Shou had to learn various tricks and was forced to watch Kael do different gestures like a clown.
It was embarrassing…
But still, a part of him felt it was fun. Maybe their interaction was one-sided, maybe Shou cannot express his feelings properly; but Kael's presence, another human communicating with him felt welcoming.
Though a part of him hesitated to accept this company, this presence, knowing this person held his freedom hostage. He didn't want to feel good about him, and yet Shou still did. It was a complicated feeling, hard to describe.
But for this moment, Shou didn't think too much.
Kael rolled on the carpet, mimicking rabbit ears with his hands on his head trying to make Shou understand what gesture to do.
Shou laughed a little, a gesture he hadn't made recently seeing Kael acting like this.
It was fun… really. It took away the heaviness in his heart temporarily.
Mary was outside the door carrying a bowl with pieces of carrots in them. She heard Kael's commands and chatter inside.
The rustling, the jumps, how he kept saying 'shake', 'roll' 'stand' and talking to the rabbit; the amusement in his voice was not hidden at all.
Mary felt like crying. It seemed Young Master really must have felt suffocated all this time due to pressure from his father and now he already started talking to a rabbit out of all things, she thought.
Knock, knock. "Young Master, I bring the carrots."
Kael, who was acting like another rabbit at this point, was struck silly by the knocking. His cheeks turned flushed from cringe and embarrassment now that he was self aware of how ridiculous it would look from another perspective. Thankfully no one saw.
Oh, well, Shou saw it all.
Kael composed himself, his expression nonchalant as he stood up straight. "Come in."
Mary brought the carrots in and handed the bowl to him. "Another matter. Today's training will be as per usual."
"What? But it had been only a few hours since we returned…" Kael's eyebrows furrowing. But he knew complaining was the last thing he could do. Mary didn't reply and just waited for the acknowledgement.
"I will be there on time." His voice turned a little dull, as if the rest and little fun he found was sucked away in an instant.
Mary nodded and left them alone.
Kael took a deep breath slowly, and let it all out. He looked at the clock, having only 42 minutes of rest left before his life would return to its usual routine.
"Eat…" Kael placed the bowl on the floor, patting the rabbit's head before sitting on the bed, preparing himself mentally. The feeling of pressure and responsibility were almost forgotten due to his weeks of trip out in the wilderness. He remembered the life he had as the heir of Ashborne, with expectations and future burdens.
Calculating the time, there should be another week or so before the final semester starts. He couldn't disappoint his father, and in his heart, he would do his utmost.
Kael put aside the rabbit and other unnecessary thoughts, went to sit crossed legged on the leg. His hands sat on his laps as he closed his eyes as if meditating.
Shou ate with relish, munching on the carrots and occasionally glancing at Kael to understand what he was doing.
Kael took slow deep breaths, the air entered his lungs and down his abdomen. He held it only for a moment before letting go.
The rabbit's ears turned back, feeling some familiar energy around Kael.
Is he meditating? Why?
Shou munched the carrots with speed, and having finished his dinner he hopped onto the bed and moved a few steps closer to observe. Kael noticed the movement, he glanced at the rabbit for a second, then closed his eyes back.
Hm… this feeling… is it the magical element?
Shou felt it's close to the feeling when he was trying to use magic. Although he ended up being a lightbulb.
Maybe meditation helps in using magic?
Shou sat quietly next to Kael. He wanted to give this a try, but thinking again, he might glow like a lightbulb again so he decided to do it later when he was alone.
Not wanting to disturb him, Shou hopped down the bed. But as soon as he did, Kael opened his eyes, sensing the rabbit left.
"Come back here." He stopped meditating and grabbed Shou with his arms and placed him right on his lap.
"Stay put." He commanded before closing his eyes to continue. He found having the rabbit being near somehow helped him to focus and to feel at ease.
Shou pouted inwardly. Hey, you think I have nothing better to do? He grumbled. His paws and feet moved around a little trying to get to a more comfortable position.
But the feeling of fabric with soft flesh underneath made Shou blushed inside. Only now he was self-conscious over the fact that he was sitting on this man's crotch.
Oh… oh I am a rabbit. I am a rabbit. I cannot think like a human…
Shou closed his eyes with his ears, trying to forget how awkward and embarrassed he felt right now.
Don't think. Don't think…
Shou stayed put, afraid of moving and made it weirder for himself. He just closed his eyes to find some space for a nap. This man was warm, like a heater and it was comfortable.
With passing minutes, the sense of awkwardness dissolved. But with nothing around to distract him, the heaviness that had been there began to surface.
Memories of his past life… his home. His situation of being captured and now made a pet.
It wasn't easy. He wondered what would happen to him. If his life was fated to be like this…
Slowly, he turned his body and head to look up at the man. Seeing him more clearly than before, observing his features as if considering some things.
Sharp masculine features, long eyelashes, his lips tinted healthy pink. Stubbles visible under his chin.
His scent was nice too, now that Shou observed carefully. It was… closer to that of sandalwood.
Shou turned his eyes away, then turned to gaze through the glass door behind the balcony. The blue skies, the clouds, the grasses on the lawn. But further there was no longer the grassland he knew. It was a town, filled with tall buildings, caravans moving here and about, and people of thousands.
Even the idea of escape… felt so senseless.
Where do I go… I don't have a home…
His eyes turned downward, recalling his kin. Even if he did escape, ending up in the wilderness once more… he already lost his family.
So what was the point…
The sense of frustration and sadness enveloped him. He closed his eyes, tears brimming in them.
While he was consumed by thoughts, a gentle warmth slid across his back.
Huh…?
Shou turned to look, seeing Kael's hand mindlessly petting him. He wanted to pull away… but… this warmth felt so needed.
He closed his eyes with his ears, silently sobbing. The tears soaking his fur, not falling anywhere.
Kael noticed the rabbit under his touch seemed to be vibrating. Can a rabbit purr? He patted the rabbit gently, unaware of the turmoil inside him.
The minutes passed by as the man and rabbit sat there. Just then, a knock sounded on the door.
"Young Master. It's time." Mary reminded him in time.
"Hm." He replied with a sound. He put the rabbit to his side and stood up. He stretched left and right and stepped towards the door. Just before he left, he glanced at the rabbit on his bed.
The rabbit was just staring at him.
Kael thought of something then opened the door. He spoke to Mary standing at the side.
"Walk the rabbit outside while I train." Kael was afraid the rabbit would have 'accidents' and dirty his room. But he couldn't let the rabbit run around in the hallway either. As for caging it, a part of him felt bad. He was not a fan of such treatment.
"Yes, Young Master." Mary just nodded and went in to pick the rabbit up, following Kael from behind as they headed to the training ground outside.
Shou was wondering where they were taking him, but then a flicker of expectation rose as they went out of the mansion through the backdoor. Seeing the sky, smelling the scent of grasses again filled him with the sense of freedom he once had.
Mary held the rabbit in her arms, while Shou looked around curiously. There were dummies made of straws, some wood, and one of them made of a metal. They stood with spaces in between amidst the vast field.
At the center of the field, a tall man with a fierce face stood with a wooden sword in his hand.
Kael took a deep breath, before picking up a wooden sword from the rack just sitting there. He felt the sword in his hand, adjusting his grip and posture before walking towards his father. His expression turned serious as he readied himself.
"Come." Duke Rheon said coldly.
"Haah!" Kael lunged forward with his sword, attempting a decisive strike. But his father casually swung his own sword, deflecting them sideways easily. And right after, a cold kick delivered right to his side.
It felt like a truck hit his side, pain spread from his ribs to his chest as he was flung aside.
Kael coughed a few times, his breathing irregular from the pain. And yet he didn't complain. He stood up using his sword as a stand, once more taking another stance in front of his father.
"..." Duke Rheon's expression remained cold. His lips seemed to part for a second, as if wanting to say something but decided not to for now.
"Again." Rheon said coldly.
Kael lunged forward again and again. The sound of woods clashing filled the field.
Shou looked from a distance, questions and awe filled his heart seeing the clashing swords. The next scene made his eyes widened more.
"Use your mana." Rheon commanded.
Kael didn't say a word, only the grip on the hilt became firmer. Steady flow of energy channeled from inside of his body, visibly coating the blade in clear blue light.
Rheon's own sword was coated in the same way with the energy called mana.
The clashes continued once more. But it was apparent Kael was constantly beaten, almost one-sidedly. They didn't stop. Each time Kael fell, even when his blade was knocked away from his hands, Rheon only muttered one cold word.
"Again."
At first Shou felt awe and amazement at the display of strength, how each of the sword's swings would cause a wave of wind and the grasses to flutter.
But over time, he couldn't help but feel worried for Kael.
His body was covered with sweat. His hands were shaky, his body bruised from different hits he received. It was superficial at most, but the pain was still apparent from his expression.
After close to an hour, Rheon let out a low breath.
"Enough." Rheon put down his sword, signalling the end of the training.
Kael's arms lost its strength, the sword pierced into the ground as he finally got some rest.
"Kael." Rheon called out, his cold gaze didn't show much emotions. Hearing the call, Kael turned his gaze to his father, feeling a little anxious over his judgment.
"In the 3 weeks you experience the wilderness, tell me… did you stop training?"
Kael didn't expect the question, his mind quickly recalled the respite he had for a while then.
"I… I was focusing on the tasks you gave… father…" He did not dare to look at his father's eyes, feeling a surge of guilt.
Rheon's grey eyes slightly turned colder. But he didn't scold nor criticize it. It was clear Kael hadn't been keeping up his shape, treating his order to go out as a vacation of sorts. Even the report he handed over was, in Rheon's view, disappointing.
"Our family holds control over more than 30,000 soldiers, spread across the Kingdom, each carrying their duty and responsibility to keep peace, to hunt down beasts across lands and bring back resources. Each of them contribute to our family's current status and prosperity."
Rheon's gaze turned colder as he muttered next words.
"Our family had always looked for the strongest to lead since its founding. Only with strength can you be respected. Only if you have the strength, will they listen and respect your position."
"My brothers, your cousins, are all looking for a way to undermine me and you. If you cannot hold your ground after you come of age… you know the consequences."
"I had told you this since you were still a child. And yet, my words seemed to have not been drilled into your skull." Rheon said it coldly, laced with disappointment.
"Do not embarrass me…" Rheon turned away after adding another sentence.
Hearing his father's words, Kael only felt the burden in his chest become increasingly heavy. It was obvious he had disappointed him again. He understood the words his father spoke of at times but… he had not taken his father's words seriously.
Once he reached 21, he had to stand his own ground among the Ashborne's family members - dueling with those that had qualifications to be the family head among many others in the family to inherit the title of true heir.
I won't disappoint you… father.
Kael looked at his father's departing back. Guilt made him take up his sword once more, swinging it again and again. Realising the little time he had left before the day came, the reality of consequences stirred him awake.
Shou couldn't understand their conversation. However, he felt bad for Kael.
Even when he was tired, his hands never stopped moving, swinging the sword against the wind, at times towards the dummy.
"Lord Kael needs to be strong, otherwise he will lose his title. It's tradition." Mary suddenly muttered for the rabbit to hear. Maybe because she too, empathised towards Kael that she said it to the rabbit just to vent her own thoughts. Not that the rabbit can understand.
Shou turned his gaze back to Kael, wondering how much burden was carried by the man.