Chapter 3: Fine

"Check your pockets"

Carlos' POV

I walked by the empty hallway to reach my room. Why do I have a room when I'm just a mere knight, you ask? Well to be honest, I don't quite know either.

I entered my room and closed the door at the back of me and sighed. I twisted my arm because of exhaustion.

I undressed my armor and tossed it to who knows where. I went to take a quick shower.

The water was cold when it touched my skin. It's a good thing though, so I can forget the embarrassment I did.

I stepped out upon finishing. I grabbed my clothes and put it back on.

Before I could put on a shirt, I noticed the scar on the side of my stomach. I traced it and memories began to flood my mind. I looked at myself in the mirror and stared at it for a couple of minutes.

"Damn you look good"

I smiled at myself.

"Damn what a creep" said my brain.

I went to my bed and stared at the ceiling. I noticed the light bulb and wondered how it got there.

My eyes landed on my study table. The light from the bulb was reflected by the frame on the table.

I went over to flip the frame because the light was irritating my eyes but stopped to see the picture.

"You look so much like her, sweetheart"

I caressed the frame and a tear fell down.

I heard a knock from the door.

"Yes?"

I put down the frame and turned to open the door.

A servant was at my door fetching me.

"S-sir. The general, your f-father wants t-to see you"

In the servant's thoughts:

"Damn. He's so handsome. And smells good too. Im gonna rape him. Stop myself, me. Stoopp me"

The servant didn't make eye contact to me. Well, that's weird.

"Tell him I'm coming." I said coldly and the servant went out of my sight.

I walked to see my father by the general's office.

My father was originally a knight. The king saw his potential so he made him his right hand.

I stopped midway by the hallway and saw a family picture of the royal family. I stared at the queen's face and then to Selene. I wish I got to see my mom. Dad said that she died when I was young. Funny how I can't even remember her.

-•-

I opened the door and saw my Dad facing the big window.

"Hey son. Nice to see you today."

He said, still looking at the window.

"Huh? Dad. I'm behind you. You can't see me."

He turned around and looked at me. He looked pissed. It was so amusing that I laughed so hard.

"Just kidding Dad. So what do you want us to talk about?" I said, teary-eyed.

I may be cold to others, but Dad is an exception.

"It's about the coming event"

He went over to take a seat so I followed him.

"So?"

"So, there will be beautiful girls out there." He said, looking at me intently. There he goes again.

"They'll be beautiful like your mom. Sweet like your mom. Beautiful like your mom. Did I say beautiful twice?" He said, with stars in his eyes as if daydreaming. I can't blame him, really. Well, practically he hasn't move on yet.

"You know I won't date girls." I said in a matter of fact tone.

"Why? Because you're gay?" He looked at me seriously.

What the?

"No, Dad! I'm not gay!" I said, sounding offended

"Son, let me tell you this. There's no wrong with being gay. You're still my son--er daughter. Nothing changes in yourself. You're still you. You may fail me as my son, but who knows, maybe you'll do better as my daughter." He said, giving me thumbs up and winking as if he's encouraging me.

"What the hell, Dad?! I'm not gay for Pete's sake."

He was holding his laugh but failed to do so. He bursted up laughing loudly as if I'm a clown, making him laugh, in front of him. He even wiped his imaginary tears.

I waited until he calmed down. It took me over 10 minutes before he stopped laughing.

"If you're not gay, maybe it's because of her?" He said, going back to his serious self.

"Who?" I asked.

"Uhmm. Duhhh, Selene, the princess?"

"What? No!" I aggressively objected, even slamming the table.

"Oh come on son, I saw you two a while ago hehe." He said, with dreamy eyes.

He was practically jumping up and down, eyes shining.

Why is this memory quite vague? Oh! I know. Geez, he looks like the older version of Breyan.

"Alright, Alright. Then is it her?"

"Ughhh who?"

"You know..." He trailed off

"Her." He emphasized

"Dad can you cut the chase?" I said, looking annoyed.

He leaned over me and whisper-yelled.

"Come closer"

I leaned in and placed my ear over his mouth.

"You know...Lalalalalalalalala"

And then he started singing. Loudly. I had to pull my head away

"What the heck? Dad can you be more mature?"

I exited the room and heard him say I love you. Tsk that old man. He could be mistaken as Breyan's Dad.

-•-

I sat down on my usual spot. Usually, servants would serve food without me, ordering. They would serve me like I'm having a feast.

Hmm. So what's here? Salads. Fish. Pork. Ribs. Bread. Oh nevermind.

I started eating bread since I don't eat a lot. I closed my eyes and started to feel the taste of the bread lingering in my mouth.

I opened my eyes to take the cheese on the table but it was gone. I decided to eat meat since I remembered that I have training a little while after this.

I picked up the plate of roasted beef. I wanted to have sauce in it so I went to where the sauce was placed.

Weird. Why isn't it here? I searched for it but my efforts were put to vain. No matter, I can just eat the beef without sauce.

I walked to my seat and noticed that the beef was gone. Do we have a thief here? Including my plate and utensils are gone.

I picked up the fried pork and asked the lady to give me another set of utensils and plates.

I sliced the pork in half but the other half fell to the floor. I was going to pick it up when a hand reached down from below and stole MY pork.

I reached to raise the tablecloth. Aha! The thief. The thief was eating my food and guess who it is? Breyan.

"What are you doing here?"

He stood up and cleaned up his clothes from dust

"Nothing"

He picked up a piece of bread and tried to eat it but I pulled it away from him.

"Tell me. Now."

"Fine. But give me the bread first. Lucky for you, it's garlic bread. And I love garlic bread

"Amawa. Ay came her tho thell yu thap swelen waf uncomsus yefferbay. (Anyway, I came here to tell you that Selene was unconscious yesterday"

"WHAT? WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?" I slammed my fists on the table

"Ohhhhh. Look who's being concern."

He said and went closer and poked my face multiple times

"STOP IT. IT'S ANNOYING."

He did stop but he climbed up on my body and wanted a piggy back ride. Tsk.

"She's still resting in her room"

He said not looking at me.

"Can you pass me the fries please?"

He said while pointing the fries while on my back.

"Do it yourself. I'm gonna go somewhere"

I turned harshly and that made him fall.

"Owww. Where?"

"None of your business. Finish the food, Breyan"

I put my hands in my pockets and walked away. I heard him say something before I left.

"GWADWY FER (GLADLY SIR)"

-•-

I walked towards Selene's room when a pest blocked my way.

"Boo"

The pest said while carrying a flashlight. It's not even dark. And I can practically see him.

I walked past over him.

"Hey Jerms. Where are you going"

He said and ran to my side.

"Please dont call me Jerms" do I look like a carrier of diseases?

"Okay, Carlos Jeremiah."

I turned to him

"Don't call me Jerms nor Jeremiah."

"Okay Jerms, wanna go to Selene's room?" He said, reaching for his pockets to get something.

I didnt answer him.

"I brought her this chocolate sundae to make her feel better."

"Where's the sundae?" I asked.

"Uhmm in my belly?" He said, looking confused.

"I originally wanted to give her chicken soup. But I got hungry cooking it so I ate them all. Then I saw this chocolate sundae but while I was walking to her room, I got hungry again and ate them all" he said without breathing.

"Oh and Jerms. Can you carry this flashlight? It has candies in it and I dont want to eat it all"

I grabbed the flashlight from him. He grabbed my arm and dashed to who knows where. My arm hurts from the pulling. Im gonna slay this pig after he's done. Damn it.

"Wait. Wait. You passed her room."

"Oh. Sorry."

We went to where her room was when a thought suddenly came on Breyan.

"How do you even know her room? Do you often go here? OH MY GOSH. Are you a stalker?! ARE YOU A STALKER? COME AT ME BRO. FIGHT ME. "

I ignored him and knocked at the door.

Breyan calmed down and placed his ears on the door.

"Selene. It's me. I was wondering if we could build a snowman"

And then...he started singing, mashing up songs.

Selene didn't respond. Instead, we heard a humming sound.

That sound. Where have I heard it?

We opened the door and saw her sitting by the window. Why are people so fond of sitting by the windows? I mean all you get are Jerms...Germs Damn you Breyan.

"Selene, are you awake?" Breyan asked. What the hell, is he on drugs?

I heard Selene laugh from her brother's joke...or stupidity.

"No Breyan. I'm sleeping"

She turned her head at me.

"Oh. What are you doing here?"

"He..."

I pointed the pest.

"...dragged me"

"Oh. By the way, Good morning Selene" I said with a smile bowed a little bit.

"It's afternoon."Breyan said out of nowhere and was eating ice cream again.

Why do I keep on embarrassing myself?

She laughed at Breyan's remark.

"Why are you eating ice cream again, pest?" I said to divert the attention. I glared at him.

"What? Jerms, I was hungry" He said and picked up another cup of ice cream.

I heard her laugh again.

"What's funny, Selene?"

"Oh nothing, it's just, you two look like couples. Pest and Germs. Isn't that a perfect match?"

I was going to say something when I heard a knock from the door.

"Princess. Are you awake? The queen needs your presence at the moment."

The door opened. The servant looked at me. Oh. It's the servant from before

"I'll be there in a sec." She said.

In the servants thoughts:

Damn. He's here again? Im really gonna rape him!

"Uhmm Bree? Why are you staring at Carlos?" Selene asked.

"U-uhmm nothing Princess. I'll be on my way." She said.

The servant took one last glance at me and closed the door.

"Uhmm. You guys, can you go out? I'm gonna change."

"Oh sure sis. Well, if it's alright with Jerms here."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked him and glared. If looks could kill, I would be laughing at his dead body.

We headed for the door. We reached for the hallway again.

"Check your pockets"

He said and disappeared using his magic.

I reached for my pocket and fekt something soft

It's a bra.

WAIT IT'S A BRA?

I saw an initial on the side of the cups.

'S'

I inhaled so deeply and

"BREYAAAAANNNNNNNN"