My Most Precious Human novel Chapter 18

I nervously played with a strand of my hair while looking for words to describe my situation. I didn't know if I could trust Sariel, and I didn't know what he would do with the knowledge I was about to give him. Every fantasy book about werewolves and vampires pictured them as mortal enemies, and as I could recall, Sariel, as a vampire, wasn't fond of werewolves either. How could I now tell him that I was actually a daughter of two alphas and that my father was the leader of the pack?!

"My story is… complicated," I began, laughing hysterically.

He stayed persistent. "I'm quite certain that I will understand," he said.

"Well, as you know, I am a human, but…"

My hesitant speech was suddenly interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Sariel clicked his tongue.

"Come in!" he called out harshly.

A servant hurriedly walked into the room and bowed in front of Sariel.

"Master, there is an urgent message from the council," he conveyed, trembling nervously.

"Is it truly that urgent to interfere with my meal?" Sariel hissed while smiling coldly.

The servant gulped, then bowed even lower.

"It's a message from Madame Dominique. She called for an immediate meeting…" he muttered.

Sariel punched the table with his fist and stood up.

"Fine. If my Sister wants my presence that much," he gritted his teeth and glared at the servant.

I sat silently observing him, and not really knowing how to react. Sariel walked to the door closest to his end of the table, opened it angrily, but then stopped and turned around. He looked at me and smiled.

"I will be gone most likely until tomorrow. I will let Leo and Martha know to take good care of you and show you around. Have a pleasant day, Lilith," he said abruptly, then he walked out of the room, and the servant followed him.

"You too… Sariel," I muttered, even though he was already gone before I could voice out those words.

I was left alone in that big dining room. I wondered what it was all about. Sariel didn't seem too happy about meeting this Madame Dominique. I also wondered if she really was his sister, or if it was simply the way he called her. I sighed already getting a headache from thinking, but also felt relieved that I had delayed explaining difficult details of my family tree. I finished sipping my coffee and started to wonder if I should try going back to my room alone. I stood up and slowly walked towards the door I had previously entered. I was reaching for a door handle when Mr. Gotha walked in, almost causing me a heart attack!

"I'm glad you have already finished your breakfast, Ms. Fleming," he announced with a sarcastic grin. "Now, let me take you back to your room."

I held a hand on my chest preventing my heart from jumping out and smiled back at him while clenching my teeth. Of course, his courtesy ended with those previous few words. He turned around and started walking back.

"Let's go," he tossed reluctantly, increasing his pace.

I ran after him just to keep up. When I caught up with him, I gave him a cold glare. He looked into my eyes and sneered. A vein in my temple began to throb. I swear, at that moment, I sincerely wanted to punch him.

"Why do you keep calling me Ms. Fleming? I bet that you have already done your research on me and found out that it is not my real name." I decided to take a gamble and check how much he knew.

He chuckled, stopped walking, and gazed at me curiously.

"It turns out you are not an idiot, after all, Ms. Fleming," he stated, keeping his sarcastic grin. "Indeed, we went to your apartment and brought all of your unfashionable clothes, along with your pile of false IDs and your laptop. They are all in your room."

"You don't like me, do you?"

"No," he replied immediately.

"Well, that's too bad, because your master said that I am his guest in this castle and you are supposed to take good care of me," I said, mirroring his grin.

He clicked his tongue, wiping the smile off of his face. I chuckled, feeling slightly satisfied.

"Now, can you lead me to my room?" I asked, faking politeness.

"Certainly, Ms. Fleming," he said, gritting his teeth and beginning to walk down the corridor.

"Does the Duke know about my multiple IDs?" I inquired, a bit restlessly.

"Of course he does!" Mr. Gotha snorted.

"And… Wasn't he alarmed after you showed him what you found?"

"Alarmed?" Mr. Gotha burst out laughing and exclaimed, "Do you think we find you dangerous?! Or do we think that you might be a killer on the loose?!"

I smiled awkwardly, "No… of course not…" I muttered.

"But I have to admit, you made me curious," he stated, trying to restrain himself from giggling. "At first, I thought that you escaped from debt collectors, but judging by your apartment, you don't seem to lack money. Would you mind indulging me and telling me the truth?"

"Why would I tell anything to someone who just officially claimed that he doesn't even like me?" I smirked.

"Oh, come on! I brought you a blanket yesterday, didn't I?"

His smugness made me lost for words. I stared at him for a while until I realized that he was serious about using the blanket argument. I sighed.

"I'm running away from my extremely toxic family," I said, shrugging.

"That's it?" Mr. Gotha glanced at me in disbelief. "One sentence? You shut it all down in one sentence?!"

"What else do you want from me?!" I called out, irked.

"I don't know! Perhaps you could tell me some steamy details? Were you abused?" he asked, his eyes burning with curiosity.

"You sound like a pervert, Mr. Gotha." I clicked my tongue.

"Don't be like that. I merely wanted to hear a spicy story," he explained, pouting.

"I don't think that I want to discuss my unhappy childhood with you," I claimed nonchalantly.

"Fair enough. I'm not into sad stories either. I prefer bloody ones," he snickered.

We finally got to my chamber. Certainly, Mr. Gotha had no respect for the tiniest inch of privacy and walked inside first.

"The maids put your clothes in the closet, and your laptop is on the night table," he said while sitting comfortably in the armchair by the bed.

I walked to the closet and opened it. There were only two of my dresses hanging there, and a jacket.

"Where are the rest of my clothes?" I asked, confused.

"I threw that away," he replied casually.

"You did what?!"

"Seriously? How could you even show yourself in public while wearing things like that?" He grimaced as if he found the pile of my favorite sweatshirts disgusting.

"I work at home, and I don't go out unless I have to. I don't think I need to wear something fashionable while running or working out either," I squeezed through my teeth.

"Unfashionable while working out…? You haven't been to any fitness clubs lately, haven't you?" Mr. Gotha chuckled.

I glared at him, muttering, "I'd rather practice my fighting skills alone…"

"Fighting skills?" he responded, surprised, then smirked. "Oh yes, I recalled that you used a few decent kicks at the casino.

"Thank you…" I said hesitantly.

"You are welcome," he threw.

I looked at the closet again. There was something that I cared far more about than my sweats.

"What did you do with the coat?" I questioned, clenching my teeth.

"You mean the Master's coat?" Mr. Gotha smirked.

"Y-yes…" I blushed, realizing I acted like a fangirl who was trying to protect a memento from her idol.

"We took it to the cleaners. Do you want it back so badly?" he asked teasingly.

"No…" I replied, looking away, "I was just curious…"

I couldn't comprehend my feelings. Why would I ever care about his coat in the first place? I acted as if I desperately longed to keep the slightest piece of him by my side. I was embarrassed by my own behavior.

"I will leave you, for now, Ms. Fleming," Mr. Gotha stated, "Martha will give you a tour around the castle, and later she'll take you for dinner."

"I see… Thank you," I answered, still feeling flustered because of the coat.

He snickered, looking me up and down, then walked towards the door.

"Have a lovely day, Ms. Fleming," he tossed dryly while grabbing the door handle.

"You are not sincere about wishing me a good day, Mr. Gotha, are you?" I smirked.

"Of course, I am not!" He chuckled and left the room.

I sighed and sat on the bed. I didn't want to spend an ounce of my energy getting irritated at his rudeness. I was already overwhelmed by my new environment, the completely new world I had entered, and the emotions that were waking up inside me. The problem was, this day had nearly begun…