My mind went completely blank for a moment. I took two steps forward, wrapped my arms around Aro's slender waist, and rested my chin on the top of her head, asking softly, "Aro, during the time I was away, were you okay?"
Aro seemed to be reminded of some unpleasant memories by my question. She leaned against my chest, nervously gripping the edge of my clothes. Her voice trembled as she said, "M-Master, I was so scared back then. I thought I was going to die."
Aro told me about what she went through during that time, and I learned that she had been hidden in a cellar, where a vicious old woman was in charge of teaching her various rituals and etiquette. If Aro made a mistake, the old woman would beat her.
Hearing this made my heart ache, and I had an overwhelming urge to find that old w
