Is this really my end? Dying by some unknown assailant in a dark room for reasons unknown? I want to scream and shout and fight back, but the moment I move, thinking I’ll at least stab the bastard once, their sword is coming down.

My eyes close waiting for the inevitable, but it turns out that death isn’t inevitable, at least not today.

My bedroom door swings open. There’s little light compared to earlier for there is a twisting black mass that whistles into the room, slamming the assailant to the ground. Their sword slides across the floor while I blink rapidly to the new light. A black figure with undertones of red rests atop the hooded man on the floor. The assassin reaches for the blade at his side but his neck is snapped before he even grabs the hilt.

Then it’s over, just like that.

The assassin lay dead on the floor, neck twisted like a pretzel. I know who the dark figure is, but he doesn’t look himself. When Lord Makai stands, he’s taller with longer and leaner limbs made of pure shadow and only the red of his eyes and pointed teeth are seen. Each step he takes causes the floorboards to creak until he’s kneeling before me, the shadows evaporating into the air until he looks his usual self, save for his eyes. They’re pure red, glowing like stars.

“Are you alright?” He asks, holding out his hand in a manner that reminds me of the past. Once again, he saved my life. I’m grateful, but I’ll probably be pissed off about it later.

“I’m ok,” I answer, taking his hand that helps pull me up. He attempts to pull away but my grip only tightens. I’m still shaking. I’m still trying to catch up to what happened. “How—did you really hear me?”

“Yes. You’re very loud.”

“I had to be—”

“What’s going on?! Is everyone al—oh my god!” Screams one of the hotel staff that comes running in, likely to check what’s happening. She throws her hand over her mouth, eyes tearing up in horror upon seeing the corpse.

“It appears security here is rather lax,” Lord Makai says. His eyes have returned to normal, but they’re still unsettling to most. “Inform the authorities of the attempted attack on my butler. We will be in my room should they wish to speak.”

“Your room?” I ask, but he’s already walking out the door. Well, we are since I’m still holding his hand—shit, I’m still holding his hand! Now it’s me attempting to let go, but Lord Makai doesn’t allow it, continuing to ascend the stairs.

“Considering what happened, it’s best you not sleep in the servant quarters.” Then Lord Makai’s nose wrinkles with disgust. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but he appears more distraught.

“Why...why do you think someone came for me?” I ask after we reach his room. The door shuts behind us and I drop into a chair, realizing then that I’m so exhausted I can’t stand even if I want to.

“Why do you think?”

I really don’t know, and that must be apparent on my face.

Lord Makai sighs, “If you haven’t noticed, those around me do not last long. They leave or someone makes them leave. Even if their departure is not by my own doing, it still has to do with me.”

“And that bothers you?” I ask, only realizing afterwards how such a question can be misinterpreted. I frown at the intense glare Lord Makai suddenly sends me.

“You humans truly do think so little of me,” he says with such hatred hissed into his tone that it’s terrifying.

“No, I-I didn’t mean it like that!”

Lord Makai snorts and turns away, but that isn’t fair. While I understand his frustration, I’m not going to let him determine his own truth that couldn’t be any further from the real truth.

“Hey!” I shout, standing firm and causing Lord Makai to face me with a baffled expression. “I admit I didn’t phrase that right, but I said I didn’t mean it like that so that means I didn’t mean it like that!”

“You phrased that horribly as well.”

“Can’t you not have the last word, for once?!” I’m shocked I even said that and even more shocked that Lord Makai hasn’t chucked me out of the room yet. Since I have his attention though, I’m rolling with it. “I meant that you must know none of this is actually your fault. Those who hurt the innocent are to blame, especially for something as ridiculous as greed. And after so long, it’s obvious you don’t really get close to anyone so I’m surprised that it still gets to you.”

I finally look away, staring at the ground with my hand rubbing the back of my neck when I mumble, “I-I can’t imagine how I would feel if I were in your position, but by now I think I’d be too tired to care. That is what I meant, whether you choose to believe me or not.”

The room is quiet. Lord Makai hasn’t responded and I can’t tear my eyes away from the floor. Then a pair of shoes step into my vision. There’s no time to look up before a hand tousles my hair. The touch is surprisingly playful with Lord Makai ruffling my already messy hair as he says, “You’re an odd one, Wallace.”

Then he mirrors an action from days prior and presses his fingers beneath my chin, forcing me to look up. I definitely blush at how he’s leaning towards me, our noses nearly brushing when he says, “But shout at me again and I’ll give the most hated assignments at the estate to you.”

“W-What? But that—no way! I had to shout or you would have ignored me.”

“You’re raising your voice, are you shouting at me again?”

I purse my lips. “No.”

“That’s what I thought.”

He pats me on the head, something that only worsens my blush. However, when I look at him, he’s wearing a playful smirk that I haven’t seen before. Such a sight puts me at ease.

Sadly, the warmth of the room deteriorates with two knocks at the door followed by an officer shouting, “Lord Makai, we are here from the Isabe Police Department. Would you mind having a word with us?”

The moment their voices are heard, Lord Makai is scowling. His eyes grow cold and hand drops to his side. As he reaches the door, I peer at his back, not really listening to the officers now standing in the doorway. My gut is twisting into a knot at the memory of what I said a few days ago.

“You’re a stubborn, cold and twisted man. You’re bitter and pessimistic. You’re moody and unforgiving, and I pity you.”

Now I’m believing that Lord Makai was taken aback. Such harsh words likely did trouble him, and after tonight I know he cares, otherwise I would be dead and not the assassin. He wouldn’t have listened to me and my disobedience would have been punished. I guess my memories are true. Lord Makai isn’t nearly as bad as people make him out to be.

I wish others would give him a chance. I do think he deserves at least that, we all do.

After speaking with authorities, as all have said before, nothing is done. The corpse is retrieved and Lord Makai barely questioned. The officers mostly speak with me and I have little to say. They leave with probably as little information as when they arrived. Hearing nothing would be done is a lot different than seeing it. It leaves a vile taste in the mouth.

The following days go by with minor changes and, luckily, no further incidents. Rather than resting in the servant quarters, I remain on the couch (that is actually more comfortable than my previous bed) in Lord Makai’s room. At night, I lay awake once or twice from nerves, although I’m uncertain whether it’s from sharing a room with Lord Makai or what happened with the assailant.

But then Lord Makai lets out a deep breath in his sleep or turns in bed. Maybe it reminds me that I’m safest here or maybe I’m growing more comfortable with his presence than I’d like to admit, either way, it eases me into slumber. During the day, there are brief instances of Lord Makai teasing me with my hesitant return of that teasing. When there are no negative repercussions, I try again, always wondering where Lord Makai’s line is that it seems I’ve yet to cross.

Dare I say it, the atmosphere has become almost friendly.

I’ve forgotten the rule of not smiling, but as time passes Lord Makai appears less and less bothered. Now, as we sit on the train for our return home, he doesn’t even scowl at the smile I send his way when I ask, “Would you like some wine, Your Grace?”

“A briefcase didn’t have to remind you. You’re improving, Wallace.”

“I think I liked it better when you didn’t speak to me,” I tease, smiling at Lord Makai’s eye roll.

See? No scowl, no snarl or hiss, which is what I used to be presented with. I wonder what changed, was it what I said in the hotel room? Maybe Lord Makai is simply in a better mood after fixing all the issues in Isabe. I’m uncertain, but I hope this continues. My boss being in a good mood is always better for me! And, well, I much rather Lord Makai be comfortable with me...and everyone in general. Not specifically me, but in general.

Thankfully, there’s no issues with the train ride either. Nothing like last time, but I think that is because Lord Makai remains awake. While I fall asleep once or twice, I never once catch Lord Makai dozing off. And when we finally return to the estate, it’s nearly dark.

♱♱♱