Chapter 5
1775 Words
(Esmeray POV)
"Didn’t she ask you to let her go?"
A man suddenly appeared in front of me. I was engulfed in the smell I smelt earlier. For some reason, it made me feel at ease and protected.
"Woah Woah man. I didn’t mean trouble." The man on the ground said as he raised both of his hands. "I thought she was alone and needed help."
"Scram" was the only thing he said before the latter ran away.
"Thank you for helping me sir," I said as I bowed my head respectfully. But the man in front of me gave a sarcastic laugh, making me frown and look up.
"Sad you don’t remember me, Lady Esmeray", his voice felt familiar even though I know I had never heard it.
"Do I know you?"
"I thought you would remember me since you still wear the present I gave you", he pointed at the necklace I was wearing and I quickly covered it with my hand, looking at him with wide eyes.
"Mystery man?"
He laughed at the name I gave him but grinned and nodded his head.
"Hello Lady Esmeray"
Now that it was much more lit, I could see his face more clearly. The man in front of me was beautiful beyond anything I had ever seen. He was slightly tan and because he wore a sleeved shirt I could see the scars on his hands. His facial features were sharp and chiseled, yet it looked young. He had grey eyes and black hair mixed with strands of dark red color, almost brown hair. He had an ear piercing on the right side and also a tattoo of a wolf on the right arm.
"He-hello". For some reason, I felt it hard to speak.
He then looked around before grabbing my wrist. I gasped as I felt sparks between us. The man, on the other hand, had his eyes closed. He took a deep breath before turning to look at me with a small smile.
"Come with me"
He took me to the end of the room and we stopped in front of a door which was covered with red curtains. On the top 'VIP' was written.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked but he didn’t reply as he gave the guard something before walking in. He walked past a few rooms before opening a door to the one that was empty.
"What are you doing?" I had my guard up as he locked the door and turned to me.
"Relax, I am not going to do anything to you," he said as he sat on one end of the red sofa looking at me. "Sit," he said as I cautiously moved to the sofa far away from him.
"OK, why did you bring me here?"
"I have got a better question. What is the eldest proud lady of the Dalerin doing in a place like this? Isn't this way below your line?"
"I have my reason."
He raised one eyebrow at my answer before sighing and leaning in.
"You know, lady. This is a dangerous place both for your status and for your safety. I am a very kind man who wants to help you. Can't you tell me?"
"Ok," I said, knowing I had no other option. "I want to find a spy."
"A spy?"
"Yes. You know, the professional ones who work really deep"
"Works deep?"
"Yes"
He stared at me for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.
"Why are you laughing?"
"I am sorry, but who told you that you would find top spies here?"
I blushed at what he said. Of course, no one told me. I read from books but I am sure he will laugh even more if he heard that.
"Well. You are in luck. Although this is not how we are found."
"Huh?"
"My lady, you can entrust me with the duty as I am good at what I do."
"You’re a spy?"
"Yes," he smiled wide as he stood up. I froze as he stood on the same sofa as me. "And you can trust me the most. I will never do anything that hurts you"
His eyes stared into mine as if he could see my soul.
"I…."
He took my hand and gave me a small smile.
"So do we have a deal?"
For some reason, I felt like I could touch him. There was this unknown feeling I had when I was with him and it made me feel safe. It was just like how I was urged to wear the necklace.
Was it some kind of scent he brushed on himself? Was this a trap?
I was not sure but the feeling I had made me nod my head.
"Ok"
"Perfect", he kissed my knuckles and I felt the sparks between us. "So tell me your problem."
"I want you to spy on Ethan Pierre Ascorter and Elinor Marielle Dalerin."
The man raised one eyebrow at my suggestion.
"Your sister and the man you are forced to marry?"
"Ye-" I stopped as I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Forced to marry?"
"Forced to marry" he winked as I looked at him. "I am pretty sure he is not the right one for you."
"Oh? Why so?" Does he know anything about that man? Is that why he is saying that?
"Because you are meant for me", he moved closer, and my eyes widened. I moved back, debating on whether to continue working with him.
But he laughed and moved back. "I am just kidding. I will take care of the work you assigned me. I don’t think it will be hard."
"Really?"
"Really. These are all such small tasks. Give me something challenging"
"Challenging like what?"
"Like…. Like protecting you. I swear I will walk like your shadow and kill anything that hurts you"
"That won't be necessary" I slid a little away from him, seeing the determination in his eyes. "I don’t have many enemies."
"You don’t?" he shrugged and moved back, relaxing on the sofa. "Well OK then. But if you ever need any help, I will be here right beside you."
Even though he sounded like he was joking, I could see how serious he was. His eyes held rage and determination as if he knew my enemies. I gulped and moved back, feeling his intense stare as something too much for me to tolerate.
"T-thank you. I will remember that."
"Then if that is all, shall we go?" he asked, standing up. I nodded, standing up, putting on my hoodie as he chuckled. "Do me a favor will you? Don’t go to such a dangerous place just because you feel the need to. Come find me if you have any trouble. I will always be available to help you"
For some reason, I could feel the sincerity in his voice. I don’t know why I am blindly believing everything he is saying. Especially when I should have severe trust issues because of my past life.
"Where should I go to find you? The pub?" I asked, trying to keep an emotionless face.
"I told you I was there by chance. You can find me at the 'Harster Sword shop'. But for now, we might see each other more often since I am now at your service" he winked, making me blush and look away.
"I see"
"Come on, I will help you get out of here," he said as I followed him. But before he could open the door, I grabbed his wrist, making sparks ignite between us. I quickly released my grip on him as I looked at my hand. "You OK?"
"I-" I paused and looked at the man who was smirking as if he knew it. "You have some kind of electrocuting magic in you?"
"Electrocuting magic?" he laughs, shaking his head. "No. It's just something special" he winked as I stared at him. "Why did you stop me?"
I knew he was averting the topic just like he did before.
"Oh right," I quickly cleared my throat and straightened my back. "Your p*****t," I said as he raised one eyebrow. "I don’t know how much it will cost, but" I took a bag out of my carry purse and extended it to him. "Is 500 coins enough?"
He frowned as he stared at the bag with an unimpressed expression.
"I am sorry" I quickly said, making him look at me with a raised eyebrow. "As I said, I do not know the price for such things but take this as an advance. I will give you more as the mission progresses."
The man chuckled for some reason but nevertheless accepted the bag of gold coins.
"Usually this is much less for me, even for an advance. You know, since I am a really highly valued man in the market."
"Oh, then I will give you more". I started to fish in my purse for another bag but he stopped me. I looked up to see the man's face only a few inches away from mine.
"There is no need for that. As I said, you are of special consideration."
"I-" I turned my head away from him, blushing hard. "I am sorry, but I don’t understand how I have special consideration for you."
"Really. I secretly climbed the balcony and wished you a happy birthday. I have you a necklace as a gift and I accept your service just like that. Not to mention VIP treatment. In what way do you think I don’t consider you special?"
I didn’t know what to say as I just stared at her.
"I r-eally don’t need special consideration". I stumbled with my words. He looked unimpressed as he hummed and moved away from me.
"Alright then. How about paying me in another way?"
"Another way?" my eyes widened before I grabbed the two sides of my hoodie and covered myself completely.
Seeing what I did, he once again burst into laughter. He really seems to enjoy this.
"What are you doing? I never meant that way. You see I am desperately in need of help from someone. My sister's birthday is coming up. I am bad at presents, so pick me something to give her. If you do that, then I am more than happy and it's no special treatment."
"Alright then I will help you" I sighed as he smiled and extended his hand.
"It’s a date then"
"Not a date, just helping you out," I said, grabbing his hand.
"Same same" he muttered under his breath as we shook hands.
- Writer
