[A/N] Just to let you all know, I'll be out all weekend, including all of Friday, so I won't be updating or even active during that time. I'll be at WinterFest in Ocean City, Maryland. Shout out to anyone who lives in Ocean City!
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Looking into those eyes were the worst decision I ever made. They glowed with pure malice... Not a shred of mercy was found. Only hatred and lies, only betrayal and sorrow. They brought away from his now crimson clothes, his reddened teeth, the way he smiled when he had a taste of their blood on his tongue. His power was beyond that of any human, something none could ever posses. I almost did not speak a word in his presence, but he didn't hesitate at the chance.
"Levi Ackerman, the prince's servant... how long it's been since I've seen you."
His voice was calm, in a way. Though it was plagued by the scratchiness and tone of a demon, it seemed serene. Face contorted to show slight happiness, his smile changed from malevolent to caring. This man... no, rather, this beast... he was familiar with me. This was evident, as he was present at my lowest of lows.
How was it that he knew of my past? How was it that he knew that he and his friend had mercilessly beaten me, harassed me to no end like he had clearly stated? The fact that the leader of the group was one of those very people no longer surprised me, but rather how he knew such a thing. How could a beast like him go unnoticed in a village as... observant as that one?
This also begged the question, what else did this beast know about me? He knew my status and name. He addressed me as "Levi Ackerman, the prince's servant". Of course, if he knew so much of my past and present, why didn't he know that I had ran from my duty and was likely being hunted by the manorial guards?
Many questions swirled through my head, all things I knew I could not easily ask. If I showed too much interest, there was no telling what could happen. I had to protect not only myself, but Isabel, whom I almost forgot I was holding in my arms. I was genuinely surprised at her slumber, though forced, it was. She had not awoken to a single sound, which was remarkable considering just how much noise there had been.
All of these questions, and yet one clawed at me the hardest. Why had he spoken to me in English?!
"Way back when, in that village we used to live in together when we were younger, I always admired you from afar. You'd been through so much, losing those closest to you, and yet you lived on. You endured through everything thrown at you, and managed to climb to the highest honor in the country aside from being a prince or king. First your father, then your mother, and finally, your bastard uncle, all made their way to Heaven. Or Hell, I was never sure what they had done or how they died."
My jaw slackened at his words. He described my life, in such detail, things that I've not told a soul. How had he known this? I do not remember anyone like him. I would have easily sensed his presence. It was strange, though... I kept to myself, always. One exception was present, however. My caretaker was the only person I told anything. Oh, how I missed her kindness... and yet she was secretive as well. She never even told me her name...
"Oh, who am I to speak like this? You know all of this already. You lived it! While I, on the other hand, no matter how curious I was, could never talk to you about it. I watched from afar, wishing I could know you better. I had so many questions, all of which had to be answered by my mother. I assumed she learned from-"
As I listened on, having been dragged out of my thoughts once already, he stopped abruptly. I had been intently picking up signs that would tell me who he was. He had been about to say whom his mother had gotten this information from, when he neglected to tell. I seethed with anger for a few moments. I knew that he was intentionally toying with me.
"Oh, I've gone on too long, haven't I? I must be boring you with old information. In that case, I'll be on my way. Auf Wiedersehen!"
As he bid me adieu in my home language, he turned. It looked as if he was about to jump into the trees. Though impossible it would have been, I wouldn't put it past him, the one who somehow murdered a group of men and women all at once without moving his body at all. However, I didn't let myself see him in the act before I called out to him.
"W-wait!"
Just before he made a move to leave, he reluctantly stood straight. He didn't bother to face me as he put his hands in the pockets of his garments that, now that I took a good look at them, seemed outlandish. He sighed, then curled his entire body back. He still stood on his feet, but he bended his body backwards so that he could see me without moving. Surely, his vision was upside down because of this.
"So the little man calls out in curiosity. I knew this would happen. I step in, being heroic and whatnot, saving an old friend, and what do they do? Insist I do more, insist that I tell them more, blah blah blah. Well, whatever. You know, it's actually kind of relieving, not having to act like you have a stick up your ass. I hate being formal, always sitting up straight... You'd think that a beast like me would have to please people by acting like a-"
My strange look had gotten to him. He was rambling on and on about things I didn't care to hear. I had said only one word to him, yet he took it to a whole other level. What caused him to speak like that, I had no idea, but I wanted to find out. However, I knew priorities had to be set and practiced.
As he straightened himself, then turned to face me, I gathered my thoughts and tried not to look intimidated by him.
"I never shut up, do I? Well, you seem pretty confused there. Yeah, I had to act formal all the time. What of it? A beast can't be held by restrictions?"
"No, I just... I was curious as to why you had to act formal..."
It was true. I hadn't thought about it until he made mention of it, but he did make mention of having to act formally a lot. If you were a villager, or anything under that, for that matter, you were not required to act formal in any way. There were many people who were "rough and tough", as they liked to call themselves. They'd even developed a new name for themselves. I don't remember what they said, but it had something to do with the color red.
At my questioning statement, his eyes widened. Not out of fear, but out of realization. That's what it looked like to me, at least. He mumbled under his breath, but I heard, though barely.
"Shit... I've said too much. I can't let him know..."
As if on queue, Isabel's eyes fluttered open. She groaned slightly, but smiled when she saw me. She didn't say anything. I gave her a look, one that hopefully told her we were safe for now, and her smile widened in response. However, when she looked at the killer, her eyes widened and she jumped out of my arms and hid behind me.
"Th-that's him! That's the man I saw a while back! He's gonna kill you, we have to run!"
"It's alright," I started. I wanted to comfort her. She was so scared, I could feel her trembling against my back. "He... he actually saved us. Look around you... the men's bodies litter the ground, all with the same wound as the man we found before in the woods."
A moment of silence passed. She seemed to understand, softly whispering to herself in amazement. As relieved as I was to see her alive, and that this killer helped us, even saved us, I needed to know why he was so apprehensive.
"So, you beast, you've said too much, have you? What can't I know?"
"What makes you think I have to tell you? I can just kill you."
"But I know you wouldn't do that. You're too open around me, too... willing. You saved my comrade and I from certain death over something you committed. Now, why would you do that? But enough of petty questions. You are not recognizable as anyone from the manorial system. Who on earth would be content with your presence and not kill you? Furthermore, who would request you act like royalty when, clearly-"
When my eyes widened, so did his, even further than before. They blazed with anger, or some form of regret. Everything was starting to line up, and it was likely worrying the killer. If he had to act like that, it was likely to please someone. But nobody would keep his presence a secret, no, they would either kill him or be killed. This means that said person hasn't been killed yet, and demands respect. And there was nobody who fit the description more than one particular person...
"Alright, dammit, you've caught me! I know you're figured it out by now... I can't believe I let it slip so easily. I didn't think that something so small would cause a revelation..."
I waited, anxious in anticipation. He knew just as well as I did that there was only one explanation to this whole situation. As much as I was horrified by at, and as much as I wished it weren't so, we both knew it was true. Even Isabel had to have guessed it by now.
"Tch..." Anger plastered his face, and he looked off in another direction.
"It's true. I have the prince in captivity."