I dressed my best, making my way downstairs.

The cold metal of the key felt safe in my back pocket.

I passed my hand, feeling its outline ever so often.

This better work.

____________________

“You’re late,” Lucinda hissed, nails digging into my arm as she led me to the dining. “Where were you?”

I don’t see how that is any of your business.

“In my room.”

“Oh really?” Lucinda’s eyes narrowed, releasing her grip.

DI and VI, upon our arrival, opened the double doors to the dining with a bow.

Lucinda nodded stiffly.

“Yes, really,” I responded sarcastically, boredom gnawing at my bones.

What was this unease that settled—

Whenever he wasn’t in my sight?

“Very well,” Steepling her hands, Lucinda waited for me to pull out her chair. I did so grudgingly.

Just then, Lowe arrived—the click of her heels against the marble floor.

I pulled out her chair, then made a move to sit beside her.

“Suoh,” Stepmother Lucinda called shortly, and my sisters stopped their silly conversations. “Sit beside me.”

I blinked.

Shit.

Okay, Plan B.

I nodded, trying to hide the irritation scratching underneath my skin.

Lowe did not spare me a second glance. She looked perfectly unfazed, waiting patiently as RI placed a salad in front of her.

I could feel Lucinda’s ugly green eyes on me—watching my every move.

A platter of cold ham was placed in front of me, as NI poured a good measure of dressing over it.

I hate dressing.

As Lucinda began to sip her soup, I stole a glance at Lowe.

She caught my eye, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

She did it.

She actually did it.

Her gaze darted to the goblet in RI’s hands as he set it on Lucinda’s right.

“Your wine, Mistress Lucinda.”

“Good,” She said simply, replacing her utensils.

I felt my heart stop as she reached for the silver goblet.

Drink it. Drink it.

“Suoh—” Lucinda turned to me with a dead stare. “Why are you not eating?”

I flicked my fork to the side, pretending to lose my appetite.

“The ham sucks.”

The woman beside me raised a brow. “And here I thought you were a tasteless carnivore. I bid you drink from your glass, it might wash the taste from your vile tongue.”

I raised a middle finger under the table.

But Lowe was quick to take advantage of the situation.

“Well then, my Lady—how about a toast? To your great health,” She smiled charmingly, raising her glass.

Lucinda’s lips thinned.   

“Hmph, a toast? And what may be the occasion, Lady Lowe?”

The young lady’s smile held its strength.

If possible, it sweetened with such poison.

“My dear Mistress, an occasion?” She spoke smoothly, “But what other reason than to toast to your great fame and fortune?”

“Surely—we need no occasion to acknowledge your great success?”

Lucinda smiled in approval. “It is truth you speak, Lady Lowe.”

“Then, let us rise,” Lowe nodded to the table, and my stupid sisters rose in confusion, some in irritation.

Then I realized that Margaret was gone.

Margaret wasn’t here.

Lowe raised her glass.

“To Mistress Lucinda.”

The phrase echoed in the dining hall as my broken family repeated after her.

I watched as Lucinda brought her goblet to her lips—

“On second thought, Suoh,” She turned to me, “I’d very much prefer the glass of water in your hands.”

Lucinda held out her goblet to me.

“Will you exchange glasses with me?”

What—

The fuck.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

There was a long pause of hesitation as my mind sucked into a complete vacuum—void of ideas, words and actions.

Lucinda’s long bony fingers held up the ugly silver goblet, her lips curling into a strange smile.

She swirled the object in her hands to grab my attention.

“Suoh? Your glass, please.”

Words clogged in my throat, unable to escape. What do I say?

“I—”

My stepmother shoved the goblet centimeters away from my eyes in a sharp motion. “Hurry, if you may.”

“I don’t drink,” I snapped back, frustration and irritation crumbling my façade. “If I may add.”  

Lucinda raised a brow. “Explains the missing bottles of Elijah Craig,” She said airily, smile widening to a knowing smirk.

“Take it.”

Out of provocation and pure defiance, I snatched the goblet from her death-like fingers, spilling some of the liquid.

She saw the fire in my eyes.

How the flames leapt and roared with fury and rage and anguish.

But still, she smiled.

“Well then, to my health,” Lucinda raised my glass of water to her lips with a strange, strange smile.

To hell with it.

I raised the silver glass to my lips—

“A moment!” Lowe cried out suddenly, detaining my arm by placing her hand on it. “How rude of me. My apologies dear Mistress—to think I would dare toast to such greatness with a glass of apple juice! Absurd indeed…”

She smiled apologetically as she reached for the goblet in my hands.

“To your great health and fortune, Mistress Lucinda.”

And she downed the wine in a go.

Lucinda blinked in slight confusion and shock at the sudden apology—then her eyes lit up in approval and pleasure.

“How pleasing,” The family took their seats. “I am impressed, and honored.”

I stared at Lowe in horror as I remained standing. My hand still slightly raised in position—just before she took the goblet out of my grasp.

The young lady, upon noticing my behavior, turned to me with a stern gaze.  

“Lord Suoh! Your seat, please. Heavens—you look as if you are flabbergasted. Now that is a word that is rather complex. A rare emotion, is it not, Mistress?” 

“Hmm…indeed. Quite rare. And quite terrible.”

“Emotions are terrible things indeed. Sometimes I’d rather not have them,” Lowe continued heedlessly.

Lucinda nodded. “Indeed, indeed…”

And she tucked into her dinner.

And as she did so, Lowe turned to me with a smile.

A smile so perfect—

That it was void of emotion.

________________________

I could see that she was trying hard to keep her eyes focused, to level her gaze; tone; keep her smile.

Her fingers trembled under the table, but steadied forcefully when she brought them above.

They were engaged in gossip—Lowe and my stepmothers and stepsisters.

Lucinda was listening attentively, for she knew the extent of Lowe’s well-established connections.

I was done with dinner before any of them started on their third course, mind reciting the procedural again and again in case I forgot them.

In all truth, the plan was relatively simple.

Simple indeed—and yet,

Too simple.

Too simple for a stake this high.

Too simple—

As simple as every other fairytale,

Where the prince rescues the princess from danger.

Damsel in distress?

I’ll never impress.

Knight in shining armor?

I was just a monster.

“…’M done.”

The rest of the table glanced up, exasperated by my rude interruption to dinner gossip. Mary rolled her eyes, as if a simple glance my way would rot them.

“Run along,” Step-mother Miranda waved a gloved hand.

Lucinda didn’t bother to acknowledge me. She wanted Lowe to continue.

I gave Lowe a final glance over my shoulder.

The young lady held our gazes.

Then she nodded with grace.

Lucinda raised a brow, probably wondering whether she was dreaming that for once—

We got along.

____________________

The door clicked shut behind me—and the air stilled with such silence that it skidded across the cold marble floor, reflecting its dead shadow.

I stepped forth, hearing the hollow click of my shoes resound in the main hall.

Crossing the wide empty space towards the kitchen, I heard a door close somewhere above.

My head whipped around, snapping towards the source of the sound.

Margaret?

What’s she doing?    

I tossed the thought out of my mind, focusing on the task at hand. AI came first.

I’ll get him.

I’ll get him to my room, safe.

Safe and sound.

I couldn’t resist the urgency—barging into the kitchen and descending the stairs with dead speed.

Punching the code into the reader and pulling out the metal key from my back pocket, my heart raced and ached like never before.

I felt so alive—so real.

For the past years of my life, it felt as if I was stuck in a dream.

A nightmare.

My entire life wasn’t real.

I could have been a figment of my imagination.

Just a dream.

But there it was—

The rush of thrill.

The flow of blood underneath my skin.

The sound of my heart.

That was when I realized that Love was raw.

That Love was so real, so alive—

That it beats—

Beats with a life of its own.

That it burns—

Burns like a candle in the dark.

But then I turned the key in its hole—and wished I was dreaming.

The door was unlocked.

_________________________

“Fuck,” I cursed aloud, yanking the key out and slamming the door open.

His platform was empty.

He wasn’t where I left him.

Shit.

Shit.

Shi—

Margaret.

She knew the password.

She picked the lock.

I turned on my heels, leaving the lab. I locked the door quickly, racing up the stairs and arriving at the kitchen.

Just when everything was alright.

Just when everything was going to be fine—

I took into a dead sprint, taking the steps two by two.

The sound of the door closing.

It was from upstairs—

The red carpet looked like blood against the white marble floor. My mind was ahead of my legs, too caught up to realize that they were aching.

For my heart ached even more.

It twisted like a wet rag, aware of the clock ticking its seconds away.

Why must she—

Couldn’t she have any sense of timing at all?

Why did I even entrust her to him in the first place—

I should just go to hell.

Scanning the second floor, I couldn’t think of any possible reason for Margaret to take AI out of the laboratory. Not on a particular Wednesday. Not a perfect evening. Not during dinner—not never, not forever.

Why now?

I raced down door to door, panic gripping my soul, time latching itself onto my heart, eating, devouring bit by bit.

I passed the balcony in swift steps—

“—does it feel like?”

I stopped.

And turned.

Outside, leaning against the classic railing—was Margaret and AI. Engaged in some sort of conversation.

I pushed on the double doors forcefully, capped livid becoming undone.

Margaret turned towards the source of the sound, before backing up.

“O-Oh! Suoh, weren’t you at dinner? I was sure—”

“Don’t tell me what you were sure of,” I hissed, clenching my fists in attempt to force the monster rising. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I—well, is it wrong to miss a friend?” She retorted, crossing her arms across her chest nervously. “I merely wanted to talk to AI for a moment, on the balcony. B-Besides, he needed a breather, don’t you think?”

I glared knives, daggers, flames—speechless with frustration.

Lowe was down there, fighting some sort of poison—and here she was ruining everything we worked for.

“You…”

“Young master, please forgive me,” AI touched my arm, gaining my attention.

The skies in his eyes spoke worry.

What?

“I expressed my wish to see the night sky with Mistress Margaret. She was kind enough to take me up here when everyone else was enjoying dinner,” AI bowed his head sincerely, “I’m terribly sorry for attracting any unnecessary attention.”

 I wasn’t really listening—no I wasn’t.

All I knew was that I had his hand in mine the next, and was leading him towards my room.

“Young master? Is something the matter?”

All I knew—

Was that I wasn’t someone else.

All I knew—

Was the fierce beating of my heart.

“No…I’m fine.”

All I knew—

Was that to AI, I was young master—

And not Master.

__________________________

I led him towards my chambers, turning corners and avoiding hallways, corridor after corridor, we finally arrived at my safe haven.

“Young Master, this is…your—” AI began, head tilted to the side in confusion.

I ushered him inside the room quickly, searching the floor for any sign of movement. “Yes. Get in.”

“O-Oh. Okay,” My droid obliged, taking tentative steps into the room. “Pardon me for intruding.”

I waved away his formalities, locking the door behind me before pointing to the bed.

“Get some rest, and don’t leave the room. I’ll be right back,” I instructed, turning on my heel.

“But Young Master, where are you going?” There was a resistance in my movements, as I realized that AI had held on to the cuff of my blazer.

I turned back, taking in the disappointment in his skies.

My heart ached to leave.

Ached to separate itself from what it had longed to be connected with.

I took a deep breath, getting a grip on my heart. “I’m going to put this key back in Father’s chambers—before Lucinda suspects anything.”

AI’s slender fingers slipped from my blazer, and his eyes lowered. “Ah, I see…”

I sighed.

Reaching out to run my fingers through his soft midnight hair, I saw the skies in his eyes light up with infinite stars. He smiled small.

I willed myself to turn away, reaching for the handle of the door before love had gotten ahead of time.

“Young Master?”

I took a final glance over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

AI’s raven locks brushed his shoulders as his head tilted with a gentle smile.

“I await your return.”

______________________

As I was locking the door of my room, I heard the familiar clicking of heels against marble.

It was just round the corner.

Shit. It’s a dead end on the other side—

“Suoh!” Her orchid dress came into sight as soon as I heard her hiss. “What took you so long? Do you have the key?”

Lowe came sweeping towards me, hands clasped worriedly in front. “Well?”

“Yeah, I have it here…”

I produced the metal and Lowe sighed in relief. “Go, quick. I’ll guard your room—”

“I can’t. Please don’t tell me you’re going to die—”

Lowe rolled her eyes. “Lord Suoh, I am well aware that you would love to have me murdered but unfortunately I will very certainly not die.”  

I clicked my tongue impatiently, checking her hands for any sign of trembling.

The young lady yanked her hand out of my grasp, turning to me with a hiss. “Go! What are you waiting for?”

“Why the hell are you helping me so much? I didn’t ask for this—”

“Well I didn’t ask for any of this either! Besides, you are hopeless and helpless!” Lowe spat while I gave her the middle finger.

“Since when was I hopeless and helpless?”

“Since you fell in love!” Lowe hissed impatiently. “Now get your ass to Silas’ room—”  

She stopped short.

We heard footsteps.

Our eyes widened simultaneously.

Lowe mouthed curses while I just had one four-letter word stuck in my head.

All of a sudden, I was propelled into the next corridor and held by my collar.

You. Go, Lowe mouthed, pointing to the other end of the hallway. I’ll distract.

As much as I didn’t want to admit, her eyes were swollen. They struggled to keep focused, and I was genuinely worried.

GO. QUICK!

“Is someone there?” Lucinda’s voice resounded round the corner, and I knew she was going to see us in a couple of seconds.

Without hesitation, I took off.

______________________

I cut through hallways and corridors, arriving at the one I had been looking.

But just as I turned the corner, I saw a silhouette standing in front of father’s door.

—The hell?  

I darted behind the pillar, but it was too late.

“Suoh?”

Oh, it’s Margaret. Ugh, what does she want now?

I came out of hiding, striding towards his chambers whilst taking out the key Lowe had stolen from Lucinda.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped, irritation under my skin. “You’ve caused enough trouble, thank you.”

Margaret laughed sheepishly. “I was curious how AI would react to the outside world…he’s been stuck in there for quite a while you know…”

I ignored my step-sister’s curiosity, proceeding to jam the key into the hole and unlock the door.

Noticing that Margaret was following me into father’s room, I sighed.

“Why are you following me?”

“What are you doing? I’m curious.”

I turned on her, aggravated. “And curiosity killed the cat.”

“Well I’m no cat,” Margaret shrugged, watching as I slid the book out from its place on the shelf and drop the key into the gap between its spine.

“Just don’t talk to AI.”

“Why? Are you jealous?”

I flipped her off, striding towards the door quickly, wondering whether Lowe was having a hard time with Lucinda.

“Do you like AI?”

“Or perhaps you love him?”

“You can’t love him you know.”

“He’s not really alive.”

“You know what happens when a living thing falls in love with a non-living thing?”

Sorry Margaret.

But I can’t seem to differentiate what’s living—

And what’s not.

Because Love makes everything

Come to life.

Because I swear—

I felt the beat of his heart.

______________________

When I arrived back at my chambers, I spotted Lowe walking to and fro in front of my door.

She glanced up with a frown that disappeared upon seeing me.

“How was it?”

I nodded. “Done.”

For once, we remained silent—

Then came the sighs of relief.

“That was…”

“Interesting.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“Don’t wanna do it again, do you?”

“Nope.”

“Yeah. Me neither.”

“Yeah.”

“Er—okay.”

“Mm.”

“You…need a doctor or something?”

“I’ll be fine with some rest,” Lowe nodded, avoiding my gaze. “Remember the deal.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow…” I trailed off, looking towards the door to my room.

Lowe caught the direction of my gaze, and laughed. “You really are hopeless.”

I rolled my eyes.

But as she turned on her heel to walk away, I stopped her.

“Wait.”

She raised a brow.

“How do I look?”

Lowe’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“How do I look?”

“Yes, I heard what you said you dimwit—but why are you asking such a ridiculous question?”

I nodded towards the door, pointing out the obvious.

The lady giggled, rolling her eyes. “Suoh, he’s a droid. He doesn’t care whether you look good or not.”

“Yes, but is my hair okay? Like—do I look stupid?”

Lowe tried her best not to burst out in mirth. “Handsome as usual, my Lord.”

“And hopeless as usual,” She added with a tired grin.

I rolled my eyes, giving her the usual middle finger. “Kay. Have a good rest.”

The young lady nodded, smirking a little.

“Enjoy.”

_____________________

A/N: Ohoho :3 Suoh is going to enjoy himself—

Not really. XDD

Thank you for reading, as usual ^0^/ I hope everyone likes these sort of stories, although they are very different from the Baked series >_<

-Cuppiecake