Chapter 58: Chapter 58

**Aurel's Point of View**

I jolted as once again the door to the room opened without warning, revealing Loma carrying food for me.

"I think I'm gaining weight if you keep bringing me food," I said, causing Loma to shrug nonchalantly.

"Just eat while you still can eat peacefully," Loma replied as I took the food and looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Nothing, just... forget it. Didn't you say you wanted to move out of this room?" Loma asked, making me stop and nod enthusiastically.

"Yes. Did someone allow me to move from this room?" I asked, seeking confirmation, making Loma nod.

"Yes, you're lucky because maybe he's in a good mood. He allowed me to take you to a room that's not too spacious but probably more comfortable," Loma answered, making me smile.

"Does the new room have a window, at least? Let me breathe some fresh air. I've lost track of how long I've been trapped here, maybe a week, two weeks. I can't see the sun, the moon, or anything. I might slowly die of boredom in this place," I said again, leaving Loma silent.

"Well, that sounds like a good idea," she said, making me furrow my brow again. I didn't understand what she meant.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I can make up a reason that you're really sick and need fresh air to see outside this castle. I'm a bit worried because he doesn't allow you to see anything," Loma said, leaving me silent as I slowly ate the food she had brought.

"Sure, you can give any reason for it, but can you say that I'm seriously ill, so I need to be taken to a doctor and I can get out of this place? I'm sure he's a kidnapper, and you're his accomplice, aren't you?" I said, making Loma respond casually once again.

"Well, consider it that way - you've been kidnapped by a kind-hearted kidnapper," her words made me sigh heavily. As usual, Loma would wait for me to finish the food she brought.

"Actually, what's in this food doesn't taste strange, but maybe you've added something like poison to slowly kill me?" I asked again.

"Stop saying silly things; I think you've been reading too many novels I brought you yesterday, making you think of strange things," Loma said.

"That's because you always watch me while I eat and wait for me to finish it. I'm not allowed to leave any food. What if I really gain weight?" I asked, feeling worried again, making Loma shake her head.

"You're not gaining weight; you're just getting healthier. Don't worry; I'll treat you well. I'm just happy that someone's cooking for me, and you're the first one," Loma explained, making me stare at her in disbelief.

"Are you sure I'm someone who wants to eat your food?" I asked again, making Loma nod.

"Yes, all this time, I've never cooked for anyone because most of them are afraid that I might put something like poison in the food, so they dare not eat it. You should keep it up; you should try different recipes. I'm sure you'd like to cook something else besides the same dishes you've been making all along," I said because Loma had been constantly alternating the same dishes, although they weren't bad, but I was starting to get bored.

"Enough, finish your meal quickly, and then we'll move to another room," Loma said, finally making me excited to finish my meal. Eventually, Loma really took me out of that room, and it was the first time I saw a different building other than the room that had imprisoned me all this time.

"Is this really a castle from ancient times? Why do all the lights look dim? Wouldn't it be nice to have brighter lights so the castle doesn't look so gloomy?" I asked as I walked with Loma, who was holding my hand tightly, as if she was afraid I would run away from the castle, even though she didn't need to worry about a castle this big; I would definitely get lost and wouldn't know where to go.

"Well, you should complain to the owner of this castle, and just so you know, he doesn't really like things that look bright like this. That's why this castle looks like a haunted castle," Loma replied, making me hold back my smile.

"I'm becoming more curious about that person, can you describe their characteristics?" I asked again.

"He's tall, fair-skinned, has a handsome face, he's cold, he's annoying, he has blonde hair with red eyes. I have to admit, there's nothing remotely wrong with his appearance except for his attitude," Loma replied, making me gaze at her face again.

"You're beautiful too. Do people around here all look handsome?" I asked, curious, making Loma look in my direction.

"Did you just say I'm beautiful?" Loma asked, making me nod.

"Your hair is beautiful, your skin looks radiant, your face is lovely, and you have a nice figure," I replied, causing Loma to burst into laughter, filling the castle corridor with her laughter.

"What's so funny about what I said?" I asked again.

"I don't know, it just feels funny to hear someone praise me, even though people have looked down on me all this time, perhaps because I'm an outcast," Loma said, making me stop in my tracks, causing Loma to stop and turn towards me.

"Why?" she asked.

"I don't know, I'm just wondering why people look at you like that. Are they blind?" I replied, inviting another laugh from Loma.

"Never mind, let's stop. You'd better hurry up; you can't wait to see your new room," Loma said, and I looked around the corridor, which had several doors we had passed by earlier. I didn't know how many rooms were in this large castle and how far Loma would take me. We had even climbed some stairs; maybe I was on the third floor now, considering I was on the ground floor before, I thought.

"How much longer do we have to go?" I asked because Loma hadn't stopped her pace for a few minutes.

"Just a little longer," Loma replied briefly.

"Actually, how vast is this castle? Would I really get lost if I tried to escape?" I asked again, making Loma shake her head.

"Even if you had the intention to escape, you would be immediately locked up in the underground dungeon. How could you possibly escape from this castle?" Loma said, emphasizing that it was impossible. Finally, Loma stopped at one of the doors after we had climbed two flights of stairs, so I might be on the third floor now if I had been on the first floor before.

"Is this the room?" I asked, making Loma nod until she opened the door for me. I was slightly surprised because the atmosphere inside was completely different.

"Has this room just been painted?" I asked, making Loma laugh.

"It does look silly, doesn't it? I didn't expect it, but because of that man, he really painted this room like a human's house," Loma said, making me slightly startled. Did Loma just accidentally reveal something? I wondered.

"Come in. You must like it," Loma said again. It felt strange just from the ambiance that she wasn't human like me, but for some reason, I was a bit surprised when I heard it directly. It indicated that the man who had ordered Loma to watch over me wasn't human either.

"Does this suit your taste?" Loma asked, making me pause.

"It's alright," I replied, and it seemed like Loma could sense the change in my expression.

"Is something wrong? Don't you like the atmosphere?" Loma asked, making me shake my head.

"You just mentioned that this is like a room for humans. Does that mean you and the man aren't human?" I asked slowly because I was afraid of offending Loma, although she could regain her composure.

"I've probably said too much. If that man finds out, I'll surely be scolded again," Loma said, making me reach for her hand.

"I promise I won't tell anyone. You can tell me who you are. I'll keep my mouth shut," I said, curious about their origins. Loma let out a heavy sigh.

"Yes, I can only say that both he and I are not human. But rest assured, I've ensured your safety, and I'll take good care of you, even he himself," Loma said, but that wasn't the answer I was looking for.

"So, what's his purpose? At least, he must have a purpose if he doesn't want me to leave. I should at least get to know him, so I can find out who's been keeping me locked up," I said, making Loma sigh heavily once more.

"For that, please be patient. I'm sure in the future, he will appear before you. But for now, he has some matters to attend to. Until then, you might continue to stay in this room with some books and, well, something like drawing. Maybe I'll bring that for you. Do you like to paint? I just found a canvas in the castle," Loma said, finally making me nod weakly. I couldn't keep whining to Loma because she probably didn't know what else to do.

"That's good; it will help kill your boredom. I'll bring you paint and canvas soon so you can have something else to do besides reading," Loma said, once again leaving me speechless. I didn't know why, but I was starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable being confined like this.