Misery of Artemisia

Chapter 5: Ink

I HONESTLY don't know what to do after I directly saw my stepfather lying down without existing respiration. I am not pointing out that I felt some pity, but I just perceive that how incidentally happened that he also received an invitation card?

"Art. What's ruining your mind?" He asked me while he's busy fixing his tie.

"I don't really know what to think of after that scenario. You know me, Dev. Even though we just meet these past few days, you still couldn't blame me to feel like this. Hmm, I'm just totally wondering how that man received an invitation too?! Don't you ever say to me that it is just coincidentally happened? No, it couldn't be." I shrugged, drinking Spiller & Tait Signature Blend Ground Coffee that I ordered earlier at the near cafe.

I wanted to regret those happenings but, something motivates me to find out and to know what does occur.

But, how could I do that?! I can't put that thing into practice, though.

"Thou not make yourself stressful just because of that thing. Remember, we aren't fully sure about what does happen. Are we all right?" My brother certainly stated as if he's older than me. Yea, sometimes I also think about him. He isn't an ordinary teenager who will let words out without thinking them carefully. He is undeniably proficient than me.

I scratched my right ear. "Uhm, could I asked you?" I hesitantly asked.

He looks at me so weird. Raising his eyebrows and expanding his smile makes me melt. He looks so elegant and expensive.

How much are you, my little brother?

"Duh, I'm waiting. What is it?"

I sigh. "Where did you study? I mean, are you still studying?"

It took a couple of seconds before he answered me.

"Yes... before. But, at this moment? I'm not. I guess you noticed it," he chortled. "You know, I'm doing work before we met each other. To make this clear once more, I am an orphan. But, everything changed when I started to meet my half-blood. My slaughterous past was now altered into a peaceful one. You are the reason why am I now living with freedom. You unchain me to the hell where am I previously."

"Oh, I am glad to hear that, brother. So, you're supposedly what grade level?"

"Grade 8." He makes himself calm down. Rubbing both hands cause of the cold weather.

"Have you wanted to continue studying?"

"I'm just wasting my time for that. I am intelligent enough, I do not need to study to. Most especially that I am planning to go on the immortal world."

"W-wait, what?! You made my astonishment increased. Could you please be honest with me? Do you believe in fantasy? What if it's just existing in books?! It's just fiction, rather."

He slaps his forehead. Making himself think about it deeply.

"Uhm, the only thing I could say is... Let's just wait for our fate. If it will come, it will come. And if it just an illusion, then... okay! We cannot do anything else about that. Have you still remember?"

"Nothing more, nothing less." I slowly uttered then we both laughed. We're tryin' to forget those things temporarily. Not until something suddenly comes into my mind.

To go to the Ink Shop!

"Have a pleasant morning, ma'am and sir! It's our pleasure to have you here in our shop." A worker in this shop greeted us.

I just showed her a beam, then we continue to walk amidst numerous customers.

Ink Shop is one of the most popular shops here in the State. They hit popularity because of their odd and mysterious products.

"The hell, Art?! Is this the place where you want me to be with, huh? This is ridiculous," he says, rolling his both eyes.

"Tsk. Shut up, bro. Just follow where would I go, is it clear?" I sarcastically responded.

I don't know where did his consciousness go. He just suddenly become like that. But on the other side, I find him cute in that way.

"I don't like the smells of those inks! Can we just leave and never come to this place ever?!" Rendev says while grinding his teeth and clenching his jaw.

"Shh, shut up! This is embarrassing, I hope you're aware. Can you just please follow my lead and know the reason why we're here later?" I shake my hands in front of my face and breathing out. "I promise that this will be thrilling. Note that, my brother.

So that he can still be with me, we went outside for a while first to treat him a coffee. Then after that, I finally convinced my naughty brother to be with me in this shop for a quit long time. Nevertheless, I also smell something not great, honestly. But I just pretend that I'm not affected by that. For the sake of my peace of mind, I will do everything, even if it can kill me.

Ink Shop is established by an unknown person. It's too weird to think but, even the customers and employers here also do not have any idea.

I have a goal and also it's for the sake of my brother, and that's to find the ink made by the blood of my stepfather.

"Hmm, miss? What's your minimum price range in this ink shop? Do all inks here are only usable for pens?" I undoubtedly asked the manager.

She looked at us while meeting her brows and crossing her arms too. That woman also stared at us from our glorious face to the foot. It lasts a minute and it is definitely weird, especially on our part as customers. But the thing that truly ruined my mind is that why she threatened us in that manner? Is that just fine with all their customers?

"U-uh... what's the matter with our face, huh? My younger sister just asked you about your product, and why did you just stare at us for so long?" He bravely asked the lady while I am just staring at his bold temperament.

At some point in our lives, I still cannot deny that the way he acts and speaks is often at a point. Sometimes, I feel jealous of his brave attitude. Because if people will compare mine with my brother, I am confidently sure that he will surely win.

"Every drop of ink costs only five US dollars. I hope it's enough to make you both contented. So, give me now a way to let go out of your faces."

After she rudely left us, I suddenly think about the price that she has been given to us. Five dollars per drop of ink?! What the f*cking mind she has?

"Please tell me that she's just lying. Like, w-what?! It's too expensive, isn't it?"

"Yea, you're right, brother. I won't against that, never. Because even me, I also felt that way. I am wondering why she acts as if we did something unacceptable?"

"Woah!" he sighs. "Like I've told you earlier, let's just go out of this evil place. C'mon!" he pulled my hands but fortunately, he doesn't do it the way he wants.

After a while, I still do not let my anger ruin my purpose. And is that to find out if Princess Brina says was right.

Amidst my selflessness, a lady who introduced me to the odd world was now on my front. She is the princess who came from the Kingdom of Ashes.

"Open your mind, open your ear, and do not be blind." Princess Brina stated.

I want to scream and go out of this place but something tried not to let me go.

"W-what?!"

"Go to the Ink Shop and smartly find the small box that made of glass. And you may be found the ultimate secret of your stepfather." She's speaking those words with a blank face. Even a bit smile, she doesn't possess.

I do not know what she is talking about. My stepfather has now died! Why he can do something unbelievable? Is it because of the invitation card that he also got?!

"Could you please enlighten me? Honestly, I don't want to believe you, and that's too impossible! I apologize, but please, what do you want me to know? Is that important more than the life that I have?"

"No. But for your sake, I will tell you because I know that you have a right to know it over me." She let out a sigh then she come closer in my direction.

Until now, I still feel so flabbergasted by the way she stands, she talks, and how she perfectly deal with us. The garments that she wears is truly cannot be comparable. And by this moment, I could say that the thing I often saw in fantasy movies isn't the same in a real fantasy situation.

"Before the said situation occurs, your stepfather has an agreement with us. Before he died, he told us that the life she had with your mother is a curse. That is why after he dies, his soul did something that I know is new to you. He gets blood in his own body with nobody knowing, even the people surround his dead body. By that, we gave him a chance to do it because he chose to be with our Kingdom. But unfortunately, he didn't reach the time that we gave, and that is also one decade."

"And... what do you want me to do then?"

"To find where did he put his blood. As a princess with strong power, I have a hunch that blood is can be found at the Ink Shop. I am fully sure about it, though. And if you find it, I have a great replacement for that. I will give you something that I am sure that you will feel excited too. Is that a deal? Are you ready to find and seek where your stepfather's ink blood located is? I hope you are." By this time, she started to show her smile while she's talking with me.

I suddenly touched my chest to feel how my heartbeat is beating so fast.

"I won't reject it. I will do everything just to find out what's with that ink blood and why does my stepfather did it."

"Yes, that's also one of your benefits and that is to know the truth with his cause of death." She seriously said while she's still looking into my eyes.

After I reminisce about the scenario that I had with Brina, I forgot that my brother was now in front of me, laughing out loud with his s**t ass.

Unintentionally, I push him until his whole body bounces to the floor. Whether I like it or not, I can't stop laughing while he's laying down on that freaking floor.

He tried to rise his body but he can't. Perhaps he's too heavy to the point that he cannot lift it. Sorry brother, but I love seeing you like a loser.

"What the hell did you do?! Sh*t! Help me lift, Artemisia. Now!" He's now talking with annoyance.

"Oh, no. Hmm, sorry. Okay, okay, grab my hands and stand up like an ignorant kid." I responded sarcastically.

He secretly whispered a curse word as if I didn't know what he is doing.

"Just lift me! And if you don't, I will not be with you in this freaking shop again." He threatened me.

I raised my brows while I am still holding his hands. But because he's too heavy for me to lift his body, someone helps me to raise my ass brother. This is embarrassing!

That naughty scenario between me and my brother is one of the best memories that I had. Although he almost hates me because of what I did, still I cannot be denied that it's memorable above all things.

You're the best, weak man.

"By the way, should we continue finding something that you still cannot be seen until now?! We almost went all the stations here, but the ink that you want is still not in your hands. Okay, could you please tell me, my bullsh*t sister, what's your real intention?"

At this moment, I am now seriously looking at his eyes. Is it the perfect time to know it as well? Oh please, help me, princess.

"U-uh... maybe, let's just talk about that later or either after we find the ink that I need? Please?" I begged, controlling to laugh once more.

"Okay." He replied in a way that I really hate about him.

But on the other hand, I need to be more concentrated and serious for me to finally find the thing that my hands should hold, and that is the ink made of blood by my stepfather.