: More Beasts

Kayda sat there. Her expression controlled and stiff. Everyone she met. Every single person that she crossed paths with after entering this estate was dangerous.

Even Maggy.

Because she wasn't human, but part beast, her senses were many times stronger than that of an average human. Especially after honing herself and her senses while trying to survive this harsh world.

And because of that, she easily picked up the scent of a beast from Maggy. A familiar scent that she could easily recognize.

Two beast people residing in a duke's estate on the northwest part of the eastern continent that weren't slaves was unheard of.

This place was the most prejudiced against any other race besides that of the humans. Looking down on those who shared traits of beasts or any other non-human race.

The only reason she could think of for her to detect Maggy's scent and not Gerrin's on the first meeting was because of Maggy's age.

There was no doubt that she was probably using one of Clouse's crystal charms but because of Maggy's age, her mana was weak enough where the charm couldn't fool all six senses of the people around her.

Everyone is born with mana. Sometimes it is negligible and small to the point of nonexistence; and other times it is overwhelmingly powerful and revered. And everyone is born with a different amount.

But over time, like the eyes or hearing, as you get older, mana slowly devolves with the body.

Another example to compare mana to is water. Water can flow into a container. But the amount depends on that container. If the container is weak and feeble, the amount of water it can hold will change to that in which the container can properly hold it. Too much will cause it to break, while too little will cause it to become hollow and fruitless.

Since Maggy has aged, the mana she can supply to the crystal is not the necessary amount to conceal herself from all six senses.

So she could easily smell the beast on her. But this knowledge brought no peace of mind to herself.

So what if this estate accommodated people from beast origins. That did not mean they would be as hospitable to her as well.

With a sigh, she raised her hand to comb her fingers through her hair. It's unfamiliar shortness still slightly baffled her.

For as long as she could remember, her hair was always long and unkept. She was always finding ways to get into a mess as she was, really, an unruly child.

She chuckled at the memory where she found herself stuck in a tree one time after she had just turned thirteen. Some tempting fruit grew at the topmost branches, seriously out of her reach with her short stature.

When she had finally reached the top, she realized that a pack of hungry wolves had situated themselves right at the tree's base. Dragging a large carcass with them to feast.

Her hands trembled and her legs shook as if an earthquake was shaking her world. She feared wolves greatly. It became a severe phobia of hers.

But watching as that small pack of wolves supported each other, watched their young and set shifts to watch while the others slept, she became fascinated.

Humans called anything besides them beasts. Unsophisticated and dimwitted animals that didn't deserve their respect as they were the so called, 'better species'. How wrong they were.

Wolves were already ten times better than humans. They knew what loyalty was. They cared for and protected each other. That was already much more than any human she met has done for anyone else.

At that moment in time, she fell in love with animals. Loving every new piece of knowledge she gained just by watching.

As she watched those wolves though, she ended up staying frozen in that tree for an entire night. To the point that one little brazen bird literally made a nest out of her hair by plucking out strands, sticking in twigs and bringing over mud to shape it.

Imagen it's surprise when the next morning she got up and walked off.

That was one of the only few better memories she had. The days, months after that were just blurs of her survival. Of her just trying to stay alive one more day.

Looking up, she gazed at the elegant bedroom. Fresh cut flowers, a pitcher and cup of water, clean clothes and soft cushions. How in the world did she get from that spot in her life, to here?

There was a knock on the door that snapped her out of her trance, her mind instantly becoming sharp.

"Miss Kayda, it's Maggy, may I enter?" Maggy's old and feeble voice traveled through the door to Kayda's ears. She was quiet for a second before saying she could enter.

Maggy's opened the door with a smile. As she looked around the room, her smile faltered. Where was Miss Kayda?

It wasn't until she looked down did she notice Kayda sitting on the floor.

Maggy didn't say anything at first but then smiled. "Why don't you sit on the couch instead. I promise you, it's a lot more comfortable."

Kayda stared at Maggy with her cold and aloof eyes before looking away.

"No thanks."

She honestly liked the floor better. It felt safer.

Maggy's smile turned slightly sad. But not dwelling on the words Kayda had said, she stood up straighter and fixed her smile. She was a professional maid after all. She wouldn't be so efficient at her job if she couldn't control her expressions and actions.

"Well Miss Kayda, the young Miss invited you to join her for dinner. Would you like to join her?" Kayda's gaze was directed back at Maggy when she heard those words.

With Maggy's warm smile and friendly wrinkled eyes, she couldn't tell if this was a request or order. People usually hide the true meaning of their words behind more, kinder words.

It confused her to no end why people don't just straight up say what they're thinking but hey, humans wouldn't be humans without their words of deception.

Standing up lazily, Kayda slightly brushed off the imaginary dust on her clothes. Even though there wasn't a speck of dirt to be found in that room.

With small steps she made her way forward before giving Maggy a nod. A silent yes.

Seeing this, Maggy beamed before opening the door for Kayda.

"Please follow me. The young Miss will be really happy to see you."

Her words made Kayda give her head a slight tilt. Happy to see her?