88 - Call me Master

"Even so, I want to help," she replied, sullenly.

Kieran sighed, leaning away from the post. "You can start by going back and learning to be a noble lady. Despite what Aster says, you're no help."

When he started to walk towards the door, she blocked his path. "I can't go back. What if... What if that girl is not me? I haven't even gotten all my memories back." Her heart pounded nervously. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "I need more time."

He shook his head. "It's too risky. You don't have what it takes for this. " He moved again but a hand tugged at his shirt. Looking down, he saw Annie grabbing tightly.

"What must I do?" she asked through gritted teeth. He lifted an eyebrow at her.

"You're this determined to help out?"

"Yes. I owe it to the family who saved me here. After we do this... I will go back with you. I want to help solve the case. I know for sure it's related."

She felt his eyes gaze at her intently. "This case is related to...?" he asked.

"The factory explosion," she confirmed. She waited for him to agree but he was quiet. "Don't you think it's odd how it's being oppressively covered by the noble here?" She loosened her hold on his shirt. "Think about it. The factory explosion... The missing workers... And now you mention missing noble girls?"

Kieran cupped his chin in thought, his eyes downcasted. "It was odd the Lord here didn't bother to help but I assumed he was just another corrupt noble..."

"That factory was able to get a lot of money when it was working. Does it make sense for a noble to just destroy it without the money?" she asked. When he didn't respond, she continued. "It has to be a cover up!"

He looked up, his gaze sharpening at her. "And you think the missing factory workers are connected to the missing noble girls?"

"Yes. It has to be for slave marketing."

He made a confused look. "What do you mean by that? You don't think...?"

She nodded and crossed her arms, satisfied. "Why do they need noble girls that are at the age of receiving magic? Why would they take the factory workers? That factory was known to hire strong men."

Kieran stared down at her resolute face for a while. "If you're going to help, you will need more training," he mentioned, reluctant.

Annie folded her arms at his statement. "You can train me. You know best what I need to know."

He frown turned into a slow smirk. "Yes, I do... But I don't train for free."

"What do you want?" she asked, wary.

"I want to know how determined you are. Prostrate yourself and call me master."

She blinked in surprise, her jaw dropping. "Wha... What? What does that have to do with my training?"

"It has a lot to do with your training. When someone is being trained, a title of respect is attached to the teacher you are learning."

Annie made a disgusted face. "To call you by that... Surely it's not necessary...?"

He made a big motion of yawning, covering his mouth with a hand. She waited to hear him say it was a joke. "If you don't want to, you can go back. I can't keep prideful people with me," he shrugged and presumed his walking.

Anemone gritted her teeth, clenching her hands into fists. Just do it, she thought. It's only for now. She fell onto her knees and bowed her head down.

"Master..."

The words fell out bitterly. He stopped and leaned an ear towards her. "What was that? Is that a proper apprentice asking for help? I don't hear any politeness?"

"Master, please!"