I'm going to the direction where both of my parents usually have their duels, while bringing the book with me.
I usually just spend at least a solid 20 minutes, just sitting and reading while enjoying the calmness around me.
While it feels great knowing the contents of the book, i'm starting to be wary of past events where she catches me off guard.
(I guess now she'll be starting to look for me outside the house, but where should i go?
Come to think of it, i never explored the riverside, haven't i?
Might as well do some sightseeing, reliving myself from all the stress i've pent up)
I put the book down just below the spot where i usually sit on some boulder, and starts to walk around the river enjoying the quiet scenery of nature.
(*inhale* Ah, nothing beats the smell of fresh air)
The sound, the quietness, the smell and the views are endearing to all my senses.
The wildlife i encountered here are all harmless, thankfully.
Flying bug that looks like a mix off a dragonfly and mosquito.
Amphibians that looks like a mix off a frog and rays.
Rodents that looks like a mix of squirrel and guinea pig.
Birds that looks like a mix of a woodpecker and owl.
(Eccentric, look like they come from an anime-inspired English animation i used to watch)
I came to notice a cave in front of me, it's gaping entrance makes me fear of what's possibly inside
(... There won't be feral wolves, right?... Gotta mske sure)
I grab on to some pebbles, hide behind some bushes and threw 3 consecutively just to draw out some potential dangers...
Seconds passes by...
There's nothing, really... Though, i do feel a little bit of deja vu.
(Huh, experienced because of a dream.
I did had myself an all-nighter on some survival games, so it's plausible i'm just concious of my surroundings.
Alright, time to check out if this could be a good hiding place)
I walk to it, entering while maximizing my focus to hearing. Leaving any stray thoughts, just pure focus.
The lights that seeps in is sufficient for me to see most of the insides, and there's glowy mushrooms and plants all around for the extra help.
A little far from the entrance, i see something laying on the ground behind a dead end.
I approach it, and squints my eyes.
What's there is a little bag that looks like it has been left for sometime.
I rummage the bag, and my hands stumbled on something thick and heavy.
I look on the inside, and being out all that is inside:
A letter and a tablet like the one i used to have from the outside world, though more rusty and old.
The letter said :
'Through the [error]-ge of Maturity', all that's left is self-sati[error]. I've been on the journey for the [error]-r years, trying to find yet another purpose to live on. And so i did. I found [error]. '
(... That's a little vague, heck's this supposed to mean?) I inspect the tablet, and there's the usual volume up and down button on the right side, power button on the left side, audio jack-in on the top and lastly, there's no charging hole anywhere.
(I guess Mana the life battery in this, just how is it charged?
Hmm, i'll try booting it up)
Holding the power button, blue lights from the top to the bottom goes round and round to the upper side until they stop.
[ Aeon ®, The Greatest Fusion of Technology and Magic ]
It cuts to black, before some white light from the bottom comes.
I try swiping it up and as expected, [ Password is Required ]
Below the texts are 6 empty boxes.
(It's a 6-pin password, this'll take just a moment)
Tapping on the first column, the 0 to 9 numerical of this world came out in the shape of a rectangular.
(0 on the left end and 9 on the right end, what's there to guess?)
I tapped the numbers of the '3 Main Age of Maturity', 7-1-4-2-1- ... and what's left is just one number. Noticing that the years this 'wanderer' has journeyed is four years after thinking aloud off 0 to 9, i inserted the number 4.
[ 7-1-4-2-1-4.
Lock opened.
Initiating unlocking procedures]
The screen cuts to black again.
And so with that, the job is done.
(Now all i have to do is wait for the screen to come up)
... A solid of 20 seconds i waited, and it's still not doing anything. (Nothings going on, but i do feel a little bit sleepy)
My head starts to feel heavy, my eyes are cloudy, my skin shivering like it's been crept up and my body starts to feel like it's electrocuted. (Ugh, what's going on with my body?)
My eyes got the worst drowsiness i've ever experienced, but i punch the wall so the pain can keep me awake for the time being.
( *thud* Woops, almost closed my eyes right there, in the afternoon where there could still be roaming animals.
*yawns* I guess it's time to head back.)
I put down both the letter and the tablet, not knowing if they're left behind on purpose or is there to trap someone
I exits the cave, started trailing back to where i put my book and run as fast as i could, feeling the calm breeze passes by me until the front door...
(Wish there's someone to race with, this isolation's killing me)
. . .
Arriving at the front porch, i slow myself down and try to open the door slowly
(Hmm, how come i didn't hear her voice when inside the cave? I'm pretty sure she's still searching for me around the-)
*Door Opens*
The door suddenly opens, and i shudder in fear seeing the one that waits for me.
The housemaid, Elena, she just stood there, menacingly with both arms crossed and heads high looking down on me.
Her expression is a mix of anger, confusion, and regret.
(Ugh, don't look at me like that!
Here i thought i'm about to be grounded at the spot but the way she stares at me makes me feels guilty.
I guess i need to apologize but i'm scared if she suddenly slaps me or pinches me again.
I'll, close my eyes for now.)
Bowing down, i replicate the formal greeting that a noble does for apologizing. "Sorry for playing outside without asking a word, Missus Elena. I will accept any possible punishment with my best"
(Go on, then, tell me i won't be getting my chocopie or you'll be keeping my favorite reads for a week)
... I lift my heads up, noticing what horrible deed i've done.
Full of tears, her face is drenched while still trying her best to maintain her face.
(... OH, Oh No!)
"Uhm, miss? I think we should get inside, i'll hear you out in my room, okay?"
Nodding, after i come inside she closes the door while walking a few feets away from me.
(Ugh, man, this blows)
. . .
*sobs and sobs*
Being used as her stress pillow, i can only glance at her covered face from time to time with the feeling of guilt. It doesn't help that her assets are all over my back.
The sight of someone being caressed by a kid 2 decades younger is not something you'd see often in, well, Anywhere... and that's exactly what's happening right now.
After at least drying up her eyes onto my hair, which tickles a ton, 2 minutes and a half, she calmed down.
"There, there now Missus, don't cry~ .
I said i'm sorry Missus Elena, don't cry.
It hurts me that you're hurt because of me, so " Covering her face with both hands, i help wipe the tears off of her with my tiny weeny hands.
"*hiccup* It's your fault. I'm worried about you, you know? *sobs*
I thought i lost you, i thought you were kidnapped, i'm scared thinking about it. *sobs* "
"... *sighs*. Missus, can you release me for awhile? I want to show you something"
She did as i told, sulking and not looking at me. "What?"
I hug her as much as i could, what with the body i have. "It's alright Missus, it's my fault, and i will try my best not to sadden you again"
". . . *sobs* Yes... You said you'd accept anything, like, Anything?" She looks at me with the eyes of a puppy.
I back off, seeing that makes me a little more guilty. "Ngh... long as it's within my power, yeah"
(Hope it's not gonna involve some freaking fetish)
"Mmm... Alright, i'll have you abide me on something.
For starters, firstly i'll accompanying you in bed every once in a while" Crossing her arms, shutting her eyes, and movements on her face it's as if she's debating with her own minds.
I froze, thinking the acts that she may possibly do while i'm asleep. "... Hmm? You said that as if you have more to come, why not tell me everything now?"
Opening her eyes, a wicked smile was put on and she covers her mouth with her right hand. "Mhm~, won't be a fun punishment if you know them now, won't it?"
I drop myself from the bed, walking towards the exit. "... *sighs*. Yeah. I'll have myself a bath, if you don't min-" Before i am able to twist the door handle, she halts me by holding my right hand captive. .
"Actually, I Do Mind.
Secondly, i'll wash you Even More thoroughly inside the bath"
I try to twist it harder by putting my other hand. "Haah? No, come on, i can do it myse-" And so, both hands is on her leash.
"Aah! No going back now, Young Master! Now, onto the cleansing~! " She picks me up, forcing me to piggy ride her before exiting.
(*chuckles*. Least she won't be That Mad at me.
I only hope she won't be destroying my privacy entirely with the punishment game.
But, eh, it's just a game for now so i'll enjoy it while i can)
. . .
*clack*
The lights on my bedroom was turned on by the housemaid in her own sets of pajamas.
The windows and curtains of those windows are shut tight.
And for the last thing she'll be asking me tonight, bedtime stories.
(Now that i think about it, i never had an older sister figure bsck on the outside world)
She goes on sit behind me acting as my stand, where i rest my back on her front. "Here we go, then, Young Master! 'The Elves View Of Loving Us As Pets' "
Tilting my head to her, straight to the eyes. "From the sound of it, seems like you liked this sad story, Missus?"
Patting me on the head, she smiles brightfully. "Yes, because unlike us, they live at least up to 400 or more years and in all that lifespan, they always see people come and go like yesterday came by"
I can't help but lift my eyebrows in curiosity. "Then why do they view us as such? Pretty sure there's lots who are married to elves, both light and dark elves. I too want to marry one or more"
" *snickers* You sure dream high.
*sighs* Have you ever had a pet before, Young Master?"
Shutting my eye, i put on a thinking pose. (If there's a raptor-like dragon egg or baby alligator and croc, i'd ask for them)
"No? I haven't seen anything that can be worthy to be captured as pets around here"
"Well, if you were to love them truly, what you don't know is that pets age faster than us all"
"Huh, does that mean they pity us?"
"No, because we are the one that mostfully pity them because, they have to endure the pain of living without their beloved thst once were by their side.
Hence, Pets Are Replaceable"
My drowsiness increases as time passes . "... Ngh. Does that mean i should never marry an elf?"
"It means, that you should uplift them and have them strong In and Out as to make sure you both do not become a burden to each other... Ahaha~, how come i'm talking philosophy with Young Master, i'll start reading the story now."
I cover my face from my gaping mouth. " *yawns* No, please~, i want to sleep"
"I'm glad you remembered what i taught.
Alright, i'll turn off the light, now you go on sleep first, Young Master"
Getting down from the bed, she goes near the exit to turn off the lights off, and goes back to sleep beside me and she lays her left arm towards me. "If you want to, you can sleep here instead"
No hesitation given, i switches my head pillow to her arms. "For, making you cry today, Miss Elena"
She pats me yet again, rubbing them a little softer than before. "You're going to be a good boy, Young Master"
"... Thanks. Good Night, Miss Elena" i closes my eye, preparing to descend into dreamland once again.
"Mmm, *kiss* Good Night, Young Master Arlan" A kiss on the forehead, together we fall asleep.
. . .