Alexus's Point of View
The following day, Mr. Vexen had kept an eye on me. It wasn't as bad as I thought. He just didn't want me to make any noise, so he allowed me to grab my books and take them with me to his lab. I finished my fairy book and moved on to one of my princess books. The following day was much less pleasant.
Everything was fine until a point immediately after breakfast that Mr. Xemnas told me what I would be doing. Everyone but me, Mr. Xemnas, and Mr. Xigbar had left the room. "Alexus, there is something we must discuss. There may come a time when you will need to defend yourself. I have asked Xigbar to teach you how to use a weapon of your choice."
I was shocked and appalled. "No, thank you," I replied.
"Alexus, this is not something that is up for debate. You will listen and obey, even if it is just this once. This is for your own safety," Mr. Xemnas stated.
"Safety? How is wielding a weapon to bring me safety? If I were truly safe, I wouldn't need a weapon in the first place," I snapped.
"It's a precaution, Alexus. You are completely safe here," Mr. Xemnas said.
"Then why do I need to learn how to use a weapon?" I seethed.
"Maybe you should show her what it looks like outside," Xigbar suggested.
"That is too dangerous. She could get hurt," Mr. Xemnas growled.
"Alright, alright. How about this, I take her with me on a mission. There are less Hear-" Mr. Xigbar started.
"As I just said, that is too dangerous. I will not allow her to get hurt," Mr. Xemnas interrupted.
"Look, if she doesn't work with me, I can't teach her. That would be even more dangerous than any of my suggestions," Mr. Xigbar remarked.
Mr. Xemnas turned his attention back to me. "I don't care how much you don't want to or what your reasons are. You will learn," Mr. Xemnas insisted,
"I won't. Mama would never have wanted this," I refused.
I expected Mr. Xemnas to be hurt, but instead, he chuckled before kneeling in front of me. "You are very much trying my patience, and I do not appreciate this attempt at manipulation. And by the way, while we're talking about what your mother would have wanted, I am fairly certain that she would not have wanted you to use her death as an excuse to do or not do what you please."
I squirmed as he looked into my eyes. I kept eye contact for as long as I could but eventually had to look away. "Please. I don't want to hurt anyone. I can't fathom the thought of…" I trailed off.
"Oh, Alexus. You thought-" Mr. Xemnas stopped to put his hand on my shoulder. "You are not training to fight a person. The truth is, in some worlds, monsters are roaming about."
"Monsters?" I gasped.
"I do not expect you to spend every moment of your life in this castle. You are very likely to run into these monsters at some point. I want you to be ready when you do," Mr. Xemans explained.
"But they don't come here?" I asked.
"No. This castle is under my protection.
"So, if I stay here, then I wouldn't need to learn how to fight?" I asked.
"I suppose not, but that's not what I-" Mr. Xemnas started.
"Then I'll stay here," I decided before Mr. Xemnas could finish his sentence.
Mr. Xemnas stood back up. "Fine. If you change your mind, which you will, you can always let me know."
I was sure that my mind was made up. I walked back to my room to finish the princess book that I had read the day before.
Thank you, Tara Mccann, for your review.