Lair

Chapter 020 - Lily - Point Of View

By Skalsar

Why are there always so few other kids around?

Dad said, to stay besides him.

After mother left us, he said to always come traveling with him.

He doesn't want me to be alone in the mansion.

But I never was alone. There were Pet and Vira and Waru and Molli and the others too.

Still he doesn't let me.

He says, they are just toys.

I don't like it when he calls them toys.

They are sad when he calls them names.

It's mean.

But he doesn't know it better.

Still I have no choice but to travel with him.

But there never are kids to play with.

When we were at the [Capital] the last time, there was a boy who watched me.

But he never came to ask if I want to play.

I don't really understand. But I guess it has something to do with my [Status].

Mom taught me how to use it a year ago, before she left us.

I don't understand much though and dad says he doesn't understand when I try to show him.

Blessing Of The Seven Watchers

Well, at least I get to see many villages.

They look really weird sometimes.

...

The village is boring.

Daddy says it doesn't exist since long or something like that.

I forgot.

But there no kids here. Again.

Maybe one or two.

But when I approach them, they run away.

I don't like it.

Who cares about playing with other kids anyways?

I will play in the woods.

Dad said not to, but he isn't even around.

He always runs from meeting to meeting.

Just like before mom left us.

Only that I have to stay at some house in the village every time, instead of playing with my friends.

...

Dad was quite angry when I returned.

He said: >Don't you know how dangerous those woods are?!Obviously I don't.

How should I if he is never there to tell me.

Maybe my friends would have told me if you hadn't told me to leave them back home.

Only thing I know is that there was a nice doggy who played tag with me.

She had white fur and was as big as me.

And really fast too.

But she still let me win sometimes.

It was already quite dark when I returned, but dad had another meeting to attend to.

He didn't even take the time to scold me more than that.

Instead he left two adults with me.

With armor and swords.

They are called [Guards].

I will wait with them till he returns.

So that we can go home 'without any further incident'.

...

A weird kid opened the door to the [Inn].

He was big and scary. A child shouldn't be that big!

Dad always says to stay vigilant of the bigger kids.

But that he would take care of it if any of them are mean to me.

So it should be...

'RUN!'

'NO!'

'You have to move!'

'Don't move, stay still!'

'It's dangerous! Don't move! It might ignore you!'

'Please, no! Please! You have to run child! You have to run!'

They are loud! Why are they so loud!

Dad said to leave you at the mansion, why are you even here and shouting like that!

It hurts!

'YOU HAVE TO RUN!', they finally shout in unision.

It feels like it will break my head.

The kid is looking at me.

...

Huh?

Where am I?

Did I fall asleep?

It's dark and...

>EEEK!

A bug! I touched a bug!

...

AH!

That hurts!

He hit me!

That weird kid hit me!

Are you stupid?!

Bully!

And right after I touched some disgusting bug.

What is wrong with you?

Can't you see that I hate bugs?! I'm a girl, you know!

He nods?

Why does he nod?

I nod too.

Oh my god!

He ripped my dress!

That bastard!

Is he one of those perverts dad sometimes curses about?

The ones that will take me away and make me their bride?

I better stay vigilant!

...

He kept watching me.

I call him he, but I'm not sure anymore.

Normally I know if someone is a girl or a boy, but he is different.

Like if he hasn't decided himself.

Is there something like deciding for oneself?

Aren't you just born with it?

But I will keep thinking of him as a boy for now.

He can tell me if it annoys him.

Mom always told me, boys have to take the first step.

...

It has been at least a day since the kid brought me to this weird cave.

The ground is moist and feels weird.

And most of the cave is dark.

Why do I have to stay here?

But even after walking circles for an hour I still can't find an exit.

How do I leave here?

This is stupid!

I want to go home!

*sob*

And I'm getting hungry too.

...

The weird kid brought me a rabbit.

Is it because I'm crying?

Does he want to comfort me?

Let me go home instead, idiot!

But it's cute somehow..

If he is trying to be nice to me, I shouldn't be mean.

The rabbit looks fluffy too.

Guess I will call it fluffy.

Don't come near mean boy, I will take care of fluffy from now on.

Huh?

I said don't come near!

Hey, what are you..!

No..

This..

He..

Why..?!

He..

This is terrible..

He killed it..

Just why..?

No.. I guess I know why..

He just doesn't understand me.

My friends always understand me.

But not the adults and neither this kid or his friends.

Instead he is making dinner.

He wants me to eat the rabbit.

If you had just asked, I would have been fine with vegetables.

But I get it, he isn't normal.

I have to be careful.

Someone who murders a rabbit just like this is dangerous.

I must find out more about him.

This is important, I'm sorry.

I will have to break my promise.

>Lily.

You have broken your vow.

Broken Vow: For breaking your vow, you will lose the blessing of the seven watchers.

You have lost the blessing of the seven watchers.

They really did it..

My friends left me because I broke my promise..

You have been blessed by Frey.

Ah!

I knew!

You really are my friend!

Thank you so much Frey!

I don't know what I would do without you!

...

After.. I don't know..

When did he take me here?

It feels like days.

By now I understand how he and his friends leave here.

They open doors like when dad and I travel between villages.

He really is a bad child.

But some of his friends seem nice.

They look very similar to him.

Sometimes it's hard to discern.

But there are small differences in height and behavior.

I like his doggy-friend better.

He always looks like he wants to play, but isn't allowed to.

I guess they are mean to him too.

Don't worry little doggy-friend. I might just be 10, but I will take care of things from now on!

They might be bigger, but I'm still older than most here!