"Ouch!"

Malachi shouted, clutching his wrist. We've been training all day, and being that he's never used a bow prior to our training, his hand started to cramp up.

"Let's take a break."

I suggested, tossing my quiver on the ground and rummaging through my bag for some food. I threw an apple towards Malachi, who caught it out of surprise, and sat on the grass.

"You're getting better, but your arm strength is lacking. Some real weight training could help."

I reviewed the week's report. I've been teaching Malachi for about 4 days, and he was making progress, slowly. He could barely pull the string back enough to shoot even a minuscule arrow, not to mention his attention span lasts about as much as a fish.

"I'll keep trying, I guess. I'm pretty sure weight training would hurt a lot though."

He laughed, lying back on the grass and picking leaves up. Malachi tossed them into the air, watching as the maple leaf gently floated within it.

"Work hurts. Everyone knows that."
"Mhm.. I've never really worked much."
"Right, your brother is the Lord."
"Well, no. I have my own kind of work."
"Elaborate."

I offered a grin, watching as he sat up, his face had a sort of bright glow.

"Well after my er- existence, I became a trader. I organize the trading routes and decide which towns and villages we share materials, crops, and other items in exchange for their goods."
"That's kinda cool. Sounds like fun."
"It's easier then doing this.."

Malachi laid back on the grass, his head resting near my left hand.

"It's tough. You get used to living, and then you have to do another kind of living."
"What exactly does that mean?"

I eyed him, a devilish grin popped up under his scarf.

"You mean you don't know? Someone from the village has probably told you, right?"
"Not exactly. What are you implying?"

I was bewildered, shaking my head.

Now that you mention it, no one has really told me anything in the week I've been here.

I sighed, closing my eyes tightly, only to find that when I opened them he was right in front of me, stretching out his hand.

"I want to show you something."

He said, I grasped his open palm, pulling myself up and allowing him to walk me to his destination. He didn't let go of my wrist the entire way.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Here we are!"

Malachi yelled, pointing at a particularly large lilac and pearly white house. Trees had overgrown near it, but it remained untouched by most nature unlike the other houses in the village.

"Where are we?"

I asked, nodding my head at the surroundings. I took it all in, smelling the fresh air you could only find at the top of a hill like this one.

"My mom's house. I moved here 15 years ago. But I wasn't exactly, alive."
"What?!"

He left me with so many questions, dragging me inside the house and giving me a grand tour.

"This is the kitchen, under there are the guest rooms, ooh! And up here! My old bedroom. I stayed here lying in bed for weeks till I woke up."
"Malachi, you're scaring me."

I spoke, backing up against the wall, nearly tripping down the stairs.

"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I have no idea what you're talking about. What is this not being alive business?"
"Oh.. I was a ghost."

I got smacked head on with a flashback.

That's why he was so familiar. He can't be the same one.

Ayaka had said she never saw a castle.

That it was all a dream...

I gulped, regaining my composure. Malachi gave me a concerned look, holding my body still with his hand around my waist. I closed my eyes, pushing myself into his arms.

"I, you probably think I'm crazy."

I mumbled, trying to stand firmly on the wooden floor.

"But, when I was younger, I had a friend named Malachi. A ghost, like you said. But, he was imaginary."
"Hmm.."

Malachi got closer to me, staring into my (e/c) eyes. Our noses barely touched.

"Now I know how I recognized you. You're the little girl from Ayrith. The one that..."

He stopped, backing away from my face to allow me to breathe.

"I thought that you died in the storm."
"What? No, I was saved. But I had hit my head, so I forgot everything about my time spent with the ghost. Wait, that was you?"

I was astonished

Malachi was right in front of me.

I stood there, shocked. A warm smile etched it's way on my face.

"I guess I kept my promise then, huh Malachi?"

I said, he returned my grin, clasping a hand over my shoulder.

"Yep, Y/n"

I burst into laughter, embracing him tightly around the neck. He faked choking for a bit to amuse me, before wrapping his arms around my waist and twirling me around.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Of course, we had a lot to catch up on.

He explained that he was adopted by the previous lord, Lord Aphmau, and given life while accidentally using a rare sapling in a potion. I listened intently throughout the speech, and he told about the list of adventures he went on with his mother before her disappearance into the Irene Dimension.

I exchanged my tale, only telling him certain details, leaving out Ayaka's name. For the sake of keeping her identity safe, I only called her "Roseanne". Malachi was interested in meeting her, but I told him she was long gone.

"Well, looks like we found some people who really cared."

He said, leaning back on his palms. I was lying on his mother's bed, glancing over at the boy now and again.

"I'm sorry about your village. I know how hard it must be."
"Yea.... And I can't rebuild it."

I shrugged, rolling on my side and tossing my head upside down to face him again.

"Well, this gives me motivation."
"Hmm?"
"You're a lord, correct?"
"Yes, so are you."
"Point is, would you like me to be your guard?"
"You can't guard someone who can defend herself better than you can."

I mustered a small chuckle, falling to the floor and watching as Malachi fell over laughing at my misfortune.

"Alright, then how about becoming my guard?"
"You mean it?"
"You're the one I've known forever. Besides, this gives me a chance to learn from you every day."

I was hesitant. I didn't want anyone to rely on me, that's how I failed as a would-be lord.

But this would give me a chance to start again.

I accepted his proposal.

"Great. Starting tomorrow, you're my new guard!"

Malachi was incredibly excited, standing up and hoisting me to my feet, his eyes gleaming against the setting sun.

"I forgot."

Malachi said, smacking himself in the face.

"What's wrong?"
"The thing I wanted to do!!"

He held my hand securely in his, our fingers intertwined. My cheeks darkened, staring up at him.

"Didn't I say I wanted to touch you?"

--------------

Admin Time!!!

THAT LAST LINE SOUNDS SO DIRTY LOL BUT ITS NOT YOU'RE BOTH CINNAMON ROLLS TOO GOOD TOO PURE FOR THIS WORLD

(At least in this story, you sinful humans)

JK I sin more than any of you on a daily basis just by writing this shit.

Thanks for Reading :)