Mary sat on her bed blankly, her eyes looking at the rabbit in front of her, then at the word pointed by his paw on the story book.
Read. For me.
"Red." The rabbit muttered the wrong pronunciation, but the meaning was well understood.
Mary's body trembled slightly hearing the word, but she had accustomed herself to this situation.
"Yes… White."
Hearing the pet name again, Shou cleared his throat before pronouncing it.
"Shou. My name is Shou." For the first time since he was reborn into the world of Arde, he finally told someone in this world of his true name.
"Shou… Okay, Shou then." Mary nodded, realising the rabbit had his own name.
"Thank you, Mary. For teaching." Shou said his thanks for teaching him and for not freaking out or telling people about him. His paws crossed on his abdomen, his ears flopped down in a humble yet grateful tone.
Mary was stunned hearing the words of appreciation. Her sense of awkwardness and bewilderment quickly dissolved.
Why do I think too much? He's just White… or rather, Shou.
A smile appeared on Mary. In a way, Shou was her friend now. Although it took a lot from her to accept the talking rabbit, but, she did still.
Mary stretched out her hand towards him, a gesture to show her willingness and her acceptance.
"It's nice to know you, Shou."
Shou took her hand with his paws and shook it. His heart felt a sense of acknowledgement, that Mary called him by his true name. He felt happy, really.
"Me too, Mary." Shou smiled.
That's a smiling rabbit face, not a human one…
She tried to keep her composure, trying to ignore her mind screaming that was still disturbing. Maybe the rabbit was creepy at times, but if she looked at it differently it was cute, maybe.
"Just keep it a secret between us for now. Lord Kael would probably freak out like I did. And if His Grace found out… I am afraid he will take you away. A talking magic beast like you was unheard of…"
Mary reminded Shou again. Aside from Shou's own safety, Kael would be devastated too if his companion was taken away.
"Understand. No worry." Shou raised his paw to make a thumbs up. Not that he could, and Mary wouldn't understand the gesture of another world anyways.
"Okay, let's continue. I had a day off today so we can learn more words."
Shou nodded, his paws already flipping the book in front of him.
While the pair was engaged in learning words and vocabulary, Kael was training hard with the Guard's Captain.
The whole morning was spent on the field swinging swords. If his body was tired, he practiced molding his mana and casting magic.
The field was filled with slash marks on the ground, half broken earth dummies he made with magic, and some walls and blasted ground from his training.
Only when it's noon he was reminded by the servant that he stopped for lunch.
"Ha… Sir Grias, thank you for your time." Kael wiped his sweats, saying a simple formal thanks to the Guard's Captain.
"You did well today, Young Master." The middle aged soldier said with respect. His own messy brown hair was disheveled and sweaty much like Kael's from their sparring and training.
As Kael went back to the mansion, Grias's dark eyes seemed to see the shadow of Duke Rheon on him.
Finally, he had the same air as His Grace. He would be happy to hear this news.
Grias already decided to visit the duke. As he was on his way, he recalled the memories when he was first assigned as Rheon's personal body guard in their youth.
Helping Kael with his practice reminded him of when he became Rheon's sparring partner.
Grias recalled that one time, when the two of them finished their practice, resting against the same tree, letting the breeze cool their bodies down. Their torso laid bare, glistening with sweat under the heat of the sun.
"Grias. Among all men, you had my trust."
The image of Rheon, his eyes closed, muttering those words echoed in his mind.
"My Lord… my hands and feet are your blade. And my body is your shield. It is my duty to protect you with all my life." Grias spoke with a firm tone.
"Hm. Then what about your heart?" Rheon opened his eyes, his gaze serious as he locked his eyes with him.
"My heart…?" Grias lost words, his heart skipping a beat.
Rheon raised his hand, holding onto Grias's chin. Their eyes locked, the atmosphere faded.
"Your limbs and body are my sword and shields… then what of your heart. Does it belong to me as well?"
"M-my Lord…" Grias felt his heart beating faster. His body trembling, his cheeks flushed red.
"You cannot seem to understand a joke." Rheon let go of his chin, his eyes remained serious.
"Is it not amusing?" Rheon asked.
"M-my lord…! You are such a jess! You cannot play with my feelings…" Grias finally came out of his stupor realising the Lord was just joking. He turned his eyes away, taking some distance back instantly.
And seeing this, for once Rheon's cold shell broke slightly, his lips arched into a sliver of a smile. A small huff that sounded like a genuine short laugh escaped his lips.
Grias gasped slightly, his eyes in disbelief seeing the expression, but also his heart beat in a different way since then.
But then, the smile disappeared in the next instant, turning into the usual neutral expression.
Rheon seemed to pretend he didn't just smile and laughed in his own way. But in Grias's heart, that moment was etched in an unforgettable gallery.
The Guards Captain recalled the memories further. How he and His Grace became closer, the life and death struggle against his siblings, how much they both went through together and still standing today. But time and circumstances changed them. And things that could have happened, did not happen.
"Grias. You are henceforth promoted to be the Captain of the Guards."
Rheon turned his body away, his expression difficult to discern from behind.
"And… refrain from contacting me unless it is of major importance."
His voice was stoic and neutral as always. But the slight pause in his sentence revealed enough for Grias.
"My Lord… I only wish to stay by your side…" Grias's voice was almost shaky, but he held himself together at that moment.
"Know your place. It's an order." Rheon's voice turned even colder. Even then he still didn't care to look at him.
"I understand… my Lord."
Grias recalled the tens of years back prior. Since he was promoted, they barely talked to each other.
It still hurts to this day. But he understood and respected Rheon's choice. And no matter what… his heart is already with him. That was the oath he swore.
He shook those old memories away before heading towards Rheon's study. He was sure Rheon would be happy to hear his son showing some determination.
***
Kael wasn't aware of his father's old stories given his father's stoic nature.
He sat at the dining hall, his cloth still covered with sweat but he rather filled his stomach first.
He noticed the rabbit hopping along a servant bringing the lunch to the table.
"You are really running around everywhere huh?"
He looked at the rabbit with a little dissatisfaction. How easy his life was compared to him.
Shou didn't seem to care about Kael's words and dug his head into the bowl of fresh vegetables and fruits the servant placed on the floor.
Kael's eyebrows twitched seeing the rabbit so carefree. 'Oh, why am I jealous of a rabbit,' he thought.
After lunch he went back to his room to freshen up. And the rabbit actually followed him this time.
"Huh, now you know who's your owner." Kael said in displeasure before ignoring it.
As he entered his room, he took off his clothes to the floor.
Without his knowledge Shou was squealing inside and closed his eyes with his ears and paws.
Stupid Kael! Why are you so shameless!
Shou peeked through his paws, his face flushed.
Nope. Nope. I can't… I shouldn't… but…
His eyes peeked again.
So big…
Shou squealed inwardly and hid in a corner, feeling embarrassed and shy of himself for peeking.
With the bathroom door closed, Shou finally can breathe freely again.
He really was not a pervert, Shou swore to himself. If a handsome and well built man unclothes themselves how could you stop yourself from looking, he reasoned himself.
With his eyes having a great treat and his stomach full, he hopped onto bed.
He yawned, pulled the blanket with his paws tucking himself in. It was time for a nap naturally.
Zzz…~
Kael finished his bath in minutes. He walked out in a bathrobe, but his eyes snapped to the bed, his eyebrows twitching seeing the rabbit actually sleep in such a comfortable position with the blanket even tucking in.
"Why are you sleeping like you had to work all morning…"
He grunted before going to bed himself for an afternoon nap.
Shou grumbled feeling his blanket being pulled. He pulled it back with his paws as if someone just disturbed him.
"This little shit…" Kael turned his head in disbelief feeling his blanket pulled away by the damn rabbit.
He swore this rabbit act like some spoiled human in rabbit skin at times.
He pulled the blanket back and then pulled Shou into his arms.
Shou gasped awake at the pull, now being pressed close to Kael's chest.
"You had your own bed there. Why are you sleeping here like this is your bed?" Kael muttered in dissatisfaction.
Nnhh…! Get off me…! Idiot Kael… idiot…
Shou tried to resist half-heartedly. He had a hard time admitting to himself that he did like this. Or rather, his heart felt a little reluctance to accept this warmth. At the same time he did want to accept this.
I can't escape….
Shou grumbled, saying it more as an excuse to stay there.
Hesitantly, he placed his paws on Kael's big hands. His heart calmed down, and slowly, he let himself fall into this warmth.
Kael noticed the rabbit finally stayed put. His paws seemingly held his own hands. He felt his heart melting feeling the soft touch, as if the rabbit actually liked him.
He didn't know having a pet felt like… having a little toddler brother. Maybe because he never received proper love or warmth from anyone, somehow the rabbit's presence made him feel a little at ease. That having such a little thing around made his heart feel better.
To give care to someone, it meant giving away a piece of your heart. But in return, you gained a sense of warmth that you would not get elsewhere. A warmth from another.
That was what made it precious.