Chapter 3: The Mercenary
"Where are you going now?" I asked him.
"Tsk, why do you care?" He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"….Fine…you don't have to answer me," I frowned. He stopped walking and turned to me.
"What a bother…." He scoffed and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"I'm not going anywhere…I'm staying here," He said. My eyes widened in surprise. Why is he staying?
"But…why have you decided to stay?" I asked with my heart pounding. Is it…because of me?
"You fool, don't think that I would stay here for your sake!" He hissed. I started to blush, but I bowed my head, so that my hair would cover my redden face.
"….I've been hired….as your bodyguard," He sniffed. I looked up, shocked at what I've heard. He's my bodyguard!
"….But…I don't need one!" I objected.
"No use arguing princess….the king pays good money, so you're stuck with me," He grinned mischievously. Once again I felt trapped, but this time I did not run. The rebellious nature inside of me wanted to run away, but I know that it is not possible. I will be found and I will end up back where I came from. The sudden cold wind blew against our faces and I shook slightly, with anger and coldness. As if it was an instant reaction, I strike his cheek, but he dodged it easily and grabbed my arm.
"Now Nel, what will a bodyguard be to you if he can't dodge a simple punch?" He grinned. I struggled against his firm grip, but he held on, effortlessly.
"You squirm like a child. Why don't you just accept your fate you fool?" He growled.
"….No….I won't submit!" I shouted and slipped from his grip. He just glared at me, not angry, but confused. I grabbed the neck of my dress and ripped it right off my body.
"What the--!" Albel gasped in surprise. Under that dress were my dark battle garments with the shiny daggers sheathed on my back. Getting the message, Albel took out his long katana and pointed it towards me.
"Do you plan to fight me Nel?" He sneered. I sunk into my stance and took out one of my daggers.
"As a matter of fact I do!" I shouted at threw my dagger. It spun dangerously at him. Then, I threw another dagger.
"Flying Guillotine!" I shouted. When the daggers met up with each other, they formed together and increased in size.
"Hmph…." Albel scoffed. With his katana, he slashed at the daggers.
"Double slash!" He growled. The force of his attack sent my two daggers flying.
"Damn it…." I spat and jumped after them. Albel, knowing what I would do, prepared for his next attack. Once I retrieved my daggers, dark, red, undefined creatures bound me.
"WH-What is this!" I gasped and struggled against its sharp claws, but they were far too strong and I lost my grip upon my daggers. Deeper and deeper I sunk into its gassy flesh and the only thing I saw…was red.
"Hmph, the only one you're hurting is yourself princess." Albel grunted. The red gas started to suffocate me. My eyes started to sting and tears made their way out of my eyes. I found myself gasping and coughing because of the intense heat that burned my throat. I could barely make out passed the gassy flesh, but I could see someone, possibly Albel bring down his metal arm and immediately, the monstrous creature released its grip from me and I fell on the hard ground, gasping and coughing some more.
"You're lucky that you're not a pathetic worm, one who I would rip apart in an instant, but then again, I don't bother with weaklings," He sneered again. I was angry….I was so angry! No, he won't say that again!
"You bastard….." I gasped and got up, slowly, surprising him again. After I took a few steps towards him, I felt myself lose balance. My legs went numb and all of my senses shut down. Darkness covered my eyes and I blacked-out.
"…..awake yet?" A deep voice asked. My body ached slightly and I was awake, yet my eyes were closed shut.
"….Ah…." I groaned.
"Sir, I think you went too far…." A timid soldier said.
"Shut up maggot!" The man with a deep voice snapped. Huh….Albel is it? I summoned my strength and got myself up, slowly.
"Well, help her you fool!" Albel commanded the soldier.
"Y-Yes sir!" He saluted and helped me sit up. I found myself in my own bed, with Albel and the soldier next to it.
"Ah, you're Albel's subordinate are you? Where were you when we were at the castle?" I asked him. Immediately he grew red and he began to fidget.
"That is….uh…that is…." He hesitated.
"The stupid fool abandoned me. Heh, he shouldn't have…I may have to give him a lesson," Albel smirked.
"I-I-I-I-I….." He stuttered and fell back with a heavy clang.
"…..Hmph!" I grunted and turned my head away. Albel noticed this and smiled wide.
"What's wrong princess? Are you upset because I had to give you a lesson to remember?" He cooed. I threw my fist at his face, but he caught it effortlessly and twisted it softly, not enough for it to hurt, but enough to make me gasp.
"What's daddy doing teaching his daughter how to fight? It's so wrong," He chuckled.
"Enough, stop it…I can't take this anymore!" I cried out and jumped out of bed, heading out the door.
"Nel, there you are! I didn't see you last night!" Clair called out to me. I stopped running and smiled.
"Oh, I was just outside, feeling the cool air," I lied, though it was part true.
"Oh really…I saw Albel escape from his luxury to go outside too. Hmm, if I didn't know better, I think he went to see you," She winked and nudged at my ribs.
"Shut up Clair!" I shouted and stomped off towards the lake near the castle.
"Oh my, little red-head got angry again," She chuckled and followed me.
"Nel…I know how you feel, but don't you think this pointless anger has gone on long enough? Nothing will change no matter how hard you fight," Clair said quietly.
"…Are you against me too Clair? If I'm the only one fighting then so be it. I'm not weak…If I have to; I will fight for my father's throne to change things around here!" I snapped.
"Nel, you don't mean that!" Clair gasped. I ignored her and soaked my bare feet into the cold, icy lake and let out a sigh. Clair sat down next to lake as well and fingered her long, silver locks of hair.
"You really are strong Nel…you don't have to prove it. It's not worth fighting for something that can't be won," She said and gazed at her reflected face in the water.
"Enough Clair…You can't stop me. This country…this world…darkness enrapt it with a cruel hand and is squeezing all that is good out. It's up to someone who will stop this madness…someone who is sane and strong. I may not even be talking about myself Clair…I'm saying that there is someone out there maybe…if it's not me," I said and sat down. From a distance, Albel stood in a corner, capturing every word that flowed from my mouth.
Not know what else to do, I took out my daggers that I had in my room and headed for the weapon room, to sharpen them, but before I could exit my room, Albel stood in front.
"What do you want now Nox! Do you still want to make my life miserable by taunting me?" I demanded. This time he did not respond…his face remained emotionless, which bothered me. He turned around and scoffed.
"Tsk…you're different from those maggots…I'm sorry…" My eyes widened in shock. Did he just apologize to me? I don't understand…
"Are you going anywhere?" He asked me.
"…Umm…to the Weapon Room," I answered, but suspicious.
"Then let's get going," He said and walked out. I stood there, dumbfounded.
"…I guess people can change…but this is ridiculous!" I exclaimed and followed him.
The sound of sharpening stung my ears and sickened me.
"If you don't like it, why come here?" He grunted. "I have to do everything myself…I don't want anyone to do it for me," I answered.
"Stupid maggot…you have servants don't you? You can have them do all that for you without breaking a sweat," Albel grinned.
"…Exactly…but if I can do it, then I should. I don't expect you to understand," I smiled.
"…Oh really? Hmph, no wonder there are a bit of muscles in your legs." He smirked. I froze…My legs…was he looking at them? I started to grow red from blushing and anger.
"You bastard! How dare you look at me like that!" I spat and kicked at him, but he jumped to the side and started to laugh uncontrollably.
"Why the hell are you laughing!" I demanded.
"I love it when you get angry!" He snickered like a child. I grew red once again. He "loved" it when I get angry? Albel, realizing what he said, shut his mouth and frowned.
"Keh…I'm just teasing…" He mumbled. I dismissed his previous comment and continued to sharpen my daggers.
"Tell me…why did you say sorry?" I asked him.
"…Why do you care?" He sniffed and leaned against the wall.
"…I just don't understand what you meant. It's random and sudden," I responded.
"Tsk…" He clicked his tongue and closed his eyes. Ha…there is still much to learn about my bodyguard…but I think I'm starting to enjoy his company, whether I like it or not.
Getting a little warm aren't they? Please read and review, and forgive me for the lack of updates.