Sold?

•Arius

Where the hell did she go? I told her to wait at the entrance while I checked out a few things.

I looked around in the castle. This is bad, the electricity is fluctuating again and the lights are too dim. I'm going to bet she's lost. Anyone would, especially if it's their first time in the castle.

The layout is a bit tricky, you need to memorize stuff properly in order not to get confused.

"Master Arius." I looked back when one of the castle servants, keria, called out to me. He had a flashlight in his hands, "Me and Sami will look around on the rest of the first floor since it's darker here. The light is somewhat better on the second floor."

"Okay. Call me immediately if you find Azalea." I gave him a short nod of approval.

"Yes." He nodded and I left for the second floor.

I'm somewhat anxious. I know she isn't a kid but the place is really confusing especially at night. I shook my head, at least it's clearer here on the second floor but some hallways are still dark.

I really need to do something about the electricity here. The castle is pretty far from the town and the town is pretty far from all the cities, this issue was bound to be there but I can no longer leave it like this.

I'm guessing the wiring wasn't properly done in the first place and now it's gone bad.

I walked around the first hallway, night had fallen but the corridor was illuminated by the moonlight. The windows were big and allowed as much light in as possible. Well, it was built centuries ago so moonlight was crucial at that time in order to see at night. Good thing we have a full moon tonight.

I paused in my stance when I heard something.

A scream?

I couldn't tell from where exactly it was coming from, it didn't seem near but I might be closer than I think.

I began running towards the direction of the scream when someone emerged from the turn up ahead.

Azalea?

She noticed me but didn't stop running until she crashed into my chest, wrapping her arms and legs around me. In the moment of confusion I did catch her and supported her weight but it took me a few more seconds to realize she was trembling and perhaps… crying?

I heard her sniffle.

"Hey…" This was new. She had never cried before not even when she's scared or nervous or hurt. What could possibly scare her so much that she's even trembling? "What's wrong?"

She didn't reply, her breathing was unstable and her skin was colder.

I let her down to take a look at her but she had her face buried in my chest. That's when I saw someone emerge from the same turn as Azalea. His tall pale figure, black messy hair, long limbs made me immediately realize what had happened.

I raised my hand to stop Jack in his path and gestured him to go back. He bowed awkwardly and left from where he came.

I sighed.

I placed my hand on her cheek and made her look at me but the moment I looked at her face I paused for a moment then spoke, "It's okay now." I told her as I stared at her face with tears streaming down her cheeks. I've never liked girls crying, rather I find it a bit annoying but still when I saw her I could't help but be attracted to her, "Let's get you to your room."

"No!!" It slightly surprised me when she raised her voice suddenly, "I'm staying with you!" She held onto me tighter, clinging onto my shirt desperately, "I'm staying in the same room and I'm sleeping with you!" Her entire body pressing next to mine, "I only want you! You can't leave me…" Her breasts pressing against my body, those tears rolling down her cheeks and her words unconsciously made a smile appear on my face.

I was satisfied.

More than satisfied. Rather, I was happy.

"Okay." I picked her up and she buried her face in my neck, "I'm here now, so everything's fine."

If only I knew she was scared of these kind of things. I would love to tease her. I sighed, but it turns out she's scared of ghosts way too much.

Ah~ I feel like all those negative emotions I was experiencing before were gone.

That's right. I glanced at her. I own you. I smirked.

You shouldn't let other men touch you.

I took her to one of my rooms on the second floor. The maids had already lit the candles there and the wall sized window brought in enough light to illuminate the room.

By the time I laid her on the bed she had tired herself out and was close to falling asleep. It should be fine, she'll fall asleep any moment and I'll leave then.

I placed the blanket on her and was about to get up from the bed when she grabbed my sleeve.

"Are you leaving?"

"Ah-no, I'm not."

She tugged my sleeve, "Come in then." Then opened up a space in the blanket for me to slip in while she kept her eyes on me, "You can't leave."

Why do I feel like I'm letting my guard down?

I slipped inside the blanket and she came and snuggled next to me.

I've never spent any night with anyone. Even when I had sex I usually left after the deed or the other party did.

I place my arm over her.

And here I am, ready to stay with her throughout the night, just because she's afraid?

This is wrong.

This shouldn't be happening…

Is she growing on me because she's with me most of the time?

I looked down at her, the moonlight that lit the room illuminated her features as well. I always knew she was beautiful, all the more reason I decided to personally train her.

But I can't let myself waver.

I'm probably just tired myself…