His Hidden Jewel

Chapter 8

I feel so tired.

My body aches horribly.

My mind wants to sleep more, but something wakes in me. Wait, I was last on the stairs… My eyes fly open, and I’m in a small bright white and blue room on a blue bed. There’s a were-creature standing not too far looking through papers. He has coat of sandy brown hair around his neck that goes up to his head, and also a little down his back it seems from the way his shirt puffed up. He has circular ears with small spots on his patches of fur, and a puffy tail in the back.

He looks up when a beeping sound starts going off, I lower my eyes right before our eyes meet, though I quickly get a glimpse of his sincere smile. “Ah, Bunny right? It’s good to see you are awake,” he greets. He opens the door and quietly speaks for a moment before coming back into the room.

The were-creature walks closer. “I’m Doctor Ridio Yaman, I’m aware you are not too familiar with the world so to explain I’m a were-hyena, and I’ll be your doctor. How are you feeling Bunny? You can answer honestly.”

“I… feel tired and everything aches.” I admit, and everything really did. Looking down at myself I finally see I’m covered in bandages. And I can feel dozens of bandages rubbing against my legs under the blanket.

“That’s to be expected, you had a nasty fall. I’m surprised your head didn’t get as much damage as it should have from that sort of fall but I’m sure you’ll still have a nasty headache for a while.”

“How far did I fall?”

“You fell down three flights of stairs… it’s really a miracle you’re still alive, that sort of fall should have killed a human, and with no broken bones is just- never mind, I’m sorry Bunny. You are a very lucky woman. By the way, your master will be here soon; I notified a nurse to alert him that you’re up.” I nod, feeling uneasy, unsure how master will react to it all. Will he be mad at me for this?

Doctor Yaman starts to examine my health again now that I’ve waken, asking me questionings, and after a little while the door opens. “Lord Verdinin,” Doctor Yaman says respectfully as he bows.

“Doctor Yaman,” master greets, his eyes fixated on me, “and Bunny. Good to see you’re awake,” he says. “Doctor, would you please give us a few minutes? Bunny and I need to talk now that she’s awake.”

“But sir, respectfully, Bunny isn’t in the right headspace right now for an interrogation. I need to examine her health more.” The Doctor gently but firmly remarks.

“It will only be for a moment, Doctor so I suggest you get moving,” master replies darkly and it’s enough for the Doctor to bow his head in defeat and leave the room.

“Bunny,” his cold hand is touching my knee through the blanket. “How do you feel?”

It wasn’t the question I expected. “I’m okay, just tired and aching.” I admit gently.

“What happened?” And here it was. I remember what happened, but for some reason I didn’t want to tell anyone that Peta pushed me. Even though it was cruel and painful, I didn’t want to to get dragged into anything with Peta. Even though Peta likely wouldn’t get in trouble, she may become mad thinking that I gave her away. Peta was just being petty and taking out her irritation with my master out on me. It’s not something to cause a mess for.

I decide to move carefully, and after a moment of gathering my words, I look through my lashes at master. “It wasn’t anyone master, I think I might’ve fell. All I remember is my feet coming out from under me and watching the stairs come head first-“ the visual came into my head, the cold, hard stone coming might before eyes. I shiver in disgust and force the visual away. I look away and pretend to think thoughtfully. “I think I just tripped over my feet,” I lie seamlessly, hoping that master will fall for it. It’s the first time I’ve tried my luck. But it’s the perfect time if any to try to push my boundaries. Master will either spare me because I’m hurt already or he will either kill me or delay my punishment.

Master is quiet for a moment, I don’t dare look at his face, but then I feel his hand tighten painfully around my knee, forcing a whimper out of me; his fingers are directly pressing into a few wounds.

“Why are you lying, little bunny,” he growls lowly, keeping a tight grip on my knee. I swallow nervously.

“Master, I’m not-“

“Yes, you are.” Master cuts off sternly. “Who did this to you? What happened?”

“What makes you think I didn’t just fall?”

Master huffs, “you’re not clumsy Bunny, and those stairs are easy to walk on. The only way one would fall so hard they roll down three stories is if they were running on the stairs, or if someone pushed them hard and you don’t seem like type to run crudely around the castle.”

Master does have a point, but I know no matter what telling master the truth would only lead to more issues with Peta.

Last resort I guess. I finally look master in the eyes; his eyes are hard and cold. He is furious with me for lying to him, that much is very obvious. I tread carefully, “master, I’m sorry you are right I lied. But the person isn’t of any importance, it’ll cause more problems than anything. So please master, please let it go. I promise I won’t let if affect my work but please.” I plea softly.

He stares at me for a moment. “You want me to let them go?” He asks in disbelief.

“Yes please master.” I beg again.

“Why?”

Why? Because if I have to be a slave I just want it to be a peaceful life; it can’t be peaceful if Peta is constantly on my back, especially if I rat her out. But I don’t tell him that exactly.

“Because it’ll cause more problems than it’ll fix. The person, if they…” I trail off, unsure how to word it, but it seems I didn’t need to because I feel masters grip loosen. I notice with a small blush a kinder, softer look in masters eyes now.

“If they found out you ratted them they would likely retaliate against you.” Master finishes softly then proceeds to sigh deeply. “And from what I’m taking, the person that pushed you is in a position of power where they would either receive simply a slap on the wrist or even be excluded from punishment. So you fear once they can, they will retaliate against you for telling. Am I correct?”

Yeke is right, master can see through anyone.

I nod. I jump when master suddenly sets his hand on my head and starts petting my hair. “I can see your dilemma; very well, you will tell me the name of the person later, but I won’t punish them for now. It is crucial that I can keep an eye on them though; clearly they must feel I’m no threat if they think they can hurt my slave so carelessly,” master states. That’s reasonable. “But for now, rest and heal.”

“Yes master.” Am I actually going to get away with-

“Also, we will deal with the fact that you lied to me later, don’t think you’re going to get out of that.” Master continues, smirking devilishly when my face falls.

“Yes master.”

“Don’t sound so glum Bunny, it’s your fault for lying instead of fully explaining the truth.” He shrugs. He does have a point, I just never thought he would take the truth like that and be okay with going along with what I want.

He gives my head another pat. “Sleep, Bunny.” He gets up. “If you’re appearing better in a few days then we’ll go out to the town to shop for shoes for you and I for the ball.”

“I thought Lady Uzui was making our outfits for the ball?” I ask, c*****g my head.

“She is, but only our clothing. We will still have to get some shoes. Unfortunately, shoemakers refuse to make appointments so we’ll have to go out there to them.”

“Yes master.”

Master stays for a little while after, though he eventually leaves, and as I lay on the bed, resting my eyes, a part of me actually misses masters presence.