And Unknown Place - Part 2

For the past two hours, I had tried to persuade the man to let me go out nearly ten times but not once had he answered any question I asked not he had let me step out an inch. I didn't know where Cabel was or when he was going to return. Was he even going to come back? Knowing how rude and cold he was, it wouldn't be a surprise if he really had left.

It was finally when I heard footsteps approach the Marquee-like tent where I was being kept that I stood up. I stared at the cloth which was moving slightly inward with the flow of the wind that entered through the piece of cloth hung as a separation.

It was Cabel.

I sighed. He went to place something black on the table before his eyes landed on me. He stared at me as if I was a small annoying bug which was continuously buzzing in his ear. His eyes spoke what he didn't, he wanted to get rid of me and I could vaguely feel it through his ocean blue eyes.

"Where- Where is this place and... Why are you not letting me go out? I will not allow you to treat me like a slave which you are aware I am not... I am very grateful for your help but please, let me go..."

Unwittingly, my eyes had moved to look down at the ground. Whenever this man stared at me, it felt so overwhelming to continue to match his gaze and I always found myself looking away from them.

"I don't plan on entertaining you either. You know you wouldn't have survived it I had not arrived at the spot on the right time."

Narcissistic, that was the first thought that came to my mind after hearing his words. I wasn't actually expecting his arrival. I knew if he hadn't, I would not be standing here right now, but would have been dead by now and maybe my body would have been eaten by wild vultures or animals.

But I was thanking him, what else did he need from me?

"How did you know my name?", N-Name? I hadn't mentioned his name since the time I came here or to anyone else... Wait- Before Cabel came, I talked to the man who was still outside. I screwed up again. I hadn't even thought before blurting out everything.

"Answer what I asked you", He was being suspicious like I was some terrorist.

"I heard it from... From the old man back from the.. previous village we went to...", I doubted he would believe me this easily since he didn't when I had tried to convince him I was not a slave.

"You can't stay at a place peacefully without causing others trouble. I wasn't going to sell you to some traffickers", My eyes widened at his unfiltered words. Couldn't he be a little nicer to a young lady?

"I... You can't blame me when you acted like this. I was... worried", I heard a chuckle from him. I still didn't raise my head to look at him when he posed another question at me.

"What's your name?"

"Y-Yuriel."

"Why did you run away from the village?"

"....."

"Did that Hunter bribe you? Well, I wouldn't expect anything else from a stupid woman like yourself."

"....."

"E-Excuse me Sire, but you are being conventional . The way you expressed your thoughts is a little rude. We are not close for you to call me Stup-"

"What else is it if not this. Only a Stupid person would trust a stranger and would agree to go with them without thinking about the consequences."

He wouldn't have said this if he had met Jeremy and had spent time with him like I did. I knew Jeremy was a kind man and he didn't mean any harm to me. He was simply trying to help me.

"You do not have any right to judge anyone without knowing them. Sir, He was not how you suppose of him."

"You-

"Lastly, it was my own decision to leave with him."

"Never mind. I don't want to worry about a nuisance anyway", I looked up at him with furrowed brows. Was he calling me a nuisance because I was answering him back?

"That being said...", He trailed and I saw him take a few steps toward me before stopping. "I don't have plenty of time to rescue you every time you fall into a dangerous situation so stay here until I return. I will be leaving you here after I am done with my work. And-"

His cold blue eyes met with mine.

"I don't want to find you wandering around in the wild again.", And that was it. He said his part before disappearing and I was left staring at the exit, baffled. Did he just warn me not to run away? Or Else what? More than anything, he will kill me. I don't care about my life anymore. After experiencing that near-death incident, I was not afraid of being dead. Be it a Monster or this man.

I wasn't his slave to obey his commands. Yet, I was bound by the thought of my brother. I don't know what it happened and why and when I turned this apathetic towards my own life. Yet, still I wanted to continue living on for my loved one. Even if I didn't care for myself, there were people who did.

I decided not to cause more trouble and live my days here without speaking even a single word and only when there was a need for me to speak, I wouldn't make a single noise.