Papa Nightmare? [Nightkiller] [English Version]

CHAP 58

Cross's POV:

I woke up early, with the weight of the previous day's conversation still on my mind. What on earth could Crescent teach me? The last thing I wanted was to be trained by a kid who's grown more fond of Killer than any of us. This all sounded like a bad joke to me, but I couldn't defy Nightmare's orders.

The day had started like any other, or so I thought at first. However, nothing in Nightmare's castle is predictable, especially when they summon you to a training that you don't even understand. With that uncomfortable feeling, I headed to the dining room, hoping they would give me more information or, at least, some sense of what was happening. When I reached the entrance, what I saw stunned me.

Nightmare, Killer and Crescent were sitting around the table, eating breakfast together like... a normal family? There was something about the scene that I found totally disconcerting.

Crescent, sitting between the two adults, looked completely comfortable, and Nightmare seemed relaxed, although he maintained his usual imposing expression. Killer, on the other hand, was acting strangely... motherly? Yes, that was the word. He seemed to be tending to Crescent with the diligence of a babysitter. He brought him the food, filled his glass with milk, and all with an expression that was, for me, completely new on him.

I couldn't help but feel like I was interrupting something. That atmosphere... it almost seemed homely, which when you take into account that it includes my boss makes it quite disturbing. As if I had barged into a private moment, I watched in silence before the three of them looked up and saw me.

Nightmare shot me a quick glance, pointing to the seat I should take. I nodded awkwardly, trying to act normal. I walked over to the table and sat down, but the feeling of being out of place didn't go away. Everything felt... awkward, like I was a thief who broke in to steal the television and ended up having breakfast with the family who was still home.

The meal passed in silence, at least on my part. Crescent spoke animatedly about anything that came to mind, and Nightmare responded with short words, something that was already a lot for him. Killer, on the other hand, was strangely silent, busy playing with the food on his plate.

After breakfast, the moment I feared most arrived: training. Nightmare stood up without saying anything else and gave me a look that clearly indicated that I should follow Crescent and Killer. With a resigned sigh, I got up from the table and followed them out to the backyard.

What awaited me was, in a word... ridiculous.

''Today, Cross, you will learn to act like a princess'' Crescent said with all the seriousness a child could muster, his pupils shining with excitement. He was dressed in what appeared to be a small prince costume, complete with a cape and a plastic crown.

I went blank, completely bewildered. What the hell...? A princess? My thoughts crashed into each other as I tried to process what I had just heard.

''Excuse me... what?'' I managed to say, although my voice came out weaker than I would have liked. This sounded more ridiculous than being coached by a child.

''You will learn to be a princess'' Crescent repeated, smiling widely. ''You have to learn to walk, talk, and act like one. It's part of your special training'' he emphasized with a sinister smile. You could see for miles that he was the boss's son.

I stood there, unable to move as I tried to make sense of it all. Killer, standing next to Crescent, simply watched me with a slight smile that clearly enjoyed my confusion.

''Killer will act as my assistant'' Crescent said. ''And I will teach you everything you need to know'' he continued, lifting his chest proudly.

Was this a joke? I looked at Killer, searching for some kind of explanation or sign that this was just a farce. But he simply bowed his head, like a true assistant, and said: