Untouchable 04

Cailina listened as the old man told his story. He was awfully chatty with her from the moment he entered, that there was no room for her to say something.

The old man's eagerness was beyond anyone his age, his eyes full of burning passion as he told her about the doll. Cailina held back her surprise when she had learned that the old man worked for her father.

It was when she realized how little her knowledge was about her father's business, and she even dreamed to take over it. Cailina laughed at herself in her heart. How foolish of her to think that she was already prepared to follow around her father's shadow.

She hushed her doubts and focused on the old man, Pylei. He was from the Naugrim Tribe, A Milios. Her father seemed to be fond of the Empire's builders.

"Now that you know who I am, miss," Pylei said as he rubbed his palms on his thighs, "I'm sure you will take Elleili with you."

Cailina crossed her arms and said, "No, I am not fond of children's toys."

His voice rose as he tried to understand the lady's refusal, "You heard my story, right?"

Cailina nodded and smiled. She was moved that a faithful being was serving her father, but she wasn't his master. The doll was nothing to her.

She stood up and was about to leave when Cassius grabbed her arm. She glared at him and flicked his grip away, "Dare touch me again."

Cassius darted his gaze back and forth on his hand and Cailina. He touched his arm and apologized. He wanted to make her apologize to Pylei, she was rude to him and showed no respect to her elder. 

He opened his mouth, but Cailina raised her hand, "Say no more, I have no interest for the doll. I only put up with the old man because he mentioned the Duke."

Indeed, she was curious as to what kind of people that her father would take in. But the information that she was expecting and the answers that she was looking for weren't the ones that Pylei blabbered. 

He went on and on about how great the doll would be, that it would protect her from the wicked auras. She wasn't concerned about this stuff as they were also related to the Divine. 

"Why are you so interested with the Duke, lady?" Pylei asked, he approached her and said, "The Duke loves his family, and you…"

He eyed her from head to toe, "You are beautiful, but you will not catch a man's heart that belongs to another."

Lai covered his mouth and looked down. He doesn't want to see his Lady's face; he was sure that Cailina's expression was enough to end a life. 

"You have a good life ahead of you," Pylei continued, "I will not force you to take Elleili, but know this, you are welcomed anytime you decide to."

Cailina took a deep breath as she closed her eyes to relax. She couldn't risk showing her eyes in their original color. After her round of self-reminders, she smiled and said, "Old man, I don't dream to wreck a family."

"I would suggest that keep your assumptions to yourself," Cailina walked away, "It might be the cause of your eternal slumber."

The bell rang as the shop's door closed on her way out. Cailina blinked as if she was out of an enchantment. She looked at Lai and narrowed her eyes, "Where is Aris and Fione?"

Lai, who was also regaining his attentiveness, said, "I—they were—" 

He pointed aimlessly and retracted his finger. He shook his head, "I—"

"I would like to escort you home, lady?" Cassius interrupted the two's moment of confusion.

He carried a small smile as he waited for Cailina's answer. Pylei was the one who rushed him to show a good act to the lady that turned him down. Who knew that the old man would be persistent like him when it came to getting what they want. 

Cassius inwardly sighed. He had already set his heart to accompany the cold lady home. If he completed the task that Pylei gave him, he would surely be taken in as an apprentice. His invention would have a high chance of succeeding.

"No." 

His imaginations were shattered by Cailina's short answer. He blinked and gaped. No one has ever turned him down when he would offer his help, but she didn't think twice before rejecting him.

Cailina looked at the golden sky. She sighed; tomorrow's sun would mean that she would depart from the life she used to. The last day she planned to spend with Aris was thrown into flames and turned into ashes. 

Maybe her puppy already knew that she would leave, and being the last person to know might made him mad at her. Cailina let out a sigh, she should've told her puppy. 

Aris was important to her. She cherished him more than anyone in the mansion. Her mother was the one that prevented her from telling Aris the news about her return to the capital. 

Duchess Grandis was firm about cutting the ties of her daughter with the dog that would be her weakness if not taken care of. 

"My Lady?" Lai looked at Cailina with worry.

She was silent for a while that it made him think that Pylei gave his Lady a curse. He should investigate the old man's background.

Cailina nodded and walked away from the shop, with Lai behind her, she had once again let her thoughts engulf her mind. She clenched her fists, she would punish Fione according to her actions today. 

Fione's job as her personal maid was to remain by her side all the time, and what she did today was to run off to whatever she wished to go. 

Cailina's shoulder was grabbed by a hand. She immediately turned around and grab Cassius' neck. Her nails dug into his skin as he let out a hiss.

"You again?" she glared at Lai, "and you failed to notice his presence?"

Lai bowed; he clearly didn't feel Cassius' sudden movements. His mind wandered to where the dog was and what punishment he would receive, but now, his worries about wherever Aris was were replaced by fear.

He has failed a few times today, even he would punish himself for neglecting his duty. If only he hadn't been born as a human.

"I don't mean to harm you," Cassius said in between his ragged breaths, "I really want to escort you home."