"Please don't kill me!" she repeated once again, this time the words coming up as stammers. She was already whimpering in fear, her face still touching the floor.
"Depends. What do I have to kill you for?" I asked curiously.
She raised her head in confusion, tears brimming around her eyes. She had the human charm around her, that I'm sure of, but the short horns on the sides of her head gave her away as an ogre.
Ignoring the maids wear, I would say that she had above average looks, maybe a bit of a make up and she'd be a beauty. Her green hair also gave me mixed feelings, mainly cause it was the same as mine.
"W–what do you mean, depends? Aren't you going to punish me for turning you in circles when you should have reached your room in less than five minutes?"
"And why would I do that?"
"...because, you are a warrior. And I'm just a pathetic maid," she answered and returned her head back on the floor.
"How about, no. First of all, I'm a child. So that's definitely not ethical for my age. Secondly, why would I punish you for something I had no idea why you were doing? Provided no one got hurt, we could just ignore this. And finally, I want to know your reason for doing so. Might give me and idea of the real culprit to punish,"
"Um... Ah...." she stammered as I helped her up to her feet. She tried wiping away her tears but a fresh new batch always managed to come up from her ducts.
"Sir... I meant no disrespect to you. It's just that..." she trailed off when I had finally managed to get a few words from her.
"Yeah?"
"Well...the one who sent me thought it would be disgraceful if you were made a fool by roaming the halls aimlessly. Come to think of it, the one who sent me was so sure you would kill me for my stupidity,"
"And who is this person who sent you? And if you were sure you were going to die, why do this in the first place?"
She began balling her eyes out again that I had to try calming her down again, for the third time!
"Wait sir... Please.. I–I can't,"
"Why can't you? The one who sent you already was sure of your death, so why should you fear if the person who wanted you dead already thinks you are?"
"But–"
"But nothing! He already thinks you're dead,"
"Yeah but–"
"You're dead."
She looked at me stubbornly. With the tears in her eyes, she looked less of a grown woman, and more of a pouty little girl.
"Fine then! It's someone who was welcomed by the King Fenrick. He threatened my friends so that's why did it. That's all I can say for now, so there!"
"Huh? Ain't you acting a little arrogant right now when you are my maid?"
Her eyes widened in shock when she realized she had spoken out of turn. I could tell she was close to tears again.
"Don't start crying, Jeez! Just...take me to my room,"
She nodded her head politely and finally directed me to where I was supposed to be. I entered the room as she patiently stepped to the side, then I turned to her.
"Sir, if you need anything, anything at all, just call on me. Supper is at ten," she said with a business composure." And... thanks for not killing me,"
"You're very welcome. But I'll need something more from you. I did spare you after all,"
She stared at me for some few seconds then her eyes furrowed in depression.
"Yes, of course! What would you like? I'm not sure I have money right now–"
I raised my hand to stop her. Then, I asked her to come closer.
"I don't want money. Call me by first name, Mandrax, or Max for short. Deal?"
"But sir I–I... y–you're a..."
"Normal monster just like you," I pulled her close and whispered in her ear.
"I don't like the formalities very much. Just do me a solid, please?"
She pulled away from me and nodded her head. A smile threatened to tug from her mouth but she hid it well.
"Yes sir–I mean Max. This might be just me, but between us, you're my favourite guest to attend to," she whispered and quickly excused herself and walked back to their quarters before I could pick up on what she had said.
"She's good people," I muttered and finally had a chance to take in my room.
One thing to note was that everything was pure white. From the bed to the walls, everything. I almost felt like I was defiling some sacred ground. There was a bath in the room, where I chose to freshen up with a cool bath while trying to collect my thoughts on the events of the day.
Such awesome fights, and mine was tomorrow! I have no idea how I would have faired against any one of them. One thing is certain. They were all strong. Maybe I'm not cut out for this. And who is the unknown person that even threatened my maid's life just to annoy me? What was that all about?
Many thoughts to think of as I came out the shower. I thought about clothes, but just like in school, basic clothes were provided in the wardrobe. There was even a black suit waiting for me, with a bow tie wrapped around the neck area. Guess what I'm wearing for the supper?
Two minutes later, and I looked spiffy. Well...not too spiffy I hope. I turned to the mirror and observed myself.
Hmm... I could use a good cut around the back. My hair has grown a lot since I entered camp. Face still looks like that of a girl... but I'll survive. Though the wolf ears I could do without.
*sigh*
I can't believe it's only been barely three months since I entered camp. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I'd be in the King\s castle, and as a guest in fact. I thought that when I'd enter camp, I'll just move to the military and maybe later on be killed off in some random planet but ever since Lord Tartarus, my life has gotten a lot better.
"The life I was leaving before that...," I shuddered just thinking about those traumatic experiences I passed through.
"No! Now you are a warrior, Max. You've got a good life a head of you. You've met good friends too. And actual friends, for the first time. A good school where people actually care that you exist and also the adamantium spear. Don't ruin this with past memories," I consulted myself as I slapped both cheeks.
Someone knocked at the door but I was thankfully already finished.
"Yes?"
"Sir Max? I'm here to escort you to the dining hall?" a familiar voice said.
"Huh, how about that. Just a sec,"
***
"So...Sir Max. Who were you talking to in your room if I may ask?" the maid, who had informed me her name was Catherine, asked.
"No one in particular,"
She was walking beside me this time. I think I might have gotten a bit closer to her. We kept chatting all the way to the hall where she explained to me how large the castle was.
Get this. There are places so far from the main castle, that they need minor transport gates just to get to those sections. There's also a huge number of maids, who are always busy taking care of the guest's needs.
"Did you know that the hall you are going to is one of the few ones around? It's true actually. The Kings wanted to talk to you guys some more before tomorrows fights so each had their own halls prepared. Just as you see these corridor, the dining hall is even grander," Cathe explained to me excitedly.
"Here we are sir Max, just walk through those doors and you'll find the rest in there. I'm sorry to say this cause it's my fault, but you are about ten minutes late," she mumbled and bowed down in apology.
"Hey, what did we say about that? It all in the past,"
"Yeah, it is. So..." she began fidgeting with her hands.
"So?"
"Um...you look really cool in that tux so I wanted to..."
"Go on."
"Can I please hug you, please!"
"Wait wha–!"
She grasped me in a tight hug that brought warmth to my body before I could answer her. I found myself hugging her back, the hug feeling strangely so familiar. She then quickly let go, excused her self and speed walked down the way we came.
"Wha–why–huh?!" I held my mouth to stop my mumbling. Did I remind her of someone she knew? But that hug... I want to do it again. I was still lingering in that feeling of the it.
"What the hell just happened to me? That hug...what was that?"
I steered myself to calm down my rushing heart and with nerves of steel, pushed the door open.
What a dining hall! Cathy was definitely right about it being grand. The chandelier at the diamond encrusted table glittered with a beautiful mixture of different colors, that light the room well. Candles light the sides of the cream coloured walls, where a good number of maids stood by, awaiting orders.
If I didn't know better, I'd say that this hall was probably the best in the world we were in, cause I'm very sure we are not on earth.
I was definitely late to the table. Just about everyone had already arrived, each in their appropriate attire for the function. This time, Mrs Kelly was besides her father on the table. Just at the end.
To the left, all the females were sitted there. I noticed the ice princess staring at me. She saw me staring at her and stuck her tongue out. Ignoring her, the viper master seemed to be in a better condition. Maybe the doctors were right about her needing the rest.
Clare had seen better days, with a lot of bandages wrapped around her exposed skin, where she even looked like a mummy in a dress. At least she was in a condition to bring herself over to dinner. That wolf healing might be the main cause of it. The Soul reaper was in a elegant black dress, with her mask as usual covering her face.
I turned on over to the gents side. I've never seen the general with a suit. Actually, I've never seen him with anything else other than his usual army clothes. He looks good in it. Same goes for the high wizard and Mr Ben, though Mr Ben had a plaster cast on his right hand.He tapped on the seat next to him and smiled up at me.
"Took you long enough boy! Hahaha!" the king laughed in amusement.
"Um...you're highness, that's supposed to be a bad thing," a thin man at the other side of the king said.
Wait, how did I not notice him? Somehow I'm getting some wierd vibes from him. He must be the head battler of the castle. No idea what type of monster he is.
"I'm sorry for my tardiness, your Majesty. I only have myself to blame," I apologized as I bowed down to the king.
"Hahahaha! Have I seat, boyo! Most of the warriors around hear just arrived a few minutes before you so I'm sure you also had problems to take care of. All is well,"
The battler scoffed at me when I moved to the seat Mr Ben had indicated. I'm starting to really hate that guy.
"And now my dear Monsters, LET'S BEGIN THE FEAST!"