A Flower Escaping with her Bee

Balin has been pacing to and fro all over the place that the servants standing not far were getting dizzy.

"What's wrong with the head steward?" Someone asked in a hushed voice. They haven't seen him this agitated before.

" Could it be that something happened to the Master?" Another one murmured back. It's not proper to chitchat, especially in front of the butler, but they can't stop their gossip cells from poking in.

[ Oh, something happened, alright.] Balin admonished in his mind.

A while ago, he received a report that someone spotted the young madam with the new guy. They were strolling throughout the castle, acting so amiable to each other. If that's not disturbing enough, he got word that the lady and that person vanished! They have searched all over, and the only follow-up he obtained was that a vehicle had gone missing.

He knew it! He had a hunch that something big was about to occur the moment he laid his eyes on that new face.

Remembering the Miss' delighted expression while gazing at that pretty boy and his Master's nonchalant face, he had a foreboding. Maybe, the rascal has done it and finally pushed the young madam to the point of no return. Alas, he believed she could persist but had ultimately been fed up with his Master's coldness and found a new beau!

He clenched his fists. He can't help but chastise his Master for being such a wood. This is all his fault!

***

Xaphael took off his coat and passed it on to a servant waiting by the door. He had just gotten home from an urgent business. He wanted to head to his room and rest but saw Balin coming over in heavy steps.

[ Did something happen?]

Knowing Balin, he wouldn't be this disturbed, even if it's something significant. At least, not openly show his anxiety. He trusted him not only due to his loyalty but for his wit and intelligence. He was his guardian, trustworthy subordinate, and competent retainer.

For him to appear this way, it must be urgent and severe.

" Master." Balin curtsied before him.

He knew he had something important to tell. Conscious of the many ears around, both master and servant promptly headed to his study to discuss the matter.

The moment the door closed, Xaphael urged him.

" Speak." Calm and direct. That's how composed his master is. He is always cool-headed, even if the sky falls down.

For the first time in his life, Balin wanted to smack this young man who still acted high and lofty in this pressing situation.

" Miss Tang and that pretty boy had eloped!"

Heavy silence permeated the room.

Seeing his master has gone speechless from shock, he had a little fire in his heart. It turns out, his master is not that indifferent towards the future young madam. It's all good. He will help him with all his might to retrieve his destined wife. Balin became happy at the concept of holding a wedding for his master soon. Calculating Eve's age, he is a little bothered, for they still needed to wait for at least 4 years. Then, remembering how tenacious she was in tackling the lord's heart, he was reassured. Maybe her elopement is just a tactic to perturbed his master's spirit. He had to applaud his mistress' mind; she succeeded with flying colors. Imagining the coming days, he smiled. He could almost hear the laughter of their offsprings running amok within the gloomy castle walls.

However, recalling the current predicament, he became gloomy again.

He narrowed his eyes as he examined the handsome young man before him.

[ I need to educate him properly on how to secure his wife.]

Contrary to his wild imagination, Xaphael was ruminating on the news.

[ Pretty boy? Would that be Judas?]

No matter what angle he looks at it, that guy is no way a pretty boy, alright.

How could he know that Balin's eyes had gone callous to his striking yet frigid countenance that every other attractive face appears differently to him? To him, there only existed three kinds of profile; the ugly as shit, handsome, and Xaphael's frosty face.

And Judas perfectly fits the second category.

Recollecting the night he took Eve to the underground arena, Xaphael grinned. He didn't know that girl was like a walking God of Money. He witnessed how her whim had turned the sole gambling chip he had given her on impulse become a hefty amount. It was both amusing and bizarre. That girl might as well have a devil's luck.

Then she asked to give the victor to her. Curious, he questioned what she intended to do with him. She only said he looks pleasing to the eye. She wanted to trade the pot of money she earned for that person. He didn't lack money, and he didn't mind much about losing a person of his business.

The competitors who had joined the battle of life and death have their own circumstances. The moment they stepped in that contest, they had forsaken their right to live. In any case, he won't look down on people who cherish money more than their lives. Since it was a transaction, he was only keen on keeping up his end. What happens after is none of his business.

Knowing that she is adamant about taking him in and lacks any reason to hinder her, he decided to agree to her request. When he proposed it as a means of compensation for her accident, he was surprised by her response.

" Then I'll accept. In turn, I'll tell them not to retaliate against you. With this, we owe no favors to each other." That devious smirk was indeed something.

[ How did she know?]

At that moment, he had recognized that Eve is a mysterious person.

She's simply an enigma.

There was expectation born within Xaphael. He was interested in how much she'll surprise him more.

Going back to the current situation,

[ Eloped, huh?]

He should be glad she finally left, ridding him of her constant harassment. It wouldn't be bad to spend his days peacefully as before. Well, not precisely peaceful but at least not that turbulent as how it was when she had barged in his life. There will be no need to anticipate a wild girl popping out in his most vulnerable moments. In addition, she had stated in their agreement earlier, that she could come and go as she pleases; thus, he had foreseen this day coming. Still, discerning she left without even saying a word, he felt discomfort in his chest.

Waiting for his master's order, Balin stood in trepidation.

" Let her be." He started stepping towards his desk. He might as well start working to shrug off the annoying sensation that was bothering him.

[ Let her be?] Balin felt his blood pressure rising. How he wished he could ask the young man if he truly shares emotional intelligence with the wood species. Is he that confident that the young madam will return to him? What if she really falls for that guy! He is so frustrated but could only bite his handkerchief.

Unbeknownst to Eve and the "culprit" Judas, he has been elevated from the category of a pretty boy to sly fox in Balin's heart.

Xaphael instantly noticed a letter laid on his desk. Acknowledging who it was from, his lips curled unconsciously.

He reclined on the chair and read the content.

" Be back on your banquet. Be sure to miss me.

- Your Mate."

Even though she writes concisely, it is still full of silly concepts.

He turned the letter over but became a little uncomfortable when nothing was printed on it.

[ How odd.] He could only surmise his dissatisfaction to the astonishment of getting a plain letter this time.

Glancing back at her neat and elegant penmanship, he chuckled.

[ So unlike her temperament.] Eve, for him, is always weird, unreasonable, and stubborn as hell. Nevertheless, there are times when she appears like a noble goddess befitting of her identity. Though those times are rare, it does catch people off-guard.

Perceiving that Balin has yet to give up urging him, he can only comfort the old man for now.

" She'll be back in time for my birthday."

His old face glowed instantly that his blushing cheeks crumpled even more.

Xaphael watched Balin leave, feeling a little melancholic.

He has had Balin for as long as he remembers. He was a young man, no older than his father when he first met him. He was his valet and became his butler as he grew old. He knew how much he owes this old man. Because of him, he had lost his family, but he never blamed him for it. Instead, he stayed and treated him tenderly.

To him, he was like his father.

It's a funny idea because he had never received fatherly affection from his own but obtained it from his servant.

Now that things are getting better, he wanted to at least give back to Balin's kindness. That's why even if he knew he was rooting for him and Eve, he didn't say much. Let him enjoy match-making them. He owes him that much.

***

"Master, are you alright? " Judas passed the cotton candy to Eve while examining her.

" Never better." She took it and started savoring the sugary treat.

Observing her safe and sound, Judas breathed out a sigh of relief.

He had heard the disturbance while he was buying and was worried because the sound was near his Master's location. He wanted to return to her side the soonest but knew she'll be upset if he came back empty-handed. That's why he ran back after getting the treat. It's good that she is well.

A yellow fluff presented to his face brought him back to reality. He glanced at her outstretched hand, holding a cotton candy offered to him.

" Master?" He asked in confusion.

" For you."

Startled for a moment, he accepted it in the end.

" Thank you, Master." He lowered his head and sampled a taste.

[ Sweet. ] Judas glanced at Eve, who was immersed in watching the commotion ahead.

[ Did she asked me to buy two just to give the other to me?] He thanked the Gods for letting him meet his benevolent master.

Eve who was currently enjoying the play up front didn't know his musing.

In truth, she did wanted two because she was curious what it tasted like. Affirming that the different colors didn't mean different flavors, she gladly gave him the other. Take it as a reward for his obedience, she figured. She felt fulfilled for treating her very first subordinate with altruism.

" How long till we reach the Jacea castle?"

" If we continue driving non-stop, we'll arrive by night time, Master."

From Helios castle in the Southern region to the Jacea castle in the Eastern part, it will take up approximately 18-hours of travel by land. Since yesterday, they have been moving, but Eve wanted to enjoy the scenery and food served in the towns that they pass. Hence, they're still midway to their destination.

" No need to hurry. We can just continue with this pace."

She wanted to sight-see since she's been kept at El's castle, focusing on him. Now is the right time to enjoy Sarthaal before she heads back home.

Eve fell into meditation as she watches the thief, whose face had planted on a dogshit, and giggled. Currently, the mob has been trying to throw a punch at him but funny enough for they hesitate to touch him. The stench and sight of dog poop smeared on his face nauseated them from doing anything.

They could only make sure he can't escape while waiting for the police.

[ Ah, it's quite the ultimate cheat, is it.]

She wonders how impressive her "power" is.

( Host, how did you do that?) A childish voice rang in her mind.

The furball was flabbergasted with what had transpired. A few minutes ago, it informed her of spotting someone who's about to snaffle a lady's bag. Understanding that the host loves this kind of drama, Halfsie told Eve in hopes of brushing some good points. Nonetheless, what happened next was beyond its understanding.

(I wished for it.) The languid Eve replied. She was neither proud nor thrilled to have such a horrifying ability.

( Wished?)

( Yeah, I wished for that bastard to sample a taste of his dogshit behavior.)

She may not be a holy maiden that condemns every sin, but she abhors such detestable acts.

[ To covet and steal something not rightfully yours is simply loathsome.]

For a second, her vibrant orbs had gone a shade darker.

( Host! You just wished, and it happened!?) The furball shrieked at the startling news.

( Host, wait. Is this the golden finger you mentioned before?)

( It seems.)

(This is great! Since when did you know, host?) It was exhilarated that the host finally discovered what her ability is. With this cheat, wouldn't they be able to breeze through corrupting the heavenly being?

[ When?]

She gazed at Judas, who is silently nibbling on the sugary fluff. The sunlight passing through the leaves landed on his being. His pumpkin-colored irises were exceptionally bright against his wavy shoulder-length dark hair.

His countenance is genuinely out of the ordinary.

Especially that scar that marred his forehead to his left cheek. Luckily, it didn't ruin his face but added another charm to his exotic cast. He appears menacing but, in truth, has a gentle personality. And when he acts so well-behaved, he resembles a docile creature.

( A cat.) She mused. Judas resembles a cat.

[ Cat? Where?] Halfsie can't figure out why the host said something out of nowhere. They were still in the middle of discussing stuff and her mind goes off to somewhere else.

It followed her line of sight and squinted its sanguine eyes.

[ That? A cat? No way. ]

Judas, in no way, would be ever considered a cat. Though he seems genteel, he is still akin to a panther lying in wait than a domesticated cat. The host really has strange ways of seeing things.

( Host, despite a leopard looking malnourished, it is still a predator.) It voiced out in good faith. Though he mostly dodged during the battle, his savage way of swinging his sword to kill, albeit crudely, was something worth considering.

[ Malnourished?] She examined him and found out that he is too lean for his height. She decided to fatten up him first.

She chuckled, feeling enthusiastic.

In all honesty, though she settled on taking him as her first subordinate, she is clueless on what work she should designate him.

[ Well, it doesn't matter as long as he never betrays me.]

Judas was startled when Eve suddenly stroked his head.

" Master?"

" We need to fatten you up."

He was speechless due to her unexpected move, but he didn't push her away.

" Okay, Master." He resolved that whatever the gentle lady demands, he'll obey it.

A lovely master, a docile subordinate, and a forgotten grumpy furball spent the afternoon just like that.