Dress in fine and expensive clothes, the once high and mighty Archduke is now a child but despite its curse, he still looks perfectly splendid in his inner black clothing and a white suit with a remarkable silver pattern that shines throughout the sunlight. Additionally, the coat he rests on his shoulder makes him look like the true heir of the throne.
"Rise." He says. I stand up and meet his eyes. Everything is awkward for me. Seeing him makes me wake up that I am truly in the movie. Sunghoon is busy observing every action of mine and when he opens his mouth, I flinch as he says, "Why are you wearing a scarf in the middle of summer?"
"I have a huge scar on my neck, Your Grace. The King ordered me to do so as it may give a negative impression to the citizens." I slowly said a lie. With all honesty, the reason why I wear a scarf is due to the tattoo I earn on Devil Island.
After surviving the Survival System, the last step to do with the child who has a high killing rate was to go to the Devil Island and must survive to earn one of the Seven Deadly Weapons. During my stay, there was more than one hell there. I was lucky to earn the interest of Phthonus, the god of Envy and to complete the contract, I must bear the tattoo of envy showcasing I am his slave but in return, he will give me one-fourth of his power.
The Archduke just scoffs and returns to his seat while crossing his legs. In the movie, Sunghoon was seen as a lively and lovable man. He smiles lightly and it was genuine. Looking at his expression right now makes me think how he loves the heroine that makes his attitude change.
While staring at Sunghoon, I notice his eyebags are just like Jay and it does somehow tick me off for ruining his ethereal beauty. I muster the courage to speak to break the awkward atmosphere which only I can feel since it is seen that Sunghoon doesn't mind my presence.
"Your Grace," I called. He only hums while reading the pile of papers that are placed on his desk. "Shall we sleep?"
I mentally slap myself for being too nervous in front of him making my words mess up. Sunghoon stops what he has been doing and looks at me as if I am an annoying pest.
"Get out." He hisses. I gulp and bow slowly as I exited the room.
I was about to close the door but decided to open it once again to clarify, "Your Grace, pardon my rudeness but it seems you misunderstood me. I notice that you're not getting any sleep and even if you do have insomnia, I can use magic to make you sleep for it is my specialty. I do not mean to treat you like a child as I know that you are a respectable man."
I tried waiting for his response but he seems to choose to ignore my words. I sigh and continue, "Well then, excuse me."
As soon as I close the door, the butler looks at me with a smile on his face saying, "I thought you'll get surprised."
"I've been training since I was a child after all. I can hear you breathing even at His Grace's room." I laugh while his jaw drops.
"You can hear me inside the room?" He asks once again.
"Yeah?" I awkwardly said making it look like I'm not sure about my answer.
"Yeah?" He looks confused which made me realize that I used a slang word where people in this era are not familiar with.
"I mean yes!" I said while putting a smile on my face. "Anyway, can you give me a tour of this magnificent mansion?" I said and change the subject while exaggerating my words.
"Ah, that's a good idea but I'm meaning to ask you this, but where is your weapon?" He asks as he eyes my hips searching for a sword.
"Hmm..." I hum and smile, "That's a secret." I place my pointer finger in my lips trying to make him curious. He got startled at how I answer his question but then chuckles.
We are about to walk away when Sunghoon also exited the room. We both quickly bow to him as we both say, "Greetings to the Son of Chuirreral Empire."
Sunghoon suddenly draws out his sword and have it at the side of my neck. I heave out a sigh still bowing while Yohan straightens his back due to panic.
"Are you a spy or a knight. Speak." Sunghoon coldly said. I pouted and also stand up properly to meet his eyes.
"I'm hurt, Your Grace," I said and wipe my eyes as if tears are coming out. Sunghoon didn't react and that made me use my fingers to make the sword further away from me causing me to bleed. "I'm neither, Your Grace." I answer honestly.
"What's the meaning of this?" He growls to the butler and makes Yohan jump lightly. Yohan is sweating too much, scared out of his life.
"I'm a protector, Your Grace." I said. I'm not lying about being a weapon is like a protector but, our hands are much dirtier than the hands of a protector. "If you can put your sword down, we can have some nice chit-chat about the Kingdom's system."
"Chit-chat?" He asks. "You're using such complicated words that are unknown to our Empire. Make it simple, Altalunian." He threatens and draws the sword closer which makes my fingers bleed than ever before.
"Ah, I apologize. I have been apart of the Altalunians these past few months and got carried away by our slang words we used whenever we train. I meant if you can lend me your ear, I can explain the Kingdom's system and its government." I sweetly smile.
"What do you mean by apart?" He said. I flinch a bit and he seems to notice as his eyes are starting to observe me. This time, it is my fault for having such a loudmouth who can't keep the truth hidden.
"I'll also include that in my explanation if you have the patience to hear me out of course." I shrug.
"Including how you know the greeting of a Chuirreralnian?" He threatens.
"Consider it done, Your Grace." I seriously said.
It took a while for him to withdraw his sword. I let out a sigh in relief and look at my bleeding fingers. I lick my bleed and suddenly, Phthonus speaks.
"Nesta, my child." His hoarse voice rang into my head.
"What is it?" I mentally said with annoyance. Sunghoon starts to walk away which causes me to look at the butler for further instructions. The butler nods at me and walks together with Sunghoon. I hurriedly follow them.
"That man is cursed." Phthonus hisses.
"I know and so?" I asked curiously but informally.
"Help him." Once he said that I immediately stop walking.
"That's quite new," I said almost stuttering since I am shocked while Phthonus let out a deep laugh. "I am planning to help him too but why are you interested in him? I ask.
"He can bring out your power child." He said having fun in this situation. I am about to ask him something but failed when Sunghoon calls for my attention.
"Are you coming or what?" He asks without turning around nor stopping in his tracks.
"Yes, coming," I said and run towards him. "I'm curious, how old are you in that body of yours, Your Grace?" I ask slowly afraid that his temper would rise like a volcano.
"15." He replies. My eyes widen and then thought that his height does say he's not entirely a child. I was busy staring at his handsome face to the point I didn't notice he is in his teen and not a child.
What the hell is the writer thinking?
"Your original age?" I ask once again.
"20." He answers. I gasp. All this time, I thought we were the same age but it seems I'm wrong.
"And your curse?"
"Why are you asking a lot for a protector?" He glares at my side while I gulp.
"Because I'm your protector." I state the obvious.
"Silence. That answer of yours is invalid and the information for my curse is confidential." He coldly said while I scoff. This Archduke does make me curious and all.
