Own Time

Chapter 09

I finish my dinner with a satisfied smile, feeling more sated than I had ever been in the morning. "Is the food that delightful?" the lady inquired, gazing at me intently while resting her face in her palm. 

"Yes, it was, my lady," I replied with a broad smile. She tilted her head and asked, "Do you have room for dessert?" My eyes sparkled, for I have always had a fondness for sweets, even back when I was sixteen. Yet, I declined, "No, I'm already full, my lady, but thank you for asking." I wanted to humble myself, as I am still not accustomed to receiving things for free.

"Hmmm," she murmured, signaling one of the attendants. The attendant bowed and left the room. A few minutes later, she returned with a trolley laden with expensive desserts. My eyes widened with excitement, though I tried to conceal it. The attendant served the lady her dessert and then stepped back.

"Oh," I murmured under my breath, lowering my head. Despite saying I didn't want any, I had secretly hoped she would offer me some. Then I heard a plate being placed in front of me. I looked up and saw a delectable dessert with what appeared to have a fruit filling. Though I didn't know its name, it was cut into small, manageable pieces for me to enjoy.

"You're not good at lying, kid, so just accept everything I offer you," she said in a calm yet stern voice. Her words filled my heart with happiness. "Even though I'm still not used to it, I'll try my best and make sure not to disappoint you, my lady," I replied, before starting to enjoy the food.

"How long are you going to call me that?" she asked. I looked up at her, my face smeared with strawberry filling. "What do you mean, my lady?" I inquired. She sighed and wiped my face with her hand, causing the attendants to gasp audibly.

"Did you forget what position you hold now?" she asked, wiping her hands with a cloth, her eyes never leaving mine. I set down my cutlery and nodded. "I am the young master of this mansion and the heir of Norouca," I stated.

"And me?" she asked. I gulped, feeling the weight of her gaze. "The supreme leader of Norouca," I answered. I knew the response she wanted, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"And that makes me your...?" she asked again, tapping her finger on the table. I fidgeted nervously and felt embarrassed. "Umm..." My fingers trembled with nervousness.

"We can stay here as long as it takes for you to answer me. I'm not busy," she insisted. "What are you talking about? You've got loads of work piled up in your office," Vel complained.  

I gulped again and took a deep breath. "My mother," I said in a low voice.

"What? I didn't hear you clearly," she teased, a smirk playing on her lips. Why was she torturing me like this?

"My lady, you shouldn't force a child to do something they're not comfortable with," Griza stepped forward, reprimanding her.

"Really? But he's comfortable talking informally to me and he has no trouble raising his voice. So, I fail to see what's supposed to be the problem with calling me that specific title," she replied sassily, not even glancing at Griza and keeping her gaze fixed on me.

"I already told you I felt pressured. Why do you keep bringing it up? Mother," I said, ending with a calm voice. I heard her chuckle. I didn't know how to feel in that moment, but one emotion stood out clearly: annoyance.

"Good. From now on, that's how you will call me, no questions asked. Just get used to it," she declared, standing up and adjusting her clothes. Heat rose in my head, threatening to explode with one wrong move.

"Oh, by the way, regarding your question—I just enjoy seeing you pissed off and turning into a giant bomb," she added casually. 

"My lady" Griza said in shock, and there it is the wrong move. 

"What the heck?! How can you say that to a child?! Do you like bullying children?!" I exploded as I stood up from my chair and my hands were in a fist. She smirked again and raised her right eyebrow.

"Child? Bullying children? Are you sure? Because all I can see is an adult stuck in a small body," she remarked, causing my eyes to widen. Did she know about my secret?

"Did I leave you speechless? Keep being yourself so I can have my own entertainment," she said, walking towards me and patting my head before walking past with Vel. I stared at her in disbelief.

"You... Mother-effing curse!" I exclaimed angrily as they both left the dining room. I rubbed my temple in frustration. Griza came over to me, and I noticed the shocked and terrified expressions on the attendants' faces.

"You should finish your dessert now, young master," Griza said awkwardly, guiding me back into my seat and placing the cutlery in my hands. Despite my anger, I didn't want to waste the cook's hard work, so I indulged in sweets and bread.

"Young master, eat slowly. You'll get a stomach ache," she said with concern. A stomach ache? I think I already have one just thinking about what happened.

'But seriously, what's wrong with Mother?"