章 6: Chapter 6:- Threads of Fate
Isabella carefully wiped away the blood from her lip and composed herself, attentively listening to William's words. "In my world, there are no slaves. Since my daughter sees you as her mother, I will respect you as her nanny. You will work for me. That's all," William stated, his gaze fixed upon Isabella's intense, red eyes.
"Alright. I accept your offer," Isabella responded, her voice calm and resolute. However, there was a nagging thought in her mind regarding the fourth condition of the contract that prohibited her from falling for the contractor.
The mere notion of developing romantic feelings for William made Isabella sick to her core. 'How can I even entertain the thought of loving someone whom I passionately despise? Even if he were the last man on this planet, I would never allow myself to fall for him,' Isabella thought fervently, her heart rejecting the idea.
Little did she know that her convictions were about to be tested and her thoughts would soon undergo a transformative shift.
"There is one thing that I would like to add," Isabella spoke up, her tone measured and determined.
Curiosity sparked in William's eyes as he inquired, "And what would that be?" He had already presented Isabella with the best contract he could offer, so her additional request piqued his interest.
"I want to be free. Since I will be working as your employee, I believe it is only fair that you return my freedom to me," Isabella stated firmly, hoping against hope that William would consider her request.
A flicker of hesitation crossed William's face before he responded, "Miss Isabella, I apologize, but I don't trust you enough to grant you freedom at this moment. However, I promise you this: once you have earned my trust, I will personally remove that collar from your neck and return your freedom." Although William's response was not the immediate freedom she desired, Isabella couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. If he kept his word, she would regain her freedom in due time.
As long as William adhered to the terms of the contract, Isabella stood to gain many advantages. She would have free time to herself, a monthly salary, and would no longer be subjected to serving anyone else's whims.
Isabella was acutely aware of her own beauty, understanding that many men would lust after her body and try to possess her for their own desires. It was for this reason that she purposely neglected her appearance, not wanting to draw undue attention. From the moment she had encountered William, she had been observing him closely. Thus far, she had noticed that he had never looked at her with any semblance of lust or desire. His gaze remained clear and focused, exuding an air of composure and dignity. He possessed a calm demeanor and impeccable manners, qualities that were exceedingly rare even among the noble class.
Furthermore, the contract William had presented to her dispelled any lingering doubts in her mind regarding his intentions. It became clear that all he sought was a nanny who would diligently care for his daughter, without any ulterior motives.
With these thoughts in mind, Isabella found herself reassured, gradually beginning to believe that William might indeed be different from the others.
"After we're done eating, we can head to the church and officially sign the contract in front of the Sun goddess," William proposed, his voice carrying a tone of conviction. In this world, the Sun goddess held immense reverence and was widely worshipped. The church, therefore, held extraordinary power and influence, serving as the sanctum for the devout followers of various deities.
As a demon, Isabella held a deep-seated aversion towards churches and religious rituals. However, in order to honor her agreement with William and ensure he wouldn't break his word, she reluctantly agreed. Furthermore, demons were strictly prohibited from entering churches or approaching any holy sites. Isabella's only exception was her current slave status, which granted her access.
"Alright, please wake up Aimee. It seems she hasn't had anything to eat in a while," William requested, his concern for his daughter's well-being evident. Isabella's heart warmed at the genuine care he displayed for Aimee. With a gentle smile, she called out to Aimee.
"Aimee!"
"Aimee!"
Witnessing Isabella's tender interaction with Aimee, William felt a sense of satisfaction and relief. It was imperative that this woman maintained her composure and treated Aimee with kindness. Any display of anger or cruelty towards his daughter would undoubtedly test William's own patience and potentially lead to violent consequences. He couldn't fathom the thought of harming Isabella, or worse, ending her life.
Aimee, usually quite unruly and picky with her meals, displayed an unusual level of obedience in Isabella's presence. William often struggled to feed her, resorting to various distractions and tactics just to ensure she consumed her food.
"Mommy," Aimee murmured, rubbing her eyes, still in a drowsy state. Isabella gently cradled Aimee, seating her on her lap, facing William.
"It's time for lunch." Aimee's displeased expression was evident as she glanced at the egg sandwich laid before her. Isabella could sense her reluctance to eat.
"Aimee, do you want to grow up strong and healthy, just like me?" Isabella inquired, her voice laced with kindness and warmth.
Aimee nodded earnestly, her desire to emulate her beloved mother evident. "Then it's important to eat your food. Skipping meals will keep you weak forever," Isabella explained, picking up the sandwich and bringing it close to Aimee's mouth.
William watched in astonishment as his daughter hesitantly opened her mouth and took a small bite. The taste of the sandwich touched her tongue, prompting her eyes to light up with delight. Gradually, her initial reluctance faded, and she began eating with increasing enthusiasm.
'To think my daughter could be so easily persuaded. Life truly is unfair,' William thought, reflecting on the days when he had resorted to purchasing numerous toys and distractions just to coax Aimee into eating her meals. And now, Isabella effortlessly achieved what he struggled to accomplish. It was as if she had taken his place.
As Aimee continued to eat, Isabella beamed, patting her head affectionately. "Good girl," she praised, prompting Aimee to take another bite, eagerly awaiting Isabella's encouraging pat. Once again, the scene left William speechless.
He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the enchanting power of a woman. Isabella effortlessly accomplished what he found challenging. Her ability to connect with Aimee and bring her joy was both admirable and humbling. While sipping his tea and observing his daughter's radiant happiness, William found himself unable to contain his own smile. How long had it been since he witnessed Aimee's joy so unabashedly? Perhaps, acquiring Isabella had indeed been the right decision. As he watched the bond between Isabella and his daughter flourish, they appeared as a genuine mother-and-daughter pair to anyone who beheld them.
After Aimee and Isabella finished their meal, William made his way to the counter to settle the bill. As he approached, he found an elderly man diligently writing in a diary.
Sensing someone's presence, the old man looked up, closing his diary with a soft thud. "Dear customer, is there anything else I can assist you with?" he asked kindly, his voice filled with warmth.
"Grandpa, there aren't many options on the menu. Do you run this café alone?" William, drawing from his business acumen, quickly deduced the reason behind the limited choices.
A heavy sigh escaped the old man's lips, his expression tinged with melancholy. This was not the first time a customer had posed such a question. "Once, I used to run this café with my dear wife. However, about a month ago, she passed away. Now, I'm contemplating whether to sell this place."
"I'm sorry to hear about your loss," William replied, a pang of empathy echoing within him. Having experienced the pain of losing his own family, he could somewhat relate to the old man's grief.
"We opened this café with our savings, hoping to spend our remaining days in peace and tranquility. But now, with my wife gone, my life has been thrown into disarray. She used to handle everything, and now..." The old man trailed off, his voice quivering with emotion. He stopped himself from breaking down in front of the customer, aware of the inappropriateness of such a display.
William closed his eyes momentarily, his heart aching as the old man's words resurrected his own painful memories. The loss of his family had left his life shattered, forcing him to navigate a world of loneliness and solitude. Were it not for Aimee, he might have succumbed to despair long ago.
"Part of me contemplates shutting down this café. My wife loved this place and cared for it as if it were our child. A few weeks ago, I felt an inexplicable urge to pen down all the remarkable and extraordinary experiences of my life. But I can't manage a café and write a book simultaneously. I find myself torn about what to do," the old man confided, his thoughts entangled with uncertainty.
"Grandpa, you could consider hiring two or three slaves to manage the café on your behalf. You wouldn't have to work directly; you could oversee the operations and have ample free time to focus on your writing," William suggested, a glimmer of hope dancing in his eyes.
The old man's face lit up with newfound inspiration. "Thank you, young man. Your words have illuminated a new path for me."
"Happy to help. By the way, how much do I owe you?" William asked, eager to extend his assistance to someone who shared his struggles.
"That would be 10 silver coins," the old man replied. William handed over a gold coin, receiving the change with a gracious nod, before making his way back to his daughter and her nanny.
Meanwhile, the old man observed William's departure, unable to suppress a gentle smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"So, you are the Great Hero," the old man murmured, his eyes briefly glowing with a subtle green hue before the radiance dissipated into the air. His voice barely reached anyone's ears, barely audible amidst the bustling café.
Unbeknownst to William, the elderly man behind the café counter was no ordinary person. In fact, he was one of the most powerful individuals in the entire Empire, renowned as the Seer. Over a decade ago, the great Seer from The Flaming Dominion Empire had abruptly vanished, retiring from his influential position and settling down in the capital. However, his true identity remained shrouded in mystery, known only to a select few.
Possessing the extraordinary gift of foresight, the Seer had the ability to catch glimpses of the future. His skill had reached an unparalleled level, allowing him to perceive fragments of William's impending destiny with a mere interaction. From those tantalizing glimmers, he had pieced together a crucial revelation: William was the fabled Great Hero.
As William completed his transaction and departed from the counter, unaware of the powerful presence he had just encountered, the Seer watched him intently. His ancient eyes sparkled with a blend of wisdom and curiosity, knowing that the threads of fate had woven a significant tapestry around this unassuming man. Though the Seer himself had withdrawn from the limelight, his perception of the future had not waned, granting him glimpses into the grand tapestry that awaited William on his arduous journey.
With a serene smile lingering on his lips, the Seer contemplated the significance of this encounter. He pondered the role he could play in shaping William's destiny, guided by the visions that had unfolded before him.
In the bustling café, amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of conversations, the enigmatic Seer silently guarded the secrets of the future, poised to unveil his true intentions when the time was right. The path ahead lay veiled in mystery.
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