Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Cap’n?! Are ye sinking me?!” Django slacks his jaw in disbelief.

“Was that an invitation to repeat myself—and for the fifth time, no less?” Captain Kuro’s voice was cold. His tone got darker the closer he was to finishing his sentence. His thinning patience became more apparent at the increasing stress in his words.

“A-aye, I understand. I mean… Nay? I don’t—,” Django trailed off as he tilted his head, as if it made it easier for him to gauge his Captain’s temper.

“Django, Django, Django…,” Captain Kuro’s voice was almost as quiet as a whisper. 

And it was precisely during these moments when he isn’t shouting that he is at his scariest.

“Aye aye! No more questions! See ye in three years!” The scrawny man whose back was usually arched in a bizzare slouch quickly straightened for a snappy salute.

There was never room to question his Captain. It wasn’t the first time he told them to follow a plan with cryptic instructions. After all, the man before him is the very definition of “insurance”.

He is Captain Kuro Of A Hundred Plans.

More precisely, a man of a hundred self-serving plans. If there’s one thing certain, self-sabotage was never in the equation for this ruthless mastermind.

“Let’s go over the plan one last time for good measure,” the Captain’s steely gaze peered through his quite literal heart-shaped lens.

Django took a long, hard swallow.

“Now that you’ve successfully staged yer ‘death’, yer appointing me as Captain of the Black Cat Pirates—,” Django held up his fingers as he traced imaginary cues in the air. “While ye go and look for booty without getting the Marines involved—”

“Then after three years, I’ll be contacting you again to enact the rest of the plan.” His Captain finishes his trail of thought for him, stepping into the boat to gesture his imminent departure.

“Good. I’ll leave the rest to you, Captain Django.” 

“Aye! Best of luck, Kuro!”

The fool quickly adjusted to his role, almost to Kuro’s annoyance.

Krrraaaakkkkk——booooooom!!!

The deafening sound of thunderclap brought Kuro back to his senses.

It has been 5 days since that conversation with Django.

It has also been 5 days since he had anything but water.

His navigator told him there won’t be another storm in a week. Yet as soon as his prized pirate ship disappeared from his sight, dark clouds formed and the merciless waters wasted no time to break his humble boat apart.

A passing memory blitzed through his mind as the disaster unfolds in front of him.

“Ummm. Cap’n? Don’t ye think yer boat is too…small?” Django appraised the boat behind him.

“Subtlety, my dear Django,” he replied with a half-lidded glare. He can almost read Django’s lips quietly muttering ‘suttle tea’. “I am aware of how small and fragile this boat is. It’s part of the plan. What ordinary man would arrive alone on a ship?”

“But what if a storm…y’know?” His scrawny underling shrugged implicitly.

Kuro blinked and stared at the crisis in front of him.

How exasperating that he wasted enough time recalling that conversation instead of acting onto the problem in front of him. By the time he collected himself, he’d been miraculously balancing himself on a small plank which used to be the boat and swam to the nearest island for rescue for what felt like two, very long days.

By the time he reached the shore, most of his strength had left him.

Now, he sits alone. Drenched to his bones. On an unknown island. Probably three islands away from his destination.

Ugh. That fool definitely jinxed me. I’m gonna claw his face the next time I see him, he begrudgingly muttered as he willed himself to get back up on his feet. Kuro has decided he had enough reminiscing of that pathetic excuse of a first mate, and he has to move while he still has his strength. In a way, Django has a bizarre talent of motivating him. And much as he tries to deny it, he found himself an oddly soft spot for this bumbling fellow.

He continued to trudge towards the forest. His mind ceaselessly formulating scenarios in his head, one can practically hear the gears clicking. He can hear his heart pound loudly in his chest, his temples throb in response, and searing heat build up in his throat.

If there’s a forest, there’s definitely wildlife. There’s 8 out of 10 chances I’ll be encountering a carnivore. 2 out of 5 scenarios where I can disengage potential threats…

He didn’t like his odds, but his current situation didn’t leave room for many alternatives. His last resort is to rely on his feral instincts like a wild beast backed to a corner, as distasteful and inelegant as it sounds.

Oh, his claws. If only he had his claws right now then his odds would increase about tenfold. He could only hope that Django takes good care of them until the second phase of their plan as he promised.

A trail.

His eyes widened almost cartoonishly. A Cheshire Cat grin forms in his lips.

A trail. By the looks of it, it is man-made. Therefore, a village must lie beyond this path…

Such discovery made his steps light as spring. He made brisk with his pace, all the throbbing and burning sensations that riddled his body suddenly all seemed so trivial. A few more strides and he was greeted with the quaint view of a peaceful village.

“Ha…hahahaha…hahaha—ck! Cough! Cough!” He laughs in utter epiphany. The journey of Captain Kuro isn’t seeing its end anytime soon. He picks up his pace again, vision fixed to the town at hand, and then—

“Watch out!!!”

By the time he had made sense of what was going on, he found himself lying on his back and staring blankly at the sky. His whole body felt sore and his head was filled with murky voices. It didn’t take too long before everything succumbed to darkness.

Chapter Text

It felt like he was drifting in void since forever.

He no longer feels the fatigue that plagued his body, yet he also couldn’t feel his arms and legs all the same. Is he finally kicking the bucket? Him? The Greatest and Most Feared Captain Kuro?

In a frantic attempt to seize back his awareness, he cracked his eyelids open when he’s greeted by harsh bright light.

…Until it gradually eased into a blurry ball of light.

He was no longer floating and drifting into an endless void. This time, it felt like he was resting among the clouds.

Huh. He thought. You would think the pearly gates would look more grandiose rather than an ambiguous glowing orb. Perhaps I’m only peeping through a keyhole of sorts?

After all, he was no saint. He was a terror of the seas, a peerless vagrant who felled friends and foes alike. There is no place for demons like him in paradise. He expected to plunge into hell a few moments from now.

“You’re finally awake. Thank goodness,” a kind and warm voice spoke.

Kuro followed the direction of the voice and squinted at the blob-like figure before him. He pushed his palms up to his face, only to realize that he wasn’t wearing his glasses.

“Oh! Here. Your glasses,” the moving blur of a figure hovered towards him, and as he held out his hands to receive his glasses, he was surprised yet again when the blurry figure put on his glasses for him. The gesture left Kuro quite exasperated. He never really liked it when people invaded his personal space.

The figure was the brunette gentleman sitting by his bedside who looked at him with an equally gentle gaze. “You were exhibiting symptoms of extreme dehydration when we found you so I’ve injected you with intravenous fluids for immediate remedy. You also had lacerations on your limbs but it has been days too late for proper disinfection, so your fever is a reaction to…”

He couldn’t be bothered to listen to this man prattle on. Too many thoughts raced through his head in mere seconds—that the man in front of him is a doctor by the way he speaks, that the so-called clouds of heaven he felt were actually the luxurious bed he currently lay on, and most importantly—

That he is alive. He survived.

And along with his realization, the sheer stress and fatigue of enduring days of hunger came down to him all at once.

“By the way, what’s your name?” The kindly gentleman asks.

“Kur—”

Kuro blinked once, then twice.

“Kr…?” The friendly-faced gentleman looked at him with mild confusion at the sudden pause.

Kuro mirrored the same reaction, equally perplexed with his own answer.

He answered that almost too honestly.

Of course, he considered getting an alias as part of his plan, but the sheer fatigue and confusion blocked any trail of thought in his head from occurring.

“Huh?” Kuro choked out in a fit of panic.

“...Ha?” The gentleman parroted him.

Kuro’s faculty of discretion starts slipping from his grasp, threatening to spill his immediate thoughts. This isn’t good, he quietly panicked as he clenched down his jaw. The gentleman not breaking eye contact with him isn’t helping at all, either.

Boy, does he want to poke those glimmering, green, doe eyes. 

In the midst of Kuro’s musings, soft knocks on the door caught his attention.

“...door,” Kuro blurted out. Damn! He wasn’t supposed to say it out loud. He spoke his thoughts as soon as he had them, like a toddler learning about shapes.

“...door? Kradoor?” The gentleman guessed with enthusiasm, looking at him as if he’s a fascinating puzzle. “That’s a very wonderful name. I think it suits you.”

Suits me, my ass. This time, Kuro made sure to bite down his jaw extra hard to prevent another embarrassment. He wasted the one and only opportunity to craft an elegant name for himself.

The soft knocks came through again. This time, it was accompanied by a soothing voice, even if a bit muffled through the wooden concrete.

“Oh, that must be my wife,” the gentleman chirped. “Come in!”

The door opened. A slender woman with blonde hair whose elegance and beauty were comparable to a lily walked through the room. She was quickly followed by an aide, whom Kuro couldn’t quite figure out if he’s a goat-man or a man-goat just yet.

“You’re awake,” the kindly lady spoke as her lips formed a thin, gentle smile. Kuro was in this exact conversation a few minutes ago.

But the lady quickly turned to her spouse instead of making further small talk. Kuro was relieved, he wasn’t exactly in the best capacity to speak.

“Dear…,” she wears the same smile, yet the gentlemen in the room can feel the miasma emitting from behind her. “Have you fed our guest yet?”

“Oh, goodness!” The kindly gentleman jolted from his seat. “That’s right. You must be famished.” He quickly turned his head to the lady’s aide and made a snappy hand gesture. “Quick, Merry! Bring him something to eat!”

“Yes, master!” The goat-man-whatever bleated with enthusiasm before bolting out the door.

He’s a bit of a scatterbrain, isn’t he. Kuro quietly assessed the gentleman sitting on his bedside.  He then shifts his gaze at the woman. She’s the lady of the house and looks the part, thankfully.

That’s one less headache to manage for him.

It also didn’t escape his sights that he was staying in a spacious guest room with furniture made of premium wood. Well now, this couple has too much fortune in their hands. It wouldn’t be a problem to share, would it?

He’s running the equations in his head again. He’s going to—

“One breakfast-in-bed, coming!” Merry happily chirped as he walked to the room with his serving trolley.

What a loud fool. It reminded him of a certain cretin in his crew. Anyway, I’m going to—

“A generous serving of Merry-style rice pilaf, Merry-style sausages and Merry-style stir-fried vegetables!” Merry boisterously cheered again as he enthusiastically set up the bed tray in front of Kuro. This man has no indoor voice. “Bon appetit!” He followed with a sing-song voice.

Kuro’s lips stretched into a thin line. He could barely mask his annoyance, managing a neutral face at most.

Where was I again? Ah, right. I shall—

The smoky scent tinged with tanginess of the marinated sausage filled his nostrils. The colors of bright red, yellow and mixed greens danced before his eyes, rousing his appetite even more.

Fine. He relents to the allure of food and his hunger. The scheming can come later. After all, one cannot think on an empty stomach. Must all three of them really watch him eat, though?

“So, Kradoor,” The kindly gentleman spoke again, nevermind how he looks at Kuro like he’s feeding a hamster. “Where were you from?”

It was a good thing he’s stuffed his mouth. It would make a convincing pause as he thinks of an answer as he chews. After all, a shipwrecked broken man wasn’t quite the scenario he rehearsed in mind.

But first, he must correct something. This was the perfect opportunity to salvage his funny name, even for a bit.

“It’s Klahadore actually, Sir,” he replied while wiping a napkin over his mouth, quickly followed by his quirky signature gesture of pushing up his glasses with his palm. 

“Oh!” There goes the gentleman’s doe eyes again. “Forgive me for getting your name wrong, Klahadore.”

“I worked on a ship until a few days ago,” Kuro spoke carefully. “I made a silly mistake and was fired. My boss had a volatile temper and asked me to jump overboard. It was unreasonable, but I had to choose between dying onboard or daring my odds at the sea for survival.” The hilarious irony of his lies completely flew over his head.

This isn’t the most elegant tale but this will have to do. I need their pity, not admiration. He muttered to himself. This is now the history he will have to live with to accomplish his masterful lie.

And he was right. The couple looked at him with heartbroken gazes. He found it laughable yet insulting with how quickly they bought into his lies.

“Klahadore,” the lady spoke. “What do you plan to do after this?”

“I am ashamed to say this, Ma’am,” Kuro was quick to put on his act. He makes a surprisingly convincing pitiful face. “But when I jumped into the sea, my only thoughts were my vain hopes to live. I have nowhere else to go.”

The lady squeezed his hand in empathy. “I know our introduction is quite late, but I am Klara and this is my husband, Klauss. I hope this isn’t presumptuous of me, but we’d love to hire you while you think about what you want to do next.”

“Thank you!” His crocodile tears and smile of relief looked frighteningly genuine. He truly has the devil’s wits. “I owe you my life. I’ll be glad to serve you the best I can, Ma’am!”

Chapter Text

“This is the kitchen. We keep the premium tea leaves in this drawer, the third cabinet from the left. There’s also tea leaves that employees may use, it’s in the second one.” Merry enthusiastically explains. “That over there is the common medicine cabinet, accessible for all employees.”

“Hmmm. Noted,” Kuro replied dryly.

It has already been a week since he has stayed in the estate.

Today supposedly marked his full recovery and Merry is showing him around the mansion to prepare him for his duties. In truth, he already recovered his strength three days ago thanks to his honed physique but decided to play along Mister Klauss’s advice of prolonged bed rest. He wasn’t exactly excited about being someone’s servant.

As the freakish goat-like fellow ran his mouth, Kuro quickly scanned the room. For crevices, unused cabinets, inconspicuous hiding places—he started gathering variables to piece together his grand plan. What to use it for, which scenario will it come to play, where he can carefully plant his devices…

“Any questions with what I just explained, Klahadore?” Merry asks with a courteous grin. He’s obviously enjoying his role of being a showroom guide of sorts.

“Premium tea leaves for the masters of the house in this drawer, common tea leaves accessible to employees in the left, common medicine cabinet is over there, and the tea set is up in that cabinet. Madam Klara loves her porcelain teacups the most, we use the periwinkle one for her birthday.” Kuro recited excellently, his expression stiff and unchanging. “No, I do not have any questions. We can proceed to the next part.” 

It’s like he has two separate sets of brain functioning at the same time.

Merry blinked twice, astonished. It felt like he was looking at a completely different person. Klahadore was far from the frail-looking, soft-spoken man he was when they found him.

But he couldn’t bring himself to ask. He just chalked it up to Klahadore’s work ethic.

They walk across the corridor, and then to the garden. Now that Merry paid closer attention, he noticed Klahadore had very quiet footsteps, too.

That, and his striped shoes looked goofy. They harshly clashed with the image of the elegant man beside him.

Poor fellow. From his account, his boss sounds terrible. He must’ve been very scared all the time that his steps have become careful as a mouse, Merry mused to himself. His instincts were completely off-base.

“Ahem. Well, here’s the garden. We don’t have much to do here since this is a gardener’s expertise, but the masters of the house love to have afternoon tea here. It is our duty to make the preparations,” Merry tried to distract himself from his thoughts. This will be a new home for Klahadore to build back his confidence. “By the way, Madam Klara is allergic to pollen.”

“These are the duties of a butler, correct?”

“Why, yes. Yes, it is,” Merry replied with small affirming nods.

“Aren’t you already occupying that role?” Kuro prodded. The job of a butler might be infinitely more prestigious than any other role to occupy in the house, but he decided to approach his plan as a simple laborer. That way, he can move more freely around the house in the guise of household maintenance.

That, and caring for someone other than himself is such a foreign concept to him.

“I’d hate to take it away from you,” his voice fell flat and rather matter-of-factly. His mind is set not to become a glorified babysitter to privileged adults. This Merry fellow can have all of it.

“Oh, no problem!” The curly-haired gentleman quickly assured him. “Yes, I’m the family butler, but you will be assigned to Miss Kaya. She wanted to have a personal butler for a while now.”

“Miss Kaya?” Kuro arched one brow in curt scrutiny. Of course, there’s an heir in the equation—an heiress, in this case. How could he have possibly overlooked that.

“Yes. Miss Kaya,” there is fondness in Merry’s voice as he spoke. “She’s coming back from a trip to the neighboring town today.”

*****

It was a long, tiring day hearing Merry talk the entire time. Despite the man’s enthusiasm, he lacked the grace and eloquence a speaker would. His voice gets particularly grating when he’s excited that it’s not a stretch to compare it to a bleating goat’s.

Kuro glanced at the clock they passed by. It’s only 3PM.

One more spiel from this goat and my ears will fall off, Kuro vindictively thought as he pointedly stared at Merry’s back who walked a few paces ahead of him. He’s so close to engineering an “accident”.

“So, Klahadore!” There it goes again. One of Merry’s small talks because apparently the concept of peace and quiet does not exist to him. “How’s your back? Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine now. Thanks,” Kuro replies curtly. He hopes the noisy goat will take a hint already.

“That’s great!” Merry clasped his hands. “I’m really sorry for that! Good thing the horse stopped on time and you weren’t grievously injured!”

Duly noted. Kuro makes the mental note as he seethes. The horse didn’t really stop on time, but his resilient build made it so he can brush off an injury like that after a few days of rest. Good to know the person responsible for that humiliation. I’ll see to it you’ll get your just desserts soon.

“So, Klahadore!” Merry chimes with a sing-song voice again. “Guess where we’re going neeext ?”

“...The servant quarters?” Kuro replied with a damp tone. He couldn’t be bothered to humor this man anymore.

“Oh,” Merry’s expression was enough to sell his “oopsie” moment. He forgot that Klahadore has been staying in the guest room the entire time. “Yes! Later.”

“But for now—tada!” He opens the door in front of them. “We’re fitting your uniform!”

*****

A few minutes later, Klahadore steps out of the dressing room. Merry made soft little claps in excitement. The fabric fitted his figure so well, it felt like he was staring at a bridegroom.

“Well?” Kuro said.

“Well, you look amazing!” Merry quickly pulled the mirror in front of Klahadore.

It’s a standard butler uniform, you dolt. Kuro mentally sneered. He wasn’t a fan of Merry patronizing him, oblivious to his own appeal in a suit. He adjusted the hems of his suit in front of the mirror. The outfit was okay, so long as he glosses over the fact that this uniform comes with the role of bending over to weaklings like a servile mutt.

“And so—,” Merry froze, his expression stuck in an awkward mix of smile and horror. He missed a crucial detail.

Klahadore is still wearing his goofy, striped shoes.

“...Your shoes,” Merry swallowed, thinking how to carefully lay his concerns to the gentleman. It must’ve been a dear keepsake to Klahadore but it was atrocious against his otherwise perfect outfit. It has to go.

“My shoes?” Kuro hummed curiously. “What about it?”

“W-well…,” Merry couldn’t say it. In his mind, he can picture Klahadore’s eyes drooping to a disheartened look. “The shoes. The uniform…came with new shoes.”

“Ah, but I quite like this,” Kuro gave a rare, light smirk. “This will always remind me of the gratitude I have for this family.” His words were laced with poison, but Merry was oblivious to his lies. His crafty dialogues are wasted on this man.

In actuality, Kuro had been taking note of Merry’s expressions the entire time. That smarmy goat was an open book. He took joy in seeing the man lose his comfort with the chaotic ensemble of his outfit. It was his way of getting back at Merry for being a generally annoying presence.

Merry’s shoulders droop. He can forgive it, he supposes, especially if that was his reason for holding onto those silly shoes. Who was he to judge, anyway?

“Mister Merry, Mister Klahadore, are you done fitting the uniform?” One of the maids approached them.

“A few more minutes, please,” Merry replied while holding up a finger.

“Alright. Please wrap it up as soon as you can,” the lady chirped. “Miss Kaya is arriving soon. We must assemble in the lobby for her welcome.”

*****

The servants of the house lined in two, clean files. Kuro would have loved to stay inconspicuous and be part of the boring scenery but Merry just had to invite him to stand beside him. As family butler, Merry stood the closest to Klauss and Klara. Kuro knew that attention was inevitable at this point.

Kuro took note of each personality he saw during the assembly. The gardener is a tattletale. The maid who checked on them, her name is Lena, is very attentive to detail. The cook is very enthusiastic with gossip.

The general theme of this household is that nobody can keep to their damn business, Kuro scrunched his eyebrows with this assessment. The thought annoyed him. Second to incompetence, he hated the nosy types. He would have clawed them without a second thought if things were back in his ship.

“Shhh! There she is!”

The plodding clop of horses grew louder by proximity. A simple yet elegant carriage circled the fountain before finally stopping at the mansion’s entrance.

Ah, yes, I was supposed to be the personal butler to this “Miss Kaya”. Kuro pensively stared at the carriage that has yet to open. A dark little song hums at the back of his mind.

Now, what kind of lady would you be? Depending on that, your death might be one of mercy.

Chapter Text

A dainty figure donning a flowy, pastel dress alighted the carriage.

Kaya, the sole heiress of the estate, has finally returned home. She carried with her a familiar softness and elegance.

She was the spitting image of her mother.

Her eyes wandered through the familiar faces whose smiles immediately greeted her with the warmth of home. Until she noticed a particularly lanky figure stand out from the rest like a sunflower among daisies.

In that moment, their gazes connected. Her hazel eyes met his obsidian ones.

“Kaya, how was your visit in the neighboring town?” Klara inquired thoughtfully.

A faint blush flushed Kaya’s ears. She became aware of herself staring at the brooding stranger for much longer than appropriate. She has to do something else before she embarrasses herself.

“Oh, it was wonderful. I can’t wait to tell you all about it later,” she turned her attention towards her parents. “But Mother, you don't have to do this every time I go out of town. I don’t want to bother everyone in the house.”

“You talk to your father. It was his idea,” Klara grinned as she cupped her daughter’s face.

But Kaya’s worries were needless, since the raven-haired stranger had his thoughts somewhere else. The only thing Kuro got out from that brief eye contact was that she has her mother’s face and her father’s obfuscating, naive eyes. He couldn’t quite get a read on her yet. He will have to observe her further to see how she fits in his plans.

He fixed his gaze at the picture of a warm and happy family happening before him.

One thing’s for sure. This family is dearly loved by everyone in the estate. That, combined with their nosy habits, would keep assassination and looting out of the question. Kuro gritted his teeth. His easier and more straightforward options are out of the window.

Even such moving displays of familial affection did nothing to shake his resolve. He will get their fortune and be done with it. No ifs and buts.

He wouldn’t be the fearsome Captain Kuro if a mere family drama could stop him in his tracks.

*****

Kaya laid her back on her bed as she drew a breathy sigh of relief.

She had just finished unpacking her things, and sorting which goes through the laundry and which ones go back to the closet. The maids have offered their help but she insisted on doing it on her own. She loves her independence, and it’s in these small moments and her trips that give her that sense of accomplishment..

The young lady continued to stare at the ceiling. The memory of the brooding stranger whose presence was like a dark cloud on a warm summer day kept swaying in her mind. His face was stoic, if not almost scowling. His stature was imposing and aloof. Even so, she felt curiosity in his person. She wanted to get to know this man.

Kaya finally sat up from her bed. She remembered her parents asking her to come to the dining room for a small gathering as soon as she finished unpacking. She told them she would only take 30 minutes. It was already 5 minutes too late.

The young lady quickly descended the stairs and rushed to the dining room. The servants of the house watched her fondly as she went.

As she opened the door, a strange feeling pricked her chest. It was the same curiosity she felt back then. Even without prior knowledge that his presence would be in the room, her eyes quickly darted onto those familiar obsidian eyes. It must be one of fate’s mischievous tricks.

“Kaya,” Klara greeted with a warm smile. “Come sit over here. We have something to tell you.”

Kaya sat beside her mother, opposite to the mysterious stranger. Does this discussion have something to do with this man before her? She felt a little excited about that prospect but decided not to keep her hopes up.

“Meet Klahadore,” Klauss then spoke. “He’ll be assigned as your personal butler from now on.”

Kaya blinked once, then twice. She looked at the man before her with wide-eyed wonder, as if Klahadore grew another head. When she wished to get to know him, she didn’t know it’ll manifest by him becoming her personal butler—another thing she had also wished for so long.

Klahadore. She liked the sound of it. Something about the name suited the man in front of her so well.

The man just nodded in acknowledgement of her father’s statement.

Maybe he’s the quiet type. He looked the sort, Kaya pondered. She thought of something to say, a nice topic to start a friendly connection, but his poker face kept her second guessing if it was the appropriate thing to do.

“Kaya, dear. How was your trip?” Her father chimed in.

Maybe later, Kaya thought to herself. Oh, how she almost forgot her excitement of regaling her parents with the tales of her wonderful trips just because of a new face in the room.

How silly of me, she thought again. She’ll think of a good topic she and Klahadore can talk about after.

“It was marvelous!” Kaya started. “A new building was built since my last visit. It had a more modern feel than the rest of the bigger buildings around. I quite love the avant-garde appeal they had for it.”

“I heard from the townsfolk that it’s a new headquarters for the Marines.”

Kuro twitched at the statement. Those scurvy swabs just keep crawling everywhere—he dialed back on that thought. He always hated slipping back to his pirate’s tongue. It reminded him of the barbarism and savagery that comes with being a pirate.

Like rabid dogs in the sea. Mindless beasts who are slaves to instinct.

But he is different—elegant, rational, and meticulous.

I am not a beast.

*****

Some time after the talks had concluded, Kuro sat in the garden to stew in his frustrations and troubled thoughts he had been holding in excellently throughout the pleasant get-together.

I just settled here out of pure luck and the Marines still managed to stick to my tail?!

Kuro gritted his teeth like nails on a chalkboard. This phantom feeling of persecution, the persistent shadow looming over his head, the very reason he faked his death and hatched his 3-year plan in the first place, all of it came hurtling back to him. The Marines are closer than ever—it was like he never made a step forward at all.

Curses! He raised his clenched fist, knuckles turning white at the tension, ready to slam down to the marbled concrete he sat on along with his frustrations.

“I heard about you from Merry,” a gentle voice interrupted him like cool water splashing all over his white-hot rage. It was Kaya, the lady he was assigned to serve from this day onward. The young lady had invited herself to his company and sat beside him before he could say a single word of protest. He could only respond to the situation by awkwardly putting his fist down and assuming the usual aloof yet polite posture Klahadore would have.

“Why were you kicked out of your ship?”

“Because I made a terrible mistake, Milady.”

It was the first exchange between two souls who couldn’t be more different. The first thread of light that slipped through the cracks of his long-dimmed conscience.

But he wouldn’t know it yet. It was three years too early for this conversation.

Kaya felt overcome with embarrassment from the revelation. She realized she asked something too sensitive. A landmine. How did she even arrive at the conclusion that dwelling on past failures would make for a positive bonding time?

“I worked for a pirate ship, though I’ve never considered myself a pirate. I merely cleaned the deck and served them so I could survive,” Kuro continued. He didn’t know why, either. It would benefit him more if the lady continued to embarrass herself and kill the entire conversation. That should’ve taught her not to involve herself with him. But he felt like talking anyway, even if all that came out of his mouth were anecdotes of a man who never existed. A character he created in his head—Klahadore.

“The Captain was cruel and thorough. He wouldn’t tolerate the slightest mistakes,” his words unconsciously mirrored his vision of himself. “Ruin his plan and find yourself walking the plank. But it was necessary cruelty to keep his beastly crew in line. You see, without his orders they are nothing but a pile of unruly slobs. Not a meaning to their violence, not a profit to their foolish gambits.”

“You are a good person, Klahadore,” her words were incomprehensible to the man before him. “To me, your former boss just sounds so unnecessarily difficult and cruel, but you managed to find meaning and kindness in his actions.”

Kaya stood up from her seat to stand before Klahadore. She wasn’t sure how to see him as a person before this conversation, but now she has confirmed her doubts: Klahadore is a genuinely good person, whose gentleness may not shine in shallow depths, but in the subtleties of his actions and words.

She offered her hand to the man before her—a sign to renew the pact between lady and butler, Kaya and Klahadore.

Oh, how she read him wrong. Kuro stared at the hand offered to him evenly.

“Klahadore!” Kaya beamed with renewed confidence. Her face was blinding against the view of the sky, as if the sun chose to shine down at Kuro alone at that moment. It was…agitating. “I’ll be in your care!”

Kuro took the hand before him, returning the gesture with a light, even smile. “It is my honor, Miss Kaya.”

Oh, how he itched to rip that smile away from her face. The prospect of seeing that hope, those lights behind her eyes, get stomped like a spent cigar was the lullaby that soothed his raging ego.

I shall never forget this day, my sweet Miss Kaya. The tranquil fury coursed through like a raging river underneath his placid gaze. The humiliation this submission you forced me today shall be repaid well.

Chapter Text

Kuro was already up before the crack of dawn. It wasn’t the excitement for his first day as official personal butler to Kaya, nor is it a particularly special day. Rather, he wanted to take a look around the estate and observe everyone’s routines. Who gets up first, which part of the house gets easily crowded in the morning, and what are the first tasks of the day. Information that would prove useful for his plans.

And he was able to accomplish these things, only with the unfortunate company of Merry, who predictably mistook his punctuality with excitement and had been enthusiastically showing him around for everyone to see and hear. It wasn’t really the kind of snooping around he anticipated, but it will have to do.

“And the cook over there is cooking her special grilled duck,” Merry happily extended his arm to introduce the chef. “Mmm, the butter! Always a delight to smell.”

“Great,” Kuro spoke flatly, barely hiding his annoyance for his ruined plan. The smell did not entice him even a little bit, and yet somehow Merry read that as his “stoic on the outside, but very happy inside” face. Everybody quickly moved on to accept the change from Kuro’s quickly discarded facade of a soft, frail man into a stoic but well-meaning person. 

Not that Kuro has any qualms regarding the matter.

“I trust you know what we ought to do next?” Merry bobbed his head to the side and peaked at the taller man like an enthusiastic teacher in a kindergarten setting.

“Preparing the food. Serving it to the masters of the house,” Kuro replied robotically. It was the most neutral response he could manage underneath the seething rage of his self-imposed humiliation. His ego was in shambles as they spoke. How dare they make me, Captain Kuro Of A Hundred Plans, a feared menace of the East Blue, play house and serve them food?!

His thoughts were a frenzied swirl of fires but through it all, he managed to make delicate work of his preparations. He truly had a knack of being an excellent butler despite his anguished complaints.

*****

Kuro walks around the mansion again. It was his free time. Kaya loves to spend her mornings after breakfast reading books inside her room until lunchtime. He saw no purpose to lurk around her room and be part of the furniture.

As he passed by a giant family portrait, he remembered how this morning’s breakfast went. It was mostly nondescript, except for Kaya being mysteriously very giddy the entire time and kept bubbling into soft giggles every so often. He may have also imagined bending the silverware at least five times out of anger.

Was she poking fun at me? The nerve of that brat. Her improbable offenses kept piling up on Kuro’s list.

“Klahadore!” The familiar sing-song tune was enough to let Kuro know something ridiculous is about to happen again. He may have gotten rid of Django for the meantime, but a worse nuisance has taken his place.

The surly butler closed his eyes and curled his lips. He’s not dealing with him right now.

Kuro quickly strode to the garden like a cat avoiding his obnoxiously affectionate master. I’m not guilty of ignoring Merry if we didn’t see each other in the first place, he nodded. He looked around to see if he could do something in the garden to complete his alibi. There he saw Klara standing at the gazebo lost in her thoughts.

She was mesmerizing in her reverie, like a lone flower blooming inside the gilded halls.

“Oh Klahadore,” the lady spoke, breaking the trance between them. “If you wish to speak your mind, then feel free to do so. Or do you find me too intimidating? Perhaps, standoffish?”

She was neither of those, that Kuro was sure of. It took a while before his cogency returned to him and he could only clear his throat to hide his embarrassment.

“Never, Madam,” Kuro finally replied in his usual reserved politeness. “I merely found it rude to intrude on your thoughts. I’d be glad if you did not think ill of yourself nor my intentions.”

“I apologize,” Klara acknowledged with her usual dainty smile. “Very well, are you busy? I know you’re my Kaya’s personal butler now, but can you spare some time to prepare me a cup of tea?”

It was the opportunity of escape he needed and Klara wasn’t a terrible choice of company. He didn’t find any reason to say no to her request. Oddly, it didn’t feel as irritating when it came to giving in to her requests. The madam was a peculiar authority, she carried herself with such disarming grace and noble dignity. She was like a dazzling diadem, and it felt right to serve her.

*****

Kuro pours the tea in perfect measure. He was flawless in his pretense, one can never assume he used to be a violent captain of infamous pirates.

“Thank you,” Klara smiles before she takes a little sip. Kuro stood by the handrails, stoic and unmoving as an owl by the way he watched over her.

“The people who work here,” the lady continued, much to Kuro’s surprise. He knew small talk was bound to happen, but somehow Klara is a box of mystery. He couldn’t anticipate her thoughts, she could talk about anything and everything in that moment. “They work here because they find meaning in their service. Is it the same for you?”

The dark-eyed gentleman thought it would be in his favor to glean a little bit more sympathy. And so he replied, “My service is my gratitude for you and Mister Klauss saving my life, Madam. There could never be a greater meaning for me than that.”

“And what if I told you that debt wasn’t supposed to be paid by your service?” Klara thoughtfully responds, opening a question Kuro wasn’t ready to answer. “Your purpose doesn’t have to be limited here. When you first stepped on the ship you worked at, didn’t you have a dream to fulfill?”

“When I sank into the vast blue, those dreams drowned so I could swim back to the surface. A man can only carry so much if he dares swim aimlessly across the sea,” the fair butler chuckled, letting a bit of his ill humor show.

“And should that be the end?” A heavy question, but weight means nothing to a phantom. Klahadore wasn’t real and so was his tragedy. Yet the way Klara looked at Kuro made him feel as if she peers at Kuro, not Klahadore.

“I was no different from a dead man before you found me anyway,” Kuro curtly replied.

“Do you have any regrets?” She asks once more, seemingly glossing over his dramatic response.

God, does she also ask Merry these existential questions? Kuro closed his eyes for a bit to avert rolling his eyes. He began to ponder if it was worth escaping Merry for this.

“I do,” Kuro replies in practiced modesty. “But it is something I must sort by myself.”

“Regret is for the living. It is proof you are alive,” Klara says with a faint smile. “Therefore you are no dead man, Klahadore. It is only the end when you draw your last breath. As long as you are alive, you will always have a choice to start over again.”

Silence was all he could offer to her sincerity. Her words felt strangely comforting. They spoke to Klahadore, not him. Yet he found solace in those pretty words.

“There you are!” Merry exclaimed, snapping Kuro out of his somber mulling.

“Were you looking for me?” Kuro feigned, concealing his glower with his best attempt at a surprised face. He should have known Merry wouldn’t give up that easily.

“Oh? Are you accompanying Madam Klara?” Merry inquired thoughtfully, only realizing now that he has stepped into their conversation. He looked as if he was going to see himself out, much to Kuro’s smug relief.

“It’s quite alright,” Klara reassured the frantic older gent. “We were just finished with our talk.”

Kuro’s smile dropped into a flatline. He knows by now that Merry’s company is inevitable. It’s as proven as Newton’s third law of motion.

“Then, come with me,” Merry called out again, his bright smile making Kuro unconsciously tense his shoulders. “I have something to give you. It’s a present from Miss Kaya.”

“Miss Kaya?” Kuro raised an eyebrow.

Was that the reason why she kept giggling during breakfast?

*****

“I have two golden turds embroidered on my suit,” Kuro remarked flatly.

“No, no, no!” Merry shrieked. He couldn’t allow anyone to insult Miss Kaya’s thoughtfulness with crude assumptions. Not even if it was good ole Klahadore. “I told you it’s a golden helix inspired from the tower Miss Kaya saw in one of her trips! Golden! Helical! Towers!”

“So, two golden massive turds, it is,” Kuro quipped bemusedly.

Kuro heaved a heavy sigh. 

I AM GOING TO TWIST THAT BRAT’S NECK!!! His anger imploded in the figurative corners of his mind. He felt his blood rush up to his face, and all his violent urges he had been trying to curb wash up to the forefront and make him see red. He did not react kindly to what he saw as a prank from Kaya.

Fortunately, as a master of tranquil anger, all of these violent thoughts translated to his face as a blank, if not mildly dissociated, expression.

“Come on, Klahadore,” Merry tried to persuade him once more.

“Of course I was kidding,” Kuro smiled with a very benign look on his face. As if he wasn’t having an internal meltdown a mere moments ago.

He cannot simply risk losing his patience. Not with the Marine headquarters being so nearby, and most importantly, not with her family’s wealth still out of his grasp. He has already stooped this low, he’s not going to leave empty-handed. Not when the easiest ticket to a quiet and luxurious retirement is handed to him on a silver platter. All he needed to do was rack his brain a little and muster every bit of patience in his lanky body.

Easy peasy. Deep breaths, Kuro. Deep breaths.

He pushed up his spectacles with his palm, and he felt his muscles relax and his rage simmering down. He looked at the surroundings with renewed clarity. As if a switch was flipped on his being.

It was his self-imposed cue to take back his control. The leash to rein down his violent impulses. And it worked like a charm every time he did so.

“What a warm thought behind this marvelous design,” he looks weakly at the “golden turds” in his suit with a smile of defeat—not that Merry can tell the difference. “I’ll treasure this.”

“Wonderful! Now you’re set for the main event of today,” Merry cheered as he clapped his hands in excitement.

“Main event?” Kuro squinted apprehensively. As simple as this excitable goat is, he always manages to come up with something to surprise him.

“Yes! Miss Kaya wanted you to accompany her throughout the town today!”

*****

Captain Kuro Of A Hundred Plans is a feared pirate of the East Blue. 

Chaos and carnage followed him wherever he went. His Cat Claws, a weapon fashioned as black-furred gloves with ten blades resembling long sharp claws, completed his ensemble. He was a peerless menace who felled countless friends and foes alike.

In every conquest, his hands are dyed red with the blood of his enemies. And right now, on his hands…

…lay a pile of delicately designed boxes sitting on each palm. With 6 shopping bags hanging on each arm.

“Oh my gosh! Did they introduce a new cake flavor while I was away?” Kaya put up both hands to her face. One can almost see the fireworks set off in her eyes.

For Pete’s sake, it’s just cake, Kuro mumbled as he trudged after her.

“Hey, Klahadore! Do you think Mother would love this one?” Kaya gleefully asked.

“I don’t know, Miss Kaya,” Kuro replied flatly, but frankly he wished she wouldn’t buy anything anymore. “Though if I may suggest—”

Thunk.

Another box was piled onto the growing tower on his right hand.

HUH. Kuro twitches in disbelief. He was too exasperated in her inability to read the situation to squeeze in a protest.

“Do you think we’re missing anything else?” Kaya finally pondered after hopping through every store in town, completely oblivious to her butler’s labor. In her defense, Klahadore kept it classy and cool throughout their whole shopping trip. He took everything in stride, both figuratively and quite literally.

Klahadore did not answer.

“Klahadore?” Kaya inquired once more.

“I jeenk sheenk show, Meesh Kaya. Jeesh ish quite…eenuff,” there was strain in Klahadore’s voice and it was evident that he was clenching his jaw as he spoke. Kaya turned around and lo and behold, her butler has long since surpassed his hands’ capacity. He is biting her purse by the handle in his last attempt to hold onto the things she mindlessly passed him.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry!” Kaya made a small jump in astonishment. His rather ridiculous pose managed to stifle a laugh out of her. “I’m sorry,” She apologized again in between soft laughs. “I couldn’t help but laugh. You reminded me of a funny-looking snowman.”

Kuro only returned the sentiment with a narrow squint.

“Right, right. This is more than enough,” Kaya conceded with a polite smile. “Here, let me help you bring those to the carriage.”

*****

Kuro alighted the carriage first.

Kaya didn’t move from her seat and stared at Klahadore with a prim smile and googly eyes. Whatever it is, the unspoken request tragically flew over his head. The sulky butler never missed a beat and started to take out the non-fragile boxes from the carriage and pile them beside him.

What a brat. She wouldn’t even help me take out these boxes containing HER things. Back on my ship, I’d haul the most important treasures myself. What better way to ensure something is done correctly than taking matters into your own hands? Kuro ranted inwardly as he stared at the purse and cake behind her. He glanced at Kaya and extended his hand, challenging her initiative one last time.

The young lady beamed like the sun and returned the gesture excitedly by placing her hand gently on his, startling Kuro in return. “I thought you’d never take a hint!” Her smile was uncomfortably bright, it made Kuro’s chest mysteriously twinge. He identified the feeling as contempt for her naivete.

Kaya finally alighted the carriage with Kuro reluctantly chaperoning her. The ghost of her soft, delicate hand lingered on his hand even as she left and made her way to the mansion. When was the last time he held another person’s hand? The shadow of his bloodied gauntlet haunted his vision as he pensively stared at his hand.

These hands which only served to cut down whatever stood in his way until now held pretty and fragile things today.

He chuckled at the thought.

“Miss Kaya!” It was Merry’s voice, racked with concern. Before Kuro knew it, he had risked blowing his cover by instinctively activating his Stealth Foot technique to quickly follow after the young lady. No mere human could cover such distance in mere seconds. It was one of Captain Kuro’s remarkable feats. A mark of his identity.

But it was a red flag that passed by unnoticed, for everyone was absorbed into more disturbing news that day.

Chapter Text

“What happened?!” Kuro swung the doors open only to find Merry cradling an unconscious Kaya.

The tall, dark gentleman knelt down beside Merry and moved the golden stray strands on Kaya’s face to the side with unnatural deftness, as if the ghosts of his claws could cut her skin at any moment. Though unconscious, traces of pain were evident with her creased eyebrows and tightly sealed lips. “Did you do anything?” Kuro asked once more as he loured over his contrite companion.

“Goodness, no! B-but maybe I opened my mouth too soon. I apologize,” Merry started. “But to my shock, I wasn’t able to control my emotions. T-the masters of the house…”

The next words that came out of his mouth sent a shiver down to Kuro’s spine. Whether it was thrill or shock or grief, he wouldn’t know, but he could only react to the news with a wordless, pointed glare.

“...have passed away. Mister Klauss and Madam Klara are gone.” The elder gentleman fought back tears as he finished his statement. “Our master was accompanied by the madam on his trip to a patient’s medical appointment in a neighboring town today. They suffered a severe road accident. They didn’t make it to the hospital.”

*****

Kuro paced absently around Kaya’s bedroom. The young lady remained unconscious in her bed, unaware of his restless presence in the room. Despite his rather pensive focus, he couldn’t form a single thought. A weird feeling aching to be recognized swells at the back of his mind.

He knew what it was. It was a feeling he was well-acquainted with in his long, tumultuous journey in the seas. It was the ever-familiar feeling of “loss”.

It wasn’t his first experience with loss. Neither was this his biggest.

But a strange hollowness filled him. As if his arms are wading through the lightless ocean.

What is different this time?

The garden pebbles reminded him of gentle, hazel eyes who looked at him with such compassion.

What is different this time?

The billowing curtains reminded him of a wispy silhouette of a certain madam who walked with gentle elegance. 

What is different this time?

“When you first stepped on the ship you worked on, didn’t you have a dream to fulfill?”

“I was no different from a dead man before you found me anyway.”

The memory of that conversation kept pushing at the front of his mind, muddling his thoughts.

What is different this time?

It was his mind. His logic was flawed from the very beginning. The fact that he considered this a loss was strange in itself. An unusual sentiment for the peerless Captain Kuro.

His “loss” was never a person. Never a soul. It was a missed opportunity, a failed plan, or an unobtained treasure.

And yet the same feeling haunts him as he recalls the memories of the two people he owed his life to.

“Owed my life to”? Nay, I saved myself! It was my plan! I fooled them with my devilish wiles! His ironclad control threatened to come apart with the apparent challenge to his emotions. Was he feeling attached now? No. What he felt was confusion—he was willing to admit that rather than the former.

“I am frustrated,” a desperate explanation came out to tame his inner demons. “This is frustration , a feeling easily mistaken for loss. This was not part of my plan. And because of this, I have to make quite a number of adjustments.”

Not that he has figured out a solid plan to get their fortune. But he is willing to write off the couple’s demise as “unforeseen circumstances” to quell the noise filling him inside.

Finally snapping out of his trance, he finds himself facing a mirror. His round glasses have slid down his nose yet again. He pushes it up with his palms and froze at the reflection he saw in the mirror. The distinct way he held his glasses reminded him of the shadow of his true self.

A subtle habit, a constant reminder.

He was a ruthless pirate, first and foremost. He was and had never been anything else.

“Klahadore?” A familiar voice called out from beyond the door, followed by a soft knock. It was Merry. “Can I ask you to come outside for a moment?”

*****

“Miss Kaya’s relatives are coming?” Kuro inquired incredulously. It’s one thing after another. First, his primary targets die unexpectedly and now it turns out that the young lady has relatives. But most importantly…

…The claim to the inheritance! Kuro clenched his teeth. Whatever semblance of grief he was experiencing a while ago was quickly washed away by his surging emotions of rage and possessive greed. How dare they try to meddle with my spoils! I got here first!

“Yes. They must have wanted to help with the funeral arrangements. They’re family, after all,” Merry spoke passively as he averted his gaze from Klahadore. He was usually a fellow who wore his emotions in a conversation, but Kuro could sense the other gentleman’s disconnect with his own statements.

Something’s not right and the wily devil picked it up right away.

“Merry, it may not be my place to ask…,” Kuro led his probing. “...but you seemed worried. What are Miss Kaya’s relatives like?”

“Oh, them opportunistic rascals!” Merry exclaimed, quick to take the bait. “Ahem. I’m sorry, but it is what it is. They’re envious of the masters’ success and do nothing but sneer at them behind their back. Those ingrates don’t deserve their generosity!”

“I understand. That is especially concerning…,” Kuro feigned sympathy. He knew just the words to say to play the other gentleman like a fiddle. “As Miss Kaya’s personal butler, and someone who is greatly indebted to Mister Klauss and the madam, I cannot fully place my confidence in them to take care of Miss Kaya and her assets if they are as you say.”

“O-oh, I don’t mean to badmouth them or anything,” The elder gentleman was quick to give in to his caprice. He was never one to have a spine for confrontations.

“No. Merry,” Kuro carefully plants his scheme. “I think you are rightfully wary of these people. If I may suggest, you should be the primary custodian to the estate and her inheritance until she turns legal.”

“M-me?” Merry gasped in disbelief.

“Yes, Merry. You have been the house butler in this family for years,” Kuro continued. Much as he wants to seize the opportunity, he cannot let anyone perceive the greed in his eyes. His deception must be perfect. And for that, he was willing to go through hoops and loops. Merry has proven to be easy to manipulate, and so he’s the perfect placeholder for this intricate scheme.

He places his hands on Merry as he declares his support. “I cannot think of anyone more trustworthy than you are. Don’t worry, I will support you in any way I can. Let’s work on this together. For Miss Kaya…for Mister Klauss and Madam Klara’s greatest treasure .”

Merry looks at him with renewed confidence. “You’re right, Klahadore. I’m glad you’re here, my friend.”

Friend. Kuro almost chuckled. Oh, you poor sweet thing.

He recalls his last conversation with his first mate Django. Of how he’ll disappear for three years and call them back again to accomplish his grand plan. It was his first try doing an impromptu plan and his greatest work-in-progress yet. And even so, his experiment is coming together poetically—he couldn’t help but marvel at his genius.

“How old is Miss Kaya again?” Kuro asked.

“She’s sixteen years old. Why?” Merry answered.

Hmmm, then that would mean she’ll inherit the property in 2 years. I have 1 more year to convince her to transfer the ownership to me. Kuro was already calculating possibilities and hypotheses in his mind.

No, wait. I have Django—a simple hypnosis would do the trick.

But 2 years! That would only be 2 years, not 3! Alas, if this genius mastermind had one glaring flaw, it was his incorrigible fixation to follow his plans to the letter. It has to be THREE years!

Then an idea clicked to him. The universe loves humoring his weird fixation with timing today. It’s possible for this plan to span 3 years. She can inherit the property in the 2nd year, and the final year will be spent with me perfecting my role of Klahadore and my elaborate deception of making the transfer of inheritance seem as natural as possible.

“Klahadore” will be the indispensable personal butler to Miss Kaya. An important person who will be like family to her, enough to favor him over her relatives.

“Klahadore?” Merry inquired once more, seeing that Klahadore seems to be absorbed in his own little world.

“Oh, sorry. Learning that just made this even more devastating,” Kuro made a convincing frown. “To think that she lost both parents so young, and she has yet to be a proper lady 2 years from now.”

“You’re right,” Merry frowned as well, his frame pitifully crumpling as he succumbed to his sorrows.

Kuro firmly places his hand on the elder gentleman’s shoulder once more and gives him once again a glimpse of his very rare smiles—this time one full of gentle assurance and hope.

“I’ll make sure to be the best butler Miss Kaya could ask for. It’s the least I could do to comfort her sorrows. Let’s shower her with care and affection in her parents’ place.”

“Thank you, Klahadore. I’m glad I can count on you, my dear friend,” Merry tearfully responded, unaware of the proverbial theater opening its curtains for Captain Kuro’s longest sham yet.

It'll be a long sweet trip for the young missy to the slaughterhouse. I hope you’ll enjoy the show from the front seat.

Chapter Text

Sometimes it’s the song of birds, sometimes it’s the family portrait across the hall.

Kaya’s tears threatened to spill at every tender thought. Her usual radiance became a lambent glow, a flickering candle against the roaring wind. Everything reminded her of their ghosts, and it made her cry every time it did so. She would cry herself to sleep and she would cry again upon waking up knowing that things would never be the same. Everything felt bleak and every step she took felt like the world would collapse under her feet.

Kuro, on the other hand, reveled in the mansion’s somber silence. The looming grayness, the quiet in the atmosphere, all of the usual festive warmth was snuffed out as if the building itself hid away from the sun to mourn its masters’ loss. It was finally the darkness he was comfortable with. It was the first time he felt he actually fit in the estate since he found himself in it.

It was time for breakfast. Usually Kuro would knock at Kaya’s door and escort her to the dining hall to eat with her parents, but the sight of the empty chairs made the young lady burst into tears. Merry suggested that Kaya should eat in her room until she felt better. It would probably be best for her to not see anything that reminds her of her parents until she heals.

Kuro pushes the meal trolley with a soft little hum. Usually the cart would weigh 50 pounds in his grudge and roaring ego. But these days, pampering the young lady such as delivering the meals to her room didn’t make him feel as sordid, for he is rewarded by the beautiful sight of her tear-stained cheeks and sullen face. She was lovelier, no, tolerable when she didn't smile. It was like finally seeing clouds in the sweltering sunny haze.

“Miss Kaya,” Kuro calls out with his cool, soothing voice as he knocks on the wooden door. “Your breakfast is here. May I come in?”

Kaya did not answer. It always took Kuro three to five times these days to call her name before she responded.

Lethargic responses usually send Kuro into a frenzy. He lost count of how many times he slashed a crewmate for making him repeat his orders. But instead, a small chuckle came out from his sleazy smirk. With every call that goes unanswered, he imagines the poor lady laboriously picking up the broken pieces of herself and struggling pointlessly to live another day.

I’d put you out of your misery if I could but sadly I still need you for my plans, Kuro mused in his twisted sense of chivalry. His knuckles hovered against the exquisite mahogany, contemplating whether it’s time to make another knock or if he should let the lady stew a little bit more in her misery.

Hang in there for a little bit more, will you, my dear?

“Come in,” there goes the cue he’s been waiting for. The sinister butler shrugged in mean confidence before opening the door and making his way to Kaya, who evidently lost all fight in her as she pitifully lay in her bed.

Kuro stops for a bit and makes a slight head tilt, marveling at her poor figure like he’s watching a bird on its last breath. “You poor thing,” he lowly hummed, not even attempting sympathy.

He prepares her breakfast in bed and assists the young lady to sit up and eat properly. Thick silence enveloped the room, save for the slight clattering of silverware. It was always how things went between the two of them. Sometimes Kaya would talk about her regrets before breaking down into tears, prompting Kuro to pat her on the back in his half-hearted attempt at consolation. He would stay quiet the entire time, his passive attempt to get through the ordeal because he frankly doesn’t care, and it ironically made him the greatest listener Kaya could ask for. His presence and company was her sole comfort, the crutch that kept her in getting through the days.

“How’s Miss Kaya?” Merry asks during one of their tea breaks together. Kuro couldn’t remember how he became swept up with having tea breaks with Merry as an afternoon routine. If he had to guess, it started from that spontaneous invitation three weeks ago.

“She’s…fine?” Kuro responds before taking a long sip, forgetting to blow on his piping hot tea. He quickly puts it down and stares puzzled at his tea, earning a chuckle from his companion. “Hmm. Well, not fine. But she’s slowly getting back to her usual appetite these days.”

“That’s good to know. I’m glad you’re there for her,” Merry gives him a gentle smile, sadness obviously wearing his usually cheerful features.

“You take care of yourself, too. You don’t seem to be doing well,” Kuro states his observations frankly. It wasn’t out of concern, but a habit of his to check on morale as a captain.

The months flew by and everybody slowly picked up their pace and moved along with the present times, save for Kaya, who seems to have withered more as time goes by. Even Merry was back with his usual cheeriness and energy. Kuro enjoyed the other fellow’s mellowness while it lasted.

Her distressed damsel stunt was cute for a while but it was starting to get old even for Kuro. He can only mock her suffering for so long, and it isn’t really entertaining to run the show by yourself with a languid audience. The brooding gentleman loomed over Kaya’s sleeping figure as he thought of how to address the situation.

“Miss Kaya,” his voice was low and cool, but it was enough to prompt Kaya to wake. Her cheeks blushed a furious tint of red upon realizing that the sharp-looking butler was bent over to her ear, hands respectfully crossed on his back. No wonder his voice sounded like he was directly speaking to her mind.

“K-Klahadore!” She inches away, startled at her butler’s proximity. “I-is my meal ready?”

Kaya quickly looks around and finds only the lone presence of her butler in the room. Klahadore clicks his tongue, further embarrassing Kaya with his rare reaction.

“This is not good, Milady,” Kuro waggled his finger at her. “Asking for a meal the moment you wake up? You have become so used to this… sedentary lifestyle. I’m afraid I cannot allow you to continue as a spoiled brat. Your parents raised you well, it is up to me to follow through on that.”

“I’m not trying to be spoiled,” she pouts. “I’m just tired…and sad. It’s just hard to get up. I’m sorry.”

“Nobody said it isn’t hard,” Kuro’s voice was firm but held none of his usual malice. It was quite gentle, in fact. “You talked alot about regrets. A wise person once told me that regret is proof you are alive. One should only stop when they’re dead. Do not give up on yourself, Milady.”

It was his best attempt at a motivational speech. A decent one for a first-timer, but gravely callous and inappropriate at the moment.

“Death…,” Kaya’s shoulders drooped and tears formed in the corner of her eye. It was enough cue for Kuro to know he stepped on a landmine.

“In any case, you have been staying in bed for far too long,” Kuro quickly moved on from the subject in an attempt to recover the situation. “Any more of this and your legs will waste away. I also read from a book that exercising improves your mood.”

“E-exercise? Now?” Kaya looks at him flustered.

“I think we can start with something mild,” Kuro remarked from a quick assessment of her body language. “A simple walk in the garden would do. Fresh air would be good for you, Miss Kaya.”

Kaya looks at the hand offered to her. Her arms were like lead and even rising from bed felt like getting out of a pool of tar. But the last thing she would want to do was to disappoint the caring Klahadore. A walk to the garden isn’t a bad idea either, however she really can’t muster the energy to do anything. Even breathing was a chore. If she were to take a walk to the garden, she might need assistance from Klahadore.

Perhaps hold his hands, lean to his frame…

The young lady blushes furiously at the prospect of such intimacy. She quickly retracts her hand she had effortfully extended to receive Klahadore’s and stared wordlessly at the butler with wide-eyed astonishment. She cannot let him know what was running through her head at all costs.

Kuro raised both eyebrows at her sudden hesitation, prompting him a quick glance at his palm to check. “See, you can move quickly if you wish to. Now, what’s the matter?”

“I-I think exercise is great! Let’s do that instead!” Kaya blurted out, surprising even Kuro with her strained outburst.

“Very well,” Kuro acquiesced. He wasn’t sure what had gotten into her and he would have gotten to the bottom of it if only he held a fraction of personal interest in her. At least the problem took care of itself.

*****

Kaya sprinted as soon as they arrived in the garden like an excitable pup released into the open ground. She might have heard Klahadore protest a bit but she drowned them out in her focus to run.

Run, be with the wind and think of nothing else.

It was only her, the loud beating of her heart, and the cool breeze of the wind in that moment.

Her usual pallid skin turned into a ticklish hue of pink. Her temples throbbed and every breath she drew became shorter. But she did not want to stop, desperately holding onto the moment like fervid prayer. Her turbulent thoughts unraveled from her as if she could actually outrun it—discard it—she felt like she could fly at any moment.

She made another lurch and her whole world shook in response as if the rug was pulled underneath her. She can no longer feel her legs, it might as well have detached from her falling torso with how numb she felt. She was about to hit the ground, a supposedly painful thought, but her mind was stuck in awe of the falling scenery in her collapse.

Kuro, who had been quietly stalking her effortlessly from behind, quickly picked up on her failing stamina and swept her smoothly into his arms with delicate precision before she hit the ground—almost like practiced rhythm.

“I told you to take it slowly,” Kuro reprimands impassionately, it was more of a statement rather than reproof. However, he did not get the reaction he expected. The young lady was limp against his clutch.

“ Miss Kaya? ” Concern climbs up in Kuro’s voice.

“Miss Kaya!”

*****

“Miss Kaya is having a fever from severe exhaustion,” the doctor explains.

“Are you sure it’s a fever? Couldn’t it be because she ran so much this afternoon? People’s temperatures always run high after running,” Kuro quickly interjects. Surely the young lady can’t be sick just from running a few meters across the yard.

“Klahadore, right? How long ago are we talking about?” The doctor asks.

“About⸻5 hours ago,” Kuro realizes how stupid his question was. The doctor shifted his gaze to the desk and moved on to pulling out a prescription pad to spare the other gentleman from further embarrassment.

“Anything else we have to know, good sir?” Merry asks in Kuro’s stead.

“I will prescribe her some medication to help with her fever,” the doctor replies as he scribbles something on paper. “Since you mentioned about her lifestyle, I can also leave instructions that can help her slowly build back activity. It would help a lot to boost her stamina and immune system.”

“Thank you,” Merry bows in gratitude.

“You’re welcome,” the doctor accepts as he takes a quick glance at Klahadore, who still hasn’t recovered from his embarrassment and barely acknowledged the doctor’s presence afterwards.

He chuckles at Klahadore’s boyish embarrassment, a rather delightful contradiction with his elegant form, before leaving the room accompanied by Merry.

Chapter Text

News of Kaya’s failing health quickly reached her relatives.

The usually aloof so-called relatives of hers started to meddle with the affairs of the estate. Unfortunately for the servants of the household, they had every right to do so in accordance with the law by virtue of being Kaya’s next of kin. It started with the little things. From negligible specks of dust on the fourth portrait in the corridor, the types of plants in front of her window, having “too many fish” in the meal plan—her relatives took every opportunity to blame the servants for the young lady’s poor health.

One might think it’s brash arrogance and senseless nitpicking, but Kuro sees it all too well. The maids getting fired for not making up the beds in the unused guest rooms in the West Wing, the chef getting fired for putting a “bug” in their soup during a visit—ridiculous reasons to lay off tenured employees came flooding in and there was a quick turnover of staff. New faces started coming into the estate: people hired and supposedly personally trusted by Kaya’s relatives to do the job the original staff couldn’t.

It was a deliberate attempt to seize power. If you put an honest man in a room of liars and these liars create a coherent lie, who then becomes the “liar” in the situation? The cunning mastermind could read their plan like an open book. It was a murder in the making with no insurance other than a consistent story between accomplices. A rather heavy-handed tactic and severely lacking in taste, but a tactic nonetheless.

Hmph. What an amateur attempt. Even a ten-year-old can do better, Kuro mused as he perched his arms on the railings of the second floor and watched the rest of the staff leave the estate through the front door.

Though amateur as it was, he cannot simply ignore it. He must do something to secure his position and make sure everything goes according to his plan. He said so himself, what better way to ensure something is done correctly than taking matters into your own hands?

*****

What he dismissed as a silly tactic soon nagged his mind, feeding his paranoia. The gardener carries a shear with him at all times, he can stab Kaya if left unattended. The chef can poison her food gradually. The staff can create a house hazard at any time of the day. Everyone is an enemy until further proof, save for Kaya’s doctor and Merry. It reminded him of the time when he started from the bottom of the barrel in the pirating world.

A dangerous stimulation, for it also stirs his violent and hostile competitiveness. It was getting harder to curb his vicious tendencies in check.

He has to act quickly. It was no longer a plan, it is now a task he must accomplish as soon as possible. He might be confident, but he is not foolishly arrogant. The devilish butler is going to secure all his bases, even if it means taking matters into his own hands to ensure his plans will be followed to the letter.

*****

After asking around for a little bit, Kuro finally got information on the whereabouts of the first person he needed for insurance. He knocked at the door and tapped his feet impatiently as he waited for a response. He left Kaya under Merry’s watch for the day while he set off on his current mission. He made sure to reiterate his precautions to the elder gentleman as many times as needed, and yet it wasn’t enough to allay his concerns. Merry was never the suspicious type, and that was the problem. It was only convenient when Kuro had to fool him, anything else makes him a very unstable variable.

The door creaked open, and along with it, Kuro’s tense shoulders loosened as it gave him a temporary sense of relief. Now all that’s left is to wrap things up as soon as possible.

“Oh, Kalahadore!” the person behind the door softly exclaims upon seeing him. She was a plump lady who looked to be in her early fifties. “You’re as handsome as I last saw you!”

“You flatter me,” Kuro slightly bows to feign modesty. He didn’t really care for how he looked aside from looking prim and elegant, but being called handsome felt too patronizing for his taste. “It hasn’t been a long time, Chef.”

“It’s Former Chef to you now,” the lady smiles, her eyes glistening as if she could spill a tear at any moment. “But oh! Enough of that, come inside for some snacks!”

“Much obliged,” Kuro smiles so benignly as he excellently wears the mask of Klahadore. He then followed the lady into her apartment and observed the quaint yet bare arrangement of her abode. As he recalls, the former chef had been working for the family for almost 15 years.

15 years and you couldn’t afford a lavish house. What do people find in working earnestly for a measly pay? Kuro mused as he lightly teetered on the floorboards he stood on, testing its durability. He started pirating when he was 20 years old, a few years short from the lady’s tenure and yet he already made thrice the Berry this lady could ever scrounge up in her entire life.

Never mind that he spent his fortune as he had them that he never really thought to have a stable investment his whole life until he hatched this retirement plan.

“I’ve prepared pancakes,” The lady spoke with a warm-hearted smile. “Come sit over here and have some.”

Kuro sits hesitantly. An uneasy feeling sets in his stomach as he sinks in the cushion of his seat.

“Was it your day off today?” The lady who sat opposite him asks with warm excitement. “It was really nice of you to come and visit.”

Kuro stares at the food prepared for him and the lady’s warm smile. The light hitting the curtain filled the room a warm tone of orange. The homely vibe, the cool atmosphere, the warm conversations…it felt almost nostalgic, a memory…a silent daydream he feared to remember at that moment.

“You really didn’t have to,” he acquiesces with a melancholic smile. Something kept squeezing his chest and a prickling sensation climbed up his nose. He knows what it is but not why it is. This uncharacteristic yearning belonged to a naive boy who died a long time ago. He pauses and hesitates to bring the pancake to his mouth, knowing his fears will be realized as soon as he does so.

He then decides to focus back to the reason he got there in the first place and dismiss his current thoughts entirely.

“Actually, I came here to ask you about Miss Kaya’s favorite food.”

“Oh,” she lingered on that thought a bit, interested in what prompted the gentleman to ask. “Miss Kaya is fond of seafood in general. She particularly likes the salmon gratin I cook for her. Why?”

“Seafood… Salmon gratin…okay,” Kuro nods as he seemingly contemplates something before finally looking up to the former chef with a tentative gaze. It was the least confident she saw Klahadore during their time working together. The lady couldn’t help but feel nervous with him at the suspense hanging on his lips.

“Is it possible to teach me how to cook it?”

*****

Kuro finally comes back to the mansion with a paper bag in hand. Merry opened the door before he could knock and hurriedly greeted him with a warm welcome. He almost pondered if Merry had developed a keen sense of smell like a bloodhound would in the short time he was away.

“Welcome home, Klahadore! How did your trip to the town go?” The excitable gent asks. He peeps at the paper bag Klahadore is holding. “Oooh, that smells wonderful! What is that?”

“What impeccable timing. Did you wait for me the whole day?” Kuro squints at him. “I trust you looked after Miss Kaya like I’ve asked you, didn’t you, Merry?”

“Ohhh, of course I did! Don’t sweat it!” Merry grins at him. By now, Klahadore’s snarky and aloof tendencies are both the norm to him. It would be weirder if Klahadore suddenly talked with uncharacteristic tenderness.

“Anyway, I bought takoyaki for Miss Kaya,” Kuro says as he proceeds to extend the paper bag to Merry. “It’s made of octopus. She’s gonna love it.”

The last sentence felt surreal that Merry had to reassure himself he wasn’t having a fever dream as he received the paper bag in utter confusion.

“I’ll escort her to the dining room. Please prepare this nicely for her.” Kuro then instructs.

“The…dining room?” Merry probes at Klahadore. Both of them know why Kaya hasn’t been there in months.

“Yes,” Kuro declares sternly. “If she eats it in her room, the whole place is going to smell. Sure we can open the windows for that, but it won’t change the fact that the smell will linger there for a while. Besides, isn’t it time for her to start facing her fears? She can’t stay cooped up in her room forever.”

“You’re…right,” Merry concedes. Klahadore does bring up excellent points.

“Then, I leave the rest to you,” Kuro ends their conversation with a quick push of his glasses with his palm before snappily moving on to fetch the young lady.

*****

Kuro arrives at the second floor and notices one of the maids bringing a large box with her in front of Kaya’s door. He squints in apprehension and strides through the corridor, quickly closing the gap between them.

“O-oh. Mr. Klahadore,” the maid blubbers all flustered, her eyes wandered as she avoided his piercing gaze. She was a new face in the mansion, presumably planted there by Kaya’s relatives like the rest of the new household.

“May I ask what those are?” Kuro turns up his nose as he strikes an intimidating glare. That box can contain harmful objects. There really was not much room to leave Kaya to her own devices.

“Oh umm…,” The maid trailed off, feeling his stare weighing down on her.

“Well?” Kuro pressed further. Her reluctance only made his suspicions grow stronger than ever.

The door suddenly swung open, breaking the tension between the two. It was Kaya, who then looked at Kuro with tear-filled joy. “Klahadore! You’re back! I missed you so much!” The young lady exclaims as she clasps her hands.

I was out for a day not a decade, Kuro quietly criticized her clinginess despite her words giving him a smug sense of relief. He’s still the most important person to her in the household, that much is certain. Everything is still going according to plan.

“Oh, what’s in that box? Is that for me?” Kaya thoughtfully inquired of the maid.

“Y-yes, milady!” The maid quickly answered, much to Kuro’s irritation. The woman never folded despite his obviously effective intimidations yet she was quick to answer to Kaya. “It’s a present from your aunt! She bought you a dress and wishes you to get well soon.”

“Oh! Can I try it on now?” Kaya giggles as she holds the box in her hands.

Kuro tilted his head as he watched the shared enthusiasm between the ladies and assessed how to manage the situation. He wondered what the aunt was up to by offering a gift.

Kaya opens the box and unfurls the dress inside. It’s a silk dress of icy blue and suited her gentle beauty so well. The young lady excitedly pulled the dress against her form and playfully tugged at the hems of the skirt.

“I can help you with trying it on, milady!” The maid volunteers with a wide grin, sharing Kaya’s excitement. “The dress opens from behind.”

Kuro perks up from that last statement. Aha! So that’s where it is , he squinted as he zoned in on the zipper delicately sewn at the back of the dress. It was a good place to hide a needle inconspicuously. A needle is a sufficient murder weapon, and an easily disposable evidence at that.

“If I may,” Kuro steps in. “It’s also within my bounds as her personal butler to assist Miss Kaya with these kinds of things.” His words left the two ladies in front of him with their mouths agape.

“A-are you sure, Klahadore?” Kaya stutters, her face turning beet red.

“R-right! Mr. Klahadore, have you ever done this kind of thing before?!” The maid asks as she shares Kaya’s flustered expression, scandalized by his proposal.

“My, it’s just a zipper. Even I could do as much,” he frowns softly, feigning disappointment with his disarming, uncharacteristic pouts. “If it worries you so much, you can join us in the dressing room. But I insist that I must be the one to assist Miss Kaya as she puts her dress on.”

“A-alright! On one condition!” Kaya raised her index finger to Klahadore’s line of sight. The suave gentleman looks unbothered as ever, but gave a slight nudge with his eyebrows to express his quiet acknowledgement. “I-I-I’ll put on the dress myself, t-then you help me with the zipper.”

“Of course,” Kuro replies unceremoniously. A needle is only dangerous when pushed deep enough. It would need deliberate intent to grievously harm her. The worst case could only warrant her a slight graze. Until then, there wasn’t really any reason for him to interfere.

*****

“I-I’m ready,” Kaya peeped through the edge of the room divider. She was greeted by Klahadore and the maid’s rigid form. The maid was obviously stiff from the tension in the room but Klahadore was just in his natural element, poised as neutral as always.

“Over here, please,” Klahadore gestures to the mirror he stood nearby.

Kaya acquiesces and hastily stands in front of the mirror, lips stretched into a thin line and eyes wide as platters. She wonders if Klahadore would make a comment on her back or anything of the sort.

What if he finds my back ugly? She pondered.

And then she stops there. Why would she be so worried about such things? From the moment she saw Klahadore, he always possessed something vaguely admirable in him. He has a compelling charm, and though he has not voiced anything, she finds herself yearning to be someone that meets his approval.

But she knew in her heart it was more than that. It was a feeling she is not ready to acknowledge at the moment.

Kuro notices her tense shoulders. “Relax, milady. You might forget to breathe,” he jests.

“I-I-I’m sorry!” Kaya jolts and freezes into an even stiffer posture, straight as a pole. If anything, she earned a rare chuckle out of her butler.

Kuro feels the dress folds near the zipper as he proceeds with the light banter. No needle, he mused disappointedly. A confirmed suspicion would be the best outcome for this inspection. At least then he would have affirmation that he predicts her relatives well.

“Is…is my back ugly?”

“What?” The young lady’s question threw him off his pensive thoughts and pulled him out of his head. Now he could feel the maid burning holes at the back of his nape with how she glared at him this whole time.

“I’m sorry. The zipper was just stuck a bit,” he explains before pulling up the zipper.

“O-oh, I see…,” Kaya’s voice was quiet as a whisper.

“And your back is not ugly,” he took note of the disappointment in her voice. Frankly, he never saw the sense in such worries. A back does not need to be admirable, it needs to not look vulnerable.

“By the way, I bought you something to eat on my way here. I almost forgot about it,” Kuro shifts the topic.

“Perfect! Fitting this dress made me hungry,” Kaya beams with an enthusiastic smile as she walked ahead of Klahadore. She needs all the distraction from her thoughts she could get.

“Merry already prepared the dining room,” Kuro said as his eyes trailed the young lady, testing if she would react against it. He has already prepared three sets of rebuttals in mind.

“Dining room. Gotcha!” The young lady acknowledges as she continues to hide her embarrassment under her nonchalance, overlooking the sheer shock on Klahadore’s face—an achievement she would’ve celebrated with fanfare if only she wasn’t so absorbed in trying to not make her feelings obvious at the moment.

Chapter Text

“Good morning, Klahadore!”

“A very good morning to you as well.”

“Can you give this to Miss Kaya for me? I heard she had an exceptionally bad cold yesterday. This might help.”

“Will do. Thank you for your concern, Mister Challah.”

Klahadore steps out of the bakery. Today was cloudy, yet warm enough not to be gloomy. It’s a perfect weather to convince Kaya to take a walk in the garden and breathe in some fresh air.

She’s been really insistent in staying cooped up in her room these days. Perhaps an afternoon tea party would get her to go out and get that much needed sunlight , he thought. With that, Klahadore wastes no time and makes a turn for his ward’s favorite tea shop.

It has been three years since the grim event that fractured Kaya’s perfect life, and it has also been three years since Klahadore’s fateful rescue by her family. And because Klahadore has been gifted a sharp wit to go with his above average control of the human body, he had been quick to adapt to his role as Kaya’s butler and become the most reliable person in the estate. By now, he knows of Kaya and Merry’s quirks down to the little details, the ins and outs of the estate like the back of his hand, the names of the household and even the townsfolk, and most important of all—he has gotten significantly better with his life skills.

He went from an ill-tempered bossy brat who can’t boil water to a functional adult who can cook full meals, clean house, and do proper laundry. All thanks to his paranoia about keeping an eye on his perfectly clueless Miss Kaya, who lacks the modicum of wariness towards anyone—a concern that makes him subconsciously click his tongue whenever the thought passes his mind.

Because she was needed for his plan. And so she isn’t allowed in any capacity to be harmed until she has fulfilled her splendid role. And to that degree, he is not only to do the bare minimum but also he must fulfill his duties to her with flying colors lest a frown taint her lips and fill her with discomfort.

It makes perfect, logical sense.

“I feel like I’m forgetting something important,” Klahadore mutters as he sets the floral print tablecloth.

“Oh, what is it?” Merry, ever the nosy type, chimed in. Klahadore was sure his voice was quiet enough, but Merry is Merry and so Klahadore wouldn’t doubt that this excitable fellow could even pick up on his non-existent snoring. 

“Maybe I’ll tell you when I remember it,” Klahadore scoffs as he shoots Merry a sardonic gaze. “I can handle this by myself. Didn’t I tell you to keep watch on Miss Kaya on my behalf? What are you doing here in the garden with me?”

“Psh! Miss Kaya wouldn’t go anywhere!” Merry chuckles as he playfully waves his free hand. “You’re such a worrywart sometimes, Klahadore.”

“And you’re too blithe ,” Klahadore bites back. Attention to caution has been severely lacking in this house that left him picking up all the slack. Klahadore straightens his back and steps away from the table, but not without heaving a sigh. “Fine. Since you love doing this so much, then do the rest. I’m going to Miss Kaya’s room to check on her. I expect you to be done in 15 minutes.” 

*****

“And the Sea King barfed out his hostages upon seeing the mast of my ship!” A boy wildly flails as he makes a lively narration. “Of course, he knew not to mess with Captain Usopp! The most fearsome pirate of the East Blue!”

“Then what happens next?” Kaya anticipates, eyes twinkling and wide with wonder.

“The Sea King huffed and puffed until he grew into the size of a cathedral!” Usopp leans towards Kaya, reeling her in to further immerse into his wild imagination, before bursting with another impossible tale. “But soon, he cried in fear as soon as I pulled out my pistol! Bang! I shot between his legs and he cried, snot coming out of his nose and ears! He quickly deflated like a balloon and shrank to the size of a hamster before running away!”

Kaya lets out a soft yet hearty chuckle and Usopp watches with utter fondness how her face turns pink. Usopp was a new friend she’d made a few months ago. He stumbled into a hole in her garden and ended up hiding at the tree in front of her window. She asked him then what happened and he told her that he’s just catching his breath after fighting off a hundred pirates off the shore. That was their first meeting. He came up with another exhilarating story after she caught him on the tree for the second time, and they’ve been having these little rendezvous since then.

Knock! Knock!

The intrusive noise vacuumed all the enthusiasm filling the room down to the space between Kaya and Usopp. Both look at each other with wide eyes and pursed lips. Kaya quietly gestures Usopp to leave through the window, but then—

“Excuse me, Miss Kaya. I’m coming in.”

It was Klahadore.

Kaya’s eyes grew even wider with added worry. It would’ve been another thing if it was Merry, but what would Klahadore think if he saw this? Despite what the dark-haired gentleman assumed of her, Kaya is a sensitive and perceptive person especially when it came to matters concerning her favorite butler. Most of that to be blamed on her unrequited crush of three years and going strong. That’s why she also knows Usopp is the type of company Klahadore would vehemently disapprove of.

The first time it happened, it was a harmless lie to keep Usopp out of trouble. But circumstances upon circumstances kept piling on top of the other, and before she knew it, she had been lying to Klahadore to hide Usopp’s presence countless times. There’s no way he would not misunderstand if he found out now.

Kaya frantically looks at Usopp and urges him to hurry. Usopp looks at her with bulging eyes, wordlessly telling her that he is doing everything in his power to hasten up but today–of all times–the window lock decided to jam. She hears the knob turn, and then—

“W-wait! I’m trying to put on my dress!!!”

If Usopp’s eyes were bulging earlier, now they’re trying to eject from his eye sockets as he looks at Kaya incredulously. Kaya looks at him equally confused, unsure of why she settled with that excuse in the first place.

The door stills for a moment before Klahadore spoke. “Is that so? Do you require assistance?”

‘Do you require assistance’? The nerve of this man to ruffle her feathers without committing to it , Kaya blushed furiously. As she grew through the years, so did her feelings for Klahadore and her consciousness whenever he initiated contact.

“N-no! I can do it myself! Give me a minute!” Kaya rushes as she pulls up the hanging bed covers and makes a sign to Usopp to hide under her bed. Usopp dives towards the gap like a cat jumping into a box and Kaya quickly pulls down the cover and relaxes herself in bed. All in a single breath.

“Okay! Done!”

Klahadore walks in the room and the air stills around him. Kaya could tell the slight way his facial muscles pulled down from a relaxed demeanor into an angled, tense frown.

“The weather is nice today,” Klahadore spoke as he strides toward the window. Kaya’s gaze followed his hands as they touched the window lock. The lady swallowed thickly as the butler’s hands started fiddling with the lock. “I took it upon myself to arrange for an afternoon tea for you, Milady. Merry awaits in the garden as we speak.” He unlocks the window with such ease, and along with it Kaya releases her breath that she didn’t know she’d been holding until now.

“O-oh! Sure, that sounds lovely,” Kaya clasped her hands and tried to appear as casual as she could. She pulls herself to the side of her bed and stands up. “Shall we go then?”

Klahadore gives her a light smile that sends butterflies to her stomach. Now that she has matured, she has been more comfortable with her blooming feelings towards her butler than she was three years back then. She embraces all the moments when he makes her feel like this when she would have pushed it down before. And yet, she’ll never confess to these feelings. Not now, at least.

“I’m glad you’re in good spirits to enjoy the outdoors today,” Klahadore’s words cut through her reveries. “But even if you aren’t, you should at least open the windows so fresh air can come in.”

“Thank you. I’ll do that—”

“I know I opened the windows this morning. Were you keeping a wasp from coming in?” Klahadore inquires yet he seeks no answer. “Closing the windows would make sense then. But Miss Kaya, it isn’t much help if the wasp is already in the room. You would only bring about the inevitable consequence of being stung.”

“W-what do you mean?” Kaya hears her voice die in her throat before she could finish her sentence.

She knew all the lies and hiding must come to a stop at one point. However, she wanted it to end on her terms. But as it is now, she fears she has handled it in the worst way possible.

“Come out now while we’re still being civil, little wasp.”

Silence filled the room. Kaya suddenly feels her breath hitch.

“Must I count to three?”

Usopp quietly crawled out of the bed, his gaze fixed to the floor even as he stood up. Shame would normally color his tan skin a delightful tone of red, but right now all the color drained from his face out of fear.

“Usopp, right?” Klahadore begins the inquisition. “I’ve heard about you. You’re the boy who kept turning the town upside down yelling about pirates.” The butler paced until he stood a foot apart from the boy, standing at his full height and dwarfing Usopp with his lanky figure, his shadow threatening to swallow the boy whole. “The town liar. There was a time when I almost fell for your lies, too.”

“Klahadore, I’m sorry,” Kaya frantically interjects. The last thing she would want is for her best friend and her crush to reach a point of irreconcilable distaste of each other’s presence. “It’s my fault. I should have told you sooner.”

Kaya was right that Klahadore was upset. But nobody in the room truly understood the depth of the darkness that swirled behind his eyes. Klahadore, no, Kuro had forgotten something important indeed. And this boy reminded him of it.

“You must be so smart to be able to weave such fascinating stories,” Kuro isn’t smiling anymore. “Well then, smart boy, the window or the door?”

Usopp quickly runs for the window and jumps. He probably scraped himself as he latched onto the tree and scampered away, forgetting to even spare a glance at his friend. A profound sense of fear came over his body, as if all the nerves in his body were screaming for him to run.

Usopp never liked that butler. He admits to himself that all the villains who were defeated with crushing humiliation in his tall tales to Kaya, he imagined with Klahadore’s face on them. It’s because he didn’t like the way Klahadore stared like he looked down on people, the butler’s towering height notwithstanding. Or that Klahadore looks the type to not laugh at jokes and demand you to explain them until you embarrass yourself. And most of all, Usopp didn’t miss all the lingering gazes Kaya made to Klahadore when the latter wasn’t looking, the young girl’s eyes filled with adoration and wistfulness.

Really, when it comes down to it, it was all speculation and boyish jealousy on Usopp’s part, much as the boy would like to refute the fact. They never met on a personal level and Klahadore gave no reason for the boy’s unpleasant feelings other than lacking a sense of humor and being too good at his job.

But this time was different: Klahadore looked at him with such an opaque stare.

A murderous glare that chills the bones—freezes the blood. 

*****

“You didn’t have to be so mean to Usopp!” Kaya screams at Klahadore. A reaction so visceral and so rare. 

But when her hazel eyes met his obsidian ones, a connection that used to make her heart flutter, she felt her heart hollowed out with the coldness of his gaze.

“That boy is a compulsive liar,” Klahadore replied, his voice unemotional and cutting to the fact. “He’s not a good influence on you. He will only bring you pain and that’s something you don’t need when you’re already so frail.”

“H-he’s my friend!” Kaya spat out. “Why couldn’t you just get along?!”

And when Klahadore smiles at that statement, Kaya felt the invisible wedge fall between them that day. Whether he smiles again today or on other days, or resumes his banter with Merry later, she knew something fundamentally changed in their relationship from that moment on.

“He claims himself to be a pirate, doesn’t he?” Kuro accuses.

“You know that’s just one of his many stories,” Kaya reasons pleadingly.

“People who idolize pirates can’t be good people. You’ve heard my story. You know how pirates are,” A knowing smile paints on Kuro’s face, his tone unreadable. “That should tell you about what kind of person he is. If it comes to a point that you have to choose between me and that boy, whose side will you believe, Milady?”

Tea tasted like acid and biscuits ash on Kaya’s tongue as she had afternoon tea that day.