Never did I expect to engage in some bouts of words with this human, nor did I think that I would offer words that were a bit encouraging? Thoughtful?

That was why I added the last bit, to pontificate and focus on the cruelty of the world.

There might have been a place, not exactly a utopia–but where most did not need to pick up a sword and fight. Those who grew in peace. Children who did not know how to use a weapon. It was not their fault but then they ___ and then they did learn.

The look on Rose's face became ever so hesitant."You say that it is not wrong to blame people who cannot kill...?"

"Is that what you are focusing on? I said it is to learn or to die." I crossed my arms, the thought slipping away from me as quickly as it arrived.

"But you do not blame those who cannot?"

An uneasy feeling tightened at my chest at her unexpected focus on them.

The more I tried to grasp what I was thinking of earlier, my head began to spin. Something even the physiology of a Vampire did not spare me.

I clicked my tongue. "What about it?"

"I... I almost expected something different." Rose shook her head and smiled, rather pretty now that I saw it, but it faded away as she looked at the Ghouls. She seemed to have come to a decision, similar to that of the Princess. "This is your own doing. Words are just words, but your actions tell what you have done."

"You think Necromancy is wrong?" I asked. "If you have the opportunity to use the corpses of your fallen enemies, I suggest you use them. While it may scare off former loved ones—"

Her gaze was telling.

"In terms of practicality, the use of these bodies does not harm anyone... much. They are already dead—and while we may discuss whether or not it was wrong to kill them—but I'm mostly still in awe of why you are not praising me for what I have done."

"You expect praise?"

"Well, someone else might have done it." I shrugged. "If not praise, even mere gratitude. If you cannot handle their deaths, I have done them for you and their blood is not in your hands. Their bodies, armor and weapons are being repurposed to serve as your protection—as you and the princess belong to me. That lack of gratitude is what surprises me. If you must know, I can be quite a benevolent one to those who serve me."

"I... I can't handle this, please just leave me alone." Rose choked out at last. Her eyes looked at me pitifully. "You think of yourself as someone who is in the right, that your actions have purpose and that may be true—but I cannot look at someone who doesn't even flinch at death. It may be true that this benefits me and the princess, but... pardon me."

She walked off back into the manor and left me alone to my thoughts.

I frowned.

That reaction was something I truly did not expect.

Rose seemed to be morally uptight, in a way, which was odd in this world.

Having survived underneath the notion of kill or to be killed, it was not strange for me to have not noticed the death—well, I did smell the awful rotting scent of ghouls and yet, since I knew what it was, it did not bother me.

On the other hand, this human, ever so squeamish. It was almost silly to think that this was the chosen protector of Princess Eleanor. It made me think and wonder... who exactly was doing the protecting?

If not for her mistress' intervention, perhaps I would have been able to snack and have my fill of both Rose and Eleanor's blood. I did not need it. Compared to lesser brethren, the need for blood as one grew and ascended in power—I was not exactly requiring it for nourishment, but it would have been pleasurable still.

“Since she acts so ‘virtuous’ though, perhaps her blood might scald me.” I chuckled.

—

Hours went by and soon morning arrived. I did not know what lay in the heart of Rose, but on the very first morning, Princess Eleanor swept into the main room and found me by the coffin.

For someone who was blind, and incredibly quiet last night, the way she entered so boldly almost made you believe that she was the one who owned the house. It also meant that she did not have to pretend that she had difficulty in navigation. Which was another look into her psyche.

"Lord Blackwell, you have my deepest thanks for taking care of the knights..."

"It seems that Rose has told you about them," I said.

"Or I saw the events which transpired, but if my friend has failed to see the purpose and help in your actions, I hope you do not take it too hard on her. Rose is... Rose." Princess Eleanor said. "She has a—"

"Good heart."

We both said at the same time.

"And so do you." Princess Eleanor swept into a curtsy and added with a well-timed smile. "I was unsure of what..."

"You unsure?" I raised a brow. "That's strange for a Seer—"

Eleanor's cheeks turned red. "Outcomes will and do change, no Seer is omnipotent. All I see are things that are in the realm of possibility, and while some paths all lead to the same destination, some do break off and splinter. You did not have to kill them, but you still did it for our sake."

"My sake," I said. "It becomes grating when more than one person has trespassed on my land. I have overlooked yours and decided to offer you shelter, but only because there is a purpose."

"But fighting against a kingdom—"

"I do not know how much time has exactly passed, but I do not fear your kingdom. Since I've taken you in, then it means that their attempt to relinquish you and your friend is something that is done against me."

"... that appears to be the case." Eleanor smiled.

Somehow, this Princess' words bristled me the wrong way.

Perhaps, this was what Rose felt like whenever she talked with me.

It did get a little annoying whenever someone insisted upon their will and thought they knew far better. Not that it would make me stop my actions—I simply just detested it when someone followed after me.

"If you are done, then you may leave," I said. "I have things to do."

Ever since my conversation with Rose finished from last night, I had spent the better time visiting the rooms and checking inventory.

The wards had weakened over the course of time and the manor rotted, but especially enchanted rooms remained unblemished. In the coffin, I was actually supposed to get my rings—

"Ah, pardon me, but I'm not yet done, Lord Blackwell. There is one last thing that I have to say to you... we are your servants, is that correct?"

"What else will you be?"

"Of course, and that is why I wish to invite and implore you to join us downstairs at the dining hall. Rose has prepared a small feast for us."

"What?"

"Is it not the responsibility of a person to prepare food for their master and lord?" Princess Eleanor said. "I did... help with the preparations, but Rose did most of the—ah, I'm overspeaking. But please join us for food, Lord Blackwell."