"I was born and raised to serve you." Ashton made it clear that he knows his role in Cara's life.
"Hmm, that's why you hate me so much." Cara seconded after hearing Ashton's revelation.
"Hate is such a strong word, love. Let's just say, I despise you." Ashton said. They both stared blankly at the vast night sky, appreciating the view while they sat at the wooden garden bench.
Cara blew out her cheeks and rested her head on Ashton's shoulders. "Don't move. Stay still."
Her words nailed Ashton to his position; he can't believe how Cara can play with him like this.
"I just want to rest. Isn't it Ironic?" Cara was not yet done talking but Ashton burst into laughter.
"Don't you think? Now who loves using song lyrics?" Ashton blurted out.
"Heh, smartass!" Cara Sneered at him.
"Yeah, go on." Ashton encouraged her to talk.
"I mean, you said I am the strongest witch, yet tonight I feel so weak. As you said, I just found out about myself today, yet I feel so lost." Cara being sentimental at this point feels weird for her since she isn't the type who would mull over things, especially if she knows that she really can't do anything about it.
Ashton felt a pain in his heart. He can't quite figure out this feeling. It is the first time that he felt sad for another being. He honestly found himself clueless for the first time in his life. He was always sure of himself until today.
"Frankly, I don't know what to say. They did not train me to do this." Ashton's tone was serious, like he is taking his job as a servant seriously.
"I know, it's not like you have a book on how to treat me right or classes about taking care of me." Cara chuckled.
"I have." Ashton's brief answer shook Cara.
"What? Seriously?" She asked with her eyes glaring.
"Seriously. I had formal lessons with my father about it. The time I spent with my parents focused on how to take care of you." He replied.
"Okay, now tell me what evil your ancestors did for you to deserve this punishment?" Cara asked Ashton.
Ashton took a deep breath before answering. "I am a descendant of the ancient empire Nepherus."
"Nepherus? As in the empire in those mythologies? The family banished by the Gods into the darkness?" Cara faced Ashton and bombarded him with questions.
Ashton nodded. "Like you, we blended with the world well that they labeled us as myths."
Cara's eyes wondered, "But they did not banish you."
"We were. I mean, living in a life of luxury at the expense of the people by making them our slaves. And then they woke up and everything they had was gone. And the worst part is, we became servants for the witches. That is darkness for us." Ashton further explained.
"What do you mean? Hey you are probably the richest man in the world! Are you crazy? If that is darkness, then what do you call our lives?" Ashton's definition of Darkness offended Cara.
"Well, at least you are free to do whatever you want to do. Another being do not control you in any way." Ashton's low voice made Cara slowly understand what he meant.
"Hmm, you lost your freewill at that point." Cara looked at Ashton with her sad, expressive eyes. As if she understood Ashton deep inside.
"As you said, they banished us. The Empire just ceased to exist, and the Crafters existed for the sole purpose of serving the witches. The super beings brought by the Gods to help humans abused by humans like us." Ashton shared how the witches and warlocks were introduced in the world.
"Wow, really? Our kind served such purpose?" Cara could not believe how vilified witches are in the current times.
Ashton nodded in agreement. The narrative that remained in myths is that witches are evil and the witch hunters are the protectors of the entire human race.
"How about you? Are you also different?" Cara asked Ashton.
"How I wish that I am a super human like you. But unfortunately, I am just a cursed human being." Ashton answered with frustration.
"How do you know your assignments? Are you just assigned to one witch?" Cara asked, curious about people like Ashton.
"Before the great purge; they assigned each of us a witch to serve. But I am the only one left of my kind, and you are the only one to serve. So that's leaves us no choice." Ashton sounded like he is really not pleased with this partnership.
"Bzzzt, bzzzt,"
Cara's phone vibrated. She lazily patted her phone in her pocket and took it out, while still resting his head on Ashton's shoulder.
Cara did not speak a word after reading the message on her phone. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"ahem," Ashton cleared his throat. "Bothered about the wedding?" He asked as in a low voice.
Cara nodded. "Actually, it is Theo who is more bothered about this wedding." Cara confided to Ashton.
"I told you already, he is in love with you." Ashton reminded Cara.
Cara looked at Ashton with a scrunched-up face as she sat up. "I am the one who is in love with him. Not the other way around."
"Okay, so let me rephrase it. You two are just too dumb not to realize that what you feel for each other is mutual. And oh, you are also too coward to admit it." Ashton answered with confidence.
"Do you really think so?" Cara asked in a serious tone.
Ashton nodded.
Cara covered her face with her palm. "My dream guy is suddenly interested in me and here I am about to get married to my servant!" Cara exclaimed in frustration.
"Do you think I'd marry you if I had a choice? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Ashton wanted to stand up, but he was told to stay still and to not move.
"I know, I would not marry me neither with this look!" Cara cried out loud, feeling defeated.
Again, Ashton felt a pinch of sympathy towards Cara.
"Okay, how about announcing our engagement first? Delay the wedding until we can hold out, but the fact remains that we need to live together." Ashton provided an alternative for Cara.
"Can we really do that?" Cara was hopeful.
Ashton nodded in agreement; he somehow felt his pain lessened when he saw the faint smile on Cara's face. He shook his head and spoke in a tone of arrogance. "I can't take an ugly babe as my fiancée. You need a makeover."