..I climbed the stairs, each step echoing in the silence of the immense house. Nervousness grew as I approached the door. My arms were wrapped around my chest, and I pressed my legs together, trying to hide the most sensitive parts of my body. The thought of Lysandros seeing me like this sent chills down my spine. I knew he wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of my vulnerability as he had attempted before, in vain. However, another thought crossed my mind. I didn't want Naboru to see me in this state either. Despite his kindness, the idea of his gaze on my nudity filled me with shame. He had already seen me like this, and it had been quite awkward. I wanted to avoid such a moment for both our sakes, even though it might be pleasant in the end. The mere thought made my cheeks flush.
Finally, I reached the reception hall and headed for the front door. My heart was pounding with stress, and my hands trembled slightly. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I peered through the door's peephole. They were indeed there, Lysandros and Naboru. My master stood upright, looking terrified, while Naboru held a pile of luxurious women's clothing in his arms.
"Is this for me? Did Naboru really manage to convince Lysandros to provide me with clothes? Did he really succeed, as he promised? But how? How did he do it?"
The clothes looked magnificent, far beyond anything I had ever worn. I was excited but also terrified because I didn't understand what Lysandros was feeling.
I opened the door, still trying to hide my body, my head lowered to avoid meeting their eyes. Naboru, standing with a broad smile, addressed me with calculated softness.
"Ahh, Ume, my poor Ume, I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long. Here, these are wonderful clothes bought with my care. You can wear them; they are yours. I offer them to you."
Naboru's words were sweet, but I immediately understood the subtlety of his message. He wanted Lysandros to feel insignificant, his gesture overshadowed by Naboru's apparent generosity. Lysandros, as expected, felt compelled to react.
"But, Mr. Naboru, wasn't it I who bought the clothes for Ume?" Lysandros asked, his voice tinged with palpable uncertainty.
Naboru turned slightly towards him, his smile transforming into an exaggerated expression of benevolence.
"Ah, Mr. Lysandros, of course, you contributed financially, but it was I who took the initiative and did everything necessary to choose these clothes. I spent time selecting what would suit Ume best, thinking of her comfort and elegance. You know, choice and attention to detail are just as important as financing, if not more so! One or two pieces are nothing compared to the affection of the gift."
Lysandros seemed to shrink under Naboru's gaze, his unparalleled confidence wavering for the first time in front of me.
"Uh... yes, I suppose you are right," he stammered, uncomfortable.
Naboru, seeing his prey waver, increased the pressure, all while giving me an encouraging look.
"Ume, know that these clothes are a symbol of the attention and care we take for your well-being. At least, that I take for you. Mr. Lysandros and I surely worked together, I imagine, all in the vision and realization of clothing you in the best way, even if it lasts only a short moment. Isn't that right, Mr. Lysandros?"
Lysandros awkwardly nodded, his shoulders sagging.
"Yes, it's true. I couldn't have chosen as well as you, Mr. Naboru."
I watched the scene, understanding how skillful Naboru was in the art of speech. His words were carefully chosen to demoralize Lysandros while reassuring me of his ability to control the situation, surely aware of my fear of using the Lumicrystals in the cellar. He played with everyone's emotions and perceptions with surgical precision, almost making me envious.
Naboru continued, his tone full of false modesty.
"After all, we all have our talents, don't we? It's important to recognize and appreciate everyone's contributions. But, above all, when we have none, and our only power lies in money, it's important to ensure that those who serve us are well-treated and respected because that's our only control. Isn't that right, Ume?"
I nodded, grateful for the clothes but mostly impressed by Naboru's skill. He had managed to make Lysandros doubt his own importance while making me feel protected and supported.
Lysandros, for his part, seemed increasingly lost.
"Yes... of course. It's very important," he murmured.
"Come, Ume, take these clothes and dress yourself. We still have much to do today," said Naboru, handing me the clothes with a benevolent smile. "And don't forget, all this is for your well-being, I have no ulterior motives. We are looking out for you."
I took the clothes gratefully, feeling paradoxically safer in this complex power play. I even felt that there was violent sarcasm in all his words. Yet, I knew I could count on him; he knew what he was doing.
Before leaving, I noticed Naboru's gaze sweeping over the house with particular attention. His eyes briefly stopped at each place where I had placed the Lumicrystals, as if he were assessing my work. Then, he turned to me, an enigmatic smile on his lips.
"Ume, you have done even better than I could have done myself. Without any bad pun, I can say it's truly explosive."
I blinked, a bit perplexed by his words.
"Explosive? What did he mean by that?"
I couldn't help but feel a shiver of apprehension. Next to him, Lysandros seemed just as lost, his expression reflecting total confusion at Naboru's words.
However, despite the worry these words caused, I felt a wave of pride. Naboru was congratulating me. This meant I had accomplished my task exceptionally well. His words, though mysterious, were a testament to his satisfaction. I almost blushed.
Naboru stepped towards me, placing a light hand on my shoulder, his smile becoming softer, almost reassuring, making me forget my nudity. "You have taken the initiative and shown great ingenuity. By dispersing what you had to gather, you have not only maximized their potential but also demonstrated a deep understanding of their use and thus of my idea. It's truly remarkable, Ume."
I lowered my eyes, feeling my cheeks blush even more under his gaze.
"Thank you, Mr. Naboru. I did my best."
Lysandros, still in the background, watched the scene with a confused expression. Naboru then turned to him, his tone becoming lighter, almost playful.
"You see, Mr. Lysandros, it's this ability to adapt and find creative solutions that makes all the difference. We must encourage and value such skills."
Lysandros nodded, still uncertain, not even understanding what Mr. Naboru was talking about (in my opinion).
"Yes, of course... It's very... impressive."
Naboru turned back to me, his gaze piercing but soft. He seemed to ponder for a moment, carefully weighing each word before speaking. His mysterious smile widened as he added, almost in a whisper:
"Ume, continue on this path. Your dedication and intelligence will be valuable assets for all of us. I would even say it will be valuable for you. Indeed, the final battle will not be fought by me, but by you. I won't be able to do everything; it will be up to you to act. I will only be a pawn in this last trial."
I blinked, a bit perplexed, trying to fully grasp the meaning of his words. He spoke so enigmatically; I didn't understand...
Lysandros, still in the background, frowned slightly, undoubtedly trying to follow Naboru's train of thought. Yet, he remained silent, as if sensing that something important had just been said, even if he didn't yet understand its significance, just like me.
Naboru looked at me with a new intensity, as if he saw something in me that I had not yet discovered.
"Ume, true strength does not always lie in those who seem to dominate the scene, but in those who know how to strike with precision. When the time comes, it will be your understanding, your insight, that will make the difference. The fate of this house, of everything we have built, will rest on your shoulders. You will be the one in the spotlight, but only once the pawn has been sacrificed. It's like in chess, a rook rarely acts without its pawn, just as the knight comes into play only once the bishop has been sacrificed..."
I nodded, feeling a shiver run down my spine. His words resonated within me, awakening a determination I hadn't suspected. I didn't yet know what the future held, but one thing was certain: Naboru had a plan, and I was involved far more significantly than he had consulted me.
"I will only be a pawn." That meant the real battle, the one that would decide everything, would be mine. And even if fear and uncertainty tried to invade me, I now knew I had a crucial role to play. It was terrifying...
Naboru turned to Lysandros, still shaken by the recent conversation, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Mr. Lysandros, I think it would be wise for you to rest a bit in your room. It has been an intense day for all of us."
Lysandros silently nodded,
his eyes avoiding Naboru's. He seemed reduced, almost diminished, by the intensity of recent events. Naboru gently guided him to his room, his gestures firm but attentive.
"Rest, sir," Naboru said in a soft but imperious voice. "I will ensure that everything is in order."
With one last vacant look, Naboru closed the door behind Lysandros and turned to me.
"Ume, you can go change now. You can also go to your room."
I nodded, grateful and relieved to finally be able to cover myself. I took the clothes with me and headed to my room. I closed the door behind me and inspected the clothes. They were of exceptional quality, with a finesse and elegance I had never known before, even though they were just simple servant's clothes. I put them on slowly, savoring the sensation of the luxurious fabric against my skin.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I was struck by the transformation. I was still me, but the clothes seemed to add a new dimension to my presence, a sort of unexpected dignity, a beauty that even I admired.
Naboru's words echoed: "The final battle will not be fought by me, but by you." Whatever the meaning of those words, I felt I had to be ready.
After changing, I left my room and returned to my daily tasks. The house seemed strangely calm, almost as if it were holding its breath. Lysandros, now secluded in his room, showed no signs of wanting to come out. He seemed traumatized, haunted by something only he and Naboru fully understood.
Naboru, for his part, was a constant and reassuring presence. He oversaw the house's activities with unshakable assurance, his piercing gaze and calm voice commanding respect and obedience. I tried to follow his instructions diligently, but a part of me remained alert, aware that something bigger was brewing. Naboru's words still echoed in my head, reminding me that my place in this game of shadows and light was much more crucial than I had imagined.
Thus, life resumed its course, with an apparently normal routine but with an underlying palpable tension. Every day, I continued to take care of the household tasks, always under Naboru's watchful eye. But now, I knew I had to be ready at any moment. The apparent tranquility of the house concealed an inner turmoil that only time would reveal.
Suddenly, as it was time to eat and I was heading to the kitchen to prepare a meal for my master and Naboru, I heard Naboru calling me from a distance. A call that seemed to come from my own room...
"UME, CAN YOU COME, PLEASE?"