Owned?

• Arius

After reaching the mansion the first thing I did was look for Caesar.

The maid told me he was in the back yard and I made my way there.

He was sitting there on the bench in the corner with his legs next to his c.h.e.s.t, his family sword in his hands.

I sighed, he still sits like that when he's depressed. 

I shook my head. 

He's just like a kid.

I walked up to him and he saw me immediately.

He stood up a bit confused and I walked till I stood directly in front of him.

I opened my mouth to say something but stopped.

Honestly, I won't deny I myself had no idea what to say, so I sat down on the bench and looked at him, "Sit."

He did as he was told but just looked at the ground.

Neither of us knew what to say and for a while we just sat there in complete silence. The wind blew every now and then but it didn't make the awkwardness between us go away.

"I'm sorry." Caesar was the first one to speak.

"It wasn't your fault." I replied immediately.

"It was. I could have gone to his room faster."

"Shut up Caesar. We both know that's not the case." I told him, "And stop looking at the grass, there's nothing there. Look at me."

He sighed and raised his head to face me, "The grass is very green."

His remark made both of us laugh.

"Look." I started, "It's gone. The incident had ended and we both are the ones hurt from it the most."

"I-"

"Don't." I said sternly, "I know you did your best and that there was no possible way you could have done better. Don't blame yourself."

"You don't blame me?" I shook my head at his question.

"I know you. And how could I blame you when you did nothing wrong? On the other hand, I'm going to praise you."

"Praise me? For what?"

"For keeping the other intruder alive."

"Did you get something from him?"

I nodded, "I found out that the first assassin was hired under my name."

His reaction was the same as mine. He was confused at first, then it hit him.

"There is a traitor among us?"

I nodded, "Not here though."

"Then?"

"Lorelai." I licked my lips, "According to that assassin the mayor sent the message under my name. The message stated that I wanted to get rid of all my slaves without any fuss. These two f.u.c.k.i.n.g retard thought I changed my mind and decided to kill the asassin to keep my slaves."

"Was your seal used?"

I nodded, "The skull spiders can only be reached through a letter or direct meeting. Last time I did notice the lock was tampered with but I didn't get the time to investigate. Nothing of major importance regarding the seal happened so I decided to let it slide, until now." I slumped back and stretched my legs out, "And I'm going to kill that bastard Ryan."

"That could mean war."

"I don't care." I closed my eyes, "I gave him a chance last time. I've let things slide up until now but this time. The act is unforgivable."

"Okay." I could tell Caesar had already started preparing himself, "Arius?" He called my name.

"Hmm?"

"Azalea must have told you about Huang-fei's last wish but there was something else too." My eyebrows twitched, "It's about Ayaan." I opened my eyes and sat up straight to look at him.

"What about him?"

"Arius, Ayaan doesn't belong here. Out of all of us, he's the only one who isn't linked to any mafian background, just misfortune." His words made perfect sense. All of us who were present here belonged to this environment, we have a history with it, except Ayaan. He and Maria and their family were unfortunately dragged in it.

"You're right."

"Not just Huang-fei but Maria wanted that too. For Ayaan to live a normal life and Ayaan himself wanted to be a proper muslim but he will never be able to do that-"

"If he lives here." I finished his sentence. I knew it far too well that he won't be living the life he wants if he stays here. He's a good kid, he believes in the good of the world and even though so much has happened, he still believes in God.

"We should at least let Ayaan go, for himself and the muslims who helped us on the way back here when we were kids."

I smiled listening to him. The three muslims who helped us get back home were similar to Ayaan. They wanted to pursue their religion in peace but the world didn't let them, "I'll talk to him about this after I'm done dealing with the traitor and the skull spiders."

"You're going to the skull spiders?"

"I have to." I looked him in the eyes, "If I don't we will be the ones facing heavy casualties. After all we killed two of their members and have one hostage."

"Alone?"

I nodded, "They don't welcome visitors."

"It's too risky. Let me come with you."

"No." I took a deep breath, "You'll come with me to Lorelai but to the Sephra mountain where they live, I'll go alone."

"Arius!"

"No." I stood up, "It's the only way."

"They will kill you!" He stood up and walked in front of me.

"They might!" I said, "But they might not if I can negotiate."

'Arius no!! I'll go in your place." He was dead serious.

"Caesar-" I shook my head, "It has to be me."

"Fight me." He suddenly proposed, "If you win, I'll let you go."

I looked at him with an 'you doing this on purpose' expression, "No. I'm not fighting you."

"Then I'm going with you."

"This is not fair!"

"You're the boss Arius! We can't lose you!"

"I'm the boss! That's exactly why I have to go alone! They will listen to me like that."

"You'll only be allowed to go alone if you win against me."

"Why are you acting like my mother!?" At this point we were arguing like kids, "And you've only asked me to fight you because I've never won against you!"

"Well! If you're that stern on going alone then you should win against me."

"Fine then!" It was actually a good way to take out out frustration too, 

"Let's do this!"