Bab 10: 10- "She recognized you,"
"Why did you do it?" His voice was rough. He asked no one in particular but a figure emerged from the wall. The figure moves closer to Dominic who was standing at the window.
It was nighttime.
"She recognized you," Simon countered as he stepped closer to Dominic, he bent his head at him. "Her eyes dilated when she saw you, and the chances of you being her protector were slipping."
"King Magnus wouldn't have selected someone else for the fear of offending the temple of priests, so I had the highest odds." He stopped and turned around to face Simon,
"You're lucky old man Robert wasn't there, that man is always suspicious."
"Who's Robert?" Simon asks. His Master just got here and the likelihood of him knowing people and their attitudes instantly was strange.
"I have my ways," He replied and turned his back on Simon.
"What's happening in the south?"
"Nothing suspicious yet. But Xavier seemed to want the girl urgently, he had been asking around for help, he knew entering the Magnus's Mansion wouldn't be as easy as the Bernard's." Simon reported.
"And East?"
"King Dexter is trying to start a war against the Western Empire. He believes King Reeves had a hand in the disappearance of the blackwink,"
"And?"
"He is correct. The Western King was the mastermind of the disappearance but King Dexter's investigator was also an accomplice. And the conflict against the West is a trap." Simon stated. He wasn't just Dominic's investigator but also his second-in-command and best friend.
"King Dexter is too cunning to fall into traps. " Dominic remarked.
"Are we helping?"
"No." His answer was firm. He looks outside the window, studying the faces of the guards.
"We'll just watch and see what happens." He proceeded.
"But-"
*Knock*
*knock*
"Dominic..." The calling of his master's name and knocking on the door made Simon disappear immediately. Dominic snapped off his aura and put on his good-boy impression.
"Who's that?" His voice was calm and soft. The cold voice he had earlier had completely vanished.
"It's me, Katherine." A voice came from outside his door. He knows the lady, she is the left hand of King Magnus. He moves away from the window and strides towards the door. Unhooking the bolt he opens the door.
"Lady Katherine," He bends his head at her.
He noticed she seemed worried.
"I know you arrived today and you sure do need rest, but I need a favor from you." Lady Katherine said. She was exhausted and Dominic could see that.
"What is it?" He asked politely.
She hesitated for a moment,
"Can you stay with Lexi for tonight? She had a nightmare yesterday and she's still afraid." She paused a little. "Thomas and I are being sent on an errand and Robert never leaves his cabin. King Magnus is definitely not an option so that leaves you."
Dominic looked at Katherine, confused. His duty starts the next day which gives him a short time to settle down. He wasn't looking forward to protecting her, his purpose for coming here was different from what the others thought, and nobody knew this, except Simon.
He wanted to decline, but her pleading eyes got to him. So he nodded.
"Ok." He replied. Lady Katherine sighed in relief and bid him goodnight before leaving. Dominic closes the door.
"Your duty awaits you, Your Majesty." Simon taunted playfully from behind him. Dominic's eyes narrowed, and he turned around and glared at Simon.
"Report any wary movement to me immediately, I hate delays." He told Simon, his voice was commanding and intimidating.
Simon quickly compose himself,
"Yes, master." He stooped and vanished.
Dominic walked out of his door and headed for Alexandra's room. He climbed the stairs and walked until he reached her doorstep.
Then he knocked.
At first, no reply, and his mood soured. He knocked again, yet the same result.
He tried to push the door open but it was locked from the inside.
After some seconds he heard a clicking sound. The door was opened. He watches as the little girl peeks out through the door, and when her eyes meet his she quickly closes the door, leaving him dumbfounded.
He knocked again.
Fortunately, the door opened again, but the sound of someone running was heard bringing a smile to his lips.
"Pussycat..." He murmured. He tugged the door open and entered the room. His eyes greeted the wall color, which was dark, unlike what most girls prefer at such a young age.
He glances at the bed and stares at the big bulge on it. The little girl was hiding under the blanket.
"I do believe that's not a way to sleep." He stated. He watched as the little girl removed the blanket from her head, and she stared at him.
"You're Small?," Her words came out as a question rather than a statement. "How old are you?" Her voice was really low and soft, and timid. But at least she was talking.
"17." He responded. He walks to the chair at the side close to her bed and sits on it. He observed her for a moment,
"You seem to be scared of me, why?"
Alexandra quickly diverted her eyes. His eyes were too cold and mysterious for a boy his age. She grasps tightly at her blanket,
"You-... your eyes are cold," Her timid voice was low. "A-and... strange." She continued.
She watched as a smile rose on his lips, but it disappeared immediately. His eyes were looking at her and observing her movement.
"Go to sleep." He said to her, She was confused, go to sleep? wasn't he going to leave for her to lock the door? wait--
"Y-you're not leaving?" She asked. Dread filled her tone as she spoke.
"No." His response was short. No, she didn't want him to stay.
"I-i can sleep on my own."
His eyes that were looking around her room fell back at her. "Children shouldn't disobey their elders. Now shhh..... and go to sleep." He didn't even tuck her in, rather, he rested his head on the chair and closed his eyes.
"But I'm not feeling sleepy,"
His eyes snap open. They were cold.
"Close your eyes and sleep." His tone was firm and frightening, causing shivers to run down Lexi's spine. She nodded furiously and quickly shut her eyes.
Her eyes were tightly shut. After some minutes, unknown to her she slept off.
Dominic opens his eyes gradually. He gazed at the girl on the bed, different emotions passed through his eyes, but he shut his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts.
He stood up from the chair, and Simon appeared from the wall.
"Watch over her," Dominic instructed.
He walked past Simon and exited through the door.
Unknown to both of them, Alexandra was having another nightmare.
-- Hadiah diterima