The Last Priestess

Chapter 5: Work

Psyche's POV

Perseus didn't lend me any money. He was stone-cold and stood firm on what he said yesterday. My heart and mind haven't been at peace since then. The exam, Scion, and Miriam spring to my mind every now and then. Even though my body is raging with the yearning to return home, I am unable to do it. Regardless of how much desire my heart holds, Perseus isn't willing to help me, therefore my wish is still ineffective.

"I already cleaned the toilet. What else should I do?"

Cleaning filthy restrooms is not my thing, but in order to get paid, I have to. Though it's impossible for me to return home really quickly, it will be far more difficult if I can't figure out a solution. No matter how long it takes, as long as I get home, everything will be great. And once I see Miriam again, I'll just go over everything with her.

"Wash the plates on the sink," he ordered.

It is now clear to me that his helping me yesterday had been done with malicious intentions. Because if it had truly come from his heart, he wouldn't have mentioned it at every opportunity. It certainly gives the impression that he saved me, which is true, but he doesn't need to rub it in all the time. I seldom forget anything, with the exception of yesterday's events.

I immediately rushed to the sink and got to work cleaning up the strewn-used cookware. People are swarming inside the restaurant like an army of ants. In comparison to other restaurants, his establishment is extremely large, and he employs numerous people as well. Perhaps he is the only person who can accomplish everything because he is the area's proclaimed ruler.

"We're in short of spoons, Psyche," one worker demanded.

The spoons were promptly cleansed, dried, and put all together in a tray before being distributed. The fact that there are so many more dishes to wash causes me to start sweating heavily. After cleaning a batch of dirty kitchenware, there are always more items to wash, making it feel like an endless task. I was so exhausted that my arms began to hurt.

"Perseus, can I take a short break?"

I have been standing at the sink for more than two hours, since there are several dishes that have not yet been done, and my knees are already numbing. Working is demanding. Perhaps Miriam occasionally felt this way about her job as well.

"Are you done?" he inquisitively asked.

I shook my head and complained, "not yet, but I'm too tired.'

He looked at me for a long time and sighed before he consented to my short break. I sat in front and watched what he was doing. Only then did I notice the small tattoo on his arm. It was a mix of sword and halo.

"You have a tattoo?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he responded.

Even though I didn't do anything wrong to him, he is extremely irritable with me.

"You're so pedantic," I mused.

I refrained from asking again out of concern that he could become incensed once more. Instead, I made the choice to watch him while he worked on his painting. I'd say he has artistic talent. His movements of the paintbrush on and off the canvas were fast and delicate.

However, despite the fact that his paintings resemble Van Gogh's, I don't really comprehend what he was portraying. It looks like a flower withering in an autumn rhythm. But it also looks like a head falling off from war.

His eyes were focused on his job when he said, "Your brief break is over. Aren't you going to work now?"

The speed of time feels like I just sat down and now it's over. I immediately stood up and went straight back to the sink to finish what needed to be done. The pile of dirty plates mounted on the sink once more, enabling me to heave a sigh before starting to clean the dishes.

I want to go home. I keep repeating the same mantra to myself in order to stay motivated while working. I've never done this much washing before. Normally, I just wash five to twelve dishes, but it feels like there are now more than a thousand-plus plates.

It was already seven o'clock in the evening when I finished washing the dishes. Likewise, there aren't too many people eating anymore, so I'm happy because it means I can rest.

"Go eat your dinner. Lidia will take care of the rest," Perseus said.

Without complaining, I went out of the kitchen and ate my dinner, as Perseus had suggested.

There wasn't a day where there were only a few customers, therefore the rest of the week was busy. And because their dishwasher lady continued to disappear for unforeseen reasons, I was consistently given the task of washing the dishes.

"Can I have my salary now?"

Just to receive my money, I had to wait a week. I desperately want to return home since I have no idea what is happening there anymore. Given that it has been a week since I left home, I am aware that Miriam may be particularly concerned about me. Aside from that, my absences from school are no longer a joke, redeeming my grades and the lessons missed is not an easy thing.

"I have no money yet, Psyche," Perseus reasoned out.

"Please, I need to go home," I begged—afraid that something terrible might happen to Miriam. I can't stay here any longer. I must go home.

He turned to face my direction after setting his work on the table. His green eyes were serious as he looked at me. "I have to tell you something."

"What?"

Perseus cleared his throat and uttered, "you can't go home," then he momentarily paused, "this is no longer part of the human realm."

"What are you talking about?"

Even though a part of me had preconceived ideas that this isn't actually part of the world I'm used to, hearing him confirm my suspicions made me more anxious. If this is no longer part of the human realm, where am I? In the galaxy? Is this Mars?

"If that's the case, how am I supposed to go home?"

Perseus shrugged his shoulders and got back to his work. I asked him a couple more questions, but other than his nod, I got no answers. I was feeling unmotivated to move owing to the fact that it was seemingly impossible for me to come back home. My heart progressively began to yearn to find Scion, but how can I do that? Even if he is here, I have no idea where he lives.

"Can you please help me?"

Even if I'm a clever person, being here feels foolish. My ability to find a solution doesn't seem to be functioning. I used to be a strong person, but right now, the incidents around me have me on the verge of tears and my heart aches at the prospect of not being able to return home.

My tears started to flow when he remained mute. In a minute, after taking a short glimpse in my direction, and when he saw me crying, he immediately panicked and suddenly rose from his seat. "Why did you cry?"

I didn't answer and buried my face in my palm and cried more. I don't care who sees me in that position or what they say. I just want to release the pain in my heart.

"Hey, fine! I'll help you. Just don't freaking cry, you look horrible," he grumpily spoke.

"But why did you ignore me earlier?" I complained, drying out my tears.

"You're so noisy."

I ignored what he said and concentrated on what he had stated previously. I put my unkempt appearance in order and sat straight in the chair. "You initially offered to help me, so don't retract your words," I affirmed.

"Tsk!"

"What?" I grumbled. "You won't help me?".

Perseus only stares at me with a bored expression. "Who brought you here?"

My forehead immediately wrinkled in absolute confusion over his query. However, I further said, "his name is Scion Prezi," as a response.

"Are you kidding me?"

He gave a disbelievable expression as if indicating that I was lying. And based on his facial reaction, it appears that he is also familiar with Scion. Yet, the little shake of his head meant something which I cannot decipher.

"Do you think I have enough time to utter bullshit?"

He didn't look convinced by what I said and probably left some room for doubt. "Why did you come with him?" he asked.

"I didn't, okay?" I exclaimed. "He pulled me inside the portal."

If I had known this is what I would experience here, I would have run away the moment he appeared. But because my foolish nature interferes, I must take responsibility for the results.

"Do you know who Scion Prezi is?"

"Clearly not."

Then, he revealed that Scion is the right hand of Alinthi's Emperor, which undoubtedly surprised me.

A series of confessions came out of Perseus's mouth. And one of those where the Drakon Empire already subjugates the Alinthi Kingdom. In fact, I'm not a fan of kingdoms and whatnot. In short, it doesn't amuse me, but hearing this case-to-case basis, the Emperor seems to be pitiful. He must surely have felt the pressure from his people. Losing a battle and failing to protect your people is a disappointment to one's ancestors.

"Is the Emperor still alive?"

Perseus nodded, "Yes, he was only sent to the royal jail. The Drako's emperor showed him mercy and let him live."