Legends of Lightning

Ch.16

"Neeko, how about you and I have a talk," He turned his glare toward Vesper,"...without your little girlfriend."

"He's more like a brother." Vesper said without thinking.

"Sister", Neeko said at the same time.

Vesper and Neeko both looked at each other at the same time and she laughed. His shocked demeanor almost broke, but the man sarcastically laughing only a few feet away made his face twist.

"Neeko, how about we talk in your room." He opened Neeko's door with a key.

He threw Neeko's key back to him and motioned for him to follow him into the room.

"Where did you get that?" Neeko shouted on impulse, his pupils turning to slits as he spoke.

"Oh, these I took from you while you were walking around with her. I'm quite surprised that you didn't notice me do it. Easiest pickpocket I've ever done."

Neeko stood rigid, having a strong desire to not move but having no idea about what he really should do. He registered the insult, but he wasn't about to argue it. He had let his guard down. Neeko wanted to bolt and run far away but his legs were locked up and wouldn't move.

"I won't ask again." His condescending voice grew darker.

Vesper could tell that he was scared but it's not as if he could refuse this man and hope to stay in this tournament. He looked like he might bolt away at any second. If he turned tail and ran now, he'd be on the run for forever. Thus making the outcome worse for him in the long run.

Vesper patted him on the back which made his whole body jolt and moved first. He urged to look at her and his face said it all. Vesper flinched on the inside.

"You better talk to him before the next fight starts. We have to watch it so we can prepare for the next fight!" She tried to lighten the mood.

I don't know what else to do. She desperately thought.

His tense body relaxed a tiny bit when she shot him a reassuring look. Then she turned her gaze to look at the man. His eyes showed he had experience and his voice displayed the amount of arrogance he possessed.  However, she knew he was just toying with Neeko. He enjoyed watching him squirm. Vesper clenched her teeth because she knew she couldn't interfere.

This is something he has to face on his own. For now..

Vesper entered her room and closed her door slow enough to watch Neeko walk into his. The man turned and shot Vesper a look that promised death if she dared knock on the door.

Sala did too good of a job. Everyone is underestimating me.

Vesper huffed and flopped on her bed. Her ears were almost as strong as a beasts, so hearing through a rock wall wasn't a challenge. She scooted closer to the end of her bed, which put her right by the wall.

She knew that man wasn't here to kill Neeko, so that's not what she worried about. She worried that he would go back with them not because he wants to but because he will be forced to. Family matters become more intense the higher up the nobility one is born into. It's not as if Vesper would be allowed to even deny anything her mother demanded of her either. That's what made her heart ache all the more, because she knew the weight that they both carried.