魔术师奥芬小说节选（Majutsushi Orphen／Sorcerous Stabber Orphen／魔术师欧菲）

　　3月16日，我曾经写了一篇“魔幻的旅程”，介绍我未下载完但是情节非常之精彩的动画。经查，发现这部动画该篇自日本轻小说《魔术师欧菲》，该小说自1994年开始连载，现在已经出到20卷，ms还未连载完毕。小说作者是秋田祯信，插画是草河游也，后拍成TV，曾于2001年6月24日于香港无线电视播出，译名为"魔法少年"，在台湾播出时则译名为魔术士欧菲，中国大陆是否播放未知。这部动画在日本很热，但是国内却反响soso，原因如我所说当时internet还不普及，如果放到今天必定火。一时兴起，就找找了小说，博客来书籍馆有的卖，每本书的原价100台币，现价95台币，也就25人民币，很便宜。但要在sina买的话竟然要200人民币一本，20本一系列买下来要4000块，抢钱啊~~~~太黑了！！！
　　网上关于这本小说的共享几乎没有，要有也是VIP制的，辛苦了半天找下来就找到几个片断，便放上来看看作者的文字是否pl，看中文的觉得非常得白，和《全金属狂潮》的白有得拼。

在一个月亮被云所覆盖，没有一丝光线的夜晚。
一名老婆婆，在这个深夜的住宅街里自言自语、来回走去。
「喔——喔喔喔——喔——」
老太婆所穿着的破烂灰──不，穿着以抹布来形容还比较贴切的灰色长袍，彷佛是为她量身订作似的，覆盖着瘦骨如材的身子。
「怎么会有这种事‥怎么会有这种事情呢？不吉利啊，这阵风太不吉利了啊！」
已不知十几年没有剪的白发，长长的──因为老太婆的身高，以及已经有点驼背的关系而拖到了地上。
比起无生气的灰袍及白发，老太婆满是皱纹的脸似乎仍充满生气，但现在则因极度的恐怖而扭曲变形。
「是恶魔——是恶魔要复活的前兆啊——」
「喵－。」
回答的，是一只躺在附近的栅栏上睡觉的猫。
老太婆将目光转向猫身上。
直到猫逃到另一边的栅栏后，才将视线转回原来所注视的──地面上。
「我必须——对——！必须找出能与恶魔相衡的、强力的战士们才行——」
说完，老太婆止住脚步，将两腕高举咆哮。
「而那些人必须是人类中最强的人类才行！！」
轰－－－－－－－！！！
说完，突然雷光一闪。
在雷光中,老太婆更提高了音调,继续喊叫。
「为了拯救世界！我需要勇者啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！！！」
「哭么啊啊啊！！」
与叫骂声同时，「哗啦」的一声，忽然将老太婆泼的一身湿。
而水桶，虽然慢了一拍，但也准确地打中了老太婆的后脑勺。
「你以为现在几点啊！」
啪!!
附近的二楼人家，用力的将窗户关上。
当晚，唯一知道世界即将陷入危机的，只有老太婆一个人——

不管世界是否即将陷入危机，无聊的人依然很无聊。
「好无聊啊——」
在不变的宿屋，不变的餐厅里，正有一个女子无力地趴在餐桌上。
而欧菲正注视着这位女子。
欧菲是个黑发、黑眼、甚至连黑短榇上的皮外套也穿黑的，年纪约二十岁的男子。虽然并非有什么特别的涵义或嗜好而穿着黑装，但对魔术士来说，这就有如是一种义务。
而挂在胸前的，银制的－缠在剑上的独脚龙之项链，正是证明在大陆黑魔术的最高峰《牙之塔》就学过的证据。
而女子则理所当然地穿着女子用蓝色长衣，以一副疲惫的表情趴在桌上诉苦。
「我差不多该回宿舍了，如果你要送我我倒是不反对喔－。」
被这么一说欧菲抬头看了一下墙上的时钟，此时时针正指着十一点的位子。
「我可没有那个美国时间。」
说完，欧菲闭上单眼检查向宿屋老板借的螺丝起子前端，虽然已有相当的历史了却还相当耐用。
之后，从堆在桌上的木片及螺丝等物品中找出所要的零件。
「这个工作，我得赶在明天早上交差呢。」
欧菲淡淡地回答后，将如拳头般大的橡皮球固定在一个如折迭式阶梯的东西前端上。
一会儿，女子－珂思坦斯．玛琪突然将脸抬起，看着欧菲手中的不明物体，以充满疑惑的表情开口询问。
「你从刚刚开始一直在干什么啊？」
「副业。」
欧菲简单的回答后，将锁有橡胶球的物品轻轻挥了一下后，感到重量不平衡，便再从零件堆中找出可以调节的物品。
珂思坦斯边戳着放置在桌子边缘处的－如巨大洗衣夹的物品，同时将欧菲所回答的话重复说了一次。
「副业？」
「没错。」
说完，便在物品的把手上添了点重量，这次似乎就平衡多了。
「制作无能部下殴打器・炸弹小弟七号。」
「无能？」
彷佛听到什么不该厅的，她摆出怪异的表情，停下原本戳着的巨大洗衣夹的手指。
「那这个呢？」
「那个是无能部下夹夹器・炸弹小弟六号。」
在一段不算短的沉默之后，接下来她又发现一个，埋在零件堆中，有如手动钻木器的改造品。
「这个呢？」
「无能部下钻孔器・炸弹小弟四号。」
「..。」
「炸弹小弟系列可是我的得意作，共有七种造型，它可以在不让无能部下受伤的情况下让她生不如死！真是梦寐以求的刑具！只要再涂上七彩色就大公告成了！！」
「喂、欧菲。」
以发抖的的声音及半边抽处的笑脸，珂思坦斯开了口。
「能不能告诉我，这些东西？是谁拜托你做的？」
「你想知道？不用急啦，反正当妳下次任务失败时就会知道是谁了，差不在明后天吧。」
「住手！千万不可以把这些东西给那个变态部长！」
珂思坦斯站了起来，紧张的喊叫。
「光他最近拿的那个叫什么『下巴碎碎乐』的，就已经够烦人的了你知不知道!!」
「其实那也是我给他提示的。」
「你干嘛要干这种事啊!!」
「问题是这个小弟一号，虽然我称它为『无能部下强迫中奖染发器』，但却不知道无能部下最讨厌的颜色是什么。」
「听人家讲话呀！」
「算了，反正只要用辣椒酱代替染剂，改成『无能部下啊啊被这样子玩弄我的奇檬子会有一点点非常BULE（郁卒之意）器』就好了。」
「这样子你很快乐吗!!?」
突然－
「等一下！」
欧菲将炸弹小第七号丢在地上站了起来。
「那是我要说的话！」
无视于珂思坦斯的抱怨，欧菲望了望周围，再度开口－
「妳不觉得附近好像忽然变亮了吗？」
「啊？」
原本只点了一盏瓦斯灯的餐厅里应该是相当地暗的，但现在却不知为什么有着不输白天的光亮从窗口外流进来。
「这难道是——」
欧菲紧紧地握住拳头。
「是在暗示炸弹小弟系列光辉的未来吗？」
「以我人格担保绝对不可能。」
冷冷的回答后，珂思坦斯以小跑步的方式跑到窗口去探查究竟。
「什——什么东东啊？」
珂思坦斯摆出有如见鬼似的表情叫道。
跟着，欧菲也走向窗边看。
「啥？」
翘起单边的眉毛，欧菲愣住了。
从窗口望出去就是后住宅街，其实虽然叫「住宅街」，但也没那么宽，只是也不会太小，用「巷」来形容刚刚好。
而在这条不算大的街中，第一个映入欧菲眼中的是－－
一个在无数的火光中，跳着奇异舞蹈的老太婆。

「恶魔啊恶魔！恶魔要降临了！！」
在橘红色的火光中，老太婆正疯狂似地跳舞着。
陈列在道路两旁的火台，虽然不知道老太婆是用什么办法调来的，但大量的火焰，将住宅街照的有如白天似的。
「恶魔来了！恶魔来了！恶魔来了刷锅子！！」
静静地－－只是静静地，欧菲站在宿屋外，差着两手，只是静静地看着。但他的眉头却已难以形容的样子皱在一起。
欧菲慢慢地将头转向站在身旁的珂思坦斯，以极小的声音开口。
「你不觉得——最好不要和这种人扯上关系吗？」
「其实我正打从心底这么认为。」
"嗯嗯"地，欧菲点头表示赞同后，立刻转身拍了拍珂思坦斯的肩膀，说道
「那就回家吧，我得赶快调整好六号的威力呢。」
「我到希望你能立刻罢手‥。」
毫不考虑地回答后，珂思坦斯沉思了一下。
「再等一下好了，我想看看他到底想干什么。」
心里想也好，欧菲就也站在原地不动了。
「喔喔！恶魔要来了！恶魔要来了！嘿喝、呦喝、呀呵呵！」
看到不知不觉间，从祈祷之舞变成了奇异之舞的欧菲，将食指压在眉间，摆出一附按耐不住的表情。
「喂——。」
看到这里，珂思坦斯也摆出了表示同意的表情。
「不管怎么说，在路中央营火都是被禁止的。」
「我觉得那种舞蹈才是该被禁止的吧？」
深呼吸一口气后，珂思坦斯抬头挺胸地大步走向老太婆身边。
「喂！老婆婆！！」
面对边喊叫、边把食指指向自己的珂思坦斯，老婆婆立刻反应将头转向。只是头转归转，下半身却完全没有要停止的迹象，看起来反而比刚才还要恶心了。
「呜——」
被老婆婆的样子吓着，珂思坦斯停下了脚步，转向欧菲的方向。
「——怎么办？」
「还问我怎么办？你好歹『名义』上也算是个警官吧？」
「说的也是。」
「你不懂回嘴吗？」
「那要怎么办？」
「所以说－－－你应该要去检举人家吧？快去快去！」
「呜~~」
珂思坦斯一附不甘愿（这也没办法）的样子，再度转回老太婆的方向，整顿一下呼吸，正准备开口时－－－
被老太婆抢先了。
「嗯！？你们是！！？」
到了这里，老太婆还是不打算停止舞蹈，只将颈部以上的部位转向这边，发出了要是半夜听到可能就不敢一个人上厕所的声音。
接下来，他还是死也不大算停止似的，发出怪异的脚步声前进。
老太婆边走边喊叫。
「我的眼光不会错，就是你！你们就是异世界来的勇者！！」
「啥？」
欧菲及珂思坦斯两人呆了一下后，看了看周围，然后同时指着自己的下巴。
「你说我吗？」
「不会是我吧？」
同时地回答。
「嗯！」
此时，老太婆已走到身边，舞蹈也好不容易停止了。取而代之的（是不是就不知道了。），是从长袍下伸出，只有皮包骨、摆着握拳姿势的双手。
「没有错，你们是被我的祈祷之舞从异世界招唤过来、为了消灭邪恶的勇者！」
「——」
经过短暂的沉默。
欧菲有如忽然惊醒似地，错愕地看着自己的双手。
「你说什么！？我是异世界的勇者！？」
「不会吧——欧菲你——」
脸色发白－－顺便用以彷佛在看着坏掉的玩具的眼神，珂思坦斯小声的说。
欧菲立刻「嘘－－－」地，制止了珂思坦斯，并也小声的回答。
「我现在想办法应付这个老太婆，你赶快去那边的医院叫医生过来。」
「了解。」
珂思坦斯以再认真不过的语气回答。
「给我站住！！」
老太婆冷冷地叫道。
「看你的样子，一定是把我当成一边疯言疯语，一边在路上徘徊，看起来给他很危险又给人添麻烦的美丽女子是不是！？」
「喔喔！！」
欧菲面带恐慌地向后退了几步。
「如果妳是指一边疯言疯语，一边在路上徘徊，看起来给他很危险又给人添麻烦的死老太婆的话，可就对80%了。」
「我想——婆婆的意思是想说『我不是』吧...」
这句话是珂思坦斯。
接着，老太婆把手指向珂思坦斯。
「你说的没错！」
「哪里没错。」
看了看周围正烧的高兴的火炬，欧菲面有难色地回答。
「没事点这么多火把干嘛？小心被巡逻的人抓去围殴我告诉妳，看妳的样子也没有准备灭火用的水嘛。」
「有谁会在招唤异世界的战士时准备那种东西的！」
老太婆激动地说到了喷出了口水。
边躲着飞来的口水，欧菲不自觉地询问了老太婆一下。
「所以说，你从刚才一直说到现在的战士是什么碗糕啦？」
刚说完，欧菲就后悔自己所问的问题。
但已太迟了。老太婆一附就是在等你问的表情，在满是皱折的脸上浮出了一丝笑容。
「这说来话长——」
说着，老太婆抬头望着无际的星空。
「虽然现在看不到，到昨天为止，那个位置有原本一颗凶星的，但今早却消失了。于是我察觉到凶星的异常——」
「我赌还会自言自语20分钟两个铜币。」
「我赌17分钟。」
「谁叫你赌博的啊啊啊啊！！」
老太婆尽全力地大叫。
欧菲把拿出来的铜币收回口袋里，厌烦地看着老太婆。
「就算妳这么说，妳也要考虑我们这些被强迫听一些不想厅的话的人的心情吧？就算赌一下也不会怎么样吧？只要在这里赚个两枚铜币，那我明天可以饱餐一顿的梦想就可以实现了。」
「你——你的梦想到底——。」
珂思坦斯露出同情的眼神看着欧菲。
「现在的年轻人真是——。」
老太婆喘着气说着。接着，等到将呼吸调整好之后，才再度开口。
「简单的说，早一步得知恶魔要复活的我，正在找寻可以抵抗它的战士。」
「果然该送医院嘛。」
「为什么！！我既不是错乱也没有痴呆！」
「大家都这样讲啦。来来，让我背妳去。」
「呜~~没想到会被异世界的勇者背去医院。」
「对了，老婆婆。」
在离很远的地方(因为逃跑了)，柯思坦斯充满疑惑地问着。
「为什么我们会是异世界的勇者？」
「那还用说吗！」
老太婆得意地挺起胸膛，指着最近的火把。
「看到如此神圣的仪式而靠过来的人，不是异世界的勇者会是什么？」
「嗯~~~~~。」
欧菲和柯思坦斯两人一同发出疑惑的呻吟声，一同交叉着手。
「既无法反驳也无法同意。」
「说的也是，看到刚才的舞蹈还敢靠过来看的人，在这世界里的确不存在。」
「嗯、嗯、知道就好。那么异世界的勇者们啊，集合到我身边来，一同前往讨伐恶魔‥」
老太婆的话到此就止住了。
彷佛是按下了暂停开关似的，老太婆僵住全身一动也不动。
「——」
欧菲大概也察觉到了，便转身向后看。结果，不知何时，身后站着多到可以把整条巷子堵住的一大群男人。
这群人年龄从十到三十岁不等，是那种到处的看的到的，非常平凡的男人们。只是大家在左臂上都挂着写着相同字样的臂章。
『第四十八町会青年团』
然后，站在前头的男子，则是拿着在文具店就买的到的，大大地记着『防灾活动强化周』字样的便宜旗子。
「是你吗？在巷子中营火的人。」
「啊——那个——是因为——。」
这时，欧菲和珂思坦斯两人早已躲到路边看戏。只留下老太婆一个人，不知所措地看着青年团和欧菲。
比起来，青年团的却非常地冷静，‥‥冷静地压抑着愤怒的拳头。
「虽然我们每天都拖着疲惫的身子在镇上巡逻，这么壮观的火台数还是第一次看到。」
全员一起”嗯嗯”地点头。
欧非也一起”嗯嗯”地点头。接着珂思坦斯也慢一拍地点头。
只有老太婆一个人，慢慢地向火台的方向后退，结果反而更引起了青年团的注意。
分不出是倒影还是愤怒，总之青年团每个人的眼睛里都冒出了火焰。
「每天被老妈强迫，心不甘情不愿的巡逻本来到今天就结束了。只要不发生任何意外的话。」
虽然魔术士们没有特别信仰的神，但欧菲仍在胸前划了道十字。珂思坦斯则是静静地闭上眼。
老太婆被青年团包围，虽曾一时僵硬，但立刻就回神了。
接着，老太婆冒着汗，颤抖地说:
「没‥没想到异世界的勇者竟然有这么多人。」
「你这死老太婆在装什么傻！！！」

「到头来那个恶魔指的是什么啊？」
在青年团放了老太婆(很可惜的，没有被围殴)，将所有火台撤走后─
欧菲们回到了往常的宿屋，只是多带了一位老太婆。之所以没有带去医院的原因，是因为这老太婆似乎没有参加全民健保。
餐桌仍和离开时一样散放着炸弹小弟及其它工具。欧菲边整理手边的零件，边等待老太婆的回答。
「嗯。」
由于身高不够，坐在儿童用辅助椅上再加上正座的姿势，好不容易才和桌子平高的老太婆。将眉头皱着，用那皮包骨的胸部深深地探了一口气。
「这件事说来话长——」
「对了珂琪，听说你家是三姊妹呀？」
「嗯。是奇斯告诉你的吗？」
「你们到底有没有要听的意思啊啊！！」
面对老太婆的抗议，欧非也不甘示弱的抵回去。
「如果你能精简的讲，我倒是会听一下。」
「真是的，最近的年轻人一点礼貌也不懂‥‥」
老太婆将嘴嘟起，开始碎碎念起来。
「说到我们年轻时，每个人都敬老尊贤，遵从老人说的话。那都是因为我们知道老一辈的人所说的话拥有他一定的价值。看来这国家果然是从年轻人开始灭亡。」
边听着老婆婆的话──不，边置若罔闻着老太婆话的，欧菲以凉爽的表情，拿起摆在桌缘的一个工具。
「那我们就来试试看是谁先灭亡吧。」
「其实我正也觉得精简一点比较好，嗯。」
老婆婆被欧菲这么一说(其实是因为看到了欧菲手上拿的线锯)，便立刻老实地改口了。
「总而言之呢，那是个很可怕的恶魔。」
「有多可怕？」
面对珂思坦斯的疑问，老婆婆”嗯”一声后，再度回答
「嗯，就是非常的可怕。」
哎----------------------。
欧菲深深的叹了一口气后站了起来，并将炸弹小弟放在桌上，接着，欧菲很快的绕到老太婆的身后──
把线锯架在那细细的脖子上。
「随着我的不爽指数增加一级，我就拉一次锯子。」
「其实我也认为差不多是该进入核心的时候了。」
老太婆在椅子上摆出立正的姿势后，订下了断言。
「也就是说呢‥」
「嗯、嗯。」
珂斯坦思将上半身趴在桌上，一副就好像是小孩子要听老人说故事的样子，而老太婆也摆出了一副正经八百的样子说：
「是个非─────────常非常可怕的恶魔。」
「如果妳不想要脖子我是不介意啦——！」
「不是啦！我的意思是说─」
老太婆紧张地抓住架在自己脖子上的，欧菲拿着锯子的手大叫。
「其实我自己也不清楚，毕竟他又还没复活啊！」
「复活呀！」
欧菲离开老太婆，随手将线锯往桌上一丢，看着天花板，开始整理脑中的记
忆。
「复活的恶魔‥恶魔‥‥实在没啥印象耶。」
「不，一定有，那个在历史上被称之为是恶魔的男人‥」
「恶魔──」
欧菲脸色乎作大变。
「是恶魔的王子吗？」
「虾米碗糕？」
珂琪将两手交叉顶住下巴，以一点紧张的感觉都没有的声音响应。
欧菲将视线移往珂琪的方向回答：
「在过去的某王室中的一个具有强大魔力的疯狂王子，修其欧埃拉王子，听说他是个狂热的魔王崇仰主义者。」
「这么一说我好像在历史课中有上过。」
珂琪仍然以无忧无虑的声音回答，欧菲则将疑惑的视线转回两手颤抖个不停的老太婆身上。
「——你、你这个异世界的战士竟然那么博学多闻‥。」
「你能不能不要再提起异世界的事啊？」
欧菲被老太婆这么一搞，原本严肃的表情都散了。
「他后来被贵族联盟给暗杀了，结果这件事就成了贵族内革命的发起原因。」
「对、对，就是那个恶魔要复活了。」
老太婆以低沉的声音呻吟。
欧菲却只是呆呆的站着，接着吐出一口气，用半眼瞪着老太婆。
「喂，死老太婆。」
「什么事？」
「死掉的人怎么可能会复活。」
「欧菲你说什么！？」
“磅”的一声，珂琪用力以两手拍打桌子并站了起来，握紧大声抗议:
「难道你还不相信真的有死后的世界吗！？既然如此我就让你听听我娘家的七夜怪谈第二话！『高兴地看着镜子而发抖的白色小手」喔！」
「妳家是怪奇博物馆啊！是不是你们家以前干过什么坏事呀！？」
「不要找借口了！虽然在帮我爸扮丧事时，的确是有小孩子向棺材丢泥巴，在树后面还有人高兴的偷笑！」
「耶！话题好像被妳扯远了。」
老太婆畏畏缩缩地打断两人的话，欧菲回以严厉的眼神:
「这还不都是妳讲话速度太慢！结果到底怎么啊！既然妳说恶魔的王子要复活了，就一定有会让你如此认为的证据吧！？」
「嗯，这件事说来话─」
叩咚。
看到欧菲默默的举起椅子，老太婆赶紧再度转头改口:
「─短是人类应有的美德，也就是说，起因是‥」
就在此时，”乓------------!!”地，伴随着玻璃破碎的清澈响声，一颗石头飞了进来。
「搞什么!?」
穿破玻璃窗飞进来的石头，在空中画出一条优美的拋物线后，掉在离地板一公尺高的地方停住───也就是浮在半空中，没有落地。
「老太婆!!」
欧菲以疑问的语气向老太婆叫道，但老太婆只是惊愕地张大着眼，身体不由自主地颤抖。
「这、这是——！」
彷佛对声音起了反应一般，石头开始变形。
伴随着轻微的震动，渐渐地膨胀‥‥‥
不到一会儿的时间，石头───变成了木头人。
「——」
在沉默了一段时间后，珂斯坦思歪着头想了一下。
「为什么会变成木头呢」
「老婆婆？」
听到欧菲的疑问，老婆婆高兴地留下感动的眼泪。
「嗯嗯当主角即将说出令人震惊之事实时所出现的刺客一号！真是王道呀王道。」
「存在的减算吗？」
先姑且无视老婆婆的反应，欧菲小声地自言自语，无意间听到的珂斯坦思，立刻问起了欧菲:
「减算？」
「既然如此，王子的事就不是没有道理了。」
欧菲并没有回答，只是抓住身边的一把椅子，和突然出现的木头人形成了对峙的画面。
木头制成的人偶，不但没有眼睛，行动也相当缓慢，彷佛不知该往何处去似的，只是一直发出「嗯~嗯~」的声音，将头来回四处观望。
「算了，反正只要把它捣坏就好了‥‥」
说完，欧菲随即将手中的椅子举起，然后──
「你这个笨蛋!!!!!!!!!!」
突然传出一阵如雷贯耳的怒吼声，不用说，当然是老婆婆发出来的。
「咦？」
欧菲回头一看，老婆婆将拇指朝下，摆出一副不满的表情叫道:
「身为异世界的战士，怎么可以用椅子战斗呢!?」
「吵死人啦啊啊啊啊啊啊啊啊！」
虽然被殴菲反骂回去，但老婆婆仍无动于衷地摆着不满的表情再度叫道:
「既不符合王道也没有气氛更没有传统！身为胜利女神的我绝对不许可！」
「啊─好啦，知道了啦。」
已经有点半自暴自弃的欧菲，将椅子放下，换举起右手，嘴里念念有词的:
「妈的在房子里用魔术的话，等一下又要被马吉克说教了。」
欧菲边发牢骚边集中精神。
「吾所释放之光的──」
「再来一次你这个笨蛋!!!!!!!!!!!!!」
「！」
被牢骚攻击第二弹打散集中力的欧菲，以一副不耐烦的表情瞪着老婆婆。
「这一次又有什么指教吗，」
面对欧菲的质问，老太婆正经地回答:
「因为你是战士，所以应该不能使用咒文才对。」
「什么东东呀!?」
老婆婆完全不理会欧菲的喊叫，从椅子跳下，以自己的步调走向欧菲的身边，
并开始在衣袍理掏东掏西的。
「用这个！」
然后将掏出来的东西递给欧菲。
「用这把传说中的神剑！」
「喔！」
欧菲心想”太好了！剑的话我就会用！”，然后将接过手的剑高高举起──
「!?」
高高举起───然后看着生锈折半的破剑，呆着不动。
老太婆则一副事不关己地开口:
「你要找出剩下半截的刀身，然后让成天喝酒度日的炼剑师傅跟离家出走的儿子
来个感动的相会后，再请他修复。」
「搞什么鬼呀啊啊啊啊啊!!!!!」
终于忍耐到极限的欧菲，忍不住抱起头大叫，就在同时──
「咦？」
珂斯坦思发出了代表充满疑惑的单字。
瞬间
喔喔喔喔喔喔喔！
木头人开始仰天狂哮，接着，木头人又在咆哮喂结束前，以飞快的速度突进过
来。
「────!?」
欧菲开着口，紧急将珂斯坦思推到一边后，自己也赶紧向后退一大步，然后就
无情地看着老婆婆被木头人践踏而过。
「唉呦喂呀啊啊啊！」
留下老婆婆的惨叫，木头人一直突进到墙壁前才止住脚步，然后回复先前慢吞吞的动作慢吞吞的，朝向欧菲。
「这、这可不是好玩的。」
看着被蹂躏后的老婆婆的惨态，欧菲低声呻吟。
再一次的，木头人摆出了突进的准备动作。
「不管他了！」
欧菲不管三七二十一的，抓起一张桌子，随手就往木头人要前进的方向丢去，但，木头人却毫不犹豫开始突进。
「果然没用吗!?」
抱着觉悟的心情，往横方向开始绕跑。欧菲一边听着身后桌子粉碎所发出的巨响及变的比刚刚更尖锐的，老太婆的的惨叫声，一边看着从旁穿过的木头人的背
影。木头人再度在墙壁前止住脚步，并再度「嘎叽嘎叽」地换方向。
「欧──菲──!!!!!!」
方才被殴菲一推而贴在墙上的珂思坦斯发出了带着泪水的喊叫，因为木头人停住的位置，正是她的所在地。
「你快点想办法嘛！不是只要像平常一样用空手就可以打倒了吗!?」
「你以为我有办法跟这种的来个肌肤之亲吗？」
听到欧菲的反驳，珂思坦斯这次抱着头大叫。
「你怎么这么无情呀!?没看到小女子正面临生死危机吗!?」
但木头人似乎打从一开始就不把她放在眼里，再度将脸朝像这──不，朝向被踩的稀巴烂烂的老婆婆的方向。
「老——‥老太婆？看来直接升天了——。」
没想到老婆婆若无其事的，慢慢地从瓦砾堆中站了起来。
「嗯——真是恐怖的强敌呀——。」
「其实只要用魔术就能轻松解决了——。」
虽然欧菲开口抗议——
「我不准你用喔。」
顽固的老婆婆却依然不让步。
「你们还在那里争什么呀!?」
珂思坦斯终于忍无可忍，一边远离木头人，一边大叫。
「总之只要有武器就可以了吧!?」
说着，珂思坦斯将注意力转移到桌子上───
那是刚刚放着各种零件及工具的桌子。
「就选这个！」
「那是!?」
看到珂思坦斯手中握的物体，欧菲不禁发出了惊讶的叫声。
「炸弹小弟二号！又名为──」
但她却不以为然的，将手中那类似榔头的物体，朝着木头人的后脑部用力的挥下──
轰───!!
在餐厅发生的爆炸，只有闪光，没有发出任何声响。
而爆炸之后残留下来的是──
已经一动也不动的，木头人的下半身。
从远方看着全身布满煤炭，以完全是惊吓过度的表情望着手中的物体──炸弹小弟二号的珂思坦斯，欧菲冷静的开口:
「顺便一提那又叫无能部下烧焦器，至于内藏的火药量是商业机密。」
「你这个人在想什么呀啊啊啊啊!!!!!」
珂思坦斯大叫。
「把这种东西交给部长是想杀死我吗!?」
「没有呀，只是觉得好玩而已。」
「你之前讲的『让人家在不受伤的情况下生不如死』的跑哪里去了！被这种打到稳死的好不好！」
「那只不过是不实的广告台词罢了。」
「你这个人呀!!!!」
当珂思坦斯正准备逼近这里时，被不知何时移动到木头人身边的老婆婆拌到脚而差点摔了一跤，虽然珂思坦斯因此而停住了脚步，老婆婆却一副不在意的样子，从脸颊不断落下一滴滴感动的眼泪。
「嗯嗯嗯，正当陷入困境时，因一瞬的转机而奇迹逆转获胜，真是王道啊。」
「我怎么觉得是靠火力的胜利——」
无视于欧菲的指正，老婆婆继续独自感动。
「我相信，只要照这样下去，一定就能贯通王道，顺利的打倒令人忌讳的恶魔！」
「老子可是从到尾都没说过我要帮忙的喔───」
但，就在下一个瞬间，从餐厅突然里传出了恐怖的笑声。
「咯咯咯——你以为这样就赢了吗？女王・席碧里亚丝啊——」
「什么!?」
老婆婆将头转向传出声音的方向，但没想到顺着声音找到的却是───
只剩下下半身的木头人。
但比起这些，更有件事让欧菲感到震撼。
「老太婆——」
以发抖的声音继续。
「没想到妳居然还有名字!?」
「『女王』跑哪去啦!!!!!!!」
老婆婆──席碧里亚丝大叫。
但正当这里在演相声的同时，只剩下半身的木头人开始了与先前相同的震动，而等震动结束时，再度出现了一个新的人影。
「纸？」
如同珂思坦斯呆楞的话所示，站在眼前的，是一尊以薄纸形成的纸人。无视于已经不知是该说话、还是该有所动作的欧菲，席碧里亚丝将皮包骨的身子朝向纸人叫道:
「没想到竟然是你本人───吾父，修其欧埃拉呀！」
「什・什么喔喔喔喔喔!?」
彷佛是被殴菲发出喊叫时所吐出的空气推挤而飘荡的纸人，只是以那无五官的脸不停的笑着——

以上是一位不知名的台湾人翻译的部分，下面是位老外翻译的英文，也很白。
“I really wish you would stop doing this to yourself.”

“We’ve been through this a million times. I know what I’m doing.”

“But this isn’t your responsibility, Miss Cleao. Putting yourself up on a pedestal like this…”

“My father said I was going to run the family in his stead when he died, remember? Let’s consider this a little test of my abilities. I get us out of this hellhole and in a way that everyone is happy.”

“Miss Cleao, I don’t doubt your abilities. I just want to be sure that you are confident that you can pull this off.”

A slow smile appeared on her seemingly delicate features that held anything but a delicate creature within. “Don’t worry, Kane. I can. And even though you don’t think so, my trump card is that sorcerer. He is our ticket out of this mess.”

---

He wanted to rip his hair out.

Actually, ripping her hair out would be far more satisfying. And not damaging to himself.

However, there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t inflict harm on her and he couldn’t get himself out this mess. The only thing he could to was growl and glare while he obeyed her every command. It didn’t matter if he got a little revenge by half-assing his job from time to time; for one thing, she would make him do it over again if she didn’t find it to her satisfaction. And it was still complete submission on his part no matter how one looked at it, and if there was one thing Orphen hated more than anything in this world it was being told what to do.

Next to having all his money taken away from him. Which was exactly what happened on the day Orphen finally received his payment!

Azalie was quick to confiscate the small slip of parchment that could be turned in at the bank for ten thousand soltos. Orphen had barely walked past the threshold when the paper found its way into Azalie’s hands.

“Greedy much?” Orphen grumbled.

She ignored him and instead threw herself upon Childman, who had just entered into the room drying off a newly washed plate. “Another week and we’ll have more than enough to buy this building!” she exclaimed jubilantly, hugging her fiancé tightly.

“Sure, my dear,” Childman replied calmly, still running the blue towel along the plate’s edges. “After you pay off your debts.”

Azalie pouted up at him like a child having been informed that she had to share her bag of candy with the rest of the class. Nevertheless, she didn’t argue.

“What about me!?” Orphen cried. “I’m the one doing all the work over there!”

“And I’m sure you are doing it very well,” Azalie replied, her playful grin returning. As much as Orphen loved seeing her always smiling, he was still miffed that not a coin was to be spared for his personal enjoyment. And floats were getting expensive nowadays because Bagup decided to raise his price one solto for the blissful sugary enjoyment considering Orphen was buying so many. “All in good business,” he had said with the same grin Azalie was wearing now.

Stingy bastards. All of them.

“Where is Miss Everlasting?” Childman inquired, changing the subject before his rebellious former student became obviously angry. “I was looking forward to an introduction.”

Childman was taken aback when the mentioning of the region’s little princess seemed to piss Orphen off even further. Understanding shown in his clear blue eyes when the young sorcerer hissed savagely, “Trust me, you wouldn’t want to meet her.”

The romantic couple glanced at each other as if carrying a brief and silent conversation before looking back him. “Trouble in paradise, little brother?” Azalie teased. “I thought you would be so happy living in the esteemed Everlasting mansion that you would never want to leave. I admit, I was actually surprised when you came over to visit today.”

Orphen snarled at her, not amused by her little jokes. “If you two must know, Her Highness is visiting with Majic’s father.”

Azalie’s brows shot up. “But why are you not there with her? You’re supposed to be her bodyguard, right?”

He rolled his eyes. “Puh-leeze, Azalie. Majic and his father are there. She can survive ten minutes without me. Just ten frickin’ minutes!”

“If that is so, then why are you poised as if to race out the door at any given moment?” Childman asked calmly, making a pointed look toward Orphen’s feet. Indeed, one boot was turned out the door and the other was barely touching the floor with any part but the toes.

“None of your business, okay?” It could be worse. Soon as he was out the door and in the safety of an ally, he was planning to teleport back to inn.

Everyone there thought he had just gone to use the bathroom. And he wouldn’t hold it past Cleao to bang the door down if she’d thought he was taking too long, no matter what unpleasant surprises she might encounter at the other side.

“Orphen, if you have to go back, please don’t let us keep you,” Azalie added. She was sincere, but the hint of that smile was still there in her pseudo-serious expression.

“I was planning on leaving you two love birds alone soon, anyway,” Orphen replied, screwing his nose up in disgust as Azalie was still hanging off of Childman. Childman didn’t seem to notice her clinging to him, and Azalie probably had forgotten she was doing so. Until Orphen brought it up with his latest statement, but it only made Azalie clutch her honey’s arm tighter.

“Jealous, little brother?”

“Excruciatingly so.” And, because he couldn’t hold it in any longer, his own smile broke out. “Same time next week?”

“Sure thing,” Azalie replied. “And bring that Everlasting girl with you.”

Yeah, right. Orphen nodded anyway, but the anger had returned to his eyes, if only for a flickering second this time.

Once he was gone, Azalie exchanged another look with Childman. “You sensed it, too?”

“Yes,” Childman confirmed with a sigh. “She has no idea he was here. Looks like our little Orphen has found his match.”

“A female version of himself? Oh, this is going to get interesting.”

A moment of silence, enough for Azalie to peer slyly up at Childman. “Speaking of making things interesting…”

“The dishes are not going to wash themselves, love,” Childman pointed out, secretly inside enjoying the frustrated look that crossed her features.

“Afterwards?” she prodded as the two them started back to the kitchen.

“Then there’s the living room--”

“Childman!”

“The day is still young, my dear. Let us enjoy it while it remains upon us.”

It wasn’t the first time Azalie wondered if she had made a mistake getting involved with a master from the Tower of Fang, who had also been her teacher as well as Orphen’s, no less! Still, the only time she let go of his arm was to help put away those cursed dishes.

---

Cleao was pacing up and down in the lobby, and Orphen cursed to himself. The bathroom door had indeed been pounded in, meaning she already found out he had snuck off.

Explaining his absence was going to be a toughie. He didn’t want Cleao meeting Azalie and Childman. He wanted her as far away from his personal relationships as possible. They were the only aspects of Orphen’s life she hadn’t screwed over yet.

That ‘yet’ stood out more prominently in his mind than he liked.

“Where have you been?!” Cleao nearly screamed when Orphen descended the stairs. He had teleported back to his room in hopes of sneaking in, but his plans were dashed when he saw the abused bathroom door.

“Nowhere,” he snapped. He tried to brush past her, but she roughly grabbed his arm. “What!?” he snarled, snatching his arm away. Everyone else in the lobby was watching them with extreme interest.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you!”

“Don’t touch me!”

“I can do what I please with you!”

“Like hell you can!”

“I demand you tell me where you were just now!”

“Screw you! I don’t have to tell you a damn thing!”

The rage was as clear on Cleao’s face as he felt his own burning inside, but there was no way Orphen was going to allow her to win this argument. No matter what punishment she had in store for him.

Instead of screaming even more at him, Cleao took a deep breath and said calmly, “Fine then. If you insist on being a rebellious asshole, I have no choice but to discipline you.”

He scoffed at her, darkly amused at the thought of this little wretch disciplining him. “You just try it,” he challenged.

---

He should’ve kept his mouth shut.

He really should’ve.

Because the next afternoon found Orphen poolside, serving to Cleao’s every wish…shirtless. And his headband had been confiscated, too. Of course, it could have been worse. Cleao had threatened she would make him strip bare if he continued to misbehave.

That’s why most of the maids in the household decided they wanted to clean the lower floors today, especially the windows from where they peered hungrily at him, eager to see this fine male specimen get naked.

Orphen now knew what it felt like to be a slab of beef in the meat market. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. He probably could’ve relished receiving such attention from his little mob of needy females, but only if it was on his terms, not because he was playing a sexually appealing lapdog to a certain rotten princess.

Said princess was reclining on a lawn chair next to the pool, her long legs stretched out before her as she tanned. Though the lavender two-piece she wore was flattering on her, Orphen still held firm to the belief that Cleao Everlasting had all the voluptuous proportions of a stick figure. Extremely sexy. Oh, yes.

Not.

“Your tea,” he announced dully, presenting the small round tray he balanced upon his open palm, a tall glass of iced tea sitting on its center.

Even through her sunglasses, Orphen could see her eyes glaring sharply at him. She didn’t say anything or even move. Just simply waited. He cringed, hesitating like he was trying to delay some excruciating punishment for as long as possible. Finally, he couldn’t stand the tension anymore and forced himself to spit out, “…Mistress.”

Now to go jump in that pool and drown. If only.

Cleao smiled sweetly up at him and it took Orphen everything he had not to beat her with this damn tray. “Just sit it on the table,” she instructed.

He did.

Though she didn’t look like it, Cleao had been watching Orphen all this time and all at once she was extremely glad for the unbearable summer heat pouring down on them. She could see the beads of perspiration upon his muscular chest, the smooth tan skin glistening with sweat. He was indeed very handsome; she couldn’t deny that even if she wanted to.

She still hadn’t thought up a proper punishment for him talking back to her earlier today. The threat to make him serve her naked had been made merely out of fun, especially when his eyes had grown wide at whatever horrifying images his mind had conjured. She probably would’ve done so anyway, if not for her own sense of modesty. That and being fully aware of the drooling group of maids gathered at the windows facing the pool. For some reason, the thought of other women looking at Orphen with the same interest she was…it just bothered her somehow.

He had nice hands.

Cleao nearly giggled out loud at how randomly that thought just popped in her head. Then again, perhaps it wasn’t so random as she was already admiring his desirable physique.

Desirable?

Oh, dear, where had that word come from?

If not for Orphen standing within earshot, Cleao probably would’ve burst into a fit of giggles like a schoolgirl having spotted her first crush. Still, when Orphen glanced at her, the expression he was giving her made her realize that she must’ve been grinning stupidly all the same. She didn’t feel that surprised; Cleao was the kind of girl who wore her heart on her sleeve, rarely covering her feelings.

Orphen was about to leave her alone with whatever disturbing thoughts she had going on in that demented brain of hers and help Majic clean the rest of the pool shed when Cleao stopped him by grabbing his wrist. He cringed inwardly. He really wished she would break this habit of having to touch him all the time.

“I didn’t say you were dismissed,” Cleao purred, peering slyly up at him over the rim of her sunglasses.

He was afraid of that.

Next thing Orphen knew, a bottle of lotion was being shoved into his hands. “Put it on my back,” Cleao commanded as she turned over to lay on her stomach. “After all, I can’t very well do it myself.”

With a silent, agitated groan as his only indication of defiance, Orphen flipped the lid open and squeezed a drop of lotion on the small of her back. “There. It’s on,” he grumbled. He didn’t care what the ‘fine print’ stated; he was going to fight her every step of the way.

Sunglasses having slid to the tip of her nose, the blue of Cleao’s eyes was very clear as she glared at him sharply. “You know what I mean, now do it right,” she snapped peevishly.

Scowling with disdain, Orphen placed his hands on her back and slowly, gently (as much as he could force himself to) began rubbing the lotion into her skin. For as much as she tanned, Orphen couldn’t help noting that Cleao’s skin remained as white as milk especially compared to his natural dark tan. The contrast was almost blinding.

Orphen quickly shook his head as if to clear it from this idiotic idea. Yeah, yeah, she had extremely pale but excellent skin tone; what else should he expect from a pampered bratty princess? She had been sheltered from every trial and hardship life could throw at her.

Whereas I had to scrape and crawl to get where I--

Orphen stopped that train of thought before it went down tracks he didn’t want it to go. It was the heat. That was the problem here. It had been said that today would probably be the hottest Totokanta had ever experienced. So he supposed it would only be natural if a strange thought or two seeped into his brain unawares.

He refused to have her involved in any part of his personal life, even as a mere comparison.

Perhaps it was due to the heat that the movement in Orphen’s hands became slower and more deliberately placed. He wasn’t really thinking about it, hardly conscious that he looked more like he was massaging Cleao’s back instead of simply rubbing on lotion. Cleao felt her eyes close, relaxing against his touch. She couldn’t help but think that there was something…almost sensual with his hands on her.

Now that was a silly thought. But not silly enough to be banished from her mind completely. She definitely was going to make him massage her shoulders more in the future.

It didn’t take long for Orphen to realize exactly what his hands were doing, but by this time, he had stumbled upon something that his brain absolutely refused to let him ignore. A small detail about Cleao’s body structure that was rather confusing. He ran his palms gently upon her back and sides, and while Cleao thought she was getting a rather seductive massage, he was actually further analyzing this curious detail about her.

She had a strong muscle tone. While her body looked as though he could easily break her in half, closer inspection proved otherwise. He applied a little more pressure to his hands, and while that would have made most soft girls flinch, she didn’t react except to practically purr with pleasure.

Getting braver, Orphen moved his hands down her shoulders and along her arms. There was no doubt about it. The biceps might not have been prominent but they were firm. A small part of him remembered how she slapped him yesterday, and these biceps explained how she was able to make such a feeble blow hurt.

No, spoiled princesses who had nothing better to do in their lives than sit at home eating, sleeping, and changing clothes eight times a day did not develop a physique like this. And yet, ever since he had came to the mansion, Orphen hadn’t seen Cleao do anything outside of shopping and ordering him around. So what was it that was giving her this secret strength? He vaguely recalled seeing her swim on that night when they first met (which felt like years ago), but was that it?

Just who is this girl?

Bravery and curiosity now had nothing to do with it. Eyes narrowing, one of his hands went to her legs, and, in the guise of a simple massage, began feeling the muscle structure there. He was not surprised to find the muscles just as toned as her arms. Her body was not hard, but did not cave easily under his touch.

Are you sure you’re just “analyzing” her this time?

He shoved that nagging little voice to the side as he concentrated on his task. He needed out of this situation, and he would do whatever it took to get it. Something to use to get back at her, something that would at least get him off her tight leash.

There was just one more place to check. As much as he would rather throw himself in that pool and drown, after all. What did she have that would appeal to him anyway?

Cleao shot up in her chair the moment she felt Orphen’s hand on her backside, sliding around so fast she narrowly missed kicking him in the nose. “What--what the hell are you doing!?” she shrieked, jumping to her feet. Her face was flushed beyond red, and she breathing hard from exertion. He had no idea what she was getting so freaked out about, considering he barely touched her butt at all.

Unless…

“Hey, princess, you wanted me to put lotion on you, I was merely doing as I was told.” He smirked at her. “Just as my contract says.”

Cleao looked like she was about to give him the yelling of his life that would make Azalie proud, but she also seemed too freaked out to even open her mouth. “I…I…I’ll call for you later!” she finally managed to choke out before storming back into the house in a fit.

Orphen sat back on his heels and glanced over to see Majic giving him an odd look. “What the hell are you lookin’ at?” he snapped.

Majic slightly cringed against his broom, wondering if Orphen would be uncivilized enough to exert his anger with violence under the roof of such a prestigious household. Propriety was definitely not Orphen’s strong point. And what exactly did he do to make Cleao angry like that? Granted, the skilled sorcerer had the ability to piss Cleao off down to practically an art form, but this time seemed to be different. Cleao usually retaliated with a verbal beating, sometimes even just the beating, but now she had only yelled at him and walked off.

“What did you do to Cleao?” Majic asked, regardless of risking a sound punishment from his violent master.

“I just put lotion on her,” Orphen replied heatedly. “It’s what she ordered me to do.”

That was an interesting way to put lotion on somebody but Majic kept his mouth shut. His master’s twisted face had smoothed down to a smile, one of the kind that told the presence of an evil scheme at work. “In fact,” Orphen continued, more to himself than to his apprentice, “I think I will do everything she tells me to from now on.”

Oh, no, Majic did not like the way his master was smiling like that. Especially when he knew that it could only mean disaster in the end. Or worse.

Orphen wouldn’t care if Majic voiced his concerns. His mind was made up. He would play Cleao’s little game for now, but in a way that would make her regret having ever enslaved him in the first place. He would use it to find out everything he could about her. And then he would use that information to get back at her in a way that she would never be able to recover.

His smile was practically pure evil now.

He had finally found his loophole.

---

Oh, dear, things certainly didn’t go the way she had expected.

Cleao was standing against her closed door, hugging herself tightly. Through her clenched fists, she could feel her heart still pounding heavily and the burning sensation on her face didn’t seem to want to go away any time soon. After a few seconds, she realized that her body was shaking.

She swore to herself, she did! And she had every intention of keeping that secret vow. And then he had to come along--

They had touched once before. On the tower the first night they met. Falling into each other. But that had been an accident. At the pool…was he deliberately feeling her up!?

Cleao Everlasting received just as much attention from the opposite sex as Mariabella did, and she usually took it in stride. As long as those guys kept their distance. But that sorcerer was already too close to her for comfort, but today proved just how close to her he could really get.

She could still feel his hands on her. So large. So warm.

NO! I won’t be like them! I won’t, I won’t, I won’t!!

Somebody knocked on the door, nearly making Cleao jump out of her skin. “Go away!” she shouted, fully expecting her body guard to have been the one that followed her.

“Miss Cleao,” a familiar, yet concerned, voice replied, “are you all right?”

“Lilia!”

The expression on the maid’s face was both confused and surprised when Cleao threw open the door and flung her arms around the other woman. “I’m so glad you’re here,” Cleao choked. Normally, she hid her feelings from anybody else, but there were a few people in this world that she saved her heart for, and darling Lilia was one of them. Her closest friend.

Probably her only friend in this dismal existence.

“Miss Cleao, what is it?” Lilia exclaimed, realizing that the younger girl was shivering. The handmaid held such a deep respect for the youngest Everlasting daughter, that she refused to stop addressing her formally. It was the family in whole that took her into their home, a mere pauper from the streets, but it was this princess in particular that adopted her as part of the family. Lilia had never known kinder people, and accepted Cleao’s outrageous behavior as part of her charm.

“It’s nothing,” Cleao replied quietly. “I just need a hug right now.”

“…yes, miss.”

Cleao would’ve confined everything to Lilia if she could. Even the maid, her best friend, didn’t know the entire story, of all that was going on.

And Orphen--!

Cleao assured herself that once she had everything taken care of, then she would throw Orphen back out to the slums where he belonged. Majic wasn’t so bad, he could stay with her if he wanted to, but that barbaric master of his--!

“Miss Cleao, this wouldn’t have anything to do with Orphen, would it?”

Cleao jerked away from Lilia like she had suddenly been turned into ice. “What?”

“Did something happen? Down at the pool?”

Cleao’s eyes turned to a dangerous steel color. “And where did you hear about that?” she growled.

Usually, Lilia was too used to Cleao by now to be phased by the girl’s temper, but today seemed to be an exception. She had never seen her mistress so tense before. “All the other maids are buzzing about it like the latest celebrity gossip. They saw Orphen…well, apparently it looked like…” Lilia paused and looked hard at Cleao. “He didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“Of course not!”

“Not touch you oddly?”

“No!”

“Then why did you get so mad at him?”

“He just said something to make me mad, that’s all!”

“What did he say?”

“Something stupid, as always. Why all the frickin’ questions?”

“Because you know how people get with gossip, and I didn’t--”

“CLEAO!!”

Both girls cringed when they heard the sound of Cleao’s father bellowing from clear across the house. Now, Cleao understood Lilia’s intense concern: Mr. Everlasting had found out.

Shit. She had been so caught up in punishing Orphen that she had forgotten about all the maids ogling him back at the pool. Of course, they would see and make something of him putting lotion on her back. And if they stuck around to see the lotion rub turn into a massage and then her outburst--

No, this was not happening! Not now! Not after all she had been through, all she had worked for!

Cleao retreated back into her room long enough to throw a sundress over her bikini, just to make herself presentable. Along the way to her father’s study, her brain went over every sentence possible to make it sound like the servants were merely engaged in exaggerated gossip and nothing more.

Even if she was having a hard time convincing herself that.

---

Coan Everlasting was as angry as Cleao had ever seen him. It didn’t help that he was imposing enough when he just stood. Coan was a large, very large, man. At six-feet-four, he was built just like a Shire stallion; all muscle.

“I don’t care what happened, I will not have scandal placed upon this house!” he was yelling. “That sorcerer is out of here!”

“I’m not letting him go, Daddy, he didn’t do anything!” Cleao yelled back.

“I’ve seen you two. Ever since he came there, that man has brought nothing but grief upon you!”

“At least he does his job efficiently!”

“He’s too young, and I’m fully aware about how a man his age thinks, especially when entrusted with watching over a young girl!”

“I am not going to be a young girl for much longer!”

Coan glared. “That’s right. You are a lady, Cleao. And it’s high time you started acting like a proper lady. Enough of this foolishness and causing worry upon myself and your mother.”

Cleao growled in her throat. “You just want me to be like Mariabella,” she hissed, unable to stop the words from coming out.

Coan’s fist slammed onto his desk with a force that actually scared Cleao. “Do not say something so foolish again, young lady,” he said savagely. “You are your own woman, always keep that in mind, Cleao. There is a time and a place to show your independence. Not doing so at the expense of your family!”

The heated argument came to an abrupt halt. Cleao felt tears threaten to form and she tried her best to hold them back. Crying would only make things worse, after all. She had never really thought about how her behavior reflected on her parents. She just thought they didn’t really care. Or had Mariabella to make up for it. She had heard the whispers made behind her back when it was assumed that she couldn’t hear:

“That Cleao is so tough, how do her parents put up with her?”

“At least they have Mariabella to show that they know how to raise a child.”

“No kidding. I feel so sorry of them, having to deal with such a troublesome daughter.”

“You know what they say: every barrel has its bad apples.”

“Thank God, Mariabella isn’t like that.”

“You said it.”

Cleao was still amazed that she actually had the control not to further embarrass her parents by reacting. Then again, reacting would have only further proven their point, anyway. She was a bad daughter. An eyesore on the Everlasting name.

“Horrible…”

“You say something, Cleao?” Coan inquired, barely hearing her whisper. Cleao shook her head, cursing herself for speaking her feelings out loud. Coan sighed, a little frustration thrown in the deep exhale. One minute, his daughter became more verbal than himself, nearly flooring him by how well she could defend herself in an argument. The next, she clammed up. He could see why she was upset. Hell, he hated yelling at her for her antics when he had really been no better when he had been her age. How many times had he and his own father played this same game? Spoken these words?

Which was precisely why he wanted her to stop misbehaving. He had made a lot of mistakes in his past; he refused to allow his youngest daughter make the same ones.

And that sorcerer was more than just a mistake. He was a regret on monstrous levels just waiting to happen. Coan had heard the gossip, he knew how exaggerated they could be, he knew his daughter was a respectable girl.

But how long would it be before the gossip stopped exaggerating? How long before Cleao started losing that respectability?

“Enough,” he said in a tone that meant there would be no room for argument. “I had my misgivings, I gave him a chance, and now I’ve made my decision. I want that sorcerer out of here by tomorrow’s sunrise.”

　　看过好不容易找到的节选之后，我决定还是看更加白的动画比较好