Ben's POV

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My Mistress and I stood in her study, her dark, black eyes boring into my own as she searched for the answers she desired. She didn't utter a sound, and I didn't dare make any to disrupt her concentration.

This process was something she liked to call her 'Interrogation gaze' where her eyes would turn black, and she could read anybody's mind. It was something she usually used on people I was to capture and bring home alive for questioning.

She rarely used it on me, and when she did, it scared me shitless.

"You. Are. Foolish!" Mistress finally exclaimed, her eyes receding to violet once more before she slammed her hands on her desk. Hard. It startled me, and I swear I heard the oak desk crack from her abnormal strength.

"How DARE you place emotional baggage on this mission! This mission of great importance! Especially on an apparent mortal!

You were on countless missions before this one, so you should know that the rescued subject must be informed appropriately of their situation!"

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Mistress had continued, "The subject must also be extremely well-cared for, which COMMUNICATION comes into as well! I understand that the eyes may have startled you, but I honestly thought you would have moved on from such a childish fear!"

"I have given you countless warnings, Ben! And here is your last one: If you fail me like today, you will have to deal with me, and it won't. Be. Pretty." She growled at the end, her voice lower than I thought possible. It sent shivers down my spine, and I started shaking as if I were standing during an earthquake.

"Now, we will go down there, and you will apologize to Majesty while looking him in the eyes. I'll handle the rest. Understood?" Mistress asked me, her authoritative tone making me wince. I was not too fond of that tone.

"Yes, ma'am," I answered quietly. I dared not look in her eyes.

She moved from her place and walked briskly towards the door, opening it and forcing me to leave her study with a harsh push. I regained my balance and made my way downstairs slowly. I wouldn't say I liked it when Mistress got like this. It made me feel very disappointed in myself. I could do so much better, but my stupid emotions stood in the way.

Mourner had once told me that maybe that's why my caregiver had abandoned me. Well, not anymore. Today was the last straw. I had to do better for me...and also for Lu. I didn't want her to abandon me as my caregiver had. Even if that meant having to apologize to-

"Majesty!" I heard Mistress shout from behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. I looked back at her and followed her line of vision; what I saw made my jaw drop.

Majesty was holding the vase from the front door in his arms, his eyes locked on us in shock. I unconsciously diverted my eyes from his and focused on his forehead, but even then I was left dumbfounded. That vase was cursed, and the fucking idiot chose to grab it!! After I had told him not to!!

"Majesty, listen to me," I spoke slowly as I walked towards him in the same demeanor, "I need you to put the vase down. Ok? Can you hear me correctly? Are you Majesty?"

Majesty looked at me, with one eyebrow raised, "Who's Majesty?"

I heard Mistress gasp behind me, and I gritted my teeth, preparing to lash out, my clenched fists becoming rock-solid when all of a sudden, Majesty, or whoever it was, began laughing hysterically, "Oh man, you fell for it!" He managed to say between breaths as he continued to laugh, hugging the vase as he bent over in pain from too much laughter.

"What?" I asked, only mustering that word in confusion. I seemed to remember Mistress telling me that the vase was cursed from before the ages of man ever came to be, but Majesty didn't seem affected by the incredible aura and power the jar possessed whatsoever. He appeared utterly immune.

It would've been astonishing had Majesty not been mocking my cautious behavior. Instead of protecting him, now all I wanted was to grab his neck and give it a firm twist!

"Majesty! I am glad you have no psychological nor physical injuries nor has anything possessed you, but please put that vase on its pedestal. You holding it is making me incredibly uncomfortable." Mistress squeaked out, her astonishment still present on her features.

Majesty immediately began to put the vase back with a sheepish look on his face, probably from the embarrassment of being caught, and turned his attention to me. I diverted my eyes from his own quickly.

"Oh, Majesty! My deepest apologies. Our task at hand was swept to the side by that spectacle!" My Mistress bowed slightly. I stared at her in awe. She had never done that before. Not to any other person as I seemed to recall.

"Now, then! My dear... assistant, here, would like to speak with you as well." Mistress signaled towards me, and I walked closer to him slowly. I sighed and focused on the ground in front of us.

No matter how hard I tried, though...I couldn't look him in the eyes. There was this weight, some sort of pressure, that would not let me stare nor even sneak a glance, "I..." I tried, but my voice cracked at the end, making me cover my mouth with my hand in a strange feeling of insecurity. I hated to say it, but unfortunately... I blushed.

"Ben. I order you to speak to Majesty at-"

"Please, take your time," Majesty spoke in a calm tone.

Mistress stared in shock at Majesty but remained silent. I took this as an opportunity to speak. "I'm sorry, sir. I-"

"Don't call me sir, nor Majesty," He quickly added, "just call me by my name."

I stayed quiet, quickly thinking and trying to remember if he had ever given me his name. No matter how hard I tried, though, I couldn't remember it!

"What is your name?" Mistress disrupted the silence, voicing the thought that would've come up next in our conversation.

Majesty moved to answer but paused. "I-I don't remember..."

I turned my sight on him to see his eyebrows knit in confusion. He looked lost in thought.

"What if we give you a temporary name?" Mistress piped up, a broad smile displaying proudly. Majesty looked at her and nodded hesitantly, but just as Mistress was about to speak he pointed at me.

"I want Ben to do it," he smirked. I could only stare at him, mouth agape in shock. I instantly remembered my caretaker deciding what name to give me. He didn't take long and didn't give it much thought, but me? I was freaking out!

"No, I can't. This is too important," I muttered, rubbing my arm anxiously as I spoke, "this whole thing could decide your future!"

"No, It can't. It's only temporary." Majesty assured me. He was right of course, but it still didn't feel right. I glanced at my Mistress and saw that she was glaring at me. She motioned for me to hurry up, so I nodded at Majesty and stepped even closer to him, a bit further than arm-length and stared at his chest.

"Eyes", I heard Mistress cough behind me quietly and I nodded, taking a deep breath and looked into his eyes... and I immediately knew what his name would be.

I could feel the name bubbling up within me, itching at my throat and burning into my tongue just as the flames within his eyes and soul were scorching my own.

"Phobus." I exhaled the breath I didn't know I had been holding, "Your name will be Phobus."

And he smiled.