Act 1 Waffles

  It was late in the morning as I was walking through town, my hand being held by a rose eyed, blonde haired gothic dress girl, who I call.

  “Princess Seraphim, let’s go there for now. Their breakfast Belgian waffles are the best in town.” Of course, as I said that, there were only three cafes and two stalls that actually sells waffles in town.

  And only this one had Belgian style waffles, that was filled with fruit jams and sauces.

  “The best? really! What's a waffle?” The princess asked after a bout of excitement as I led her in, as Frannel opened the door for us.

  Unfortunately Rikka was still sleeping in the old church she calls her ‘Den’, so we only had Frannel as our escort.

  Which was fine, it’s already been a week since she’s become my blood servant, so another week or so and she'll probably have fully digested my blood.

  “Let’s sit here my Lady.” I said, helping princess Seraphim to sit as I sat across her and Frannel.

  “My lady? Why did you change your way of addressing me Shiro?” Princess Seraphim asked as she looked over the menu, mainly looking at the image and description of what we could buy.

  “In order to hide who you are, my Lady.” My answer made the princess more curious as I saw her looking over her menu.

  “I do the same with your sister my Lady, whenever we are in public, I do not say your names or titles so that the humans wouldn’t know.” I told her as she placed down her menu.

  “And why would humans knowing be a problem?” The princess asked, interest in her voice.

  “We're at war my Lady, making information valuable and humans are an easy source of it.” I said as I called over a waitress as the princess was silenced by my answer.

  Which was odd, I know Princess Komiko was taught fencing skills, Literature, diplomatic rhetoric and Etiquette. . . it’s a little odd that warfare and intrigue or atleast defense against them wasn’t a subject they knew or taught to them.

  I wonder if it was intentional, that their demonic father made sure that lessons on those subjects were minimal to give the younger children a chance.

  Or more likely it was just coincidence and the assassins I had to deal with were from a royal that was actually taught intrigue.

  I placed those thoughts away, as a pretty girl that I actually knew came to serve us.

  “Are you ready to. . . Shiro?” She stopped mid sentence as she recognized me, which was pretty easy, my hair and eyes were pretty unique.

  “Hello Janne-Senpai, yes we are ready, can I have a number B1 with sides of sweet potato and flower fries, and hmm. . .lemon fizz is fine for my drink.” I told her, but saw her dazed.

  So I snapped my finger at her to wake her up from her daze, as she looked me up and down.

  “Right, right, sorry.” She said scribbling my orders.

  “As for you my Lady, have you decided on your order?” I asked the princess as she broke from her thoughts and looked at the girl writing my order.

  “I’ll take a D2 with strawberry sauce and cream filling, I’ll have a small salad on the side and I’ll take the same drink as Shiro.” She said lightly to our server.

  “Alright I’ll get them for you. And good to see you Shiro, talk later.” Janne said as she left us walking towards the counter, before entering the kitchen.

  Act 2 Park

  “The waffles were delicious! Never knew human food had more than cookies!” Said princess Seraphim as I slowly walked with her in the park.

  “Where else do you want to go my Lady? There aren't that many places to visit here in Maplewood.” I said thinking about where a child would want to go.

  “No, I think I had enough walking for now.” I looked at Princess Seraphim as she spoke, seeing her legs tiring.

  After which I looked up, seeing as the sun was overhead it should be close to noon.

  “Let’s sit down then.” I said as we sat at a park bench underneath a canopy of dark trunken-oaks.

  “Shiro, can I ask why you serve my sister?” Princess Seraphim asked as we sat down watching a healthy town park.

  “Besides my need for her blood?” I joked as I saw a young guy walking his dog while taking a pretty happy phone call, probably his parents easing his home sickness or a girlfriend promising a fine anniversary gift.

  Rather than laughing from my bloody joke, she was silent, so I guess I can’t dodge it easily.

  “I have a promise to keep, that’s why I stay.” I said remembering my promise to Shiro, to take care of his sister.

  “A promise? That’s it!? You're a sorcerer, and not just that you have the powers on the level of those that fought in the century Nether-realm wars!” She said now in shock and disbelief, as she stood up on the bench and pointed at me in accusation.

  “You're serving a Royal! My! Royal family, the same family that had exterminated almost all of the bloodlines that had sorcery!” That I did not know, but it is useful.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “My lady? Please sit down, you're making a scene.” I said as I tried to calm her down, the princess had already caught the attention of many.

  “Everythings fine everyone! My little sister just got excited.” With that said everyone that looked at us went back to their own business.

  From the old couple nearby feeding birds, to the old guys playing checkered warfare a few benches away.

  “Hmp! So you would rather use lies, instead of magic to placate the humans.” She said dismissively as she sat down, the heat in her dissipating.

  “Well I think it’s impressive you know so much about the history of sorcerers.” I started as I went back to people watching.

  “I used to have a friend, she was a sorcerer. . . One of my aunts had her burn after she killed one of my older cousins.” She said, her voice was of sadness.

  “I’m sorry to hear that kid.” I said as I patted her head.

  “But, I’m not really part of them, and now knowing what you told me, I guess when I eventually meet a native sorcerer, I'll probably be seen as a traitor.” I said, giving a sigh, atleast now I know.

  “I guess your sister hasn't told you yet, has she?” With that I stood up, and offered her my hand.

  “No, we haven’t spoken at length about. . .anything yet.” Seraphin said, as she accepted my hand.

  “That’s no good, it would be better if you asked her about everything rather than me, my Lady.” With that said I led her to a forested part of the park.

  It took us a few minutes in those woods to find a circle of flowers and mushrooms I made nights ago and with the transport circle, I gated us home.

  Act 3 Theater night

  The lights were blinding, I was barely able to make out the crowd that watched us as I stood before them dressed not in my butler attire but of a very modern interpretation of old Merlin.

  With a nobleman shirt and tight pants, with a cape of stars and a feathered hat of the times of the French musketeers, my eyes glowing reflecting the lights around us.

  “Oh girl of the apple orchard,

  Princess of an old line of the guard.

  Do you know of the burden of that sword?”

  I spoke in rhymeric to her, a commoner girl in rags, her body fit, her short hair blonde.

  She was playing Arthur but because the other guy in our acting club didn’t want to play Arthur, we had to settle for Arthuriel Pendrake. . . rather than the golden lion of the Welsh.

  “I will accept any burden for my people, wise one of the demon blood.” She didn’t speak in rhyme she wanted to for the fantasy vibe, but she sucks at memorizing lines. . . in her own words.

  “Then pull the sword, oh young dragon.

  But be warned of thy edge,

  For the end of this path, would be of fire.

  Do what you must, but know that it’s a heavy weight.”

  With that said I stepped back, as Arthuriel paused, from my words, but her eyes hardened.

  “No matter what.” She said, as she pulled the sword as an orchestra played in the background and the light of the stage turned brighter as she held the sword aloof.

  “Here me, for I Arthuriel Pendrake, prince of Camelot, stake my claim for Albion!” With that the curtains fall and we finish our last scene for tonight, to the applause of many.

  “Sigh. . . well good work, thanks for coming Shiro-kun.” Janne said as she took off her wig, and came down from the rock prop as the stage crew cleared it, already changing the scene for the next batch of actors.

  “I wanted to have a nightlife and you invited me senpai, how can I refuse?” I said removing my musketeer hat. And loosening and then removing the starry cape.

  “Well, I didn’t know you would actually accept Shiro-kun.” Janne said as we walked off stage towards the cafe seats and tables, there were others in partial custom.

  And regular customers here to watch amateurs perform scene plays, while enjoying their night with friends with alcohol or tea.

  “So, do you have anything else planned after this Shiro-kun?” Janne asked, as she watched a rendition of little red riding hood.

  “I don’t know, maybe visit the bars, meet a mature woman and ask her to be my sugar mommy.” I said with a straight face trying not to laugh as she started coughing as her drink went to a different pipe.

  “Shiro, your. . . Arrête! Shiro-kun, I’m being serious.” I gave her a smile and she immediately understood that I was joking.

  “Well I’m not, we just finished a play, I think I’ll finish my drink and call it a night.” I said as I stretched, and took a mouth full of my pint of honeyed beer.

  “Can you walk me home atleast Shiro-kun? You were such a gentleman this morning, wouldn't you be one with me?” I turned at that, raising an eye.

  “Janne-senpai. . . fine but please don’t tell people, that I’m basically a babysitter.” I said feigning exhaustion and embarrassment.

  “It was shocking Shiro-kun from the rumours I heard, she should have been in university but the girl you were with was as young as my sister.” I acted even more tired as I finished my drink and covered my head as I laid it on the table.

  “My family has been their household servants ever since the Edo period, there from a German royal house that established themselves here in Yamato.” I said as I started drunkenly explaining quite loudly.

  “The Lady’s dad got into some real estate problems, in the old country, so he sent one of her daughters here to stay until the problem cools down.” With that said I looked up and saw a very red cheeked Janne, pretending to listen attentively.

  “Is it pain to deal with her?” She asks, giving me a comforting smile, which I answered with a weak one.

  “Yeah, you can’t believe. . . the tea parties alone would drive you mad.” I said, as I acted as if I was sobering slightly.

  “Well, anyways, I think I’m sober enough. Let's get you home My Lady.” I said as I stood up bowing to her as I offered my hand.

  Her reaction was priceless, the stutter, the reddening, and the embarrass acceptance, as she accepted.

  Act 4 Watchers

  I was carrying a pretty sloshed Janne, as I biked through the night streets of Maplewood.

  “You're so warm Shiro-kun, please be my boyfriend!” She said as she clutched herself tighter on my chest as she sat on the front of my bike.

  I didn’t want her falling off, and I don’t know why she drank spirits! I thought minors can only drink light honey beers.

  “Now, now, let’s not say things like that.” I said in a gentle voice as I slowed down and made sure to use the smoother roads.

  She didn’t answer as I felt her breath deepening as she fell asleep.

  “Sigh. . . I shouldn’t have pulled, the my lady thing.” I said to myself as I felt the cold of the night, and something else, I was being watched.

  I didn’t look back or at my sides, as I felt them watching me, on the roofs, and corners of buildings.

  I immediately stopped at what looked like a hotel, chaining my bike and carrying a now less sloshed and barely awake Janne.

  “A love hotel?” I said as I saw no one in the register, just a vending machine for room keys and instructions.

  ‘Please leave the room-keys on the tray before checking out, rooms would be rented until morning. Thank you for visiting Hanoko’s Love nest. Also, please write a name and phone number in the log book before checking out.’

  As I read it I felt those watching me outside, and they were a lot closer than before.

  I didn't question the love hotel and looked at the vending machine. There were ten rooms in total; only 3 were available to be rented, and 4 keys were already in the tray.

  I took a 1000 Toku bill and rented a room and then started moving there. In the corridor there was even a vending machine for condoms and lube.

  I looked around but saw there weren't any cameras, but to be safe I bought some, just in case I was being watched by the owner.

  I entered my dimly lit room, it was. . . comfortably erotic? There were cherry blossom flowers on the bed, the ceiling had mirrors reflecting us, and a tv was silently playing a softcore adult video.

  I laid down Janne-senpai on the perfumed bed, and then sat down on the dust free carpeted floor as I pulled out three pieces of brown paper with runes written in red ink.

  “Look upon those that look upon me.” I spoke to the pieces of paper, before the talismanic papers burnt to ash, as they disappeared into nothing.