Higra is waiting for us at the door, bowing when we step through the threshold.

“Welcome back, Your Grace,” she says, standing tall and glancing to me. I’m already helping to remove Lord Makai’s coat, which pleases her enough to grin. “I hope business went well. If you wish, I can report the happenings of this week to you tomorrow. It is quite late.”

Lord Makai nods. “Yes, inform me tomorrow. Have others unload my luggage. Wallace, you may return to your quarters, but you will continue Layne’s duties until he returns in three days time.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” I offer up a smile.

Higra gives me a glare that disappears when she notes that Lord Makai isn’t reacting to it. He simply turns and walks away.

Once gone, Higra hesitates to speak. She’s watching me, mouth opening then closing but not speaking. I wait patiently, tilting my head to the side curiously.

“The trip, how was it?” Higra finally asks.

“I think it went well,” I respond, uncertain of what she wishes to hear from me or what I am allowed to tell. “Lord Makai hasn’t stated any grievances with me so I am assuming I did well enough.”

“Good. If not, I am certain I will hear tomorrow. Goodnight then, Wallace, and welcome back.”

“Thank you. Goodnight, Higra.”

When returning to my room, I find Hael awake with his nose in a book, as usual. He smiles upon seeing me and offers a hello followed by a welcome back. I’m not at all surprised that, while I’m unpacking, he asks, “How did it go?”

“Quite well actually, but—” I bite my lip at the memory of having been caught. Lord Makai told me to ask for assistance to read and my best bet is Hael.

With my back to him, I mumble out, “But I, uh, I was informed to request assistance in-in learning how to read.”

“What?” Hael asks.

“I...am illiterate.”

“Wallie, why didn’t you say anything?” Hael doesn’t sound like he’ll tease me. I risk looking back to find him offering up a kind smile. “I didn’t know how to read when I started working here either.”

“Really? But you love to read.”

“Yeah, but there was a past worker, Dellia, that taught a few of us in her spare time. Once I learned, I couldn’t stop reading.” Hael pats the book resting on the bed beside him. “I’ll teach you, Wallie. Did His Grace get angry about it?”

“Thankfully not, but I am meant to learn so thank you.”

“Not a problem. Anything else happen?”

“Someone tried to murder me in my sleep,” I answer, sending Hael a smile over my shoulder to prove I’m alright. He looks unsettled though, eyes wide and mouth agape. “But Lord Makai arrived in time. He’s not nearly as bad as people make him out to be.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, he didn’t hesitate to rescue me, for one. Afterwards I remained close, although he may be moody, he’s ultimately kind in his own way.”

Hael’s eyes are so wide I fear they may pop out of his skull. He hesitantly sets his book aside then asks, “How much do you know about Lord Makai?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he’s been alive for nearly 1,600 years so, are you aware of what he has done in that time?”

I hesitate in my unpacking to take a seat on the bed. I shake my head, growing concerned when Hael gives me an almost pitying expression.

“If Lord Makai treats you well then that’s great and I truly am relieved to hear it, but it doesn’t change what he is.”

“And what is he? A monster?”

“Yes,” Hael answers without hesitation. His eyes are firm yet frightened. He hesitates to speak, glancing this way and there before letting out a heavy sigh.

“After Emperor Elyon Makai and his Priests of Tethros fell to the Baylor’s, Lord Makai was sent to live here as nothing could be done,” says Hael. “ But years later, he claimed the title of Archduke and retrieved what once belonged to the Makai family. Arguably, you could say he should have had it to begin with, but to do so he went on a rampage and murdered many, royals or not, in the palace save for Meysha, the youngest princess that was only 12 at the time. She was too young to reign, and so Lord Makai controlled Meysha like a puppet. Although she held the title of Queen, he was in complete control of more than just Aberia and over every member of the Baylor family long after the slaughter.”

In the back of my mind, I fear what Hael said but the first question that comes to my mind is, where did this story come from? Who told it? Because the Baylor’s also lied about Chandri, so who's to say they didn’t lie about that either, but Hael has even more to say.

“You’re aware of the Kasine Crevice, aren’t you? Located just outside Vashna.”

I nod, recalling passing the long bridge that is built over it. The crevice is so deep it looks like a tunnel straight to hell. It’s simply dark, crumbled earth without any sign of life. Many claim it is haunted by the souls of the dead that get trapped there if they cannot find Aena’s light. I always thought it was silly superstition, but Hael’s mangled expression states he probably truly believes it.

“It wasn’t always there,” he explains. “A few years after Lord Makai’s first assault, he went ballistic and repeated the offense all over again, only that time he killed every member of the Baylor family. Those that live today, such as our current king, are descendants of bastards that were allowed to live only because Lord Makai found it humorous that the bastards would rule next, never truly royal like the rest. Then he destroyed the palace and the Academy, tore through the streets of Vashna and when the Kasine militia from the South, controlled by Archdukes that were sent to help, they were wiped out in a single blow that scarred the earth.”

Hael sighs. His shoulders slump forward and he presses his elbows to his knees. His eyes are sad when he asks, “No matter how well he treats you, or any of us, he’s murdered more people than we can imagine. Throughout history he has harmed others too, countless events that you will read of in time. I think it’s safe to say such offenses are never forgivable no matter how much time has passed. Do you understand what I’m saying, Wallie?”

I look away, unsure of how to respond. My limbs are stiff and chest heavy.

“I’m not saying this to upset you, although it is upsetting to hear. I just...after being here, I’ve seen others lost, and getting close to Lord Makai may result in your death as well. I think that’s something none of us want.” Hael leans back, picking up his book to flip the pages. He can’t seem to sit still. “Enough about that though, not really the best conversation to have before bed.”

I agree, but even when I try to tell Hael more about the trip, his words stick with me.

That night, when Hael has long since fallen asleep, I lay awake once more thinking of my time on the couch. Hearing Lord Makai sleeping soundly or waking to find him, hair a mess and blankets wrapped around his waist from whatever odd ways he turned in his sleep, it’s hard to believe that man did what Hael claimed. He looked like nothing more than an everyday man, even throughout the day, sitting in the carriage or working endlessly over piles of paper. However, when I think of the one that saved me, even if I’m grateful, I’m aware of the power he possesses so I know it can be the truth.

But the Baylor’s have lied before. It’s politics, and politicians are liars that speak more riddles than truth. What they say may hold some aspects of reality, but twist a word and it’ll bend the whole meaning. Have another speak the tale and it will be different than another, a story is determined by the story teller so I seriously question the validity of such stories. But there is certainly no where to disprove them other than Lord Makai’s own words, which I doubt he’ll share.

If I ask, will he answer? And if he doesn’t, what will I choose to believe?

I’m unsure and that uncertainty leaves me with little sleep that night, but I got about my duties per usual the following day.

Seeing Lord Makai leaves a hollow sensation within me. Words cannot describe such a sensation, only that it isn’t good, it’s perplexing and I’m left clueless as to what to do. The curiosity is not the only feeling eating away at me. The idea of it all being lies is too, that Lord Makai has been made out to be someone to fear simply for the well beings of others in power. If that is the case, I think he should actually slaughter them because it’d do the world a favor.

“Wallace,” Lord Makai calls, eyeing me from his desk. “What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“My lunch.”

I look down, finding that I have Lord Makai’s lunch only I’ve been standing in the doorway for sometime. I shake my head before quickly placing it atop his desk. He rarely leaves his office to eat, simply has me carefully set aside his work. I’ve always wondered why, especially when the estate has such a lovely garden to eat in and a giant dining room, but whatever.

“Oh!” I snap my finger. “I have requested Hael to teach me how to read and write, as you told me to, My Lord.”

“Good. I will not take you on another business trip until you’re of use.”

I scowl. “What’s that supposed to mean? I think I’ve been very useful.”

“You’re mediocre at best.” But he’s smirking as he says that.

“Mediocre at best,” I mock beneath my breath that results in Lord Makai giving me a warning glance. I smile sheepishly. “Another cup of tea, Your Grace?”

Lord Makai hums and I refill his glass. After he takes a drink, he looks to me with a questioning gaze. I smile from ear to ear, wondering what it is he could want. Once again, he doesn’t seem to mind the smile. If anything, his shoulders relax and he sits comfortably in his seat.

“If you cannot read nor write, how are you keeping in contact with your mother?” Lord Makai suddenly asks.

“I’m not.” I shake my head. “She passed away nearly a year ago.”

“Oh, I am sorry for your loss.”

“You don’t sound very sorry,” I tease, showing that mentioning her doesn’t bother me as it once did. Thinking of her brings joy and immense sorrow, but I can manage.

“I suppose I’ve been around death enough that I’ve long forgotten the intensity of loss for others.”

“So you have lost someone you’ve cared deeply about?”

Lord Makai hesitates in taking a drink, such a short hesitation it is barely noticeable, before replying, “No. I’ve never had anyone like that.”

“Surely there must have been someone.”

“No.”

But it sounds like there was yet I’ve never heard of anyone. Then again, I never heard what Hael told me last night either. I wonder who this person might be, what became of them and what relationship they had. A lover? A friend? Family? Oh shit, maybe the dog? Hey, I had a cat at the farm and when he passed away I was miserable! I best not bring that up.

The mood is changing though. Lord Makai went from playful to unsettled. It’s odd how I see that now. His brow is furrowed as it once was so I’m quick to change the subject.

“Could you write your name for me, Your Grace?” I ask, smiling at the arched brow he gives me in response.

“Excuse me?” He almost sounds insulted.

“Your name. After Hael teaches me, I’d like to learn to write and read your name.”

Lord Makai is quiet. His stare softens, but he says nothing.

“I admit I can read your last name, Makai, but your full name is another story. I promise I dare not show you until I can write as neatly as you do.” I laugh at such a promise because Lord Makai has been properly taught since a young age. His writing is immaculate, cursive and flourishing on paper like art itself. It’ll take me half my life probably to live up to it, but I think the request has settled the mood.

Lord Makai’s brow is no longer furrowed. He’s quiet, but I wouldn’t say upset. He looks away, says nothing, but grabs a piece of paper and writes out his name. Except he’s very careful and spaces out the letters so I recognize them easier before handing the page over without looking at me as he says, “You best not show my name in chicken scratch. Write it properly or I’ll never let you write it again.”

“How will you know? Do you plan to watch over me forever?” I tease, but I should have waited to do so after I took the paper because Lord Makai pulls away, holding the paper near his chest while he glares.

“I’m teasing, Your Grace.” I hold out my hands. “I promise I will not bring dishonor to your name.”

“Hmm.”

“I will write it so beautifully that even you will be jealous.”

Lord Makai snorts. “That will never happen.”

Yet he hands the paper over. My heart skips a beat. I feel foolish for it, even more so for being so happy about something as simple as a name. I don’t plan to show Hael, after what he said last night he clearly doesn’t think I should be closer with Lord Makai...yet here I am, seemingly getting closer. I don’t think I want to stop and I don’t know how I feel about that either.

♱♱♱