Chapter 12: A Positive Outlook
"Ouch! That stings!" I hissed in pain while Thora was treating my Sebastian-induced injuries with a cotton swab and some regeneration-enhancing ointment.
Since I had exhausted my demonic power reserves during my torture session disguised as a "spar", I could no longer call upon my Dryadic Blessing.
"Young Lord, after all you've endured throughout the day—a little bit of medication should hardly be capable of phasing you." She sighed and rolled her eyes, continuing to tend to the myriad of bruises, blemishes, and cuts that Sebastian had somehow inflicted upon me with just his knuckles alone.
Apparently, if your swing speed is fast enough, they turn into convenient little daggers.
Hmph, it felt like cheating to me though. The fact that I had to constantly seal the open wounds to prevent myself from succumbing to blood loss caused me to drain my demonic power much faster than I would've liked.
"I can't help it, if something hurts it hurts."
My body's gotten used to the level of pain it goes through during Martha and Sebastian's remorseless training.
I'm obviously not completely numb to it—but I'd be lying if I said it didn't get easier to manage with time.
Although, I'd be remiss not to notice that today was an evident peculiarity.
The level of intensity they put me through was unequivocally unlike anything I've gone through before.
With the knowledge I currently have at my disposal, the best assumption I can make is that it's because my ceremony is coming up soon. However, I'd be a short-sighted fool to believe that's the whole picture.
I'm already aware that there's a personal dispute going on between them, the only problem is finding a way to pry out the details from them, as I've already decided not to let Thora get caught in the crossfire of my curiosity.
"Admittedly… I'd be foolish not to acknowledge that the Lord and Lady were significantly more intense than usual." She said with profound reluctance, proceeding to wrap my limbs in a set of tightly fitted bandages.
"I'm glad you share my perspective on the matter." I sighed in relief, happy to have someone on my side. However, I'd rather not keep the mood this murky between us. "On the bright side, I did manage to extract something useful out of the old man for once."
"How do you mean? Young Lord." She furrowed her brow.
"I got his permission to let us go to Lilith tomorrow to do some shopping, all in the name of finding a present for Sona Sitri's upcoming birthday of course." I beamed, happy to finally have a use for the bountiful allowance I had built up throughout the course of my life.
I don't know when the next chance I'll have to use it will come, so I might as well make this one count for what it's worth. If anywhere is a good place to burn it, it would be the Underworld's capital.
"Us?" She repeated with an accusatory glare.
"Oh? Could it be that you don't wish to spend a day outside these walls with your Young Lord? Ah, how you wound me Thora." I put my hand on my forehead, pretending to faint.
"Of course not." She shook her head, clearly unamused. "I simply happen to recall an agreement between us stating you'd first attempt to procure a present on your own before requesting my aid."
Oh, I'm well aware.
"Really? Did we make such a deal?" I scratched my head, making a half-assed attempt to seem lost. "Hm. How strange, the old fart must've knocked it out of my head while we were sparring. You wouldn't hold a case of amnesia against me would you? That would be terribly cruel of you."
Sorry Thora, but I'm not about to miss a chance to spend some quality time with you away from Sebastian's prying ears.
Besides, finding a present for Sona isn't the only thing I have planned—but you don't need to know that until you do. Heh.
Sebastian's warning can kiss my ass for all I care, it's not my fault he chose to be all cryptic and vague. I have no interest whatsoever in letting that get in the way of my much-needed Thora time.
The great Alduin shall not be restrained! Especially not by a grumpy dinosaur of all people!
"Young Lord, you truly are peerlessly insufferable when you want to be." Thora dipped her head and breathed an exhale of lassitude. "Maybe if you learnt to restrain your antics from time to time, the Lord and Lady would feel inclined to show you more mercy."
"Nah, we'll find a cure for Sleep Disease long before we figure out how to cure their grumpiness." I puffed insistently. "And don't pretend you don't find my antics endearing, there's no need for you to act tsundere around me all the— Ah!"
She conveniently applied another swab while I was talking.
I'm surprised she even knows what the word "tsundere" means.
Could she be watching some Miracle ☆ Levia-tan in her free time? What a scandal that'd be.
Although, I may have dabbled in a few episodes myself. Not that I like that stuff! It was just morbid curiosity, nothing more. Cough cough.
"I do wonder how far you plan on taking this Young Lord. The Lord and Lady may be able to tolerate a certain degree of buffoonery from you. But eventually you may end up crossing a line without even knowing how close you are to doing so, you're well aware of how strict they are already. Do you truly believe provoking them is a wise course of action?"
She looked up at me in a way that forced me to drop all my previous flippancy, returning an expression that conveyed my understanding of her concern.
Something which I appreciate more than anything in this household.
This is why I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you.
I extended my hand, startling her a little as I gently cupped the side of her face.
"Tell me honestly, in your experience working under them—do you believe whatever's going on between them will be resolved if it's simply left as is?" I watched her struggle to find the right words to respond with. "You don't need to tell me any details, a simple yes or no will suffice."
She fidgeted a little, biting her lower lip before answering. "No… Young Lord."
"That's exactly why I can't afford to back off, letting things remain stagnant is bound to result in things only worsening." Which will also make life harder for you, and that's the complete opposite of what I'm trying to achieve. "What kind of Heir would I be if I merely sat back and watched as my family went to shit?"
I wasn't able to prove much to my parents in my last life, and I said I'd remedy that in this one.
Yes, I know Martha and Sebastian clearly have their problems—and I do not plan on simply forgiving and forgetting everything they've done up till this point. Once I'm strong enough, they're in for one hell of a well-deserved ass whooping.
At the same time, I know better than to assume they act the way they do just because they feel like it. They don't exude a presence of pure, needless evil.
But who knows? Maybe I'm just guilt-tripping myself into caring for them more than I should. Or I could even be overdoing my new lease on life as a result of my second chance.
Moreover, it's not as if I'm going to tunnel vision myself into focusing solely on their problems. I've still got a life to live, and I'm not going to let all the opportunities that come my way slip out of my grasp.
Like I'm doing with Thora.
Parents aside, I am still a High Class Devil with a powerful mixed heritage at my disposal. You'd have to be a bona fide idiot not to make the most of such bountiful potential.
She swallowed nervously. "I don't understand Young Lord, you didn't express any interest in the matter before. Why is it suddenly your responsibility to handle their personal relationship? You've already got a substantial enough workload as things stand, you shouldn't burden yourself with more—"
"That's enough, Thora." I cut her off, my voice firmer than ever. "I understand that you're concerned for me, but there's no point in trying to dissuade me anymore. You know better than anyone just how hard-headed I can be."
I stood up, preparing to retire to my bedroom.
"Oh, and make sure you change up your wardrobe for tomorrow. It'd be quite silly to have you in uniform while we're roaming the capital if you ask me." Not that she doesn't look absolutely stunning in a maid's dress, I just think it's time for some variety.
"Young Lord! Wait!" She stopped me in my tracks, firmly wrapping her fingers around my wrist.
"What's wrong?" I asked, taken aback. Surprised to see the degree of apprehension that had appeared on her face, completely out of the blue.
I didn't overstep by inviting her alongside me did I?
"I n-need you to promise me something." She stuttered a little, clearly second-guessing whatever it was she was about to do.
"Well… I'll need to hear what it is you want me to promise you first." I anxiously awaited her response.
"If… no… when you do decide to actively act on your desire to remedy the Lord and Lady's relationship. Promise me that you'll tell me beforehand, I don't want you to march into a dangerous situation if there's something I could do to… help."
"We've already established that you can't get involved, numerous times."
"I know… I can't tell you anything directly. However, I can still warn you if you've made a misstep without directly divulging any information."
Oh my.
"Using a loophole are we? How very devious of you." I grinned mischievously, both stunned and impressed by her daring, and most importantly—grateful that she had decided to assist me. "Aren't you worried Father will choose to take issue with your involvement anyway? No matter how minimal?" I tilted my head, genuinely curious.
"While I'm obligated to keep certain things private under Lord Buné's orders, his orders also state I have a responsibility to look after you." She spoke with steadfast resolve. "If he ends up dissatisfied, he only has his own words to blame."
I assumed that Thora wasn't ever going to budge when it came to working "against" Sebastian, but it seems I've been proven wrong. Heh, she really is one hell of a woman.
Still, the worry about her finding herself in the crossfire hasn't dissipated. Realistically speaking, I'd be powerless to do anything against him should he choose to punish Thora unless I had some kind of backing.
And that's not a scenario I'm willing to entertain.
Which is why I'm going to have to lie to her, since refusing would just leave her with a truckload of anxiety to deal with.
Albeit, a temporary lie. Should I find myself in a situation where I can disclose everything to her safely, then I'd be more than happy to spill all the details. If anyone is deserving of my trust in this life, it'd be her.
"Very well." I put my hand on my chest with a solemn expression. "I promise I'll tell you before I try anything."
"Thank you, Young Lord." She sighed in relief, proceeding to bow. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight to you too." I've only been here for a few days, and I've already managed to secure myself a date.
Not too shabby if you'd ask me.
———
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