Chapter 3: Night at the Guesthouse

As I arrived at the gates of Conmoditas I was questioned by guards patrolling the gates. I entered the kingdom claiming to be a merchant traveling with my siblings; as I entered I couldn't help but admire the architecture of the kingdom, brilliantly constructed walls to block an arrow rain, it was very impressive. The mansion of my uncle would have an Elvengard emblem engraved on the roof and hence, it was easier to spot. The Elvengards were once only a small clan of elves, they led the elves against the evil forces of the Froshian Empire and rose to power becoming a large empire. Elves were a race born with beauty and high mana capacity and the Elvengards were regarded as the most powerful clan of elves, hence, given the throne. The Froshian empire had a long history of bloodshed with the elves but it all ended due to the formation of Conmoditas, a kingdom where elves and humans could co-exist in peace. As I entered the mansion, I was yet again stopped by one of the guards, he said that the duke was away for official business matters and hence, I could wait at the guesthouse. As I entered we were welcomed by a kind butler named Sebastian. He was a tall man, fairly well-built, and looked in his fifties. The kids quickly grew fond of him as he was proficient with all kinds of household work. We were assigned separate beds in which we had to sleep in pairs. That night I was assigned to sleep with Suki. The night was still young and I could not sleep, I tossed and turned but to no avail. I kept staring at Suki for some time with no better work to do, I had failed to notice it before but she was very beautiful but I noticed her trembling so to comfort her I wrapped my arms around he body and gently pressed it over mine.

Suki

I had the same nightmare reoccurring nightmare of being chased by the murderer of my family, I was cornered by him and was about to be killed but suddenly a boy about my age appeared in front of me and protected me. I suddenly felt calm and safe around him. I recognized the boy, he was Max, the same kid who promised to protect me at the wagon. As I opened my eyes, I saw Max's face up close. Out of embarrassment I pushed him and ran out of the guesthouse.

Max

I was suddenly pushed by Suki as she ran out. Maybe she thinks I'm a creep, after realizing what I did I felt so ashamed of myself, I just wanted to comfort her a bit but I didn't realize this possibility. But I still could not stop wondering about her, the warmth radiating from her small body, her soft skin which lay right next to my body, it soothed me. Putting that aside, I made up my mind to apologize the next time I saw her.