Chapter 96

"Have your seat Kabal." Julian noticed he was shy to walk in.

"Thank you Sire" he said. "I'm really honored."

"How are you doing Kabal? You look... sick." He said as he pulled off his boots.

"I... I feel so bad Milord. I can't tell anyone why because..." He trailed off. "No one really liked her. Except you, Master. Don't you..."

" Your commander?" Julian arched his brow. "Do you really care about her that much?"

"I'd give my life for her Master. I owe that to her. She made me, all that I am today." Kabal sulked on his tears. Julian watched the young boy express his obsessions with his Master. Little wonder, Katrienair remembered him.

"She died in that lake and everyone went on with their life."

"It's okay Kabal. She really is a gem. We'll miss her."He paused. "You were sent out of the legion?"

"Yes Sire." He paused. 

"Would you want to go back?"

Kabal raised his head, shocked that the prince finally took interest in him.

"No." He said."I do not care anymore about the legions sire. I can't stay there either. Thank you Sire but I won't survive if I go back."

Julian thought for a while. "What do you plan to do then? Give up on your dreams because you lost someone?"

Kabal was a bit surprised. Why is he acting like nothing happened? He remembered vividly that the prince was very close to Claudia when she was alive.

"Aren't you sad about commander Claudia's death?" Julian's face darkened. He noticed and apologized immediately. "I'm sorry if I asked the wrong question. I was just curious. I apologise sire."

"It's okay." Julian tried to keep a straight face. "Commander Claudia is dead anyways. We can't see her again. Her next life probably won't take place here. There's no point quiting on life for her sake. I am sad just like you are. And trust me, we are the only ones in this castle who feels that way. What then are we supposed to do than to live the life she'd love to live. So she's smile at us from her new home. " He paused. "Kabal, you are a warrior. You might be young but you have all it takes. And you know what would make your commander happy?"

They were silent for a while. Julian sent for his maid and asked her to serve them food.

"I really would like to become the warrior that I want to be but..."He trailed off. "I don't know how this would sound to you but...I guess I'll just say it. I don't see myself fighting for the demons anymore. I just can't. They took all we had from us and ...."He stopped, realizing he was spilling it all out for the demon prince. He cupped his mouth in his palm.

Julian just smiled. This young boy is fearless.

"Don't fret. Make me understand instead."He played along. "I won't harm you for expressing yourself. Never." 

"I guess I've said it all. " Kabal said. "I can't defend the people that destroyed my own people. They've passed their limit. I know my commander won't be happy seeing me defend the people that killed her and her people. I'm ready to defend my own people Milord."

Julian smiled. " I can help you."

Kabal's jaw dropped. "What?"He gasped.

"I'll help you defend your people. I'll train you myself Kabal. You don't have to join the legion. And you'll surely accompany me to war." He paused. "You will not fight against your people."

"How is that possible master?"

"Trust me, it is." Julian cleared his throat. "For your safety, you'll stay in my chamber from now on. I'll give you a room. No one will hurt you here."

"Do we have a deal?"

Kabal fell on his face. "I'm honored sire. Thank you so much."

*

"Hei" Ethan walked in, without knocking. Alistair was packing the weapons she had in her room in a bag. They were moving out, everyone's packing. They can't stay at the house forever knowing they had a big war ahead of them. She was shocked to hear his voice, more startled when she discovered he was right behind her.

"You should knock before entering a lady's room. Do you always forget your manners?" She moved away from him.

"You were avoiding me. If I knocked I'm sure you won't let me in."He took the bag from her hand. She tried to stop him but he ignored her. Confused, she slumped on her couch.

"Why are you here?"

"You're angry with me. I came to apologise. Though, I haven't recovered from your assualt."

Alistair winced. She slapped him hard the last time. He had kissed her without her consent. Somehow she felt like she was too harsh but she can't apologise to him. A part of her still believes he deserved it.

"I'm really sorry. I could not control myself."He finished the packing on no time.

"It's okay. Gosh, you apologise too much!" Alistair said.

She saw Ethan stop at a segment of her drawer. It was her drawing of him.

"What the..."He gasped. Alistair dragged it from him immediately. She did not only draw him on it. She wrote some things (personal stuffs) On the paper.

"What is that?" She was shredding it already. "You drew me?"Ethan was happy deep inside. He just wanted her to admit it.

"Don't feel special. I drew every single person here."Alistair defended herself. He quietly watched her dispose the pieces of paper in the waste bin.

He stared long at her. She was probably some inches higher than six feet. She had a lean but perfect stature. Her long golden blond hair fell in loose waves past her shoulders, with a few black peekaboo strands. She wore a black minidresss that complemented her white tanned skin just perfectly. And her green eyes. She was so beautiful yet powerful that he figured she was the kind of woman who could make buffalo walk on up to her and give up their lives.

Her heart was like a sensitive plant, that opens for a moment in the sunshine, but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger, or the lightest breath of wind. Unpredictable. She was the woman of his dreams.