The luminous, lavender liquid on the stove bubbled, letting out a glowing, violet mist. Lucia carefully turned the liquid while adding a few ingredients into it. The liquid bubbled and popped loudly, leaving glowing particles in the air. She turned off the stove and began to transfer the potion into a glass bottle. Suddenly, a loud thud jolted her and the potion almost spilled. It sounded like it came from that room, the room where that man was recovering.

  She let out a tired sigh and placed the pot back on the stove. With annoyance, she walked out into the hallway. The hallway was long and grand with multiple rooms, but her sight was set at a particular door. She opened it and saw the chair that was by the bed now overturned, and also a bandaged man awkwardly hanging off the bed and was now staring right at her. He looked confused, he opened his mouth to speak and a deep, hoarse voice reached her ears.

  "Were you the one that saved me?"

  Lucia carefully set him back on the bed. She checked his pulse not caring about his confusion, for now.

  "Yes, I did. What's your name?" Lucia asked

  "...Aeron"

  "Aeron, How are you feeling? Any pain?"

  Aeron paused and looked at his bandaged body, he moved his limbs with surprising ease though Lucia's trained eyes could see the pain beneath his movements.

  "Hurt and weak. I feel like I've been out for a while."

  "You were unconscious for three weeks."

  "Three weeks!?"

  "Well, you were on the verge of death. Broken bones, deep lacerations... if I'd found you any later you wouldn't be here."

  Aeron looked at her, his eyes cold and hesitant but also thankful.

  "Thank you for saving me... Miss...?"

  "Lucia"

  "Thank you, Miss Lucia. I will never forget your kindness."

  Lucia nodded, now all she had to do was play her cards right. She forced herself to smile, though it came off as menacing.

  "May I check your wounds?"

  Aeron hesitantly nodded, looking frustrated at his current weakness. His cautious eyes never left Lucia, silently taking in her features. Her soft brown skin glowed under the natural light. Her crimson eyes were deep and sacred like a sea of blood. Dark and long, curly hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was beautiful but something about her felt dangerous and unknown.

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  Lucia gently examined his injuries that was healing quite well, she could feel him staring intently at her. Then she declared firmly.

  "I spent a lot on you so don't you dare strain yourself. You still have a lot of healing to do."

  Aeron grimaced, not trying to hide his annoyance.

  "...I have no money, but I can promise I'd do anything to repay you."

  She paused and smiled, genuine this time, although somehow even more menacing.

  "Anything?"

  Aeron saw her smile but didn't back down, he was confident in his abilities. Even if it was an unfair deal, he could easily escape and never be seen again. Although he'd like to avoid that.

  "Anything."

  Lucia secretly beamed, everything was going according to plan. She cleared her throat and declared.

  "I want you to be my assistant."

  ..............

  His eyes widened, never would he have thought about that. He didn't know whether he should be angry or impressed by her confidence and audacity.

  Meanwhile, Lucia was holding in her laugh. His utter puzzlement was quite a sight, she didn't think such a stern face could show such bafflement.

  "Assistant? Are you serious?" He blurted out.

  Lucia clasped her hands together and spoke in a pitiful tone.

  "Yes. Assistant. It's proper if you think about it. I wasted so many expensive herbs to save your penniless ass."

  Aeron's looked even more baffled. How could someone that looked like an angel be so petty?!

  "I'm not doing that" He growled

  "Oh? But you said you'd do anything. A proud person such as yourself wouldn't dare take back his promise, would you?"

  "I'd rather take my chances with nature than be your slave"

  "Assistant." Lucia corrected, "And it's just for a measly five months, you'll get free food, shelter, and free healthcare! It's a deal anyone would accept within a heartbeat."

  Aeron glared at her, she wasn't going to drop this no matter how many times he refused. She had a point even though she was petty. And he wasn't one to break promises.

  "Even if I accept, I'm not working for you for five months."

  Lucia perked up. She was finally getting somewhere, she said. "Then how long do you want it to be?"

  "A week if possible-"

  "Unacceptable. Three months and that's that." Lucia chimed in, "And I'm not going any lower."

  "...a mon-"

  "Three months."

  "...two-"

  "five months."

  "...three months."

  "Three months it is! I'm glad we came to a peaceful conclusion."

  Aeron looked exhausted after agreeing to an obviously disadvantageous deal. He glanced at the window, it'd be easy to escape after he recovered. Lucia, as if she read his mind, said.

  "Don't even try escaping, you can't get out of this house without my permission. You see, this mansion is quite unique."

  He stared at her as if she was crazy, he could easily break the window or walls if she locked him here. Lucia noticed this and a solemn smile appeared, she didn't want him having hopes of escaping. Suddenly, the room started to morph, the windows and doors disappeared. Aeron was immediately on guard, he glared at her and muttered.

  "Magician."

  Lucia chuckled as the room slowly morphed back to normal.

  "Not quite. I prefer the term witch."

  "You're a witch?"

  "That's what I was called. If you value your life, try not to run away until our deal is over."

  Aeron grew wary of her, his gut wasn't wrong. She was dangerous. And he just agreed to become her assistant.

  "Don't worry, being my assistant doesn't mean becoming a witch, though we might do some questionable tasks. I expect your full cooperation, understand?"

  Aeron was visibly hostile, he looked like he was planning on killing her but he still reluctantly replied. "I understand."

  "Good. You should be back on your feet in a week, you can start working by then."

  Lucia started changing his bandages and the whole time his eyes never left her, it was starting to become unnerving. It was going to be a long three months...