CALEB x WITCH NON-MC READER

part 2

CHAPTER 3

Everything clicked together, this was no longer a random world she lived in but a familiar one, a life that should only exist in a book. It made sense with all the magic, beasts and monsters and even her existence as a witch. But it also meant that she was not safe, the proof already being those mobs chasing her, determined to kill her. Now, alone in this lost maze of woods, (reader) decided to organise herself first before finding a shelter she could seek in, her mansion no longer a safe space. Knowing those people would probably guard her home like a hawk and strike down if she ever attempts to return.

The path was not difficult, fortunately, following the sound of the running water (reader) was able to find the waterfalls. Without hesitation she made contact with the water and sank down, finally her dirty skin was rid of the mud and dirt that had stuck all over her, sometimes hissing from the wounds she did not realise she had.

After a thorough bath, (reader) was able to alter her white hair to her original (h/c). her clothes dry immediately with the use of her spells. Although (reader) learned quite a few of dark magic that are necessary to her, she has yet to grasp the extent of what the body can do, since she has no recollection of memories of the body she possessed she could only rely on what she knows through spellbooks. She made her way back to what she could assume was a path to find food, which took (reader) 30 minutes and finally finding a bush of berries (the edible ones) she could consume safely.

Another hour has passed before (reader) decided to explore the woods, this time to find a path that could lead her to a village, though she's aware of the risks and what she is going to put herself into but at this point she needs a place to stay and general information of the story's setting, which scenario she is already and how it is progressing so far. Considering she stayed for 4 months at her mansion without human contact, she does not know whether the hero and the Saintess have already met or has the war between human and monsters ended? For all she knew she could be at the story's ending.

2 hours had passed since she started walking to what she could assume was a road to a potential village or town, using the muddy ground as a guide (like gps), the obvious wheel marks and hooves was a proof that the path she took was commonly used to travel between location A to location B, which means there is a town or a village just ahead.

Though it was starting to make (reader)'s feet hurt she persevered, she was desperate to find a shelter and not get caught by night, alone in the woods. However, as she relentlessly continued, the sound of heavy footsteps or rather hooves caught her attention, (reader) turned around to find a carriage driving through the same path she went. Panic rises within her, although her disguise was perfect but she cannot guarantee that the people in the carriage are friendly and are also divine users. Just as she was about to make a run the carriage passed by her, (reader) stilled in her spot, waiting for the carriage to continue its destination but then it stopped half-way, as if sensing her. (reader) froze in her spot, she was not ready for another battle with a divine user!.

The carriage door opened, revealing an elderly woman, her face staring at (reader) with intensity.

"You..." The old woman started, her index finger pointing at (reader).

Caught off guard, the reader responded with a flinch "YES!"

Her loud voice made the elderly woman frown but nonetheless made her way to face her.

"You, young girl. Are you looking for a job?" the elderly woman immediately states her purpose, eyes scanning (reader) up and down.

"huh-pardon-" (reader) responded in confusion and the urge to cover herself from the old woman's stare.

"You're hired. Come along now. " She didn't hesitate to pull (reader) with the force of a boulder and tossed her inside the carriage as if her opinion does not matter, as if she has already decided that (reader) takes the job with no choice.

(reader) sits at the farthest corner of the seat, looking traumatized and surprised by the woman's strength. She couldn't even form a word when she was interrupted immediately.

"Listen, you are already the 5th person that will take the position of an exclusive maid for a very important noble. It is important that you put this in your mind as I will not be explaining it again. Your duty, serve your master with no judgement, endure your master's temperament, take care of your master, your life now belongs to your master, and no matter what, NEVER BETRAY YOUR MASTER." The woman said it so with clear comprehension with no room to argue not even (reader) who was suddenly kidnapped could interrupt the elderly woman.

"Certainly you are mis-" still (reader) tried to reason, all she wanted was to live away from the eyes of humans and not get caught up in the story's plot, now that she knew where she is and what her role in this world.

"You have no choice in this matter, I choose you and you will serve the master. You don't have to worry about your wage, you will be paid handsomely, where you stay and live will be provided with necessary things you need." The elderly woman's tone was adamant and final which left (reader) in disbelief. But as the carriage continued its destination to this nobleman's mansion, something in her gut told her she should have just run away but with the woman in front of her holding her hostage at this point, she could not be reckless.

The carriage stopped but with the curtains closed (reader) could only follow the woman as they exited the vehicle. The cold air meets her skin as she stands in front of a big mansion, even bigger to her mansion back in the woods. There were knights stationed at the gates and they greeted the woman respectfully while she followed behind. Everywhere she looked were shimmering in wealth, the floors, the roofs, all shining in expensive materials. However, the woman leading the way made a beeline, turning to a different path and guiding (reader) to a private room.

"You girl, what is your name?" The elderly woman inquired while her hands brushed towards a pile of clothes and tossed at (reader).

" (reader) " she answered immediately while her arms caught the clothes in her embrace.

"Are you familiar with chore duties?" The woman interrogated pushing (reader) to another room which leads to a bathroom.

"Yes ma'am." (reader) nodded quickly while she let the woman guide her.

"good, then you only need to be taught about things you are unfamiliar with, and no don't address me Ma'am but Headmaid Lila." She acknowledged while lecturing her as well. "You will start tomorrow, and it is up to you how you deal with your master, learn from him, understand him, and most of all never tell a single soul of what you are seeing or your life will be the price of it." Lila added, her cold eyes staring at (reader) with obvious threat in her tone.

With that Headmaid Lila left (reader) to clean herself. Yet, to (reader) who was suddenly entrusted with a pressuring duty that she never asked in the first place, wanted to just fly out to escape but remembering those cold eyes and the clear intent in her words, reader was left to suffer in turmoil while taking a clean bath for the first time since that night.

Right after her deep cleansing she was given a private room of her own and was provided a meal.

"one last thing (reader), once you start working under him you cannot leave." Lila added vaguely.

The next morning was eventful, not only did (reader) lack sleep but Lila had pulled her from her room, was introduced to some of the staffs and servants including the head butler, Lucian, and was forced to learn to brew tea, cook a meal according to the nobleman's diet and how to address her master and all sorts of things that an exclusive maid should know. All that in half a day and by that afternoon she was pushed in front of a big room, both the head butler and Lila just a distance while (reader) stood still in front of the oak door with hands holding a freshly brewed tea.

Just like she was taught (reader) was about to announce herself when a sudden crash was heard inside, then followed by a woman screaming. The oak door was pushed open revealing a sobbing woman, bare with only a blanket to cover her whole body. An obvious wound could be seen from her neck.

"My Lord!!" Both the butler and Lila panicked in unison as they ran towards the man.

The man himself was standing, seemingly unaffected by the commotion he caused. In his right hand was a dagger tinged in blood.

“Arrest that woman for attempting to kill a nobleman…” His deep baritone voice ordered with no emotion to it.

“As you command my lord.” Lucian immediately responded with alertness, his gaze shifted to Lila and with a nod of understanding Lila took a hold of the man and led him to the bed while the butler left the chambers barking orders to arrest the woman from earlier.

While all that happened, (reader) on the other hand was left speechless and frozen in her spot. Not because there was an attempt but rather the man in front of her was none other than the male lead himself, the hero and warrior from the novel she read in her previous life. She thought she was managing an ordinary noble but who would have known it would be the very man she rooted with the female lead?!

“My lord, I apologise if this may come sudden but with the unforeseen ‘departure’ of your caretaker I have found a suitable servant that can attend to your needs, no attachments in her backgrounds and simply a loyal under your command” Lila stated removing the dagger in his hand while she glances at (reader) and urge her to come closer.

“She swore fealty in your name and knows the consequences if she dares betray your trust.” she added.

(reader)’s expression almost, if not by her quick composure, changes her expression. She wanted to gaze at the elderly woman and yell at her ‘since when did she say all of those?!’, she was kidnapped, forced against her will to work and now she's claiming her fealty?! The audacity?!. Can she really be grateful that she was able to work under an amazing person (she'll regret saying that later) and knowing her true identity could jeopardise her life?.

“Lila…”

His words made her snap from her thoughts, there was something in his tone that made her uncomfortable for some reason, his back was facing her while he faced the elderly woman with a stoic expression.

“You said that last time but that ‘thing’ swore nothing but lies,” he said coldly. He crossed his arms while maintaining a straight posture. “That cost me almost my life…” he added.

Lila understood the undertone of his words, her head hung low from the guilt as she remembered how her master almost died from her poor judgement of the last person.

All of this was witnessed by (reader) which only made her confused. What are they talking about and who is this person they're trying to hide under a pseudonym of words?. What is she going to do at this point?, her hand was already aching from holding the tray of the now cold tea.

“That was my mistake my lord and I sincerely reflected from that, however, I made sure that this servant is clear, we already made a background check on her and she has no connections to any noble houses or from any known rivalries. She knows what to do.” Lila sincerely and confidently responded, her eyes shifted back to (reader).

As much as (reader) wanted to lose her sanity from the head maid's words, she chose peace and introduced herself by the commanding eyes that were directed at her by the elderly woman.

‘Yeah, I'm dead’ she cried in her mind.

“G-greetings my lord, my name is (reader) and I shall be your e-exclusive maid moving forward.” she stammered, her hands already sweating from holding the tray of tea while her head remained low the whole time.

There were movements that can be heard from in front of her, a shift, then an uncomfortable feeling as if she's being observed. There was stillness in the air and a pause.

Then a thought came over (reader) the man in front of her was no ordinary, he was a hero for a reason, a warrior to all humans, a divine user, but there were more to him than just a welder of divination, the eyes that can see through every being, and by seeing through means he can detect whether the person in front of him is human, beast, or a monster. Right now, she’s fighting the urge to escape, while she may possess the power of dark magic she does not know how to properly utilise it yet, and if this man finds out her true identity she may as be dead by that very dagger Lila has in her hands.

“Raise your head…” He ordered, there was no softness in his tone.

(reader) was hesitant at first but the uncomfortable silence was unbearable. She lifts her head slowly, eyes scanning his feet until it reaches his face. She almost let out a gasp if not for the head maid burning holes in her face.

The man that everyone called a hero, the warrior, the savior of all human kind was sitting in front of her, body thin, obvious stubble and those eyes…eyes that would captivate everyone was hollow and white, there were still a hint of those hypnotizing purple color, still, it was obvious he was blind. Which confused (reader) as the book never stated what she is witnessing at the moment.

“Are you what Lila claimed to be?…” Caleb demanded, his voice remaining flat but it did not go unnoticed to him the way (reader) shifted her tone, he knew she was surprised, everyone did.

Who would have thought the great hero was actually incapacitated. One mistake on his part, his confidence that he could easily defeat a monster, one everyone underestimated. It did not register to him until it was too late, the monster, or specifically the WITCH, had cursed him to blindness, one that prevented him from using the divine sight. The words of the witch were still on his mind before she died.

“The curse cannot be undone even if you seek help from your fellow divine users, not even your goddess can help. You will pay for your sins of killing my family Caleb!!” she roared in anger before her body succumbed to death.

True to her words the curse cannot be undone, he tried to seek help at the temple of his dear goddess but even that was naught. It dawned on him finally that he was really cursed to finally suffer. To never see light, to never see her. It was his punishment.

Then he snaps back to reality, (reader)’s voice bringing him back to the present.

“I am not perfect, however, Head maid Lila entrusted me in your care and I shall do my best to serve my master who has saved my life from ruin.” A lie, (reader) made up an immediate answer. She didn't really think of that until the head maid looked at her again to cooperate, mouthing at her to say anything that would please her master. So she did, just not too sure if he would buy it, she was also vigilant, eyeing the man like a prey ready to run away if he figures out her true self.

“Saved you say? Have we met before?” he tilts his head as if to analyze her.

‘fuck my life’ (reader) cursed herself before standing straight and clearing her throat.

“y-yes! You may not remember me but umm…I was one of the orphans you saved at the ruin village from the south” Her voice cracked as she made up another lie, although, half of her statement was true, Caleb did in fact saved an orphanage in South Village from a monster attack, yet, she's also unsure if the story was already at that point.

Caleb on the other hand, nodded his head acknowledging her words.

“I see, so you were one of those kids, I can tell by your accent.” he hummed, his words of confirmation making (reader) relieved.

He didn't say anything after that, he shifted his attention back to Lila.

“You are dismissed (reader), you can return to your quarters.” Lila motioned for her to leave which (reader) happily did so.

She left the room quietly. While her life may have been spared fortunately, her head was full of questions, one being her accent and two, is Caleb really blind? Can he not sense her dark magic? Considering he did nothing but questioned her, she was left with more questions than relief.