[Mek-pendragon] Here it is! Please let me know of any grammar errors and the like! Any comment/reviews and other whatnot are also greatly appreciated~
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Chapter 4: For a Certain Someone
I opened my eyes. My hands are occupied with something. Something sensational and flat. I should be complaining on how hard this couch is, but this little lilly inside my arms causes my heart to pump blood in my brain—so much that it's blockading all of my rationality.
As time passed, I got more nervous.
Her thin white shoulders were exposed for me to bare my fangs on. I panted heavily, trying to control myself from exploding, but she just had to respond in a cute giggle. I shook my head. Even though she’s the one who snuck on my bed—if you could even describe this couch’s that’s as hard as the floor like that—I can’t think like this.
I have to stay calm, but her breathing was almost like a whistle. It’s playing with my brain and my heart.
“Psst, Sharona! Wake up!
I tried, but to no avail. She slept like a log, while my arm was sandwiched in between her thighs. Not to mention, the other was cupping something. I’m trying to keep my sanity, yet her sweet fragrance and disoriented robe was awakening the tree of sages hidden in my loin.
“Kekewne… Kekewne…”
She’s even pressing her body against mine, making me feel that soft sensation.
Is she perhaps having a dream?
“Don’t leave me…”
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I wasn’t sure why, but it was quite easy dislodging my hands from whatever type of treasure they’re trying to seize after that.
“I won’t, I’ll always be here.”
I whispered those words to her ears and she shivered. I hugged her tightly and just laid there awake until my mistress herself realizes the severity of the situation.
Gosh, if these types of mornings continues, I would no doubt be her slave for life.
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I transferred the contents of the weird elixir she just made yesterday to small empty glasses of milk. All in all, we made a total of sixteen bottles—a quantity that's enough to last my client for more than a month.
I strapped those potions to my handcart and started rolling, with my mistress Sharona, included.
“Umm, milady—”
The moment I turned my face, a miniscule foot hits my cheek.
“Don’t turn over here, or you might molest me again.”
“But you’re the one who snuck on my—”
Another stomping forced me to turn my head sideways.
“That’s not the point here!”
“Hai hai, you’re right and I’m wrong.”
I knelt and grabbed the handles of my cart. I started walking down the forest path. It was not practically man made, but most tree roots and other hindrances were gone due to me using this path almost everyday.
I planted a few mushrooms to act as my guide whenever I traversed. This forest plays with your directions after all. The overly familiar trees that surround you on all sides, the leaves and branches blockading the sunlight, and this menacing echo that plays almost every other minute. Even I would be lost if I’m not careful.
“You seem to know this forest quite well. That’s good, my servant should be reliable.”
Sharona spoke behind me. I didn’t bother to look back, but I replied, as if I was forcing these words out of my mouth.
“Well, I’ve lived in these woods for more than a decade. Not to mention, satisfying the ramblings of a crazy witch, this forest became my playground.”
“A crazy witch? Tell me more about her.”
She suddenly got excited. I wonder if it’s because of the word witch or something else, but it made me smile after hearing her ask that question.
“Is it okay if I start with how I met her first?”
“Mhm, that’s also interesting. Fine, I’ll allow it.”
It feels like I’m the one begging to open my story for some reason. Oh well, I just chuckled, loud enough for my mistress to hear.
“Well, I was an orphan. Left off to rot somewhere without a name, without an identity. As much as I could remember back then, there wasn’t any place left for me to be me. From what I heard, my mother abandoned me the moment she saw how dark my hair is, or my father almost gouged my eyes out because of these black pupils.”
“I see, so that’s the reason for that scar in your left brow?”
I sighed. “Something like that. I didn’t particularly cared for anyone after that. I don’t know. Back then, I just want for things to end. My life. My suffering. If it could relieved me of the pain in my chest for even a single moment, I would do anything. And due to some unfortunate circumstances, I met her. A crazy witch.”
Whether she felt the need to be silent to respect my privacy or something else, she didn’t say anything. None of the witty retort that leaves her mouth like a tornado. That’s fine, is what I thought. I’m not looking for her to comfort me anyways. It wasn’t because of that why I started reminiscing.
It was starting to get awkward too, so I stopped my tear jerking story there.
In a quick instant, we came upon the fourth intersection in the forest. At the top of my head, I believe I should turn right here, but you can never be too sure. So I stopped and searched for the mushrooms I planted.
I stepped forward and sank beside a broken tree trunk. Because of it, my mushrooms were suddenly hidden, but still good enough for me to confirm our direction. If I turn right indeed, we’ll reach the town in no time flat.
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After confirming that, I walked back to Sharona. Seeing her relaxed and proud face made me somehow happy.
“What happened? Have we lost our way?”
I frowned and shook my head.
“Not really. I just thought I’ll check my little babies.”
“Babies?”
“Haha, nothing. Just an influence of a witch.”
“Hmph.”
She returned to my cart and sat with an expression of a queen. She had both of her arms leaning on the sides of my cart, while her feet was fully stretched and folded together on top of the box where I put our products on. Yawning, she took something out of her robe. It was a book. A book on how to concoct advance elixirs, the silly way volume 3, signed by my master.
It made me smile wryly.
Following on, I dragged my cart towards the direction I previously confirmed. There’s already hints of the giant clocktower appearing in those sea of trees. Another sign that loosened one of the knots in my chest.
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I saw a familiar old man standing on the corner up ahead. As I drew closer, the old man waved a hand at me and gestured me to stop.
“Kid, what’s up? What you got over there?”
“Same old same old. The usual medicine Mr. Vincent ordered for his daughter.”
“And the little lady?”
“My master’s relative. She’ll be staying with us from now on.”
It agitates me how he looks at Sharona like she’s part of a circus show, but I knew the old man didn’t mean anything behind that gaze. I simply held that agitation inside me.
Still, I can’t blame him. Sharona really is a beautiful girl and though she might be blunt, the mysterious and alluring vibe she gives out alone is enough to attract attention. It was an occurrence I expected beforehand.
Good thing that travel time is taking its toll on her. Right now, she only had a book covering her face from the light of the sun. It wouldn’t be good for us both if she starts talking.
“Well, how’s the city lately?”
I asked the old man while he’s inspecting the contents of my luggage.
“Other than the royal visit, I don’t think I’ll have anymore headaches for a while.”
“You heard about any job that pays good?”
The old man stops for a moment and looks at me. “What do you need the money for?”
I scratched the back of my head and shifted my gaze to Sharona. “I want to buy her some clothes. She’s a girl after all. It wouldn’t be good if she keeps wearing that same old robe.”
“Are you sure you’re not just trying to satisfy your fetishes?”
“Cmon old man, do you really see me like that?”
“Haha, maybe not. But who knows, this good guy attitude might just be a facade. You could be a pervert that preys on girls for all I care. Actually, if you start preying on the girls inside the city, you’ll be kissing your freedom goodbye.”
The old man taps the scabbard of his trustee sword and I just laughed alongside him.
“Alright kiddo, you’re good to go.”
After confirming the contents are safe, the old man nods at me and told me to move on. I bowed my head to the old man before entering the town.
As we made our way through the stone paved streets, my quiet and solemn mistress finally graced me with her words.
“Do you enjoy being a laughingstock?”
For some reason, her words put me to a halt. I turned around. Sharona got off the cart and was brushing the accumulated dirt off her robe.
“Who would? But pride and rage? I would just get tired of those things. And besides, the old man doesn’t mean anything about it.”
“Let me tell you,” She walks up to me and taps my shoulder. “Other than the great me, nobody else can look down nor badmouth my servant? Okay?”
My heart was pounding, racing so fast it doesn’t sound like a heartbeat. I’m not sure where she got the idea, but I can’t dispute her when she looks so serious like that. And here I expected something else. Something more meaningful.
But ah, my mistress is quite random indeed.
“Well, let’s deliver these potions first,” I managed to speak, despite the loud pounding in my chest that seems to prevent me from doing anything else.
My mistress replied with a wide smile. I think I can read what’s behind that big grin. Since we’re in the city, she’s probably thinking about how much melon bread she can eat.
After that, we continued towards our destination. Walking side by side with Sharona like this, it makes us look like a couple, right?
As we walked, there were various things that stole her attention, mainly the food vendors. I was forced to use the last of our money to buy her some apples. Then again, if she’s having fun like this, it makes it all worth it. As her servant, the happiness of my mistress should be my priority, right?
While enjoying the sights that the peaceful clockwork town gave us, we finally reached the mansion of my client. Yet, however huge and beautiful this mansion may appear, Sharona’s eyes were still glued to that giant clock tower. As if something possessed her to stay.
“Milady?”
I wonder what’s wrong?
“Kekewne, what is that thing?”
“The clock tower?”
I stood by her side and watched the tower myself. There was really that energy that keeps sucking you in. That mysterious vibe. While I was drawn to this beautiful architecture myself, Sharona pulled my sleeve and spoke in a somewhat melancholy tone.
“I want to see what’s inside.”
“Inside eh?”
Maybe there’s something in that clock tower that can help her remember?