DOMINIC

EPISODE 6 : The First Wish and Command (1)

A pungent smell came from his father’s study. The light from within the room seeped out through the cracks in the door, where young Aiden peeked in. His eyes widened as he saw the thick, purple liquid being poured by his father into a beautiful glass.

His memory stopped there. The next thing he recalled was the palace servants dragging him back to his room and locking him inside.

"Don’t come out until the party starts."

Then everything went dark. Aiden could only hold his breath in fear. He couldn’t see anything except pitch black. It felt as though his body was wrapped in a blanket so heavy that it made it hard to breathe. As he took short, trembling breaths, he whispered to his mother, hoping for some miracle that the woman he constantly saw in his dreams would come. Whether she was an angel, a goddess, or his actual mother.

“My mother bakes the best cakes.”

“Well, my mother makes cakes that taste even better.”

“No way, my mother’s cakes are the best!”

The two boys continued bickering, trading punches as they argued and proudly bragged about their mothers. Aiden sat nearby, silently watching and listening to their argument. He didn’t join in. Yet his curiosity couldn’t stay quiet. Eventually, Aiden began asking anyone he encountered in the palace about his own mother. The gardeners, the servants who brought him food, even the laundresses by the river near the palace.

They all gave him the same answer, as if they had agreed upon it beforehand.

The bright lights and lively music of Aiden’s sixth birthday party filled the palace, part of the kingdom’s celebration of their victory over the neighboring land across the sea. The festivities spread throughout the city squares and into the palace’s grand ballroom, and the royal family’s allies, like the Grahams, held their own celebrations. As was tradition, Aiden wondered why he couldn’t join the festivities and dance with his mother on his birthday, as other boys did. But in his innocence, he simply nodded in understanding when the palace staff surrounded him.

“She was executed for treason.”

***

“No, she was a good mother, but she was executed.”

Those words stuck with Aiden. Rebecca stared into his eyes, repeating the same sentence over and over again: "She was unjustly punished." Aiden felt something break deep inside the dark room of his heart, behind the heavy blanket that suffocated him. Sharp thorns pierced through, pushing him to a new realization.

Today was Aiden’s nineteenth birthday. Ten years had passed since he became a student, and five since he had become the perfect servant of the Grahams—Rebecca’s loyal "dog." On this momentous day, memories of his childhood resurfaced as he took in the familiar scent of wine wafting from his glass. This was supposed to be a moment he had eagerly awaited ever since Rebecca first took him by the hand and showed him the mansion for the first time. Together, they had gazed longingly at the wooden barrels at the end of the hallway, waiting for the day they could finally taste the wine’s sweet, floral aroma.

“My Aiden.”

Rebecca’s fingers gently traced up Aiden’s arm, slowly caressing his cheek. Her touch was soft, lingering, as he savored the sensation. Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes remained emotionless, the deep, obsidian pools unreadable. Aiden didn’t need more—he didn’t seek a heartfelt smile or affection. This was enough to satisfy him. He took her hand in his, softly guiding it to his lips, where he pressed a tender kiss. His breath was warm against her fingers. Becca’s expression remained unchanged, but Aiden knew how much his master cared for him, how deeply she thought about him.

“Why bother thinking about those who discarded you? You’re mine now.”

“You’re right. I belong to you, my goddess.”

That night was just like the first time Aiden had set foot in the mansion. A perfect full moon, cold winds, and stars hidden behind clouds. The only difference now was that they didn’t have to sniff the barrels of wine while imagining the taste. They sat together, drinking the dark, rich wine, exchanging glances and small jokes. Aiden smiled at Rebecca’s faint expressions, and she responded with her usual subtle smirk. They both savored the strong flavors filling their mouths and warming their bodies. It was nothing like the beer Aiden used to drink after long days of work. Aiden gazed at Rebecca’s face, flushed from the wine, her cheeks rosy. Another flower bloomed in Aiden’s chest.

“Aiden.”

“Do you miss your mother?”

Aiden’s hand, which had been gently swirling the wine in his glass, froze. He lifted his head, locking eyes with Rebecca. A moment later, he offered a slightly ambiguous smile. But Becca knew that it wasn’t a smile of sadness or despair over his past.

“No.”

“I’ve even forgotten her face.”

“All I remember are bad memories.”

Aiden’s smile turned genuine this time. Not an uncertain smile, but a sincere one. “Because you saved me from that hell.”

Rebecca fell silent for a moment. She seemed to be thinking about the words she wanted to ask her sweet dog. Aiden gazed at his master gently, as always, his chest rumbling, waiting for whatever command his goddess would give next. But he was wrong. This time, it wasn’t a command, but—

“What do you desire?”

Damien was stunned. He paused for a moment, then looked at his master with a puzzled expression. Rebecca simply looked back at him as if commanding him to answer quickly. Aiden, still confused, only shook his head slightly. He had intended to craft a few lies, answers his master might want to hear. But, after looking into Rebecca’s obsidian eyes, he realized that what she wanted wasn’t a perfect answer, but honesty. That’s why Aiden simply shook his head, answering truthfully, “I don’t know, my lady, I—” Rebecca interrupted Aiden. He froze immediately, trying to figure out what mistake he might have made unintentionally.

With a voice that was deep yet gentle, Rebecca spoke, “My Aiden. I don’t want you to answer that question as my sweet dog. I want you to answer it for yourself. As Aiden. Do you understand now?” Rebecca’s pale, soft hand stroked Aiden’s head slowly. She seemed to be telling him that, for now, he could allow himself to be vulnerable. Aiden, with a faint smile, leaned into his master’s gentle touch.

“As Aiden, I still have no desires, my lady. Other than to protect and fulfill my duty as yours. Do I need to have any?”

Aiden looked up into Rebecca’s dark eyes. She gave him a faint smile. “It would be better if you did, my Aiden. You won’t always belong to me. Someday, I will leave, whether to heaven or hell. I want you to have a flower of your own. A flower that blooms within your heart.”

***