Heartbreak

Houshao'nao seethed inwardly, (aggrieved) beyond words. He'd been the *real* victim in their ordeal, yet Anna had dumped all blame on him. Too cowed by her tyranny to protest, he could only grit his teeth and bear it. 

By the time he staggered to Master Sheffield's gate, (carrying) Anna like a sack of potatoes, he was spent, vision blurring as the ornate doors loomed. 

"Watch where you're going, idiot! Don't (crash into the wall)!" Anna snapped, clinging to his neck. 

"Miss, I… I can't go on," he panted. 

Noticing his exhaustion, Anna relented, patting his shoulder. "Fine, put me down." 

He obeyed, collapsing against the wall as she sashayed up the steps, mud-stained (skirt) swishing. The door slammed behind her, leaving him staring at her dirty handprint and the trail of wet footprints—proof of her latest trick. 

"Your ankle… it's *fine*?" he called, voice hollow. 

"HAHA! You actually believed me? What a moron!" her laughter rang out, cruel and triumphant. 

He slid to the ground, speechless. *So this is my life now—bullied, lied to, used.* His eyes stung, but no tears came—just a hollow ache, a silent scream of *why*. 

When he finally dragged himself inside, a blur of pink halted him. 

"Took you long enough! I've bathed and changed, and you're still caked in dirt," Anna huffed, now in a mint-green dress, hair damp and coiled, skin glowing. Yet he barely glanced at her, voice dead: "Glad your ankle's healed, Miss." 

Anna frowned, grabbing his arm. "What's wrong? Is this about earlier?" 

"Nothing, Miss. I need to feed the horse." He shrugged her off, vanishing into the stable. 

She stood frozen, hand (hanging mid-air), as he ignored her, shovel clanging against the floor. "I'm sorry, okay? Your glum face is hideous." 

Silence. 

"I SAID I'M SORRY! Or do you want me to *burn* you?" 

He paused, meeting her gaze flatly. "You see me as a servant, Miss—someone to bully, cheat, and abuse. If burning me pleases you, go ahead." 

Anna's eyes flooded, lip bleeding from her bite. "I wanted a *friend*, not a slave! But you… you're just like everyone else. GET OUT! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" She fled, sobs echoing. 

Houshao'nao watched her go, heart heavier than ever. *I'm sorry, Anna. But I can't be what you want. Maybe staying was a mistake.* 

The donkey, munching hay, observed silently. Though clueless about the drama, it sensed their fragile peace shattering. *Time to prepare for the worst,* it thought, chewing faster. 

To its surprise, Master Sheffield's wrath never came. The next morning, he merely asked about Anna's ride, then ordered Houshao'nao to ready his horse for the guild. 

"Boss, we should leave," the donkey whispered en route. 

"Leave? Why?" 

" (You offended) the old man's precious daughter! He'll destroy us—" 

*Smack!* Houshao'nao cuffed its ear. "Run if you want. I need this job. Unlike you, I can't survive on grass." 

The donkey sighed, defeated. 

In Sheffield's office, Houshao'nao's mind wandered to Dier. *Is she dealing with lecherous drunks again? Such a beauty… why work in a tavern?* 

"Muttering to yourself, Houshao'nao?" Sheffield asked,放下 (setting down) his papers. 

"N-no, Master. How can I assist?" 

Sheffield smirked. "Anna wants you as her attendant. Thoughts?" 

"Please, Master—no," Houshao'nao blurted. 

"Why? Her temper? Or her methods?" 

"I… I serve you better, Master." 

Sheffield's eyes twinkled. "Anna leaves for Aifar Magic Academy soon. It's her first time away. I considered sending you to care for her, but she's a girl, and—" 

"Lucky she is," Houshao'nao thought, then said: "You worry she'll struggle to adapt, Master?" 

Sheffield chuckled. "Adapt? I fear her spoiled ways will ruin her friendships. A disaster for her future." 

"Didn't you and Master Kerry graduate from Aifar? Any former classmates still teaching?" 

"Ah, Miss (Beatrice)! Our class beauty. Not sure if she's still there, though." 

Houshao'nao's eyes lit. "Factions exist in academies, Master. If Miss Anna finds an ally—" 

"Brilliant! I'll squeeze Giles for funds. He'll *love* that," Sheffield grinned, scheming. 

Watching the (master)'s sly smile, Houshao'nao stifled a laugh. *So even Sheffield plays dirty. Poor Giles—his coins are doomed. But why care? Just survive.* 

And so the day dragged on, a fragile truce between servant and witch, dragon and magician, each bound by curses they couldn't name—yet drawn closer by the very chaos that tore them apart.