"A slave?!" Xellos laughed in return. "I'm in no need of a slave, Luna. Do keep him for your own."
Luna didn't smile back. Instead, she leaned back into her chair, and crossed her arms meaningfully across her chest. "The slave is a gift, Xellos. In a manner of mutual respect, gifts cannot be returned."
She continued before he could open his mouth in attempt to contradict her. "And it is too late. I have sent her to your home over two hours ago. She is waiting to serve you with both hand and foot."
Xellos leaned forward, and rested his folded hands on the table edge. He didn't want to refuse the knight of Ceiphed, but it was actually a matter of preference rather than politeness. "Regardless," he said slowly, "over the years I've discovered that I prefer to live a life of solitude. And I do not wish that your 'gift' risk her life over my impatience."
"She will not displease you, Xellos, I assure you. This slave, is my own sister, whom I have raised with my own hands. She has been trained to obey every word that her master utters. If she refuses or displeases you in any way, she will deserve any punishment that you deem necessary." The corner of her lips lifted slightly into a strange smile, and she stood up to leave. "If there is nothing further you wish to say, then I must go. Good day."
Xellos bowed respectfully as she left, and elicited a reluctant sigh.
He apprehensively slid open the front door, not exactly sure what to expect. This slave was Luna's own sister, which all in all, could speak for itself.
The house remained as quiet as he had left it. Xellos noticed, however, things had been moved and set into tidier positions. As he examined each room, he saw that all his clutters of paperworks and books had been carefully rearranged. It was actually a pleasure to see his home so organized after so many centuries. He heard another door slide open from behind him, and he turned quickly to face what Luna had 'given' him.
"Welcome home, master," she said softly, kneeling on the ground and bowing so deep that her forhead touched the ground. "My name is Lina. Please ask whatever you will of me."
Xellos nodded, obviously unaccustomed to such formalities -- even if she were his servant. "S-stand up," he said.
She raised herself, though her head remained tilted, and eyes trained on the ground. Xellos took a moment to study her. She had a child like face, with soft, crimson hair framing it. She seemed a fragile thing, this 'Lina', and had didn't have the fearsome aura of her sister. Thank god, he thought inwardly.
Lina lifted her eyes to meet his, and broke the tensing silence. "I've prepared dinner for you in your study, master."
"Th...ank you..." he murmured uncomfortably. "You may go."
She bowed deeply and obliged, and he sighed in relief. It had been a while since someone had stepped into his home. It was almost invading in his privacy.
He entered his study, and the steaming tray was set upon his desk. It did smell awfully good, though he seemed to have lost his appetite ever since his meeting with Luna a half hour earlier. But it'd be better not seem rude, he thought to himself, and proceeded to venture slowly through his food. It did taste heavenly.
Something suddenly caught his eye.
He carried the empty tray to the kitchen, where Lina was polishing the wooden floor with a rag. When she saw him enter, she jumped to her feet, and apologized immensely. "Please master, if you need anything, please just call me. I would have come and collected the tray."
"Oh... I... I forgot," he said, setting the tray down onto a nearby bench. "But I just wanted to know where you found these?"
Xellos held out his hand, revealing 5 small, blood red talismans. "I've been searching for these."
"I came across them when I was cleaning, Master. I apologize for not remembering the exact location."
"I almost believed that I'd lost them forever," he smiled. "Thank you."
She met his gaze, and returned a smile. "...Yes, Master."
A few weeks pass...
"Do you know, Lina, I've grown dependent on you...?" Xellos said.
She was massaging his back, as he lay on the floor before her. "Yes, master," she smiled softly.
The same reply, as always. Whether he asked her to clean the house or complimented her cooking, her answer was always consistent.
"I don't think you do," he said gently. "More to the left....But I do mean what I say. Three weeks before, I would never have believed I could have lived without someone like you to care for me."
"Yes, master."
He sighed, almost regretfully. "...If I could just have you," he murmured wisfully, "...then it would be all perfect."
He felt her hands freeze in position and slide back to her lap.
"Eheh..." he laughed uneasily. "I was just joking with you, Lina. Don't take me so seriously. Come, continue."
She made no further move, and Xellos felt a tinge of guilt. "I'm sorry, Lina," he said sitting back up to face her, "I was onl..."
His words trailed off.
The sash that held her attire together, had been removed, allowing her naked body to be exposed. Xellos swallowed, and felt himself start to react as he scanned her perfectly formed breasts and flat stomach. She smiled welcomingly and lifted her hands to his face.
"Yes, Master."
Part 2 | Fanfiction