A different world

[Dropintheocean]

She noticed he pulled his hand back and did the same thing.


"It's not safer if you go alone, you know that." she said very resolute. She didn't want him to risk his life, just for her. She wouldn't let him do such things. "I want to go with you, Benjamin." She looked into his eyes.


"You go there to take care of MY papers, so I will go with you, end of discussion."

 

[DawnAntalios]

He furrowed his brows and looked determined.


" No. You will not come, Lady Emilia. " he said, his voice turning angry and menacing " This is not something I will dispute! Not here and now. And now, prepare dinner, please. We had a hard day, we need to rest now. "


He knew that he sounded harsh and cruel but if this was the way to protect Emilia then he would take her anger. His heart was bleeding that he had to talk to her like this but he could not risk losing her. For some reason... he cared for her but not only as his maid. Something else...

 

[Dropintheocean]

She turned red from anger. How dare he put her off like that?! She was quite shocked. Then Emilia decided to calm down a little, remembering she was still his maid, working for him.


She went to the kitchen and prepared the meal.


But after the meal was finished, she was still worrying about Benjamin's safety.


She put his platesand cutlerie on the table and called for her lord. "The food is ready." she shouted up the stairs. She didn't put a plate on the table for herself, she wasn't that hungry. The only think that was on her mind right now was Benjamin.

 

[DawnAntalios]

The dinner was tasty just as yesterday, yet Ben could not muster the will to eat. He was too worried about the next morning and he could not calm himself down enough to feign everything being all right. About halfway through his meal he pushed the dish away and bowed before Emilia.


" Masterful as always, my lady. " he tried to sound joyful " If you excuse me I wish to return to my room to sleep. Tomorrow I wish to sleep until late so that I will have my strength to confront our 'friends'. "


With that he bowed once again, taking his leave, going to sleep early.

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia nodded, but didn't say anything. She thought it might be good for her to sleep late as well. To clear her head.


After cleaning up his plate and cutlerie and washing all of the pieces, she went up to her room. She didn't go to bed immediately, but she sat down next to the window and gazed at the stars.


Just like yesterday, she had gotten a strange feeling when she was around Benjamin. She couldn't quite put her finger on it yet, but hoped his absence would make things more clear for her. She changed her clothes and hung them back neatly in her closet.


Tomorrow she would try to find out what she felt exactly, and also if maybe he felt the same way about her..

 

[DawnAntalios]

It was early in the morning the sun did not even rise yet when he got up from the bed. Contrary to what he told Emilia he wanted to go early - very early so that the girl would not be able to follow him even if she got the idea. In as much silence as he could he took a shower and dressed up, heading out in the biting cold. He trotted through the dark alleys with fast pace, his heart throbbing faster and faster as he moved. He was on borrowed time as he knew that this will be a dual edged blade: he expected to be tricked but he had to take the risk.


When he finally turned left near the docks he had faced a very dark looking man. Many of his teeth were missing and a deadly grin sat on his face as he spotted the noble.


" Hello, Benjamin. It has been too long. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

When the sun was already fully rised, Emilia slowly got out of her bed. She took a long, hot shower and got dressed. She didn't look forward to seeing Benjamin this morning, because she was still angry with him about the discussion they had last night.


She went downstairs and walked into the kitchen. She saw that Benjamin had already ate, looking at the plate that was sitting in the sink.


After pouring in her coffee and taking a sip, she noticed that it was cold.


She arched a brow and felt the pot. Cold as well. Maybe got up a little earlier. She shouted his name to see where he was. No reaction.


"Oh no he didn't." She looked around the whole house, but couldn't find him anywhere. She was sure he had left extra early on purpose.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Gregor. What a pleasant surprise. "


" I would say the pleasant feeling us mutual but I would be lying. " Gregor spat on the ground " After all you have done you have the guts to come here... alone. You are either brave or a complete idiot. "


" I have done nothing and you know it. " Ben narrowed his eyes " It was you who murdered that victim and were caught. I could do nothing for you, friends or not - I have no power over the prosecution itself. "


Gregor narrowed his eyes as well then shrugged.


" The past is the past. " he said as he reached in his pockets " Here, the papers you requested for that girl. She is now the proud member of a noble family. How charming. "


With that he threw the papers on the ground, stomping on them. Ben's eye lit up in horror as the marauder drew his sword. " Did you honestly believe that I would give them to you just like that? " he spat " Oh no, they were but copies... the real ones are by me. But let battle be joined first! "


Ben gulped and drew his sword. He knew that he was no match for Gregor but he had to try. For Emilia.


" Fine then. En garde! "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She sighed an sat down on a chair in the kicthen. Emilia put her hands in her hair and thought about what she could do next. After thinking for a while, she came to the conclusion that there was nothing she could possibly do to help out her beloved lord. She could only hope that Benjamin would return to her alive and well.


She waited in the kitchen for a very long time, drinking coffee to keep herself awake.


It was 11.30pm when she heard the door opening. "Benjamin? Is it you?" She rushed to see if it was him.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben cried out in agony as Gregor's blade sliced in his left leg. With a swift response he used his own blade to strike the ruffian who cried out when it hit his back. They were dancing back and forth, Ben feeling exhaustion already creeping over him. He remembered the much simpler times when both of them were children and played around with wooden sticks - even then Gregor would always beat him. But now they they were fighting in a life and death situation he was cursing himself of not training enough.


" What's the matter Ben? Getting tired? " the criminal taunted him.


" I will not give up... even if it means that I have to kill you myself. "


" Hah, audacious little rat! " Gregor exclaimed, lunging forward, missing him. Seizing the opportunity he slashed at his belly, inflicting a minor wound, angering him. " Enough games, Falkrath! It is time we put an end ti this! " he said, jumping backwards, ready for the final strike.


" So be it, dear friend. " Ben repeated, preparing for the final assault. It will be all or nothing this time.

 

[Dropintheocean]

She went to the hall, and was dissapointed to see it was only the wind that had opened the door.


She decided to go to bed, realising he would probably not be home in a whole while.


Emilia closed her eyes and immediately fell asleep.

 

[DawnAntalios]

It was late in the afternoon and the sun was already falling on the horizon. Not a single soul was on the streets... except for one. He dragged himself through the empty roads, his wounds oozing with blood. Barely managing to drag himself through the street the figure walked up to a huge mansion, his own mansion.


Ben's vision was fading and was blurry, he lost so much blood in the struggle - and were it not for that lucky last hit he would have been dead. He wanted to open the door but he losed his consciousness, his hand and head hit the door hard before he collapsed before the door. He had succeeded... but was completely drained.

 

[Dropintheocean]

She woke up very early the next morning, there still was no sign of Benjamin. She got dressed, went downstairs and made a pot of coffee. She filled her cup and took a sip of it.


She then went outside to get the local newspaper, when she saw Ben lying on the ground, with a big puddle of blood next to him.


"Benjamin!" She ran up to him and looked at the wound. She looked around, not really knowing what to do.


She ran back inside and get a towel to clean up the blood. She tried to drag him back inside, but he was to heavy. Emilia put her hand on his forehead and tried to wake him up. "Ben, Benjamin? It's Emilia. Please wake up, please.." Tears started running down her cheecks.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben opened one of his eyes, smiling at her weakly.


" E-Emilia... " he managed, coughing up some more blood " We have them... the papers... "


He managed to remove the documents from his pockets. He was glad that they were not damaged and that he was able to preserve them in a good condition.


" W-Worry not... I will be fine... " he smiled weakly " Just... rest easy... "

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia was releaved when Ben opened his eyes.


She grabbed his arm and pulled him up a little. "Come on, let's get you back inside." She helped him to enter the house, laid him down and got him a glass of water. "Here, drink this." She handed him over the glass and sat down beside him. She stroked his wounded face.


"I've been dead worried about you." she said, looking into his eyes. "Don't ever do that to me again, okay?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Ben smiled, coughing up some blood before drinking the water.


" I am sorry that I made you worried. " he said " But this had to be done. And you see what the end results are... " she grinned weakly.


He looked around the room, his vision becoming clearer now. His wounds were still aching but at least they were not bleeding - that was a start. Now that they had everything settled he collapsed on the cushion he sat. The fatigue caught up with him and was about to black out again.


" Emilia... " he whispered " Please... help me go upstairs... I need to rest a bit... "


He tried to stand up but to no avail.


" And find that girl, Lily. You... you will be the mistress of the house until I regain all my strength... and you deserve some extra helping hand. "


With that he blacked out and fell unconscious on the cushion.

 

[Dropintheocean]

She nodded as he passed out again.


Emilia ran her hand through his soft blonde locks. "Sleep tight, my love.." She softly kissed him on the forehead. She knew she couldn't carry him all the way upstairs, so she decided to leave him there. She got one of the blankets from her room and went back downstairs.


She put the blanket over Benjamin and went to the kitchen to get some coffee. She sighed and wiped away a tear. She didn't know anything about running a household, and figured it would be hard for her to do without Ben. She decided she would go back to the accessory shop first thing in the morning to offer Lilly the job. She could definitely use all the help she could get .

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Thank you for coming! " Lily said to yet an another customer who left with haste. It was a good day today, many have come to their shop to purchase jewelry and she was able to convince most of them to buy a few extra in hope that her mistress would be pleased. Then again it was rare that the iron handed woman ever said a good thing to her but she got used to it - after all she was but a servant nothing more. She was content with the situation, it could have been much worse than this.


She sighed in relief and started to clean up the shop, should a new guest arrive.

 

[Dropintheocean]

Emilia silently went to the hallway to grab her coat. She passed Benjamin, who was still sleeping on the couch. She didn't want to wake him, so she put on the coat and opened the door. Luckliy it wasn't as cold outside as it had been the days before.


She started walking to the acessory shop, which wasn't to far. After about 5 minutes she reached it, and again the man standing outside opened the door for her. Inside she was greeted by a vapour of warmth, making her take of her coat.


She immediately saw Lily standing behind the counter, cleaning up. She walked over to the girl and put her hand on Lily's arm. "Hello, love, still remember me?" When she looked up, Emilia gave her a charming smile.

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily looked up then gasped in joy and excitement.


" L-Lady Emilia! " she exclaimed, hurrying out from the back of the counter to bow before her respectfully. " It is an honor to see you again, how may I help you? "


Her expression became worried.


" Is... is everything all right? Maybe the boots are not fitting? I can help that right away, worry not! I will do whatever I can to set things right! "


She hurried away, bringing back a few pair of shoes.


" Maybe this one will fit? No, no... Oh perhaps this one? I swear I can not decide! "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She laughed and shook her head.


"Don't worry, Lily. The shoes are just perfect. I didn't come to you to bring unfortunate news." She gave her a sign to hold on for a second and searched her bag. After a moment she found what she'd been looking for.


"Here it is." She took out a few papers and showed them to the young dame.


"I talked your request over with Benjamin, and he thought it would be a good idea if we hired you to help in the household." She smiled and put the papers one the counter. "So, what do you think. Are you still willing to come work in our mansion?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. Quickly she looked at the papers intently, running over the agreement over and over again - but it indeed read that she was hired. Her eyes filling with tears she could hardly restrain herself not to hug Emilia, but she eventually managed to keep it together and just coughed politely with a smile on her face.


" It would be the greatest honor in my life, my lady. " she said " From this day forward I shall look up to you as my benevolent mistress - and I shall obey your every command. "


She bowed.


" What is you first wish my lady? Say the word and it shall be done. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She smiled when she noticed just how happy Lily was.


"Don't you need to pack your things? Would you like to come to the house when you have everything you need?"


She grabbed the papers that were lying on the counter and cautiously put them back into her bag.


She then realised the poor girl might not have anything to take with her.


"Or are you ready to go?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

Lily blushed heavily.


" Well, mistress... " she said silently " All I have are these clothes I am wearing right now. I do not have a bed or a room to come to my own, I used to sleep under the counter here in the shop for the night... so I really have nothing to bring with myself but... well, myself. "


She tried to smile. Hopefully her mistress would not change her mind hearing how poor she was.


" But I am ready whenever you are, mistress. Just say the word. "

 

[Dropintheocean]

She nodded, regretting that she'd asked the question.


"Of course, let's go then!" Emilia smiled and went back outside.


When Lily followed her, she realised something and stopped for a minute.


"Isn't your mistress going to ask where you are?


maybe you should tell her that you've found another job."


The bond between Lily and her mistress probably wasn't that good, and Emilia just hoped that the two of them would connect, that would make things a lot easier, for herself but also for Lily.