248: 6.8 Most Prized Possession

6.8 Most Prized Possession

A pair of glassy silver eyes stared back at him and for a split second, Jillian thought that he was looking at the person — spirit — he had been searching for but no… this was merely a doll. A very realistic medium sized doll which was almost as long as his entire arm.  2

His features were delicately carved; thin eyebrows, thick lashes that framed the pair of half-lidded dazzling eyes, high cheekbones and thin lips. His hair looked so soft and glossy, pooling around its body as he sat inside the cabinet dressed in only a piece of thin white robe. His hands were elegantly clasped atop of his lap. Jillian inadvertently sucked in a breath. The doll was…beautiful. Exquisite. Such breathtaking mastery…

This… This doll was perfect down to its smallest detail; it was as if Jillian was looking at the real thing himself!

He was struck speechless, unable to form any words for a few moments. His fingers twitched and the urge to reach out and poke the doll's cheek to make sure that he wasn't a real breathing human was almost driving him crazy. Alas, the thought of laying a hand on this masterpiece seemed blasphemous somehow. "This…"

Cyrus swooped in to save Jillian before he broke down right there and then. "You may take him home if you'd like, General. He's all yours."

Jillian felt lightheaded all of a sudden. He… could take this doll home? He was allowed to? 

Cyrus waved his sleeves and Jillian's eyes widened as he saw a faint wisp of light floating into the doll's body. If previously the doll looked gorgeous yet lifeless, now… Jillian subconsciously held his breath. Somehow, he had the notion that if he stared longer, he would be able to see the doll lifting his eyelids and blinking at him. Of course, none of such things happened. 

"There," Cyrus harrumphed in satisfaction.

Jillian bent down slightly until he was at the doll's eye level, not even blinking his eyes for fear of missing any change in the doll's expression. "The spirit… is inside?" Upon receiving Cyrus' confirmation, Jillian finally steeled himself and reached out, fingers brushing against the hair framing the doll's face. In an instant, tingles traveled from his fingertips down to his whole body as if he was electrocuted. His breath hitched in his throat. For some reason, Jillian got a strong urge to cry as he brought the doll out of the cabinet and cradled it in his arms. So soft and warm… It made Jillian feel as if he was hugging a small sun. "Sorry for the late introduction." He whispered adoringly. "My name is Jillian Lacrosa, it's such an honor to finally meet you, uh—"

"Regius." Cyrus supplied helpfully. "You can call him Regius."

"...Regius," Jillian breathed. Oh God, even his name sounded so majestic.

When Jillian left Grandmaster Dynn's house, he left a pouch full of gold ingots with the doll cradled in his arms, unwilling to put him down even for a second. He nodded in thanks at Cyrus and Luan, then rented another carriage to bring him back to the manor. When he arrived, the moon was already high on the sky and Bassil was pacing back and forth in the main foyer.

"Young Master!" Bassil cried out as Jillian stepped through the front door. "Where have you been?! The whole residence almost caught on fire when we couldn't find you. Are you—" Bassil's words stuttered and he finally gave Jillian a double take. Or to be exact, the creepy yet stunning doll that was perching comfortably on his arms. "This…"

"Regius." Jillian introduced him proudly. Bassil's heart almost jumped out of his throat when Jillian looked down and started to speak to the doll with such a tender gaze that he had never seen before. W—What was happening?! "Regius, this is Bassil, my head servant. He is responsible for managing the manor when I am away. If you need something, don't hesitate to tell him."

"Y—Young Master…" Bassil clutched his chest with a pained look. Goodness, what had become of his hard-hearted Young Master? Exactly which evil spirit had possessed Young Master's body?! Bassil gathered the composure he had been nurturing for decades from working in the Duke's manor and spoke patiently at Jillian as if he was a three-years old child. "Young Master, that is but a doll. It can't—"

"Nonsense! Regius isn't just a doll, he is Regius!" Jillian snapped in a harsh tone. Any resemblance of warmth evaporated from his eyes as he glared at Bassil. "Don't you dare to finish that sentence, Bassil, or else I won't be merciful!" After leaving that one sentence, he turned his heels and stalked to the direction of his room.

Bassil gaped at where he was standing still, too shocked that the Young Master he had taught since childhood would dare to talk back at him just for… just for a doll! No, something was definitely wrong here! Bassil couldn't let Jillian go just like that! His feet moved without him realizing as he chased after Jillian and when he turned to a corner, the sight in front of him almost made him stumble on his steps. Colors drained from his face and his eyes reflected terror that seized his heart in a tight grip.

Young Master Jillian had moved the doll in his arms as if he was carrying a sleeping baby. The doll's chin was tucked on Jillian's shoulder and when Bassil made a turn, his eyes instantly clashed with the doll's beady silver eyes. But that wasn't the thing that terrified Bassil the most. It was the doll's expression!

Its tranquil and serene look had changed to one of a scowl, with its eyebrows tightly drawn together and lips tugged down in displeasure. Outside the window, bursts of powerful lightning hammered down from the sky, illuminating the doll's eyes that seemed to glow crimson!

Goodness—!

Bassil clutched his chest tighter. His knees gave up beneath him as he fell on his butt, gaping like a fish brought out of water. He tried to sound a word— anything. He wanted to scream for help and alert the entire manor but then, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang inside his mind; bewitching and commanding him to obey.

[You are to treat me as how Jillian orders you to. From now on, I am Jillian's most prized possession.]

Bassil's eyes turned dull as the words seeped into his brain and when he came to his senses, he found himself sitting in the dark empty hallway. Standing up, Bassil patted his trousers in confusion. What was he doing here? Why had he made such a ruckus over the doll Young Master brought home? Young Master was allowed to bring home whatever he wanted. It was just a doll, if it made Young Master happy, then Bassil would treat it like a new family member. He shrugged and turned to make one last round around the manor, humming a random tune.

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