalled what that voice said and….that scene. "What the hell kind of dream was it…Fuck…"
I cursed inwardly. Letting out a sigh, I turned to my side. That image flashing before my eyes as I closed them.
"All this and…I still haven't practiced spells professor Archie told me to…geez…I need a darn break from all this."
Muttering under my breath, I slowly drifted off to a restless sleep. My mind replaying everything that happened earlier today…
: Zordus :
Disbelief— Shock— And fear…that's what I saw as I walked through the crowd of the CIFER country. Connor walked behind me.
'This guy really won't show a single emotion, huh? Even when this lunatic was standing in front of an outer god, all I saw was an aloof expression. In the name of Astria…this guy is so freaking boring.'
"Aren't you gonna ask me why we're here?" Not looking back at him, I asked.
"We're here to meet Keith Myre— also the King of the Cifer country."
I let out a sigh. My eyes twitched as this bastard didn't even bother to raise his voice slightly. 'It's hard to imagine that my own brother is this different from me. This bastard.'
:After a while — I and Connor both stood outside the castle. Its peaks seemed to pierce through the sky. Looking like a silhouette from afar—albeit— dripping with elegance and royalty even the royals never got their hands on.
"Geez…what's with this ridiculously big gate? It pisses me off every time for no particular reason." I scoffed. Looking at the two guards standing on each side of the dark gate.
"You're scaring them. I would prefer you to refrain from looking at them like you're about to kill them."
'Darn this freaking low voice of his. Does this bastard ever raise his voice?'
Ignoring him, I spoke. My gaze fixed at the guard on the right side. "Oi…are you two new here?"
I could've seen them falling down on their knees but they still stood their ground. 'impressive' I thought, as I heard the guard speak in his shaking voice— his body was tense and straight with a spear held in his right hand.
"Y…your excellencies! Pardon. Me and my p– partner got our jobs just last month!... I am afraid I can't let you in…"
"Hmm..? Are you refusing to open the gate?" I spoke in mild annoyance.
"If you're not dense enough. Yes, that is what he meant, Zordus."
My eyes twitched at this bastard's sarcastic tone with his calm and collected face.
"Oi— I'm going to rip out that damned tongue of yours…" I looked at him over my shoulder…all this bastard had was a smile on his face, as if he didn't even hear my words. With his ha
nds folded around his back…geez, this guy pissed me even more.
"Open the gate Martin— they are my special guests." My attention snapped back towards the gate and saw the man I was here to meet with…"Keith!!"