His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 4

I have spent a short time in the castle (not manor I had learned) of Silvonya now.

My time has been interesting; I often follow master around as he does daily activities and his own work as future-king of Silvonya. It's not the kind of work that I'm used to as old master would often have me do more manual labor kind of work.

While it’s still years before master takes over as King of Silvonya, he seems to have a lot of work to do. Most of the time I end up carrying documents and books for him, while also bringing him his meals. Master doesn't say much when we're out, but when we're alone he often talks to me and wants my opinion. I always give him a short reply, still unsure if this is a trick or not, and every time he seems displeased by my shortness. He never outwardly says if he’s unhappy or not with my reply, but I can still tell from the look in his eyes. I dont understand why he keeps insisting on making conversation with me if he's unhappy by my answers.

I don't think too much into it, though the one thing I can't ignore is how much he watches me. I've caught him watching me many times now, and for a while I assumed it was because he was suspicious of me, but now I’m not so sure. His always holds that same dazed look like the first day he asked me to meet his eyes.

I knock gently on his door, a tray of warmed blood in my hands.

When I enter master is dressed in nice clothes, that are different from the usual suits he wears. He's wearing an expensive black tunic with black pants and black leather boots.

He looks handsome. My face flushes. Then again, master always seems to look handsome.

“Good morning master, here is your breakfast,” I say as I set down the platter.

“Delicious.” Master smiles, though when I look up I realize he’s looking at me and not the blood.

I can tell he’s trying to get some sort of reaction out of me, though I'm not sure if its to make me uneasy.

I don't let it bother me, in fact I refuse too.

“I’m sure master.” I answer blankly.

Masters’ smile drops.

“Grab my black cloak with the red clip, you and I are going on a day trip today.”Master announces before he starts to “eat.”

A trip? I get to see more of outside world?

While I'm excited to go, I'm also nervous at how many people will see my hideous appearance.

“Yes master,” I grab the very cloak from his closet it and hold it as master finishes his cup of blood. Once master finishes, and walks towards me and suddenly stands super close to me. I resist the urge to step farther away from him. I expect him to order me to start putting his cloak on him, but instead he reaches forward and start to run his fingers through my hair.

Thats another he does quite often when we're alone, play with my hair. While I find it odd, I dont find it unpleasant. In fact, something about it is soothing, and sends pleasant chills down my spine.

“Tell me Bunny, what are you thinking about right now?” Master’s voice interrupts my thoughts. My eyes rip open and meet his. I wonder when I shut them.

“I’m sorry master-“

“I’m not asking you to apologize, I'm asking what you're thinking about," master cuts in.

I hesitate. I feel embarassed by the lack of knowledge of the outside world, even though I know I can't help it. Old master always kept me secluded from the rest of the world and never told me anything about it either,; there's no way I could have learned. But I still feel silly and childish admiting that. “… I was just curious about other creatures, master. If we'll any on this outing. I've only heard of creatures such a master and my previous master... I'm not even sure what kind of creature Lady Norin is.” My face burns at my admission.

Master doesn’t say anything for a moment, then he looks at me with intense eyes. I feel so small admitting my lack of knowledge that I can't help but look down at my feet.

“Bunny, look up," master commands, though his tone is surprisingly gentle. I comply with his command and meet his gaze. "For a slave, you sure are very curious,” I stiffen. “Don’t worry, I find it interesting, it’s quite endearing actually. Your master never taught you anything about the world correct?”

"That is correct master."

"Well, when we’re alone together you may ask away for quesions you might have, but let’s just make something clear: if you ever try to escape from me, I will hunt you down and drain you till you’re nothing but a shriveled up corpse. And if you ever try to use anything I’ve given you like information, to your advantage in escaping or hurting the rule of this kingdom I will do much worse.” His cold words weren’t a threat, they were a promise.

Shivers run down my spine, "yes master, I understand."Master didn’t need to tell me twice.

The way my old master cowered under my current masters gaze was proof enough that master give empty promises.

“Peta or Lady Norin, is a creature called a pixie. Pixies usually have random splotches of feathers embedded in their skin, pointed facial features, and like elementals, they have feathers in their hair. Most pixies are wingless but a rare few are randomly born with wings, but we call those xixies,” I follow master down to the stables, listening intently. Master quietly continued to regale me on pixies, only stopping when someone was nearby. Many other nobles stopped to great master; he seems to be quite popular with everyone in the castle.

“-be sure not to stay alone with a pixie.”

I perk up at the ominous words.

Glancing around and noticing the driver wasn’t here yet, I softly ask, “may I ask why master?”

“It’s a long story, and one for another time but the short answer is that pixies and humans weren’t always on the friendliest of terms with one another. Pixies once held a widely believed sentiment that humans are scum, and who knows how pixies still feel that way. It's best if you don't find out.”

Maybe thats way Lady Peta gave me such an ugly look that one day, she too probably holds that hatred towards humans.

"Yes master, I understand."

When the driver arrives and we board the carriage and head out.

The trip is quiet, master reads a book and I stare through the window from a small opening in the curtain. I can’t see much; all I see are trees and road. I pull my gaze from the window before master catches and thinks I’m looking to escape.

I stare down at my hands, bored. I suddenly master watching me so I look up and meet his gaze.

"Are you bored, my bunny?"

I blush heatedly.

“Well we cant have that, so why do we chat a little and ease my bunny's boredom?" Master shuts his book promptly and sets it to the side. Before I can urge him that I'm fine, master continues. "Tell me little bunny, if you were in a position in which someone disrespected you, would you forgive them?”

I frown; thats an odd question for a slave.

“Well, I think… I would forgive them,” I finish the “but” lingering on my tongue. When I consider the question in terms of nobility or at least that of a free civilian, I doubt they would let anyone get away with disrespecting them.

“But? What else little bunny? I can tell there’s more.” Master urges; how can he always see right through me?

I sigh. “Well master, I would also say that if I’m in a position of power and that person who had done me wrong wasn’t a friend, or didn't have a good reason,” I watch master through my lashes as I continue, “then I would use that position to gain something in return from that person, maybe a personal favor. For later use, of course.”

Master doesn’t say anything for a long moment. It's disturbingly quiet.

Finally, with no small amount of shock, master starts chuckling genuinely. "Good answer, my bunny."

I’m not sure what he means by that but he seems pleased with my answer for once. Good. I don't want to cause trouble, I just want to make my life as peaceful as I can being a slave up until my death.

“My bunny, there many kingdoms where every one type of creatue have originated from, though due to immigration, all the kingdoms are filled with many different types of creature. Like you heard before, the kingdom we are living in is Silvonya, where vampires originate from. Some of the kingdoms closest to us is Picaria of the pixies, and Lybar of the were-cats, where were-tigers, were-lions, were-hyenas, and were-jaguars originate from. There is also more kingdoms for the other types of were-creatures. The kingdom where earth elementals originate from, Photarium, is also near Silvonya, which is where we are currently heading to. More specifically, we’re going to the small village called Pho located just in the outskirts of Photarium. There will be a few lords that we’ll be meeting there. An earth elemental, like your old master, will be there. There will also be a were-tiger. While we’re there I want you to ignore anything they say; they often find amusement in pestering others.” My master gives me a side eyed look.

I'm not sure why he's telling me all of this, but I soak up the information like an excited sponge.

I'm a little nervous meeting the new lords but none more than the earth elemental. The image of my previous master flashing in my mind.

“Yes master.”