Chapter 10: Newfound Attention
The morning light streamed through the tall windows of the mansion, casting a soft glow on the polished marble floors. Argus moved through the halls, his thoughts still lingering on the previous day's breakthrough. He could feel the void energy inside him, swirling just beneath the surface, like a coiled spring waiting to be released again. He wanted to practice more, to test his control, but the familiar routine of the day pulled him away.
As he made his way toward the garden, he passed several of the maids going about their usual morning tasks—dusting the railings, arranging flowers, preparing the house for the day. All the maids had always adored him, but there was a noticeable change now, one he could feel in their glances.
The younger maids, in particular, seemed more nervous in his presence. Some offered shy smiles, while others cast quick, almost hesitant glances, their cheeks flushing slightly when their eyes met his. Argus could sense a subtle shift in the atmosphere—his recent advancement had not gone unnoticed. He was still their charming young master, but now there was something more in how they regarded him, a mixture of admiration and heightened expectations.
A small, amused smirk tugged at his lips. I wonder if I can have some fun with this, he thought, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes.
As Argus approached the main corridor, he noticed one of the younger maids—a girl not much older than him—struggling to balance a tray of fresh linens. He casually walked over, his usual calm expression turning playful as he tilted his head.
"Need some help with that?" he asked, his tone smooth and teasing.
The maid blinked, clearly flustered. "Oh! N-no, young master! I—I can manage!" She fumbled slightly, trying to recover her composure, but Argus could see the slight tremble in her hands.
"Are you sure?" Argus leaned in ever so slightly, just enough to make her cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink.
"I-I'm sure!" she stammered, her eyes darting away from his. She hurried off, nearly tripping over her own feet in her haste.
Argus chuckled under his breath, satisfied with the reaction. But before he could revel too long in his mischief, the familiar presence of the head maid appeared behind him.
"Argus," her voice was gentle but firm, "you shouldn't tease the maids so early in the day. Let them do their work in peace."
Argus straightened and turned to face the head maid. She was always composed, her beauty more refined than the younger staff. She had been with the family for years, and though she maintained a formal relationship with him, there was a clear bond of trust and mutual respect.
"You caught me," Argus said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I was only having a little fun."
The head maid's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "A little fun, perhaps. But don't forget—you're growing. And with that comes more responsibility. The staff may be charmed by you, but they also have expectations of you now."
Her words gave him pause. He hadn't considered how his recent advancement might have shifted the way the household saw him. He had always been adored by the staff, but now there was something more in their eyes—admiration, yes, but also a sense of expectation. They saw his potential, and with that came hopes for what he might become.
"You've changed the atmosphere of this place," the head maid continued, adjusting her grip on a stack of linens. "Your power hasn't gone unnoticed. The staff speaks of you with even more admiration than before. Don't let it go to your head, young master."
Argus smiled, but this time it was more thoughtful. "I'll try to stay humble."
The head maid gave him a small nod before turning to leave. "Good. Now, I expect you to behave."
After the brief encounter, Argus found himself alone in the courtyard, the quiet stillness around him offering a moment of reflection. He could feel the shift, the subtle changes in how people treated him. It wasn't just admiration anymore—there was something deeper, a recognition of his growing strength and the expectations that came with it.
The maids still adored him, as they always had, but now they looked at him with a sense of anticipation for what he would become. His influence was already expanding, though he hadn't fully realized it until now.
Before his thoughts could settle too heavily on the weight of it all, a familiar voice broke through the calm.
"Argus!" Lily's cheerful voice rang out as she ran toward him, her brown hair bouncing as she moved. In her hands, she held a small ball, her eyes wide with excitement. "Come play with me!"
Argus smiled, his earlier reflections pushed to the side as Lily's bright energy enveloped him. He could never resist her enthusiasm, and though he was still focused on his own progress, there was something comforting in the simplicity of her request.
"You never stop, do you?" he asked with a teasing grin.
"Nope!" she beamed, already running ahead of him. "Come on, or I'll leave you behind!"
Argus chuckled, shaking his head as he followed her toward the garden. Lily's laughter filled the air as they began their usual game of tag, her small frame darting between the hedges with ease.
After a while, Argus caught up to her, gently grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to a stop. Lily squealed, laughing breathlessly as she spun around to face him.
"You're getting slower, Lily," he teased, crossing his arms as he pretended to be unimpressed.
"I'm not slow!" she pouted, her bottom lip sticking out. "You're just too fast! It's not fair."
Argus smirked, leaning against a tree. "Well, I do have to keep up my reputation as the best, right?"
Lily stuck her tongue out playfully, then flopped down on the soft grass, catching her breath. Argus followed suit, lying beside her with his hands behind his head, staring up at the sky.
They lay in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of the wind rustling the leaves around them.
"You've been different lately," Lily said suddenly, turning her head to look at him.
Argus raised an eyebrow, glancing over at her. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," Lily shrugged, her small fingers playing with a blade of grass. "You just seem… quieter. Like you're always thinking about something."
Argus sighed, not sure how to explain the changes he was going through. "I guess I have a lot on my mind."
Lily rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow. "Is it about the shadow thing? You know, the cool stuff you did in the garden."
Argus chuckled softly. "Yeah, it's part of it."
Lily gave him a playful shove. "You'll figure it out. You always do."
Argus smiled at that, though it was a faint smile. He appreciated her words.
"Thanks, Lily," he said quietly.
Lily sat up, looking down at him with her wide, curious eyes. "Does it bother you?"
"What?"
"Being so special," she said, tilting her head. "Everyone always talks about you, like you're going to be something really important."
Argus stared up at the sky, her words settling over him. Did it bother him? He wasn't sure. There was a pressure that came with being 'special,' but it wasn't something he let consume him. Still, it lingered in the back of his mind, this sense that he had to live up to something bigger than himself.
"Sometimes," he admitted, his voice quiet. "But it's not a bad thing. It just… is."
Lily seemed to mull over his words for a moment before nodding. "I think you're going to be amazing."
He looked over at her, a genuine smile on his face this time. "Thanks, Lily."
She beamed back at him, her smile wide and bright as the afternoon sun. "Now, come on! Let's play some more before dinner!"
Argus shook his head with a laugh as she jumped up and ran off again, her energy seemingly endless. But he didn't mind. In that moment, playing with Lily, everything felt simple again.
That evening, as the sun dipped low in the sky, Argus found himself once again reflecting on the day's events. The subtle ways in which the maids had reacted to him, the quiet shift in the household's atmosphere—it all seemed to point toward something greater. He could feel it; his power was growing, and so were the expectations placed upon him.
But for now, with Lily's laughter still ringing in his ears, he let himself enjoy the simplicity of the moment.