Blood Ink

Chapter Fourteen

I was left to wonder the estate aimlessly after breakfast had been taken care of. I felt stuffed with the delicious pastries Mathias had treated me too. I was whistling happily walking down the corridors exploring the estate wanting to see every last inch of the place. Although initially I felt a panic to get home, now I kind of wanted to enjoy the luxury Mathias was freely giving me. I didn't mind the food or the clothes or the suite/bedroom I had. I was living like a queen. There also wasn't much of a rush to get home, since there was really no one to go home too.

The question on who the guy who had helped me with that dragon encounter did itch at the back of my mind. I knew his name, I just couldn't remember it for the life of me. I knew I had said it countless times before throughout our encounter. I didn't know why I couldn't say it now. I dug deep into my subconscious trying to recall the name. His name, the asshole who ditched me and made me end up getting abducted. The one who almost used me as dragon chow twice! The thoughts revolving him where almost as irritating as he was. I could blame this whole situation on him even though it wasn't half bad.  I wound up in a palace where I'm treated like a princess who could get whatever she wanted now. Though I never really needed much, since I was always really simplistic. This extravagance still seemed like a bit too much. Still, I could live here forever and forget my worries. He was the one who abandoned me after all. I grit my teeth as the irritation just boiled inside me. The whole event was on replay in my mind until suddenly I found myself growling out "stupid Issei."

I blinked and almost shouted That's it! That's his name!  I wondered if Mathias would be able to find him in this world. If so I would love to give him a piece of my mind for ditching me back there after the dragon conflict.  I looked at one of the maids in the corridor who stood by silently. She didn't make eye contact with me.

"Hey can you take me to Mathias?" I asked her. She bowed and began walking in a different direction. I followed her silently as she led me down several corridors and stopped in front  of  a set of doors. "Wait here, ma'm." She spoke softly and went inside. I stood blankly in the hallway not looking up at the ceiling. The details were so well defined. The doors swung open by Mathias. He greeted me with a kind smile like he always did.

"You requested an audience with me? Is there something you desire, my darling pet?" He asked gently. "I remembered that one guys name." I blurted and stammered. "The one who helped me with the dragon, The one I mentioned at breakfast." I stated. "I was wondering if I would be able to meet with him if you do find him." I asked him. Mostly because I wanted to give the poor bastard a piece of my mind.

"Ah, that's wonderful. Absolutely Splendid. What's his name." Mathias asked. "I'll see if I can arrange something."

"His name is Issei." I said and Mathias stared at me as if I had said something revolting. His expression changed to one of momentary rage. "Is something wrong?" I asked unsure if I'd done something bad. "I'm sorry, could you repeat his name, I think I misheard you." Mathias said composing himself once more.

"Issei." I repeated. He stared at me trying to figure out if I was messing with him on the factor of that being name. "Are you sure." He asked and I nodded intently.

"He's extremely irritating, and a bit of an asshole,  but kind of cool, I guess. He said his name was Issei." I said again. Mathias looked like he was trouble digesting what I was telling him. Almost like his name was taboo.

"Come into my office." He motioned me inside and I didn't hesitate to walk in. "Take a seat." His office had ambrosía colored curtains on the windows. A crystal set of whiskey, leather bound chairs that gave the room a leather like smell, and a marble desk. Covered in paper and pencils it looked like any regular office except for the marble pillars, and extensive library of books made up of two to three floors attached to it.

I sat down without much protest and looked around at the accents in the room. He coughed to get my attention and I faced him. "You're absolutely sure the person who helped you went by the name of Issei?" Again the same question. Why was it so hard for him to digest the name. I nodded. "Is he like a bad guy or something?" I asked.

"No." Mathias answered. "Not exactly."

I looked confused had I been aided by a fugitive of this world? "Issei, is a name that holds a lot of respect and power in this realm." He began. "Many of us fear the name because of who he is, no one really knows him. But he is considered myth, almost like a legend." Mathias said slowly. "Now you're sitting here telling me you met him. Spoke to him. And, He helped you? Thats a rarity." He looked pleased by the knowledge almost as if that alone increased my value in his eyes.

"So he's unknown." I asked. I felt kind of privileged to have met someone so legendary. "He is what we consider to be a boogie man of sorts. The monster you humans are told about to be taught to behave." He added. "For us, he is not someone we want to ever encounter on bad terms." He placed his hands on his desk and relaxed slightly. "Wait but what if its a different guy?" I doubted the chances I had of meeting someone so important. My hands fidgeted with the necklace he gave me that I didn't tell Mathias about.

"For someone to use his name casually, is unwise. He spoke quietly. "His name is almost never spoke of."

I was still processing the idea of supposed mythical creatures having a boogie man of their own. It was a humorous concept but I understood what the point was. "Issei, is a phantom. He hunts those of us who step out of line, misbehave, or throw the realms out of balance." Mathias states calmly.

"I can't believe I met someone like that by random chance." I mumbled. "The fact that you know who he is and what he looks like makes you very valuable." Mathias says gently. "It does?"

"Yes. No one really knows who Issei is, that's what makes him so threatening to us. We don't know until it's too late. Anyone who has met him has never lived to tell the tale." Mathias says slowly. "Many would pay a great amount of money to have him dead."

"I had no idea." I answered quietly. "There have been few who have been impersonators taking his name to get their way. Using it to strike fear, but even so those who usually speak his name as their own end up dead."

"So his name is sort of like a death omen?" I asked quietly and Mathias nodded. "You must be very careful how you speak that name here in this realm."

The asshole known as Issei that I had met was not only a jerk, but he was also a legendary deadly force. How in the hell had this all played out in this manner. I was a little mortified now that I had realized that I had been an ass to him. I dreaded my actions now. I must've been expressing it outwardly since Mathias stood up and patted me on the head.

"It's alright my pet, you'll learn these things as time progresses. You're still new to this world and there's a lot to teach you about your new home." He smiled. "You'll have plenty of time to learn it all."

Somehow I felt comforted by his pets even though I wasn't particularly fond of them. He didn't seem all that troubled that I had told him. "I'm happy you told me who it was the moment you remembered." 

My cheeks burned red when he smiled as he said that. "No problem." I mumbled. "Unfortunately I can't arrange for you to meet him." He states gently. "I don't think I could find him for you to meet him." He stared at me in the eyes. "I also wouldn't want him in my home."

I nodded. "It's not a big deal. I'm not sure I want to see him again to be honest." Mathias laughed. "Well now run along and enjoy yourself, I have work to do." He didn't need to tell me twice, I excused myself the moment he was done explaining to me who Issei really was. I looked at the maid who hadn't moved from the hall.