Blanc

Hello, Blanc here! Today as well, I rise as the sun rises. The sun shines brightly, and the birds are chirping happily too - at least they sound happy in my head. It's a fine day even though I'm too lazy to get off the bed. But that's fine! The energy always comes along with time.

Right beside me, one furry leg pokes my cheek. I look to the side and there is Archie, my pet spider which is as big as half my face hanging from his thread. Archie is a demonic spider which I found somewhere called the Bubbling Swamp. It was hatching right beside a dead adult spider - maybe his mother. He has been following me since then. I'm not the one who killed his mother, in case you wonder.

"Morning, Archie!"

Archie responded by poking my cheek again. I hope he won't accidentally poison me again. He has the tendency to do it. Maybe, Archie is just clumsy. I hope so, otherwise the only explanation I have left is that he loves poisoning me on purpose. That is an undesirable explanation. Plain creepy.

"Blanc, are you up?"

A head of curly black hair peers into my room. Long bangs cover the owner's eyes, but if you peek under, you'll see a pair of beautiful green eyes and a delicate face. Noir walks in, carrying a big wooden tub of laundry. She puts it down by my bed, raising her arm and practically throwing me out of my room.

"Cleaning. Get out. Breakfast is on the table."

Her voice sounded stoically from inside the room. I obediently walk to our little table where a piece of bread, a bowl of soup, and a glass of milk are. The grin just comes to my face when I see how carefully things are set up. A small ceramic vase is gleaming from the sunlight, filled with freshly picked little periwinkles; a freshly laundered brown tablecloth sits under all the set up.

Home sweet home.

Archie comes to rest on my shoulder as I have the last of my milk. He must have been bored watching Noir cleaning the room.

"It's too bad you're a spider, Archie. I want to try fighting over food with someone."

"If you lived in the slums, people would kill you for saying that," Noir remarked sarcastically from behind me.

I pout. "It's a joke..."

"I told you to keep some distance from the spider," she paused to look over Archie, "he might poison you again."

I wave away her concern. "Aww... those are accidents."

She seems to snicker before heading out of the house. "We might need to leave now."

And that reminds me of something big. I stand up, accidentally slamming the table. "You're right! Today's the end of the month!"

"I'll go wake up the turtle. You clean up this place."

I nod in a hurry. Then, everything is a flurry of soap bubbles and water as I wash and dry the dishes in haste. When I have stored and locked away all our wares, the whole house starts moving. I cheer and clap, "Alright! Let's run away today as well, Miss Turtle!"

Noir comes back into the house shortly. She locks the door and sits on the chair quietly. Meanwhile, I run to one of our windows, looking out the passing scenery as our whole house, built on top one Miss Turtle, sways along its movement. Yes! We live in a little house built on a giant centuries-old turtle. How cool is that! And do you know Miss Turtle can actually moves fast once in awhile?

Most days we move slowly through villages and towns. Well, we use the civilization free road. But once in awhile, when needed, Miss Turtle can be really fast! She's the best for running away! And that happens every month. "Noir, Noir! This time, I'm sure it will be another month free of pest! A pest called the royalty."

I make a shooing motion towards the open window. Noir just hums, drinking a cup of tea.

"When we stop, go bring in the laundry. I'm sure it'll dry by then."

I agree happily, in good mood. No pest this month too! Another successful escape!

"You shouldn't celebrate so early though. You'll end up jinxing yourself," I heard her mutter.

"That won't happen! Have faith in my good luck!"

"Which is about as much as a drop of water," she bit back flatly.

"That's not true!" I retorted, when she suddenly points at me.

"What?"

"... Look behind you, you fool..."

My face pales.

"You invited him yourself, opening the window like that," she said, finishing her cup of tea and putting it down gently.

I hear the creak of wood as something heavy step on it. The window that has been rattling from the wind becomes eerily quiet as a smooth voice replaces every sound in my ears. "Hello, Blanc."

"Lady Noir," it continued. Two sets of footsteps landed on the floor.

I faintly hear Noir's greeting. She moves her hand slightly and three more cups of tea appear out of thin air. She cast a balancing magic spell before curtsying and leaving. Archie trails behind her, seemingly prancing away - full of joy at my despair.

"Blanc, aren't you going to greet me? As your - "

"Good day to you, Your Royal Highness Prince Alfred," I cut him off, turning around to face the person fully with a tight smile on my face.

"Good day to you as well, Prince Theodore." I finish it with a respectful curtsy.

"Long time no see, Lady Blanc," Theodore bows back. "If you don't mind, I'll excuse myself now."

Alfred readily lets him. "I'll call you when we're ready to go back, Theo."

"So, shall we have a lovely talk about your escapades so far?" Theodore's smile of doom directed at me, I flinch. I look at the table, only now noticing the extra two chairs there.

Noir's right. I have good luck as much as a drop of water. I shouldn't have counted on it.

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