Clang!
I jolt awake immediately as I try to focus my blurry eyes on my surroundings.
I find two big figures, holding something that looked like beer bottles in their hand.
"Hey, you! Yeah, you! Where's my dammed money?!"
"I-i already gave it to you," I say trying my best to not sound pathetic as they smash all the things I've collected from the streets to sell.
"What? What did you say to me?! Are you talking back?! You filthy little commoner!" He shouts in a drunken state.
I'm not afraid. I'm not going to be afraid. I gave the money back. I have nothing to worry about.
"The money you have wasn't nearly enough! I couldn't even buy a box full of beer with that! The other man shouts.
"B-but that's how much I owe you," I say trembling already.
"You" he growls
"You, keep talking back to me! You piece of filth! I'll show you your place! How dare you talk back to me you filthy little girl!"
Smack!
I felt my cheeks burn and tingle as I flinched.
Smack!
Tears well out of my eyes as I watch the noble's angry face.
"P-please s-sir, I don't have m-money," I say my eyes now dripping with tears.
"WHAT IN THE DAMNED HELL DID I TELL YOU ABOUT TALKING BACK TO ME?!" He shouts louder, I could hear my chest pounding against my chest.
he raises the beer bottle up
Crash!
I start to lose consciousness
Crash!
I lift my hand where Blood oozes out of my head
Crash!
Crash!
Crash!
Cra- "Thea!"
My breathing was disrupted and I was covered in sweat.
"Thea, are you alright?!" I flinch as my eyes adjust to the brightness of the room. Where am I?
"Astraea?" I look at her quizzically.
"Yes, it's me! Are you alright?! You were having a bad fever for the last three days, I brought you here today, to mu home. You've been sleeping since I brought you here"she explains.
I groan as I manage to lift myself from the bed, "why did you bring me here?" I ask looking at her seriously.
Her expression immediately turns guilty as she says "I know you don't like living in my house let alone near it, but I had to bring you! You were sick and I didn't know what to do!"
I sigh "you should've just left me there, or woken me up" I mumbled as I start looking for my clothes.
"Don't be ridiculous, you know I can't do that, you are my dearest friend! And your clothes were in the wash, I kept them folded inside the closet if that's what you are looking for"
I sigh again, I walk up to the closet and find not just the clothes I wore when I was sick but all the clothes I do own, all neatly folded. My weapons, knives, guns, and spears, were all kept away neatly.
"Astraea" I growl
"Y-yes?" She answers sheepishly. "Why are all my clothes here?" I try my best to ask calmly.
"Before you get mad at me, let me tell you, there was a notice that the place you were secretly living in was going to be broken down, I assume you hadn't seen the notice because it was supposed to be broken down the day I came to visit you"
" so you brought all of my things inside your house?"
"Well yes," she says.
"I can guess where this is going, you want me to live with you, don't you?"
"Erm, y-yes?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to"
"Please!"
"No."
She sighs at my reply but I can tell from her face she won't back down.
"I knew you would not stay with me if I were in my old house, but that house is far from here! Can't you stay with me? This is could be our house, not just mine."
"Why are you so pressed on the matter? Why is it you want to live with me? You'll only be endangering yourself and is it not enough that we are friends? Is it necessary for us to be…what? Bed buddies?" I ask getting frustrated.
"Because I have no one, I have people who I share my blood with, but they are not my family, you are."
I look at her, I can tell by her body movements she's nervous about my answer. I sigh.
"I'll think about it," I say giving up and painfully dragging myself to the bathroom.
I strip from my clothes and turn on the shower, the cold water droplets falling over my skin. I close my eyes for a second as my hair dampens, I don't know when was the last time I combed it. I flinch as the water runs through small cuts on my body.
I place my palms over the cuts that hurt the most as a gentle glow and a tingle could be felt. Magic. It was the only thing I felt I could control back then and it still is now. I lift my hand back as I look at the place I healed. Should be enough for now, I'll drink a healing potion later for the rest of the cuts.
I grab a towel and wrap it around my body, getting out of the bathroom. I open the closet and take out a grey jogger and a white top. They're comfortable to wear at home and they won't restrict you from killing.
After I'm done wearing my clothes, I lie down on the bed.
Knock knock
I groan, why won't anybody let me rest?
I lift my head to look at the door and answer "come in"
a maid walks inside and stands in front of the bed as I sit myself up, I raise an eyebrow in question and she stutters "u-um h-hello, I've been a-asked by the lady Caelus t-to escort y-you for b-breakfast" I nod at her as she walks out very quickly and stands outside the room.
I grab a band to tie my hair with later and walk out "let's go" I demand
she nods nervously and starts walking. After passing through corridors and passing by rooms used for god knows what, we reach the dining room.
I sit on the chair as the maids start to pile my plate with food.
'Ah! Finally, you're here! Let's eat shall we?" Astraea smiles. "Rather extravagant, is it not?" I ask and she looks at me confused.
"The house, it is too extravagant and big, a small house with a few rooms will suffice will it not?" I explain.
"ah, yes. The only reason I am allowed to stay alone this far away from my house is not just because of my studies, father also said that I will live here, that was one of the conditions." She sighs. "Very well then. I assume that man doesn't know I'm here with you? Or that I have contact with you?" She nods in response to my question
"m-miss y-you have an m-mail" the maid from before replies holding a tray with an envelope on it. I put down my utensils as I take the envelope from the tray. This is a very expensive piece of parchment.
I gently open the envelope and immediately recognise the handwriting which said "For the goddess. I have a present for you, I tried my best to get this for you, it will arrive within the end of the week ~ W.B"
the ends of my lips curve slightly at his letter. "Please put the envelope back in the room I was staying in," I tell the maid. "Yes, miss" she answers immediately.
"You look happy about the mail, who is it from? Is it Him?" Astraea asks. "yes" I reply. She sighs disappointedly but doesn't say anything, she does not like him at all.
We continue eating in silence until she breaks it.
"Have you decided Thea?" She asks a bit nervous. I roll my eyes "it's just been a few minutes since you've asked me that before" i reply annoyed.
"you said you would think about it! A few minutes are more than enough! It's just a matter of yes or no, besides what have you got to lose?" She grumbles.
"What have I got to lose? I'm going to lose my mind, that's what I'll lose" I mumble silently.
"What did you say? Why are you whispering for god's sake? I can't hear a thing!" She grumbles again.
"I said nothing" I reply. Astraea is my friend, but only lord knows how sometimes she drives me ridiculously insane.
"I'll stay with you" I reply once I've finished my meal. She immediately looks at me smiling "really? My lord! I'm happy beyond words!" She cheers.
"Under one condition" I reply
she frowns. "No conditions"
"yes conditions"
"No"
"yes"
"No"
"then I won't be staying with you" I reply crossing my arms. She rolls her eyes "good heavens. Fine! What is it?"
"You know I do dangerous work. So when there comes a time when I think you will be in extreme danger and I will not be able to protect you, you will do as I say and immediately go and live with your parents. We will cut ties until I contact you again. It's not ideal but if the situation ever comes, you will be safer with your family than with me"
"that's complete bull!" She exaggerates. "Your family is noble. One of the most important and influential families in the kingdom of AETHRA. If someone wants to harm you they will think twice before doing so if you are with your family" I reply as a matter of fact.
"Bu-"I cut her off and say "shush, just do as I say" I demand and get up from my seat as she grumbles to herself.
I start to walk back to my room. "You don't have to escort me, I remember the way" I tell the maid following me. She nods and returns back to her position
I walk through the corridors. The architecture here is impeccable. I open the doors to my room. I lie down on the bed as tell myself "I guess this is my new home."