[Unknown Cave — Abyss World]
The dark cave was shining by campfire. The guy with gray hair sit beside the campfire as he put more branch for keep the fire alive. Meanwhile, Morgan sit in front the campfire with empty head. She don't know what to do since she trapped in Abyss World with stranger who save her from giant centipede.
"Hey, kid." The guy call Morgan. "I still don't know your name."
"I thought you love call me kid."
"I call you kid because I don't know your name, idiot."
Morgan remain silent. She hug both of her knees as she continue stare at campfire in cave.
"Morgan. My name is Morgan Laurengher."
The guy look stop put the tree branches into the campfire. He look shocked when he hear Morgan's name.
"Laurengher? — Ahh.... Now, I get it. You is the mage that was send by Laurengher into Lundeberg territory under Emperor command, right?"
Morgan's eyes widened. How the heck he know!? The order only know by Laurengher family member, Emperial family and.... Duke Lundeberg....
"May I know your name?" Ask Morgan with polite.
The guy chuckled, "Woah. So you change your tone when you suspect me from Imperial Family or Lundeberg family?"
"The order was known only by my family and two other. So, I guess you maybe come one of that respect family. I don't want remember that I disrespect someone from important family."
"Ehhh...." The guy turned around, made his position into face to face. He stare at Morgan eyes and then, he slowly take off his black bandanas. He thought Morgan will shocked when saw his face but instead shocked, Morgan remain stoic face.
"I guess you don't know about me, right?"
"Who are you?" Ask Morgan straight into point.
"Claude Lundeberg, The grand duke of Lundeberg. In other words, I'm the one who send that request."
Morgan feel shocking what she hear. The guy in front her, the guy who save her is the one who send request for send mage Laurengher into Lundeberg territory.
Fuck. That's mean you're my boss.
"My... Apologize if you offend with what I said before.... My lord." Said Morgan with nervous and embarrassed.
Claude chuckled, "What interesting child. I thought I told that stupid people to send mage, not a child. Are they try mock me?"
"Nah. They just... You know... Busy. My brothers have enter academy meanwhile my first sister have blood phobia and my second sister don't have magic.... So, they send me instead."
"Oh? And they send useless child? I don't see any magic in your body, so I guess you're not mage too."
Morgan remain silent. Everything what Claude said is true. She don't have any magic right now, because she still not awaken yet.
I know I'm useless but don't be honest too much. He was right of course but still hurt.
"I'm maybe not mage but I'm have knowledge. Especially about monster." Said Morgan.
"Yeah, Wyndham Centipede. I suprise that kid like you know about that monster very detail." Answer Claude.
"Nah, I just read from book since I was locked in attic. So, I have too much free time."
"Attic?" Claude look at Morgan with suprise look. "You don't get any love from your family?"
"I'm illegitimate child. My father, Marquess Laurengher have affair with his maid and they have me. My mother die during give birth.... So, Marquess Laurengher take me since my mother is beauty. He think he can increase his authority if he take care me and arrange my marriage with other noble house. But everything is change when he have to send me into Lundeberg territory." Explain Morgan with calm. She don't feel any sad or angry with this treatment.
Claude chuckled, "Woah. You really tough child. You have rough time yet still... You look calm.... I thought you going have panic attack after I tell you that we trapped in Abyss World."
"I do but there's no point to fear anymore. I just need to survive. Only that."
"The child like you should have fun. Not think about future but yeah, I guess what you say it's true. At this point, anyone will think how to survive no matter what happen."
Morgan sighed. The conversation really put her in awkward position. Why I tell him about my story? We don't even share any bonds and we just know for one day....
"So.... What about you, Grand Duke, Lord, Your Grace or what should call you?"
"Just call Claude if you feel awkward. You're kid, so be a kid. Just call whatever you want. The nobility isn't important anymore in this world."
"Okay, Sir Claude.... How did get here?" Ask Morgan as she want to know how one of main villain in his book, can fall into Abyss World the deadly place.
"Since you come late to my territory, I decide to go capital to ask if your majesty really take my request seriously. And then... When I go there, my carriage get attack by assassin. I survive but the problem is I'm careless. I accidentally fall from cliff and then... Boo! Here I am." Explain Claude with neutral face.
"....." Morgan speechless. "For god sake, what the heck grand duke doing in demon territory, especially Abyss World?"
"You better watch your mouth, kid. Before I kick you into the mouth of dragon."
[Dragon]
In my life, I never believe there's dragon. Because it's fictional. I'm sick with the concept where dragon being male lead, male lead have dragon blood or dragon descendants, female lead get save by dragon, female lead cooking for dragon. But in this book world, dragon probably exist since this is fantasy world. Well, not my problem. If I meet dragon, maybe I can slain them and be powerful mage in the world.
"Nah, Dragon isn't exist. I read in book. They all is myths." Reply Morgan.
Claude look at Morgan with smug, "Is that so? I thought kid in your age believe dragon is exist and adored them. The myths where dragon fight together with their hero."
"Shut up. I'm not like other kid."
"Yeah, You already been through emo phase early than anyone."
"Oh for god sake...."
Morgan already give up with this conversation. She thought Claude isn't talkative guy since his character in novel is cold and emotionless.
"That's right... Hey, kid. Do you know how to fight?" Ask Claude.
A Kid. WHY WOULD YOU ASK MY NAME WHEN YOU CONTINUE CALL ME A KID!!? DAMMIT!!!
(Yep, Morgan probably have angry issue.)
"No. I don't know. If you ask why I can kill that Wyndham Centipede, I tell you, It's luck. I be lucky that I saw that tail and stabbed it on time.
"Kid, don't look at me with that crazy face."
"It's my facial expressions."
"Facial your ass."
Suddenly, Claude throw dagger in front Morgan. It's clean and sharp. Morgan look confused with this suddenly turn situation.
"I will give you two choice. I can help you get out from here — No, simple word. I want both of us work together to get out from here. There's two choice for you. Learn or die."
Morgan's eyes widened. She immediately gulped with fear and her hands trembling so hard.
"First, kill yourself with that dagger, if you don't want survive."
Morgan confused, "Why would you give me that choice? You know that I want live, right?"
"This choice is permanently. As long you here, You have choice to kill yourself. Once your give up, you can stab yourself or let your body get eat by monster."
"Sir, that isn't good topic for child."
"I thought you said you're not like other kids."
"...." Dammit!! How dare you use my own words, Lundeberg!!!
"And for second choice." Claude look at Morgan with serious face, " I will teach you how to survive. Combat, medicine, archery, swordsmanship, defence, food hunting, purify water, poison, monster weakness, weapon maker and everything to survive."
Morgan was stunned with this second option. It's worth to learn from the one who already experienced the war and one of main villain. But there's no something that they can call free with this offer.
"What the price of this offer?" Ask Morgan.
"Oh? You understand quickly, kid. It's easy. Let's work together to get out from here. After get out, if we survive, I guess you already know your actually duty."
"Yeah... Be mage of Lundeberg territory."
"So, what's your choice?"
"Isn't that obviously?" Morgan stare at Claude's blue eyes, "I choose second."
This is the moment she can change the storyline of 'All down for Love'. Her fate will change.