DISCLAIMER! I do not own KHR
Chapter Four: The Beginning
I stir in my sleep and rolled to my side, not wanting to wake up. However, something grabs my shoulder and pushes me back onto my back. I frown with my eyes still shut. Once again, I roll to lie on my shoulder, and once again, some force pushes me back onto my back. Grumpily, my eyes fly open and I see his face.
Belphegor's face.
I open my mouth to scream and my fist fly upwards to punch him. Maybe I am still sleepy or maybe his reaction is just too quick. Anyway, he evades my attack effortlessly and takes hold of my thin wrist.
My mind starts to work quickly. Why on Earth is he here, in my bedroom, watching me sleep? I did tell myself that I will apologize to him when I next see him, but this early in the morning? And besides, how would he know if I am going to say sorry to him?
He IS a psychopath.
Anyone would be a psychopath if they sneak into someone else's room just to stare at someone else's sleeping face. Then, something strikes me. I am lying down on the bed, armed with only a blanket and a thin night gown. He, on the other hand, is on top of me, fully clothed and is probably armed with his weapon or whatever he uses to fight.
Not to mention our position now is VERY misleading.
Should I push him away? Or should I remain in this position? What will happen if I push him away? Will he attack me? Will he draw my blood out? But I know one thing for sure.
No matter what, staying in a room with this guy is dangerous.
Then, something else hits me. "W-Where is Nat? What did you do to her?" I demand. Okay, maybe I did not demand, but it is at least something close to demanding.
"Ushishishi. You are one curious princess, aren't you?" he snickers, before moving out of my bed. Part of me felt relief.
Did he just call me a princess? Did he find out? Does he believe in the other end of the world?
Or more importantly, how did he know about this?
Anyhow, I decide to play along with him, pretending that I do not know anything about the other side of the world.
"What princess?" I ask as innocently, changing my position on the bed such that I am sitting upright. It makes me feel less vulnerable to that blond predator.
He chuckles, but does not answer my question. Instead, he says, "Shallow peasants like Nat is too simple to read. All I have to do is tell her that Xanxus wants to see her and off she goes. Ushishishi. I want to see the look on his face."
This person is definitely sick.
"T-then why don't you go to where X-Xanxus is? Then you can see his expression yourself." I say, hoping that he will get the message and leave me alone.
He does get my message, but doesn't show the will to leave. One minute, he is an arm's length away from me. The next minute, his face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my skin. The hairs on my skin stand up straight and I felt heat rising from my neck to my cheeks.
"You really want me to leave, don't you?" he hisses into my face. "Don't forget that you owe me one."
I squirm in my seat, trying to move out of this uncomfortable position. Finally, I give up and turn my head away.
Attempt number one – fail.
I sigh, "Fine."
He grins and moves his face away. For the first time since I wake up, I relax a little.
"W-What do you want from me?" I hate the sound of fear in my voice. Why is this person just so unpredictable?
"Ushishishi. You asked the right question. For that, I have to reward you, Princess."
Again. This word 'princess' appears. I feel my insides shaking.
"What reward?" I wince inwardly at the pathetic voice of mine. Why can't it just be firm?
He grins, showing all of his white teeth. "Ushishishi. Change your clothes, unless you want to go out like that."
Change? Go out? Where to? It is 8 in the morning and I still want to sleep. But I highly doubt he will let me go that easily. He is one really sick psychopath, targeting on people like me, whose wish is to just blend into the crowd. Maybe that wish of mine is impossible for me.
First, my father is the principal of the school. That alone caused gossips to spread like wildfire. Then, when it finally died down, people started noticing the utmost random things about me. And now, it is Belphegor. Why can't I ever take a break?
I sigh, before getting up and walking to my closet. I fling open the closet doors and pick out a black sweater, a white-patterned shirt, and jeans – something simple, don't attract much attention, and don't expose a lot of skin.
Just the way I like it to be.
"Ushishishi. What are you doing?" he demands as I step into the bathroom.
I stare at him blankly. "Going to change, of course." I state the obvious. Honestly, I badly want to add 'do you want to come too?' But I manage to refrain myself from doing so, because you will never know when he is serious or not.
And I would never use my body as a bet on psychos like him.
He says nothing more, which I take it as a cue for me to get changing. As soon as I step out of the bathroom, I see an upside-down smile on his face, but it is quickly replaced with his sly smile.
"Ushishishi. Is that all?" he snide.
I feel a little offended, "What do you mean by that?"
Out of the blue, a knife swiftly flies past my face and I hear a 'thud' as the knife gets stuck on the wall behind me. I swallow my saliva hard. Then, stiffly, I turn my head; following the path that weapon just took.
There is a bag of clothes waiting for me.
I glance at him, but he seems to be absorbed in polishing his weapon. I shrug and take the bag into the bathroom. And I pocket the knife as well. He did not ask for it back, right? I could use the knife as a weapon later. Who knows? It's better to be safe than sorry, right?
Right.
Five minutes later, I stare at the mirror. This can't be happening, I think to myself. This is just exposing too much skin – a spaghetti strap shirt with long sleeves that hang loosely on my shoulders, a really short and black mini skirt, and a pair of white boots with black heels and laces.
Now I really want to jut dig a hole and bury myself. I can't possibly go out wearing this! It will just make me stand out like a sore thumb. Surely, he must be kidding, right?
I open the door slightly and poke my head out, hiding the rest of my body. Immediately, he turns to me, still having that grin on his face.
"I… I can't do this." I declare weakly.
Then, I notice something – my outfit is the female version of his. I don't know why, but my heart starts to thump faster than usual.
What did I do to cause me to end up like this?
Automatically, my hand reaches up and twirls the crown pendent on my necklace. It is just a habit when I feel anxious. He, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying my discomfort a lot.
Where on Earth is my peaceful morning?
I stand here, hiding behind the door with only my head sticking out, for at least a few minutes, waiting for him to say something or give more commands. Meanwhile, he continues to polish his knifes and I continue to stare at the floor.
It seems like hours to me before he speaks.
"Ushishishi. Aren't you going to let the Prince take a look at you?"
I shift my gaze to his nose. "What Prince?" I ask. This is the first time I heard him saying Prince.
Anyway, what is wrong with him? Playing princes and princesses now? Should I deny it? Or should I go along with him? Well, this is a fight or flight situation. There are only two options and I hate that. So, I added one more.
I'm going to follow, then flight.
Windowless Soul seems to be a little offended by my question, but he recovers quickly nonetheless. "How dare you be so rude to the Prince? But it is okay, since I'm in a good mood now."
However, somehow I don't think that it is really okay. I highly doubt that he will just let it go. I have to think of a way to save myself from this person.
"T-Thank you Your H-H-Highness," I stutter, feeling weird by just saying those words.
He grins even wider, clearly please with my submission to him. "Ushishishi. Let's go."
Let's go.
Two simple words can cause me to be rooted to this spot. I don't want to go out, at least not with him and being dressed like this. I will die from embarrassment.
"I… Can't…" I mumble, not sure what to hope for anymore.
He cocks his head, as if he heard me saying something but not exactly sure of what I just said. Slowly, his slyest grin begins to spread across his face. And I pray to God silently.
Taking his own sweet time, he walks towards the door. Towards me. I can't move; I am paralyzed by fear and my body seems to be made of lead.
And my heart is still thumping rapidly.
Despite using all of my strength, he pushes the door open without any problems and enters the bathroom. There you go – what will you think when you see a boy and a girl alone in a bathroom? It is misleading.
Completely misleading.
My face flushes as I feel his hot gaze on my overly exposed body. I can't do this, I tell myself. I can't just go out looking like this… I just can't…
But he seems to have a different opinion.
"Ushishishi. Come, let's go."
He grabs my wrist and drags me out of the bathroom. And me? I try to slow him down, but it is really hard since this is my first time on high heels. Sneakers and flats are still much better.
As soon as he opens the front door, he stops abruptly. I nearly trip over my own foot. Perplex, I look up and I see someone with a frog head gear.
Fran.
Fran's eyes narrow the minute he sees me and I look down. Eye contact is not my forte.
"What are you doing here?" Belphegor asks, his voice is filled with impatience and annoyance.
I can feel Fran's gaze on me even as he replies Windowless Soul, "Xanxus commands me to tell you to 'get your ass here immediately.'"
"Ushishishi. It is earlier than I thought. Fine."
He yanks my hand and walks past Froggie, pulling me along behind him. Last minute, I manage to shoot a 'Help me' look at Froggie, but he ignores it. I admit.
I am getting desperate for help.
I hear whispers as I stumble after Belphegor, my face is flushed and I feel really humiliated. I need help. If only I can hide myself… hide myself… Illusions!
Fran!
"Fran… help me please… Please use your illusions to conceal me…" I plead softly to Froggie, not wanting Windowless Soul to listen. Froggie is the only one I can count on now.
"Yada. You said my illusions look fake."
What!?
I curse myself under my breath. I should have known not to say so much. Stupid me. Stupid me.
Attempt number two – failed.
My brain starts to work faster and harder, like a car's engine when you step hard on the gas pedal. Fine. If no one wants to help me, I will just have to depend on myself.
Tugging his hands, Belphegor stops and looks at me, just like the way I had predicted. "C-can we walk a little slower, please? I… I am not used to these heels," I ask, not forgetting my manners to this self-proclaimed Prince.
I don't find anything about the appeal I just made amusing, but it must have been in his eyes, because he sniggers, "Ushishishi. Alright, since the Princess says so."
His pace slows down a little, but it is more than enough for me to stop tripping over my own feet and walk properly.
Hah! I can help myself in spite of everything. I smile at myself, secretly feeling proud. All I have to do now is to follow whatever Windowless soul wants, and then, when the time comes, I will make my grand escape.
And besides, Belphegor may not be as hard-hearted as I think he is after all.
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