IV:Living with Quests

Weeks passed and I'm now 4 year old. When my father was waiting for the young lady's arrival, he completed his duty as the gate's guard.

It's been a week since the young lady arrived. My father leaves early and went home on time these days so my mom was delighted.

I continue to practice when I'm at my secret base. I'm in the middle of learning multi-casting. And my diction improve a lot. Though it's still hard to talk with sentences but I can now talk without my tongue twisting.

Dusk improve the most in the past weeks. He can now understand what people say. Before he understands me because of the contract and spell connect but now he even understands father.

Tomorrow will be the day. The day I start to be a pupil. I'm excited to see the young lady and the teacher.

I hug Dusk and ask him, "are you also excited?"

He nodded and pat me. Like a magic, the soft paw in my arm made me calm. My eyelids become heavy as it continues to gently pat me.

___________

"Did the Princess ordered something out of bounds again?" The knight in a commoner's clothing asked me. He seems familiar but I can vaguely remember where I saw him.

"Is it something dangerous?" He looks so worried for me.

"No, I just have to bring this letter to the information guild." I said as I lift the letter. Wait, when did I have this letter? I was moving involuntarily. Ahh, it's another memory dream.

"Oh... So we'll have to get going then." He said as he assist me to a carriage. After I get on, he then came in and sat across me.

"Just take a nap. I'll wake you up when we're there, I know how bad your motion sickness are." He said in a loving voice. I nodded and close my eyes. I still feel the stare though I can't see it.

"Are you going to burn a hole on my face?" I asked.

"N-No. I-I... I missed you." He said as if he's caught red handed.

"I miss you too." I responded and smirked to his cute reaction.

"How about we have a date after this delivery?" I added as I open my right eye to see his expression.

He looks like he's going to explode. His face was so red just like his eyes. Is this really that knight that looks like he can take down even a town of goblins.

"Hmm?" I raise his face to meet my gaze. His face became redder when I touched his skin. I love teasing him.

He nodded furiously and shift his eyes outside. I just smile and go back to my nap.

After our delivery, we went to the square and watch a busking while we eat. We bought some snacks and drinks to go. I wanted to hold hus hands while we walk but I don't think that would be appropriate.

I wanted to spend more time with him but the Princess might get mad again.

On our way to the carriage, we passed by a market. I bought a little silver brooch adorned with small but fancy clear gems. That's similar color of his hair. I hid it and planned to give it to him in the carriage.

I was tired looking around and the carriage ride gave me headache that I nodded off right after getting in.

I woke up the next morning in my bed. I don't know how I went home but maybe that's him.

"Where have you been?!" The Princess squeal as I entered the room.

"Didn't I tell you to make a report right after?!" She added.

"M-My apologies, your highness." I said while still bowing my head.

"If apologies solves everything then this knight wouldn't have to be like this." She pointed on the side.

I was stunned. His hands... His hands are gone. My knees gave up on the sight.

There were blood everywhere. His hands are on the floor while his wrists are dripping lots of blood. I can't keep looking. I should have hold those hands when I have the chance.

The tears ran away from my eyes. As if an animal that was caged for a long time, it can't be stopped. Sadness, confusion, regret, as if I was getting mad, I cried it all out.

He looked at me and smiled. Then another knight behind him took a deep breath, close his eyes and whispered sorry before he position himself on cutting his head off.

"I love you." He mouted before the blade sent his head flying. Blood gush out from him.

All I can do was cry and look at him.

"What are you crying there for? Report now!" The Princess said as if everything was normal.

I reported what happened while suppressing my sobs. She then dismissed me right after.

Few days after that incident, I heard that he was punished because he was caught carrying me and he confessed that he's the reason why I can't make the report on time.

If I hadn't asked for a date, would he still be around right now? I cried every night thinking about him. Cris, my lover, friend, and my haven was now gone.

________

I opened my eyes and stare at the ceiling. Why? Why did that happened? Why me?

Dusk climb on my chest and I just smile. I take a deep breath, get up, then wash my face.

That's in the past. I can't turn back time and change it. But if I meet them in this life, I'll protect them this time.

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All requirements needed are met.

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New feature unlocked.

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Quests Window is now available.

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Quest: Memory of Unfulfilled

Love Story

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Difficulty: Easy

Task: Make a good impression

to the Count's family.

Reward: Teachers for Magic,

Combat, Politics, and Trade.

Unallocated points +10

Punishment: Physical -5

Can't continue to tutoring class

Quest window suspension

(duration: 6 months)

⁠┘

For real?

I went down still in daze while looking at the new window. My parents are already in the table waiting for me.

"Are you ready?" My Dad ask. I don't really know.

"Uom!" I responded.

"Don't be too excited. Let's eat first to get some energy. I'm sure you'll have a long day ahead." My mom said.

Well, it's already here so let's just do our best! And I can't have losing this opportunity to have my quests suspended for 6 months. Let's do this!!

We're so fired up that we dig in without further ado.

Mom prepared a heavy meal. There's rice and pork cutlets with white sauce on top. The pork is juicy and crunchy at the same time. The sauce is cheezy, creamy and savory just like how I like it. The meat is kinda salty so it is perfect with a spoonful of rice.

"Both of you take your time, you'll get an indigestion." My mom said.

But as if we heard nothing, we continue devouring the meal. In just a few minutes the meal was gone. And the plates are clean.

"Buuuurp!" Father and I burped at the same time.

"You two are so much alike. Go on get your stuffs, I'll prepare your lunch boxes." My mom said as she pull us from our seats.

I went up and pick up my bag. Dusk hop on and I buckle it up.

In the kitchen my mom is wrapping the lunch boxes. I get the utensils and put it atop of the lunch box. Mom then tied the wrap to finish it off.

"We're off." We rush out as if someone will catch us. My father was all smiles all the way to the mansion. I think he's more excited than I am.

The guard and knights saluted to my father. Ow, is Dad that awesome? I looked confused.

When my father saw my face he laughed.

"Impressed?" He asked me in a bragging tone.

"A little." I said and look away. I didn't realize he's that awesome, he's just a normal father to me, a loving husband to mom and even a fool for Dusk. Who would have thought he's that respectable, right?

"Ow, Mond!" A handsome man ran to where we are.

"Greetings, Count Immane." My father said as he bow his head and put his left hand across his chest.

"What's with the sudden formality, Mond? Raise your hean and chill." He said as if confuse.

"This is my child. Almus Meteor." Father introduce me in the most serious voice I've heard.

"Greetings, Count." I said like how my father greeted the Count. I have to leave a good impression.

"Come on, raise your heads. Now I understand the sudden formality." The Count said in a teasing voice while grinning to my father. My father warned him with his gaze but I get it.

"Almus, right? Can I call you Al?" He asked me while squatting to meet my eye level.

"Whichever you're comfowtable." Argh! My diction. I bit my lips. Argh this lips!

The count break in laughter. "Hahaha You're like your father. Hahaha! Don't get me wrong. Pfft! It's just that Hahaha! I think you wanted to look cool too." He said in between his laughter. The count is so easygoing, so opposite from what I imagine.

"Count. Im. Mane. Shall. We?" My father looks pissed. I think he wanted to look as respectable infront of me. I know he's awesome but he shouldn't push this through.

The count giggled and went to his drawing room. He whispered something to his butler while the maids prepare refreshments and cookies.

"So how's being my daughter's guard? Is it hard?" The Count ask my father.

"It is an honor to be the young lady's guard. She's considerate and kind to everyone so I can't tell any complains." My father speaks so formally. It is so different to how he talk at home.

"Al, you'll be joining my daughter's classes right? Though it will be kinda hard at first I hope you enjoy it. And please take care of my daughter." The Count said. His voice was so loving in the mention of his daughter.

"Take care of who?" A child's voice interrupted the count.

"My precious, come here." The Count turned to a doting father in just a second.

"Greetings, young lady. I'm Almus Meteor." I greeted the lady with the same respect as the Count.

"Chrysanthemum Whisper, the young lady of this house. You may raise." I saw a familiar look. A silver hair and red eyes. She... She looks like Cris.

"Ch-Christian Whisper, th-the y-young master of Whisper." A tear fell down my cheeks when I saw Christian. He's like the younger copy of Cris.

"C-Cris." I muttered.

"Al, are you hurt? What's wrong?" All the formality was washed away from my father when he saw me cry. He lift me up and hug me tight.

"Shush! Al, Papa's here." He said while patting my back. I can't stop from crying.

The scene of his death was still so vivid that I can't help but cry. It took me a while to compose myself. I think I messed up the first quest.

"Are you okay? I guess you're still 4 year older huh?" The Count asked.

I nodded. "I'm sorry." I apologize to the master ang the young master.

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Quest finished.

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Eh? He liked me though I did a commotion? Though I look like a fish right now? The Count sure has a peculiar taste in people.

"Here." The young miss offer me a cookie. "It will help you to cheer up."

"Take this too." The young master offer me a juice.

"Thank you, sorry." I said while I accepted what they offer.

"No need to be sorry. Let's meet your teacher?" The Count said to cheer us all up. My mood lighten but the opposite is the young miss and master's reaction. I guess, no child really wants to study.

TBC...