NOVEL NEXT My father’s test
I hear a knock on the door as I wake up. Sylvia enters the room and bows at me.
“Mistress, the duke has arrived and requests your presence for a meal.”
“Oh? Sylvia, why has your way of addressing my father changed?
“As your item, I will not refer to the duke as master unless you order it mistress.”
Ah, a subtle show of loyalty. How interesting, I wonder what could have changed? Ah, my interest in my maid grows. Now, how about I push her a bit more from the current comfort zone.
“Sylvia, I have decided.”
I show her a full smile. I see her body shiver.
“From now on, you shall be by my side in the more salacious affairs that my father partakes in.”
Her eyes widen as she digests the meaning of that sentence.
“Do you understand?”
“I understand, mistress.”
“Good. Steel your heart and prepare yourself. Do remember, I dislike playing with dolls.”
She shows a slight frown with her determined eyes. Ah, I wonder how those will look like when she gets involved in father’s training. We arrive in the dining hall. Father and that woman were waiting for us.
“I am sorry if I am late, father.”
He does not answer as I sit down. Sylvia starts walking towards the other servants.
“Sylvia, where are you going? You are to stand right behind me.”
That elicited a response from my father. The game is afoot.
“Have you finally decided then? I heard that you have even given our family name to her. Is she worthy of it?”
“You were the one who deemed her worthy, father.”
“Her worth was of a guardian. One who only protects. Now that you have given her our name, she represents our family. So, is she worth it?”
I smile at my father. I see him visibly flinch. Oh my, even my own father flinches at my smile. I need to practice more.
“Of course, father. She is my wonderful tool. One that I will be using to the fullest from now on.”
“Then we shall see. I shall call for you later for the test.”
“I understand, father.”
Our family eats in total silence. Once someone eats, no one is allowed to speak until everyone is finished. You can only speak before or after the meal, not in between.
“I do have a request, father.”
My father looks at me and does not answer as he waits for me to continue.
“I would like to spend a night with her.”
I glanced at that woman and another surprised expression appears on my father’s face as well as her.
“Hmm? This is the first time you wanted to spend time with your mother. What brought this change?”
“School starts next week, I wanted to at least have a conversation with her before I go.”
“I see. Your mother was one of the best students during her time there. One that did not show the truth about her.”
My father looked at that woman as she evaded his gaze.
“You may have her tomorrow night. She will be busy tonight.”
“I understand, father.”
Tomorrow night, it is. With the meal finished, I attended my lessons. After a while, the head maid arrives.
“The master has requested for your presence, milady.”
I stand up and we follow the head maid. There is a dungeon underneath the estate. One that can be accessed through my father’s office. It is there that my father partakes in his clandestine activities. As we arrive, there is a man and a woman tied up. I could see my maid tense up as she already understands the meaning of the test. She was there when I had the first one after all. My father observes us as I walk towards my maid and I slap her.
“Who are you?”
I could see the quiver of her lips as she answers.
“I am your item, mistress.”
“Then, kill both of them.”
I stare at my maid’s eyes as she digests my words. Her eyes quiver, her hand shakes and her body shivers as I order her to commit a crime.
“I understand.”
She raises her arm and points at them. She hesitates and I smile.
“I ask you again, what are you?
Her voice quivers and a single tear flows from her eye.
“I am your tool, mistress.”
I remember that day. The day that I first met my maid. The day that my father made me choose a path that I wanted no part of and I said the two same words.
“Do it.”
With a flick of her wrist, my maid reaps the lives of two creatures and my father claps.
“Impressive. You have learned well.”
“I learned from you after all, father.”
“I did not expect for her to kill both. I did bring two to test you as well.”
“Oh? Why would I need such a test father? I have already used my tool to kill after all.”
“I suppose you are right. You do remember your mission in the school?
“Of course, father. I shall conquer the prince and make him support us in the future.”
“And if you fail?”
“Then I shall destroy him with everything I have.”
My father nods.
“Good. I am expecting a lot from you.”
“Of course, father. You have my word.”
“You are dismissed.”
My maid and I walk back to my room.
“You seem to have some questions for me, my maid?”
Her mouth opens but the words do not appear. After a few minutes, she speaks again.
“I do not have any questions.”
Ah, I have made a beautiful girl kill in my behalf. How wonderful. But I do so dislike playing with dolls. Now that my maid obeys me, how about I give her something to the contrary?
“I see. You must remember that you now represent the family. My reputation is already dreadful so I expect for you to not be the same.”
“Understood, mistress.”
I have more stuff planned for you, my maid. I have bound you in my chains before the main story. Will the protagonist break your chains or will your chains bind the protagonist as I travel towards my destined end. I do not mind being crushed by own chains after all. Ah, how exciting it is to be a villain.