The Aide that is useless (2)

After dinner, Ciaran retired to his room while Cas cleaned the kitchen.

While cleaning, she couldn't help but feel dejected. Listening to him talk about his plan made it clear to her that she was useless. What did he even need her for?

I could be a good maid. Cas thought as she washed the dishes, only to realize that once his plan worked. He would gain a head maid who would do everything for him.

I genuinely am worthless. Cas thought as a single tear fell.

She was his aide. She was supposed to do everything for him. But she was too weak to stand beside him.

Since he decided to stop hiding in the shadows, he had let nothing slow him down.

Yesterday when he unleashed his aura during the gathering ceremony, or today how he handled Leonardo and the disciplinary committee. Nothing could stand in his way.

He was neigh unstoppable, and he had his sights set on Professor Zovreth to help him become more powerful, and it was only a matter of time before he obtained her.

"Cas." Ciaran said as he whispered in her ear.

Caught off guard, she nearly launched a spell at him, only to stop at the last second.

Ciaran chuckled for a moment before becoming serious.

"Understand, you are never useless. I've only made it this far because of you." He said.

Cas was stunned. It was as if he could read her mind, and she didn't know how to react.

"I can read you like a book." He paused as he smiled softly. "You are my heart. That's all I ever need you to be." He said as he headed to his room.

Cas watched him go, and even though she wanted to say something to him, she couldn't. She couldn't find the words to say, and she went to bed and had a sleepless night.

The next morning.

Cas woke up earlier than usual to prepare breakfast, as they had to meet Professor Zovreth at the academy gates at sunrise to clear out a bandit camp.

After breakfast was made, Cas ate her food in silence as she didn't know what to say. There was so much on her mind that she was at the point of mental exhaustion.

She was so lost in her mind that she didn't notice when he caressed her hand at first, and when she did, she pulled back instinctively.

"Shame." Ciaran said as he took a bite. "I thought I would have to kiss you to bring you back."

Cas looked away in embarrassment as the tips of her ears turned red.

"Don't joke like that." She said.

"I wasn't joking." He retorted.

Cas didn't reply as she picked at her food.

"In my world." He began after a moment. "We didn't have nobility and slaves and servants. So, in a way, every person was born equal. Of course, external factors were involved that determined a person's worth, but the core of the matter was that everyone had a chance to achieve their dreams." He said as he looked at her.

"I don't understand." Cas said after a moment.

"Everyone has a dream that they wish to achieve." He paused. "So, what is your dream? What do you wish for? What will make your life complete?" He asked.

My dream? She wondered.

What was her dream?

She wanted to serve the man she loved. She wanted to be of use to him. She was his heart, so she needed to be strong for him.

"Many people go through life without discovering what their dream is." Ciaran said as he interrupted her thoughts. "Many people think they know what their dream is. Many people believe that they have achieved their dreams." He said as he chuckled.

"What's funny?" She asked.

"My dream." He said. "Last night, I dreamed of playing chess against a tree and swarm of locusts."

Confusion filled Cas as she looked at him.

"My point is." He began waving his hand. "Only you can decide what your dream is, and once you determine what your dream is. Then pursue that dream and never give it up. For once you do, only guilt and resentment will live within you." He said.

Cas didn't respond, as she thought once again. What was her dream, and how would she pursue it?

After breakfast.

They headed to the academy entrance, where they met up with the other students assigned to Professor Zovreth's class, and many gave Ciaran a look of distrust and tried to avoid him. Naturally, Cas was angry, but she kept her anger in check.

She didn't need to ruin Ciaran's plan by beating everyone up and causing even more resentment. She also didn't like that Melissa was standing relatively close to Ciaran and would look at him with eyes filled with love and wonder.

She's in love. Cas thought as she looked at her.

Last night, Ciaran told her that the plan for today would remain the same and that she just needed to prepare herself.

Professor Zovreth showed up precisely on time, and many males and even some females blushed at the professor's appearance.

Being a half-orc and human. She was powerful, and she showed off her powerful frame. She was wearing a bra and a short skirt made of chainmail.

"Everyone ready?" Zovreth asked.

All the students nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

"Very well." She began as she pointed to the four carriages. "Load up, and we will head out. It should take a few hours for us to reach the bandit camp. So, take the time and prepare yourself." She said.

What is my dream? She wondered to herself as she got into one of the carriages.

She knew she wanted to be with Ciaran and even daydreamed about being his wife. But reality would always set in. An aide was just a fancy title for a slave; no matter how she wanted to look at it, she was his slave.

Am I good enough for him? She wondered as she watched Ciaran and Melissa talking.