Chapter 6: No Backsies (Patreon)

I was back in his executive office again, but it wasn’t the same. Last time, there was at least some semblance of order to the scrolls and books on the curved bookshelves, but now the whole place was in complete disarray. There were stacks of papers of varying heights strewn about the floor. King Olethros himself also looked worse for wear. He lounged languidly not behind his desk but on the marble floor itself. He had propped himself against an empty bookshelf, his arms down at his sides. His eyes were closed, and it was impossible to tell whether he was aware of my presence.

“Hey!” I greeted him casually. I mean, he was a king, but I wasn’t one of his subjects.

“Still popping up in places you aren’t supposed to be, I see. What happened this time?” He made no effort to sit up. There was a slightly sick cast to him as if he had been shut inside for too long.

“Nothing, really. I just wanted to talk.”

“Again?”

“It’s been five years,” I reminded him.

“That explains why you’ve aged, I suppose.” There were nicer ways he could have said that.

“You don’t look so great yourself, you know.” I plopped down across from him on the floor. “You look like you haven’t slept in a week.”

“I don’t sleep.”

“Maybe you should start.”

“It wouldn’t change anything even if I did.” He waved an arm dismissively.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I offered.

“Not really. Just tell me what you want to tell me.” His tone sounded irritated like I was too much to deal with. I thought we had left on an amicable note last time, but now I was a bit confused. This wasn’t going the way I expected, but dreams never really do, do they?

“Ah, fine. Something has come up, but it’s not a big deal.”

“What has come up?” His left eye flicked open suspiciously.

“I have an interview for a job tomorrow.”

“So?” Not even a single congrats?

“It turns out it’s at a publishing company that bought the rights to that web novel I–”

“Do NOT go to that interview!” He jumped up angrily. Startled, I scrambled backward, crab style. I would have taken out half a dozen stacks of papers if I had been solid during my retreat.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing, coming at me like that?!” I jumped up and waved my arms angrily.

“You broke your promise!” Although his tone was still angry, he stopped moving towards me. He was floating off the floor somewhat, and I noticed I could see glimmers of torchlight through the simple black cloak wrapped around him. What had happened to all his fancy accouterments? Even the tips of his horns had lost their golden sheen.

“It was an accident!” I shouted. “I didn’t know about the buyout until Nora told me!”

“Again, with this Nora person… How suspicious…” He paced back and forth in midair.

“Whoa‌, I was the one who applied for the job. It’s just a coincidence that–”

“This is not a coincidence!” He exhaled, obviously trying to calm himself. “Ms. Rachel, just don’t go tomorrow. Please.” Oh, now we’re back to using pleasantries?

“No.” I folded my arms.

“What do you mean, no? Do you have any idea what you’re getting us into?”

“Tell me why I shouldn’t go.”

Would you believe he actually hissed at me? Like a snake! So much for those cheap pleasantries.

“Oh, now I get it,” I huffed angrily. “You’re the part of me that’s afraid I won’t get the job. You’re acting like this because you think I will melt down again. I’m older now, though, and I can handle my emotions better. I don’t have any great expectations, but I’ll be damned if I won’t do my best. If I don’t get the job, that’s just too bad, but at least I know I tried.”

“You stubborn…!” He clutched his chest and exhaled an excruciating exhale before gesticulating dramatically with his arms. “You are in danger, and even worse, you’re putting me in danger!”

“I don’t believe you. In fact, thinking you were anything more than just a dream was stupid. Thanks for your help earlier, but I think I’ve outgrown you.” The world around me broke apart, disintegrating into dust clouds before disappearing into an abyss of black. Only Olethros himself remained. He was trembling, but I couldn’t decide if it was with anger or fear.

“You’re going to regret this, you know. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Suddenly, he flickered out of view, abandoning me altogether.

My alarm went off, and I woke up with my jaw clenched painfully shut. What a way to start the day.

Omake

Euphridia: Attention! We need to incorporate an additional review before we post a chapter, no matter how short it is.

Rae: Why? What happened?

Euphridia: We received this letter.

Rae: "You are hereby notified to cease and desist any and all further unlawful defamation, slander, and libel with regards to your statements below as referenced in the latest chapter release."

Nora: Is he mad about the entire chapter?

Euphridia: No, just the line that reads, 'Would you believe he actually hissed at me? As a snake!'

Rae: Oh. Typo. Like a snake, not as a snake. I guess the grammar checker couldn't catch that one.

Nora: The funny thing is, both are equally possible for him! All the more reason for him to get upset!

Rae: ... Are you his lawyer?

Nora: You know he's the type to self-represent.