I AM

Chapter 4: Emeri

"Don't" a murmur escaped the little girl's mouth with the blood still trickling down her pale face.

Alexandre looked like he was rather cautious about approaching her, but the amount of blood spilling out was nothing compared to any of his wounds before. And for him, even those felt painful

"A-are you oka--"

"Don't touch that with your filthy hands you bastards" her words so firm without shouting, while her hands grasping onto the cell bars like a predator waiting to be released.

She has quite the foul mouth but not exactly that of a peasant. The butler's face turned sour, still suspecting that she really was of noble blood-- and not just any random aristocrat, but one that seriously has a lot of pride.

The butler knew that what they were doing is really risky and he's not sure if he could even bare the huge consequences if ever everything turned south. But there's one thing that he does know though-- that it's gonna be worth it.

"Young master" Graham looked at Alexandre still holding the ring, signaling that it's best to give it back to her fast.

There was a slight hint of hesitation in Alexandre's eyes but for some reason, seeing blood and bruises that looked really painful everywhere on a little girl that most likely hasn't had her coming of age yet, made him shrug off those feelings of fear.

"What's your name? I'm Alexandre--"

"Ring" The little girl said as he cut off what Alexandre was trying to say, Staring back at him with the most lifeless poker face.

There was a moment of silence once again, and it seems obvious that she's not interested in having a conversation at all. She's not even saying anything about wanting to go out either. Wierdly enough, all she wanted is the ring.

'Hmmmm'

"I know! I'll just call you Emeri! Short for Emerald ring, how about that?"

Her expression didn't change at all. Maybe it was too much deciding a name that came from an object, Alexandre thought.

'It's not meant to be an insult though? TT'

"Mr. Graham was it that bad?" Alexandre turned to the butler with an awkward and an embarassed expression on his face.

The butler smiled at him, as Alexandre paid attention expectantly

"Well it looks like she's not very fond of your naming sense young master"

Ahh, Same ol' Mr. Graham I see. Alexandre looked to the butler's direction with an unamused and a 'what-was-I-expecting' face.

"I really hate you, you always make fun of Alexandre"

"Now, don't hate me Young master, I've been taking care of you since you were born"

While they were bickering, the little girl who will now be referred as 'Emeri', just stared at them as if she was looking into oblivion.

Since they look like they weren't planning to give the ring anytime soon, she simply stepped away from the cell bars and went back to sitting on the wooden slab.

She turned her attention to the small window high up the walls where you could see the moon and it's light slipping past by.

Seems like both Alexandre and the butler noticed Emeri at the corner of their eyes not wanting to be part of, what it seems like a ridiculous circus show they're putting up.

Since Emeri has gotten further at the back of the cell, Alexandre found the courage to slowly step closer.

"I'm sorry if Alexandre did something bad, but even if I did, I swear that I didn't mean to!"

" I just want to kno--"

"Hah" she suddenly scoffed like it was the most ridiculous thing she ever heard--

Seems like she got a habit of cutting off people as if she's tired of hearing different shts everyday.

" 'Young master' seems to have a lot of time in his hands"

She finally turned her head, looking back to Alexandre who standing in front of the cell.

"Too bad coz I don't even have that much time left and spend it all for 'young master's' curiosity"

"So if 'Young master' could just leave the ring here and fck off, I won't forget your kindness till my head goes flying off on the guillotine"

The butler's forehead wrinkled from how inappropriate she made it sound like, though he can't really blame her, putting a little girl to die on a guillotine isn't really that appropriate either.

He looks like he should've covered Alexandre's ears or something at least. He sure doesn't want for him to pick up some words from her. Or maybe if he understood all that, he'll become really disturbed.

The butler looked at him still standing there blankly.

"Mr. Graham, Alexandre didn't really understand all that--"

"Why would Emeri's head fly off? And what's a gi-gilotin?" He asked so innocently looking so confused.

'Good thing he didn't understand that' the butler breathed a sigh of relief

"Don't worry about trivial things young master, Ms. Emeri right here was just being sarcastic"

"And she was talking about gelatine young master, Ms. Emeri apparently likes it"

The butler said as he smiled while looking at Alexandre whose face looks like he's questioning whether anyone would even like a tasteless transparent jelly.

Emeri in the corner couldn't care enough though

"Alexandre doesn't really like them, but I guess we could get them at the kitchen, would you like some?"

"...."

She totally doesn't want to cooperate at all. Alexandre thought that she might say a lot more since she pretty much replied earlier aside from saying that she wants the ring back.

But right now, she's completely ignoring them. Alexandre figured that it might be better if they come back some other time.

"If ever Emeri is in a good mood again, you can always find me upstairs! They're preparing a lottt of tasty foods because it's almost Alexandre's birthday!"

He placed the ring down on the floor near the cell bars.

"Since I don't have my invitation letter right now, I'll give this back to you. But you have to attend okay? Cross your heart"

She still didn't respond but even so, Alexandre has no doubt that she will definitely go-- Though it's just all in his head. She can't even get out of there, much less attend a birthday party, who is he kidding?

They quietly separated ways, only the sound of their footsteps walking away and finally the door, shutting close.

She slowly turned around and saw no one. Her attention turned to the ground as she sees the emerald ring just lying there on the dirt floor.

She quickly ran to it, as she carefully picked it up and wiped the dirt on it with her ragged clothes

Seeing that it looked fine got rid of a ton of weight off her shoulders. It felt like the anxiety and chill that has been following her ever since she lost it, finally disappeared.

"Sht, I was so afraid of the thought that I would've lost you too"

She held it with cupped hands and moved it near her chest, as if she was hugging it.

"I'm sorry"

~•○TO BE CONTINUED○•~