Odette managed to avoid Adrian's blade by taking a step back as it moved past her cheek. However, as he made another strike, it cut through her hair. Strands of her silver hair fell on the ground.
Odette was impressed as she stared down at the result.
All that training had really paid off. The corner of her lips curled up. The boy was a quick learner, and therefore, it pleased her greatly. In less than four months, he had made great progress, more than what Odette had guessed.
As expected for someone who deserved to take her life.
Sweats soaked both of them. Adrian was slightly startled before he walked over to Odette, and his tone showed concern.
"I am sorry, Lady Odette. Are you alright?"
Odette chuckled.
"Do you think you should be asking that when you barely managed to touch me? You are still too weak. Don't act this arrogantly," Odette voiced out jokingly.
Adrian was about to comment when a soft 'meow' caught his attention. He turned to look at the white kitten sprawled on the ground. Adrian's eyes sparkled at the sight of the adorable creature.
"You are awake, White!" he excitedly expressed, "I will play with you after I am done with training, alright?"
Adrian's eyes were filled with affections for the kitten, and this made her wonder a lot. There wasn't much he could do with the kitten. How come he doesn't get bored?
Snuggling with the kitten and playing around with it while showering it compliments seemed very much repetitive to Odette. It would be one thing if Adrian tortured the kitten and derived fun from its cries although attacking such a helpless and small creature would be hardly thrilling.
Why would anyone care for something without having any substantial gain in return?
She wanted to ask Adrian, but his innocent and naïve thought process would never conform to her values. The privilege of having joy in such simplicity was what Odette lost ages ago.
°°°
"Wow! This is so nice!" Adrian cheerfully commented as he ran above the green grasses. The excitement he felt was mirrored on his expression well.
Once the training for the day was over, Adrian pleaded Odette to bring him out for picnic, and because of how impressed Odette was, she decided to grant this wish for him. Also she found the windy weather today to be pleasant and refreshing.
Autumn was approaching, and that was her favorite season of all.
The maids set up the mat on the small grasses and prepared the assortment of snacks, arranging them neatly on the mat. There were drinks accompanying them as well.
Adrian hugged the kitten as he rushed over to Odette and said, "Thank you, Lady Odette! This place is really beautiful!"
Odette gave him a small smile, and Adrian failed to notice the hidden intent behind those green orbs of hers.
Adrian then placed the kitten on the ground, and after taking a glance at Adrian, White started to run towards a certain direction. This puzzled Adrian.
"Eh? White, where are you going to? Don't be this fast! I can't catch up to you. Slow down, my baby. You will get lost and hurt."
He followed after the kitten in an attempt to catch him, but the effort yielded no fruit as the kitten's speed was greater than his.
"Come on, White! I will give you delicious treats! You will really enjoy them! White, aren't you a good kitten? Don't be naughty. Please."
However, White paid no heed to his pleading.
Odette found it endearing how the tiny child, who wasn't any older than five, ran after the even smaller kitten. Both of them were lively, creating a harmonious scene.
In this period of over three months, Adrian had been well fed and gained considerable amount of weight. His chubby cheeks were rosy, and dressed in fine clothing, the boy resembled a doll. He no longer looked sickly and pale as he did in the beginning.
°°°
"Are you finally exhausted?" Odette questioned, arching her eyebrows at the child.
Sitting on top of the mat, Odette held on to a plate and had a fork in her other hand. Elegantly, she dug her fork into soft slice of cake, cutting a part of it. She then picked it up to place it inside her mouth.
The cake was bittersweet, her favorite flavor.
Before her stood Adrian. His once neat clothing was now covered in mud and dirt. Those ruddy cheeks of his were flushed as sweat glistened on them. Heavy breathing escaped from his lips, and in his hands was his beloved kitten.
He had vibrant grin on his face.
"White is really fast! I finally managed to catch him! He is really naughty too. I need to teach him a lesson, so that he learns to behave in the future."
His tone was solemn.
Like most of the time, Odette silently listened to his chattering. Her lack of response was something he had gotten used to and didn't mind.
Then, those blue eyes of his brightened up at sight of those delicious snacks. There was so many of them today. Odette was really being generous today.
He instantly sat down on the mat and placed White down. His expressive eyes skimmed over the snacks, not knowing which one to start with. All of them looked too delicious in his eyes!
After much deliberation, he chose the chocolate mousse and hurriedly began to eat it down. Although his movements weren't refined, they were adorable in Odette's eyes.
Odette stopped eating and observed Adrian's eyes. They changed very frequently, revealing all those array of emotions he felt as he went through those snacks. Those eyes of his were beguiling, entrancing her this badly, but Odette didn't mind.
The prettier, the better she would feel when snatching the light from them.
Adrian raised his head to stare at Odette and expectantly stated, "Can we come here again with White, Lady Odette?"
The corner of Odette's lips hooked up.
"Sure, let's come here again."
He then focused his attention on White and stated, "Did you here that, White? Lady Odette said that we can come here again together. Are you happy? Are you happy? Hmm! I bet you are! Me too! I am happy too!"
How long will that last?
Odette wondered.