It's been five days since the offer. I still have two, but my mind still can't come to a conclusion.
If I accept, the story will be modified in greater ways than I can imagine.
If I don't, then I could still follow the argument of the plot, but that could lead to an irreversible end if I'm not careful.
The randomness of my own story, or the questionable path pavemented before my arrival to this world.
"Which is the correct answer?"
With that question floating in my mind, I headed to the stables. I had to take care of Twilight as my new recurrent responsibility.
**
"My, the black panther is here for another day of work, huh"
"... Please don't call me that"
"Haha. You should be happy that your name is now roaming through the Fotiadis house, not everyone can become famous in the land of a duke"
"Still... That nickname's quite embarrassing"
When I arrived, the first person to greet me was the caretaker of drakes. His clothes were covered in mud and blood, distinctive colors of someone who deals with drakes as an everyday business.
Usually, he and other servants would be taking care of all the drakes, but Twilight seems quite apprehensive at the idea of being touched by someone who is not me.
Therefore, the job of washing, feeding, and cleaning was given to me.
After that brief chat, I walked to the end of the stables; there was a sheltered space with a padlock preventing the entrance to anyone brave or stupid enough to adventure his luck into the thing living there.
Pulling out the key from my pants, a "click" was heard through the whole building. It was a warning indicating the opening of those doors.
An ominous aura enveloped the space as my hands shoved open the pieces of steel.
Nothing but utter darkness could be seen inside.
Fum!
Suddenly, the air beside my cheek was cut by a spear faster than human reflexes, the owner of such a weapon groaned as if saying that it did not want to be disturbed.
"Twilight, it's me, come out"
The spear returned to darkness only to be replaced by a line of terrifying teeth. Black scales shined against the thin light of the candles hanging in the corridors of the ceiling.
Her hands, armed with cruel long claws reached my neck, resting their edge on it. Soon, her entire body, that standing on her muscular legs reached the two and a half meters stood before me.
The drake stared at me with dagger eyes, like trying to get a reaction of fear and servitude from me.
"... I brought you food, eat while I clean your scales"
Pulling ahead a bucket filled with meat that I grabbed on my way here, I calmly pushed away from her claws. Dissipating the artificial darkness with my magic in the process.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop creating these cocoons? Nobody here is going to hurt you anymore"
"Gruuu..."
Twilight tends to create spaces with shadows so she can ambush anyone when needed, it´s part of her instincts as drake. I was told that this ability was something new, probably caused by our meeting and contact with mana.
Acting obedient, the drake intertwined her hands as his powerful legs bent to sit on the hay and began the banquet.
For a beast as terrifying as her, the way she ate the fish was quite clean, almost elegant.
Grabbing another bucket of water, I reached out for the soap and brush resting on a high shelve.
I wanted to be alone and in peace with my mount, so I closed the doors behind us.
Then I rolled up my sleeves and began to bathe the drake as if it was my car.
"To think I would be doing this with a lethal giant lizard, life sure is strange..."
As bizarre and surreal as this could be, it was one of my times for relaxation. Cleaning always worked as some kind of therapeutic method to relieve stress.
Verónica ordered me to stay away from it because of my wound, so I had to search for other ways to entertain and calm myself. Since Twilight doesn't like to be touched by anyone besides me, I had a good chance to move, making it easy for me to use the excuse to go out of my room and stretch my limbs.
"I have to reserve a time to do this once I'm back on duty... Well, if I'm ever back, that is"
Once again, my mind was invaded by doubts.
Should I take the risk? What would happen if I say yes? I almost die out there, what will be of Verónica if next time I'm not so lucky?
Question after question, fear after fear. I was gradually descending into a well of despair.
"Domi? are you in there?"
"My lady?"
Leaving the soap and brush I walked to the doors, I tried to fix my looks a little, but it was a bit hard in a place like this.
Ugh, fuck it. I thought opening the steel gates.
"Are you done yet?"
"... A-Almost, I just need to clean and dry the soap on her scales, it shouldn't take me too long"
"I see... Can I stay with you while you're on that?"
"I... don't know if that's a good idea..."
"Hm? And why is that?" She asked tilting her head.
"Well... Your clothes could get dirty... and wet..."
"I already knew that, that's why I'm currently wearing this"
She did a twirl to remark her words, giving me a complete idea of her outfit.
Oh God...
She was wearing a red sleeveless t-shirt, the space opened to the world gave a good window to see her bust.
I can see her bra... She's getting a liking for black these days...
She also had black leather pants that dangerously remarked her curves, and her toes were wearing brown boots.
She tied her hair in a ponytail, giving her a fresh aura over her cute face.
This was honestly too much for me.
"I see... Umm, I don't mind but, Twilight doesn't like to be with other people so..."
Looking at my drake, I noticed that her tail was already holding two pieces of wet cloth in front of us.
"Seems like she doesn't mind" Said Verónica entering the room and taking my seat.
"So it seems..."
Defeated by the two, I grabbed another chair before closing up the doors and began the cleaning.
*
"How do you feel?"
"I'm fine now, it only hurts a little when I run"
"Don't work too much" She said with a worried smile.
"Kinda hard to happen when I'm almost always in bed" I answered sighing.
"Good, that's how you should be"
A little pissed by that response, I let go of my honest thoughts.
"I should be serving you, not staying all day in bed"
"Mhmm... Maybe..."
Unexpectedly, she seemed to not care about what I just said. My heart received a well-placed punch by that.
"Yhea... Maybe..."
With this atmosphere, we spent some time on the task at hand.
Surprisingly, Twilight has behaved nicely with Verónica. I would even dare to say nicer than she is with me.
Maybe because they are both females?
Probably not.
"Domi?"
As to save me from my stupid speculations, Verónica called me.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Are you going to leave?"
My heart and body stopped for a second. I expected her to ask about it, but it was quite more hard than I anticipated.
"... I'm not sure..."
Revealing my lack of response, I gave her the best I could at the moment.
"Why are you hesitating? Anyone else would have said yes already"
Taken aback by her words, I felt my mouth shut tight.
I know, the fact that I haven't said so it's because I'm seriously giving it thought.
Trying to flee from that denying feeling, I forced a smile while talking.
"Haha, the way you say it almost seems like you want me to accept"
"I mean, I do"
".... Huh?"
She wants me to leave?
My body got stiff, my mind went blank and a deep silence fell on us.
Verónica laid down on Twilight's side, giving me her back.
"Just to let you know, I'm not saying I want you to stay away from me"
A breeze of fresh air swept most of my worries away. Relieved by the clarification, I also rested against my drake as I regain my breath.
"I-I see, then, what is it?"
"It's a big chance, you can start to earn merits to become someone important. To obtain wealth, fame... and women"
That last part sounded more like a whisper that a word.
"I don't need those things, I'm fine with the way things are now"
That's right, I don't need more, the only important thing here is to protect Verónica, I don't need titles, land, or money to do so, my strength alone is enough...
"But, that's just for now. What about the future? Don't you want to be independent? Make your own path?"
My future doesn't matter... My past much less... What matters most for me is you...
"My own path?... But, my place is where you are, I'm your servant, my life belongs to you"
Yes, I'm just a stray dog picked up from the streets, the mercy and kindness that this person shows to me is more than enough payment... I don't deserve to yearn for more...
"... I see, it makes me happy that you think that way, Domi"
That's all I needed to hear...
I'll stick up with my original plan and turn down Herion's proposal.
I arrived a servant, so I'll live and die a servant.
The spotlight was never meant for people like me... My previous life made it clear...
"Then-"
"-But no, you can't spend your whole life that way, I forbid you of doing so"
"HUH?!"
Slashing through my resolution with her orders, Verónica left her place and stood before me.
Her eyes filled with pain, and maybe, remorse.
With my blood becoming ice, I stuttered some words.
"B-But why? Why are you saying that? I'm yours! You saved my life!"
Pushed by panic, my voice became a series of yells.
"You sheltered me! Gave me a name! A purpose!"
Verónica smiled sadly, then her soft hands grabbed my head, and lead me to her chest.
"This is exactly why I must let you go"
Fear overcame my whole body, so my arms embraced her thin waist as tears began to form within my eyes.
"Why?... I don´t get it... I don´t want to leave you... I don´t want you to leave... Me..."
"Domi..."
I was being selfish, more than any other moment in this, and my previous life.
I attached my hands to her clothes, terrified that if I let go any second, she would disappear forever.
The chilling feeling of loneliness... The abhorrence of those who you thought loved you...
I never want to feel that again...
"Please... Don´t push me away..."
I had never begged for anything... But this time, I might as well start to do it...
"Dominique, you're getting ahead of yourself, I never said I would stay away from you"
She swept away my tears with her warm hands.
"B-But, you said that you would let me go..."
"Giving you independence it´s not the same as rejection, Dominique"
"W-What?"
Verónica giggled, her face showing an expression of tiredness right after.
"Why can´t you be as cool with me as you are with everyone else? If you had calmed down, you would have already noticed the difference. I´m starting to think that you don´t actually listen to me"
"..."
Recreating our conversation I began to understand what she meant.
She talked about giving me independence, encouraging me to take the first step toward something that will benefit me, and telling me to care about myself.
But she didn´t say anything about never staying by her side again...
"Then... Did I?..."
"Yes... You misunderstood everything..."
"...."
I felt my whole body become hot, especially my head.
"Fufu~, red suits you pretty well if I may say so"
Now, with embarrassment filling my brain, I regretted all of my actions.
"... Fuck..."