[B1] Chapter 4: Master and the Maid: A Puzzling Bond
Golden rays of morning sunlight filtered through the narrow gaps in the mansion’s windows, their gentle beams tickling the face of a young boy. His eyes fluttered open, gazing at the towering ceilings that were adorned with beautiful patterns. He was puzzled by this unfamiliar surroundings.
He lay in a bed, the silken sheets caressing his skin, which was so comforting. Though he had lived in luxury before, this was something different, something softer and more relaxing to the body.
Blinking in confusion and rubbing his eyes, he mumbled, "Where... where am I?" His voice, still thick with sleep and tinged with the ache of a headache, bounced faintly around the room.
He could recall the last moments before he found himself here: opening a mysterious box, the wild swirling of objects in his room, a blinding light, his dog's frantic barking.
How had he traded his grandpa's cottage room for this grand and baffling place?
His thoughts, like restless spirits, tumbled over one another, each demanding attention but offering no answers.
Theo tried to rise from the bed but found his body uncooperative, as if weighed down.
Confused and concerned, he looked down and was startled to see a rounder torso and a protruding stomach that had not been there before.
"Oh, heavens above, this can’t be real...!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
After discovering his strangely altered body, as though he had gained weight in an unnatural way, he managed to pull himself upright with great effort. Every movement felt oddly laborious.
Sitting on the bed, he began to examine his surroundings. The bedroom, unlike anything he had ever seen, gave him the impression of an ancient magnificence.
White and high stone walls enclosed the room, their surface covered with intricate carvings that had a touch of medieval times. A large fireplace, now cold and unused, sat against one wall, its mantle adorned with decorative objects covered in a thin layer of dust.
To one side of the room, a wooden door remained shut, its lock giving no entry to the attached bathroom. Across from the bed, a tall window with narrow gaps allowed the beams of sunlight to trickle in, illuminating the room with a gentle glow.
He discovered a dressing table nearby, crafted from dark polished wood. Various grooming items were kept on the surface. The ornate mirror was facing away from him.
With a stumble in his step, he approached the mirror. As he positioned himself to see his reflection, an almost unrecognizable figure greeted him: ebony black hair flowing down in waves to his shoulders, silver eyes looking out from a face set in a much rounder frame.
He touched his face, half-expecting it to be a dream, but the sensation was real, and his reflection remained unchanged. The revelation froze him for a moment, leaving him standing there.
"Well, they say dreams come true. But this is ridiculous! How did I become Hulk's cousin?" he stammered, his voice quivering with disbelief.
Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to calm his chaotic thoughts. "Get it together," he muttered to himself, patting his cheeks.
Even when Uncle Walton dropped the bombshell about his grandfather's will, he hadn’t felt so rattled.
This was different. This was totally unreal.
The questions came to mind: How had he ended up in this strange place? How had his body transformed? What was happening to him?
The fact that he was more flustered now than he'd ever been was saying something.
Or maybe it was just the new weight he was carrying around that made everything feel... puffier.
Annoyed, confused, and desperate for some kind of understanding, he shook his head in disbelief, needing a change of focus.
His gaze fell on a window, its narrow opening allowing him to see a tiny glimpse of the outside world.
His thoughts raced with hope; maybe a peek would reveal some hint of where on earth—or perhaps not on earth—he was.
As he reached the window, the horizon came into view, bathed in the gentle embrace of the morning sun. Below, a vast expanse of water flowed, seeming to merge with the sky at a distant point, as if the world ended right there.
The view from his lofty position revealed that he was in a mansion, nestled atop a mountain; the majestic beauty of nature spread out before him, giving comfort in this alien location.
His eyes flickered with shock as they tried to absorb the strange sight all around him. The room, the view outside the window, everything was unfamiliar. He had no idea where this place was.
A sarcastic but forced laugh escaped his lips as he spoke to himself, "What's going on? Have I been kidnapped by Eren, who dropped me off at the world's end? Well, if this is a kidnapping, they've really gone all out on the accommodations. A+ for the effort!"
But the humor didn't ease the knot in his stomach. Deep down, he knew this wasn't Eren's doing. The feeling was inescapable that this had something to do with his grandfather.
As Theo was lost in his thoughts, trying to make sense of his new surroundings, the gentle creaking of a door pulled him back to reality. He turned around, brows raised, and found himself face to face with an unexpected visitor.
A young girl walked in. Brown hair fell down to her back, framing her innocent face and accentuating her neck. Her blue eyes filled with genuine care, conveying that she knew him.
Her white blouse was tailored to perfection, yet it seemed to strain under the fullness of her more than ample bosom, clinging tightly to her chest as if defying gravity itself.
Her waist was narrow, leading to well-rounded hips that the black skirt hugged lovingly, revealing a figure that was both lovely and undeniably seductive.
Despite the alluring beauty, her face graced a sweet gentle smile. She gave off a vibe that she could handle any task, whether as a devoted maid or a loving housewife.
Theo faltered for a second, struck by her appearance, but he collected himself quickly. The situation was strange enough without losing himself in a daydream.
Her presence in this unfamiliar place only added to the growing list of questions in his mind. He felt she might have some of the answers he so desperately sought.
"Master, glad to see you awake," she said, her voice soft and her head gently inclining in a respectful bow.
Theo's eyebrows drew together. 'Who is this girl? And why is she calling me master?' he wondered, unable to hide his puzzlement.
She seemed not to notice this and continued, "It's time to freshen up. I have already prepared breakfast, Master.”
Before Theo could voice his many questions or even protest, her hand was upon his, gently guiding him with a warmth that felt strangely comforting.
He was full of confusion, but he didn't resist; her touch was gentle. 'Have I... transported to a new world?' The thought occupied his mind, both unbelievable and terrifying. This was one of the possibilities he could come up with.
'Ah... this girl... she is strong...' he noted, surprised by the firm yet tender grip of her hand.
Together, they walked to a previously closed door, and she opened it, revealing what appeared to be a bathroom. The sound of falling water filled the room as she turned on a faucet.
"Open up," she coaxed, in a tone that was gentle, holding out a toothbrush.
He hesitated, his eyes locked onto hers, searching for some hidden motive. 'Should I play along?'
After a moment, he obliged, his mouth opening in a slightly exaggerated "Aaah."
She began brushing his teeth, her touch was deft. This was so awkward for Theo.
The room, the scene outside the window, the girl, the way she called him ‘Master’ - Theo's mind raced as he tried to piece together the puzzle.
'This isn't Earth... is it?' he thought as the realization began to take hold.
Images from his last meeting with Alina flashed in his mind, each one fitting into place like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
'Do you really have to leave?'
'Why would I leave?'
'Oh... I thought Grandpa wanted you to do something for him, something that required you to leave..'
He connected the dots one by one and remembered the strange box that Grandpa had given him. The room had become chaotic when he'd opened it, a blinding light enveloping everything. Then, when he woke up he was here, in this unfamiliar world.
'Was Grandpa talking about unlocking the key to another world? Who would've known that he wasn't just using mysterious words about unlocking the key to my past but actually hinting about unlocking a real door to this place...'
The more he thought about it, the more his head ached. The questions were piling up, and he felt dizzy with confusion.
Stumbling, he leaned against the cool bathroom wall, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
"Master?" the girl's voice was soft and concerned, “Are you all right?" She reached out with her hand that felt warm on his shoulder.
Her touch grounded him, and he looked into her caring eyes. How was he supposed to tell her that he wasn't meant to be here? That he was from another place, or perhaps, another world? The words stuck in his throat, and he could only nod, his mind still racing.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that his Grandpa's mysterious box had truly opened a door to somewhere else, somewhere far from everything he knew. The questions kept coming, but the answers were hidden behind the veil of a reality he could barely comprehend.
As the world of thought consumed him, Theo barely noticed the girl finishing with his teeth. The tickling sensation of her fingers on his round belly, working to unbutton his shirt, snapped him back to the present.
Startled, Theo jumped back, automatically adopting a fighting stance.
"Hey! Miss... What do you think you're doing?" Theo's voice was stern, his eyes narrowed into a glare.
His intense look might have intimidated others, but the girl simply appeared surprised before her face broke into a bright smile.
"You can speak? Master!" She seemed genuinely happy.
"Why are you trying to undress me?" The boy glared at her coldly. This was beyond outrageous.
"It's my duty to help you bathe," she replied earnestly, not a hint of jest in her voice. "As your personal maid."
'Personal maid? Is this like the medieval times?' A sharp pain throbbed in Theo's head at the thought, causing his legs to buckle as if he had been struck.
But before he could crash to the cold, hard floor, the girl's surprisingly strong grip held him upright.
His pained gaze met her worried eyes, and his brows scrunched with astonishment. 'How could someone so fragile support my elephant-like body? What are you feeding those arms of yours?'
The pain in his head wasn't just a simple ache now; it grew fiercer, turning into a raging storm inside his skull. His vision wavered, and suddenly Theo was drowning in a torrent of memories and sensations that were foreign yet familiar.
It was as if a floodgate had opened, and he was being swept away by a river of someone else's life. He clung to the girl's arm, feeling the world spin around him, the intensity of the pain threatening to overwhelm his senses.
"Arghhhhhh!!!!" Theo groaned, his face scrunching in agony, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.
"Master, are you alright?" The maid’s voice was laced with concern, her face darkening with worry.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!" Theo screamed again, the pain intensifying, twisting his expression into a grimace of pure suffering. His body was drenched in sweat, and he trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing Theo in such pain, the girl's heart ached. Her eyes were moist, with tears threatening to spill from them; she tightly embraced Theo. She tried to comfort him by gently ruffling his hair.
The boy was shaking, his body wracked with torment as flashes of images danced before his eyes. Theo's head swirled with memories, bright and clear, like a movie playing just for him.
Scenes from another person's perspective, another time, were unfolding in his mind, each one more vivid than the last. The sensation was disorienting, yet strangely compelling, as if he were reliving someone else's experiences.
"Master, hold on," she whispered. "I'm here with you. Just breathe."
Her words were soothing, but the memories continued to surge, threatening to sweep Theo away into the depths of a past that seemed to be entirely his own.
In one scene, a man, draped in dark, mysterious clothes, held a boy that looked just like Theo. Nearby, another Theo lay on a bed, still and quiet. It was like looking into a weird, confusing mirror.
‘Why are there two of me?’ he wondered, the question sounding loudly inside his mind. Pain shot through his head like lightning, causing him to grit his teeth.
[B1] Chapter 4: Master and the Maid: A Puzzling Bond
Golden rays of morning sunlight filtered through the narrow gaps in the mansion’s windows, their gentle beams tickling the face of a young boy. His eyes fluttered open, gazing at the towering ceilings that were adorned with beautiful patterns. He was puzzled by this unfamiliar surroundings.
He lay in a bed, the silken sheets caressing his skin, which was so comforting. Though he had lived in luxury before, this was something different, something softer and more relaxing to the body.
Blinking in confusion and rubbing his eyes, he mumbled, "Where... where am I?" His voice, still thick with sleep and tinged with the ache of a headache, bounced faintly around the room.
He could recall the last moments before he found himself here: opening a mysterious box, the wild swirling of objects in his room, a blinding light, his dog's frantic barking.
How had he traded his grandpa's cottage room for this grand and baffling place?
His thoughts, like restless spirits, tumbled over one another, each demanding attention but offering no answers.
Theo tried to rise from the bed but found his body uncooperative, as if weighed down.
Confused and concerned, he looked down and was startled to see a rounder torso and a protruding stomach that had not been there before.
"Oh, heavens above, this can’t be real...!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
After discovering his strangely altered body, as though he had gained weight in an unnatural way, he managed to pull himself upright with great effort. Every movement felt oddly laborious.
Sitting on the bed, he began to examine his surroundings. The bedroom, unlike anything he had ever seen, gave him the impression of an ancient magnificence.
White and high stone walls enclosed the room, their surface covered with intricate carvings that had a touch of medieval times. A large fireplace, now cold and unused, sat against one wall, its mantle adorned with decorative objects covered in a thin layer of dust.
To one side of the room, a wooden door remained shut, its lock giving no entry to the attached bathroom. Across from the bed, a tall window with narrow gaps allowed the beams of sunlight to trickle in, illuminating the room with a gentle glow.
He discovered a dressing table nearby, crafted from dark polished wood. Various grooming items were kept on the surface. The ornate mirror was facing away from him.
With a stumble in his step, he approached the mirror. As he positioned himself to see his reflection, an almost unrecognizable figure greeted him: ebony black hair flowing down in waves to his shoulders, silver eyes looking out from a face set in a much rounder frame.
He touched his face, half-expecting it to be a dream, but the sensation was real, and his reflection remained unchanged. The revelation froze him for a moment, leaving him standing there.
"Well, they say dreams come true. But this is ridiculous! How did I become Hulk's cousin?" he stammered, his voice quivering with disbelief.
Taking a few deep breaths, he tried to calm his chaotic thoughts. "Get it together," he muttered to himself, patting his cheeks.
Even when Uncle Walton dropped the bombshell about his grandfather's will, he hadn’t felt so rattled.
This was different. This was totally unreal.
The questions came to mind: How had he ended up in this strange place? How had his body transformed? What was happening to him?
The fact that he was more flustered now than he'd ever been was saying something.
Or maybe it was just the new weight he was carrying around that made everything feel... puffier.
Annoyed, confused, and desperate for some kind of understanding, he shook his head in disbelief, needing a change of focus.
His gaze fell on a window, its narrow opening allowing him to see a tiny glimpse of the outside world.
His thoughts raced with hope; maybe a peek would reveal some hint of where on earth—or perhaps not on earth—he was.
As he reached the window, the horizon came into view, bathed in the gentle embrace of the morning sun. Below, a vast expanse of water flowed, seeming to merge with the sky at a distant point, as if the world ended right there.
The view from his lofty position revealed that he was in a mansion, nestled atop a mountain; the majestic beauty of nature spread out before him, giving comfort in this alien location.
His eyes flickered with shock as they tried to absorb the strange sight all around him. The room, the view outside the window, everything was unfamiliar. He had no idea where this place was.
A sarcastic but forced laugh escaped his lips as he spoke to himself, "What's going on? Have I been kidnapped by Eren, who dropped me off at the world's end? Well, if this is a kidnapping, they've really gone all out on the accommodations. A+ for the effort!"
But the humor didn't ease the knot in his stomach. Deep down, he knew this wasn't Eren's doing. The feeling was inescapable that this had something to do with his grandfather.
As Theo was lost in his thoughts, trying to make sense of his new surroundings, the gentle creaking of a door pulled him back to reality. He turned around, brows raised, and found himself face to face with an unexpected visitor.
A young girl walked in. Brown hair fell down to her back, framing her innocent face and accentuating her neck. Her blue eyes filled with genuine care, conveying that she knew him.
Her white blouse was tailored to perfection, yet it seemed to strain under the fullness of her more than ample bosom, clinging tightly to her chest as if defying gravity itself.
Her waist was narrow, leading to well-rounded hips that the black skirt hugged lovingly, revealing a figure that was both lovely and undeniably seductive.
Despite the alluring beauty, her face graced a sweet gentle smile. She gave off a vibe that she could handle any task, whether as a devoted maid or a loving housewife.
Theo faltered for a second, struck by her appearance, but he collected himself quickly. The situation was strange enough without losing himself in a daydream.
Her presence in this unfamiliar place only added to the growing list of questions in his mind. He felt she might have some of the answers he so desperately sought.
"Master, glad to see you awake," she said, her voice soft and her head gently inclining in a respectful bow.
Theo's eyebrows drew together. 'Who is this girl? And why is she calling me master?' he wondered, unable to hide his puzzlement.
She seemed not to notice this and continued, "It's time to freshen up. I have already prepared breakfast, Master.”
Before Theo could voice his many questions or even protest, her hand was upon his, gently guiding him with a warmth that felt strangely comforting.
He was full of confusion, but he didn't resist; her touch was gentle. 'Have I... transported to a new world?' The thought occupied his mind, both unbelievable and terrifying. This was one of the possibilities he could come up with.
'Ah... this girl... she is strong...' he noted, surprised by the firm yet tender grip of her hand.
Together, they walked to a previously closed door, and she opened it, revealing what appeared to be a bathroom. The sound of falling water filled the room as she turned on a faucet.
"Open up," she coaxed, in a tone that was gentle, holding out a toothbrush.
He hesitated, his eyes locked onto hers, searching for some hidden motive. 'Should I play along?'
After a moment, he obliged, his mouth opening in a slightly exaggerated "Aaah."
She began brushing his teeth, her touch was deft. This was so awkward for Theo.
The room, the scene outside the window, the girl, the way she called him ‘Master’ - Theo's mind raced as he tried to piece together the puzzle.
'This isn't Earth... is it?' he thought as the realization began to take hold.
Images from his last meeting with Alina flashed in his mind, each one fitting into place like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
'Do you really have to leave?'
'Why would I leave?'
'Oh... I thought Grandpa wanted you to do something for him, something that required you to leave..'
He connected the dots one by one and remembered the strange box that Grandpa had given him. The room had become chaotic when he'd opened it, a blinding light enveloping everything. Then, when he woke up he was here, in this unfamiliar world.
'Was Grandpa talking about unlocking the key to another world? Who would've known that he wasn't just using mysterious words about unlocking the key to my past but actually hinting about unlocking a real door to this place...'
The more he thought about it, the more his head ached. The questions were piling up, and he felt dizzy with confusion.
Stumbling, he leaned against the cool bathroom wall, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
"Master?" the girl's voice was soft and concerned, “Are you all right?" She reached out with her hand that felt warm on his shoulder.
Her touch grounded him, and he looked into her caring eyes. How was he supposed to tell her that he wasn't meant to be here? That he was from another place, or perhaps, another world? The words stuck in his throat, and he could only nod, his mind still racing.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized that his Grandpa's mysterious box had truly opened a door to somewhere else, somewhere far from everything he knew. The questions kept coming, but the answers were hidden behind the veil of a reality he could barely comprehend.
As the world of thought consumed him, Theo barely noticed the girl finishing with his teeth. The tickling sensation of her fingers on his round belly, working to unbutton his shirt, snapped him back to the present.
Startled, Theo jumped back, automatically adopting a fighting stance.
"Hey! Miss... What do you think you're doing?" Theo's voice was stern, his eyes narrowed into a glare.
His intense look might have intimidated others, but the girl simply appeared surprised before her face broke into a bright smile.
"You can speak? Master!" She seemed genuinely happy.
"Why are you trying to undress me?" The boy glared at her coldly. This was beyond outrageous.
"It's my duty to help you bathe," she replied earnestly, not a hint of jest in her voice. "As your personal maid."
'Personal maid? Is this like the medieval times?' A sharp pain throbbed in Theo's head at the thought, causing his legs to buckle as if he had been struck.
But before he could crash to the cold, hard floor, the girl's surprisingly strong grip held him upright.
His pained gaze met her worried eyes, and his brows scrunched with astonishment. 'How could someone so fragile support my elephant-like body? What are you feeding those arms of yours?'
The pain in his head wasn't just a simple ache now; it grew fiercer, turning into a raging storm inside his skull. His vision wavered, and suddenly Theo was drowning in a torrent of memories and sensations that were foreign yet familiar.
It was as if a floodgate had opened, and he was being swept away by a river of someone else's life. He clung to the girl's arm, feeling the world spin around him, the intensity of the pain threatening to overwhelm his senses.
"Arghhhhhh!!!!" Theo groaned, his face scrunching in agony, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.
"Master, are you alright?" The maid’s voice was laced with concern, her face darkening with worry.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!" Theo screamed again, the pain intensifying, twisting his expression into a grimace of pure suffering. His body was drenched in sweat, and he trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing Theo in such pain, the girl's heart ached. Her eyes were moist, with tears threatening to spill from them; she tightly embraced Theo. She tried to comfort him by gently ruffling his hair.
The boy was shaking, his body wracked with torment as flashes of images danced before his eyes. Theo's head swirled with memories, bright and clear, like a movie playing just for him.
Scenes from another person's perspective, another time, were unfolding in his mind, each one more vivid than the last. The sensation was disorienting, yet strangely compelling, as if he were reliving someone else's experiences.
"Master, hold on," she whispered. "I'm here with you. Just breathe."
Her words were soothing, but the memories continued to surge, threatening to sweep Theo away into the depths of a past that seemed to be entirely his own.
In one scene, a man, draped in dark, mysterious clothes, held a boy that looked just like Theo. Nearby, another Theo lay on a bed, still and quiet. It was like looking into a weird, confusing mirror.
‘Why are there two of me?’ he wondered, the question sounding loudly inside his mind. Pain shot through his head like lightning, causing him to grit his teeth.
