Day two of the trip shouldn’t be much different than the first, but considering what happened yesterday, it’s no surprise that the company is dead silent when Lord Makai enters. Everyone keeps their head low and voice down. Some shiver in place, a few even cry and none dare to step in his path. We haven’t talked either, other than a few orders given this morning. Although the thieves were already “taken care of” yesterday, Lord Makai continues his surveillance of the office while also stopping in to give his opinion on some new hires for the newly opened positions.

The atmosphere is tense and only tense, but I do my job as I am meant to. I don’t ask questions and I sure as hell don’t smile. Lord Makai makes no mention of yesterday so neither do I, although I continuously find myself watching him and remembering the kind smiles he gave me all those years ago. I haven’t seen a similar one since. I’m starting to question if my memories are lying to me. They must be, or maybe I just really want them to be.

The second day goes by without a hitch. The third day, however, we’re going to the actual mines. They’re on the outskirts of town near the hills and deep within the earth. Some portions of the mine are stripped with levels upon levels reaching further down while others are but deep, dark tunnels into the hills. There are outhouses scattered about, offices and places for workers to rest. We’re in one now but won’t be staying.

“Are we really going inside?” I whisper when the head of the mines, Wyvin, leaves to retrieve a few workers and safety equipment.

“I am. You may stay here,” Lord Makai replies.

“I don’t think it’s right for the butler to stay up here while the master does all the dirty work.”

“So you’re keen on being a good butler now?” He hums. “No more speaking out of place then? I’m certainly looking forward to that.”

Without much thought, the words sort of just slip out of my mouth, “You’re so fucking petty.”

Lord Makai actually goes wide-eyed and it isn’t until he clicks his tongue that I realize what I did.

“Did you just curse at me?” He asks.

I smile apologetically. “Accidentally.”

“I can’t imagine what hasn’t accidentally slipped then.”

“Can you blame me? I thought we were pretending the other day didn’t happen.”

“Oh no, I remember, but you would have probably forgotten until we returned and found your pay cut.” Lord Makai smirks while I gape.

“You actually cut my pay?”

“My humblest of apologies, Wallace,” he says so sarcastically that it actually pains me. “You see, I had some greedy workers steal from me, but I’ve decided to let them be. After all, I don’t need the money. You understand, don’t you?”

“Petty!”

“Now that certainly wasn’t accidental.”

I’m about to accidentally punch him when Wyvin returns with a few others and some equipment that’s meant for me. There’s some overalls to help keep warm, a hat with a light on it and some gloves. I don’t see how that is much protection when the threat is being buried alive, but ok. With a heavy sigh, I take the gear and put it on begrudgingly.

“Are you not wearing the safety gear, Your Grace?” I inquire when I see that Lord Makai has only thrown on one of the jackets rather than wearing his own.

“Why would I wear it?”

Oh, right, immortal. Suppose it doesn’t matter if a rock smashes in his head. Actually, that may literally knock some sense into him. Still, I rather not see anymore blood while on this trip so if everyone could refrain from injuries, that would be great.

“Isn’t it better to not have to put up with an injury though?” I hum, but his only response is walking out the door.

Now he’s going to ignore me? Like I said, so fucking petty.

Off we go to the mines that are as dark and depressing as expected. Inside there are only tight spaces that smell of cold rain and dirt. There are tracks for coal carts and mighty wooden and steel beams supporting the mineshafts. The only light comes from those atop our hats. The rocky terrain is difficult to traverse. I’m stumbling over my own feet. On instinct I reach out, gripping the jacket of one in front of me. I’m immediately met with a pair of glowing red eyes in the dark. It’s the elevator all over again.

“Wallace,” Lord Makai hisses.

“Sorry, it’s dark.”

Before I let go though, he sighs and says, “I will allow it this once.” Then he leans in so that the light cuts across his chiseled features, casting dark shadows but illuminating the sharpness of his face. “Keep up, and don’t expect this to happen again.”

“Implying you really do plan to bring me on another trip?”

“Are you aware how easy it is to get lost in the mines?”

I bite my lip.

“It’d be such a pity if you never made it out.”

“I don’t think you should threaten your workers,” I whisper, smirking when Wyvin stops upon realizing we aren’t following.

Lord Makai rolls his eyes. “Suppose I could fire you right here and now then I can threaten you freely.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works.”

“Let go. Now.”

“I’m kidding. It’s all jokes.” I smile and, for some reason, that makes Lord Makai scowl. Then he turns swiftly and I guess the jacket holding is ok because he doesn’t smack my hand away as we continue our walk. Maybe clinging to him makes me like a little kid, but it’s unusually comforting.

Considering no one has died during this inspection yet, I’d say the mines are fine. We don’t stay there too long, thankfully. Some more pleasantries are given between the workers and Lord Makai before we finally leave the mines, returning to the hotel where we both can clean ourselves off. Although I don’t stay with His Grace very long. I retrieved his snacks and drinks, then head back to my room where thoughts of yesterday linger in the back of my mind.

There are times where I understand Lord Makai’s position and times where I’m still not ok with his actions even if I understand. I wish I could talk more freely, even if my opinions likely mean very little to him. Then again, I can’t begin to understand a life such as his. How old is he? At least 1,600 years, and being hated or condemned for that long must warp the mind. There’s nothing I can do, not that I want to do anything...or have the right to.

Whatever, whatever, I’m not thinking about it anymore!

Rolling over, I attempt to get some sleep.

I don’t know when I wake up, but I know why. There’s a noise; the rattling of a doorknob, although for a moment it reminds me of chains. I stiffen in bed, pass the sound off as another going to their room until light from the hallway pours in. My back is facing the door. A shadow looms on the wall. The door shuts slowly.

I must be hallucinating, but I’m certain they came in. I don’t know who it is or what they want, but the dagger Lord Makai gifted me is sitting on the bedside table behind me. Now I understand why some are said to put it under their pillows. Do I have time to turn and grab it? Is there someone even in my—

A floorboard creaks nearby.

Yes, there is definitely someone in the room with me.

Where is the dagger exactly? Is it right next to the bed? I didn’t put it in the drawer, right? Fuck, I hope I didn’t, because they’re getting closer. I can feel it, but I can’t hear them. I want to say it’s because there’s no one here but there’s a twisting feeling in my gut and I don’t know what to do other than flip around and reach for the dagger.

Only I don’t make it because their blade is seen even through the dark, held high above the shadow’s head then coming down fast. I roll onto the floor just as the sword impales the mattress. They don’t hesitate to rip it out, hopping over the bed with ease to find me crawling under it to get to the otherside.

When their hands wrap around my ankles, I kick and struggle free, managing to make it to the bedside table. My hands are shaking when I grab the dagger, unsheathing it quickly even if I can’t see a thing. I don’t hear them either. Are they moving? Where the hell are they?

I don’t know what to do. My hand presses to the wall as I try to move my way towards the door, holding the dagger outstretched. There’s a brief moment where I think I see the glint of a blade in the dark so I duck. Sure enough, the blade impales itself into the wall followed by the unknown assassin clicking their tongue in annoyance then their knee smashes into my temple.

I shout and fall to the floor, swinging the dagger haphazardly while screaming for the only person I can think of, “Soran!”

He’s floors above me. I don’t even know if he can hear, but someone must have heard. The assassin doesn’t seem to care. They aren’t rushing to get out of the room. My eyes are adjusting to the dark, but even then all I can make out is their form standing over me, sword held above their head and a twisted smile.

♱♱♱