I woke up alone, shifting aimlessly around the sheets until I had finally decided to leave the silken comfort. Cerolus had left what looked to be hours ago, and his side of the bed had already lost the warmth of his body. I stretched briefly, the usual feeling of nausea that had accompanied me during the recent mornings completely absent, so I had attributed this day towards being better than previous ones already.

Still, some doubts and uncertainties remained, and I couldn't help but think about what had transpired yesterday. I had felt betrayed but had managed to finally convince myself that it was all in my head, completely unrelated to the situation at hand. Cerolus had taken the time to reassure me that nothing would change between us, and I was inclined to believe him. 'After all, there is no reason for me not to trust him.'

I had reminisced about everything that happened since we had met, from the initial dreadful introductions up until the present day. I couldn't think of a moment where he had done something to harm me, apart from yesterday, but I dismissed that particularity as a simple unfortunate moment of overreaction.

My thought then fell on the child he had brought. He told me I didn't have to concern myself with his child, but I had my own doubts about that, and was uncertain what his reaction would be if I had shown actual hostility towards it. But I didn't have a reason to be like that or conjure such thoughts in the first place. I had barely been properly introduced to the child at that, and it was too early to make assumptions.

I caressed my stomach that had already started to grow, albeit almost unnoticeably so. The only reason I knew of it was the fact my dresses were less comfortable to wear, which was indeed a sad moment for all involved. 'Except the tailors, perhaps. They'd get money from it.'

I chuckled at the realisation that I had gone from contemplating Cerolus' son to thinking about which dress to make, all that while still sitting on my bed. I looked around the empty room and sighed slowly, preparing myself for another day of not doing anything. 'Per physician's orders.'

Still, something was off, but I couldn't tell exactly what. I had called for Tiana, hoping the doors would magically open with her on the other side, as she seemingly had the ability to perform such an act. I got away from the bed and made the arduous few steps towards the dressing table, looking at myself in the mirror that was atop it.

Tiana had not come in still and I frowned, calling her again and waiting for a few more moments, before getting too impatient. Then I decided to see who was actually in front of my room at this time.

I pulled the large doors towards me and peeked out, glancing around to spot the person of interest. But there was none. Or rather, it was not her.

"Hiratun," I spoke slowly to the guard, one of the two Cerolus assigned as my personal watch. I hadn't had a clue about what could possibly happen for me to require a guard in the first place, but let the matter go. 'Actually, I hadn't even asked in the first place. Maybe I should, if nothing to sate some curiosity about that.'

"Yes, Milady?" Hiratun was actually the chattier of the two, which said lots considering we've spoken barely a sentence between us in Dral in a month.

"Where's Tiana?" I inquired, knowing full well that the man could not know everything. But I could hope he knew something I didn't.

"Tiana is... currently away at the moment, and cannot be on your service, Milady. Would you like to stay here while I call for someone?" Hiratun answered in what was possibly the longest string of words he made in front of me. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at the fact.

I knew some of the people that worked here. It was only natural for me to at least learn the basics about them, if not speak to them. I was raised properly, I could say that much about myself if asked. None of the people were like Tiana, and I had just realised how dependent I was on her. Thus I decided to change the said fact, starting with today. Small steps, as Cerolus would probably say.

I considered someone, before glancing towards Hiratun again. A thought occurred in a spur of the moment and I had decided to go along, if nothing but for some humour today. The days have been gloomy as is, and Cerolus already away somewhere doing his own work without me didn't instil much joy.

"No," I responded, then grinned at him, "you'll do."

Hiratun had heard me and cast a confusing look towards me, seemingly unaware of the implications. I opened the doors fully, and he stared at the inside of the room. "Well? Come on, we don't have all day."

He stood still with his jaw slightly open, trying to make sentences. "But, but... that is the Lord's room. We're not supposed to..." he glanced back at me, "and you're the Lady. No, it wouldn't be proper."

I went towards him, put my hands around his arm and pulled him inside. "Oh come on, Hiratun. What's so bad about it? Besides, how are you supposed to watch over us if you can't enter the room?"

My question seemed to elicit a change in his worldview as he contemplated, before willingly moving inside and looking around, apparently not knowing how to proceed. All of that was thoroughly amusing to my mind.

I went to a dress I had picked out to wear for today, then went behind a curtain to change myself, Hiratun's pacing around the room not stopping throughout all that. I had realised I picked a dress that had laces on its back, which made this process funnier than I initially thought.

I stepped in front of the curtain half-dressed and stood in front of the mirror. "I need you to tie it, Hiratun."

He gulped audibly, then hesitantly moved behind my back, as if afraid I was going to eat him. "Hiratun?" I asked in what sounded like impatience, but was purely humorous and jolly in my mind.

He fumbled with the lace, before managing to somehow tie it well enough to not unravel itself, all the while keeping as much distance he could from me.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

"I don't bite, you know," I said, and he whimpered a bit. I didn't know why, and I didn't ask. Maybe I should have. "So, how are you with hair?"

"I know nothing about that, Milady," he managed to compose himself, or accept his fate, either of which would get us somewhere this morning, to my delight.

I sighed, "Well, nothing to be done about that," then sat down, taking the hairbrush in hand. 

"Would you like to try?" I offered, but Hiratun backed away and shook his head, leaving behind a resounding rejection. 'Isn't he supposed to follow orders?' I contemplated briefly before leaving the matter, for now, a part of me mischievously plotting to force him to do my hair in the future. It could be a neat sight to see, and I could imagine the look on Cerolus' face if he were to go in on the scene, the sight of Hiratun clumsily brushing my hair in my mind causing me to chuckle.

I slowly started brushing what I could manage, hoping to at least somewhat wrangle the mess and make it presentable. Although, no one actually came here at all, so I had to wonder if my efforts were ultimately futile and just a waste of time I've got used to partake every morning. I wondered if I should try and disregard my hair for a day, just to see how Cerolus would react, if anything.

"Do you know where Tiana is?" I asked since the silence was getting to me already and I was uncomfortable with Hiratun standing idly behind me. He didn't usually do much of anything but this time I actually called for him to not do anything, which made me feel slightly sorry for the man.

Hiratun fidgeted for a bit. "I don't think I am the right person to tell you, Milady."

"Did something happen?" Various scenarios went on in my mind, each more ridiculous than the previous one. "Is she alright? Did she get hurt?!"

"Nonono, Milady, she's all right, she's healthy and well," Hiratun countered hastily, "she just has the morning off duty. Lord Cerolus has relieved her for today."

"I wonder what it's about..." I thought out loud while trying to focus on my hair, managing to eke out some semblance of elegance from the tangled weave. "There, done.

"How do I look?" I asked him, trying to keep any conversation going, but Hiratun didn't seem to be prone to idle chit-chat I enjoyed. Or perhaps he did and was just uncomfortable.

"Exquisite, Milady," Hiratun answered briskly and turned to leave the room.

"Wait, I want to see your hair, too," I said, then hastily removed his helmet before he could react. Even with the size difference, it wasn't a hard action to do quickly.

His hair burst out below the helmet, dishevelled and going in all directions. I took a good look at his face, for the first time noticing his gentle features. I laughed, "Good, at least someone else has the same hair troubles I do."

He looked at me quizzically for a moment, then produced a slight smile on his otherwise confused face.

"For what it's worth, I think it suits you," I said, "but let us go for now. Breakfast awaits, and I think I have thought of something to pass the time."

Granted, it would be against advice I was given, but I was convinced said advice was nonsense.

I was adamant on doing some magical training today, and there was little in the way of stopping me. 'Besides, Cerolus doesn't know anything about it, and what he doesn't know, can't hurt him. I'll be fine.'

Hiratun and I left towards the dining room, since my plan relied on me getting some food first. I was starving.

----------------------------------------

There was so much blood. Hours after trying to clean myself from the mess, I could still taste it in my mouth. Sour and metallic, like licking a blade.

I ran away immediately after Lord Cerolus left us, hiding from everyone present. As shameful as everyone knowing what I was doing was, it was nothing compared to what actually happened there. I hid in my room, managing a quick change of clothes and throwing the previous set to burn. I didn't need it, especially as a reminder of everything that transpired.

Phil was covered by a sheet, then hoisted up by the men that were present and carried away. I had assumed they were taking him somewhere he could rest and get looked at by the physician. I cast my prayers hoping everything would turn out alright. I had wished for none of this and hoped that everything wrong would be mended by someone better than me.

I had managed to make my way towards Lord Cerolus' office per his request, completely abandoning the duties I usually performed in the mornings. I had hoped Mistress wouldn't hold it against me, but had more pressing matters on my mind.

I knocked gently on the doors to his office, and entered only when I heard the calm 'enter' from the other side. I gulped and steeled myself, trying to muster strength and calmness, and wonderfully failing at it.

Lord Cerolus sat at his table, idly scrolling through the books spread around him. He looked up and smiled when he saw me. It wasn't an ominous smile, or a happy one at that. The best I could describe it would be reassuring. I felt a bit better by the smile alone.

He gestured towards the chair was opposite his and I sat sheepishly, trying to make myself look smaller in his eyes.

"So, let's start from the beginning. Tell me what happened for me to see you bloodied atop a man's bitten cock," he put the matter bluntly as if rehearsing or reading from a book. His words were cold and calculating, but there was no initial judgement or disgust.

I sat in silence, contemplating on where to begin, and decided to start from the previous night.

I told him all about what was going through my mind when I was walking towards the room Phil had been in, every detail that went through my head, as if it would somehow spare me of some horrible fate or undo all that happened. Halfway through, I found myself both calmer and fidgeting. Talking to someone about it and having myself heard helped me realise what I had done and what could happen next, which didn't reassure me in the slightest.

"...So, when Hiratun opened the doors, I panicked," I said and looked away from Lord Cerolus, trying to avoid whatever thoughts he had.

"And that panic resulted in all of that?" he asked, and I simply nodded.

"Then you called for me because..." he left the question open, and I realised it was my cue to step in and answer, hesitantly at first, but I had to go on.

"You were the only person I knew could perform healing that was close by. I wanted to call for a physician, but thought he would take too long. I have to apologise for letting you witness all that, Milord," I lowered my head and avoided his eyes as I spoke, knowing full well it would accomplish nothing, but I took some solace in the fact he couldn't see my eyes.

Lord Cerolus got completely silent and I got concerned. Surely, if he had to think so long, I was in trouble. I had attempted to say more, but when I raised my head up to speak he silenced me with a spread palm in front of him and a quick 'shush'. So we sat in silence as moments passed.

Then, he chuckled. I was confused, and failed to see the humour in all that. But his chuckle continued on to become full-blown laughter, which didn't sate my curiosity or alleviate my confusion. He laughed for a while before returning to his composed self, transitioning between moods seamlessly.

"You can go."

I was stupefied, and kept staring at him. "That's it?" I managed to let out, completely ignoring what he had just said and just digging my own hole deeper.

"Umm, I don't see what more to do," Lord Cerolus started slowly, leaning towards me as he spoke, his hands waving around. "You haven't attacked the man, although I must admit, if there was a surprise attack, this would be it.

"I was quick enough to stop the immediate bleeding, which was fortunate, and the rest is up to him and the physician. I can't tell what will come out of all this, but you shouldn't receive punishment. At least not from me.

So, you're free to go," he finished and waved at the door.

I stood up, still shaken by everything that had taken place, and made my way out of his room.

"Also, relax more when you try doing that again. There's no reason to be so fidgety," he added behind me as I was about to close the door, and when I glanced back he winked at me. I could only hope for the floor beneath me to swallow me and end all this madness.