Chapter [10]

"Come... Hosuh." I slowly backed away, "N-No...." Her eyes pierced my soul, "COME HERE!" I turned instantly, sprinting to our room till this burning sensation spattered all over my spine. "AGH!" I tripped, glancing back at the woman. "You deserve to be punished-" "NO!"

  My eyes abruptly loosened, my back was throbbing, and it felt suffocating. "I GOT A CUPCAKE!" I saw Josephine walk in with an older soldier. "C-Captain, this is your child?!" He was frightened, and I immediately got up. "Keep your filthy paws to yourself if you know what's good for you." I scowled, "Y-YES! MY APOLOGIES!" He ran off as I shut the door. "His hands seemed fine." I stared at Josephine as she became confused.

"Josephine, that man isn't good. Stay away from him-" She frowned, "Bell isn't a nice woman, and you still put me around her-" "THAT'S DIFFERENT!" I exclaimed as she got startled, jerking back in fear. "Wait- I'm sorry. I didn't-" I tried to grab her, but she yanked away from me, "You did not have to yell..."

  I lightly moved, grabbing my garbs- "I'll be downstairs; Bell will be waiting for you." I felt remorseful, but I know she needs time, and I'm too busy to stay. I went on my way, dressing and bundling my breakfast to put away in my satchel. I noticed Bell nearby the entrance, "Hey, commander. Where's Josephine?" Bell smiled, "She'll be down shortly, but I need to ask a favor of you. I need you to train her a little longer and take her to feast." I put some shillings in her palms. "There you are."

  "What? Why? Where will you be?" She seemed concerned.

  "I have very urgent plans to attend to, and I cannot stray from them." She agreed with a sigh.

  I joined Beau in his office as he brightened up, "MY COMPANION!" He nearly hugged me, but I dodged. "HOW ABSURD!" He barked. "Beau, today I pick up cargo from Norwick." he sighed.

"No wonder- you only behave this way when you need to travel." He rolled his eyes and went back to his seat. "Is my stallion prepared?" I mentioned as he nodded. "Ask the salesmen, and he shall lend it to you." He clarified a bit grumpily. "Much appreciated, Beau."

  I am aware that being rude to him wasn't correct, but I have no time for his foolishness. I'll just buy him a treat in Norwick to make up for my hurry. I reached the stables, breathless but ready for the trip. The stableman looked me up and down, "Norwick?" I bobbed, watching him fetch a light brown horse with black spots and a white mane.

  "His name is Butterscotch; bring him by midnight. Remember to let him rest and carry some food for him if ya want to make the trip." I agreed, saddling up and taking off.

  The sun's sweet kisses fell upon me, fresh air ran through my strands, sounds of nature filled my ears, no worries whatsoever, but this would only last for so long. "Butterscotch, do you ever have troubles?" Butterscotch just neighed, continuing the path forth. I was relishing the peace till the harsh rush of pain hit me again in my lower spine. I hope we aren't too far from her... I promptly saw a tree with a particular mark etched in- apparent but not at first glance.

  I hopped off Butterscotch, leading him into the forest. We wandered for a while till I assumed we were lost, but before I lost hope- I saw it. The lake with a tree enclosing the cabin! We ran to it, and I tied up Butterscotch. I rushed to the steps of the house, knocking on the door, noticing a girl come out. Brown skin, long black wavy hair that reached her bottom, a raven black excited stare, scars on random parts of her body, her shorts were tiny, and her shirt showed too much skin.

"Had a fun time?" I asked as she grinned,

  "No, it's just too hot these days. Come in." She pulled me in, nudging me against the wall- kissing my neck, but I poked her back. "Don't get cold on me now." She teased, but I was a bit serious. "My back... Is in pain," I disclosed as she understood. "Come." She directed me to her room, potions all over the table and a mess of books everywhere on the ground. I sat on the mattress, removing my chest plate and sleeves tunic.

  "That looks horrific," "I know too well, Nyle." I said to her, "Have you been resting? Are you stressed?" She asked, snatching a few potions and syringes.

"Mr. King has been a bit too much lately." I sighed as she stroked my back, making me tremble in pain.

  "What did he do this time?" "He's been very condescending towards the new guards; one of them lost her temper and almost sliced his skull clean off. If I weren't there- he wouldn't have survived." I explained as she sighed. "Was this guard brown?" "Even better, brown female." I said as Nyle groaned, "NO WONDER! Poor girl must be havin' a hard time- you should really talk to that toy of yours. For your benefit and hers." Nyle clarified, filling the syringes with the potions. "Beaumont isn't my toy," I stated as she laughed. "The way you describe him is a helpless rich pooch who can't do a darn thing for himself, so he crawls to you, his master."

  I rolled my eyes at her comment, "Speaking of master, how is yours?" I asked as she brightened. "HE IS AMAZING! He has finally taken me as an apprentice! Hopefully, he leaves his knowledge to me before his farewell."

"You are a dark one." I presented as she shrugged, "No, I imply it because he is the only warlock alive who might know how to cure you. I am doing my best, but he's my option, and I can't risk it. This'll be good for the both of us." She smiled as I felt my heart pound a bit. "You make it difficult not to fall for you." She chuckled,

"What can I say? I'm worth it. Now hold still," I caught a breath as I felt the needle in my left lower back, it hurt, but the first injection made a difference to my health. "And, now a few more." She injected me three more times. I felt so much better, but I need to wait for all of it to sync in. "Once the injections take full effect- would you like to mess around~?" Nyle laid down, blushing.

  I rubbed my neck, sighing. "Nyle, let's have an important discussion."

  She sat up, "Okay?" "I think we should end this, end our physical relationship..." She appeared confused, "Is it because of the marks? I can stop." She asked as I shook my head. "No, I am finally ready to settle down. I want a family..." She seemed speechless but did end up getting motivation. "Hosuh, I understand you love me, but before we started this. I warned you I'm not a one-person kind of woman- I'm sorry, I can't."

  "I recall, and I accept that- I was fine with our arrangement until I fell for someone else..." I felt my face burn as Nyle gasped. "WHO IS SHE!?" I blushed more, "I must admit... it isn't a her..." Nyle looked uncertain till she blushed, giving me a cheeky smile. "Oh my, you scoundrel!"

Stephan

  I focused on the bell, precisely about now Hosuh would arrive and inform me of his day, and I, in return, would talk of mine. I had planned my entire exchange, hoping I could slip in the idea of dinner for him and me. Could it work? I'm not sure, but regardless, I'd ask. Instead, the day has just been stacking, storing, and selling novels.

  *Clink* My body veered, "If it isn't-" I saw Josephine and a mysterious woman with the guard uniform and beautiful fiery hair. "What can I do for you?" I might have looked idiotic for glimpsing left and right, searching for Hosuh.

  "Have you seen Hosuh?" Josephine sadly asked. "I was going to ask the same." I suddenly felt anxious. "Oh... thank you. Have a good evening." Both took off, leaving me in the dark...

Beau

  Up, down... uneven. *Knock* "Enter." I heard steps, noticing Josephine and Campbell. "Oh, hello~." I winked at Bell as she glared, "Beaumont, I have something to ask of you..." Josephine bowed, "Go on." I looked at her, interested.

  "Have you seen Hosuh... he seems to have disappeared." She struggled to say but seemed desperate. I laughed. "P-please, Beau. I think he is in danger. Can you send a guard or two-" "Child, he has left." She stared at me, shocked. "W-what?" "Daddy is gone." I said, "Hosuh left..." She began to tear up, crying as she apologized.

  Bell tried to console her, but she started freaking out. "DON'T TOUCH ME! YOU MADE ME LOSE HOSUH!" My head was spinning, screaming, but all I did was stand up and hug Josephine. "LET GO OF ME!" She was hitting, kicking, punching me, but it did not matter. "I didn't mean what I said- I just have a hard time explaining things," I told as she lightly stopped. "Hosuh did not leave you; he just takes a monthly trip to fetch Cargo from outer villages- he will be back home tonight. I promise."

  I wiped her face, "W-why didn't he tell me..." she asked. "I would tell you if I knew." She looked lost, "Um, hold on." I let her go, walking to my glass cabinet, and looked through one of many boxes. I pulled out a scroll and gave it to Josephine. She removed the ribbon and rolled it open. A gasp escaped her, "This is-" "yes, now go." I escorted her toward the door, "Everything will be fine." She nodded, running out as Bell stayed.

  "You did... acceptable. Your highness." She lightly smiled, walking off, but I could feel my face burn. "D-did I just... Get her on my side?" "But you still made a child cry... she has no parents... and you made it worse." I started breathing heavily.

  "I... I helped her." "You are a bad person, Beaumont." I walked over to my desk, bringing out a knife.

Hosuh

  I stared around the store, "None of these are good enough for Beau." Beau is a complicated man to impress and always has been. He is just like Marcel- his father. Marcel was the epitome of perfection, everyone he knew had to be one way, and if they weren't- he didn't accept them, which genuinely affected Beaumont.

  When we were young- he tried to please me in any way feasible, keeping me happy so I wouldn't pull away.

  It bothered me because making new friends wasn't easy with Beau around; he wanted me all to himself, snatched me from the public eye, and even loathed me attempting to get into relationships. Beau was so focused on me that I never truly knew what he liked. I paused, hearing my thoughts over again. "I... know nothing about my best friend."

  I peered at all the objects, jewelry, ink, clothes, paint, books- and felt thunderstruck for once. How could I select a gift for a person I know nothing about?

  "Have you heard that there is a witch near the outskirts of town?" My head turned scarcely towards the couple, eavesdropping on them. "Yes, she was said to be in town a few days ago. I wonder if the guards have captured her yet." Oh no... Nyle, what have you done.

  I sprinted out of the shop and caught a mysteriously dressed character, seeing the raven hair and dragging them behind a house. "Well, well, well, haven't you crawled back~." Nyle and I were face to face, our lips hardly apart.

  "Nyle, you need to get out of here. The folk here know you're a witch." I whispered as her eyes dilated in panic, "I... need to move! I can't stay here anymore..." She looked shattered, she had a home here, and now she has to disappear again.

  "Come with me to the Cunningham Kingdom; I can protect you," I exclaimed.

She sighed, clenching a cheerful smile and resting her palm on my left cheek. "Hosuh, you and I both know I'm not allowed there. Cunningham has no place for witchcraft, and with that said- I am only a risk." "I DON'T CARE! I JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU AGAIN!" I loudly uttered as she chuckled. "No, but once I settle somewhere new. I will send you a letter about my new home; I must go but do not worry for me. Goodbye, Hosuh." She placed a kiss on my forehead, running off.

  "Captain?" I eyed the entrance, recognizing him. "Liam."