Sea-Crossed Lovers:A Nightkiller fanfic

Chapter 19: Options and Shock

Killer's POV two days later

Knock knock!

Wonder who that is...

I set the pile of letters aside and go to the door to find one of the elders at the door. He smiles, handing me another bag, and walks away without a word. I open the bag, finding MORE LETTERS. I groan, shutting the door. And to think I was starting to make a dent in the amount of letters I already have! I sit down, setting the bag aside.

"Let's see what we have now.."I say, returning to the pile I was working on.

I listen to the fire crackle as it burns the last twenty letters I tossed onto the logs, mainly being written by creeps or assholes who had ulterior motives. I sigh, finding another letter from a member of nobility from that party Dream hosted. They apparently have taken an interest in me since I was bold enough to shout at Dream and that somehow intrigued him. I could tell that it was them despite being anonymous since the wording was way too fancy to be from around here. I toss it into the fire. Then I got the idea to sort through the letters instead of one at a time. I dump all the letters from the envelopes and start sorting, including the new ones. I sort them based on whether they appear to come from a lady, man, or neither and then if they appear to be from a citizen or foreign noble. That made the piles much neater and my job much easier. I collect the stacks from ladies and toss them into the fire. I have no interest in women and I'm not cruel enough to mess with their feelings. Even if they only wrote to me out of attraction to my connections or getting drunk at my tavern and seeking a family. Yeah they didn't hold back, many of them jumping right to marriage talk or having kids. One was crazy enough to say "You'll be all mine and our kids will be ours forever! Nothing can stop us from making the most pure family!" NOOOPE. Lady, my name is Killer, I'm the last person to look for purity.

Then I look at the other piles, starting to read through them. Many were as expected, praising me but hinting at their true intentions by mentioning my relationship to Nightmare. In some letters, I could smell the greed coming off of their writing or other motives they poorly hid. I'm just a stepping stone to something higher than them. Someone to toss away when they're done. Those also enter the flames. Many of these were from my neighbors or from nearby villages. Very few had good intentions which I set aside on a table. Perhaps there is a chance with those to at least give it a try as they didn't even mention Nightmare in them and focused on saying that they'd like to give it a shot with me. These seemed genuine which I couldn't find it in me to reject.

Then I reach the pile that I believe to be from nobles based on how expensive the material of the papers or envelopes used are. Then there's the fancy handwriting with intricate decorations bordering the edges of the letter with complex wording that seems to come right out of a dictionary. More nobles either from the party or the auction seeking my attention or company. Apparently some are disappointed that they didn't get to keep me for themselves or are astonished at how protective I acted of Nightmare and wish for a chance to have that sort of connection with me as well. They were very blunt but of course, it was more of a letter detailing their demands or essentially "Give, give, give! I want this! Give me it!" instead of explaining how equal this relationship would be with a give-and-take process. Too one-sided and selfish, still viewing me as beneath them. These also found their way into the flames. Somehow even that baron managed to deliver a message for me, which sent chills down my spine. 

Then I read a different letter that has a different tone to it.

"Dear Sir Killer,

Hello, I wish you the warmest of days during this winter season and hope that you are well. I must admit that you have frequently been on my mind which is more than the norm for me. I've found myself daydreaming with a wandering mind instead of stargazing. I find myself desiring a genuine connection with you instead of just watching from the sidelines as other nobles treat you so terribly. Well, aside from the Dark Prince. You have very good judgment in who you trust, which makes sense given all that you've probably been through and with the burden of your curse to keep. I was told by a trusted friend of this tradition and saw it as a chance to reach out. I do not seek anything extreme, just a chance to get to know you better. You're quite strong and remarkable, Killer. I'd love nothing more than to lighten your load and keep you company, even within the most platonic terms that you desire. No rush for a response, as whatever you decide works for you will please me. I just wanted to take the chance to properly greet you. Just remember that you're loved and admired by more than you may consider.

Wishing you the best, 

Count Outer"

My face burns, amazed at the honesty and caring affection oozing from the paper. It's much sweeter and even acknowledges my boundaries. And he is one of the few that knows of my curse...Seeking to help me even...My soul beats quicker.

He is...certainly an option...

I set the letter beside me in a small approved pile and sighed, shaking my head. I glance over to the wanted poster I pinned on my desk in the corner of Moony, shaking my head. 

I wonder what he deals with in the winter...Tch, I have to be realistic though. He's my night friend and isn't open to revealing himself. Even if he did, I doubt he sees me that way or feels the way he makes me feel. I should give others a chance who are here for me as it is pointless to wait around for something that may never come. I hardly know who Moony is other than vague details...Just a friend...A secret friend...I need to raise my standards with love and open up...

I step outside to go for a stroll and clear my thoughts. I'll read the rest later.

Hours later....

"No way...."I mutter, astonished at the letter that I just read

Nightmare.....loves me...? Did he actually write this? But..I don't get these mixed signals...This has to be a trick...

TBC