My cheeks feel warm and my back hurts. I groaned. I yawned as my eyes fluttered open. What was that dream all about? It's so surreal that even the pain I got in my back from falling into another world still hurts. I must be too tired last night, having such a bizarre dream. My hand landed on a soft material. What a soft blanket. Footsteps entered my room and the sound of an opening curtain reached my ears. I squezzed my eyes shut and blinked a few times to adjust my vision. Grandfather is such an early bird, dragging me along on his routine. I mentally grumbled in my mind.
"Grandpa, it's too early," I mindlessly muttered.
"I may have lived a hundred of years, but I'm not a grandfather yet."
I yelped and quickly turned to the source of the voice, and found a man in a kimono.
"Good morning, your Highness."
High pitched voices greeted me. My jaw dropped. It wasn't a dream. Or maybe, I am still dreaming. Yes, I probably am. I pinched my right arm and flinched from the pain. It hurts. It hurt's that I thought it's real. I slapped myself on both cheeks, hoping I would wake up from this dream. But nothing happened. I slapped myself again.
"What are you doing?"
My whole body froze when I felt his hand grabbed my wrist. His pale blue eyes met my own amber orbs.
"This is a dream," I blurted out.
"It is not." He assured.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"From what I can recall, I'm homeless, in debt, and an ogre wanted to eat me, and..." I stopped midway when I remembered the image of someone kissing me.
"And?" He asked.
"And nothing else," I concluded.
"And everything is real. Not just a dream," Michaelis finished.
I nodded quitely.
He sighed and let go of my hand, his tails swinging at the side. Should I touch it? It looks so soft and smooth, and silky that I am so tempted to pamper it. Unconsciously, my hand reached out, and grabbed one of the tip of his tails.
"What are you doing?" Michaelis asked.
"Your tail. It's beautiful," I muttered mindlessly.
Michaelis suddenly turned away and proceeded back in to what he is doing, pulling away his tail from my touch. My lips pouted and my brows furrowed. Why can't I touch it? I've complimented him.
"Stand up and get dressed. You have to fulfill your duty today. When you go outside of your room, turn right and walk straight. At the left corner you will be able to see the bathroom," he reminded.
I sighed and stood up. What a bossy man he is. I dragged myself away, following his instructions, as I headed towards my destination. The children float beside me, as they serve as my guide towards the legendary bathroom. As I walked in the hallway, I noticed there a lots of chamber doors. The floor is carpeted with blue. European chandeliers hang gaudily on the ceiling, decorated with chalcedonies. Awe filled my system. Wow. What a gorgeous place. How come I'm here?
I walked around with my mouth agape, while the children tell me stories about the Gods. They say that the Gods have different shrines, and plays a different role in the world. And that I am one of them, and I live this shrine—this shrine that looked like a palace kingdom to me already. I didn't question any of their stories, despite of the fact, that my brain is over-flowing with questions right now. And I heard that Michaelis once served the previous owner of this shrine. They say that Michaelis is a very good divine familiar. Although, I don't have any idea of what a divine familiar was, I didn't ask a thing. But I have one question, that can never be left unanswered.
"Where is his previous God?" I asked, stopping at the bathroom door.
"His Highness Regalia went missing and was never found again. But he left a message for Master Michaelis to remember."
"And what is that message?" I inquired.
"He said—"
There sentence was cut off when Michaelis miraculously appeared behind them.
"Human, I thought you are going to bath," I said as his words seethed with malice and threat.
The children franctically rattled and disappeared like a poof of air. Gee, thanks for forsaking me.
"Yes, I was just about to," I responded.
"Then hurry up and make it quick." He snapped and went on his way.
I rolled my eyes at him and entered the bathroom. A tub filled with water lie in front of me. Steam rises into the air, as lukewarm water kissed my skin. Did he prepared this? Maybe not. He doesn't have the heart to do this for me. I stripped off of my clothings and dipped into the tub. My muscles relaxed under the comfort of warmth.
As I stare at the ceiling, train of thoughts run into my mind. A lot of things happened to me lately. Homeless, in dept, already an orphan just a few days ago, and I'm completely broke. I don't have even a single penny, and I still have my school. How am I supposed to raise myself alone? I haven't landed a job yet. And I can't pay for my own expenses. And to make things worst, I met an unbelievably unworldly creatures that opposed my logic, and dragged me into something I regretted into getting. I was into an another world, and I almost died.
Michaelis is said to be the familiar of a some godly and holy entity named Regalia.. As I saw him defeat that ogre with an unbelievable strength, it destroyed my measurements in agility and strength in our P.E class. He is beyond human. And here I am, still under his wing, despite all the horrors I've encountered. I must be insane, going together with a man that can easily crush my windpipes and break my bones.
I sighed. Maybe it's about time to leave the tub. I stood up and grabbed the towel nearby and wrappped it around my body. I pulled the door open and headed back to my room.
I guess no one will see me dressed like this as I walk on the hallway, since I didn't see anyone other than the children being around. And I think Michaelis is already out of my room.
As I entered my room, I looked around and found not trace of Michaelis. I walked on tiptoed, leaving wet traces of my feet on the floor. At the foot of the bed, there laid a peach kimono dress, printed with variegated butterflies. It's beautiful. My fingers ran through the soft fabric, slowly admiring the craft.
I fitted the cloth in. There's no button that could attached both ends of the fabric. How do I wear this? I grabbed the bright yellow ribbon and wrapped it around my waist. It did what I expected it would do, however it still leaves the fabric open, revealing my chest.
"Human, aren't you finished yet?"
The door banged open, revealing Michaelis.
I yelped and desperately covered my front.
I watched embarassly as he stared at me in bewilderment. What's wrong with him? Can't he see I'm in the middle of changing? My eyes scanned his face and found that he doesn't look a tiny bit fluster. He somehow looks confuse.
"I've never thought you're an idiot." He sighed.
"What did you say?" I snapped.
I watched wearily as he approached me. Now what? Suddenly, his hands reached me, pulling my clothes.
"Let go of me pervert!" I squirmed at his touch as I pushed him hard on the chest.
"Stop moving. I'm dressing you properly," he stated.
I froze at his words. I stopped squirming and stared at him with my baffled eyes. My eyes follow his every move. He pulled the ribbon away, making the fabric fall loosely, revealing my cleavage and bellybutton. Embarrasment filled me and my cheeks flared with heat. This is too much. My hand reached up to pull the fabric for cover, but he suddenly stopped me. I looked at him questioningly. He regarded me with a blank face as he pulled the ends of the fabric together and tied it with the ribbon.
"Turn around," he said.
I did what he told and consciously turned. His warm hands grazed my skin, sending sparks in my entire body, as he tried to comb my hair. Who would have thought he's this kind of a guy. I don't know if he's taking advantage of me or not, however, I do appreciates his deeds. There is gentleness in his touch, yet he say such harsh words with emotionless eyes. Such an irony.
A mirror appeared in front of me, and I was astonished as I saw my own reflection. Is this me? How pretty. I wouldn't naturally call myself pretty, but right now, I really think I am.
"Beautiful," he whispered, making me turn.
My stomach flipped as I regretted turning back at him. His face is so close to mine that I could see how pointed his nose is, and that he has long eyelashes and average eyebrow thickness, and I can see the texture of his lips.
"Ah, yeah, thank you."
I pulled back and hide my flustered cheeks. He stared at me blankly and I found it horrifyingly sexy. What is wrong with me? I can't believe I have thought of something gross.
I stood quitely, as I watched him turn his back and fold the remaining clothes. He walked past me and put it in a closet. He turned, and our eyes met, signaling the hammering of my heart.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
My heart is beating more than its normal beat. Strangely enough, it felt warm, and butterflies flutter inside me.