The door opened and in came Siveth accompanied by the maid with a tray in hand.
"How are you feeling now". Siveth worriedly asked, climbing on the bed to latch on to Mikeal's leg.
"The same". He responded with Siveth casually resting on his leg without regard for the pain.
"Your Highness, I have your lunch ready". The maid chimed in.
She walked up to Mikeal and placed the tray on the table near his bed. She sat beside him, ready to spoon-feed him as he was not in shape to eat on his own.
"Thanks~ Uhm...".
Mikeal has been putting it off because he never had the chance to ask, but now should be a pretty good time to do so.
"Siveth told me of how you stopped the assassins. And how you so bravely made up your mind to sacrifice your life to save mine". He said.
These are wonders that had Mikeal questioning why.
Apart from Siveth, he never had anyone like that, someone who would be willing to sacrifice their life for him. As hard as it is to believe, this maid who he had only known for a week now decided to do just that.
To add to it, her decision was a process that took her several hours into their first meeting.
For what reason is she willing to go that far for him? To even think of doing something that bizarre?
He understands that she is a maid assigned to him, but would a maid be willing to go that far? Also, there are questions about how a maid is so combat-oriented as to eliminate four able-bodied men.
The maid got up from the bed and walked to the front of the bed where she could see Mikeal within full view.
She stood tall with her gaze falling on Mikeal. Then, she went on both knees and she brought her right hand to her chest like she was about to chant the anthem.
"Forgive my manners for not properly introducing myself to His Highness". She says, her head bowed before Mikeal.
"I am Anna Stanley, daughter of Grefon Stanley. Under the orders of his majesty I have been assigned as your personal subject for as long as I breathe". She exclaimed with booming decorum.
"Stanley?... Grefon Stanley?...". Mikeal repeated, trying to remember where he had heard that name from.
"Wait, Grefon Stanley!". He uttered, mistakenly moving a shoulder muscle only to be returned with immense throbbing.
"Your Highness". Anna stood up and rushed to his side.
"I am fine". He assured, his countenance trying to endure the pain.
"To think you are the daughter of Grefon Stanley". He says, in amazement.
"You know my father". She asked, ready to be at his service in the case that he showed any signs of pain.
"Know him? I revered your father. The greatest commander in Emedia's history, the rampaging madman with a feat of a hundred against one and came out triumphant. Your father's legacy is the reason the neighbouring nations fear the might of Emedia military". Mikeal praised with excitement.
He must have thought very highly of the commander, so much so that he could not hide his excitement as he lists his feats worth being praised.
"I am ashamed to admit your Highness, but I am nowhere near my father's level". Anna confessed, afraid she was going to disappoint Mikeal with her revelation.
"It's fine. I wasn't expecting that of you. I was just excited about getting to meet the descendant of one of the greatest men I have ever come across".
As one with free time most of the day, Mikeal's favourite hobby is reading. He took it personal and extreme, having gone through all the books in the abandoned library.
There he found literary notes of great individuals that had contributed to the fame of Emedia, and Grefon Stanley happened to be one of them.
"But say, why would the daughter of the commander be assigned to me?! I am an heir without his grace, a prince without his crown. Why would the commander be willing to release his daughter to someone like that". He questioned.
A question deserving a thorough explanation. Especially after her irrational thoughts of self-sacrifice.
"I am a warrior groomed from birth. My calling is total obedience to the master I serve irrespective of his status". She replied with definite subservient before Mikeal.
"That is not...". He hesitated.
She wasn't exactly direct but he pretty much gets the gist of what she said. He had no reason to delve into it for longer.
"What do you plan to do once you recover". Siveth interrupted.
Anna could not hear Siveth speaking, but she knew a conversation was about to ensue as Mikeal turned his attention to her.
"What else besides going to my place of banishment, to Eworin land". He responded, nonchalantly.
"Are you sure you want to do that". She queried, sounding out his choice.
"The three guards acting as your watchers are no longer in sight. You have no one tying you down nor a reason to obey the king's order".
"No, I do. I have every reason to do so". He says, his eyes burning with a sense of passion.
Siveth sensed his determination to chase after his newly found goal. He had a reason, and she had no intention of stopping him from following his reason.
With a smile on her furry face, she got up from the bed and got to the ground.
"If that is your wish, as your spirit guardian I have no reason to spare any effort in achieving your purpose. Let's do this right shall we".
Siveth stomped her right paws on the floor. Her action summoned inscription patterns on the wooden floor with a brightening glow from the patterns.
"Mikeal, how would you like to form an official contract with me?!".
His countenance showed confusion, his expression riddled with questions.
"I am asking you to be my official contractor, my link to this world". Siveth repeated, her intentions clear through the brief explanation.