PET

She was unsure what to do after knowing where she was. The infamous house black…how had she landed here? Of all places, the water had to bring her here. The place filled with only darkness, no wonder she hadn't seen the light of day.

Was it possible that last night's man was Ryu Barron? She was unsure, there was no picture of him. The descriptions in the books she had read had described him as a scary man and looking at the way Cerys' father looked, he should be old by now with white hair and wrinkles or perhaps dead. That man last night was rather young. Still, she wasn't sure.

A lady with a height as tall as a dining chair had come to her room saying she had been summoned by the master of the house. The little lady said nothing more and just walked forward motioning for Cerys to follow. She did not answer Cerys' question or care about what she had to say when she said there was a misunderstanding. As they make their way through the dark estate, a thick sense of foreboding fills the air. The shadows loom around them, cloaking them in eerie darkness. There is a stillness to the place that feels almost oppressive, broken only by the soft padding of their footsteps.

As they move deeper into the estate, the surroundings become more unsettling. The walls are adorned with paintings that seem to follow her every move with their eyes, the furniture appears to be frozen in time as if waiting for its master to return. Cerys felt chills just by looking around the dimly lit corridors.

Finally, they arrived at the door to the owner's study. It is a heavy, imposing thing made of dark wood, the handle cold to the touch. The little lady turned and left Cerys to her fate. She wanted to turn back and run away but where could she go? Nowhere. Let's just say, whatever remade her forgot to add memories and it was a bit annoying for Cerys.

She took in a deep breath and pushed the door open, the smell of cider greets her nostrils, the scent of old books and forgotten secrets. The room itself is dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a single candle that flickers in the corner. Cerys could barely make out the details of the room, but the shadows seem to writhe around them, as if alive.

As they take a step further into the study, Cerys could sense that she was not alone. The air is heavy with a presence that is both ancient and malevolent. She can feel the weight of the master's gaze upon her though she can see no one. It is a place where secrets are kept, and where danger lurks around every corner. Those were exactly the words she had read in the book.

She clenched her fists against her chest in the dimly lit study, she suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching. The owner of the estate emerges from the shadows, their features obscured by the low light, she could only make out their silhouette, tall and imposing.

"Welcome," he said, their voice low and gravelly. "Please, take a seat."

Cerys hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should comply, but something about his voice compels her to do as she was told. She moved towards the chair, the shadows seem to grow darker as if the very air around them is thickening. She sat down with as much grace as she could muster, but fear gripped her heart.

The master takes a seat behind the desk, the candle casting flickering shadows across their face. She can just make out their features now, chiseled and sharp, like they were carved from stone. He looked dangerously handsome with his hair resting on his forehead and his gaze watching her. She could not see his face last night but the voice was oddly the same. She wondered if he was Ryu Barron, the man of the legends and the books. But it was impossible to remain the same.

He studied her for a few seconds with curious eyes. "I do not know what to say about you. Mysterious but not so mysterious" he says, his voice still low and steady. "In years no one has ever been able to step foot into my lands, just dumb rumors that pirates decided to spread about them seeing my kingdom and foolish speculations but then again here you are. Makes me wonder if it is that easy to just appear here. You, a stranger who I cannot read."

Cerys could feel a chill running down their spine as he spoke, and she realized that they are in the presence of someone who is not to be trifled with. He spoke as if he was talking to himself.

He called the kingdom his, meaning the Ryu Barron of the books must have had a kingdom and given it to his son and must have passed away.

He leaned forward, his chin resting on his palm "Tell me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What is it I shall do with you, Cerys Sandor?"

Cerys's heart sank as she realize she had been recognized. She knew at this moment she was seen as a criminal, dead or alive. If he recognized her meaning the news would have spread everywhere.

Cerys took in a deep breath, her hands squeezing tightly on the newly made dress. "You clothed me, you brought me here even though you might have well killed me since you know who I was…why is that?"

He leaned back into his chair, the shadow covering his features. "Indeed I could have treated you like a mere prisoner or sent you back to wherever you came from…but what would be the fun in that?"

Cerys raised an eyebrow. "Fun?"

"I don't know if those rumors had ever been mentioned…but my house likes playing with their snacks before eventually making them snap mentally, physically, and emotionally" Cerys gulped, she could see his teeth as he grinned. "You have nowhere to go. I have no idea how you landed here. Let's just say that's one of your mysteries. I would have to tighten the wards' ' he murmured the last part to himself but Cerys heard him loud and clear.

Cerys decided to give her chance to freedom one last chance "You are right, I do have nowhere to go…I am being falsely accused and I need to find a way to clear my name. It wasn't my intention to land here because I was captured by pirates. You said it yourself, no one has ever been on your island in a while and I am the first person. No one from the other kingdom has stepped in but I did. Isn't that enough sign to show I am a bit special?"

"But you can't summon magic"

"I lost my memory"

"Lie." he cocked his head to the left. "That was a lie. I can see it."

Cerys chuckled. "What are you? The all-seeing God"

"You and I know that's a lie. You and I also know that you are not the Cerys Sandor everyone knows. You have her body but what's inside is different"

Cerys wasn't comfortable one bit under his watchful gaze. She leaned back into her chair. "Then…since I lie…what do you want from me?" She was trying her best to relax but she couldn't. Still fidgety and frantic. She tapped her foot constantly on the floor.

He says nothing, but their gaze is enough to convey his disapproval of having her in his office. Cerys could feel a cold sweat breaking out on their forehead, and they wonder what fate the owner has in store for them.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoes through the room. Her heart races as she imagines the authorities bursting in to take her into custody. Killing her or torturing her until she breaks.

Fortunately, it was merely a servant, who brought in a tray of refreshments and set it down on the desk.

The owner dismisses the servant with a wave of their hand, then turns back to me.

"I am not a man of charity," he said, his voice still cold and detached. His hands picking up a cup from the tray "Me allowing you to stay here and figure out what to do with your life is because there is a mystery surrounding you which would be fun…but there is a price"

Cerys looked at him skeptically. "And what's that?"

"Well…it's not as complicated as me having a fugitive under my roof" He leaned forward, the candle illuminating his handsome features. His eyes are sharp. "You shall be my pet"