Author's note: I'm sorry for the late update but I had a few personal problems with my home life, I know it's no excuse but I would appreciate if you all could continue to review that will be great. Thanks to my amazing beta Hanashi o suru ɷɷ.
It was back at the village just within the local tavern. Tyki is pouting after Allen said no to his engagement. Perhaps it wasn't quite the correct word to describe the man's mood. He was truly lividat the rejection. No one, not any man, nor any woman had ever rejected his advancements, he always got exactly what he so desired.
Always.
"I am the most handsome man in all of the great village. How could he say no to me?" Tyki ranted for what must've been the fifth time alone in that same hour. Then again, Wisely had decided to stop counting after five.
"Well he does have Mana…you know, his father? And you know he's crazy as a bat." Wisely pointed out, but he needed to get the older man in a better mood. Why was that his job? He wasn't exactly sure.
Everyone who overheard the discussion nodded in agreement. "Here, here!" Someone called out. "Crazy old man that one is!" The reproach was met with laughter of the other patrons, as well as the two barmaids that worked there.
From there Wisely began to talk about Tyki's past conquests, where others joined in, adding in their own pound on the matter. The compliments ranged from how good he often proved to be at fighting with a sword, to hunting animals. Then there were comments about how far he was somehow able to spit. Not exactly something Wisely was exactly sure was nessciarly needed to know about. Something he himself didn't need to know. Actually, he felt a little green at the thought.
"Tyki's obviously the best guy around." A portly man called out. "That Walker kid don't know nothing if he turned down the talk of the town."
"Hell yeah!"
"Wasn't he a Bearer?" One of the barmaids inquired, "That's so strange though."
"Ah yeah…" Another of the clientele murmured. "Guess only a crazy man like Mana could ever love a little freak like that."
Suddenly the tavern door burst open, and entering with frantic worry was the very man who was brought up in the conversation. "Speak of the devil…" Wisely found himself muttering under his breath.
Mana's entry caused the villagers to look at the newer party in disgust, as the poor man was also very dirty from head to toe.
Only Bookman looked to his favorable patron of the library with concern. After all, Allen, Mana and his brother were some of the only members of this quaint town who read the books with wonder and awe. Brother…? Bookman would need to query of that another day. "Mana what's wrong? You like you've seen something terrible." He commented.
"I-I have…" Replied Mana, trying to gather his bearings and his nerves. "I-it was a beast! A b-beast that took my baby boy as pr-prisoner! W-we have to help him! Please!"
A beast? Bookman found himself wondering. Was Mana truly beginning to lose his mind? No such thing existed…
"A beast you say?" Sneered one of the men. "HA! Laughable ya crazy coot!"
"No! I-I'm serious! A beast has my son! I can even prove it!"
But the villagers didn't believe him and just laughed.
"I'm sure that's the case." Chortled a burly man. "Looks like y'gonna be sent flyin' out this tavern. We don't like your crazed kind here."
"NO! No, please! Please! We need to save Allen!" The sick male pleaded, but was picked up by the scruff of his shirt, and coat tails. The large man promptly threw him right out of the bar.
Watching the man, and evidently, the scene that was playing out before him, Tyki found the gears in his head turning at an alarming rate. If Allen is in danger maybe I can save him from this monster…assuming it's exactly as that crazy man said.
"Tyki, I don't like that crazed look you got there." Wisely stated, voicing his concerns. It went unto deaf ears, however.
I'll have Mana lead me where this 'beast' lays in wait. Thus taking me to my cute little Allen…who will become an orphan because he was mauled by this so-called monster. Tyki cackled to himself, as he stood suddenly, startling Wisely who fell back on his bum, looking to the hunter in a mix of fear and concern. And if he wants his home he has no choice but to be my wife and have my children.
"Wisely, let's go."
"Er…Tyki?" He wasn't given a warning before the older man walked out, causing the smaller male to nearly trip over his own two feet as he rushed after the plotting man. It took only five minutes to find the coughing Mana Walker. Warm dark eyes looked up when feet met his vision.
"Alright, I've made up my mind." Tyki said suavely, "I'll help you get back Allen."
"Oh! Th-thank you s-so much, Tyki!" Mana was truly grateful. With that Mana, Tyki and Wisely left the village.
) * (
"I-It was h-here somewhere…" Mana muttered, his form still shaking with fever. "W-we just—" He coughed, and used a tree to help keep himself upright. "—just beyond this…tree…?"
Tyki was growing bored with this. "Tell me, Mana. Are you certain you know the way to go?"
"O-Of course I d-do!"
"I think we've been going in circles." Wisely said, eying an oddly familiar moss-covered rock. "And you claimed the estate in question was stuck in winter?"
"E-exactly! Y-you believe me, do you not?"
"I'm having my doubts." Tyki darkly stated. "Mana, you're an interesting character, to say the least. But are you certain Allen is already back home perhaps awaiting for you to return?"
"He's not home!" Mana exclaimed with gusto the other two men weren't aware of the sickly man to have at that point. "I'm being truthful! He came after me to exchange himself for my freedom!"
It was at this point Tyki was losing all his patience. "Now you listen to me, you crazy twat. There is no beast. No enchanted estate. I'm certain without a doubt in my mind Allen will be home making dinner or something just waiting for you to return!"
Mana stared at Tyki in disbelief. "Then why bother even coming with me if you didn't believe him to be held prisoner?!"
"I'M GOING TO MARRY YOUR SON!"
There was a dead silence. The warmth in Mana's eyes dulled, as he examined Tyki Mikk. "Is that so? You are going to marry my little boy?"
Way to go, Tyki. Wisely thought. Real smooth. Now what will you do?
"That's the only reason I'm going through this bullshit."
It came as a shock to both Tyki and Wisely when Mana began to laugh. Not so much the laugh of a good joke, but the laugh of a man gone mad. It was over as quickly as it started, as Mana glared straight at the taller of the duo before him, jabbing his finger into the man's chest with every one of his angered emphasized words, "You are never going to marry my son, Tyki Mikk." He hissed, "You aren't worthy to have my child's hand. My CHILD."
When he turned to storm off, he was stopped when something had harshly hit him from behind. Mana fell into unconsciousness almost instantly.
"Wisely, tie him up to that tree. A beast will surely maul him, but not what he believes is actually there."
"Tyki, isn't this going too far?"
"Allen will be mine, Kamelot." Tyki snarled, before storming off.
) * (
Back in the Beast's castle Allen had yet to eat. He really was hungry…then again, he was always hungry, always eating far more than what was considered normal…even after he was adopted by Mana he had to eat a lot more than the usual amount.
Flashback
"Allen welcome to your new home!" Neah and Mana had both greeted the then young child into his new home. "
"You're free to eat what you desire." Mana told his son with a fond smile.
"Anything I like?" Asked a very cautious child-Allen.
The remark caused Mana and Neah look at Allen with an unhidden bewilderment. What a terrible thing this child must have went through in the streets. The only thing they didn't know was why a street urchin wouldn't be allowed his fill.
It became apparent very early on to the brothers just why Allen was so weary of being allowed to eat…the moment he was fed a healthy serving for one adult, the child had asked for ten more after each plate. Not even a crumb was left behind.
End of Flashback
"Alright…Neah let's go and find the kitchen." Allen finally decided. "We'll go get something to eat if we can."
The rabbit twitched his nose in acknowledgement, hopping along with Allen's strides, leaving their room together.
Under the guise of following his nose, Neah was actually showing exact way to get to the kitchens.
Allen, my sweet nephew you'll be the one to break this curse…and we'll be a family again…I'm so certain of it. Although he wasn't exactly sure if he was okay with his only nephew somehow falling in love with a monster like the head of the household had literally become…then again, he was a rabbit. But he was cuter than the master…
After so many twists and turns Allen and Neah found themselves at the kitchen with little to no problems. The cook was surprised to see a visitor at that hour, the stovetop/oven combo eying the newcomer in curiosity.
"U-Um, h-hello…?"
"Oh! You're that boy that came to this castle!" The voice to the kitchen appliance was rather flamboyant, but very friendly. "I'm Jeryy, head chef~! You hungry? I can make you anything you desire!"
"Anything…?" Allen asked in wonder.
"An-y-thing~"
Allen took a moment to think of what he wanted, before finally asking for a vegetarian meal* for both him and Neah.
"You got it~ it's gonna be the best you've ever had~" Jeryy cooed. "Just go ahead and wait in the dining room, Komui and Reever can take you there."
"Komui and Reever are here?" Allen asked before his eyes finally landed on the duo that he had missed when he entered the kitchen.
"We meet again~!" Komui greeted. "I'm glad you decided to dine with us at shay Ka—ouch!"
"You know we're not allowed to really speak his name." Reever chided.
"…um, does the beast have a name?" Allen asked, "You all seem to stop yourselves from speaking it…"
"It's…a long story." Reever admitted, "Unfortunately, it's not our place to say anything. Komui, why don't you lead Allen and his…rabbit…? Where did a rabbit even come from?"
"He…may have snuck into my bag when I was planning on saving Mana." Allen meekly admitted.
"Anyway~! The dining room is just this way, Allen!" The candle holder said, hopping along the floor to a door that was on Jeryy's left. "You're our guest, you deserve only the finest!" Komui took the chance as was presented, and in his own-over-the-top way.
How could Allen not laugh and clap along with the show he was presented with? Neah seemed to enjoy the show as well.
Author's note 2: I know in the anime and manga that Allen eats everything but in my head if he has a pet rabbit and is friends with the woodland creatures then he'll obviously be disgusted about his friends. Don't forget to review!