Untouchable 01

Lai sipped his tea with caution. He tried to be as polished as possible. His memory of being taught such manners was blurry, as a result, his actions were sloop, and appeared like someone trying hard to look like a noble. 

After a few sips, he gave up. He would no longer drink and just partake of the pastries. They were sweet, but not enough to make one thirsty. Lai happily munched the free food in front of him.

Cailina looked at her attendant, she couldn't help but shake her head. She sighed, although it's not that long since Aris left, she greatly misses his presence. 

The busy streets outside the shop were in contrast with the peaceful ambiance of the inside. The soft chatters filled the space. It was somewhat a comforting scene, but Lai preferred wailings of people being tortured. 

It was music to his ears.

He got tired of the silence between their table. It wouldn't hurt to try to have a conversation with his master, won't it? 

Lai coughed and smiled at Cailina. He placed his chin on his hand, and with squinted eyes, "What do you think of the play, my Lady?"

"It was mediocre. There was nothing interesting about it." 

She said, without blinking an eye. Cailina didn't mind his question as what she had said was the truth.

"But my Lady, such a play was never performed before," he paused and picked a cookie, "it's like a new treat."

Cailina sipped her tea and ignored Lai's overjoyed eyes. She would never understand where her attendant got his energy. He seemed to have an endless supply of it.

"My Lady, is it that you don't believe in love?" he asked as he gasped, "why must my Lady be cold?"

Her brows knitted as the cup hid her twitching lips. Cailina sometimes questions why did she keep this bug, but then again, Lai wasn't useless at all. His keen observation and sly personality were what made him last this long as her attendant.

"Do you not wish to marry for love, my Lady?" he asked another question, no one knew if Lai didn't take the hint that his master was in no mood to answer his childish questions.

"Then, you wouldn't really choose for your own—" 

Cailina abruptly placed down the cup, her eyes no longer wanted to endure Lai's nonsensical curiosity. 

"It seems that you have forgotten your place?" 

Lai brushed off Cailina's remark. His playful smile remained plastered on his face as he leaned closer to the table. It amused him to see his master getting mad at him. 

"You don't see Aris in that way, my Lady?"

He backed away immediately before Cailina could throw the cup at him. He pursed his lips to prevent a chuckle from escaping. His master's cheeks were as red as rose; it was refreshing to see her flustered. 

"Don't spout nonsense!" 

Cailina played with her ring as she took deep breaths. She wouldn't deny that Lai had a talent for saying foolish words. She sees Aris as her companion, a friend. 

She wouldn't dare to think to marry him…

Marriage…

She shook her head and calmed herself before giving another disdainful look at Lai. 

"My Lady's kind are different from my own," he said, twirling the teaspoon in the cup, "we, humans are greedy in nature."

Cailina paused and landed her attention on Lai who was focused on the cup. He stared aimlessly like his energetic attitude never existed. She read about the Humans and how weak their mind when it came to provocation.

Both of them lost themselves in their own thoughts. One was reminiscing of his parents' love, the warmth that he felt while they were alive. It was a pleasant memory.

Cailina had a different view about the Humans. Having no connections to them, other than the few servants within the mansion that served her and Lai.

Everything about them that Cailina knew was from the books and mouths of her tutors, and most of her tutors were the same kind. 

Humans, in the records, have a long history of defying authority and acting high and mighty with just a taste of power. 

Cailina also read about their love. The way they choose to spend the rest of their pitiful lives with was with a being that made them feel comfortable. Her lips tugged downwards at the thought. 

Why would one be in a marriage without receiving anything? It should benefit both parties if one would decide to be in a union.

"My Lady, do you sometimes wish you are able to choose your husband?" Lai broke the silence between them. 

His eyes were no longer fixed on the cup but on Cailina. He carried a serious expression that surprised Cailina. She took a deep breath and said…

--

Aris clenched his fists; it was the crest associated with his family. He held resentment to them; they were nowhere to be found when he needed saving the most. 

And they pride themselves on their helpful hands. 

He grabbed Fione's hand and hid near a stall. It was a spot to have a clear sight of the carriage. 

Fione wriggled out her hand from Aris' grasp, but it was held as if she was a captive. She followed his gaze and saw a carriage. 

She wanted to know what was fascinating about it. The carriage was a common one, it was what wealthy beings used. She didn't understand what made the Lady's puppy be on his guard.

She tried to return to where Cailina was, but to be pulled back by Aris. Fione turned and saw Aris' grave expression. He gripped tighter on her wrist. 

Aris was much stronger than her, with the consistent training and his physique, he could easily snap Fione into two. 

Fione bit her lip, afraid to annoy the puppy. She remained still by his side, she waited with him for the owner of the carriage to return. 

After a while, a man dressed in fine clothing of a merchant made his way to the carriage, and a low growl came from Aris. It was him.