ORDINARY VISAGE - 26

A moment. What does pet mean? What is he... wait. Is it possible...

"What are you talking about the Honorable Lord Kaltain?"

Mr. Kaltain chuckled crisply, he shook his head. "I heard you were held captive by my men?"

"Of course. It was an interesting experience," I said sarcastically. "How about you? Are you happy to see me now?"

"I'm so excited, Abby." Mr. Kaltain touched my arm, still dancing though I didn't know how. I'm just trying to keep up with the rhythm. "You probably think I forgot my appointment that night, right? I haven't, Abby."

"That's great. In case you forgot, it wasn't just me who got burned, right?"

Mr Kaltain laughed. I just rolled my eyes and stopped dancing with him. I turned my gaze around, looking for Ruel who had disappeared from my sight earlier. Mr. Kaltain followed my footsteps. "Need help?"

"Just help right away, sir, no need to wonder."

"I don't know what your problem is if you don't ask."

"I'm looking for a handsome man. He was here."

Mr. Kaltain blinked his eyes. He looked clueless. I sighed, realizing my answer sounded really weird. "Anyway, help me find a man with white hair and red eyes. He was here." I glanced left and right, "Oh, yeah. He's wearing dirty clothes. He should be easy to find."

Mr. Kaltain stroked his chin. "I don't see anyone you describe."

I chuckled, leaving Mr. Kaltain while uncovering my dress so I could walk freely. I walked down the aisles, past several people filling the streets, combing every corner carefully, but still couldn't find Ruel. I have visited all the buildings decorated with warm colorful lights. Ruel is nowhere to be found. I sat limply on a lounger under a lamp, took off the high-heeled shoes the two women had given me and leaned back as if I had not eaten. I can't look for that skinny cat anymore.

"Meet?"

"Is my face not clear enough to answer your question?"

Mr. Kaltain raised his hand. He sat beside me, studying my face seriously. "Actually, how important is the person you're looking for?"

"Huft. How do you answer?" I scratched my head, looking at him lazily. "The bottom line is the person I'm looking for is worth looking for."

"Handsome?"

"You guys will like it too."

"I don't like same sex."

"Oh, I don't care?"

Mr Kaltain said nothing. He left me. Maybe he appreciates my solitude. Not long after, Mr. Kaltain came with two lollipops and sat beside me again. "For you."

I grabbed the lollipop. "Wow, you're good, huh."

"You're welcome."

I sighed, biting the lollipop lazily. The sky was now dark gray, eliminating the crescent moon above. I glanced at Mr. Kaltain who was nibbling greedily at his chef's candy. "The second awakening is coming again. What plans do you have?" I said. Mr. Kaltain tossed aside the candy bar carelessly and propped his chin up. "I don't have a plan yet, do you?"

I clenched my fists, wanting to punch that wanker's face hard. "I don't want to joke."

"I'm not kidding at all, Abby."

"Then answer my question seriously."

Lord Kaltain sighed. "During the second awakening, you must be in the hall. Make sure you know your way out."

"What's the exit for?"

"You should run away once the commotion breaks out." Mr. Kaltain said explaining. "I'm going to make some small messes."

"I was just there and then ran away, is that it?"

Mr Kaltain nodded.

"My job sounds pointless, Master."

"What kind of assignment do you want?"

"Maybe like rolling tons of potatoes into the awakening hall? Who knew it would be useful?"

Mr Kaltain laughed. "Good idea. Next time use it."

I sighed. Don't want to say any more. Mr. Kaltain still feels comfortable sitting on the couch, while I walk distraughtly looking for Ruel. I don't wear high heels anymore and leave them with Mr. Kaltain. I don't know why I would look for Ruel when I have the option of not caring. I don't know.

"It's getting late. You'd better come with me to the castle."

I know it's late. Even this small town was almost deserted. Mr Kaltain approached me. He tucks my jacket over my exposed shoulders. "Tomorrow, you can look for him again."

I stared at my dirty feet that had stepped on the obstacle yesterday. "You want to show off your power, huh?"

"You could say that," muttered Mr. Kaltain. "Aren't you here to meet me? Why are you looking for someone else?"

I laughed at that. Quickly, I grabbed Mr. Kaltain's shirt collar tightly, making the man flinch. I cleared my throat. "You think I'm stupid, hm?" I said, "You brought me here on purpose, didn't you? You're obviously planning something out of the ordinary, sir."

Mr Kaltain smiled. "What if it's intentional? You want to protest?"

"Listen, sir. I told you, I won't obey anyone. Especially you," I said emotionally. "Really who are you, huh?"

Mr. Kaltain did nothing but resigned myself to being treated like that. He just smiled lightly as if nothing big had happened. "You don't need to know who I am, Abby. You don't have the right to know anything about me."

"I really have no right," My hands moved to grip Mr. Kaltain's neck. "By speaking like this, you are showing me that you are hiding something."

"We have our secrets, Abby. You don't have to want to know everything."

"I don't need all." I feel more and more irritated with Mr. Kaltain. "Just answer what I ask. Who. You."

"I am Kaltain Celosia. Duke of Celosia West Region. You already know."

"That's not what I meant, Bastard!"

I pushed Mr. Kaltain's body so that it hit the stone wall. The white-haired boy put up no resistance, he held his chest. "You want to return to your world, right?" Mr. Kaltain spoke softly. "If that's your aim, just focus on our pact. I won't hurt you."

"You don't even give a clear reason, sir. How do I get back? What media can make me leave this place?" I laughed at that. "You know, I'm getting sick of dealing with people full of contradictions like you. This isn't a healthy working relationship."

"What then, Abby?"

I'm getting annoyed to hear that. "Tell me how can I come back, huh?! Can't you answer like this? You want me to strangle you to death, huh?!"

Mr Kaltain was silent. My breath is hunting. My chest is rising and falling. I hate myself for still wanting to trust someone. I hate not having any power here. I hate being here.

"You must die to return to your world, Abby."

—Ordinary Visage—

I haven't met Ruel yet. Since meeting Lord Kaltain in the Blue Lands, I've been living in Celosia castle. The castle is quite big and comfortable. I was given some soft silk clothes that covered the body, in contrast to the maids' clothes which showed the belly. I unfolded the map I folded small from my trouser pocket, marking it with slow strokes of the knife. The distance between the West Region and the Kingdom of Samu is very far, it might take 5-8 days by car. I remember very well my debate with Mr. Kaltain at that time. He said, I must die first if I want to return to my original world. Was it actually when I entered this world, I had already died in the real world? Oh, let's pretend this world isn't real because everyone in it is crazy.

I touch my own hand. I might go crazy if I trusted Mr. Kaltain 100%. Obviously I'm still alive and just threw myself into the abyss just like that. There was no clash at all that time. If I really had to die to return, then I should have finished everything here before killing myself.

"Miss Abby, Mr. Duke would like to see you."

A woman in a flashy dress came into my room. I didn't answer anything. Mr. Kaltain came in tacky clothes. There were soft colored cloths wrapped around the waist. His balloon white shirt was deliberately opened up to his chest. Her white hair is wet. "You should look in the mirror and see how old you look."

"You're too honest, Abby."

"On purpose."

Mr. Kaltain reflected in the mirror in my room. I glanced at the window disinterestedly. Good thing I folded my map. "Why did you meet me?"

"Tomorrow I will return to the Samu Palace."

"Why? It's not even two months yet?"

"There is a problem," said Lord Kaltain. "The king is angry because one person has escaped from the palace. It was even known recently."

I looked away. Obviously, the one running away was me.

"You'd better come back with me, Abby," he said, "you'll have to sneak in the freight train, because there's no way I'd let you join my troupe openly." Mr. Kaltain stroked his chin. "I don't want to risk being beheaded by the King."

"Chih, you're more afraid of being beheaded than being burned alive?"

"It's just a formality, Abby. You should support me."

"Your formality sickens me, sir." I sighed, not looking at Mr. Kaltain who was behind me. "I'll follow your passable idea, but I need to find something first."

"You want to find the handsome man last night again?"

"Of course. I came with him."

"Oh, could it be that brown-haired boy that Amyas often sees?"

"Who is he? I don't know him."

"No, huh?" Mr Kaltain nodded. "It seems you are indeed talented at making men interested."

"Your words are like horse dung, sir." I looked at him annoyed. Emotions were running high in my head. "Don't be curious."

"Okay, none of my business either," said Mr. Kaltain, his steps began to move away from me. He suddenly stopped walking. "You may do whatever you like, but please don't default on this agreement," he said, "you must be able to thwart the second awakening."

"Hey, Mister Fool. You think you're worth demanding that of me?" I walked over to him, my chin lifted. "You don't even let your student-partner be a bit more competent in martial arts. What do you expect from a stupid partner, hm?"

Mr Kaltain laughed. He put his mouth behind my ear, whispering softly.

"Don't play weak, Abby." []