The Thrills of Sojourn part 2

When Eve exited Xaphael's room, what welcomed her was the sight of Judas waiting by the door.

He is standing in front of her original room, which is opposite the villain's room.

" Judas, why are you here?"

[ Shouldn't he rest? He was busy playing with Morienne yesterday.] Eve pondered.

" I am here to guard you, Master." Judas welcomed Eve with a warm smile. Despite feeling off seeing her get out of Xaphael's bedroom, he didn't voice it out. He won't hinder her decisions but will secure her safety to the best of his ability.

" You don't have to. It's safe here." She reckons that after half a year, Xaphael had finally held his domain in an iron grip. Those mice, she deemed, had now perished.

Judas quietly approached, took off his coat, and laid it on Eve's body.

She is wearing a loose tee that barely covers her thigh.

However, she didn't show any bashful expression despite her unkempt appearance and exposed skin.

The lack of wariness towards males made him worry.

What if she is like this in front of other people? What if they take advantage of her? He's starting to worry, like a mother hen.

" Master, you should rest more." He suggested since it's still early.

"...but, I'm wide awake now." She glanced at the corridor and noticed the morning light coming in.

Maybe she slept so long that currently, she is filled with energy. Not to mention, she is hungry. She wants that blueberry cream cheese waffle stuff she ate before. With that thought, she had an idea.

" Judas, let's go to town," Eve recalled the different shops they had tried on the way to Jacea castle back then. Remembering those goodies made her look forward to the trip.

" Alright, Master. How about I'll prepare your meal while you change first?"

" Yeah." The bright expression on Eve's face made him chuckle. She looked lovely, like a child excited about a new toy. He couldn't help but momentarily rub her hair.

When his abrupt action registered to his brain, he reacted.

" I'm sorry, Master, that was rude of me." He immediately took his hand back and glimpsed at Eve worriedly.

Eve was surprised because it was the first time Judas had done such a thing.

She didn't hate it.

To be honest, she... liked it.

The gentle touch above her head seemed to transform into a warm current, spreading to her chest.

And when she met his pumpkin-colored eyes, she could perceive his worried gaze.

Full of pampering.

It was the same as what she observed from her Dad and Grappa, but, at the same time, quite different.

She couldn't comprehend it completely.

She just knew that she liked it a lot.

A memory fleeted in her mind, and for a moment, she believed she had an older brother who cherished her as his sibling.

Eve questions if this is what it felt like to have an older brother?

In fact, she might not recall it anymore, but deep in her consciousness, she yearns for such a bond.

She had envied and watched longingly as her brother Myun rubbed Min's hair in her previous life. She had seen it a hundred times, and those scenes were etched deep in her soul.

Full of complexity. Full of yearning.

But it got buried in the dirt of dissipated hurt and injured love pulverized into ashes.

Seemingly forgotten but has always been there, existing just beneath the surface of her equanimity and emotional tranquility.

Seeing her lack of response, Judas was anxious.

" I'm sorry, Master, I won't do it again." He spoke with deference, not comprehending why such a simple act had affected his master a lot.

Eve did not respond.

She simply took Judas hand, put it on her head and, subconsciously rubbed against it.

Judas was stiff, not knowing whether he should retract his hand or continue stroking her soft hair.

" I like it," Eve murmured in a trance while gazing at him.

Her orbs at this moment remained vibrant but full of naivety.

" Is this what it feels like to have an older brother?" She proceeded to mumble absentmindedly.

Judas saw her peculiar attitude and couldn't help but feel pity.

He had learned of her history.

A lovely young lady who is isolated by her peers and is treated differently. Had it not for the presence of the young master Lu and his friend Chen, she would be lonely, without any friends.

The young masters of the Cross family treated her like a sister. However, she had just met them recently and for a short time before separating again.

All in all, his master has been a very lonely child.

" Well then, if you'd excuse my impropriety." Smiling at her with full of tenderness, he patted her head softly.

***

When Xaphael woke up, he was presented with an empty space beside him.

He sat up and caressed the place she had lain.

It was cold.

Smiling drearily, he reflected,

[ Did she escape again?]

He woke up late because he had trouble falling asleep with such a fragrant and soft person in his arms. The sweet torture finally ended at dawn. Nevertheless, the welcoming view irritated him a lot.

[ You naughty little girl.] He wickedly thought as he picked up a strand of her hair and inhaled the scent left with it.

After checking the time, he called Balin.

" Who did she go with?" His low voice was full of chill. Maybe it was due to lack of water or his not-so-pleasant mood.

Xaphael didn't lift his head as he inquired, simply playing with Eve's strand of hair.

He knows where she went.

Fortunately, he tied a tracking device on the mischievous ghost.

" The young madam went with that sultry fox," Balin complained, lost in thoughts while staring at the topless Xaphael, wondering if the action wasn't fierce last night.

After all, the battle scars last time left him an unforgettable impression.

The young madam has left so early in the morning with full vitality while he is left in bed, lifeless, like a person drained of energy.

He couldn't help but grieve his master's lack of stamina.

It seems he hasn't given him enough tonic!

" Fox?" Xaphael queried.

" Ahem, I mean Judas, young master," Balin corrected.

" I see."

He doesn't suspect Judas to have any untoward intentions for Eve at all.

Of course, he felt annoyed, understanding they were always together. Nonetheless, Xaphael trusts his judgment.

He knew that man merely aspired to guard Eve.

That is enough.

" You may go." He commanded as he lifted the quilt and got up.

Balin went away after saying some words.

Xaphael stood before the window and gazed in a particular direction, meditating.

It seems he needs to extricate himself from the dread by unleashing the sourness in his heart.

Recalling the newly captured prey, he grinned wickedly.

He is upset, so he might as well make those people miserable as hell.

***

A few hours later.

" El~ I am back!" A melodious voice spread within the gloomy place.

The sound of misery and chains clanging couldn't overcome the good mood the speaker felt.

Eve turned a blind eye to the sorrowful situation inside the torture chamber and went towards Xaphael.

" What are you doing here?" He inquired while wiping his bloodied hands.

" I came to see you."

" Did you get tired of playing and finally remember me?" After cleaning his hand, he wanted to stroke her cheek.

" Yeah," Eve answered honestly, as she shifted her head sideways, dodging his hand.

" Your hand reeks of blood," She pouted and scrunched her brows.

Her move made Xaphael's palms itchy, wanting to spank her bottom.

It's not because she dodged, but because she admitted that she got tired thus finally remembered him.

" P-please, spare me. Ha-have mercy. Xa-xaphael, please." A miserable groan caught their attention.

A man lay dying on the bloodied ground.

Xaphael hardly looked at the creature with a blank expression.

How much he respected him before, how much disgust he held for him now. He was his teacher, but it's a pity.

Heh, he wouldn't have thought that the dispensable chess piece he wrapped in his finger dealt with him now.

He allowed him to enjoy his pathetic life for a very long, long time.

Naturally, it's time to take his due fees.

Eve, on the other hand, finally noticed that a person lay before them. Well, it couldn't be considered a person anymore.

[ Yo, really living up to his name Apollyon.] Eve examined the creature's condition and appreciated the villain's nefarious hospitality. It's been a long while since she saw such an exciting scene, making her look longer.

Seeing her staring intently at the dying creature, Xaphael asked;

" Why, afraid?" He fixed her unruly bangs aside. It seems this is the first time Eve witnessed this level of his cruelty.

" Of course not." Eve's bright eyes met his as she smiled brilliantly at him.

" How could I forget." He chuckled in response. This girl doesn't lack the wickedness in her bones. Yes, how could he ever forget her evil side that mesmerized him in the first place?

" Then what do you think? Is it too horrible?"

[ Since I am pleased with you, you shouldn't fear me, Eve.] A dangerous mist swirled within his orbs.

" Well, I think it's ugly and messy." She peered over and scrutinized further.

[ Yep, too messy.] She whispered in her heart.

( Oh host, what does it look like? All I can see is a mosaic.) The furball squeaked, demurring why in the hell its view is blurred. It has watched porn and horrible tortures before, and they were in great detail.

Naturally, Eve ignored its complaints.

Listening to her criticism, Xaphael chuckled. A gentle light can be seen in his eyes.

[ You never fail to amuse me.]

He took Eve's hand and led her out of the dungeon.