Monster lives here

"Maxilin!" Elizabeth's voice rang out, startling him as he turned to face her. She rushed toward him, her little hands quickly slamming the half-open window shut with surprising force.

"What's the matter?" Maxilin asked, confused by her sudden fear.

"You can't open the window," she whispered, her wide eyes filled with urgency. "There's a huge monster that lives out there. If you open the window, he'll come and devour you alive."

Maxilin raised an eyebrow, giving a small smile at her words. Kids were often imaginative, and their stories always had a way of adding color to otherwise mundane moments. He sat down on the edge of the bed, laying his main sword across his lap. "Really? Did you see this monster yourself?" he asked, amused as he began to unwrap the black cloth from the sword's hilt.

Elizabeth, still standing by the now-shut window, slowly approached the bed and shook her head. "No, I didn't see it myself," she admitted, her voice a little quieter now, as if the very mention of the creature might summon it. She climbed onto the bed beside Maxilin, sitting cross-legged as she continued. "But my father said a monster lives near the seashore. He has long arms and sharp teeth, and he comes when the moon is low."

Maxilin glanced at her, his attention now fully on her words. There was a sincerity in her tone that made him pause. Maybe the child wasn't simply spinning tales. As he carefully unwrapped his sword, he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to her story.

Elizabeth leaned in, her gaze fixated on the gleaming blade. "Maxilin, is this also your sword?" she asked, her curiosity clear as she reached out to touch the cool metal.

"Careful," Maxilin warned, his voice firm but gentle. "Don't touch the blade. It's sharp enough to cut through your hand."

Her eyes widened, pulling her hand back quickly. "Oh," she said with awe. "Then it must be really sharp."

Elizabeth's gaze suddenly fixated on the small gem embedded in the hilt of Maxilin's sword. "Hey, what's that?" she asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Maxilin glanced at the gem and gave a small smile. "It's just a gem to make the sword more attractive."

"Oh really?" Elizabeth said, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I have a lot of gems! Will you make a sword for me like this one?" she asked, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

Maxilin chuckled. "Maybe when I have some time," he replied with a smile, amused by the girl's sudden enthusiasm.

Before Elizabeth could respond, a soft knock came at the door. Maxilin's gaze shifted, and Elizabeth turned her head as well. A maid entered, her posture stiff, eyes lowered as she spoke. "May I come in, sire?" she asked politely.

"Yes," Maxilin responded.

The maid quietly stepped inside and placed a glass of something on the table nearby. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the drink. "Did you give him the strong milkshake you normally make for me?" she asked, her tone suspicious.

The maid froze, clearly startled by the question. She turned slightly toward Elizabeth but avoided direct eye contact. "Your father is calling for you, Miss. You should go see him right away," the maid said, her voice a little too quick, as if trying to dodge both Elizabeth's question and Maxilin's calm stare.

Elizabeth, however, wasn't so easily distracted. "Why so suddenly?" she asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

The maid's tone grew slightly sharper, though she kept her composure. "Your father told us not to disturb our guest. It's time for him to rest. And it's also time for you to go to bed," the maid added, her words more direct now, clearly wanting to usher the girl away.

Elizabeth, ever defiant, crossed her arms and looked up at Maxilin with pleading eyes. "But I want to talk with him! Nobody ever tells me anything. It won't bother you if I stay here a little longer, will it, Maxilin?" she asked, resting her arm over his lap in a gesture of familiarity.

Maxilin glanced from Elizabeth to the maid. He could see the tension in the room but didn't want to send the girl away just yet. "She's not bothering me," Maxilin said softly, addressing the maid. "You can leave now."

The maid hesitated for a brief moment before bowing slightly and turning to leave. As she moved toward the door, Maxilin noticed her eyes flick toward the gleaming blade of his sword, lingering for just a moment too long. Something about her reaction gave him pause, but before he could question it, the door closed behind her.

Maxilin smiled slightly at Elizabeth's offer, but inside, he remained wary. There was something off about the little girl, but he couldn't quite place it. Elizabeth suddenly looked up at him and said, "Maxilin, if you're afraid tonight, just call my name. My room is next to yours."

He smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Chatting with her wasn't his goal; he wanted information. Whatever Mr. Alex shared could be helpful, but there was a feeling that this child knew more than she let on. "So, Elizabeth," Maxilin asked casually, "just the four of you live here?"

"Yes," she murmured, her fingers idly brushing over the razor chain on his belt.

Maxilin kept his voice calm as he prodded gently, "Do you know when the monster started living here?"

Elizabeth's face darkened slightly. She hesitated, then replied, "I'm not sure. One day, my father came home with lots of wounds, and then—"

Before she could finish, Mr. Alex entered the room unexpectedly. His presence seemed to cut the air.

"Maxilin," Alex said, his voice warm.

"Mr. Alex," Maxilin replied, standing up from the bed. Alex smiled, then turned to his daughter.

"Elizabeth, it's time for bed now, honey," Alex said, his tone gentle yet firm. "Kazian will be with you tonight."

Elizabeth's face scrunched in mild defiance. "I can sleep alone. But they were making too much noise last night," she grumbled.

Alex sighed. "Honey, Kazian is mute. She can't make any noise. It's just a dream you had. Now, go to bed."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, clearly dissatisfied, but obeyed. She sulked as she left the room, casting one last look at Maxilin before vanishing down the hall.

As she left, Alex turned back to Maxilin. "You haven't touched your drink yet."

Maxilin gave a polite smile. "I was too busy talking with Elizabeth."

"Don't mind her," Alex said, waving it off. He stood up and motioned toward the door. "Come downstairs. Dinner is ready."

Maxilin nodded. "Give me a moment, Mr. Alex."

Alex left the room, and Maxilin quickly gathered his thoughts. Something wasn't adding up.

Far off, on the other side of the hill, someone watched Mr. Alex's house closely. The wind howled, and the sea crashed violently against the rocks below, but the figure remained unmoving, eyes locked on the house.