The Stiff One

NATHAN

She was quite the character. She really would do anything to make sure everything went her way, even if it was at the direct detriment of her on health and a risk to her life. All I asked in exchange for a century's worth of my powers and my efforts to save her life was her friendship and she couldn't even give that.

I have never met anyone more stubborn. It could be that she hated her eyes being sewn short but I had no other choice! I was going to take the stitches out eventually but I decided no to tell her to tease her. I had no idea I was making a terrible decision.

But there was a loophole. There were no backhanded comments from her or rather, there were no comments at all. She was completely silent except for the occasions she had to respond that she was following what I said and repeating it all to my hearing. Apart from that, silence.

I thought she would wear herself out within the first few days. I was so wrong. She went on like that for half a year. It was like I was watching a human regress and it was horrifying. She turned into a mindless shell, just going through motions and not participating more than she had to. Everyone walked on eggshells around her, believing she would faint at any moment. But, by far the worst repercussions of her actions was the fact that the church as trying to take her away.

"You don't have to follow up on our promise. You don't have to like me, Winifred. It's okay. You can go back to being the spicy little lady you once were. I won't complain again."

"You're not the only one who's been complaining about how mean or irrational I've been, especially as an Orphan on the grace of his highness. I am an orphan and I don't really have a say because I am here based on a rare privilege. So, I shut my mouth. Why is everyone still complaining? You really can't satisfy anyone."

I had heard the maids speaking about her behind her back but I didn't think she would know now. All of them sit at the edge of their seats because of how convoluted the entire situation now looks.

"So, this is really the route you're choosing to go down? The church could come to take you back! You could die!"

"Rather die than live this horrible life. I know it would only get worse, especially since I can't do anything about it. How people would treat me without my opinion is clear. What exactly is the disadvantage in dying?"

"What about Darryl?"

"In a few years, he'll forget about me. I'm not a big part of his life."

"I give up. You're the stiffest person I've ever met. But I won't let you be taken back to the church, even if I have to take you away from here. I won't waste a century's worth of my magic like that."

"Do what you wish."

This situation would've continued if the prince didn't personally step in.

"Winifred, I've been thinking and I've come to the conclusion that you need a friend."

I saw her fight the urge to make a snide comment. She just...agreed. But with her silence and her struggle to not say anything pointed to one thing that I soon saw, it was an absolutely stupid idea.

With Winifred, I've come to see things that applied to normal children would not apply to blind children. It was challenging to cater to a blind child. She made it explicitly clear with what I call, the Winifred Strike, that taking care of a blind child is no joke. I've heard her mumble something under her breath about there being no braille and when I asked, she didn't explain. I decided to intervene.

"Your highness, don't you think making friends while she's blind might be hard for her? She's just a child. Children would not know how to act around her and might end up putting her through stressful situations. Perhaps you should reconsider."

"But she doesn't have any friends as it is, except for Darryl of course. I think socialization would be good for her. Maybe she could even have a female friend."

"How about this, your highness? Why don't you find her a young female maid who can take care of her and be her friend? That's basically what Darryl is doing. That should put your mind at ease."

"I see...you're right. I'll send Circe to look for someone who fits that description. But Winifred, I have to to talk to you before I leave. I know you're angry. While I don't know why you're angry, I want you to know there's absolutely nothing wrong with lashing out at us. We know we're all idiots when it comes to taking care of you. You've proved it already. But please, none of us want to see you fade away tragically. I will comb the entire continent to find a way to help you restore your sight."

"Even if it includes dark magic?"

She finally spoke.

"I'm not sure that's ethical for a Saintess of Light to use but if I have to resort to that, then I will."

"Excellent. We need all the books relating to dark magic. Don't we, Lord Silver?"

And she was quick to get her voice back too.

"...yes, we do."

"Have you been teaching her about dark magic, Lord Silver?"

The prince was suspicious. But unlike me, she doesn't get to deal with the consequences of whatever she says. How convenient.

"I was teaching her about all the types of magic that existed and only taught her a basic spell. I didn't know she could do magic. That was a fault on my own part," I bowed. I swear I saw a little smirk on her face. That little...

"I can't blame you for that. No Saintess in history has ever been able to use magic this young. Using magic this young is bound to leave some kind of effect on her body. Please keep looking after her, Lord Silver."

"Of course, your highness."

Once the Prince left, I turned to her. She was silently seated on the chair, just staring off, like she usually did. But it felt like this time, she had really returned to her old self.

"Did you want to expose me or yourself?"

"I got what we needed, didn't I? Now we don't have to sneak behind his back because he'll do all the sneaking for us."

"How is it, that at ten years old, you excel at psychological warfare?"

"I used to lose at them in my former life. Now, I use all the tricks of my abuser. They come in handy all the time. Want some?"

"Former...life?"

"Minor detail. Anyway, can you help me with calling the staff? I need to speak to them."

"So, you're finally speaking to them?"

"Yes. I know they've learnt some lessons but think of this like a summary. I'm preparing them for a great future."

I bet she was.

"You would make a great teacher."

"Thank you. I think you're a good teacher."

"Is that...a compliment?"

"Yes, it is."

"...is this also a part of the psychological warfare tricks you have?"

"Are you saying I'm some kind of case study whose every move you study just to attribute normal human behaviour to a certain condition?"

"Point taken. I will go call the staff."

She does have me wrapped around her little finger but I don't think I want it any other way.

I assembled the staff and when they heard she wanted to speak to them, they came running. It was incredible to watch.

"Are they all here, Lord Silver?"

"Yes, my lady. The staff is all here but I couldn't find Darryl."

"Good. He doesn't need to be here. I just want to address the staff. Good day everyone."

"Good afternoon, my lady."

"For the past few months, I have been particularly silent and I know it has had everyone worried. I apologize for putting all of you in distress but I hope all of you have been able to gain insight into the distress I've been going through myself. If nobody has been able to learn a single lesson from this, then you don't deserve to work here. Honestly speaking, I don't want to live with someone who doesn't know how to take care of me. I am a child, if that wasn't obvious enough. So, I'll ask a few questions. Has anyone noticed the foods I can and a cannot eat?"

"You...can't have salads, my lady."

"Wrong. I cannot have lettuce. Replace that with something else and I can eat salads. Anything else?"

"You don't like ham?"

"Correct. Ham is not particularly my preference so I would like it to be beef. I can have ham occasionally but I don't want it to be too salty."

Says she's a child but goes ahead to contradict it. But that's just the way it is.