After about a week or so of walking, we finally reached our destination, the capital.
It's huge and beautiful all around, kind of what I expected though...
We have been eating fruits from the woods until we reached the capital.
I looked at Shea as she is looked around, she seemed happy but at the same time slightly frightened.
She was very skinny and looked beaten up without the few clothes she had on, I haven't seen her naked but the clothes she wore were just raggedy cloth over the privates.
"Hey, Natsuo."
I look over at Shea as she spoke.
"What's up?"
"What are we going to do?"
Shea seemed to be curious about a lot of things, probably because she wasn't really taught many things.
"We need money although that will be hard to come across at our age, do you know anything about adventurers?"
"Hm? Why? I mean I know a few things from listening to others talk."
"Well because we might be able to start a group up and make money like that."
"Hmm, well I guess we could try."
I have learned a few things about Shea,
The first thing is that she doesn't talk all that much, I have had to start the majority of conversations so when she started this conversation I was surprised.
Second thing is that Shea is doesn't like people, she seemed to dislike big crowds and being looked at, it's actually kinda cute.
The last thing, which is my favorite, is the fact that Shea trusts me and I trust her, we may have only known each other for a week but the trust we have for each other is about the same as the trust I have for Emi.
We have been through a lot surprisingly, multiple times we have almost been caught by the people with black masks, other times we have had to look out for each other for creatures in the woods.
Luckily there wasn't any, I mean there is no way I could kill a monster.
I am no powerful main hero in a story sadly...
I look around and see a person in a carriage, a fancy carriage, it rides past us and I see a blonde-haired girl in it.
"Stupid royalty..."
I heard Shea whisper next to me, she seemed to hate royalty because they enslaved her family, she really lives a tough life.
If I had the chance I probably would sacrifice myself to make sure Shea or Emilia was happy, I mean I already got to had my second go at life and if it ended like that, it would be fine.
We continue walking as the carriage passed by, I look ahead and saw what looked like an adventurer's guild.
"Shea, look!"
I pointed at the guild and she looked at it, she looked at me with a clueless expression.
"Did we not just talk about signing up to be adventurers?!"
"Oh, I guess we did."
I want to facepalm but I can't because that would be rude, I will just facepalm eternally...
Shea looked at me then asked,
"So do we sign up?"
"Can we?"
I didn't think we could but Shea said we could if we have skills that can be used to fight, I guess she did actually know a few things about adventurers.
We walked in and I felt a bunch of glares on me, they quickly fade, and then people go back to talking.
Looks like we are safe for today, although I feel something holding onto my arm.
"Shea, what are you doing?"
"It's scary, too many people..."
I can feel her shivering, I walk towards the front desk and see short bright red hair.
The receptionist turned around and looked at us, Shea still hid behind me.
"This is no place for kids, please step out."
At Least she was polite, I looked up and smiled at her then said what I needed to say afterward.
"We want to start a group please."
Shea stayed silent while holding onto my arm tightly.
"Huh?"
She looked at me with a look that showed she thought it was funny then laughed loudly.
"You're kidding right?"
I shake my head and she puts on a surprised look, she then sighed and grabbed two pieces of paper and a small knife.
"You are sure right?"
I nodded and then she handed me the knife and papers.
"Prick yourself with the knife and drip the blood on the paper, same for the little girl-, Wait a minute, do you have a third?"
Damn, this is exactly what I thought was going to happen, what do I do...?
"We have a third, they just are always invisible, that's their skill!"
Maybe she is stupid enough to follow my childish mind, Mwahaha!
"Ohh I see, well can he speak for me?"
Oh no, ditch the mission! I repeat! Ditch! The! Mission!
She let out a little chuckle then her glare became serious.
"Well then, let me have that stuff back. Come back when you have a third."
I sighed, handed her the stuff, then we walked out.
Shea let go and sighed in relief. She was stressed there, to be honest, I wish she could hold onto my arm a bit longer though...
"Well, what do we do now?"
I asked Shea and she shrugged, You're so much help, Shea!
"Hey look over there."
Shea pointed at a person that has a chain around their neck.
It was obvious it was a slave.
"That's a slave, what about it."
The person had brown hair and dog ears with a ragged cloth around them to keep them from being naked.
It was around their chest and crotch area so I assume that it is a girl. They wore the same clothes as Shea until I gave her my jacket.
I am glad I got to keep my outdoor clothes, all I wear now is a white long sleeve shirt and some black pants, Shea wears shorts and my leather jacket.
"Well, maybe they are taking the girl to the same place as your mom."
"You're right they might be..."
I get up and grab Shea's hand, we proceed to follow the slave.
The people leading her were two tall, masked people, I couldn't tell their genders.
The masked people went into the back of the building, it seemed as if they were taking her into the slave shop.
"Let's go in from the front..."
Shea nods and I quickly walk to the front. It is exactly what I thought it was, it is a slave-trading business.
"What do we do now?"
"We look for my mom, take her, then leave."
She nods with an expression that shows she agrees and that it's a good idea, or I hope that it is what it is.
I walked into the building and saw what looked like rich people looking around.
there were only a few but enough to show that there are a lot of people who come by daily.
"This ain't no place for kids."
A man comes up behind us and picks me and Shea up by the back of our collar.
I mean I know this but it seems like no place is for kids in this damn capital...
He seemed very strong and I could see a double-headed axe on his back.
"I am sorry sir, I thought I saw someone I recognized here."
"If it's a slave then have no hope of takin' em out."
"Yes understandable, but may I talk to them?"
"Well, I think I have to ask about that one..."
He dropped us and went into one of the backdoors.
Shea stayed quiet that whole conversation, she was nervous after almost being caught but it quickly faded when he left.
"That looks like it goes to where that girl was taken."
"You're right, let's find a way in there. Maybe my Mother is being held in there, let's check out here first though."
"Ok, if I find her I will try and dissolve the metal."
"Got it."
We walked over to the cages and examined them, of course, we couldn't find my Mother.
The man walked back out and came over to us, asking us what we were doing.
"Just seeing if that person was here."
"You should've stayed by the door. I mean I guess I didn't tell you, but still. Common sense."
"Yes, sorry."
"Now, the answer was yes, did you find the person?"
"No, may we go in the back?"
"Sorry but that place is exclusively for adults, so no."
"Why is that?"
"Well, cuz the people back there have no clothes on. Also if you saw a person that you think you knew, they wouldn't be back there."
"Can we go back there anyway?"
"No, I already told you."
Fine, I will come back tonight, I promise...
Also, she keeps making me do the talking, maybe after this, I should teach her some conversation skills...
"Ok fine, Shea let's g-"
"Hey, those kids right there!"
I look over at the door and see a familiar mask, a black smooth mask to be exact...
"Grab them!"
"Huh?"
The man with the axe was confused.
"They are the escaped slaves from the dungeon not too far from here!"
I grabbed Shea's hand and book it out the door, three black-masked men and the axe guy chased after us.
"Get back here!"
People stare at the three men chasing us and a few random strangers try to stop us.
I am glad Father was able to teach me a good amount of dodging tactics when he was alive. Miss you Dad...
"We need to continue running, it should get dark soon, so we should be able to ditch them then!"
I said to Shea while we were running, the sun was super close to going down.
She nodded and I turned into an alleyway, I recognized this one from earlier.
I went in a loop and came back here to re-loop and ditch them.
This alleyway leads to a bar that we can get into and get lost in the drunken no-lives.
"You idiots!"
I heard the laughter of someone who won, then a chant and finally a stone wall appeared in front of us.
We were pinned.
"Dammit, Shea I am sorry..."
"It's ok..."
She looked at me and smiled, tears rolled down her face as a masked man grabbed Shea.
No, this won't be the end for you.
I bite the man's arm and yell,
"Run Shea!"
She realized what she had to do and ran through the men with masks.
"You chase her down, he and I will focus on Akio's little brat."
"Got it."
He goes to punch me and I miraculously dodge, his second punch comes in and strikes me right across the cheek.
I instantly fell unconscious.
Too bad I didn't get to stay with Shea very long...
Part Two
When I woke up I was in a cage in the for sale area of the slave market, I was forced to sit in the cage with a chain around my neck.
I have been here for two days and haven't seen a sign of mom or Shea, so Shea is probably fine. Mom is a different story, I need to search for her but I can't.
"Papa, I think this boy is cute, he has cute green eyes!"
A girl with blonde curly hair that goes down to her butt in a pink dress pointed at me.
So you think I am cute eh, Mwahahaha!
If only Julie could see me now, of course, she wouldn't like me as she did in the other world because I am a child but I am still cute!
Wait, I am cute? Not handsome? Whatever a compliment is a compliment...
"How much is the black-haired boy over there?"
Looked like the Father of the girl asked to see how much I was, I mean, how much am I anyways?
"He is worth twelve silver coins."
"And what can he do?"
"He is a worker slave, he can be a butler if that's what you want for the lovely lady."
"Hmm, is he smart?"
"Yes, he knows how to read and write, he is also on the stronger side for his age. He is fast too."
So I am not worth crap?
I mean how much is twelve coins worth anyways...
"Ok, is this who you want Lilia?"
"Yes, Papa!"
Great, I was picked by this girl who looks around the same age as me and of course, she is a daddy's girl. I wouldn't doubt if she is super spoiled by him...
"Ok, what is his name?"
"His name is Natsuo Gushiken, you may change it if you would like."
"I think Natsuo is a cute name, don't change it, Papa!"
"Ok, we will keep his name."
The Father handed the shop owner the coins and he walked up to me with keys, he unlocked my cage and handed the Father my chain.
"Hi, Natsuo! You are mine now!"
Little brat, that's illegal to say back in my world! I wish it was here too!
"Yea, I see that..."
"Hey, don't talk back to me! I will not show mercy on punishing you! Papa said I didn't have to!"
My body shivered and I tensed up, getting abused by a girl? No thank you, not into that kinda thing!
"Well, shall we go now Lilia?"
"Yes, Papa!"
We rode in a carriage through town, I am glad I got to at least wear some shorts.
I wasn't as skinny as half of the other slaves in there since I was newer but I was still very hungry.
"This is the last birthday present you get, Lilia."
"Sorry, if you don't mind me asking, how old is she exactly?"
"My little girl just turned ten!"
He smiled brightly, he really loved his daughter it seemed.
Well, it sucked she was older than me, and I have no choice but to accept that fate, just like I have to accept the fact I will never see Emi again...
"This is our home."
I finished thinking of what I had of a family and looked up, I saw a huge shiny mansion and a gate, keeping us from it.
There were initials on the gate, V.A.
"Sir, I may be asking a lot of questions for a slave but, what does V.A. stand for?"
"My father's name was Vincent Arlington, I am Vincent Arlington Jr., and don't worry about asking questions, we will not treat you as badly as other slaves are treated."
I smile at the fact of knowing I won't be tortured daily, well I hope I won't...
"Please, come in."
The gates opened and we rode in, we hopped out and a few maids walked up to me.
"Shall I take him and get him dressed, Sir Arlington?"
"Yes please."
"Make him cute!"
"Ok Lilia, we will."
What are they going to do to me?!
They lead me through a few rooms and I come into a small room with a dresser and mirror.
"Is this my room?"
"Yes, you get your own room since there are a bunch. Take this and go to the washroom, wash up and put these clothes on."
"Why are we treated so well?"
"Because Sir Arlington wants to treat us well so we don't leave. Most slaves are signed with a contract that makes it so they cannot leave no matter what but Arlington thinks differently. He believes we still have humanity, even though some of us are Beastmen or Elves like myself."
I looked at the girl, she had brown hair with brown eyes and was in a maid outfit, her hair was short so I could see her pointy ears.
She was in fact an elf.
I take the clothes and she shows me to the washroom, this one looks not so fancy as the rest of the house.
"Why is this place not as fancy?"
"Because this is the one place Arlington treats us differently with. He does not want anyone peeping on him, his wife, or daughter."
"He has a wife?"
"Yes, her name is Eris. she has beautiful blonde hair and pretty blue eyes."
So that's where Lilia gets the blonde, her Father had brown and grey hair, his eyes were just a normal shade of hazel brown.
"Well thank you, I will wash up now."
"Ok, farewell."
I get into the washroom and take off what I have of clothes, I wash up quickly and look at the new clothes.
They were what a butler would usually wear so I didn't look special, I got dressed and walked out.
"Hello, Natsuo!"
I look forward and see a little blonde brat standing in front of me.
I give a simple wave and smile.
"Why aren't you dressed cutely?"
"Because, I was given this and nothing cute, why?"
"I told them to dress you cute, they did not listen! Looks like I have to do it myself."
She made a hmph sound and grabbed my wrist, she then took me upstairs and into a big room.
The room had a big dresser, a big pink bed, a desk, and a full-body mirror. I could already tell who's room this was but I am still gonna ask.
"Why are we in here? What room is this?"
"My room put this on."
She handed me a maid costume.
"Nope."
She looked at me and tears formed in her eyes, she then proceeded to give me puppy eyes.
Come on, it's been a few hours and I am already getting tortured?!
"Fine, Fine, give me the maid outfit."
I grab it then walk to the door, she spoke to me as I reached the handle.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I am not going to change in here, I will be right back."
"No, you stay here, I will turn around."
She turned around and her hair whips with her.
I guess I don't have a choice...
"Don't peek."
I quickly undress then get into that stupid maid outfit, if Shea or Emi saw this my whole reputation with them would go down faster than ever.
"Can I look now?"
"Yes..."
My face feels hot from embarrassment, I am glad there is no such thing as cameras in this world...
"Hmm, you're not cute enough..."
"Eh...?"
"Here put this on!"
She hands me a black ribbon, what exactly do you expect out of me, little brat!
"Nope."
She gave me puppy eyes once again.
"Ergh, fine..."
I put the ribbon on and smiled.
It was the smile that clearly said, I want to die and leave this annoying brat...
"Oh, you are so cute!"
"Shush!"
I look down in embarrassment.
"Papa come here! Quickly!"
"No, No that's fine! He doesn't need to see!"
"Yes, darling?"
Vincent opened the door and just stared at me, damn he was quick...
He then spoke in confusion about the situation.
"What has happened?"
"I dressed him up cutely!"
"Can I be somewhere else now?"
I mumbled quietly.
"The thing is Natsuo, is that you're Lilia's private butler. You will grow up serving her."
Well, it's expected that I will be a slave for the rest of my life.
Could I maybe learn how to fight while I am at it?
"Well if that's the case I would also like to protect her, may I learn how to defend her?"
"Hmm, that doesn't sound like a terrible idea, plus if you had a good bond with her it actually might make you defend her with your life..."
He stands for a moment, scratching his head whilst thinking about the idea.
"Sure, I will get the best trainer for you, while I am at it I will get one for Lilia too."
"But fighting isn't cute!"
"Then I will just let Natsuo do it all, although I would like you to be able to defend yourself just in case something happens."
Well, he is a good father for thinking that, maybe a bad one for trusting me so easily...
My train of thought crashes as I realize I am still in the maid outfit, I look at Lilia speak.
"May I get out of this now?"
"Nope, you may not!"
I looked at Vincent for support as Lilia quickly denied my request and he left the room just as quickly as I was denied.
Thank you so much for being there for me...
Lilia then quickly changed the subject.
"Let's have a small tea party!"
"Aren't you a little old for fake tea parties?"
"No, we will have a real one!"
"Ok, but where is the tea?"
"You are my personal butler, you get it!"
Snobby little brat, I can't argue though, I am her slave...
"Fine, wait here."
I walk out of the room and see a few maids giggling while looking at me.
Sh*t I forgot that I was in a maid dress!
"Quit laughing, where can I find tea? She wants a tea party with me."
"Follow me, Natsuo."
The maid that showed me to the washroom, who also wasn't laughing, showed me to the kitchen and showed me how to make tea.
It was simple but a very annoying task to get good at, once we both finished making tea I tried a tiny sip of mine to make sure it was ok.
Of course, it tasted horrible so I took Almira's tea instead.
"Hey, you never told me your name. What was it exactly?"
"My name is Almira."
She has a very pretty name, is it that exotic because she is an elf? Or are there other reasons?
"You have a very pretty name, it fits your looks!"
She smiled and looked down.
"What's wrong, did I say something bad?"
"No, it's just that no one has complimented me before..."
"Well, then I am glad to be your first!"
We both laugh a bit and I finally reach Lilia's door.
I knock three times and say that it's me at the door.
"Come in!"
I enter the door and see her standing there.
"Where shall we sit?"
"Outside! Come on let's go!"
She walked past me and downstairs, I followed with the tea in hand.
"When can I undress? I don't like being in this."
"After tea!"
"Fine..."
I swear, if every day is like this I would rather be killed!
No, I might just die anyways, from embarrassment!
"Sit here!"
She pointed at a white gazebo that had a table under it.
I walked over and placed the serving tray with tea on it in the middle of the table.
"Sit down, let's drink."
"Yes, Uhm, what exactly shall I call you?"
"You may call me Lilia!"
"Really? Ok."
"So why exactly were you enslaved, Natsuo?"
I hesitated before answering, I remembered what home was like, what Father and Mother were like, how I probably will never see Emi or Shea again.
I only knew Shea for about a week but I still cherish the thought of her.
I wouldn't have been chosen by such a great family if it wasn't for her.
I hope Shea hasn't been caught and that Emilia is ok.
"Why are you crying Natsuo?"
I look down and see teardrops on my outfit.
Looks like I missed them a little too much.
"Oh, it's nothing, I just missed home. I guess life before I was taken, was fun..."
"Well, what happened?"
"I was taken by men in black masks, they wanted something from my Father that he didn't have. They burnt my house down with my little sister in it and they took me and my Mother away from the house."
"You mean the Black Masked Demons?"
"What? Is that what they are called?"
"Yes, they are a very dangerous group of bandits, they spread around the whole country! I learned this from Papa!"
"I see, well it's not like I can do anything about them so how about you tell me about yourself."
I smile and she sips some of her tea.
"My Father is the duke of a part of the capital. The king could not handle all of it so he gave a chunk to my Father."
"So your Father has royalty in him?"
"Yes, my Father can command any part of this village."
Well, this seems like a good thing, maybe I can find Shea and mother easier this way.
I will have to ask later, I looked around while sipping tea, I noticed it was getting dark.
"It's getting late, shall we go back?"
"Hmm, yea!"
We didn't really spend much time outside but we learned a few things about each other so that's good.
We hurry back inside and I go to my room, on my bed are a few new butler outfits that fit me and some sheets with a blanket.
I put the sheets on and put the clothes away, I am glad they gave me sleepwear too.
I lay in bed and quickly fall asleep.
-Next Morning-
I woke up after sleeping several hours, I looked out the window and saw the morning sun.
I think now that I am a butler I have to wake up early and prepare stuff, maybe I should ask Almira about it.
I get into my day clothes and walk out, I see Almira standing outside my door.
"Why are you here?"
"I came to show you what you are supposed to do in the mornings."
Hearing her soft voice in the morning is very soothing and fills me up with security.
"Ok, let's get to it!"
She nodded and smiled then she walked to the kitchen and I followed.
"We shall prepare breakfast, after you help with a few things, set the table because breakfast should be close to done, then go wake up Lilia, the other butler should be going to wake up Sir Arlington and Misses Arlington. You may have leftovers once they are done, if you can not wait you shall have some bread and dried meat."
She may have a soothing voice but hell she is serious about her work.
"Got it!"
I quickly get to work then finish the first few steps, I walk upstairs towards Lilia's room.
I knock three times on the door and don't hear a response, I slowly peek in and see her sleeping, I proceed into the room and gently shake Lilia awake.
"H-Huh? Oh good morning Natsuo..."
She has a groggy morning tone and her hair has been punished by the common case of bedhead.
"Get up, breakfast is ready."
"Ugh, can you wear the maid costume again?"
"No, if you get up and eat breakfast then maybe."
She hops out of bed and to the dresser, she gets undressed and I realize that quickly.
"Why are you doing it while I am in the room?!"
She looks at me with a confused look, she then gets red.
"Oh yeah, you technically are a boy..."
"I will be leaving, I will be right outside the door if you need me."
I leave the room and about ten minutes later she comes out, her hair is nice and brushed and she is back in her pink dress.
"Let's go!"
She grabbed my hand and rushed downstairs, she sat down at the dining table and waited for the food to be done, her Father and Mother were already sitting at the long table.
"Ok, I will be in the kitch-"
Lilia cuts me off by saying,
"No, you will eat with us!"
"Nonsense, I am a slave, not a family member or guest."
"Papa, can Natsuo eat with us? Pwease?"
She gave him the puppy eyes, he hesitated then sighed.
"Sure, but only for today."
Sick! I get to eat this delicious food! I sat down next to Lilia and she looked at me with a joyful smile.
She seemed very happy about the situation.
"Here is your breakfast."
Almira looked at me with a confused expression as she handed me the food, I shrugged with one too.
She giggled then walked back to the kitchen, I don't think she was jealous, I think it was more of a "How did this happen?" kinda thing.
Almira didn't seem too old, maybe she was around fifteen or sixteen so she had that young laugh still.
"Eat up Natsuo!"
I looked down at the breakfast we were served, it looked delicious although I didn't feel right eating it.
"I don't seem in place here, I think I should go."
She gave me the puppy eyes, that surely seemed to work all the time.
My new goal is to gain immunity to it, I can not spoil her!
"Fine, I will eat."
I ate breakfast with Lilia and her family that morning, it was very delicious and I am glad I got to eat some.
Afterward, I cleaned up the plates and took them to the kitchen, I prepared tea for Lilia with a few cookies, then I took them to her room and gave them to her.
"Thank you Natsuo, can you dress up now?"
"Well I have all day with you so why not?"
I forced a smile but I was very annoyed that she wouldn't give up the idea.
She handed me the maid costume and ribbon.
"Turn around..."
I have accepted defeat...
"It's not like you're taking your underwear off!"
"It's still embarrassing..."
"Fine!"
I got dressed and she stared at me.
"You're cute again!"
I nervously laughed.
"Well, today Papa said he was gonna take me into town so we could get you more clothes. You shall wear that!"
"Nope."
She gave me the puppy eyes.
"Nope."
I did it, I said no! Mwahaha, I am now in control!
"Why are you so mean..."
She added in some sniffles and tears in that sentence, the ultimate power...
"Wha! Not fair!"
This isn't fair! I am not mean! Right?!
"Fine, I will wear this..."
I am not too happy about this situation but if it's what I got to do then fine.
"Yay! You are so cute Natsuo!"
A few hours passed by and we were in town, people gave me weird looks but I decided to ignore them.
We arrived at the clothing shop, there were lots of choices but I felt that I was only here for suits.
"Look at this one Natsuo!"
I look over at Lilia and she holds up a midnight purple dress.
I instantly shot down her idea, no dresses for me!
"Natsuo, pick out whatever you like, I will buy it for you. Get some for going out to parties since you will always be with Lilia, even when we go to parties."
"Ok, got it."
I got some clothes, It was just a black suit and tie. I didn't want anything flashy.
"Oh and get some underclothes that would fit nice for training."
"Got i- wait what?"
"Didn't I say that you would be training soon? I already ordered your's and Lilia's trainer."
"R-Really? I thought you were kidding!"
"No, they should be here in around six months so get something a little bigger than you that you can grow into."
I smiled and fist pumped, I went and grabbed a white long-sleeved shirt and black pants, I also included some fingerless leather gloves.
"That will look nice with your trainer gear, good choice."
"Thank you."
We headed back to the mansion after paying, it was already lunchtime so I helped with lunch.
Afterward, I spent the day following Lilia, then I needed to help with dinner and cleaning so I assisted on that.
It became nighttime quicker than I expected so I headed to bed.
-Six Months Later-
Every day went basically the same, some days they would go out but most days they wouldn't.
Lilia had tutoring some days and I joined in every once in and while, some days Lilia would have a tea party with me and we would talk, other times she would dress me up in different dresses and ribbons.
That's how life was until the trainer arrived. It was a sunny afternoon and a handsome man with short black hair and a black cloak arrived at the front door.
His pants were also like his cloak except his cloak had some white lines around the edges, his eyes were green and he looked serious.
"Who am I training?"
"These two children."
"Children? Are they strong?"
"Well not so much of my daughter but Natsuo, her butler, is pretty strong for his age. He also doesn't seem too stunned about pain."
What, I mean I get hurt a lot around here but how much are you watching me old man?!
"Ok, I will train them for five silver each day."
"Sounds fair, come in, our maid shall show you to your room, but before that what is your name?"
"Oliver, what is your daughter's name?"
"Lilia, and I am Vincent."
He nodded and walked by us, his voice was as serious as his face, his voice was sharp and he cut to the point.
He seemed serious about training, will he be easy to learn from?
I sure hope he won't beat me down every time I train...