*****Author's Note*****
Sorry for the lack of updates guys! I am in university at the moment, and finals are already hitting me hard. It's kinda difficult to update frequently for the next month or so, but I will do my best to get it done! I haven't edited this Chapter by the way, so please know that this chapter may have spelling mistakes. I will try to edit the chapter when I have a chance. But for now, please enjoy.
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Chapter 5
Gerbera’s POV
For as long as I can remember, books have fascinated me. They are my joy, my peace, and a very real part of my world. I am convinced that without them, life would certainly be more bleak.
I love the history books that tell of the development of civilizations, I enjoy the diaries of men from ages past, or the scrolls of the research from ancient alchemists. All of them hold a magnificent amount of entertainment and information that I can’t seem to stop reading. I suppose that’s why I became a librarian. That said, my favourite type of literature amongst all the genres that one might find, are that adventure and fictional heroics. I often think that it might be childish for one my age, but there is a certain thrill, a certain type of romance, in stories about a hero braving off against the world for one reason or an other.
I suppose it’s what one would call a guilty pleasure.
I like to become immersed in those stories, imagining what it would be like to have fated encounters, fights against enemies, saving the world, falling in love, and all those things that can be usually found in stories. However, I will readily admit I would very much not like to be the main character. Often, the main character meets a number of challenges and suffers a lot. I wouldn’t really want to have to go through that if I had a choice.
However, I would like to be one of the friends of the main character. At least I would get to see things up close! I suppose you could call that a fantasy of mine.
Ever since the young master returned to the land of the living, I feel like I live in one of those stories though. A mysterious being revives the son of a noble house that was destroyed… sounds like the makings of a fairy tail to me. As if that wasn’t enough, the young master has some an abnormal amount of abilities for one so young, and you could even call the combination of them outrageous. When he told us about his special abilities, my first thoughts were, “A genius! He must certainly be a genius!”
I was unbelievably happy! The young master surely would be a great man one day, and I would be with him every step of the way, recording his great story. It was almost a like a dream. I know this is not fairy tail, I know its not fiction. But it sounds like it could lead to an adventure similar to one of those. In my heart, I thanked the young master for this opportunity.
I was satisfied.
But I was foolish. The young master is a genius after all! To think that I believed the development of the story would not truly begin for a few more years… Foolish, I say!
The young master’s fate, or perhaps his luck, is stronger than I conceived.
Last night, when I was busy compiling the next lecture for the young master, an unexpected event happened! The young master and Alfred, who were supposed to be away until tomorrow in one of their training excursions, had shown up in the lord’s mansion without any warning. At first I feared one of them injured, for what else could make them make such a hasty return?
However, I was proven wrong almost immediately when I saw what they were carrying. Alfred was carrying what seemed to be a ravine bear on his back, as if giving him a piggy-back ride, while the young master brought in his hands a girl with messy, short orange hair. Maybe it was because books have influenced me, but immediately noticed that he was carrying her like a princess. A flag! My instincts tell me this is what some authors describe as flag, is it not?!
“Young master! Alfred!” I called out to them, walking briskly towards them. “What has happened?”
Alfred’s expression became somewhat troubled, his lips frowning slightly, but he remained silent. Instead, he looked over at the young master, as if to say that it was better for him to explain. That alone was a sign that something did not sit right right with Alfred.
“I can explain,” the young master exclaimed. He has an expression that is somewhat tired, and perhaps even sheepish. “Long story short, I rescued this girl from a pair of ravine bears, and we had to come back because she looks like she is not in good health.”
Young master, that explanation is way too short! Please consider my love for stories more.
But I could not say that. Instead, I nodded my head, and held my tongue. I could ask the girl or Alfred for a more complete story later.
“I see. I only see one bear though?” I exclaimed.
“Alfred said that carrying both would be difficult because of their size, so we just took one whole and the core of the other.” Master explained as he set the girl down on the floor slowly. “More importantly, could you look her over?”
“Understood.” I replied right away. If the young master needs my help, I must do my best!
However, when I looked at the girl again, my eyes caught sight of something I had not noticed before. Her ears, while not quite round like a human’s, were somewhat longer and more pointed than they should have been. I felt my eyes widen, my pulse quicken, and my hand twitch. I did a double take, and looked over her body. Slim, but somehow giving the impression that in the future she might be a beauty, and her age was difficult to discern at a glance. I little to no doubt about it.
A half-breed. A human and elf one at that! My lip twitches, and instinctually my hand reaches for her throat, while I feel some of that old hate start to stir again.
“Gerbera!” The stern voice belongs to the young master.
Startled, I looked up, as if awakening from a dream. I look up at him, seeing him frown. I think that his eyes hold some concern. Maybe disappointment? I am unsure why, but instantly I feel a sense of shame.
“Apologies.” I muttered out, looking away, but it seems the young master heard me. His hand reached out and patted my head. It caught me by surprise, but its pleasant. It soothed me.
“I understand Gerbera.” He replied in an oddly mature voice. Why does it feel like he is the elder and I am the child?
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“Gerbera,” he continues, “right now, she is my guest. Please examine her, and give her medical attention if she needs any.”
“By your will.” I replied, my voice stronger than before. Old grudges could wait, right now I have a duty to the young master. This person, human, half human, elf, dwarf, whoever or whatever she is, is inconsequential. She is now a guest of the young master. I must act with respect.
I take a deep breath, and take a glance at the young master. He smiles a smile that seems too mature for his age, but his eyes reflect a soft satisfaction. I wonder if the young master has understood my thoughts some how?
The young master then turns around and starts walking out of the room, signalling Alfred to follow him. The minute they are both out of the room, I quickly started stripped her of her rags and began to examine her, noting that her slim body was covered in cuts and bruises. The soles of her feet and her hands in particular seem to have the most scars. Most interestingly, her neck has faint markings around it, even some faint scars. It seemed to me that she used to be a slave
A few of her wounds seemed fairly recent, some starting to show signs of infection. Thankfully, the forest has some medicinal herbs that we have gathered, and these can be used to treat her. What worried me more, however, was that despite looking pretty, she was a bit too thin. I wouldn’t be surprised if she hadn’t eaten properly in days.
When I finished my analysis and started to treat her wounds, my mind started to wander a bit. I think I understand Alfred’s troubled expression earlier. He must have had a similar reaction to mine, or perhaps even a stronger one, so I wager that he was personally chastised by the young master.
Yet, even through all that, even though the young master has brought this… ‘guest’ to our home, I felt a small smile form at my lips. Despite having a potential enemy with us now, the bookworm inside me is starting to giggle with joy. Master’s life was turning out to be more of an adventure than I thought. I couldn’t help feeling a little joy.
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Terra’s POV
It was rather disturbing to see Gerbera react in such a way to the girl, though he probably should have not been surprised. Even Alfred’s face tightened up when he saw the girl, not to mention he started to release a sizeable wave a murderous aura before I told him to stop.
He understood the source of that though. There seemed to be some bad blood between the humans, the elves, and the Malicia. Though there had be no open war between the races, there had been plenty of small battles, skirmishes, and all sorts of unsavoury events between over the past hundred years. In fact, the battle that took place in this town was one of those conflicts. The humans and elves had teamed up to take down the Forest Lord.
That being the case, I could understand why Gerbera and Alfred openly showed hostility towards the girl. However, I can’t truly relate to that hate. I can understand why they would hate them, but when I looked at the girl before, I could only see a young girl, and not a dangerous person. I mean… I can’t truly see her as a threat. This is why I had decided to help her out. Who knows, she could even become useful later down the road?
I could only hope that I could teach Alfred and Gerbera to be more tolerant towards other races. I would like to avoid conflict with them as much as possible.
With this in mind, I prayed that helping this girl would not turn to be a mistake.
I sighed at this thought, and I looked over at Alfred, who had been watching me silently for a while. I wonder if he was upset…
“Young master.”
“Yes, Alfred?”
“I would like to make a request.”
I raised an eyebrow at Alfred, wondering what he would ask for. After all, Alfred had not asked for anything selfish before.
“And what would that be?”
“Young master, I humbly request that you explain to me why you show kindness to the half-breed.” Alfred asked politely. It seems that he was genuinely curious.
I stared at him for a minute, not saying anything. How do I explain to a man that has lost everything to forgive a person from the same affiliation of those that took everything? I could not tell. But perhaps, Alfred was reasonable enough to understand. Perhaps it would just take time, and a chance to see the good in others.
“…Alfred, what do you think of humans and elves?”
Alfred made a somewhat complicated face. “Humans are devious, sneaky creatures that plot treacheries, and elves are obnoxious, two-faced cowards who hide in their forests perpetually.”
“And you think all of them are like that Alfred?”
“Yes.”
“Even their children?”
“…Pardon?” Alfred looks like he had been caught off guard for once.
“Do you think even their children are that way?” I ask evenly.
“Well…” Alfred seems to think about it, so I add more to my argument while he hesitates.
“Alfred, even if there are humans and elves like that, there are always exceptions. Children learn their behaviour from parents, so a child bears none of the ill will that an adult may have. The hate that has been built for the last hundred years… What good has come off it? Death? War? More hate? Look around Alfred. This town was destroyed because of that hate. How many towns and cities have been razed to the ground like this one? I am sure we are not free of sin as well. If we don’t stop hating each other, then what will happen? Will the conflict continue endlessly? Will some one be whipped out? Or will everyone die?”
“…I see.” Alfred makes a face looks like he has tasted something unpleasant.
“I don’t mean to say that you should forget your hate right away.” I add in. “That would be unreasonable. But I hope that you can give this child a chance.”
“…Young master speaks like a man far beyond his years.” Alfred bows courteously, accepting my words. “By your will.”
I just hope it all turns out alright.