Chapter 5: A sincere hug will always

sweeter than honey

Milo: "I thought you would refuse, I admit I felt embarrassed..."

They both walk up the steps, one next to the other. Natasha smiles.

Natasha: "You are my Master, I cannot refuse."

Milo: "But would you like to take a bath with me? I say 'would', not because you're my handmaid and that it's an obligation."

Natasha: "I don't mind at all."

Milo: "Hmmm..."

He puffs out his cheeks and crosses his arms. Natasha looks at him as she walks, wondering if she answered the wrong way. She blinks and finally sighs.

Natasha: "When I say I wouldn't mind, I mean, yes, I do mind. I'm glad you're willing to take a bath with me, Master."

He smiles suddenly and strokes Natasha's head energetically.

Milo: "I like that better!"

They arrive at Milo's bathroom door.

Milo: "And personally, I don't see why I wouldn't want to ! You're sweet, cute, beautiful and I'm sure you have a great body, ahah! Here, thinking about it..."

Before opening the bathroom door, he turns to Natasha and touches his chin.

Milo: "You said you wouldn't refuse anything from your Master...?"

She nods.

Milo: "Were you like that with my father too, then?"

Natasha: "Of course. If he asked me for something, I would agree."

Milo: "Anything...?"

She scratches her cheek.

Natasha: "Master Samus never asked me anything

indecent or that hurts me, so I accepted all his requests and demands... I trusted him completely."

Milo rubs his chin and smiles.

Milo: "Hm, that does sound like my dad. So he never asked you to... you know, have sex?"

She shakes her head.

Milo: "Or to get naked to please him?"

Natasha: "Master Samus kind of thought of me as his daughter, so he didn't want to. I don't necessarily know about the other maids, but from what I know, it wasn't like him."

Milo: "Eeeh, I see!"

He turns to the door and opens it.

Milo: "But we haven't known each other very long, would you still trust me that much?"

He enters the room and Natasha follows him closely.

Natasha: "You are my Master, I must act as a handmaid."

Milo: "..."

He answers nothing and closes the door behind him. He sits on the edge of the tub and looks at Natasha again.

Milo: "Eeeeh, I see, I see... So can I ask you a question?"

Natasha nods. Milo crosses his legs and squints.

Milo: "So if I were to ask you, right now, to have sex with me, would you accept?"

Milo thinks Natasha will show a shocked face, but her only reaction is to nod. She touches her handmaid's outfit.

Natasha: "If you want to—"

Milo: "W-Woah, I was just asking, I wasn't seriously asking you that!!!"

He waves his hands in front of him and stands up, approaching her and preventing her from removing her clothes. She lifts her head and looks into his eyes. Milo sighs.

Milo: "You know, I'm glad you're willing to do whatever I ask, but we barely know each other, wait at least three, maybe four more days to see if I deserve your trust, right?"

But I've known you for a few days. That's what Natasha wants to say, but can't say.

Natasha: "If you need relief, I—"

Milo: "I get it, you would! But, listen..."

He sits on the edge of the tub again and scratches his hair.

Milo: "I admit it's tempting, but I'm not necessarily excited right now, I don't necessarily want..."

He pulls his hand out of his hair and places it beside him.

Milo: "I'm a man, of course I have sexual urges, but if I treat my handmaid... No, if I treat my friends this way, I don't know if I'll ever be able to look in a mirror again."

Natasha listens intently, her Kitta ears raised. She stands tall in the middle of the bathroom.

Milo: "I don't know why I asked you that, sorry..."

Natasha: "That's normal. Master Samus sometimes had desires too, but he never asked me for anything."

Milo: "Would you have accepted? He's pretty... old? Well, was pretty old."

Natasha: "In all honesty, I would have accepted. There were times when I hesitated to ask him if he would accept, but I never dared to take that step. I kind of regret it..."

Milo makes a small face as he lets out an uncomfortable little noise.

Milo: "Hearing all this when we're talking about my own father, I think I should have kept my mouth shut and not asked..."

Natasha lowers her head and part of her body.

Natasha: "Excuse me for saying so much."

Milo: "I was asking you, don't feel bad. Anyway..."

He scratches his cheek while fleeing from his eyes.

Milo: "If at some point you want to... you know, do it, you can always ask me, but..."

Milo: "I mean, don't hesitate, okay..."

Natasha smiled, amused.

Natasha: "What an indecent conversation, Master."

Milo blushes and looks down.

Milo: "I-It's important, though...!"

Milo nods.

Milo: "It's a desire that concerns me, but it also concerns you."

Come to think of it, we haven't talked about it in my other... "lives".

Natasha: "Which also concerns me..."

Milo takes off his scarf and puts it next to the toilet. He nods again and cracks his neck.

Milo: "I'd be a fool to think that only men have the right to be sexually aroused. As a handmaid, I suppose you could never satisfy your needs, especially if my father did nothing to you?"

Natasha: "..."

She doesn't respond, standing still and staring at the ground. Milo opens one eye and watches her carefully. He notices her reaction and decides to continue his sentence.

Milo: "I mean, I can understand you having your desires. If you're not interested in all that, don't worry, I'm not going to bother you about it. I mean, I'm your Master, but it's your life. I'm not the one who decides for your body, or your heart."

Natasha: "......"

She sits on her knees on the floor and places her hands on her thighs.

Natasha: "No, it's natural... I have moments when I really want to, but I know how to control myself. Otherwise, I can be alone to do it, I don't mind..."

Milo: "...."

Natasha: "This is not a subject that bothers me, don't worry. I am your handmaid, you have the right to ask me anything you want."

Milo stares at her for a long time before giving a small smile.

Milo: " I see, so much the better then!"

He stands up.

Milo: "I'd rather be able to say what I want than censor myself, so... Thanks!"

He stretches and turns to the tub. He touches the faucet and turns it, water is now flowing.

Milo: "If I'm not talking nonsense, you Kittas don't like the water if it’s too hot, do you?"

Natasha: "Exactly, but..."

Milo: "Don't worry, I've taken cold showers before. Besides, I don't like the water too hot either..."

He adjusts the temperature and asks Natasha if it's okay. She nods and Milo smiles. Before removing his pants, he turns to Natasha.

Milo: "Don't you have to go get your pajamas?"

Natasha: "I'll get dressed in my room."

Milo: "Eeeh, you're not even afraid to show yourself naked in front of me?"

Milo already knows that she doesn't have a problem with it: he just wants to tease her. She nods and begins to remove her handmaid's outfit. He shrugs and takes his turn to undress himself. He knows the embarrassment, but he has no real bashfulness. He knows now that Natasha would agree to do anything for him, so he doesn't see the point in being embarrassed.

When they are both naked, Milo gets into the tub and checks the temperature. He asks Natasha if it's okay for her and she touches the water with her hand. She nods and gets in too. There's enough room for both of them, but a third person wouldn't fit. Milo turns the tap again and the water stops flowing. The man sighs with relief.

Milo: "I take showers a lot, but baths are really nice..."

Natasha simply nods while smiling. They face each other and don't make eye contact. Milo sits with his legs spread, not wanting to take up all the space and bother Natasha. He touches the back of his neck and massages it a little. He's comfortable and having someone with him in the bath makes him feel good. Natasha sits with her knees up in front of Milo.

Milo: "Aaah, it's rare to be in the bath with someone..."

Natasha: "You don't take a bath with anyone ?"

Milo smiled.

Milo: "Very rarely. The only one who has ever taken a bath with me is Jiax. And even then, I know she prefers showers..."

Natasha: "Didn't you ever take any with your former handmaid, Master?"

He nods his head.

Milo: "Never, no. Arissa was really cute and nice, but she wasn't as... Let's just say she was a very self conscious and modest girl. That's okay, after all... How do you know we had another handmaid before you?"

He questions her with his eyes and Natasha realizes what she just said. If she knows Arissa, it's because Oshio had told her about her... but not in this "life." It was in the old one. She scratches her cheek.

Natasha: "Oshio told me a little bit about your family people... I also know... Kenoze?"

Milo: "Kenoze, yes! I miss her, her mission lasts so long..."

He sighs and lowers his head; however, he quickly raises it and looks at Natasha with a smile.

Milo: "Kenoze is so cute too, I hope you two get along well!!!"

Natasha: "And you don't bathe with her either?"

Milo: "Honestly, I just never take a bath with the others. Jiax likes to have space, Arissa was too prudish, and Kenoze is either not here or she likes to take it alone. Miranda is never here, since she works for several people at once and then, I know she wouldn't like it..."

He crosses his arms.

Milo: "Did my father often bathe with his maids?"

Natasha: "Master Samus only took showers and by himself. He didn't like pools or the sea, so we never really went with him..."

Milo: "I see... It's just a bath, after all."

Natasha: "It's nice."

Milo tells her that he agrees with her and smiles. Natasha plays with the water a little, touching it with her hands and Milo watches her do it. She smiles as she thinks to herself that she doesn't bathe very often and it's still nice... She doesn't have as much room when they are together, but she likes knowing that there is someone there…

Natasha: "And... you don't bathe with men?"

Milo looks at her with shock and ends up laughing. He throws some water at her and she closes one eye and smiles.

Milo: "I am unfortunately only attracted to women!"

Natasha: "Unfortunately...?"

Milo: "Imagine being attracted to both girls and boys... You have even more choices ahead of you! You can try even more! Have more experiences, less to worry about!"

He gives a big smile, showing his white teeth. She nods.

Natasha: "I understand."

Milo: "And you, are you only attracted to men?"

Natasha thinks about his question and holds her legs. Milo stares at her intently, which makes her a little uncomfortable.

Natasha: "I... I will say that I enjoy both... Women or men."

Milo splashes Natasha, who lets out a little cry of surprise. He laughs and apologizes, patting his hands.

Milo: "Sorry, sorry! You were so red, I thought

that you need to freshen up!"

Natasha: "..."

Milo notices her expression and exhales with a chuckle. He moves his legs a little closer to his body and gets on his knees. Natasha lifts her head and looks at him.

And Milo gives her a hug.

She blinks, even more red than before. He strokes her hair while smiling.

Milo: "I'm just teasing you, obviously."

Natasha: "/////"

Milo: "It's fine to like both sexes, it's fine to be the way you are. Sorry for always being such a tease."

Natasha: "/////"

Milo: "And sorry to hug you when we're both naked, ahah!"

He stops hugging her and settles back into his seat, places his legs as before and sighs with a smile. He doesn't want to bother her too much and doesn't w—

A hug.

The water moves, excited by the unpredictable movement. The waves crash on the edges of the tub, the carpet on the floor gets wet. Milo opens his eyes wide. Natasha's head passes next to his and her hair flies beautifully. Her arms go around Milo's body and she

hugs him, closing her eyes. Her chest against his, a hug Natasha wants badly.

Natasha: "I like...hugs."

She lets her desires speak for her. Her Master accepts her as she is, so she agrees to show herself. She breathes close to his neck, touches his back with pleasure. Milo takes her in his arms in turn and caresses her with a smile.

Milo: "I have a tactile maid, I see."

Natasha: "Am I a bad maid?"

Milo: "By no means."

A long hug, comforting and gentle. The water keeps them warm, but their body heat helps too. Natasha doesn't care if her chest touches Milo's: she trusts him. She wants to be by his side, she wants to feel her body on her Master's. Both have their eyes closed, enjoying each other.

Milo offers her a bathrobe and she thanks him. She puts it on and looks at herself in the mirror: it fits her well. She ties it and smiles. Milo removes the plug from the bathtub and sits on the edge.

Milo: "The bath took a little longer than expected..."

Natasha giggles and nods.

Natasha: "It's my fault, hugging you is comfortable, Master."

He returns her smile and looks proud.

Milo: "I'm comfortable."

Natasha: "I believe you."

Milo: "Also, Natasha."

Natasha: "Yes, Master?"

Milo: "Feel free to call me Milo. Just Milo, not Master."

Natasha opens her mouth, but she doesn't say anything. She just nods her head and Milo sighs.

Milo: "It's okay if you don't, don't worry."

He gets up and stretches.

Milo: "Anywayyyyyy, thanks for the bath! I'm going to sleep really well tonight!"

Natasha: "So do I."

Milo wants to talk to her about what's going to happen tomorrow, but he notices Natasha's big smile. So radiant, so beautiful... He closes his mouth and runs his hand through his handmaid's hair.

Milo: "Never hesitate to come find me if you want to take a bath with me."

Natasha: "Or a shower."

Milo scratches his cheek.

Milo: "If you want to too, yeah, but there's a reason I don't shower with anyone..."

Natasha questions him with her eyes. He scratches faster.

Milo: "Let's just say it turns me on fast......."

Natasha giggles and touches her Master's cheek.

Natasha: "Then I can't wait to take a shower with you... Milo."

Milo starts to blush and stutters, but Natasha turns on her heels and grabs her things before opening the bathroom door.

Natasha: "I wish you a good night."

Milo: "W-Waa! G-good night..."

He starts to laugh and Natasha smiles before leaving the room. Milo sits down again and sighs, holding his head.

Milo: "Control yourself, control yourself..."

Milo: "Aaah, she's so cute...!"

Natasha wakes up after a wonderful night of sleep. No nightmares, only beautiful dreams. She takes a quick shower before getting dressed and thinks about the bath she took before with her Master. So soft, so comforting... That long hug she loved so much…

I want to hug him again... she thinks. She touches her cheeks and notices that her more emotional and childlike side is coming out because of Master Milo. She never got to be this close to anyone when she was with Master Samus, but she still missed him. She pats her face and walks leisurely down the stairs. Natasha quickly notices the man at the front door.

Harry: "Hello."

He still has a neutral, emotionless look on his face. His blond hair is all over the place, but he doesn't look unkempt or dirty. A large t-shirt tied around his waist and baggy pants that come almost to his feet; his style is peculiar, but fits him oddly well. Natasha approaches him and stoops down out of respect.

Natasha: "Hello. How are you?"

Harry: "Natasha, right?"

He repeats what he had already said in Natasha's former "life". She smiles and nods.

Natasha: "Yes, I'm the new handmaid."

Harry: "... I see. Welcome."

Natasha: "You must be Harry, Master Milo’s coach?"

Harry: "That's me. I see I've been mentioned before."

Natasha: "Oshio introduced me to each member of Master Milo's faction. I hope I can get along well with each of you."

Her sincerity is as sweet as honey. She radiates good humor, but remains calm. Harry judges her with his eyes and stares at her for a long time.

Harry: "... That's really you."

Natasha questions him with her eyes, but she blinks quickly: he had told her that before too. She still doesn't understand what it means, but she doesn't have time to question him.

Oshio: "Natasha!"

His first name echoes in the great hall and Harry closes his eyes.

Oshio: "Oh, Harry."

Harry: "Oshio. Hello."

Oshio: "Up already...? It's rare to see you up before eight."

Harry: "..."

Natasha watches them silently, her hands holding each other in front of her pelvis. She turns to Oshio.

Natasha: "It's already time to work, isn't it?"

Oshio shakes his head.

Oshio: "No, you have to eat first. I wanted to know if you wanted a bowl of cereal?"

Natasha notices that she had spoken too quickly and shakes her head. She nods at his question and follows him, leaving Harry behind.

Harry: "... Natasha..."

Milo: "Natasha, you can stop working already now."

Natasha is dusting when Milo's voice sounds behind her. She stops and looks at him in amazement.

Natasha: "It's only seven o'clock, Master..."

Milo crosses his arms.

Natasha: "We need to talk."

She opens her eyes wide and looks him straight in the eye. He has such a serious expression... She puts down the duster on the small table and apologizes to Oshio. He greets her and tells her that he could easily do everything without her. She runs to her Master and follows him. They go up the stairs and Milo stops when they reach the end. He puts his foot on the wall and crosses his arms.

Milo: "I guess you know what I mean?"

Natasha nods.

Natasha: "About what my guts are telling me...?"

He nods in turn.

Milo: "Any news about that?"

Natasha: "Not really, but I'm sure it is tonight... In a few hours, a few minutes...? I can't tell."

In reality, Natasha knows that the attack will happen after supper, when they would go to sleep. Nevertheless, if she is too precise, she knows that she will arouse suspicion in her Master.

Natasha: "I'm afraid of what will happen... I want to have

wrong..."

But she knows what's coming.

Milo: "Likewise... I told Jiax to be extra careful tonight because I have a bad feeling, but I didn't mention you."

Natasha: "I see..."

Milo: "Normally, everything should be fine. Jiax won't let anyone attack us."

I wonder if this time it will be okay... Natasha wonders. In her two previous "lives", Jiax had not been warned. Maybe this time there will be no attack...?

I don't know how powerful the slayer is, maybe Jiax won't have a hard time beating her...? She's not convinced, but she'd rather be optimistic. Natasha clutches her handmaid's outfit and looks up to see Milo straight in the eye.

Natasha: "M-Master!"

Milo: "Yes...?"

Natasha: "Can I... sleep with you tonight?"

Milo is surprised by her direct question. She shows a

touch of shyness, but her eyes shine with confidence. He gives her an amused smile.

Milo: "Sure, but why?"

Natasha: "I'll be reassured, if I'm by your side... My instinct... I..."

Milo: "I understand, I understand!"

He kisses her on the forehead and starts to walk down the stairs.

Milo: "After dinner, take a quick shower and come to my room anytime! You can come in without knocking, don't worry!"

He walks all the way down the stairs and into the kitchen, waving at Natasha. She calmly waves her hand while smiling.

I…

She turns her gaze to the hallway and observes the rooms. Tonight, a woman was going to attack them…

I don't want to die…

She gets along so well with her Master. She was able to discuss with Oshio, Sulman and even a little Harry. She took a bath with her Master, they talked about important matters and even had a long hug.

If she died, she would lose all of that. All her ties.

She doesn't want to have to do it again and again.

Natasha doesn't want to die or live again.

Natasha gets out of the shower and looks at her hands: she is shaking. It's a slight tremor, but she's shaking.

... Everything will be fine... Natasha tries to reassure herself. She turns the glance towards the mirror and observes herself. She has not dried herself yet, but she is beautiful.

Everything will be fine... Natasha thinks. This time, Master Milo has listened to her. Jiax is prepared for any attack and watches the castle more carefully. Even her Master is prepared in case of an attack. She'll be able to be in her room and make sure everything is okay. They will defeat this slayer, she knows it.

Natasha dries herself, dresses herself in her soft pajamas and calms down. A little pain in her belly, her hands are still shaking a little.

Seeing her Master die or be killed, none of these

two things must happen this time.

She exits the bathroom, exhaling all the air in her lungs, and starts walking down the hallway. She makes as little noise as possible, her steps light. She goes towards the door number, where her Master is.

She is not feeling well.

Each of her steps brings her closer to the room. The surrounding silence does not reassure her. She swallows noisily. It is dark. The lights are not lit. Only small candles with soft flames. Weak and ready to be extinguished with the least wind. She is almost at the door. She shakes a little more. Her stomach hurts more.

And if he is already dead...?

Her anxiety transfers to her thoughts. She swallows loudly again. She blinks and her mouth proves her insecurity. She is afraid. Afraid of seeing her Master die. Afraid of running into the slayer.

Fear of what will happen.

Fear of what may have already happened.

She arrives at the door. Number one. It is locked, but not locked. She raises her hand. The handle is touched. She hesitates. She is afraid. Her heart beats fast. Very fast. Each beat is a pain. Every breath in, every breath out. She blinks. She lowers the handle.

What if you find his body behind that door?

She doesn't. No... No. She doesn't want that.

Natasha opens the door. The handle creaks, but nothing too loud. She purses her lips. She is afraid to look. She wants to close her eyes or run away. Run away to her room. Close her eyes and fall asleep, wake up the next day with no one dead. May Jiax win, may the castle be protected. She pushes open the door. Squeak. No other noise. Silence, silence. The candles are going out. The heart is beating so hard. So quickly. Natasha closes one eye. Squints the other. His room. Where Master Milo must be. She wants to see his body. Not his corpse. She wants to see him alive. Not dead. She looks, she is afraid. The room is now visible to her. Master Milo's bed is there. On it…

…… Oh……..

Milo: "Ah, there you are Natasha!"

Her Master is there, alive, smiling. She opens her other eye and looks at him with joy. She closes the door behind her and approaches the bed. Milo was reading a book, but he put it down on a pillow. He looks at Natasha and offers her to sit next to him. She accepts without hesitation and sits down on the comfortable mattress. Milo turns around and picks something up before passing it to Natasha. She takes it and gives a beautiful smile.

Natasha: "What a big fluffy pillow!"

It was for this pillow that she had first wanted to enter Milo's room, in his "first life". She turns to him, happy.

Natasha: "Why would you pass it to me?"

She hasn't told him she likes pillows so much, so she doesn't understand; but she accepts it. Milo giggles.

Milo: "Who doesn't like pillows?!"

Natasha: "It's true..."

She hugs the cushion and puts her head on it. So comfortable, so soft, so good... She closes her eyes and enjoys this very pleasant sensation. Her cat's tail moves in all the directions and Milo looks at it amused. The look on her face, her wagging cat tail and the way she holds the pillow…

Milo: "You like that pillow, I see!"

She nods energetically and holds him tighter. Milo laughs and tells her that she has the right to keep the pillow. She turns her head sharply toward him and opens her eyes wide, a huge smile on her face.

Natasha: "Really?!"

He nods.

Milo: "I have two, I can leave you one. Think of it as my gift to you for taking a bath with me! And for warning me about tonight."

Natasha's cat tail gets even more excited. She likes the softness of this pillow so much... Sleeping on it is going to be incredible, she knows it! She thanks her Master and he laughs.

Milo: "You REALLY like the pillows!"

???: "Me too!"

Milo opens his eyes wide. Natasha is still clutching the pillow, but her cat tail has stopped. Her Kitta ears point to the ceiling and her heart beats softly. Milo blinks and feels chills.

SO MANY THRILLS.He pushes Natasha off the bed and jumps back on. He turns around suddenly and snaps his fingers.

???: "Eeeh?"

A woman is in the bed, the other large pillow in her arms. She holds it happily, squeezing it happily. She smiles.

????: "What a quick reaction, darling~!!!"

Milo frowns.

Milo: "Who are you?!"

She is hooded, dressed in black from top to bottom. She does not answer him: she observes the stones that fly around Milo.

???: "Eeeh, so this is your Tempus... ? One of stone... I see...~"

Milo grits her teeth. She sits in bed, as if she feels no danger. There she is, arriving from nowhere, as if she had teleported into the room. It's impossible to see her physical features, but he can tell she's about Natasha's size. He feels a certain pressure on him: is it her aura or the fact that she came from nowhere? Milo quickly turns to Natasha.

She is terrified.

Her eyes show so much fear. She is motionless, frozen by what she feels.

It is... she…

The woman who had pierced his stomach. The slayer who had murdered Master Milo.

She is there, in front of them. She had not made any noise, she had not been noticed.

When did she arrive...? wonders Milo. He is sure he should have felt her presence long before...! Before Natasha arrived, there was no one in his room, he knows that! The front door is the only way in or out, so where did she come from? He stares at her, ready to attack her. He doesn't care who it is: her very presence proves to him that she's not here for a laugh.

???: "My welcome is not what I expected..."

She sighs and tears the pillow violently. Milo notices that on her right arm is a blade. He's never seen something like that, but its tip is shaped like a clock hand. There are two blades that are also attached to the side.

A dangerous weapon... Shit! Milo would have preferred Natasha's instincts to be wrong, only due to the stress of arriving in a new castle, having a new Master.

But the danger has arrived, the melody of death resounds above their heads.

Danse Macabre - Camille

Saint-Saëns

Milo hears his heart racing. He swallows loudly and the rocks above him begin to shake. The woman sighs.

???: "Can we avoid a fight?"

Milo: "I guess you're not here to talk..."

Milo turns his gaze to Natasha again. She hasn't moved yet. She has tears in her eyes and is shaking like a fragile leaf. As a Master, Milo can't lose. He must protect her. She who is his handmaid.

She who is his friend.

???: "No, I'm here for you, Milo~"

Her smile is visible, but it is the only thing possible to observe from her face.

???: "Will you grant me this dance and die by my hands?"

He smiles back, showing all his teeth.

Milo: "Sorry, I prefer to sing."

The stones come down on the woman. She waves her right hand in front of her and all the rocks are eradicated. Milo claps her hands and the pieces of rock aim again at their target. She runs towards the man, but he avoids the attack without concern. He makes a movement of the hand upwards and the ground under her extends. She takes it in her belly and is thrown against the ceiling. Milo takes advantage of it to force Natasha to stand up and wants to tell her to run away, but the woman is already beside them. He protects himself with a wall made of rock, but the blade goes through it and wounds Milo in the shoulder. Natasha opens her eyes wide.

Natasha: "M-Master...!"

Milo: "... Fuck!!!"

He throws Natasha onto the bed and grabs the woman's blade with his other hand, forcing her to come closer and headbutts her. She recoils from the shock and Milo snaps his fingers again. Rocks fly at her and throw her against the cabinet, destroying it in the process. Milo touches his shoulder, closing one eye.

Is she crazy or what...?

The woman sighs and gets up.

???: "In such a small place, you manage to fight in this way..."

She removes her hood and licks the wound on her hand.

??? : "I understand better why you are a future Pretender to the throne."

Milo frowns: he suspected that she was there to murder him because of his Recommendation. So it's likely that she was sent to prevent him from participating... It's not uncommon for this to happen.

??? "Aaah, I want to get it over with so fast, so fast..."

She sticks out her tongue while smiling.

???????? : "I have the time, but I want to use it

otherwise... Fighting is..."

??????????????????? : "It's so boring..."

Natasha looks at the woman as she fans out. Long black and purple hair, a look of the same color so dark. She wears a jumpsuit over her body, but does not fully cover her trunk or arms. She has a weapon in her right hand and strange blue shoes. What she gives off from her physique frightens him.

Her aura is so powerful, so heavy.

Natasha wants to run away, but she notices someone out of the corner of her eye.

Her Master.

He stands there, ready to fight. Ready to protect. He doesn't know how she got here, how she got past Jiax's guard, but he knows one thing: this woman is DANGEROUS. The stones floating above him shake, get bigger. The woman notices it and, without saying a word, runs at him. Milo has the reflex to attack her, but all his rocks are deflected. He protects himself with an even thicker wall of rock and retreats to the bed, where Natasha is standing. He doesn't have time to look at her or to tell her to run away: not focusing on the enemy is a sure death. Natasha shakes, watches the woman with so much fear.

Why...................?

She wants to cry, but…

Milo: "Where is Jiax...?"

The woman climbs onto the bed and smiles.

???: "The Hourna? I didn't want to face her."

Milo squints. What does she mean...? Could she have made it into the room without fighting Jiax...?

Impossible... he thinks. The woman raises her weapon and Milo attacks her before she can make a move. She takes the attack with her other arm and cuts in front of her, but misses. Milo blinks and sees himself fall off the bed. He wasn't quick enough to avoid the attack.

It was Natasha who pushed him.

Because she knows that her Master was going to die,

she sacrifices herself.

Her breathing is no more, her eyes are shaking with pain. In her rib cage is present the woman's blade, her lung is cut vulgarly. Blood spurts, her vision is blurred, but she still sees him.

Yes, she still sees her Master whom she managed to save.

On her face the pain is present, but she smiles.

She is weak, useless, unable to fight. She is only a handmaid, after all.

But she is happy to be able to save the person who respects her so much, who shows her so much love.

She was so scared, but she managed to move. She managed to save him, she managed to make her muscles work. She wants to talk, but she is not allowed to.

The woman forces her blade to cut Natasha in half and clicks her tongue.

???: "Shitty Kitta."

Milo's eyes are wide open. He observes the scene without being able to move, it is now him who is frozen by fear.

He…

The woman shakes her blade and the blood of the maid glides over the Master. Milo grinds his teeth and screams with all his might. Hundreds — thousands of stones form in the room. The woman smiles and attacks him. Milo screams one last time and aims at her with his right palm. In their eyes are reflected their opponents.

One is having fun,

the other is crying.

All the stones come down on the opponent, the opponent's weapon points to the face of its target.

There can only be one winner. The one who can defeat the other first.

And this person happens to be—

…

……..

……………………

Milo: "Just trust me, okay?"

Natasha blinks and stands dumbfounded. She does not move.

Not even by a hair.

Milo looks at her and goes to ask her if everything is okay when she smiles.

Natasha: "Master..."

She does not cry. She does not suffer. She does not intend to scream.

Yet, she wants to fall down and scream in pain, roar her frustration and cry all the tears of her body.

She died three times.

And she has to start again. Again. Again to start over.

Natasha: "I look forward to working for you, Master Milo."