I shuddered as my mother's intense gaze fell on me. All was silent as I waited for words to decide my fate. I was certain that the punishment I would receive would be no small one, but more terrifyingly, I had no idea what it would be.
“Orinthya, Nita, Baelian, where did you learn to say that?” demanded Mom in the same icy tone. A voice that made my skin crawl and completely robbed me of the ability to speak.
“...”
“Answer me when I'm talking to you, young lady.” She repeated, this time, taking a couple of steps toward me, making me jump in my place. But I was still unable to utter a word.
As soon as I heard her right in front of me, I braced myself for what was about to happen, but by divine grace, the knight's voice stopped my mother from whatever she was about to do or say.
“Ma'am, if I may.”
We both turned to him, Mom with a furious look on her face and looking sideways at me, me hoping that this saintly knight would save my butt. Literally.
My mother's intense stare made him flinch for a second, but he coughed once to regain his composure and spoke in a conciliatory tone.
“I understand why you are angry, your grace, and I also think I know where the young lady learned that word. But, if I may offer my opinion, you should calm your anger and deal with the situation more composedly, I think.”
Mom narrowed her eyes and looked at him in silence for a long while. But the knight kept his expression calm.
I hadn't noticed it until now, given the situation I was in, but I was almost certain that he was that knight Mom had once mentioned, the one I suspected was an elf.
His appearance was, in fact, quite similar to what I would expect from them. A face that was a bit androgynous, which could be considered more on the beautiful side than handsome, elongated ears, much more than ours, even more than Dalia, who I suspected was also an elf. They were also pointier and thinner, making me remember how in other stories they were called knife ears.
His hair, while not long and inexplicably silky, as they were often depicted, was quite beautiful, especially by the standards of this world. Even his color stood out from the many people I had met. It was a silvery blonde that seemed to shimmer and sparkle in the light of the sisters.
Her eyes were small, but they stood out because of their beautiful jade-green hue, a color that almost provoked greed to possess them. And the detail that stood out the most was his skin. While he was that typical fair-skinned elf, it was extremely impressive that there was not a single imperfection anywhere. There were no moles, blemishes, or scars of any kind. It was simply perfect skin in every way. A detail that rather than being positive, almost felt disturbing. Although her aura of calmness and positivity made up for that fact.
Suddenly, Mom took a deep breath, letting out some of her anger. Although she seemed calmer, it was quite obvious that she was still very upset, given the expression on her face.
Internally, I felt relieved. I was deeply grateful to the knight for de-escalating the situation. Just saying a few words had, for my benefit, reduced anything my mother could have done without his intervention. He even took advantage of my mother looking away for a moment to wink at me along with a smile of complicity. I almost made the mistake of thanking him out loud, but quickly corrected myself by leaving it at a nod.
“The important thing is that we found her.” Mom said sounding much calmer, but not taking her suspicious gaze off me. Something that made me hold still in my spot for fear of provoking her again.
“You are right your grace, that is, in fact, the best news.” Commented the knight.
“So, Sir Erlathan, where do you think my daughter learned that vocabulary?” questioned my mother, crossing her arms and averting her eyes from me, giving me a small gasp.
“I think the fault lies with the order the guards were given.”
Mother frowned for a second, confused by Sir Erlathan's words, nodding toward him and urging him to continue.
“When the guards were ordered to go about their business without interruption, no matter who was present, it was never considered that something like this could ever happen. It's not something they would think would ever happen, after all. If they are ordered to continue to act as they always have, ignoring the presence of others, including your Grace or Duke Halfred, unless they are ordered otherwise, then they will take those words to heart.”
Mom brought a hand to her cheek as she considered the knight's words. If you think about it, without the proper context that I do have, it sounds quite logical. The officers among the guards didn't care in the least that I was present as they hurled their colorful insults like an angry Argentinian. So, if I, a little girl who absorbs everything easily like a dry sponge in a swimming pool, showed up in that place, with that kind of atmosphere, I would easily learn a myriad of words, many of which should not be heard by a young noble lady like me, much less learn and pronounce them. So, in short, Sir Erlathan was giving me the perfect excuse.
Mom seemed to accept Sir Erlathan's words, nodding to herself after a while.
“That makes sense. I guess that would explain where she learned it from.” She said, conceding him right. But, as happy as I was to see that I found a way out, I was again put back in my place by her angry look. “But, that's only because of the ‘vulgarity’ she said. It doesn't justify her previous actions.”
Fuck...
Wait, I didn't say that out loud too, did I?
Looking at her, her expression didn't change, so I didn't fuck up again this time. I tried to give her one of my sad puppy eyes, which usually gets me out of trouble most of the time, just like that incident with the puddle, but...
“That's not going to work this time, young lady.” Against all odds (at least mine), I failed.
“Your grace, I know I may be getting too much into that matter, and I deeply apologize for that, but would you allow me to speak to the young lady for a moment?”
“Talk to her?” my mother asked, raising an eyebrow with great curiosity. Like me, we couldn't understand his motives, so she just nodded, allowing the knight to approach me.
“As you know, I too have children, and if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that everything they do has its reasons, even if sometimes we fail to see it.” Sir Erlathan expressed as he walked toward me with a reassuring smile. “With children, if one wants to educate them properly, it is always best to listen to them first.”
The knight crouched down, leaning on one of his knees, staying level with my gaze, and, with a kind expression, spoke to me in a clear, polite voice.
“Young lady, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Erlathan Rindel, one of the knights in the service of your family.”
Sir Erlathan formally introduced himself with a smile, bowing his head and crossing his right arm across his chest in the most well-known gesture ever used by medieval knights in popular culture.
I was a bit taken aback, but quickly recovered and decided to respond to his gesture in the same way, with a formal salute. I repeated the same thing I'd done earlier with the librarian lady. I reinstated my posture, cleared my voice, and introduced myself, “I am Orincya Nita Belian, a plesha to meet you.”
Sir Erlathan opened his eyes in amused surprise. Behind him, I saw Mom looking at me with a very similar expression, both incredulous to see me give a formal greeting without anyone having taught it to me before.
Points for me.
“The young lady is truly a prodigy. Her greeting was truly impeccable.” I was complimented by the knight, causing a slight heat to rise in my cheeks. I hadn't expected to blush at something like that, but a compliment like that is... quite a new experience. Especially coming from an elf. It made me smile, and I immediately thanked him for his words.
After a couple more words of praise, and letting the blush on my face gradually fade, Sir Erlathan changed to a somewhat more serious tone, looking me straight in the eye with a kind but deep gaze.
“Young miss, what happened, why did you separate from your maid?”
The question brought back the guilty feeling from before. I hadn't thought about what would happen after I slipped away from Ameli. I moved my gaze to her, who had remained silent as a statue until now, and felt a prick in my heart. I turned back to Sir Erlathan and answered him truthfully.
“I wanna see ekus.”
“I see. Do you like the ekus very much?”
“Hmm! Lots,” I replied with more enthusiasm than I intended, and upon immediate realization I put my head down. I love those huge, adorable balls of feathers, and if I could I would spend all day with them. “But... they say I can't see them.”
“They won't let you? That's too bad. Why is that?”
“...M-mami says it's dangeous,” I replied, dejected and hesitant. I gave my mother a slight sidelong glance, but her expression remained the same as before.
“Hmm, it certainly looks dangerous. They're very large birds that could hurt you if you're not careful.”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Th-they would never do that! They're very good, they always protect me.” I replied a little panicked, I didn't want them to be seen as a danger, they were very gentle and careful. Not many would be able to tell, but whenever I had been with them, playing, there was always at least one of the flock in charge of protecting me. I became aware of this after noticing that whenever I ran alongside the babies, there was always one of them who was strangely close to us.
“The lady loves them very much, doesn't she?”
I nodded. I loved those birds; they were my best friends in this huge house.
“I see. But you know what, young lady?” said Sir Erlathan, stepping back slightly so that I had a better view of my mother. “Her Grace the Duchess, your mother, also loves you very much.”
I froze. I couldn't help but instantly realize what the knight in front of me was getting at. I clenched my fists as I realized my own stupidity, angry at myself. Once again, I lowered my head, ashamed of my behavior.
“You may not understand yet, but she is just worried about your safety because she loves you more than you can imagine.”
I nodded again, understanding perfectly what he was referring to.
“So, young lady, don't you think there's something you should tell your mother?”
I nodded again and walked toward Mom, who was waiting for me with her arms folded and a frown on her face.
I looked up to meet hers, feeling ashamed, not for what I should do, but for not noticing my actions. “Mami...sowwy for sneaki out.
Mom looked at me for a long time. A very, very long time, without saying a word. I held her gaze, expectant to hear her response and nervous about how long it was taking her to answer me.
“*sigh* I understand.” She finally replied. “But I don't want you to ever do this again, is that clear?”
I nodded firmly. I was ashamed of myself. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought about the consequences of my actions. Sure, I knew my ekus well, I knew perfectly well that they couldn't hurt me, but did Mom know? Or Ameli? Did anyone else besides myself know? No, no one knew but me and the ekus themselves.
Plus, I never really considered what would happen to Ameli the moment I walked away from her. For heaven's sake, if they had taken much longer to find me, she might have lost her job because she lost me. I would never forgive myself if something like that ever happened.
I turned away from Mom and walked toward Ameli, who was still staring at the ground. She noticed me and showed me an expression full of sadness.
It hurt. Her look hurt so much.
“Ali, sowwy.”
Ameli didn't respond right away, but instead bent down and hugged me.
“Please, young lady, don't do something like that ever again. I was so terrified when you disappeared.” Ameli whispered in my ear. I felt my heart compress as I heard her voice so weak and hurt. I clung to her feeling like a real shit, almost crying because of how bad I felt.
Plus, I never really considered what would happen to Ameli the moment I walked away from her. For heaven's sake, if they had taken much longer to find me, she might have lost her job because she missed me. I would never forgive myself if something like that ever happened.
I turned away from Mom and walked toward Ameli, who was still staring at the ground. She noticed me and showed me an expression full of sadness.
It hurt. Her look hurt so much.
“Ali, sowwy.”
Ameli didn't respond right away, but instead bent down and hugged me.
“Please, young lady, don't do something like that again. I was so terrified when you disappeared.” Ameli whispered in my ear. I felt my heart compress as I heard her voice so weak and hurt. I clung to her feeling like real shit, almost crying at how bad I felt.
“I guess that settles this matter.” My mother announced, getting everyone's attention. Ameli carried me in her arms as she approached my mother. “Take her home and tell Fiana everything that happened.”
I shuddered again hearing that...if my mother was angry, Kila...I don't even want to imagine.
“Hmph, you sure didn't think that with an apology everything was going to work out, did you, Orinthya?”
I hid in Ameli's chest and didn't answer.
Of course, this wasn't over.
I heard my mother snort before ordering Ameli to leave.
I had just faced a tricky boss and survived thanks to Sir Erlathan's actions, but who could save me now from the wrath of the final boss, Makila?
I am truly doomed...
----------------------------------------
“I must say, Sir Erlathan, I didn't expect you to be so good with children,” Irlana spoke with a half-smile, directed at the knight beside her.
“You are giving me too much credit, your grace. I am simply used to dealing with my kids. They are the same as the young lady. Maybe even more playful.”
“So much so? It must be like the passing of a storm, then.”
“Quite an apt comment,” Erlathan replied with an amused chuckle. “Though that's just why I can understand a bit why the young lady did what she did.”
Erlathan gave a smile to his master, who quickly understood the meaning behind it.
Irlana was not normally so strict with rules, especially things like restricting her children's freedom. But Orinthya was most certainly the last daughter she could bring into this world, and that made her, in a way, a special case. Overprotecting her, perhaps a little too much.
Irlana sighed internally, wondering if she should be more permissive with the little girl. Forbidding something to a child almost always ends up making the child want to do it even more. However, at the moment, these things didn't happen with Orinthya. The child had proven on multiple occasions to be incredibly obedient and attentive. Of course, today was one of those very rare times when she behaved like a child of her age, a mischievous child who disobeyed her parents' orders. And it was just that that gave her something to think about.
Maybe what she needs is for us to trust her a little more. I'll need to talk to Hal and Fia about this and find out what they have to say. I think I've been a little too overprotective of her lately.
“Yes, I think I know that too.” Duchess finally replied after taking a deep breath to clear her mind. “You have given me much to think about Sir Erlathan. I can tell that your promotion was not just because of your combat skills. I expect much from you now that I have seen your capabilities in other areas.”
“It is a great honor to hear those words, my Duchess.” Erlathan brought a hand to his chest and bowed toward Irlana, who nodded in acceptance of the knight's words.
“By the way, Sir Erlathan.” The knight straightened up, waiting patiently for his master's words. “How old are your children? I'd love to hear about them.”
Erlathan smiled broadly as if a switch had flipped on at that very instant. The two of them, who had come here together for reasons now forgotten, walked together as they shared their experiences in raising their children.
Perhaps, taking a little too much advantage of bragging about them.
----------------------------------------
The journey to the mansion was silent and somber. Ameli walked as if she too was going straight to meet her dark fate. I decided to hug her tightly, feeling it was the only thing I could do at that moment, aside from feeling guilty.
Do you know what the worst part of it all is?
“Oh, I didn't expect to find you two right at the entrance. How was your walk?” Kila greeted us just a few feet from the door accompanied by Zenya who looked a little tired.
“Tya, how is my sweet little sister?” my sister approached us indicating Ameli to hand me over to her. My maid hesitated for a second, glancing towards Kila, who returned her gaze raising an eyebrow in confusion.
Ameli nodded, leaving me in my older sister's arms. I immediately clung to Zenya as if my life depended on it. If there was anyone right now who could save my butt it would be her.
“Wow, what's wrong? Will it be, did you miss me that much?”
I nodded vigorously. She just started laughing gleefully as she hugged me and walked back to the house.
“Did something happen?” asked Kila, sensing that there was something strange about us.
“There is, something, but...” Ameli's voice cut off before she finished her words. She sounded hesitant about whether she should speak at that moment. Something Makila noticed. I couldn't see what expression she made, but I did hear her tone of voice as she spoke, something that scared me as I imagined what would happen to me.
“I see. Come along with me then. Dri, can you take Nita to get something to eat?”
“Yes, Makila. Come on Tya, you're probably very hungry, and... cold? You're shivering a lot.”
I was shivering, yes, but it was not from the cold. My sister led me towards my old playroom. On the way, she found a couple of maids and ordered them to bring us some snacks and tea to the room.
When we arrived, my sister sat me on the couch while she closed the window and turned on the room's light stones. She really thought I was cold. She quickly sat down next to me, hugging me for warmth, and started telling me how her day had been and how tired she was, the things she had learned, and a few complaints about how hard it was to learn from Dad. Thanks to the way she was telling me all that, I was able to allow myself to relax and forget my situation for a while. Added to the delicious taste of the snacks and the warmth of the tea.
Although it was a pleasant time, it was all over the instant Makila appeared.
The door opened suddenly and without warning, something that made both me and Zenya jump because of how unexpected it was. Makila's ears were curled back, her expression serious with a slight frown and her tail static behind her. She walked towards us slowly, and when our gazes met, I felt my heart sink. I turned away from my sister and stood in front of the couch, startling Zenya who had been left speechless. Kila stopped in front of me.
I kept my eyes on the floor, nervously playing with my hands as I waited for her words.
“Orinthya Nita.”
I shuddered to hear her pronounce my name. Kila never calls me by my full name. I even think it was the first time she said it outside of an introduction. “Y-yes, Kila,” I replied, barely containing the fear that was growing inside me.
“What Ameli told me, is it all true?”
“...”
“M-Makila, what happen-?”
“Zenya Dri, stay out of this.”
“Y-yes, ma'am!”
There was no need to raise her voice or change her manner of speaking, it was enough to use that tone to silence Zenya completely. The room was trapped in stony silence as Kila waited for my response. One that refused to come out.
“Orinthya Nita, look at me when I speak to you and answer, is it true what Ameli told me?”
I looked up and saw Kila with her ears curled, more so than before. Some of her fur was bristling, clearly upset, coupled with her narrowed eyes showing me that, if I even considered lying to her for a single instant, she would not hesitate to spank me right then and there.
I felt my legs weaken, and I began to tremble a little more. But it got worse when I saw wrinkles form on her nose and her lips slightly showed her fangs. Before she could drop all her anger on me, I mustered all my courage to answer her.
“I-it's true, Kila. I'm sorry.” I replied in panic. And surprisingly I was able to speak more clearly, perhaps driven by fear. They say that difficult situations make you grow and improve, though I didn't expect something like this was going to help me in that regard.
Kila snorted angrily at my response but didn't speak to me right away, instead looking toward my sister and speaking to her. “You two really are so different. Although Dri used to be so playful and energetic, she was always the type to avoid getting into trouble.” She said, shaking her head from side to side, incredulous at how different my sister and I were.
Surprised by Makila's words, Zenya shifted her gaze to me, and, as if realizing something, narrowed her eyes and folded her arms.
“Tya, what did you do this time?”
In that instant, I lost the only ally I had. I lowered my gaze to the ground unwilling to answer her, resigned to my own fate.
“Leave it, Dri.” Makila sighed, then approached me again and...
“Ow, ow, ow. Kila, it hurts, it hurts.”
“Hmph. Dri, go and get on with your day, I'll take care of her.”
“Of course, Makila. Tya, I hope you reflect on your actions.”
With those last words, we parted ways with my sister as I was dragged by the ears to Kila's office. A place that was nowhere near the playroom. Fortunately, I was not seen by any of the mansion's servants... that really would have been too embarrassing and humiliating for me.
Inside, Ameli was standing in a corner, totally motionless like a statue. Some sort of basket was over her head, creating a somewhat bizarre as well as funny image of her. However, I couldn't laugh because, at this moment, I was in a similar or even worse position than her.
Ameli didn't react even as Kila pulled me by my ears to the chair where I received my lessons, and ordered me to sit there.
“Be quiet and don't move, I'm going to finish all my work, and once I'm done, we're going to have a very long conversation, did I make myself clear?”
I nodded in response, but that made her frown, causing me to shiver and respond loudly right away, “Yes, ma'am!”
“Good.”
Kila sat down at her desk, arranging the multiple documents she had on it. The sound of her pen, and each paper being picked up and signed, was all that could be heard as I pondered my actions for the day. I contemplated my fate resigned to whatever happened to me. Although I hoped that my butt was the only thing that would be spared. I felt I would lose something very important about myself if that happened to me. At that thought, I swore to myself that I would never, ever get into a situation like this again. I would never screw up like that again. NEVER! Did you hear me? Never, ever!