The Blood Alchemist

The Dot on the Map

I lean against the wall, staring thoughtfully at the door across the way. She hadn't come out of her room yet. According to the guard I had posted there last night, she hasn't so much as peaked out of her room.

Should I knock? What if she was still sleeping? Was she even still in there? Should I have a guard do a sweep outside the window to see if she had managed to sneak out? She wanted her backpack back. Surely she wouldn't leave without it, would she? Maybe I should find a maid and have them knock and offer her assistance. No, she would probably suspect that I had ordered the maid to spy on her for me.

Screw it. Breakfast was ready. I'll just knock and let her know. If I wake her up, I can just wait out here for her to get ready. Then I won't just be standing out here like a creep.

The door swings open, leaving my knuckles to make contact with air. The girl blinks in surprise. I quickly drop my hand, smiling. "Good morning. I was just coming to tell you breakfast is ready." I step back to allow her out of the room.

She steps into the hall, closing the door gently behind her. "I'm surprised you didn't send a maid to my room this morning." Her hair is free of its braid. It hangs loose in wild waves that frame her face and flow over and around her shoulders.

"Did you want one?"

"No. I would have sent anyone you sent to me away."

Of course she would have. I just turn towards the sitting room I had prepared for breakfast. She falls into step beside me. From the corner of my eye, I can see her quietly surveying the halls, taking everything in. She's probably looking for exit points. My eyes keep drifting to her hair. "Decided you didn't actually like your braid?"

She doesn't even glance at me. "I lost my hair tie yesterday. I didn't know until I woke up this morning." She absently runs a hand through her hair, grimacing as she comes across a small tangle.

"I could find you a brush and hair tie. If you'd like me to," I quickly amend as her narrowed eyes turn towards me.

"What's the catch?" There's a definitive edge to her voice.

"No catch. Just trying to be nice."

She studies me for a second. "Okay."

I blink in surprise. "Really?"

"I would prefer to keep my hair in a braid and putting it in one will be easier if it's brushed."

I almost can't believe that she's actually answering. Sure, they're simple casual conversation responses, but it's a start. I open the door to the sitting room, motioning for her to go in ahead of me. "I'll have someone get on that right away. "

She nods her head. "Thank you." She walks past me into the room.

I'm not sure if the thank you was for the hairbrush and hair tie or for holding the door. Maybe it was for both. I'm not about to question it. I'm not about to risk spoiling her seemingly good mood and risk my answers. I motion for the servant across the hall. Once they have their order, they bob their head and scurry off down the hall, intent to finish the assigned task as quickly as possible.

I turn my attention back to the girl, letting the door click shut on its own. She watches me pad across the room as she takes a bite from the apple in her hand.

"If there's anything in particular that you'd like, the chef can make it for you," I offer, sliding into one of the chairs at the table.

She shakes her head. "Butter me up all you want; I'm not telling you anything."

I reach out, pulling the plate of grapes to myself. "A shame. That is basically the only condition to getting your backpack back. Trust me, Clyde won't relent on that."