Cecilus returned to where Marina crouched.
"See? A dull life like his never sees anything fun. I brightened his day!" he crowed.
Marina managed a half-hearted smile and a quick nod. That man thought he was going to be ruined! How could you possibly call that 'brightening' someone's day?
"Alright, you can go. But tomorrow—we strike again. This time it will be a different target. We won't make it too obvious, though." Cecilus waved farewell and disappeared into the manor, leaving Marina to trudge back to her family's house.
On the walk home, she worried over the chores she'd missed. He said he'd handle the consequences, but they'd still be annoyed I didn't fetch fresh water… and where did the buckets I carried end up? I didn't see them on my way here.
As she crested the hill, she saw her brother waiting by the gate. Over ten buckets of water stood in neat rows—exactly what she needed.
Wait! So he delivered the water to our house? When did he have the time to do that?
Trey noticed her and walked over. "I was notified by the eldest son of the Crow household that he needed your assistance with something important. That is why you were absent; however, he brought us the required amount of water as expected. It is quite sad living on the border... The main cities have direct pipelines to send them water. I heard an extremely smart alchemist is in charge of the systems across the entire continent."
He paused, then added, "Cecilus also said you may be called on for more errands. I'll excuse you since he promised to cover the duties. Still… why you, specifically?"
Trey asked it with a sly tilt, but Marina answered without hesitation. "He used some gem to help me with civilians who were harassing me. Now he says I owe him help with his daily activities."
"Hmm. Father wouldn't fuss too much, but let's keep this from my mother; her complaints are more of an eyesore to deal with than actual substance. I can't find any reason why she wouldn't try to waste time punishing you over this." Trey shrugged. "Go inside and help with dinner. They'll be back soon."
Marina then thought to herself. Wait! I don't want to get wrapped up with this lunatic! I thought their instant response would be getting their slave back, not this! If I could've just left and done whatever I wanted, I would've done so years ago!
She stepped through the gate and hurried to the house.
***
Cecilus padded down the manor halls and into his room — a plain space with a white bed and a small desk. He didn't mind, though, as his room was usually unoccupied. He dropped on the mattress and stared at the ceiling.
One more year left... That's when I promised. Promised myself that I would leave. My presence here is the only insecurity my father has. Next year, I will run, leaving them all behind; their safety means more to me than my father's lowly ambition. Ambition is meaningless if it doesn't embody your true feelings. His feelings about the future were already lost the moment I was born.
***
The next morning, Cecilus woke early, plotting the day's mischief. Next target: that brat who throws tomatoes. If he wants to fling tomatoes, someone should clean them up. A prank's only good if the victim can laugh afterward. Well — not all of my pranks end that way. Sometimes I just need to enjoy myself. No harm, no foul, right?
He crossed the dining hall where servants carried trays, and found his mother at the center table.
"Good morning, Mother! Is the food good?"
Yes, Cecilus—wonderful," she said curtly, and returned to her meal.
Without much more conversation, she then looked away and continued eating.
Cecilus did not know much about his mother. Whenever he came back home, he felt alienated and disconnected from his main family. However, he still loved his mother and father as well as his siblings.
His only memories of his mother were a few stories she told him when he was young. She told him about how she met his father on the battlefield, and he had promised her that elves would be safe in the ascended continent. After getting married and bearing her first child, the king of the ascended continent was assassinated, and Cecilus' father declared that he would bring his son to the throne and continue the convergence.
Oh, Cecilus," his mother said between bites, "your father will return in a week with your uncle Huon and some royals. Be ready to greet them. Also—someone's here to see you. They're waiting by the main gate."
Cecilus raised an eyebrow. To see me? Who would go out of their way to meet me? Everyone should be sleeping right now?
He quickly nodded and left to greet whoever came to visit. In the front, he saw a familiar face. It was a young boy with red hair, wearing rags, one of the members of the group who was part of the incident yesterday.
The one who got his eye hit? It's healed enough… but why is he here? Revenge?
"Hello, sir. I came to apologize," the boy stammered.
Apologize to me? Must be from my intimidating act yesterday. Poor lad is probably fearing for his life!
"I know you were just covering for that girl. I would like to apologize to her directly, and you are the only one I know to go to," he continued.
Huh! What? He knew I was helping her? And he wants to apologize to her? Wait, so he wasn't even slightly scared of me?
"Ahem, yes, yes... I will be meeting her today, but to truly apologize to her, I need you to join us in our mission today."
"Mission?" The boy asked.
"Yes... mission. But, did you not feel anger toward her after what you went through, with the whole fire incident?"
"How could I be angry with such a pretty lady?" the boy blurted.
That might be the one thing you could've said that erased all the good things I was just thinking about you... You know you could've just lied and said the reason was that it wasn't her fault.
"Also, why did you call me sir?" Cecilus asked.
"Aren't you an elf? I thought elves were a thousand years old," the boy replied.
Never mind, he's digging himself deeper into the hole... Not only does he seem too calm near the man who threatened him recently, but his mind doesn't seem to process anything but lust! However, I can work with this... One more subject to help cheer up the locals is always a bonus.
"No, I'm quite young, half-elves age the same as humans in their childhood years."
"Oh, so you're around nine like me?"
Maybe I should consider switching my opinion on privileged homicide...
"Yes, I'm thirteen just as you said. Now chop-chop, we have some happiness to spread! By the way, what's your name?"
The boy was about to question Cecilus's first comment; however, he decided against it.
"My name is Efrain, so let's go!" He raised his fist in the air, almost like he was announcing a battle cry.
Positive energy helps. Cecilus grinned. "Good. Let's go."
They both then left the surrounding area and headed off along the road.
***
Marina had thought about the ways to prevent being taken away by Cecilus. However, she began to debate whether she really enjoyed doing chores more. I can't be persuaded by that weird child into bullying poor strangers. I wouldn't be any different than the scum who threw the tomatoes! But it was easier than housework...
While she scrubbed, a housemaid approached. "Two boys are waiting outside. Master Trey confirmed you can go help them."
The housemaid smiled lightly and walked away.
Two boys? Wait, did Cecilus really snatch some random civilian to bring into his games like I thought he would?
She quickly left her home and passed the gate. Her eyes seemed to tremble slightly when she realized who Cecilus had brought.
Cecilus moved towards her and began his explanation.
"Hello, uhh, Marina, was it?"
Did he purposely pretend to forget my name? His lying skills are horrible.
Cecilus then began his introduction with a lazy grin.
"So this here is my good friend Efrain. He has repented his sins and decided to be an upstanding, morally good human being. And to start his great journey of becoming a decent person, he decided to first apologize to you. But.... I believe just an apology won't cut it, don't you think?"
No, an apology is fine as long as he leaves. This freak! He's smiling at me as if he's telling me to say yes... Illusion of choice...
"Right. Saying sorry isn't enough," she conceded.
Efrain piped up, eager. "Yes! I'll do whatever you need!"
"See! Even he knows. So we will need both of you to aid me in my next plan. Today we strike the village. With our distraction, Efrain and our sunflowers from Marina, we can strike our target!"
Efrain seemed confused but enthusiastic nonetheless.
"YEAH! STRIKE THE TARGET!"
Marina, however, knew what it meant. What poor old man are we harassing now? And I have this idiot who seems to be worsening the positive mood...
"But first, we need to explain the specific roles of this plan. Efrain, you're friends with the boy who initiated the tomato throwing, aren't you?"
"Oh, that's Don! He was the guy who was panicking on top of the giant sunflower."
He threw his gaze at Marina, but she avoided eye contact.
"Don huh, ok got him, he's currently eating with his mother. Perfect time to give him a nice surprise, don't you all think? Efrain, we will need you to bring him outside for a bit. While you're doing that, the infiltration will begin!"
Despite her internal complaining, Marina's eyes seemed to light up after he mentioned the boy who had harassed her. Maybe, it won't be so bad...
Cecilus' smirk sharpened as he watched her. Revenge sharpens focus. This time, maybe you will laugh too! I'm disciplining bad children and making the good children's wishes come true! What a great person I am, aren't I?