Casimir

31 years ago…

"Eat this," a woman in her late twenties said as she handed over her leftovers to a seven-year-old boy that day.

The child was so excited to get the food that he accidentally touched the tip of the woman's fingers. He raised his head, terrified, and met the gaze of the woman who was looking at him with disgust.

"S-sorry," his voice cracked as his tears began to pour.

"You are disgusting; how dare you touch me with your dirty hand!" she yelled, smacking the young kid with the plate she was carrying.

The woman stood from her seat and kicked the little child, causing it to fall, before exiting the room, leaving the child appalled. The food was scattered all over the place. The child glanced at the meal with sadness. His hand reached his stomach, which began to growl with hunger.

The child had not eaten for three days and was famished. Looking at the leftovers lying around, he decided to devour them. He needs to survive so that he can save his mother, who has been imprisoned by the jealous nobility, thus his only option is to eat and regain strength.

" I eat wasted food, so this one is easy for me," he replied sarcastically and sorrowfully. As tears streamed down his cheeks, he proceeded to consume the food that had been spilled on the floor.

His day ended that way; at times it was far worse. He was five years old when his mother was thrown out of the dungeon and imprisoned, given that she was more beautiful than all the aristocrats. His mother's imprisonment was all due to a woman named Victoria, who slapped him with a plate.

Victoria's Fiancé wants to marry his mother since she possesses 'Beauty and Grace,' which irritates Victoria and leads to her imprisonment and makes his son Casimir her slave.

"Brat, Alice wants to see you," Victoria stated, fanning herself. The child remained unmoved, as if he didn't hear her, and was too preoccupied with cleaning.

Victoria glanced at him furious as he whacked the child's head with the folding fan she was holding, causing the toddler to look at her in terror.

"I said Alice wanted to see you," she responded aggressively.

"Now!"

The child hurriedly rushes out of the room and walks to Alice's residence.

As soon as he enters the female chamber, he is anxious and wants to flee away. He had been avoiding her eyes, which made the woman in her thirties laugh. The woman starts approaching him in lingerie. She begins seductively stroking his face, then passionately kissing the child's neck and reaching for the child's part. 

It's been 5 years since he became a slave to Victoria, and when he turned 8, Victoria began selling his body. Many people were drawn to him because of the look he got from his mother and his disdain and resentment for nobles grew more with each passing day.

He endured three years of slavery and sexual harassment from all the aristocrats.

He'd had enough; once Alice finished with him, he left the scene, and as he walked back to Victoria's house, he began to consider running away. He can't do it anymore and doesn't want to live like that. He wanted to be a typical child; he wanted toys and friends. He desired what regular children had.

On that day, the youngster did not return to Victoria's residence.

He walks around town barefoot after losing his shoes in a dog attack. He was starving and exhausted. As he continued to walk, his eyesight blurred, his surroundings darkened, and his stomach began to ache and make him want to puke. He started walking quickly and stumbled before collapsing.

I want to eat…I want to die…

When the child opened his eyes, he was awakened by the smell of food. A concerned girl looked at him.

"Glad you're awake," she said with relief. The youngster slept for two days straight, making the girl anxious.

"I thought my healing wasn't working," she said, peering at her palm, concerned that her abilities were dwindling.

The boy stared at her, alarmed. He has no idea who she is or where he is; what if she mistreated or chained him, as Victoria did, or sold him to Alice or other nobles? Many questions are rushing through the young boy's mind, causing him to seem afraid.

The girl notices the distressed boy. She smiled at him and patted his head.

"Come on, let's eat. I've already prepared a meal for us," she murmured, so the boy wouldn't be frightened of her.

A fragile boy followed her. His eyes widened, and his mouth watered as he noticed food on the table. The girl gestures him to a seat, which he reluctantly does.

The child looked at the food, feeling ravenous. He then looked at the girl, who smiled warmly at him. Gesturing for him to eat.

"I-I don't have money," he said, looking down and sorrowful. He worries he can't eat the mouthwatering dish in front of him.

"You don't have to pay; it's free," she remarked, making the kid seem happy but hesitant.

"Eat up, so you can recover quickly." She rubbed the child's hair, smiling.

It was a little gesture, but it fulfilled all the child's wishes. The gentle touch, with care and concern. For the first time, he felt loved.

He began devouring the meal, famished. The girl, who was 15 at the time, looked at him, happy. Her cheek lay against her two palms as she smiled and watched him. She adores him.

The boy who was mouthful began to stare at her; he noticed the girl's lovely looks, wonderful smile, and dazzling long white hair.

"What's your name?"

"Ca-" he choked, causing the girl to jump out of her chair and begin stroking his back.

"Are you okay?" she said, alarmed. She panicked when she heard the boy's sob. The child was overwhelmed by the girl's goodwill and was unsure how to respond. All he did was cry and express his feelings. He was delighted to have met someone like her, who was so kind-hearted and soft-spoken.

"Why, why?! Don't worry, you're not going to die," she exclaimed, panicked. She's not good at comforting.

"Casimir," he murmured, wiping away tears. After the boy spoke, the girl froze.

"Casimir?" she asked.

Casimir nodded in response.

"I'm Hygeia," she added, smiling. Introducing herself. Casimir looked at her and simply nodded.

After Casimir finished eating, Hygeia began washing the dishes. While she was washing, Casimir began removing his shirt, causing Hygeia to start to panic again.

"W-what are you doing?!" she asked, shielding her eyes. Casimir looked at him puzzled.

"I'm paying," Casimir stated hesitantly. This is the only way he knows how to get out of trouble or a problem.

"I said it's free!" Hygeia said, flustered. Casimir was astonished; he had no idea how to react to kindness. He began to weep again, prompting Hygeia to hurry towards him.

Hygeia then notices all the bruises Casimir has on his body, some of which are from a whip. Hygiea looked at Casimir with empathy and began hugging him. Now she understands why this young guy is acting strangely; it is due to mistreatment.

She reaches for Casimir's face and smiles at him.

"I'll protect you from now on, okay?" she stated emotionally, causing ten-year-old Casimir to burst into tears. Hygeia allowed him to stay in her cabin in the middle of the woods. And his unjust world becomes better after meeting Hygeia.

Following the encounter between Casimir and Karasi. Casimir returned to the cave at Asvattha, still wondering about the girl with three auras. It continues to pique his interest.

His Cave residency is where he and his 20 Allies live. When he returned, he was greeted by one of his people, Elias, who was 10 years old. The youngest disciple he has. 

"Master," he screamed, running towards Casimir and smiling. Casimir glanced at him in wonder.

"Look!" he said, showing a puppy he was holding. Casimir's eyes widened with surprise.

"Where did you get that?"

"Town," he mumbled, his face gloomy. Seeing Casimir's reaction makes him believe that Casimir will be angry and punish him.

"Why?" Casimir said, sternly placing his hand on his waist. The child looked at him, afraid, and turned away.

"The dog looks hungry, so I feed him," he stutters, concerned about what Casimir will do to him after bringing the puppy into their Cave residence.

"Hmm, then?" Casimir inquired firmly.

"H-he followed me, so..." Elias hesitated and returned his gaze to Casimir, who was staring at him with a blank expression on his face.

"S-Sorry," he murmured, ready to cry. Casimir then kneels in front of him, touching his cheeks.

"If you want it, raise it." He stood up and patted Elias' head before leaving.

Elias was thrilled to hear what Casimir had said. He was pleased that he could raise the puppy.

"I'll name you, Amir!" he exclaimed, embracing the dog, which immediately began licking him in the face, making him giggle.

Casimir gave one last glance at the thrilled Elias and smiled lightly.