Rowdy's eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling. The late afternoon sunlight leaked in through the windows, painting soft orange streaks across the room. His body ached but was bandaged, well-tended. As he sat up, the scent of clean linen and healing herbs filled his nose. His gaze shifted to the figure beside his bed, Sam, curled up in a chair, asleep, with her head resting on her folded arms.
He sighed and slowly swung his legs off the bed, noticing his old clothes neatly folded beside him. Stripping off the provided healing barrack uniform, he revealed a torso lined with scars and hardened muscle. He slipped back into his worn garments, then made the bed neatly and placed the borrowed clothes folded atop it.
The soft sound of movement stirred Sam awake.
"James, you're awake!" she exclaimed, a hopeful smile lighting up her face.
"I'm not James…" Rowdy replied quietly.
The warmth in Sam's face faded instantly. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her hands tightened in her lap.
"Thanks, though, for looking after me," Rowdy added, before walking out the room and gently shutting the door behind him.
In the dim corridor, Rowdy wandered with his hands in his pockets, his footsteps silent. As he passed a partially closed door, voices caught his attention. Curious, he nudged it open just a sliver.
Inside, Joshua sat upright on a bed, his head wrapped in bandages. Merlin clung to him, crying into his shoulder while Franciele gripped his hand tightly. Lancelot sat nearby, his expression tense.
"You finally woke up!" Merlin sobbed as she pulled him close.
"You scared me, grandson," Franciele whispered, her eyes glossy with tears. "I thought you were gone."
"I'm okay," Joshua said softly, trying to reassure them.
"I'm happy you're awake," Lancelot said with a relieved breath. "But… what caused this? You went berserk. You tried to attack the Queen. If Captain Percival hadn't stopped you, you'd be facing execution. Everyone saw your fight… They're afraid of you."
Joshua's face darkened with confusion. "What? I don't remember any of that."
"You went to the slums with Rowdy," Lancelot continued. "You fought two werewolves, the same ones who killed James. After that… you lost it."
"I remember now," Joshua said grimly. "I was furious. I killed them. I… I devoured them. After that, everything goes blank."
Merlin and Franciele stared at him, stunned.
Outside the room, Rowdy clenched his jaw. (So that's what happened… Damn. He really ate them. Still, they deserved worse. And Sawyl… So that's the bastard who killed James.)
"Must've been your mutation reacting to noble werewolf flesh," Lancelot concluded. "At least now we have an explanation."
"By the way…" Merlin looked around, puzzled. "Who the heck is Rowdy?"
Joshua smirked. "Oh, you haven't met him. Rowdy, come in."
Rowdy opened the door and stepped inside.
The reaction was instant.
"JAMES?!" Merlin, Lancelot, and Franciele shouted in unison, eyes wide in disbelief.
"I'm not James," Rowdy said flatly. "I'm his twin brother."
"He's the new butler," Joshua added. "Also, he's crazy strong."
"I'm sorry about your loss," Lancelot said sincerely. "James was..."
"Don't," Rowdy snapped, visibly annoyed. "You didn't kill him. So don't offer me your dumb condolences."
Merlin and Lancelot exchanged irritated glances but said nothing.
"Also, dumbass," Rowdy said, turning to Joshua, "how'd you know I was there?"
Joshua smirked. "Who you calling dumbass, shrimp?" He hurled a pillow, which Rowdy dodged effortlessly without taking his hands out of his pockets.
Joshua shifted tones. "Anyway… my senses are heightened. Smell, sight, hearing, everything."
The room grew tense again, their expressions shifting with unease.
Rowdy picked up on it instantly. (They're worried… even afraid. This mood's annoying.)
"Oh, that makes sense," he said dryly. "You're a mutt after all."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Hahahaha! He called you a doggie!" Merlin cackled, nearly falling off her chair. Franciele and Lancelot joined in.
"Don't encourage him!" Joshua groaned. "And I'm still well enough to kick your ass."
He leapt from the bed. Rowdy bolted for the hallway, laughing as Joshua chased him.
They dashed past nobles and servants, who paused and whispered harshly.
"…Monster…"
"…Beast…"
"…He should be caged…"
Joshua's steps faltered. The laughter died in his throat. His head lowered as whispers grew louder, like daggers slipping beneath the skin.
Rowdy, still ahead, noticed his silence. He turned and stopped cold when he saw Joshua's expression.
Sad. Defeated.
Joshua turned away and walked into the garden. Rowdy followed silently.
Joshua sat at the base of a tree, back slumped, eyes on the ground. The whispers of the noble house still echoing in his ears.
Rowdy sat down beside him.
"Hey," he said quietly. "Being strong doesn't make you a monster."
Joshua didn't look up. "Yeah, but devouring people… acting like one… probably does."
Rowdy frowned. (Nothing I say will change his mind… then maybe it's time to change the topic.)
"…So, uh… how long've you known Sam?"
Joshua glanced sideways. "Sam? Oh… Do you like Sam?"
His voice carried a knowing smugness.
Rowdy scratched the back of his neck, a little embarrassed. "Yeah. She's pretty. And kind. Totally my type. But she liked my brother. Makes things weird… and I don't think she's over him."
"It's okay," Joshua said. "If you like her, pursue her. But give her space when she needs it. I haven't known her long, but I can tell you two would be a good match."
Rowdy looked surprised, then smiled faintly. "You think so? Cool. What about you? You got someone?"
Joshua's eyes lit up. "Yeah. Her name's Blanchette. She's the most beautiful person in the world. Kind. Smart. Strong. Funny…"
"Wait... Blanchette? Like Princess Blanchette?" Rowdy blinked.
"Yeah," Joshua said, casually.
Rowdy gave him a long look. "…No wonder everyone in the House of Kaizer's against you."
Joshua's smile faded again. His gaze dropped to the grass.
But Rowdy reached out and patted his back.
"…Still. That's their problem."