30 If Not For Your Sake, Then For Mine (1/2)

”Did you have fun, my lady?”

Chalice's reflexes went overdrive with shock and surprise. The hand which was holding a dagger slashed without hesitation at the direction of the chilling voice. But it never landed. Instead, her wrist was held in a steely grip.

She stiffened and mechanically turned her head to look at the handsome visage of Luke. His whole being emanated a chill that made Chalice involuntarily shiver. Luke's eyes glinted brightly with mixed emotions. She gulped and lowered her head. Her strength was sapped dry by those eyes. It made her feel... ashamed. Especially when she detected the worry and self-reproach in them.

'I'm dead. I'm so dead. He's super angry this time.'

Chalice panicked inside her head. She was aware of how protective Luke has been since the start of this trip. He handled her as if she was a delicate flower that would be ruined with so much of a touch. Chalice knew how he went crazy when she got lost. She could still hear Levi's blaming tone as she reprimanded her for Luke.

This midnight excursion stepped over his bottom line. Chalice only realized it now. And she couldn't help the guilt eating at her heart.

She heard Luke sigh loudly. His grip loosened up, her wrist was freed. He held her chin up to look at him. Chalice saw helplessness in her eyes. They were tinged with what seemed like... indulgence.

Was she seeing it wrong? Yes. In the first place, why would Luke direct that sort of ambiguously doting gaze at her, right?

Luke wiped a part of her cheek tenderly. She looked at him with confused eyes. What was he wiping?

”My lady, if you're going to go and have fun outside please make sure you don't get filthy. It's quite unbecoming.”

'Oh no! Do I have blood on my face?'

Her heart skipped a beat at that thought. She can't have Luke asking questions now. She wouldn't know how to answer.

Chalice cursed those bunch of hooligans she encountered a while ago. So much for her bad luck. She infiltrated a courtyard within Janus Street. It was quite suspicious. Though no one would have thought so except for her. Chalice was able to obtain a few key evidences. However, as she was leaving, someone had discovered her. A fight inevitably broke out. Chalice quickly resolved it. Nevertheless, she had been so careful not to spill too much blood for it might give her away to Luke.

But those damned men were tough cookies. It actually took three strikes from her dagger before they went on their way to King Yama's palace.

Chalice didn't know what to say. She didn't have the courage to. Somehow, she already had an inkling that Luke was having doubts. However, he was much too honorably loyal to even question her.

She waited for his interrogation. A heated debate was going on in her head. What would she tell him?

”Lady Chalice, there is no need for you to explain yourself to me. I am your right hand. It is not within me to question you. I will move when and where you want me to. I will do what you ask me to. If you tell me to jump, I'll ask how high. If you tell me to go left, I'd forget that right even exists. I am yours to command and make use of.”