Episode 10 Continued - It's time.
I didn’t know what time it was, but it looked like it was still early by the time I woke this morning.
I could hear the birds chirping from outside, their soft sounds filling the room, and I closed my eyes just to listen for a moment.
After letting the calm wash through me, I parted my lashes and stared off toward the bedroom door.
I remember… that he took my soul, and then he didn’t.
Am I dreaming now or was I dreaming then…?
I just sighed and shuffled further under the covers, burying myself in its warmth for a couple more minutes.
Sebastian’s bound to wake me soon… it looks as if it’s almost eight.
My lashes lowered, and I turned over to look outside the window, trying to tell the time by the sun because I was too comfortable to look for a clock or my phone.
But when I turned over…
I saw Sebastian on the other side of the bed.
He smiled when he saw me, still lying under the covers as he closed his eyes and smiled. “Good morning, my lord.”
I immediately squealed in shock and accidently threw myself backwards off the bed, and I yelped when I tumbled to the floor.
Sebastian was at my side in a matter of seconds. “Master! Are you alright?”
I just kept my stomach pressed to the floor as I glared at him. “Do I look alright?”
“I meant are you hurt,” he said then, kneeling down next to me.
I continued glaring at him. “Do I look hurt?”
He just sighed, shaking his head when he looked down at me. “Master, must you answer all my questions with a question?”
“You do it all the time,” I said then, remaining in place as I closed my eyes. “That’s how you get away with not lying. Loopholllles,” I sang.
He smiled then. “Is master grumpy this morning?”
“I’m grumpy every morning.”
Sebastian chuckled, getting down further. “Come, now. This doesn’t look so comfortable.”
I groaned in annoyance when he caught my arm, trying to guide me. “I can get up by myse—”
Sebastian just threw me up in his arms, earning a squeal, but he just gazed down at me when I settled in his arms.
His face was inches from mine, but he slowly let me down onto my feet, and I continued staring at him.
“Master,” he said then, smiling, “why are you staring at me like that?”
I blinked and looked away, eyes narrowing into a glare. “Why are you staring at me like that? It’s not one-sided.”
His lashes lowered when I stepped away to adjust my nightshirt down, but it was all folded and wrinkled. “Indeed. It is not.”
“Where’s my tea?” I demanded.
“It’s not eight o’clock yet, master,” Sebastian said then, still smiling. “I was waiting until seven-fifty to start it. It’s currently seven-twenty.” He stepped over to help me adjust my shirt, brushing it down and flattening the fabric in seconds.
Ugh… why was he so good at this?
“You sure woke up early, didn’t you?” Sebastian said then, brushing down my sleeves. “I apologize, my lord,” his lips curled further, “I didn’t realize that last night would make you so restless.”
My anger flared then.
I immediately caught a pillow and threw it at him, and he chuckled, catching it seconds later.
I just glared at him. “You’re a jerk! You tricked me and kissed me! That is a violation of my rights!”
He tossed the pillow back on the bed, and it set back in its normal place. “What rights, master?”
“My right to be… me.”
He gazed up in amusement.
I just turned away, crossing my arms over my chest. “Shut up. I couldn’t come up with a comeback in time, alright? It happens to the best of us.”
He just kept the smile.
I then turned back toward him, glare sharpening. “But you on the other hand must explain why you were sleeping next to me last night.”
“I wasn’t,” he answered.
I narrowed my eyes further. “Sebastian. Don’t lie to me. I ordered you not to lie.”
He gazed up. “I didn’t.”
My gaze weakened then.
“Because I wasn’t sleeping,” he replied kindly. “I’m a demon. Demons don’t sleep.”
My anger sparked once more, and I caught the same pillow and threw it at him.
He caught it—of course.
“That’s creepy!” I said as he tossed the pillow back in place. “You were watching me all night?!”
He just gazed up. “Well, I thought it was fine because you woke in my lap and then willingly fell back asleep. And, plus, I knew the moment I left you’d have a nightmare,” his eyes darkened, “and I know how much those hurt.”
My entire being weakened, and I shrank back in on myself, looking away.
I felt him watching me.
“You didn’t have any nightmares, did you?” he said then.
I lowered my lashes and shook my head slowly.
His eyes glowed with his smile. “I thought as much.” He then looked down at me. “Well, master, if you would like to get back in bed and relax for a bit, I shall go and make the morning preparations for you. Your tea needs to be made and newspaper needs to be ironed. I shall be back within a moment’s notice.”
I watched him curiously as he stepped back to the door.
“Sebastian,” I said then.
He stopped and glanced back at me. “Yes, my lord?”
“Do… do the other servants know?” I said quietly.
He smiled, clearly knowing I was talking about our “relationship” which I was trying really hard to fight but was failing miserably.
I told myself it was platonic even though it was a lie.
But I was going to believe the lie.
I wasn’t sure how long I could, though… because… I was starting to feel thr truth.
“Three remain oblivious,” he said, making me gaze up to find him smiling. “One remains suspicious.”
Cammie.
I bit my lip as a nervous tick. “Keep it that way. It’s an order.”
He just turned and bowed a little, gazing up seconds later with his eyes glowing a dark red. “Of course, my lord.” He stood fully then, smiling dangerously. “I’m glad you finally accepted it, though.”
I froze immediately. “What?”
“You know what I’m talking about,” he answered, chuckling.
I did.
But I didn’t accept it!
The relationship? I never! I did not!
I might’ve implied it, but I did not accept it out loud!
“I shall go get your things now, master,” Sebastian said, bowing one more time. “I’ll be back soon.”
And he turned, leaving the rooms seconds later as I stared at him, half-annoyed, half-stunned.
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*****
“Today we have a dinner meeting with the manager of the toy shop,” Sebastian explained as he pulled my shirt over my arms, buttoning it seconds later. “It seems as if one of the factories caught fire and he needs to know what to tell the police.”
He then stepped around me and pulled my eye patch out from his jacket, placing it over my eye as I held it in place, letting him tie it. “The police are investigating… foul play. But the manager says he needs guidance on their searches and how to help the police investigate.”
“Oh?” I said as Sebastian guided me into my jacket. “Is that all?”
“Did you really think that was all, my lord?” Sebastian said then, stepping around me with a sinister smile. “You are the master of the game, after all. And only the master knows when someone is plotting.”
I made an amused sound and tipped my head up. “Sure. I’d happily give him the kindest curtesy. Prepare it for him, won’t you, Sebastian?”
He bowed before me. “At once, my young lord.”
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