~*~
Rosh commanded him to kneel. The empty shell of Zebed crouched on one knee as his soulless eyes looked down on the ground.
His mind was washed as if he was a newborn demon. His once sharp and distinct golden eyes became dull and his tanned skin slowly became pale, while his red hair had its color faded and changed to brown.
''You, a mere nothing to me, will be reborn into something. You will become my servant. Your loyalty, your life, your soul and your mind will be mine alone. You will not act unless you are ordered, you will not refuse or deny any of my decisions or my commands, even if it means killing yourself. If I die, you die. Offer your life to me, and you will rise at greater means.''
Zebed's golden eyes slowly regained color but was tinted with a hint of red. It was exotic yet isn't unique. He lifted his gaze to his new master.
''I shall offer every piece of me to you, my master. Own me! Seal me in your soul with a new identity. I am begging, milord.''
Rosh smiled viciously.
''You are Luar.''
***
Early at dawn, the nobles felt worried and confused at the same time. The searching knights are still on patrol trying to find the lost children.
But duke Razon felt something amiss, like he had forgotten something but doesn't have a clue what.
Suddenly, the searching squad appeared with four unconscious children in their arms. They have a few mild bruises and dirty clothes.
''The lost young master and young miss are found!''
The noble families of Schneider, Rome and Lune went and frantically circled around their children.
Excluding the Razon couple. Josh was the only one very worried for Rosh, the duke and the duchess only have worried faces but didn't bother to take care of him.
''Call the physician!''
The next day...
Rosh opened his eyes, finding himself on the bed. As if on cue, Yves also went inside his room with a tray full of simple dishes.
'So much for a duke's son.' He thought dreadfully.
''Young master, you're awake! I'm so happy. Are you alright?'' Yves said worried. Rosh quietly scoffed, as if she would be. But then, he smiled sweetly.
''I'm okay, Yves. Nothing happened to us, just hurt a little since we were thrown in a dungeon.''
''Oh young master, how dare such peasant kidnapped your esteemed self!'' She said, faking her disdain. Finally, she sighed and gave him his breakfast. ''Here young master, you must've been hungry, please have a meal.''
''Of course, thank you, Yves.'' The maid bowed her head and left.
Rosh then glared coldly at the dishes.
'This...must be the reason.'
In his past life, one of the reason why Josh immediately excelled in activities is because he was weak.
His body was frail, but he was healthy before that. Rosh believed that it was all because of his natural body state, but seeing things now, guess he was wrong.
'Hah! Why didn't he ever notice before?'
Those damned excuse for parents! He gripped the side of his bed that he almost broke it.
It took a while before he calmed himself down.
'Amros.'
He called Amros out. The incstrile in his mind then transformed into his humanoid form from the shadows.
Amros wore a smile in his face, a very irritating one. His clothes also seemed noble, a black longsleeved shirt inside, a black silk waistcoat with purple ancient writings as linings, black pants and a pair of black boots.
''You called me? That's new. Aren't you a bit reckless, calling me outside like this, what if someone sees me? You could've just talked to me telepathically.'' He said.
Rosh ignored his statement and said. ''I'm bored, and if ever someone found you, you can just kill them and erase the evidence. Doesn't matter, really.''
''Well, you're not wrong. So, do you have another servant's order for me to do, Master?'' He asked in a playful tone.
''Get me food.''
.
.
.
.
.
''I'm pretty sure that's food over there beside you.'' Amros said.
''Stop acting innocent. You know there's an odorless and colorless poison mixed in that garbage.''
''Uh-huh. You can just remove the poison, Master. It isn't too hard.'' Amros said. Rosh glared at him.
''Don't kid, never in my life will I eat a plate full of shit. Go make a bag of gold and buy me the most expensive dish in the capital's best eatery.'' Rosh ordered.
''I see, I shall then.''
Amros acted like he surrendered and started using magic. His palm glowed into a golden color that slowly took shape, like a golden coin.
It continued the process until he made atleast a hundred gold coins.
''I'll leave and return for your breakfast, Master.'' The humanoid said before drowning back into the darkness.
Rosh didn't speak. He glanced at the tray of food on his side with glowing eyes.
Tendrils of darkness slowly crept up to the tray like a group of serpents and swallowed it whole. When the shadows disappeared, all that's left was the empty tray along with a clean plate and glass.
Rosh chuckled sarcastically at the thought of his parents poisoning him.
God, he was just kidnapped the night before and now they're giving him poison that weakens his constitution? Pathetic bastards.
Suddenpy, a knock and a burst of slam disturbed his thoughts. Rosh almost rolled his eyes but used his body to flinch instead.
Josh, who was panting, immediately went to his side with a worried look.
''Brother! Are you alright!? I was so worried. I almost thought you were gone!'' Josh said, teary-eyed. Or maybe you 'wished' me gone, Rosh thought.
He smiled at Josh. ''Don't worry, brother. I am alright. Our abductor haven't done that much to the other noble children and I.''
''Are you sure?''
''Of course I am. You trust me, right Josh?'' Rosh asked in a rather eery way. Josh suddenly felt uncomfortable but didn't mind it too much.
''I do, brother. I trust you! Anyways, I'm sorry.''
''Hm?''
Josh looked at him and sniffed. ''It was my fault you're hurt.''
''What?'' Rosh arched a brow. This prat, is he stupid? Oh, he almost forgot that his twin is a foolish one.
''I-it was my birthday party! I should've had protected you, you are my twin! Maybe that man wouldn't have hurted you and just get me instead! I'm so sorry, please don't hate me brother!'' Josh yelled with all efforts.
''Why are you sorry? It isn't your fault at all. I would never hate you.'' Of course, I hate you. ''You are my twin.'' I wish you weren't. ''And most of all, I love you and I don't want you to be hurt by others.'' Since I will be the one to do that.
''Thank you brother.''
''No problems, twin.'' Rosh said in a sickly sweet tone.
''Ah right, mom and dad wouldn't be able to visit you since they have businesses to attend to.'' Josh showed a solemn expression. Though Rosh felt the opposite, he was glad that the snakes on his side is lessened even just for a day.
'Mom and dad? How informal for a Razon child to casually call such endearment to his noble parents.' Rosh thought.
''B-but I'm sure they're still worried of you, Rosh!'' Josh added.
''It's alright. I understand them. It is for the sake of our house and reputation after all.''
''S-still..''
''I'm fine, Josh. Also, I'm very tired and kinda needed sleep now. Would you mind if you leave me to rest? Go and have fun with other noble kids since we have reached a proper age.'' Rosh suggested.
''E-eh? Will you be alright brother? I don't wanna left you out. I want to be friends to others with you!'' Josh insisted. Rosh sighed. As unbearable as it sounds, he needs to do this. ''Josh, I'm only gonna rest for a few days. I will catch up soon and be with you okay?''
''Hmm, o-okay. I will wait for you brother. Be safe, eat lots of healthy foods and recover quickly okay?'' Josh reminded.
''I will.'' Rosh nodded. Josh smiled happily before leaving the room. When Rosh couldn't sense anyone's presence near anymore, he took a deep breath and lifted his darkened eyes.
''Tsk, such a waste of breath.''
Then he looked at the corner of his room. ''Come out, Amros.''
The purple eyed man went out of the shadows.
''Enjoyed your talk with Josh, Master?'' He teased. Rosh rolled his eyes. ''Whatever, where's the food?''
''Here it is. These are the special dishes of the popular eatery in the central. It took me another pouch of gold coins to buy this.''
Amros took out a cloth where the containers of food were secured. He put it on Rosh's study table and started arranging the meals. Rosh stood up from his bed completely fine and went to eat.
He ate rather unappetizingly. Luxury foods like this weren't a new thing.
Anyways, he must start his plans now.
''Come out, Luar.'' Rosh called out to his new servant that also emerged from the shadows and kneeled on his side.
''You have called for my presence, my lord?'' Luar said. His voice was deep and very intimidating.
''Brace yourself, and you Amros. My preparations of power and strategy have reached the peak.'' Rosh brutally stabbed his cutting knife on the cooked meat's flesh. ''Tonight, we will destroy one of the things he, my bastard father, have been proud of.''
Amros and Luar put their fists on their chest and both spoke in unison.
''Your joy is our pleasure, Master.''
***
A/N:
I. Am. Sorry. !!!.
I didn't have time to update because of my classes! Atleast now, is the only time my teachers decided to stop the classes for a while. I truly apologize, please don't hate me! And starting today, my updates are gonna get slower and slower since the second grading period have started so..yeah.
On the brighter side! Thank you so much to everyone. For the first time in my life. I reached a milestone of more than a hundred fews in my boring works!
Happy celebration for the 22k reads! Yey, I love you guys so much, thank you! Lovelots.
-AvaFics