Shhhh, don't let them know I like gold (I)

I felt a sudden unease at whoever was in front of the door. Was it my sense that was tingling? Kuhuhuh, for a split moment, I remembered a popular comic that I liked to read, but that was quickly gone when another rough pounding on the door brought me back to reality.

"Are we expecting anyone today?" Phil asked. He was out of his chair in seconds. He rushed over to his bow and arrows that he leaned against the wall.

"No." She got up and was headed towards the door.

"Grandma! What are you doing?" Phil hissed.

"Answering the door."

Phil smacked his head with his hands. "Grandma, what if it's someone bad? You are not who you used to be."

"I have you don't I?" She seemed to have great faith in Phil.

I couldn't help but be shocked at the naivety of Phil's grandmother. Even I had the common sense to be wary of the unknown guest that was knocking on the door in the middle of the forest.

"Mary!" A rough male's voice called out as he banged on the door over and over again. "I have news from the Duke!"

"Mary?" I asked.

"That's grandma's name." Phil quickly answered. He glanced at his grandmother, confused.

"Ah, that must be Jeremy."

"Jeremy? You don't mean that, Uncle Jeremy?" Phil's eyes clouded over.

Whoever this Jeremy was, I could tell that it did not sit well with Phil.

Phil's grandmother opened the door, allowing Jeremy to enter. An elderly man who looked to be in his prime stepped in. He had a curly brown thick beard. Even the clothes that he wore were extravagant and looked out of place. The only thought that came to mind was a noble.

"Thank you, Mary. I am glad to see you doing well."

"We are." She gratefully took his words. "I'm surprised that you came out here at this time of night. Is there something going on?"

"My escort is outside." Jeremy walked over casually like he owned the place. "I need to bring you and the boy back."

"I'm not going," Phil spoke.

"Your grandfather wants you to come back."

"I have a name, and it's not a boy."

"Phil, mind your manners," snapped Grandma Mary. She gently replied to Jeremy. "You must be tired. Why don't you stay the night."

"Thank you."

Jeremy pulled back a chair and sat down on the opposite side of me. He looked surprised that I was here.

"Who?"

"That's Berry. She's been temporarily staying with us starting today." Grandma Mary was scooping up extra food for Jeremy. "She was wandering around the forest and had come upon our humble home."

"Berry, is it? It's strange for someone so young to be walking around this forest without any escort." Jeremy examined me with suspicious eyes. "You're an elf?" His eyes rested on my ears and seemed to relax a little.

Was it possible that elves in this world were considered a particular case? I couldn't help but think of these thoughts. It's just that whenever I state, I'm an elf. They seem to be more laid back. "Yes, sir. I was just taking a stroll when I saw this house."

"I see." Jeremy leaned back. Grandma Mary brought over the soup and a plate of food. She placed the food down and pulled up another chair. "These days, seeing your kind is rarer than selling jewels. How are your people doing?"

"I've been reclusive. I don't know much about what my kind has been doing."

"Really?" Jeremy was bewildered at what I stated. "I thought for sure that all elves liked to live together."

"I'm a special case." I honestly did not want to continue with the lies. I just wasn't very good at keeping a façade.

"That's different." Jeremy picked up the spoon and took a sip of the soup. He glanced over to Phil, who was picking on his food and leaning on his arms, uninterested in our conversation.

"Duke Hon has been sick lately. I was watching over the estate and taking over his duties."

"He's been sick?" Grandma Mary's voice rose with concern.

"Yes, and it's been getting worse. Duke Hon and I decided to bring the boy back to begin to learn how to run the estate. You know me, I cannot have a child. The only legitimate child that has any bloodline to the Zemrik name is Philip." Jeremy stopped for a moment and with a gentle tone spoke,

"Plus, Duke Hon would like to see you once again before he passes. He said that he still loves you and wishes that you come back."

"I-" Grandma Mary's face fell into worry. "All these years, we bickered among each other since the death of your brother. To see that you are doing well gladdens me." Tears started to form on the corner of her wrinkled eyes. It seems as if she got even older. "I'll go."

"But grandma!" Phil was not pleased with what Grandma Mary had to say. He straightened up, trying to make himself larger.

"No, buts, listen to your uncle. I kept you here so that you won't be caught up in the political struggle of our kingdom for a little longer, but it seems that it's impossible."

"I'll take care of him, mother. Don't worry." Jeremy spoke with a kind voice.

Grandma Mary's eyes were light up with joy when she heard him say, mother. "I-I-I haven't heard you call me that name for a long time. It brings such nostalgia."

"I'm sorry. I just…" His voice stiffened. "I was busy and could not visit you more often."

"No. No. I know that our people need to be looked after. We are from a strong line of Zemrik that has been serving The house of Zemrick for hundred of years." Grandma Mary patted his hand.

"We must leave tomorrow."

"Then, I must get ready to pack." Grandma Mary got up with the dishes. She was moving quickly for her age.

"Please pack light. Don't carry anything that you don't need with you.."

Grandma Mary stopped and turned around. "Berry would be coming with us."

Excuse me? The spoon stopped entering into my mouth, and I glanced at her dumbfounded.

"Berry? But she's an outsider."

"I adopted her into the family today."

"Grandma, You just met her!" exclaimed Phil. Both males were flabbergasted at her decision.

"Be quiet. It's my decision to take Berry in or not. I can't have a young lady running around in the forest. She could possibly get eaten by monsters."

"Kuhuhuhuhahaha." Jeremy couldn't contain his laughter and burst out. His laugh startled Phil and I. "You won't win with her." He wiped his tears. "When she's set on something, she always goes through with it at the end."

"But-"

"Give up. No point in trying. You lived with Grandma Mary for a long time, you know what I mean."

Defeated, Phil slouched his shoulders and pushed away his bowl. All I could do was watch them converse with each other and drink the soup at my leisure pace. It seems the women of this household were unmovable like a rock.

"Get some sleep, Berry. Phil, let her sleep on the extra bed in your room, while Jeremy will take my bedroom."

"Mother, it's alright. I'll take the couch for tonight." Jeremy waves his hands, stopping her from saying any more.

"Wait, I have to sleep with her in the same room?" Phil was not pleased with the thought of sharing.

"I'm not going to slit your throat when you sleep." I lazily stated. This kid was way too cautious.

"Phil." Grandma Mary sternly stated as she eyed him in approval.

"She's a kid!"

"For crying out loud, you're not a pervert, are you?" I couldn't help but voice my opinion out loud. Everyone went quiet with their mouth agape.

Damn. I shouldn't have said that.

What made me wonder was why these people did not react with my first outburst on slitting one's throat, but instead the pervert part that got them. All I can do is follow along and just play stupid for awhile.

"No." Phil clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Follow me."