A Night of Thoughts

I'm tired...

So damn tired.

"How about I take Beatry as a student? I am confident I would be able to teach her magic. Especially if she has an affinity for ice, water or fire elements." Stella suggested while staring down at Hado who was to the side with an inquisitive look.

I yawned softly. My eyelids lowered a bit but I shook myself awake. I have to eat first before sleeping. As much as I want to do things that would prove to be beneficial top me like earning money, learning more about this world and buying good gear, I need to rest.

"I would be indebted to Lady Stella if she were to educate my humble daughter about the arcane ways but..." Hado trailed off, a struggling frown etched itself on his face. Stella patiently waited for him to finish.

"I doubt that my daughter would want to try learning magic. She's too invested in her goal of being a powerful assassin and she is too obsessed about killing that certain nobl- Ehem!" Hado's eyes widened, his pupils shrank into dots. He coughed loudly, interrupting his words.

He had nearly divulged the secret about Beatry's true goal. Something he was helpless to stop nor was he able to provide Beatry any support.

I observed the surroundings with my impassive expression. Stella and Hado were conversing about Beatry's future magical prospects. Something about convincing the little redhead on pursuing the magical path.

It wasn't too late for Beatry to dabble in magic. There do exists some classes who are proficient in physical combat and magic at the same time. I knew that much from just seeing the class tree once.

I wasn't sure what class I would take but I won't settle for something average nor something just a bit more special compared to others.

I wanted a class that would give me unrivaled strength.

I looked at my hand and clenched it. Remembering how the dragon had thrashed and played with me using its army and some of its interventions from time to time.

I want real strength. The strength to be able to destroy any opposition regardless of who or what that opposition was. I won't let anything or anyone hinder my path. Be it friend or foe.

Sniff! Sniff! In the middle of my thoughts, an aromatic scent wafted out from the kitchen and teased my nose. My lips grew parched and I gulped.

My mind screamed at my body to take immediate action, rush over to the kitchen and eat the deliciously smelling food that was served for us.

Not yet... I calmed myself as Hado and Stella finished talking to one another. I have to control myself.

Over time, the smell intensified and it grew. I started seeing hallucinations of hands that teased my face from time to time. My head spun and I felt like the world was spinning and my eyes were becoming spirals.

Damn Beatry hurry up already!

The desire to eat and then rest raged inside my mind but soon it became still and tranquil. Beatry came out of the kitchen wearing a full modern chef's white attire, an apron hanging on her front side and a chef's hat sat quietly on top of her head.

I licked my lips while looking at her general direction. She was holding a huge tray of food and she looks like she would have to make a few trips to the kitchen to fully serve my orders.

No matter.

I stared at her patiently and attentively waiting for her to arrive. Beatry shot me a coquettish look and I just straight out ignored such a thing. I was too focused on myself and my desires to even take note of useless little things.

"Dinner is ready!" Her soft, melodious voice ringed like bells to my ears. It was pleasant to listen to. Though Stella's voice was the type to make you become relaxed due to how softer and soothing they were, Beatry's was the type to wake you up and invigorate one to tackle the day.

I stared down at the food prepared before me and they kept on steadily increasing after each trip to the kitchen. She finished serving us and stood to the side. Hado glared at Beatry before pinching the bridge of his nose.

He already knew that his rebellious little daughter had a thing for me. Obvious from the way she looked at me and it bothered me. A whole lot.

"Thank you for the food." Wording out a sincere expression of thanks, I soon decided to ignore Beatry's presence and focus on the food while indirectly urging Stella to dig in.

Haump~ I bit down on the food that looked like a strange variant of a chicken.

My eyes lit up and I trembled in glee.

It was so good! Truly delicious.

My eyes soon found themselves glancing at Beatry. I saw it. She had a smug look on her face while she proudly raised her chin up a little.

Alright, master chef. I shall acknowledge your cooking skills and by that I mean I would force you to teach me how to cook or become my personal cook.

I snorted at her smug face and refocused back onto heaven. Ah... Bliss~

"Ufufu~ Grant slow down. The food will not run away." Stella reminded me and I noticed the speed at which I ate. I was practically inhaling the food at this rate.

I gave a slight nod and agreed with her. She was right, I have to slow down. Because if I eat slower, the sensation of bliss and contentment would last longer.

My pace slowed down and I made sure to savor the taste of each and every sample before me. A strange-looking roasted duck. A large tail of some lizard whose meat melted in your mouth.

Beatry really knows her cuisine well.

It took longer than I anticipated but soon, the table was wiped clean of all food. I sighed in contentment soonly afterward. Stella looked at Hado and they went outside to discuss further about Beatry's path in magic. She had already wanted to teach her and just needs some clues from Hado on how to convince Beatry to be her student.

"So... How was it? was it great?" Seeing me finish, Beatry asked me with a playful tone. I locked gazes with her before closing my eyes and uttering my reply.

"It was great... I have to admit you are very well versed in such a thing." I casually spouted out before standing up and slowly making my way to the stairs. I wanted to take a long rest and sleep. My stamina was running low and it was only around a fifth of its full gauge.

An idea flashed in my mind and I stopped at the stair's entrance, puzzling Beatry who gazed at me with weird coy eyes.

"I won't judge your decision of being a rogue and pursuing the path of assassination. But I do recommend taking some time and focusing a little more on cooking. You have a bright culinary future ahead of you." With honest words, I suggested that she become more of a cook.

The first time I truly met her was in the forest of shadows. And if it weren't for me saving her from a shadow leopard's hunger then she would've been just a bag of bones lying somewhere with grass and plants growing over her corpse.

She has her reasons why she wanted to do certain things despite not being too practical and rational and I respect that. But surely she knows that what she was doing was extremely dangerous.

I can sense a hidden deep form of resentment hiding deep inside her sharp and clear hazel eyes. Though she chose to hide that pain by being cheery and upfront. She was suffering inside which I could tell.

This resentment... It resembles the intent to kill but who does she want to kill so badly that she has to firstly become a strong assassin? And why? What did that person do?

I narrowed my eyes a bit. It was such an interesting thing to delve into and investigate but...

I looked at Beatry who was looking down, her expression told me that she was seriously contemplating my words.

It was her personal life. I am not part of that. I'll leave that little secret to her and decide not to pry further into things. It would be rude if I tried to root the cause of her dilemma without her permission.

I chuckled a bit. This is why I look down on emotions. Such feelings and thoughts would drive anyone to become something they do not know if they truly wished to be.

"About that... After I finish my assassin business could you let me... Ahm..." She twidled her fingers cutely with a flushed expression on her face. It was amusing so I raised an eyebrow and whatever she would ask of me, I would humor it.

It was interesting after all.

"I would want to become your... Your... Your wife!" Beatry closed her eyes and said to me with nervousness dominating her cute little voice.

I chuckled. I gave her one last glance and locked my pupils with hers for the last time tonight.

"Sure... I'm willing to take you in but that is if you could make me fall for you." I narrowed my eyes playfully at her and answered in a teasing voice. A slight sly smile adorned my lips, causing the redhead to freeze and her eyes to widen. She started trembling and her whole face lit up in a red flush.

I made my way to the second floor and yawned heavily. I wasn't worried about what would be her reaction or what she would do from now due to my words and actions. If she decides to flirt with me? So be it. I'll humor her for a bit and give the redhead a chance.

I shook my head dismissively and I collapsed on my back and into the soft and relaxing bed.

Looking up at the ceiling which had a crystal that strangely served as a lightbulb, my hand found its way to my chest and I gripped it.

I doubt I would fall for anyone... After all.

This heart had already been long shattered into numerous pieces along with my hopes of happiness.