Revenge of the fallen

Pepper

I could see a rose garden in front of the castle, I wish I could go inside when I suddenly felt something wet on my face. I opened my eyes to find Pepper licking ne again! "Stop it Pepper!" I tried to get up. Strangely my plaster is gone and there is just a small bandage now. The pain disappeared too.

"Good evening, Milady"

I turned round and saw a beautiful young girl. She might be hardly 14 years old! Brunette with a beautiful golden eyes! "Hi, sorry, who are you!"

"The name is Bella, Milady" she said.

"Hi, Bella! What are you doing here? And please call me Dolcenea" I was curious.

She gave me a smile. "I am not supposed to call you by name. I am your personal servant. Shall I bring you coffee? Or tea? Maybe some snacks?!oh! Our master has a fine collection of wines too! He has specifically instructed to give you anything and everything you wish for!"

She was very excited to fill me with information. "Wow! In that case my first wish is that you call me by my name. Secondly isn't it illegal for a child such as yourself to work as a servant? Aren't you going to school?"

Her face was bright. "No, Milad.... Uh... Sorry Dolcenea. I am an orphan. Master adopted me and homeschooled me here in the castle. My teacher isn't well since past few days and when I heard master is having a very special guest, I requested him if he would allow me to volunteer. Master is very kind, he treats me like a family and furthermore he trusts me a lot. That's why I am here."

Pepper was still playing on the bed hopping on me and meddling with the bed spreads. Bella is a charming young girl, her excitement was quite evident the way she was speaking about her master and her life in the castle. I wanted to know more.

"Who is the special guest you refer to? And who is your master?"

Bella looked confused. "You're the special guest. Master is very happy to have your presence but he is very worried too. Your wounds aren't as simple as they look now. I heard him speak to the healer. The healer said that the wolf venom is in your blood and it is a mutated venom which comes from a combination of Vampire and werewolf venom. This venom creates hallucinations and fatigue. Even though the wounds may disappear in a week, your health may take a while to improve."

"Okay! I don't understand what you're saying Bella. There is no such things as werewolf and vampire. I don't know what they are teaching you here in the name of homeschooling."

Bella looked confused again. Pepper was trying hard to get my attention by jumping on to my face. I saw a name tag on him now. It was carved on a golden badge. "PEPPER" Wow!!! No one knew I have named him Pepper, how did he get the tag then? Not that Pepper can talk! It seemed like he was smiling when I saw his badge. "Okay Peppy! Am glad you got that badge right.... But how? No one was here when I named you a while ago!" Pepper put his toung inside and tilted his face as if confused. He then stared at the Bella.

Bella came forward. "Sorry Milad... Dolcenea, but you named him two days back. Master knew the name so he made him this badge."

What the hell!!! Two days back!! Is this girl out of her mind!!! "Bella, I named him just a while ago! And how on Earth will your master know what I did here."

"Actually you passed out on the floor bear that painting two days back!" She pointed her finger towards the painting on the right side of the window. I remember admiring the beautiful art. "Pepper was worried.... He tried to pull you and wake you up but he couldn't. So he ran to master and brought him for help. I was at the dining hall with master when Pepper came, when we arrived here, you were lying still on the floor. Master carried you to the bed and gave you some medicines advised by our healer. Regarding the name, Master knows everything that happens inside the castle"

What is happening! Where the f**k am I and who is this Master? He has cameras inside the bedrooms also? I tried to get up from my bed when Pepper landed on my lap as if stopping me from getting up. "Move away Peppy, I need to meet this master now!"

"But he isn't in the castle now! He left this morning for the clan meeting in the west fort across the forest. He will be back by night."

My head was spinning again and my stomach was growling. "Bella, I am famished. Can I have something to eat.'

Bella bowed and left. This is all strange. Pepper looked at me and started playing again. He rolled and showed his tummy for a belly rub. Bella was soon back with some delicious food. Everything tasted so fine! But I couldn't stop thinking over who this master was???