Blank Space

"Does he love me? Does he love me that much? Who? I... What?"

A whirlwind of emotions and questions swirled inside him. His cheeks flushed, and his misplaced joy was evident in his erratic behavior. He hugged a pillow and rolled around in bed with it.

Two individuals were observing the sleeping Ru. Amunet's irritation was evident, while Claude's apprehension heightened with each passing moment.

"What's wrong with Lirui? How did it get this bad? Did you give him something?" Claude inquired, still watching Ru's antics on the bed with a mix of surprise and concern.

"It's nothing! Just his stupidity," Amunet snapped, crossing her arms as she sat stiffly on the couch, her tone sharp.

"What did he do?" Claude pressed, looking over his shoulder at her.

"He had the nerve to show up unannounced in front of our most important guest," Amunet said, turning to face the window, her voice full of frustration.

"Who exactly is the most important guest?" Claude asked, casting a curious look at Ru, who continued giggling.

"Just a guest," Amunet muttered, puffing out her cheeks in boredom.

"I hope your important guest didn't harm Lirui," Claude said, smiling wryly. "He seems... oddly happy."

"Nonsense," Amunet huffed, rising from her seat and pacing the room.

"Why are you angry?" Claude asked, gently pulling the blanket over Ru, who was still writhing on the bed like a child lost in delirium.

"Because our young lord has requested special protection," Amunet said gloomily, her pacing growing more restless.

"Is your young lord Lirui?" Claude asked, adjusting his glasses.

"Unfortunately, yes," Amunet said, stopping in front of the bookshelf. She grabbed a random book and began flipping through its pages. "He's forged an undying bond with Lady Moni."

"Lady Moni? Who's that?" Claude asked, taking off his glasses and blinking in confusion.

Amunet said, "The twin sister of Lord Dekaris Zharqasti," with a sly smile playing on her lips as she turned back to the bookshelf.

"Don't fall, Lirui..." Claude caught Ru as he was about to fall and put him in the middle of the bed.

"She'll be the bride in The House," Amunet smiled.

Claude muttered, "Will it be Lirui and Moni's interdimensional wedding?"

"Yes. They've established an unbreakable bond of blood," Amunet said with delight. When she turned eagerly to see Claude's disappointment, she couldn't find him out of place. He was faced with the moment when the door closed silently.

"Hooray for unhappy lovers," she said mockingly, and then she was trying to refocus on the book.

A sudden, loud 'thud' startled her. When she looked at where the voice was coming from, she saw an empty bed and a Ru lying on the floor.

"Idiot," Amunet growled under her breath.

"It's you," came a soft meow.

Amunet glanced at the gap in the bathroom door and was irritated, "I'll chase you away, cat, be quiet."

Kaero, the ginger cat, hopped onto Ru's head and sat, yawning lazily.

"What are you trying to do?" Amunet asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sit down," Kaero meowed, eyes half-closed.

"Be careful, don't take his breath away," Amunet warned, her voice laced with amusement as she watched the cat perched precariously on Ru's face.

"I hope he dies," Kaero said, licking his paw.

"That would be wonderful," Amunet mused darkly, then returned to the book.

In his dream, Ru was drowning in a lake surrounded by red roses, the water pulled him down.

"But I can't let you choke him. Not yet," Amunet muttered, snapping her fingers.

The shadow of the coat rack came to life, extending to grab Kaero by the scruff of his neck. The shadow carried him to the door and tossed him out.

Ru suddenly woke up while struggling in the water. He found himself in the room. As he tried to relax by taking quick breaths his body felt heavy, and he realized he was lying on the floor instead of the bed.

"Good morning," Amunet said indifferently, turning the pages.

Ru blinked, feeling around to check if he was still in his dream. His pajamas were dry, and he was in the room, but he didn't know why he was on the floor. He struggled to sit up, only to encounter a strange realization.

"I am..."

"What's up again?" Amunet asked without looking up.

"I can't get up," Ru said, his voice tinged with sadness.

"It's fine. You're going to die today anyway. Just wait there," Amunet said, a smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, well then," Ru sighed, using his arms to pull himself back onto the bed. Once there, he caught his breath, his gaze locking onto Amunet's cold expression. "Give me my contract."

"I've already delivered it to Lord Dekaris Zharqasti," Amunet replied calmly.

Ru panicked, his hands trembling. "But I haven't signed it..." He continued with a high-pitched voice, "I didn't fill in the wish line!"

"Your signature was already there, even though I don't know your wish," Amunet said with a bored tone.

"No! That's impossible. I haven't signed anything yet," Ru insisted, his hands resting on his legs, but he couldn't feel them. "I... I can't feel my legs."

"What are you?" Amunet asked, her eyes finally lifting from the pages.

"I think... I've turned into a human," Ru said, his gaze betraying a hint of sadness.

Amunet sighed, slamming her book shut. She stood and strode over to him, gripping his chin between her fingers and forcing him to look into her eyes.

"There's nothing wrong with you. You're exactly what you're meant to be."

"But... But..."

"But what? You will die and pass away, that's all," Amunet said, folding her arms. "If you can pass away," she added with a dark smile.

"You gave it to her, didn't you? You gave all my talent to Moni," Ru said, his voice breaking, tears welling in his eyes.

"No," Amunet replied, back to her seat with a dismissive air.

"So, why am I in this situation?" Ru asked, his voice was throttling.

"Why don't you ask yourself that?" Amunet replied, picking up the book once again.

"Stop being cryptic and just tell me!" Ru raised his voice, fists clenched.

"I've said enough, Ru," Amunet said, eyes back on the pages.

"Argh! Damn it!" Ru roared, slamming his fist onto the nightstand.

"Disrespectful," Amunet hissed, crossing her legs.

"You can't do this to me! You broke our agreement!" Ru yelled, throwing every item within reach.

But instead of shattering, the objects floated mid-air. The shadows caught them, placing each one neatly back in its place.

"Even your furniture is more valuable than me," Ru muttered bitterly.

"Jealous of the stuff, Ru?" Amunet asked mockingly.

"No," Ru said, glaring.

"Then just hush and get some sleep," she said, her tone flat.

"I want to speak with Lord Dekaris Zharqasti," he demanded.

"That is not possible right now," Amunet said, her voice firm.

"Then leave me alone! I don't need you!" Ru shouted, his anger spilling over.

"That's the sweetest thing you've ever said," Amunet smirked, handing the book to a shadow as she rose from her seat and quietly left the room.

Once she was gone, Ru hugged the pillow and whimpered softly, his tearful expression gradually shifting into a twisted smile as the sickly light of the apocalypse seeped through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

From the balcony, a soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Without lifting his head, Ru whispered to the door, "Come in."