Chapter 49: Paul [Bonus]

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Paul [Bonus]

Daniel smiled. A small, amused smile.

"I’m not one of your girlfriends," he said.

The man’s smirk widened. His eyes were still closed. He didn’t move from his meditation pose.

"Well," he said, "I do hope yours didn’t fall for me. If so, it’s illegal to beat up a guild member, so don’t let your—"

"Chill," Daniel said. "I’m a new member. Your new roommate."

The man’s eyes snapped open.

He looked at Daniel. At his plain clothes. At his ordinary face. Then at Fluffy, who was still hiding behind Daniel’s leg.

His face fell. A look of genuine disappointment crossed his features.

"Oh," he said. "It’s you."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

The man sighed. He uncrossed his legs and swung them off the bed. He stood up, stretching his arms above his head. His muscles rippled. His hair fell perfectly into place.

"It would have been better if it was a cute, naive girl," he said.

Daniel nodded. "Yeah. Naive girls are the best."

The man paused. He looked at Daniel. A flicker of interest in his eyes.

"You think so too?"

"Of course." Daniel walked into the room and set his bag down on the empty bed. "Naive girls are trusting. They believe what you tell them. They don’t question everything. They just... go with it."

The man nodded slowly. A grin spread across his face.

"Exactly," he said. "They’re so easy to impress. You show them a little magic, a little charm, and they’re yours."

Daniel nodded. "They don’t play games. They don’t have hidden agendas. They’re just... genuine."

The man laughed. "I like you already." He walked over and extended his hand. "Name’s Paul."

Daniel shook it. "Daniel. Daniel Black."

Paul’s grin faltered. "Daniel Black? That’s... a boring name."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "And Paul isn’t?"

Paul opened his mouth. Closed it. Then he laughed.

"Fair point," he said. "Fair point."

He looked at Fluffy. She was still hiding behind Daniel’s leg, her ears flat against her head, her eyes wide.

"Who’s this?" Paul asked.

Daniel glanced at her. "That’s Fluffy. She’s with me."

Paul’s eyes narrowed. He looked at Fluffy’s neck. At the faint marks where the collar had been. His expression shifted.

"Is she your slave?" he asked.

Daniel met his eyes. "She’s my friend."

Paul stared at him for a long moment. Then a smile spread across his face. A real smile. Warm. Genuine.

"Good," he said. "If you had said slave, I would have punched you."

Daniel tilted his head. "Why?"

Paul walked toward the window. He looked out at the guild grounds. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple.

"People are not tools," he said. "No matter how they look. No matter what race they are. No matter where they come from."

As he spoke, a breeze drifted through the window. It caught his hair, making it blow dramatically. He turned, his profile silhouetted against the sunset.

"Slavery is wrong," he continued. "It’s always been wrong. The beast kin. The elves. The dwarves. They’re not animals. They’re not property. They’re people. Just like you and me."

His voice grew stronger. More passionate.

"One day, things will change. One day, people will see that. And when that day comes, I will be there. Fighting for what’s right. Fighting for justice. Fighting for—"

Daniel yawned.

Paul stopped. He looked at Daniel.

"Am I boring you?"

"No, no," Daniel said. "Keep going. It’s a great speech."

Paul stared at him. Then he shook his head.

"Whatever," he muttered. He turned back to Fluffy. His expression softened.

He walked toward her. His steps were slow. Deliberate. Majestic. He stopped in front of her and bowed. A deep, formal bow. He extended his hand, palm up.

"May this gentleman get your name, young miss?"

Fluffy stared at him. Her ears twitched. She looked at Daniel. Daniel shrugged.

"Fluffy," she said. "Fluffy is Fluffy."

Paul smiled. He took her hand. He raised it to his lips. He kissed it. Gently. Politely.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Fluffy," he said. "I am Paul. And I promise you, as long as I am here, no harm will come to you."

Fluffy blinked. She looked confused. She didn’t understand what was happening.

Daniel, on the other hand, had already climbed into his bed. He pulled the blanket up to his chin. He closed his eyes.

"Goodnight," he said.

Paul looked at him. "It’s barely dark."

"Goodnight."

Paul shook his head. He turned back to Fluffy.

"So, Miss Fluffy," he said. "Tell me about yourself. How did you meet Daniel?"

Fluffy looked at him. Her ears twitched. Then she smiled.

"Master saved Fluffy," she said. "Master is good. Master is kind. Master gives Fluffy meat."

Paul paused. His eye twitched.

"Master?" he repeated.

Fluffy nodded. "Master."

Paul looked at Daniel. Daniel was already asleep. His breathing was slow and steady.

Paul looked back at Fluffy. His expression was complicated.

"He gives you meat?"

"Yes. Lots of meat. Fluffy likes meat."

Paul nodded slowly. "I see."

Fluffy tilted her head. "Why does tall man look confused?"

Paul sighed. "I’m not confused. I’m just... thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

Paul looked at her. At her wide eyes. At her innocent face.

"Nothing," he said. "It’s nothing."

Fluffy shrugged. She climbed onto the bed beside Daniel. She curled up against his side. Her head rested on his arm. Her tail wrapped around her body.

Within minutes, she was asleep.

Paul stood there, watching them. The strange man who had called a slave his friend. The rabbit girl who called him master. The way they slept peacefully, side by side.

He shook his head.

"This is going to be interesting," he muttered.