"Uwaa~ This is so delicious!"
I can't stop praising these very amazing well-cooked honey taffies.
"Right! This is the first time Lorei encountered this dessert but he already mastered it. He is so good almost at everything!"
The butler just silently watches at us while we're enjoying the dessert, he made for us.
"Say… does the butler doesn't want to eat with us?"
"Hm? Oh! The butler can't join us, it's a rule by nobles."
"But it's okay for the slave to join you? Come on, it's just me. You should join us."
However, the butler didn't even react to my invitation. It seems he doesn't want to have anything to do with me.
"Alright." the butler just spoke and he agreed?
"Please, don't paint such disappointed expression in front of the prince."
The butler sat in one of the vacant chairs, filling up his plate with a mannerly gesture. The butler slowly cut the honey taffy using a golden fork and knife. Such a manner, they are really noble people.
I only use my hand to eat these. I feel awkward just watching them.
"So, Krahn. Do you want to stay for the night again? I'm sure your wounds aren't healed yet. My butler can wash them later." Oz said. His face was full of excitement that I'm sure he is expecting me to answer him 'Yes'.
"I'm sorry. But I need to go home today. I already stayed here for a day and I can't extend it for one more day." Silence.
No one talked. Oz was just staring at me with a disappointed stare. Even if I want to stay here, my mother will be worried about me. I can't make her worries too much, mother is sick and so I need to stay by her side.
"B-but…"
"My Prince." the butler chimed in. His eyes were shut as he talks, "You mustn't force anyone to stay when they need to go."
Why is he delivering it that way? I feel so bad for rejecting the offer already but I don't have much of a choice.
"Ah… My apologies…" Oz was really sad about it. I just sighed while gazing at Oz who was looking down at his honey taffies.
"Don't worry. I'll visit again." I tried to cheer him up by saying I will visit him again. It worked; he lifted his head happily. "Really?" his face was painted with his innocent smile again.
I agreed and nodded as my response.
"Then, I will prepare something for you. When you come back here, you'll have a great gift from me. Alright?"
He'll give me some gifts. Ah. How very thoughtful of him. I don't want to leave if only I can decide that for myself.
After we're done eating. The butler and the young prince took me to the safest path that I can take to prevent any dangerous creatures along the way.
"Take this, Krahn." before I go, the young prince gave me a bag of honey taffies as a farewell gift. I took it as I bowed my head, "Thank you. Let's meet again in a week?"
"Umu. I will wait for you!"
That's what we came to for the agreement. I began walking towards the trail path as I simply glanced at Oz once more. I saw how he was waving at me with a happy expression.
I breathed at ease.
"Who would think I will be able to meet the prince of this kingdom? Wait, did he say he was the prince of Astrea? He didn't mention it but we can assume he is." I constantly talked to myself while strolling back to the slave village.
***
When I reached my village. It is still the same as ever. My neighbours are so noisy, they often make a noise like this so I've gotten used to it.
"Krahn!" Hakurei came running at me from the moment he saw me.
"Haku… w-what happened to your face?" I worriedly said to him.
His face was swelling, and full of bruises. "Did those rascals do that to you?!"
"N-no… i-it's my father… A-anyway. You should go home now. Your mother is worriedly sick about you."
"Alright." That was awkward. Hakurei's father is not really joking when it comes to Haku who disobeys him.
I was about to go when Haku stopped me.
"Be careful of your brother. He seems to be in bad mood…" he gave me a piece of warning that comes in handy. "Hm. I will."
I left him and with a small chance of hope that my brother would be out by now. My hope failed me in any way.
"...Krahn! Where have you been, you bitch!" when he saw me, he immediately poured out his anger to me by pulling my hair forcefully.
"A-ah! I'm sorry, brother!"
I got shoved to the ground, he even pressed my face into it.
"You're not scared of the punishment and so, you keep on repeating it! This is what you get for skipping your work and duty!"
I don't know how am I going to repent for my mistakes when he doesn't give me any chance to explain. He just keeps on shoving my head to the ground. I can only cry from it.
"Hey! Stop that!" But this voice, it was Hakurei who interfered.
He started pulling my brother's arm away from me.
"H-haku…"
"You're the crybaby who keeps hanging around with her! Didn't I already tell you to stay away from her?!" My brother released me but now going to point his anger to Hakurei.
I glanced at Haku. He was crying, afraid of what he will experience from my brother's hand but even so, Haku is so brave to stand for me.
"Joe! What are you doing to her!?" Thankfully, mother came in great timing. She immediately embraced me away from my brother.
"Y-you're taking her side again!? Mom, I'm your—"
"Stop it. I don't want to hear anything from you."
My brother was startled by what he heard from our mother but, I can't do anything to mend it. I'm so afraid to even approach him.
He walked out after that. Leaving us alone.
"Are you hurt?"
"Her face was full of scratches… Aunt." Hakurei said in concerning sound.
"Come, let me clean and put some bondage." My mother eventually took me inside the house. She carefully cleaned my wounds and scratches from my face to my hands and knees.
"What happened? Why didn't you go home yesterday?" she asked.
"I was chased down by wolves who's in the mountain. I'm sorry, mother. I—...I just wanted to bring my brother some of his favourite honey taffy." then I took out the honey taffy.
"Silly girl. Don't do that again, alright? I know your brother is important to you but stop risking your life for this small thing. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mother."
Hakurei was next to me, watching us. "Uhm. You know, Aunt. Krahn is so brave. She even stands against the nobles that's why I want to be like her someday."
"Hmm… You too. Yes. Treasure each other. Even if you guys are only friends. Treat yourselves as a family."
Mother was so sweet. I'm glad that she was my mother.