I open the door slowly.
I step out of my room for the first time in a long time. I don't even remember the last time. The only time I think I ever came out was when curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see what the rest of the house looked like.
All I saw was a dark, spooky hallway, and I back to my room immediately.
As soon as I'm out of my room, I feel it; a drastic change in temperature.
Hmm? Why is it suddenly h–
"Are you Charles?"
My heart tightens like it just seized up. That voice.. cold, deep and calm, way too calm.
I raise my head and see him.
A giant.
His eyes– piercing and icy blue; are staring straight through me. Not at me.. through me. Like he can see everything I've ever done, thought or felt.
His eyes trace my hair. Yeah, it's probably the color, it's abnormal here. Black hair, red eyes; doesn't exactly blend in.
Then his gaze locks onto mine.
I feel small. No– I feel insignificant, like dust in a heap of sand.
I try to respond to him, I want to reply him– to speak. But nothing comes out. My lips part a little.. then close.. then part again.
Why do I feel this way? What the hell is this? Why am I this.. intimidated by him?
Sweat starts to build on my skin. And it's not just fear, the temperature actually shot up.
He lets out a deep sigh and rolls his eyes, annoyed.
"As I thought. Pathetic."
...
That one hurt more than I expected.
He looks away from me.
My fists curl tightly.
It's okay, it's okay. You expected this. You expected to be hated and treated like trash. Just stay. You have a goal, that's all that matters.
I unclench my fist.
"You better follow behind me. If you don't want to get lost," he mutters without even looking at me.
Fucking Asshole.
I swallow hard, biting back the thousand insults itching to leave my mouth.
Because if there's one thing I learned In my past life as a businessman, it's that you need to be patient with assholes. Especially dangerous ones.
I don't want to get incinerated just because I couldn't keep my damn mouth shut.
So I follow him cautiously.
This hallway is dark and narrow, and all we can hear is our footsteps echoing on the wooden floor. It's too quiet, and long.
Five minutes pass. We're still walking, passing these big wooden doors on both sides; left and right.
They must be rooms.
I glance up at the man in front of me. Must be because I'm in a kids body. But he's tall as hell, shoulder-length blonde hair tied into a ponytail, some stubs of facial hair, and he's wearing a half-plated metal armor
There's a crest on his breast plate; it's a bird surrounded by fire.
I noticed it back at my room's door too. It's the Flameworth symbol.
So he's a mage of the family, huh?
Still can't get over that bright red flowy cape he's wearing though.
I scoff.
What does he think he is? Superman?
Finally; We reach the end of the hallway.
There's a large door here. It's fancier than the others, with gold patterns running through it like veins.
Creak!
He pushes the door open.
A wave of cool air slams into me, and the heat I'd been enduring walking with him, instantly disappears.
Ahhhh...
I blink a few times.
The scenery is unlike anything I've ever seen since I was born into this world. It's all a first for me.
The golden sun bathes the courtyard.
Various workers are walking around the compound.
There are maids, errand boys, some people in blue uniforms (students?), and even gardeners tending to the flowers near the entrance.
There's a massive golden gate at the end of the compound.
Beyond the gate, I spot old, wooden houses, a mud-littered street, and children; around my body's age– running around and playing.
Four guards in red Flameworth uniforms stand at the gate, each bearing the flaming bird crest.
Then–
"Are you just gonna stand there?"
The giant is already like eight steps ahead.
I shake my head and snap back to reality.
I walk down the three short steps and stride to catch up.
"I'm coming."
He doesn't wait for me and continues walking.
As we move through the compound, every single person we pass stops. They bow their heads immediately. Not out of kindness; it's robotic. Fear?
Just who is he?
He doesn't even glace at them. It's probably normal to him.
But me? They're all staring at me.
And I catch enough of their murmurs and whispers to hear what they're saying.
"That's the illegitimate young master of the Flameworths..."
Ha! It's even more blatant than I thought, even the workers are gossiping... Tch, whatever.
I glance back at the building I came out of.
It's depressing. A blocky structure made of... I don't even know what material. The milk-colored paint is literally peeling off.
Tsk.
I turn back. We're approaching other buildings inside the compound now; each one in way better shape than mine.
And then I see it.
The mansion.
Red and white, massive and elegant.
We stop.
He turns back to me.
"We have reached the mansion of the Flameworths. Where the family resides."
I raise a brow.
"Mansion of the Flameworths? Then... Where have I been living all these years?"
His eyes twitch.
He's probably shocked that a four-year-old kid just asked that.
"You live in the building reserved for... Servants."
...
My face hardens. Head down. Fists clenched.
I inhale slowly. Then exhale.
Then I look up again. Calm and steady.
"I see."
My heart feels... Bitter.
But it's fine. It's fine.
He opens his mouth again.
"How old are you ag–"
"Let's go in."
My voice is small, but it's firm and authoritative. Commanding even.
I might look four-years old, but I spent decades ordering people around. I guess old habits don't die that easily.
––––––––––––
(??? Mage POV)
I guess bloodline never lies huh
A small smile pulls up my lips as I watch the little kid walk up the stairs.
I was supposed to be leading him, but look at that– he's walking ahead of me now.
Ever since we left that rundown building, he changed entirely.
A kid that doesn't act like a kid– even though it was his first time outside that house, he didn't allow awe to overwhelm him and he carries himself like... A refined adult.
Hell, he even has better manners than most commoners...
Not bad.
He stands next to the door.
"Won't you open it?" He says
...Is he ordering me?
Cute.
Fine. Let's play along. After all, by the end of the day, he might not be alive.
Still...
Don't die kid.
–––––––––––––––
What the fu–
He turns suddenly.
There's something weird in his eyes. It's ominous. Eerie.
The way he's looking at me...
Let's just go in!