Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 34

The sheet ran upside my legs as I shifted them and rolled straight. Sleep got harder, while time passed, so sleep came in two hour periods where I woke up feeling this tense dread either from a dream or some assumption my life got threatened.

This feeling left a weight on me. I found it hard to function with this sporadic sleeping.

She got louder. Ah, trying to ignore her was easier the louder she got.

Weird, like a puzzle I had yet to solve. Weeks have passed and I cared little for the romp and bump of noble presentation. If Canus called me out for something where we could be alone I was sure to be ready for him.

But if it was a family affair, I found an excuse. It was my way of being nice, but I really hated being around some of his family members even if the Jester was hilarious.

I felt a touch on my upper back. I shivered as her voice spat out words too fast for me to comprehend. My shoulders fidgeted after I stared up at her fuming face.

I widened my eyes as if to say 'what?'. She groaned loudly and pointed at the accused. There was one person other than us two ladies here, so we all knew the culprit.

"My Lady, this vulgar bastard, tell him to stop!" Janilla cried out.

I asked after yawning, "Stop what?"

"He is creating noise on purpose to annoy me."

"What?"

Five's voice came. "I was checking the place to make sure nothing has changed or been missing after we returned from the last trip outside. I sense someone has been in here."

That was possible. Retainers would come in to change the sheets and used clothing. He never complained about that before, so it must have been someone new or different.

Stilling myself, at least I can say he was doing his job. "How sure are you of that?" I asked.

"Not sure..."

I immediately rolled my chest onto the bed. "Janilla, just ignore him."

"How can I ignore him when he keeps tapping the wall with his infernal sword?! I can't read in peace!"

"Stop shouting Janilla, these walls are thin now that I think of it and people can overhear you. I did not hear it. So I can ignore him and besides he needs to keep us safe."

Five's voice echoed in my head. To be honest, she just saw the sword and got scared.

Is that so? I thought.

Janilla fired back. "Him, keeping me safe. No, that man cannot keep me safe. He is a monster through and through. He was made to be a monster. You letting him inflict—"

I replied, "Janilla a—"

It is fine Mother. I need no apology.

My thoughts questioned Five. That Mother thing. You can use my name, you do accept that realization?

As my leader, I call you my Mother. We always call leaders in Elam, Mothers, and Fathers.

Ah, I see. I am a leader.

"You guys are having a mental discussion without me, aren't you?" Janilla asked, her voice tinted with bitterness.

I lied. "No, I was thinking to myself. Also, you said you wanted to be left out of the mind meetings. Why do you care?"

"I-I-I d-do not I-"

Five uttered in my mind. She's lying.

I chuckled. "Anyways, Five, stop tapping the walls."