"Finally…" Kael muttered as all the tents around were folded and packed away by the soldiers.
His father had sent him to lead the team to scout the vicinity as part of his 'training' as an heir. It was a tedious, boring experience. Not that he would say it to his father.
Seeing everyone had packed everything, he climbed onto the back of a giant lizard beast, holding its rein with an air of nonchalance.
"Our task is complete. Well done to all. Return to the Kingdom!" He said cool-ly, as if trying to appear like a good leader.
"Yes, young master!" The soldiers replied in unison. The beasts strode across the forest, heading towards the Human Empire.
Shou on the other hand, was still in a cage, held by Mary sandwiched between her and the soldier controlling the beast under them. Mary was holding onto the soldier in front of her tight, as if afraid she would fall at any moment.
Both of them sighed at the same time.
Mary, for one, couldn't believe Kael would make her, a maid, to follow along just to be tasked with the cooking and other jobs taking care of his needs.
As for Shou, he sighed contemplating his fate.
Mary looked at the rabbit, and the rabbit looked back.
"Lord Kael is really unreasonable…" She complained to the rabbit. Shou couldn't understand her words, but he could understand her eyes filled with grievances like him.
The journey lasted for three days and three nights, with camping in between. Time felt slow, carried through the forest. Seeing the environment change little by little, Shou wondered what would happen to him later.
And as the forests cleared… What met him was a giant, ancient looking wall. It was so tall, it might be comparable to the Great Wall in his past life.
The team riding beasts pass through the gate without much obstruction, entering the town at the border.
Seeing a place filled with humans, Shou curiously looked around. At least he could observe the present instead of dwelling on the past. The buildings here were close to the middle age era. He saw most people were in rough linen cloths, each trying to survive doing various work. One carried a large basket behind them, heading towards the gate to go out for a venture. Probably to gather herbs and the like.
Shou saw shops, inns, marketplace, taverns, and one particular building stood out among the rest. A bunch of people in armored clothing, with weapons and shields in their hands were looking at the board in front of the building. They were surveying notices on the board, each discussing them.
He saw few people carrying simple staves, and contrary to mages in most books, they wore light armor too.
Shou look at these groups of people with longing. Their laughter and chatters were a contrast to his own situation. He looked around as they rode across the town. Other than the bunch of people around the building, most people were just commoners doing honest work.
He saw people tending to the fields, people carrying bricks and logs, or handling customers in the busy market.
Then he saw a child at the side of the street. The child seemed like a beggar, in rough cloth, his eyes asking for pity and mercy.
He was going left and right, talking to the adults that passed by. The 6 year old child's body was thin enough bones could be seen.
Shou looked as the child was ignored. Most people only cast pitiful glances as they hurried their steps.
But as they passed, Mary took a few coins from her purse, handing it to him.
The boy bowed in gratitude and ran off into the dark alley, not sure where he came from or where he was going. Maybe behind the alley, there were more people like him hidden behind the seemingly peaceful town.
This maid is nice, at least…
Shou commented seeing that she helped.
Another few days passed as they passed from towns and villages. Shou took notice that each establishment had tall walls protecting them. Maybe, it was to protect them from beasts. Shou looked down on the four legged giant lizard carrying him. Maybe there were many of these kinds of creatures outside, hence the danger.
His memories returned to his home, where he used to live in peace. Then his past life, when he used to have a family and people he knew… A deep heaviness crept in his heart, feeling trapped and isolated.
While most camped, Mary and their leader rested in inns. Shou can guess the person with a handsome face called 'Young Master' by the maid and 'Lord Kael' by the soldiers, was the leader. It was obvious given the way he carried himself, his attire that seemed more expensive, even his way of walking seemed different. Not to mention everyone would bow slightly before talking to him.
Eventually, they reached the Capital City.
The town was filled with people. Left and right, there were shops and restaurants, hawkers trying to gain attention. Caravans pulled by horses and beasts passed by the street, soldiers patrolled the ground, maintaining order by their sheer presence.
The people here all wore better clothes, seemingly had a better life than the previous towns he visited.
But as he went deeper, the scenery almost changed. The architectural style too, became more… refined. As if he was in an entire different world. The people around here all wear fancy clothes, jewelries on their fingers or brooches on their dress and coat.
Boutiques and classy restaurants, unique stores trading magical items. It was an eye opener for Shou.
Then, they finally reached an estate. Shou looked up to see the symbol on the plaque attached to the big gates welcoming them; three swords, all pointing downward to form an inverted triangle.
He couldn't understand the words beneath it, but it was probably the name of this estate.
The estate was owned by the Ashborne family, with history dating more than a thousand years. A militaristic family, with their own soldiers and manpower.
A blood forged by fire and steel.
They first stopped by the Beasts Stable, where many similar four legged beasts resided. Kael left the tidying up to the rest and just left to report to his father.
Mary followed from behind, carrying only her purse, Kael's personal backpack and the rabbit in a cage.
Shou looked as they reached a mansion painted white with dark cyan roofs. To think this person had such a rich status…
The man, the maid, and the rabbit entered the mansion. A plain maid welcomed them and quickly reported their arrival to the Duke.
Duke Rheon Ashborne; the current family head of the Ashborne family - hold control over all of the family matters and important businesses under the family.
Kael strode confidently towards his father's study. But just before knocking, he took a deep breath, as if steeling himself.
Knock. Knock.
"Father, it's Kael."
"Come in."
Rheon sat back on his chair, his eyes looking up from the papers on the table to scrutinize his son. His stature was like a bigger, taller, and angrier version of Kael.
"Report." He said coldly, his similar grey irises looking straight into his son's soul.
Kael turned to Mary who also entered along, zipping open his bag and taking out a scroll of his report. He placed it down for his father to read.
As if waiting for judgement, he waited almost nervously for him to say something about it.
"Nothing major?" He read them quickly. Most of it was basically - nothing. He sent Kael out, venturing into the wilds just to let him experience the wilderness, not exactly expecting anything else.
"Yes, father. We encountered no major obstacle when we scouted and cleared the area." He said calmly, though a hint of nervousness was still apparent to keen ears.
"And what about that Magic Beast?" Rheon turned his glare to the rabbit in a cage, his irises as if scanning the rabbit like a predator. Shou was trembling, hiding at the corner.
"Ah? It had an interesting fur that glows at night. I thought it would make a fine pet." Kael's voice turned a little weaker, afraid that his father would think lowly of him for bringing it back.
"... Is that so? You may leave." Rheon no longer found interest in the rabbit. Its mana was high, unusually high in fact - for such a small size that is. But that was it.
Kael let out his breath, as if escaping some judgement. "I will take my leave."
He walked out calmly and closed the door.
Mary didn't say anything and came forward, leaving a small scroll on the Duke's table.
"There is no major incident, but…"
Mary hesitated for a second, but still decided to tell.
"He brought the magazines you don't approve of."
"..." Rheon's face was fierce as usual, but it didn't tell anything of his actual emotions.
"Evening practice will be as usual. Tell him to prepare. You are excused."
"Yes, Master Rheon…"
The Duke was ready to beat his son through training, already planning different ways to temper him.
As Mary turned to leave, Duke's eyes turned to the rabbit again, feeling its gaze.
Hick! Shou quickly turned his eyes away, afraid of this angry looking person.
Both the maid and rabbit let out a breath of relief after closing the door. The Duke's presence was that overwhelming.
"Now… what do I do with you…?" Mary looked at the rabbit, muttering to herself.
First, they need a bed for the rabbit… Mary quickly called a servant nearby. As Kael's personal maid, and the Duke's eyes on his son, her status was only second to the Head of Servants in the estate.
"We need a bed for this rabbit. Pre-made ones are fine. Get it by today."
"Understood." She nodded and dropped her work, rushing outside to find a bed for the rabbit.
Shou blinked a few times, realising this household was truly rich. Mary wondered where to put this rabbit.
Maybe Young Master would like to keep it nearby?
Mary went to Kael's room, knocking on his door. "Young Master, this is Mary. About the rabbit…"
After seconds, the door opened. Kael in his bathrobe, casual and aloof. He looked down on the rabbit. He thought for a while before opening the cage and picking him.
He looked at the rabbit, as if wondering where to put him himself.
"You won't run, do you…" Kael asked the rabbit, his eyes trying to see this rabbit's reactions. But this rabbit was just stiff frozen, as if afraid of him.
"I will keep him here for a while. Bring a plate of fruits; no, carrots."
"Yes, Young Master…"
As Mary left, Kael placed Shou down on bed. Kael stared at him, while Sou stared back.
"You are looking at me like you are actually thinking of something…"
And when Kael talked, this rabbit as if listening. But there was no reaction.
"You will listen to me, understand?"
Shou just blinked his eyes, trying to understand why this human was talking to him. The language was different than he knew, how could he understand?
Kael didn't seem to be satisfied. The way this rabbit was looking at him showed this little guy was listening somewhat.
He took Shou's paw and raised it, placing it on his stretched palm.
"Shake! Shake!" Kael shook Shou's hand while saying the same word repeatedly.
"Got it? Shake." Kael did the gesture again. Then he pulled his hand away. The rabbit seemed to be bewildered, looking at his paw, then back at Kael.
Kael tested the rabbit, stretching his palm forward and said the command.
"Shake."
Shou seemed hesitant, and as if giving it a try, hearing that word again he stretched his paw and placed it on his palm. A part of him was unsure how to act really.
Kael had a smile carved on his lips. "I knew it… you are smart…" He seemed so satisfied to train the rabbit so quickly.
"Hm. Maybe I had the talent to be a beast tamer after all." Kael self-praised without shame.
"From now on… your name will be…" Kael thought for seconds.
"Snow white… no, you are a male." Kael walked around the room with his hands behind his back, thinking seriously.
"White… Ash… Heiter? Eddy… Teddy? No… Bunny?"
"... Tsk. White. Your name is White. Understand?" Kael made his decision.
"From now on you will need to learn what I teach." His face was stern, his hands behind his back mimicking his father.
"As the rabbit of Ashborne, you need to uphold our family name. Not any rabbit can become a pet of our family. If you fail me, you will be stewed. Understand?!"
Kael raised his voice, his gaze piercing into the rabbit.
The rabbit just blankly stared back, not understanding, really.
"Good! Now, again." Kael stretched his hand, and commanded 'shake' over and over again.
Shou had no choice but to follow. After all… he needed to survive.
"Good job. Now, you will learn how to stand."
Kael turned left and right, seeing his door locked, he turned his focus back on the rabbit.
He felt embarrassed inwardly for doing this, but since no one was looking it was fine.
Kael crouched down, shouted 'stand!', and then stood up.
"Understand? Watch me."
Kael crouched down, shouted 'stand!', and stood up again.
"Stand!" He commanded the rabbit.
Shou was nervous, his ears twitching but he still stood with his feet hearing the word. A wider smile cracked on Kael's lips.
"Damn. Smart guy. Worthy of being Ashborne's pet. Amanda will like you…"
Kael had a sudden inspiration. His crush would definitely like this rabbit. And once he show this rabbit to her, she would finally accept his approaches and could see how amazing he was to train this rabbit like a master.
"Now you have to learn more tricks! Next is roll!" Kevin lied down on the carpet, shouted 'roll', and began to roll.
Shou felt himself dying of embarrassment seeing this grown up acting like he had lost brain cells.
Ah… is this my life now…? Oh God please end me…
...
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