My Life As A Villain's Sidekick|✓

First Snow

Reading tips:

Ren Astor/Eirlys/Brook(butler)           [Ren's thought]/{Eirly's thought}

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"Master Ren, be careful."

"I'm fine, Brook. 

Go and attend Father. 

I will walk around with Tom."

"Yes, Master Ren."

[I walk along the snow covered pavement in the poorest corner of the capital. Charity work. As if the King and the Queen are such nice people. It's all for show. If they're really so benevolent and care so much about their poor subjects, then why not come themselves? Why send for Lord and Lady Astor? Oh, the Queen specifically chose Lady Astor because Lady Astor is her 'best friend' and will surely be a good substitute for her. Mother fell ill after her meeting with the Queen. No doubt hearing spiteful comments from the Queen both in person and in mind. Just you wait, I'll make them all pay some day.]

"Tom, start distributing the bread." 

[I help with the distribution. I kneel down and tap on the shoulder of a skinny girl huddling at the corner. She looks up. Her eyes fill with despair and loneliness. When she takes in my appearance, hatred flashes through her eyes.

Despair, loneliness and hatred. Aren't those three emotions my closest friends? Out of curiosity. I focus my mind reading power on her. 

Mind reading is what made Mother soulless and weak. It is what made Mother retreats into her own world. I'm luckier than her in many ways. I read minds only if I intend to do so.]

{Why can you stay warm and handsome while I have to shiver on the street? Life is not fair. But the bread he is holding...}

"This is for you. 

It's not much, but it is still something."

"Who... are you?"

"Just someone passing by." 

{Of course. A rich guy passing by taking pity on the poor shivering girl.

What do you expect? A fairy here to grant your wish?

Grow up! }

[I chuckle silently. This girl's inner musings are quite fun. If it's this girl, will she be able to understand my despair, my loneliness and my hatred? Can she?]

"It's snowing. It must be cold."

{Of course it is cold! Will it be hot?}

"Do you want to go somewhere warm?"

"Warm?"

"Our estate is always in need of a maid."

{He seems to be a noble, so he will not trick me... right? 

But why me?}

"I just found you a suitable candidate as a maid. 

You won't betray someone who gives you a job, right?" 

{That smile... he looks like a villain from one of the fairytales Mother read with me when I was small. That's one of the few memories I have. He is definitely dangerous. But it's a job... A job means food, somewhere to live, money...}

"If you accept, you will have food, somewhere to live, stay warm, money and... education."

[I offer her my hand and after much hesitation, she takes it. Snowflakes flutter down and one landed on our hands.]

"Eirlys. That's your name from now on.

I'm Ren Astor, son of Lord Astor." 

[My mouth quirks up. Black raven white snowdrop. What a pair we're going to make.]

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Author's note:

First bonus chapter ;p Hope you like it! We get a peak at Lord Astor's thoughts! 

It's nearly 3k! Thank you every one of you! It also hits 53 in Short Story :D

See you next time! The past is still a mystery, right? ;)