Hero's Dead Brother

12. Human

"Caleb"

I knew she didn't know me and I shouldn't know her name but I faked a smile and called her.

Her purple eyes turned to me in a frightened expression. She thinks I'm gonna torment her like her siblings or maybe thinks that I will make fun of her clothes. In any case I felt like I should stop right there and not get any closer.

Those eyes... I had them too long ago but lost them. Those are the eyes of an abused person that still has pride. I was happy to see that. She didn't get to the point of being broken. I had to stop that from ever happening.

She was staring at me with suspicion and my body took a step back on it's own.

"Hello! My name is Amiel".

Of course, an awkward silence followed. I cleared my throat.

"But you can call me Ami." Don't screw up. Say something this silence is creepy.

"Umm, wanna be friends?"

'Yeah, sure why not be friends with a creepy 6-years old that has a fake smile?'

Poor thing, she maybe feels like in a horror movie. Maybe being friends with Kevin wasn't that bad after all...

"Umm, I... you...ah, uh, hello"

'Come again?'

Dammit I knew it! I scared her to death! I should have come with Gregory. At least he has charisma.

I tried to keep my smile going but my muscles were protesting.

"Hehe" I let out a lough so that my shaking cheeks would loosen up. It got worse. In an instant, my smile was gone and the poor kid was left with a weird 6 years old fixing her with an expressionless face in the middle of a desert garden.

I then noticed a bruise on her cheek.

"What happened to your cheek?"
Of course she got beaten by a psycho stepmother and now you reminded her of that! Moron!

"Ah, uh, umm... my mah... um... I, I just... that... uh... fell"

I feel like a monster. Look what I've done she's tearing up! I gotta fix this!

Don't ask me what got into me I just ran towards the kid like a screamer and hugged her... Now it's awkward. She's only one year older than me now but is shorter than me! Probably the same as I was in my previous life because of malnutrition.

Poor baby I'm gonna fatten you up. Why don't you come live with me?

"CALEB!"

She flinched

"WHERE DID THAT BRAT GO?"

No way! I'm not gonna give you to anyone. I'm here, Caleb! I'll protect you at any cost!

I felt her shaking in my arms and barely held myself from fainting. She was getting closer and closer. She's gonna kill me! This time she's gonna kill me! She won't forgive me this time! I gotta run! Run!

My legs were prepared to run but then I remembered the kid in my arms. Dammit! I can't run!

"CA..."

She suddenly stopped.

"Oh, young duke! I didn't see you here!"

Wait! I finally stopped holding my breath. I'm the Grand Duke's youngest son. I'm not Noah the helpless. I can actually do something against this woman. I took Caleb's hand and released her from my arms.

When I turned around, I felt like facing my mother and it took my whole energy to look her straight in the eyes.

"Hello, M'am. Caleb is going to stay in our house for the time being. I would like to play with her. You don't have any objections, do you?"

Don't lower your eyes, don't lower your eyes, don't lower your eyes, don't lower your eyes.

"Ah. Ehem... yes, of cousre!"

"Thank you" I shouted as my voice finally cracked up and I dragged Caleb behind me. The poor kid almost fell from my speed but I couldn't help it. I needed to go to the bathroom. Now!

My eyes scanned the place until they detected Gregory.

"Hey, Greg! This is Caleb, she's gonna live with us for the time being she's my friend". I shouted for some reason.

I released Caleb as a falling bomb and ran to the bathroom.

I puked.

My head was spinning as I threw up my insides. I didn't even see Gregory's face when talking. What am I doing? Get a hold on yourself!

I got out and splashed tons of water on my face. I was sweating like a pig. 'So pathetic'.

After half an hour of drying my face and hoping it cooled down, I rushed out to see if Caleb was still with Gregory. I bumped into a person on the way, my vision was blurry.

"Oh, ah... I'm sorry"

"Can't you look where you're going?"

"I... I'm very sorry, Sir"

As I looked up I had a second 6 year's old heart attack for today.

"Lo... Lord Kevin"