La belle asiatique et la bête féroce

Combien de temps s’était écoulé depuis qu’Eren s’était enfermé dans son château avec pour seule compagnie son mobilier, ça il ne saurait le dire. Cela faisait si longtemps qu’il n’avait pas eu la compagnie d’un autre être humain qu’il en était presque à devoir se parler tout seul pour avoir un minimum d’interactions sociales…enfin…. Autre être humain était un terme assez peu approprié. Pouvait-il encore être considéré comme telle avec une peau couverte de poil, de longues canines et vraiment, un visage à faire peur à n’importe qui , même les plus endurcis. Ce serait surement moins pire si Eren parvenait à sourire, mais avec un éternel air de bœuf et les sourcils pratiquement toujours froncés, c’est bien dur d’attirer la sympathie des gens… gens qui ne se pointaient jamais au château pour tant de raisons à moins qu’ils ne soient perdus, complètement fou ou suicidaire. Certes, quelques braves s’aventuraient jusqu’à sa cachette dans les bois ayant entendu parler des rumeurs à son sujet. Les rumeurs selon laquelle une bête sauvage et sanguinaire peuplait les bois et qu’il fallait la chasser pour obtenir de quoi vivre grassement pour le restant de ses jours. D’ordinaire, Eren qui connaissait les rumeurs, prenait un malin plaisir à faire en sorte que ces «braves» repartent après avoir eu la peur de leur vie ou … restent perdus à tout jamais dans les bois, selon son humeur.

Aujourd’hui, se présenta une exception au château. Un homme à l’allure si pitoyable se faisant pourchasser par des loups qu’Eren eut franchement pitié de lui. Être si peu débrouillard dans la forêt et s’y aventurer si profondément sans protection, ni cheval… ce n’était pas l’idée du siècle disons. Curieux et intrigué par le personnage farfelu, Eren laissa son mobilier faire entrer l’homme au château et l’observa un long moment en écoutant les conversations. Alors ainsi, l’homme se prénommait «Hannes» et avait été attaqué dans les bois qu’il devait traverser pour se rendre à l’autre village. Franchement quel incompétent. Une fois qu’il en eu marre d’écouter la voix de l’autre Eren fit son apparition, se disant qu’un majordome, bien que complètement inutile, serait peut-être bien pour s’occuper de son immense manoir. Pas qu’il lui donnerait le choix de toute façon et puis… il y a bien des tâches que des meubles enchantés ne peuvent pas effectuer, non?

They always looked at her like she was the strangest thing, their gaze held suspicion and reverence all in the same glimmer, then they would avert their eyes and whisper to each other as she passed by. It was as if she were a statue in this town, gazed upon at to be admired for an exotic and ethereal beauty and yet unrecognizable beyond that, ignored and cast off. She had not noticed as a child, not really comprehended what all their looks meant, her mind was preoccupied with the crochet her mother taught her and the stories her father wove for her. She loved seeing their smiles, hearing her father’s deep voice as lulled her to sleep with stories of princes and dragons; her mother’s guidance when she guided her through any task. That had been her world; a world that she could only chase in dreams now. It had been years since the infamous incident, her family had been living in a small homely cottage on the outskirts of the village, a peaceful life that was shattered when bandits targeted her home. The last thing she heard her father say in his warm kind voice was just a simple “Hello” just that and it was gone forever, that was also the last time her mother guided her; guided her to survive, to live. They had almost got her too but their old family friend Hannes had come by and put them down before the two men could get to her, it would have seemed heroic to her if she was not frightened and broken. Later on she had heard a third man had been in the group and escaped when the other two had been a no-show.

She’d been taken under the care of Hannes, he’d been kind and compassionate and treat her as if she were his own daughter but she could never bear to call him father. At first she had been cold and distant even under his care, but his perseverance to help her had given her strength, she looked to him as an uncle who she held dear to her heart. That was why when he had left a fortnight ago and said he was going to travel to the next village over, in order to sell some merchandise, she had forbidden him to go knowing the path was dangerous and though he was strong he could not possibly fight the creatures of the dark forest, at least not on his own. When he had refused to listen to her she had proclaimed she would go with him and though he had at first refused her once again he had relented under her harsh gaze...that is only to steal into the night sneakily. When she had awoken he was gone from the premises, hours ahead already on his route. She had cursed in her anger, her mind filled with worry. Now after a day patiently waiting for some news she was high strung and ready to go out and find him, the creatures of the forest be damned.

Eren attendit que l’homme arête de hurler pour sa vie avant de commencer à parler. S’assurant de bien montrer ses crocs et de paraître bien menaçant, il commença à faire les cents pas autour de sa nouvelle proie qui semblait prier pour s’en sortir vivant, l’implorant du regard. Effrayer les innocents était rendus une des activités préférés d’Eren même si c’était bien malsain et qu’il perdait peu à peu toute notion de civilisation.

«P-pitié! Laissez-moi partir! Je ne dirai rien à personne… Je ne peux pas laisser Mikasa seule au village. J-» commença à implorer le blond saisissant la seule chance qu’il avait de s’expliquer, terrorisé alors qu’il ne voyait que des mobiliers animés autour de lui et une bête sanguinaire qui le menaçait.

«C’est bien dommage, car je ne compte pas te laisser repartir. Ce château tombe en ruine et j’ai besoin de quelqu’un pour l’entretenir! Je vais pas faire ça tout seul quand même.» intimida Eren en fixant l’autre avec insistance. «Je me fiche bien de ce que t’as à me raconter. J’ai pris ma décision. Tu commenceras dès demain. Pour l’instant, une nuit au cachot te fera du bien.»

Eren fit signe à ses domestiques de saisir l’homme qui se débattait faiblement. Franchement ça ne servirait à rien. Il en avait vu de bien plus coriace et il ne semblait pas être de taille pour affronter ses meubles de toute façon. Au moins, il serait utile cirer les parquets. Une fois l’homme en route vers sa nouvelle demeure crasseuse, Eren remonta à sa chambre satisfait d’avoir été aussi cruel. Il aurait franchement beaucoup de plaisir à torturer cet humain… pour se venger de tous les autres assez idiots pour le provoquer.

She saddled the horses, making sure to pack some necessities for the trip; she’d filled a bag with dried fruits and nuts and some bread. It would have to do, either way she didn’t plan to get lost or to be defeated by the dangerous of the Dark Forest. She had no room for cowardice and pessimism, she was going to find Uncle Hannes and bring him back home. As she was about to embark on her mare a familiar silhouette approached from the bustle of the village, the sight of it was however not welcome.
Upon seeing her ready for departure the young man quickened his step and came up to her in a flurry his hand reaching out to stop her movements.

“Mikasa what are you doing?” He gave a calculating look at her attire, simple grabs that were meant for riding, and another cursor look at her mare and without even giving her the chance to reply he spoke once again in an accusatory tone. “You’re not thinking of wandering about to find your uncle I hope,” everyone had taken to seeing them as a family, “that path is not meant for women, it is dangerous. Your uncle surely prolonged his sty it is nothing to worry your frail heart over my dear.” As he spoke to her, she inched away from him, indifference etched on her features. She cared not for his supposed concern and she cared not for his opinions on her capability. Mikasa had nothing to prove to him or this village, this place where people only saw her outside beauty but not the iron strength underneath.

“Jean there is nothing frail about me, so do not bother. I’ll be taking my leave now.”

With that she swiftly mounted her mare and grabbed the reins making for the dirt path that lead toward the forest, but stubborn and arrogant as he was Jean, the village heart-throb, rushed forward blockading her path. The horse reared backwards as she yanked the reins back harshly to avoid trampling over the cocky man.

“Listen to me woman! This is not some silly game you can play, a woman is not meant to venture out on her own, now come down at once and we shall forget this happened. You can even join me and make me a dinner we can share together.” He smirked as he held out a hand to her as if he was promising her the world with his words. She scoffed and glowered at him, silence stretched out between them and as soon as she saw him flicker his eyes away she took the moment of distraction as her opportunity. Grabbing the reins she kicked her mare into gear and set a fast gallop toward the forest ignoring his yells.

As soon a she’d entered into the thicket of the forest she slowed her gallop and patted her horse, giving it time to recuperate. As they marched slowly on the path, she gazed around her hoping to find clues that would lead her to Hannes. The deeper they got into the forest the more sinister it seemed, the trees loomed more closely and their branches were bare of any foliage. If she were made of a weaker heart she would have been frightened by the eerily silent atmosphere; there was barely any rustle of wind and no sign or sound that indicated any wildlife inhabited among these parts. Everything was dead here.

She kept on the slow trot for what felt like hours until the sun could barely be seen in the horizon and the dark branches covered the sky. Still she kept searching even as the last bits of light receded and darkness blanketed her surroundings, but just as her eyes got adjusted to the darkness they caught on to something vivid. Quickly she steered her horse towards it and dismounted to observe it more carefully; what greeted her was a worn beige jacket torn by a branch but what had caught her eye was the vivid red roses imprinted on it. She only knew of one person who owned such a thing, Hannes.

Clutching the jacket in her fist she looked around for any other sign and saw the tracks of wheels veering off the path and into the woods, going back to her mare she presented the jacket to her hoping she could catch onto the scent and lead her to Hannes. Either way she already had a trajectory before her. Mounting the horse once again she made for the woods, careful to maneuver around the trees, they followed the trail until they found her Uncle’s abandoned cart. The horse caught onto something and suddenly went at a hard gallop, she held on tight.

“ Atta girl sasha!”

A few moments later they found themselves in front of large iron gates, blockading the entrance to a castle. Patting the horse she quickly got off.

“Was there always a castle here?” She looked up, it was enormous but most of all it was foreboding. “It’s a wonder how it was remained hidden, it’s so tall that surely it could be seen from the village. Though the fog shrouding this place does serve to conceal most everything,” She turned back to her mare and grabbed her sack “you stay here, sasha, if Uncle Hannes is here I will definitely find him” with that she turned away and pushed at the gate, which easily caved. She wondered once again how no one had found this place before and why she had never heard of this castle, if it was so easy to enter...cautiously she began marching forward.

The whole atmosphere surrounding this castle was dark, Gargoyles loomed above baring their teeth as if ready to attack, and the walls of the castle itself spoke of a certain gloom. Despite that Mikasa forged on, undeterred as she reached the main entrance of the castle she quickened her steps. Much as the gate, the door gave in easily to her push.  

If it was dark outside then it was absolutely black inside, she could barely make out her surroundings and as she ventured in, her steps clicked against the ceramic floors and resounded all around her.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

Her only answer was her own echo but suddenly in the still air she heard a small clicking blinded by the darkness she ventured forth toward the sound. She found in a long corridor with large windows which offered her the glow of moonlight to see her surroundings. Another set of clicks resounded followed by the creaking of a door being opened; she turned just in time to see a door behind her standing ajar.

“Hello?”

She called out once again but no response was forth coming, in spite of that Mikasa passed through the open door,  which curiously was lighted up, she climbed up winding steps calling out once again.
“Is anybody here?”

The responding voice sent a wave of relief through her.

“Mikasa? Mikasa is that you?”

“Uncle Hannes!” She rushed forward only seeing several wooden doors and a lighted torch. She grabbed the torch and in that moment she saw a hand reaching out for her, she bent down to its level using the torch to light up the small slot from which the hand came through. Hannes face was looking back at her distraught and fearful, she bragged onto his hand to reassure him and they were cold as ice.

“Uncle Hannes your hands are like ice, what are you doing in here? What happened? Who has put you in here?”

He disregarded her questions and she could see the panic rising within him even as he tried to hold semblance of a brave facade.

“Mikasa you should have never come to here! You have to leave now!”
She looked at him as if he had gone completely mad.

“What are you saying? I’m not leaving without you!”

Eren soupira longuement en se retournant dans son lit. Ça avait été bien drôle d’entendre son captif pleurer, se plaindre et supplier qu’on le laisse sortir, mais là ça en devenait carrément barbant! Il aurait dû le faire taire depuis longtemps, mais s’était imaginer que l’autre finirait de se lamenter en réalisant qu’Eren ne lèverait même pas le petit doigt pour lui. Après une première nuit passée à imaginer les supplices qu’il pourrait faire subir à son nouvel esclave, la bête se réveilla maussade d’avoir eu à supporter les jacassements incessants de son prisonnier. Il maudissait surtout l’écho qui se répandait dans chaque salle de son château bien trop vide. Se levant du pied gauche et se trainant jusqu’à la fenêtre, Eren regarda par celle-ci et leva les yeux au ciel. Pour empirer cette journée qui démarrait si mal, le ciel était complètement couvert de nuages si foncés que l’on ne voyait pratiquement rien. Ça arrivait bien souvent dans la forêt, avec de la brume en prime, mais aujourd’hui particulièrement c’était chiant.

Après avoir passé le début de la journée à terrorisé son prisonnier, Eren décida d’aller lire dans sa bibliothèque ayant fini de se défouler sur l’autre. Il y passa quelques heures avant d’entendre la porte de la pièce grincer légèrement. Lorsqu’il tourna la tête, énervé qu’on le dérange, il remarqua les deux intrus qui arrivaient dans la salle : un chandelier français avec une humeur exécrable le trois quart du temps avec un vocabulaire très coloré suivi d’une horloge anglaise prenant les décisions au château lorsqu’Eren faisait à sa tête, aussi le seul domestique ayant une facilité innée à supporter le chandelier.

«Oy… tu saurais que t’as d’la visite si tu sortais ta tête de ton c- » commença Levi, le regard aussi enflammé que le feu de ses bougies avant de se faire couper par Erwin qui avait bien plus de tact. Même si Eren ne pouvait les renvoyer à cause du sort jeté sur le château tout entier, ce n’était pas une raison pour s’attirer les foudres du prince mal léché.

«Ce que Levi essaie de dire c’est que quelqu’un s’est introduit dans votre demeure et je crois bien qu’elle connaisse votre récent prisonnier. À votre place, j’irais vérifier ce qui se passe si vous ne voulez pas que votre «nouveau jouet» fuit avec la jeune femme.» expliqua calmement Erwin qui savait toujours comment rétablir la situation avant que le maître de la demeure de pique une crise de colère.

Refermant son livre avec force, la poussière revolant de tous côtés, Eren le laissa tomber sur le bureau le plus proche, les sourcils froncés et le regard bien agressif masquant aisément sa curiosité grandissante.

«Qu’est-ce que vous racontez «une jeune femme» dans mon palais… ? C’est impossible! Elle ne peut pas être seule? Il n’y a que les fous qui s’aventurent dans les bois et ils sont majoritairement tous trop cons pour trouver le château!» s’emporta Eren en approchant des petits mobiliers qui le regardaient s’avancer avec calme malgré la colère grandissante dont il faisait preuve.

« T’es con ou quoi? Elle est venue chercher le pleurnichard dans la cellule, alors arrêtes de chialer et vas-y si tu veux l’en empêcher!» cracha Levi les bras croisés, ne prenant même pas la peine de soigner son langage.

Ignorant le regard en coin désapprobateur qu’Erwin lançait à Levi, Eren sortit de la salle en trombe, pressé d’aller vérifier si les informations qu’on lui avait données étaient vraies. Beaucoup plus rapide que ses domestiques, Eren traversa le château en utilisant des passages que seul lui et les autres habitants du lieu connaissaient. Il descendit au niveau le plus bas et entrouvrit la dernière porte menant aux cellules, juste assez pour écouter la conversation qu’il venait de surprendre. Quelle mauviette cet homme…. Enfin bon. Après avoir espionné un bon moment, assez pour savoir le nom de la jeune femme, Eren voulu voir de quoi avait l’air celle-ci, pensant soudainement à un plan qui serait mieux que son plan initial de garder l’homme captif. Il finit par ouvrir la porte et avancer à grands pas vers les deux, se laissant éclairée par la lumière provenant de la seule fenêtre de la salle. Montrant ses crocs pour se faire menaçant, Eren grogna avec autant de haine qu’il put rassembler et fixa la jeune femme dans les yeux voulant l’effrayer elle aussi. Il la regarda finalement de haut en bas essayant de cacher sa surprise,peut-être que c’était parce qu’il n’avait pas vu de femmes depuis si longtemps, mais Eren la trouvait franchement attirante. Enfin bon… ce n’était pas le temps de s’attarder à ça pour le moment.

«Je peux savoir ce que tu fais dans ma demeure. Dans MON cachot. Avec MON PRISONNIER!?» rugit Eren les poils couvrant son corps hérissé et ses crocs bien à la vue de tous.

Hannes’s cold hand was clasped in hers, as she ignored his pleas for her to flee and looked around as she tried to think of an escape plan. She did not know what seemed to frighten him so, but to her it did not matter, fear was an emotion she was used to. A sound caught her attention her gaze instantly trying to spy out the source of it. Without letting go of Hannes hand she thrust the torch forward trying to make out what was hiding in the shadows, she did not have to wait long as the figure stepped out on its own growling low. Something she had never seen before greeted her eyes, she could feel Hannes painful grip on her hand as he too regarded the beast. She had never heard of something like this existing, certainly not inside of abandoned castles, the only thing close she’d ever encountered were in fantastical tales. But this was far from a tale, this was her reality. Mikasa grit her teeth, facing him defiantly as she heard him barking out his words.

If the beast thought she was going to quiver in fear, then he would be sorely disappointed. Mikasa had already learned that the world was cruel.

“I have come for my uncle, please release him.”

Se sentant particulièrement mesquin, Eren lâcha un rire cruel en entendant la voix de la jeune femme. C’est qu’elle avait du caractère! S’approchant d’eux à pas calculés, le monstre se dressait de toute sa hauteur, laissant bien entrevoir ses griffes et ses cornes dans l’unique but d’inspirer la terreur. Quand on est chassé la majorité du temps par les humains, il n’y a rien de mal à profiter de sa réputation et de son allure terrifiante pour s’amuser en faisant frémir les téméraires qui osaient arriver jusqu’à lui. Mais franchement… une femme… c’était une première.

«Pourquoi devrais-je le relâcher? Moi qui comptais le manger pour mon dîner!» blagua méchamment Eren en tournant autour des deux êtres, voyant clairement les effets de ses menaces sur l’homme emprisonné. «Non vraiment, j’ai besoin d’un esclave et il n’est pas question que je le laisse partir. D’ailleurs, s’il tente de fuir… je le retrouverai et personne ne pourra le reconnaître lorsque j’en aurai finit avec lui. Maintenant, sauve-toi d’ici avant que je ne décide de te réserver le même sort.»

She did not flinch as his laugh echoed across the stone walls, resounding in her ears as if they were closing in on her. She did not back away as he advanced forward on his hind legs, rather she stared at him boldly her grey eyes as sharp as steel. However, she did frown pulling her lips back in a sneer to match his; he was the beast but she could act the part as well. She grit her teeth at his cruelty feeling Hannes quaking through their clasped hands, she cast him a side-long glance. She could not leave him here, surely if he died in this cell he would die, whether of sickness or of fright she could not tell. Hannes had grown weaker over the years, hence why he no longer endured back-breaking labour and resorted to making trades from village to village but it was this practice that had gotten here in the first place. It was safe to say that no one was ever safe.  

Mikasa looked away; jaw set as she trailed his movements and listened to his japes. Determination shone through her eyes, as she understood what she must do, and emblazoned her making her look the part of a hero but in truth she was only a martyr. Martyrs only suffered. Looking back one last time at Hannes she gave a small smile and let go of his frigid hand turning around to face the beast and standing up tall.

“If you are to put me through the same fate, then take me instead. Let him go and I will be your prisoner instead. You need someone to be your slave right? An old man could hardly be of use, I’m much tougher.”

Eren dévisagea pendant un certain moment la jeune femme se trouvant devant lui. Elle avait l’air si brave, si résolue contrairement au vieux moche qui trainait lamentablement dans son cachot. Il inclina la tête et fixa la belle aux cheveux noirs. Elle devait être cinglée ou franchement trop brave et loyale pour s’offrir en sacrifice à une bête sanguinaire comme Eren. Après un long moment à la juger du regard alors qu’elle faisait la même chose pour lui, Eren offrit un sourire cruel en croisant les bras.

«C’est une offre alléchante.» Commença la bête énervé d’être interrompu par les sanglots et les plaintes du blond dans la cellule qui continuait de le supplier. Pressé de s’en débarrassé et, même s’il refusait de se l’avouer, bien excité d’avoir une femme comme otage plutôt qu’un vieux trouillard, Eren alla lui-même ouvrir la porte de la cellule de l’autre et l’en sortit par le collet.

«Si mademoiselle veux bien entrer dans sa nouvelle demeure. Je dois aller reconduire monsieur à la porte pour s’assurer qu’il trouve bien rapidement la sortie.» déclara Eren en tenant l’homme par le chandail, refusant de le laisser s’approcher de la femme et pointant la cellule ouverte pour qu’elle y entre. «Oh et quel est ton nom, princesse?»

She clenched her fists at her side, standing tall against the beast, hoping he would take her offer, it was her only chance at saving her Uncle, for she was not foolish enough to believe she could overpower the creature. She felt relieved as she heard his response, glad that her uncle would be out of harm’s way. Mikasa had been aware of Hannes’s constant pleading during her exchange with the master of the castle but she had ignored it in favour of putting on a brave facade. Now all she wanted to do was to reach forward once again and give him empty reassurances but she wasn’t even given the chance to as the beast came between them and wrenched the door open dragging her uncle out harshly and holding him out of view and reach. Bristling with anger, and blatantly disobeying the creature’s orders, she advanced forward, ignoring his inquiry, as she tried to look at her Uncle one last time before she was forced into a life of servitude.

“You can’t! You have to let me say goodbye!”

Eren regarda un long moment la jeune femme devant lui, furieux qu’elle n’ait pas répondu à sa question et qu’elle semble avoir une tête aussi dure que lui. Elle avait l’audace de s’opposer à ses demandes devant son captif en plus! Vraiment, ça commençait mal. Grognant, surtout parce qu’il ignorait toujours son nom, Eren balança l’homme au sol se fichant de s’avoir s’il était blessé ou non. Il s’avança vers la jeune femme en montrant ses crocs dans une dernière tentative pour l’intimidé. Vraiment, pas question qu’elle lui tienne tête comme ça sans réagir! Elle avait bien de la chance qu’Eren accepte de la laisser dire au revoir à cette mauviette. Après ça par contre, Eren ne se montrerait pas bien doux.

«Dépêchez-vous. Vous avez 3 minutes, pas plus. Après ça, je le veux hors de ma demeure et toi dans cette cellule! » cracha Eren avant de croiser les bras et d’aller s’asseoir plus loin dans la pièce. Il n’était pas assez dupe pour les laisser seuls ensemble franchement. Et puis, de cette manière, il pourrait surement en apprendre plus sur la jeune femme.

She flinched slightly as he tossed Hannes as if he was nothing but a rag doll but the shock of panic that ripped through her was gone in an instant replaced by overwhelming anger. Her steel eyes narrowed to slits of pure loathing, her teeth gritted and her fists clenched, her feet planted firmly on the ground and her body taught and rigid as a statue. She stood her ground as he loomed over her, gleaming sharo teeth at her. However his words had shocked her and she deflated slightly, her eyes gazing into his own for a few more seconds as she tried to gauge him before she gave up and whirled around throwing herself forward toward Hannes.

She could feel the beast’s eyes trailing her every movement as she helped hannes into a sitting positions, skirting her hands around him worriedly looking for an injury.

“Are you alright!? Are you hurt?” Her movements were jittery nothing like the usual precision and gracefulness.

Hannes stilled her hands clasping them in his own and gripping tightly, afraid to let go, afraid he would never see her again, they both knew that was probably the case. “I’m fine child, these bones are not as weak as you may think. I’m strong…strong enough to stay in this place instead of you, please do not do this, I beg of you do not become this monster’s prisoner.”

She shook her head solemnly gripping his hands back just as tightly. “You know I can’t do that. Now no more of that, it’s already been decide.” She sighed and looked up at him a soothing, caring smile gracing her features. “Uncle…thank you for everything you’ve done for me, you have saved my life and for that I can only ever repay you like this. I am so grateful to you and I shall never forget you.”

Hannes only looked at her with dawning realization and horror, his lip trembling and his eyes watering. He shook his head vehemently trying to dispel the finality of her words. “I have not saved you so that you can end up locked up in a dungeon! My life is of no consequence I’ve lived long enough but you..”

She quickly interrupted him “NO! You’ve taken care of me all these years, you’ve barely even had time to live your own life..and that’s what I want you to do. I want you to travel the world and see everything there is to see…will you do that for me?”

Hannes only shook his head as a sob tore through his throat.