12 The Village Captain

"He's your brother?" I asked the kid while the man walks towards him.

"Yes!" the kid replied.

I watch his brother pull out a black handkerchief and put it over the kid's knee, and after a few seconds, the scrape was gone!

"Woah," I gasped, "How did you do that?"

The man looked at me like I'm the stupidest person alive. Then, he stood up and carried the kid on his back.

"You're not from here, are you?" The man asked.

I shook my head, "No."

He tilted his head towards the street and I nonchalantly followed him.

"I'm Aiven, and this is my little brother, Nevic."

I walked a bit faster to catch up with Aiven, and I noticed that the people are staring and murmuring as we walk past them.

"Uh, Aiven," I called as I struggle to catch up, "Is something wrong? Why is everyone looking at you?"

Aiven stayed silent until we reached a carriage, then he gestured me to enter, which I did, without questions asked then he went after me.

He put Nevic, who fell asleep while he was on Aiven's back, on the seat and let his head rest on his lap and waited for the carriage to start moving before talking.

His red eyes looked straight to mine, "Miss, do you have a place to go? I'll send you there. The night is dangerous for everyone with weak powers."

I wanted to tell him that I don't even have powers, but I just shook my head, "I don't have anywhere to go." I said this is a great opportunity, he looks like he's worried about my safety, he might as well offer me a place to stay.

He looked at me from head to toe then he raised his eyebrow at me, "You don't look like someone who doesn't have a place."

Ugh, curse these beautiful clothes! This is the simplest thick dresses I have.

"But if you insist, then as a reward for keeping my brother's company, you can stay at our house."

Yes! I smiled at Aiven, "Thank you!"

We stayed silent until we made a full stop. The coachman opened the door and Aiven first went outside while carrying Nevic, then he gave his brother to a butler.

I was about to go out on my own, but Aiven offered his hand to me, "You might slip," he said.

I smiled, I wish everyone is as caring as Aiven. He look and even act like a gentleman.

I took his hand then I saw a large mansion, not as large as the mansion I stay in, but still, this one is massive!

A line of butlers and maids greeted us in the entrance, is Aiven some sort of Prince?

"Welcome back, Master Aiven," they all greeted.

I just smiled awkwardly at everyone while following the stone-faced Aiven.

We went up this large redcarpeted stairs then we went inside a large dining hall. The large hall has twelve chandeliers to light up the whole room.

I was assisted by a butler to sit in front of Aiven, while the maids prepare dinner.

"Have you eaten yet?" Aiven asked while fixing his napkin on his lap.

I did eat earlier, but after all those walks, I feel hungry again.

I shook my head as a reply and Aiven gestured the maids to prepare dinner for me too.

We waited for a few minutes in silence, and when the dinner was served, Aiven let me eat first.

"Go on, tell me if you don't like it and I'll have another prepared for you," he said.

I took a small bite of the food, and I just honestly thought about all that happened and how dangerously I was acting.

First of all, going out at night.

Walking around powerless.

Talking to strangers.

Coming with a stranger to an unknown place.

And now, eating food prepared for me.

But all that worry was washed away when I tasted this delicious food!

"Ich shoo yahmmyy~~," I said with my mouth full.

Aiven smiled, and for the love of god, it's the most beautiful smile I've seen, yes, more beautiful than the Prince's.

Because, first of all, his long white hair. Second, his glowing red eyes. And third, his tail is wagging!

I continued eating as he begins to dig in.

When we were finished, I once again followed him in his office where the butler prepared us a tea.

And again, I drink it because they said it's good for relaxation.

I sat down on the couch while Aiven sits by his desk full of papers.

"So..." Aiven writes on a paper while taking quick glances at me, "What is your name?"

I gulped, it was so rude of me to not tell my name to the man who helped me.

"I'm Amy."

"Amy?"

I looked at him, and he looks like he's waiting for my whole name, I don't want to tell him who am I, or what I did, but I'm sure he's just making sure.

"Amy Snow."

He stared at me for a while then he went back to his work.

"I'm Aiven Cale Untzer, the second master of this house. I'm one of the Village Captain if you don't know."

I see he's a captain. Regin told me that they are the King's right-hand man who helps him in keeping the Kingdom under control. That may also be the reason why everyone was looking at him earlier.

I took a sip of my tea then I noticed a family picture on the wall.

I saw that he has other three siblings, which are all little girls who look like they're triplets. I feel so happy to see a complete family, even though it's just a picture.

"So, your father's first master?" I asked when I saw his father. He definitely looks like Aiven, except the white hair, which he got from his mother.

"It's common knowledge, Miss Amy. Now tell me--"

I suddenly felt awkward with his reply, I tried to keep my eyes on the picture to avoid looking at his face that only screams that I look stupid.

"Where are you from? Why are you here? I'm sorry, but I just need to be safe for everyone."

I was planning to lie and tell him that I work in the castle, but Nah, I don't know anything about this world. If I lie, he might even send me out, or worse send me back to the mansion.

I sighed and looked at him.

"I'm from the castle's mansion. I'm a bride candidate of Prince Forest. I run away because I..."

My tongue suddenly felt lazy, I feel so tired and I don't even know why I really run away.

I rested my head on the couch and stared at the ceiling. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I don't care anymore, if Aiven let me stay with him, he might as well listen to my problems.

"Because I don't want to face the Prince. Because I hate staying in the mansion. Because I want to have fun. Because I feel so dumb in this world. Because I don't even want to be here in the first place."

He was silent for a while, then he cleared his throat, "First of all, Miss Amy, you shouldn't show extend your neck that way. A lady should be careful with her actions." He said then stood up, he sat on the couch in front of me then stared at me for a while.

I suddenly felt uncomfortable because he called out the way I leaned my head, I sat properly and brushed my hair to cover my neck.

"Do you know that the guards are already looking for you? While I was on my way to Nevic, I heard the castle guards looking for a lady named Amelia Snow who describes her as a short lady with this hair and these eyes wearing this and that."

I looked away from Aiven, he'll surely send me back. He's working for the Kingdom anyway.

"I'm faithful to the King, and sending you back is the best choice I have. Please, don't take it on me. This is also for you. You were so careless earlier. You just followed me without questions. What if I were to hurt you?"

I feel like my non-existent brother's scolding me right now. I wanted to laugh, but he sounds so serious.

"Miss Amy, I am thankful for staying with my brother during such alarming hours, but I must send you back."

Aiven stood up and called his butler.

"Please, take a rest. Good night." Aiven said before the butler assisted me outside the room where I will spend the night.

I looked at the butler who's just smiling at me, "I thought he's sending me back?"

"You sounded like you need a break from the mansion, Miss, and I'm sure the Master was concerned about you."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because you look like someone precious to him."

"Who?"

"A childhood friend."

"What's her name?"

"It was Miss Kristina."

I don't really want to stick my nose on this matter, but since this butler just keeps on asking, I'll continue to dig more.

"What happened to her?"

"She died."

Okay... that didn't end well. I was expecting that his friend had to go away somewhere or she got married to someone else.

I cleared my throat and opened the door.

"Good night, Miss Amy," the butler said then left.

I entered the room as big as mine in the mansion, except that it has brighter feminine colored walls and flowery designed bed sheets, curtains, and sassy chairs and tables.