His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 5

We soon arrive at Pho.

It's different from Silvonya. There aren’t many trees; instead, it's mostly fields of healthy, vibrant yellow grass and different types of flowers ranging from greens, blues and purples. With both the purple and red suns out, the flowers appear almost neon in the light. I prefer this to Silvonya, which is mostly trees and maybe a few flowers growing here and there.

The village is very small, with sparse homes and only three large buildings. There were many types of creatures (many of which I recognize as earth elementals) in the village. All their eyes zero in on my master and I as we leave the carriage.

I don't really notice, because I'm taking in the beautiful scenery with wonder.

“Come along Bunny,” master's voice breaks my daze.

I flush and hurry after master, realizing I had completely stopped following master. I barely catch masters amused smirk at my actions, and flush even harder.

We come to a medium sized building, just a little smaller than my old masters manor. Omce we're inside, the place is darker and louder, filled to the brim with creatures of all types drinking, eating, laughing, chatting. It feels warm, and friendly.

Masters lays a hand on my shoulder. “Bunny," he says seriously, the dark lighting casting a handsome shadow on his face. “Stay close to me, it’s crowded in here."

“Yes master.”

He weasels through the crowd with ease, a few creatures recognize him and try to make small talk in the way but master just smiles charmingly and excuses himself. Many become quiet and stare hard at me as we pass but no one says anything, thankfully.

Master leads me to a set of old stairs that leads to a hallway of rooms. Master approaches a room a few doors from the stairs and pulls a key from his cloak. He unlocks the door and when we enter the room I see the other lords have alread arrived, three male creatures.

The earth elemental is easy to spot with his dark green markings and the matching feathers in his hair. He appears younger than my previous master, appearing closer in age with master. When I feel the elementals eyes close in on me I stiffen up instinctively.

I fist my dress anxiously. Relax, he's not my previous master, he's not my previous master.

The other two men had to be apart of the were-cat species master spoke about as they did share similarities to the feral felines that would roam around previous masters orchards.

One lord had short, spiky orange hair with black stripe markings on his tan cheeks, orange and black striped ears, and a thin, orange and black striped tail. The other were-cat is a tall slender man with longer blonde hair that grew thickly around his neck, blonde ears, and and a thin, blonde tail.

The were-cat with orange and black stripes is the first to greet master. “Lord Marcillian Verdinin, welcome.” He shakes hands with my master. I feel his eyes glance at me for a moment, before he quickly dismisses me to focus on my master.

“Lord Heo Hoftlock, marvelous to see you again, my dear friend,” master greets in kind. Master focuses on the earth elemental, “Lord Corrin Blasmire."

"It's been a while Lord Verdinin," the earth elemental greets shortly.

"Indeed, and Lord Ranyu Okari, thank you all for being on time.”

“Always my lord, you are looking well,” Lord Ranyu greets in kind. Ranyu's eyes settle on me, "must be that human blood," he laugsh cruelly.

“A human is definitely a rare sight to see nowadays,” Lord Corrin remarks, changing the subject.

Heo steps closer to master and I, though he stops suddenly when he looks directly at master.

“You're one lucky lord Marcel, she is quite easy on the eyes. Arm candy and a blood bag in one; if I was a vampire I would say that’s the best gift I could have ever asked.” Lord Heo laughs.

My cheeks burn in humiliation; I feel like I did on the balcony when they announced my appearance: entertainment. In my humiliation, I don't notice master glancing at me before addressing Lord Heo's remark with cold fury.

“How peasantary; using a creature so rare as herself as common cattle."

Lord Heo flinches at masters tone and immediately sobers his demeanour. “I meant no insult my lord," he hastily replies.

“You are an i***t Heo," Corrin breathes with disappointment.

"Hey!"

"I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we get to witness a living human; I remember being taught since I was born about the extinction of humankind almost a century ago. Never in my life would I have thought there was a human still out there; much less that I would ever to get to see one. In a sense, that made the perfect cover for Lord Bezing, because I’m sure I wasn’t alone in my thinking. No one ever would have thought to look for one again. I would have believed werewolves existed before a human still living among us,” Lord Corrin continues thoughtfully, ignoring Lord Heo's outburst.

“No, Corrin, you definitely weren’t alone in your thinking.” Master utters lowly; the room was quiet after that.

While I don't know exactly what they are all thinking, I have an inkling as to what it may be. If my old master hid me so well for so long, and hid my parents as well, what else could other creatures be hiding? There could even be other humans like me out there too.

“Yes well enough about the human, why did you call us to this rundown inn Lord Verdinin? If you’re so in need of meeting places I’m sure I can easily set up something nice for us in Lybar,” Lord Ranyu sneers. Lord Corrin snarls.

“Watch what you say about my home kingdom, Ranyu."

“I mean no ill will Corrin, it’s just that-“ I hear master sigh under his breathe next to me, like he knows what Ranyu is about to say, and it's not going to be pretty “-Pho is not a very big, or even a very accustoming village. Though Photarium can't help it, being so behind as they are. Lybar can accustom us much more than this tiny little village.”

“You’re digging your grave now Ranyu,” Corrin growls furiously, stalking up to the other lord. Lord Heo quickly steps in his way to hold back the earth elemental. “Photarium isn't behind any kingdom on Gaia; just because we prefer the beauty of the earth instead of always destorying and building over everything like Lybar doesn't make it any less evovled than any other kingdom. Lybar is no better than Photarium! Get off you snobb-“

“Lord Ranyu, Lord Corrin, this is not the time or place to fight." Master cuts in sternly, stopping the agrument in tis tracks. "Ranyu, you know every kingdom has their own set of culture, and that doesn't make any kingdom more advanced than the other. And while Lybar may not be extremely far from Silvonya, it’s still much farther than Photarium. Most of us in this room live in Silvonya, it’s easier to just meet in Silvonya or Photarium than to travel all the way to Lybar; the journey there would be an overnight trip at least. Insulting Photarium is merely an insult to yourself as a lord." Lord Ranyu lowers his head in shame.

Master turns to Lord Corrin. "Corrin, you must keep a level head. While it is one thing to defend your home kingdom, its another to let idiotic words get to your anger."

Master's scolding instantly douses any anger still between the two lords.

“Now that you two have stopped acting like children for Heo and I to babysit,” master continues with a pointed look, smirking when the two lords wince, “let’s start. I’ve asked you all to come today because I recently spoke to a little birdie, annoying little thing, but chatty enough.” Master pauses.

“You see, I’m an understanding man. But this birdie told me about recent words spoken against the rule of Silvonya. In this conversation, my soon-to-be rule was also questioned. Now normally, I wouldn’t mind any words spoken against my family, but done by a lord that is under their Greatnesses rule? That is supposed to help prosper and uplift Silvonya both publicly and privately as sworn in to do? That cannot go unpunished and so, Lord Ranyu Okari,” master zeros in on Ranyu, the room becomes a lot colder, “you must be punished for your words against my aunt and uncle the King and Queen of Silvonya, against me, the future ruler, and against Silvonya.”

I could hear Lard Ranyu swallow, "My lord, I must admit I don't quite know what you're talking about. How are you sure that this birdie isn't a liar?"

Master chuckles darkly, "you know me well enough by now Ranyu, do you honestly believe I wouldn't be able see through someones lie?"

"Well-that-!"

"You see Ranyu, I have the proof right here," master reaches into the pocket of his tunic, pulling out a piece of paper. "Tell me, does this sound familiar," master starts reading off the paper, " 'the queen of Silvonya is weak, and so is the king for being the queens little pet. Silvonya is crumbling, and when their successor takes over, he will only lead it to its demise.' Does that sound familiar Ranyu?"

"H-how can you be sure it was me that wrote that letter my lord, it could be anyone, it could be someone trying to frame me!" Lord Ranyu fumbles desparately.

"Ranyu, have you forgotten? I'm a vampire. Signatures and writing styles lie, anyone could copy anyone elses writing style, but smells never lie."

At that point, Lord Ranyu decides to give up lying.

“My lord! Please, I meant no ill will-!” Ranyu pleas, stepping closer to master, but masters harsh voice stops him.

“How can you mean no ill will when you were speaking ill?!” Master snaps.

“My lord, please-!”

“As you know the punishment for a lord speaking against the crown is death-“

“I will do anything-!”

“However,” master stops with a pointed glare, waiting until Lord Ranyu stops his blubbering to continue. “Ranyu despite everything, I believe there is still some use of you, how little it may be.” Ranyu perks up slightly; I couldn’t say I wasn’t also curious. Was that way he asked me that odd question in tha carriage?

“Because of your mess up, you will now be under my strict watch. Corrin and Heo here are also going to be frequently checking in on you. If you are feeling any sort of relief let me remind you, this isn't a slap on the wrist. You will be strictly watched and controlled by me and whatever I have Heo and Corrin tell you to do, and you will have no choice but to follow through or I will simply kill you for your treason. And if I ever find out you spoke ill of me or Silvonya again, I will hunt you down, s*******r your entire family and then s*******r you, am I clear?”

“Yes my lord,” Lord Ranyu replies fearfully.

“You are no longer welcomed, now leave.” Lord Ranyu leaves without another word. The way he quickly and fearfully leaves makes it seem like he knows master would go through with his threat.