Amelia's Uncle

Beautiful fields, people tending to the gardens, and even some people drinking tea out by the tables were all around. Quite a sight for most people to see nowadays, especially during a time like this.

"My uncle is a bit odd if I remember correctly so I apologize about that in advance. But I did promise to break the pact." Amelia mentions with a hint of sadness in her voice.

Perhaps it isn't the end of the world to be bound by this pact to her, or maybe I'm just used to being told what to do. I'm not sure if I should be happy or if I should be upset about the new situation at hand.

I've wanted to be free but yet I stopped believing that it would happen a long time ago. That's how I was brought into this world in the first place, raised as a slave to a nice family.

"I'll meet your uncle first. I want to make sure you're left in the right hands before anything else." Artemis says while giving her a reassuring smile.

I'm worried that her Uncle will be targeted next in all honesty but there's nothing I can really do about it right now. A one on one might be possible since I managed last time but I think it was just luck.

Multiple of those guys would crush me in an instant so it's best to play this cautiously until I know what's going on.

"I appreciate that Artemis. Let us head inside then." Amelia responds cheerfully before leading the way Into the house.

It was definitely still nice to see properties like this since I didn't see them much in my previous life. I lived in a suburban environment if that's what I could even call it, it was a good mix of things for the most part.

Inside the house they could see all sorts of different paintings on the walls, some appeared to be Amelia's father and even some of her grandparents. Her uncle definitely seemed to have a different way of decorating the main parts of the house.

Besides the paintings he had a statue of a goddess in the center of the room, it stood about 7 feet tall and was a perfect copy of her.

They were soon interrupted as a man wearing nice garb that was definitely pretty expensive to buy. He has short blonde hair, it appears to be straightened and just barely reaches down his neck, he has green eyes, and a goatee on his face.

I really expected him to have red hair like Amelia's family appeared to have but I guess it makes sense that he'd be different. He does have quite the strange aura around him though.

I'd like to say it's a malicious aura since that's the way it feels, but I've never met him before this so I could be wrong.

"This is my uncle, I promise he's a kind man." Amelia whispers.

I didn't really need to say much yet since this was the time to see how he approaches us after entering. I want to say that I trust her judgement about him since it's her family but I don't know.

The Man stood before them and kind of took a few looks at them both. "I could never forget my niece, Amelia what brings you here? You're so far from home." Her Uncle says with a bit of a confused expression on his face.

It was hard to listen to but Amelia had to explain all of the things that happened back at her family's estate. She managed to make it through the story which was a good thing.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. You know you are welcome to stay here Amelia. I just have to ask though, who's this young man?" He questions after apologizing for the events.

She didn't even hesitate to speak. "He's my protector Artemis. I wouldn't have made it out of there without him." Amelia responds with a grateful tone.

I could see the disappointment in his eyes after he heard her say all that but it wouldn't change anything. I'm not sure I understand why he'd be disappointed since she was saved and brought here because of me.

None of it would matter anymore after this though, she's supposed to be releasing me from the pact anyway.

"I'm Marcelo. I appreciate you saving my niece and would like to offer you a room for as long as you need as well." He says with a kind tone in his voice.

I don't know what I'm doing, maybe it's because I'm not heartless. "Of course. I'd be happy to stay a few nights, thank you."Artemis responds.

I've got a weird feeling about him so I won't just leave her yet, everything about him is giving me a bad feeling. I could be completely wrong but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Marcelo showed them to their rooms after the conversation ended, it wasn't a very long one since he just needed to thank Artemis. "Enjoy your stay. Again, thank you for saving her." Marcelo says genuinely before walking away.

I couldn't complain about the room I got for the next few nights, it was definitely a big upgrade from the inn and it was an upgrade from where I slept at the estate. This all seems nice but I still don't buy it.

What exactly could his motives be, if he even has any? Or maybe Marcelo just has this aura without actually being malicious in any sort of way.

It wouldn't be far off for me to have read him wrong since I haven't been around that many people in this world. I grew up around a small group of them that were slaves just like me and my family.

That was all I ever really knew growing up so maybe my judgement is a bit foggy.

"I wonder how Amelia is settling in." Artemis says without realizing. He took a seat on the bed after saying that.

I accidentally said that out loud without thinking about it whatsoever. Maybe I am starting to care about her a bit more, but I need to get to know her better.

We didn't really talk all that much during our travels, it was more minor conversationd if anything.