original story(temp title)
Once upon a time, a treasure was uncovered.
It had no form or shape, and sometimes it was as fleeting as wind, although it was of great value, those who spoke of it were mocked for seeking it.
Although everyone has been seeking it, whether knowingly or not, secretly or not.
Those who spoke out loud about it were called idiots, some cared and stopped seeking the treasure, while others turned a deaf ear to all the critiques.
One such idiot had once said: happiness is a priceless treasure!
Many laughed and mocked, why would he search and seek something so vague? Gold and riches sounded much more inviting, no?
And many others had just walked past him going on with their lives, but the idiot was not bothered in the least.
Despite others' mockery, He was always doing something, always thinking about something, always searching for something.
How do you know it's happiness?
How and why is it a happy thing?
He wondered and pondered.
While wondering as such he was always up and moving about, one day he would be a carpenter, another day he would be a painter, one night he would be cooking, Another he would be working.
Although mocked as an idiot, an idiot he was not.
People simply branded him as such for talking about his dreams.
To him, happiness is a dream, one that if he doesn't constantly search for it, it would simply disappear.
Happiness is very simple yet very complex. The happiness of one can be the misfortune of another, yet at the same time, the happiness of one person can also be the happiness of others.
Each person's happiness can be vastly different, it could be as small as an ant or as large as the ocean, but it’s definitely there.
Even if rain falls, even if the clouds gather, there’s always that one small stream of light, although it’s so small and so fragile we might miss it sometimes.
It can grow into a warm glow or a cold wind, That’s why it’s so precious, so sought after, and yet so fragile.
Happiness is fleeting, that’s why it’s an irreplaceable treasure, One which we might forget amidst all of the currents of life.
But each person’s treasure is different, what is yours?
Hands resting above these words, eyes seemingly lost in thought, head tilted and brows furrowed, seemingly coming with no answers, the book was abruptly shut down, a book in hand the young boy stood up, gazing at the cover with puzzlement painted across his face.
Brow’s furrowed further, but his eyes were unmoving, as though the book would speak at one point.
“...ha… I should get going,” seemingly done with questioning the book, the boy murmured to himself and started on his way.
Walking through the halls just as always and heading back to his room just in time for his lessons with none the wiser as to what he did, or that was what he intended.
If the walking part didn’t take up all that time, that is, having a huge house proved useless when sneaking off, especially when you have classes to take.
‘I wonder if I will make it back before they notice?’ wondering as such he walked as fast as he could, said walk slowly turning into a run and
worry creasing his face, though it’s unnoticeable with his long bangs in the way, maybe that’s also why he didn’t see the figure walking ahead of him.
An incident was the obvious result.
“Hey! who do you th-” just as the figure started regaining his footing he abruptly stopped talking and fixed the boy with a fed-up look, standing up tall and looking down at him.
“Why hello young master, I was just searching for you,” with a carefree tone and a hidden frown, the older man talked as if reading a script, without sparing a single gaze at the boy, he seemed impetuous.
“I-” tensing up, the boy attempted to explain himself but his words were cut short.
“Yes, yes, now come along quickly,”
Both attempts to talk have been shut down, all the while the boy was still on the ground from the fall earlier, That was painful. He shouldn't have run so fast, but how would he know he’d bump into this grumpy servant?
‘I should get up fast, his glare is scary-’ not even managing to finish that thought, a strong force pulled his arm abruptly.
It was a little too strong.
“I said quickly, young master.” The boy didn’t need to look to feel the anger in those words, but his arm was starting to hurt a little so he wished this could end already. Maybe if he just agreed or nodded the servant would let go of his arm?
“Do you understand now? let’s go,” failing to talk yet again the young boy could only nod and be pulled along.
But at least it didn’t seem like anyone was too annoyed about his little trip to the library, rather it seems no one noticed it, barely ten minutes had passed since he left there and bumped into the angry servant; who made sure the young boy was way earlier than the teacher.
The young boy was pretty uncomfortable being in the same room as that servant until the teacher showed up.
‘I know it’s his job but still..’ he thought as he gently gripped his arm, easing the pain as quietly as he could.
When the teacher came, the servant finally left and everything went on as usual, and afterward, the angry servant didn’t come to ask him anything about where he was or why he was late, so that’s a good thing.
it’s a shame the lessons took so long though, he really wanted to explore that book more, maybe he would figure it out if he’d have reread it?
His teacher always made him repeat the things he didn’t get and he eventually gets it, even if it takes all day, it’s gotta be the same for that book he just knows it.
Unfortunately for him, thinking about this book has made him tune out of his lessons which unluckily didn’t get past the teacher.
It sucks being the only student.
After yet another reprimand and being denied the chance to explain himself yet again, his long lessons finally ended. He doesn't know about others but having so many classes in one day is really taxing, the sun has set already!
His lessons have been getting more difficult as well, but he does his best, he never slacks off! Although the incident before his morning classes started today has bothered his conscience, he usually gets back quicker than today and no one would notice, it was all because of that book!
He was curious about it and getting it proved to be a challenge. It's Not easy getting a book from the highest shelf as a six-year-old, but climbing there was pretty interesting.
Although falling down wasn’t, and bumping into that servant, and falling down again, and taking that test,…okay maybe he shouldn’t go to the library anymore…yeah he will still go anyway...he still didn't understand that book after all.
Thinking as such the boy walked after the angry servant from this morning, although now he wasn’t angry, just impetuous, at least he didn’t grab his arm again so it seems the boy wasn’t late this time, his arm still stung a little so it’s great he won’t have to go through that again.
Night had arrived While he was studying, so now that the day is almost over, all that’s left is eating his meal again and sleeping for the night.
Although it was much lighter than the rest of his day’s schedule, you may even say mealtimes are his break time from studying still the young boy didn’t like these times.
whether he likes it or not the meal has been served. Some kind of soup and simmered chicken with a salad to the side.
but the boy couldn’t just sit and admire it, he had to eat it already.
Sitting at that huge table all by himself, with all the servants standing nearby.
With shaking hands and tense shoulders, he started eating as fast as he could. He couldn’t breathe for a moment, their gazes are far but he still feels them, on his back, by the side, and in front.
Scowling, frowning, hurrying, the dining room was quiet, so silent even a breath could be heard, no one uttered a word.
Amidst the chilling silence, Their gazes and sighs felt deafening.
Is he too slow at eating? Or did he act in a displeasing way? He is eating as fast as he can while also minding the manners they taught him to eat with.
But swallowing his food is hard, it feels like it clogs his throat, and he can’t breathe, although he swallows it just fine in the end.
‘I don’t want to eat, it’s a painful thing, and nothing tastes like food’
With each bite he takes nausea wills up, he feels sick just putting food in his mouth.
But he does his best to finish since although he can’t see all of them, all the servants are looking at him, angry gazes like the one from this morning.
impatient, frowning, glaring, some are already scowling.
‘I think someone just sighed…I should finish already’ with worry shadowing his eyes and hands putting down his utensils, just as the boy finished his meal, a loud huff reached his ear,
As if on cue all the servants started moving about, some clearing out the meal others wiping the table clean, and one servant rushing the young boy to go ready to sleep then hurriedly going back to helping the other servants, not giving the young boy a single glance.
‘Maybe I wasn’t quick enough again… I should at least get out of the way,’
Silently moving out of the dining room, he walked through the halls, thinking back to his meal. In the end, he couldn’t finish eating everything again tonight..he felt bad about that…and about eating so slowly.
‘I wish I could eat quicker….but eating makes me feel sick…it must have been annoying having to wait while I finished..’
Having these thoughts on his mind the young boy had already prepared to sleep, but when he laid down sleep just didn’t happen.
Turning right, turning left, twisting and turning, nothing worked.
Getting up Feeling a little embarrassed, his gaze locked with a certain spot. it was a wonder how he maneuvered his way through his bleak room but as though he knew the place by heart he headed there easily.
Rummaging through a small drawer, his hands caught on to their prize.
“There!” pulling it out with both hands, holding it dearly and carefully he walked until he reached the window.
Illuminated by the moonlight while holding an old stuffed toy, eyes gazing at it, it looked like a small black cat barely the size of his hand, and an even smaller embroidery weaved into it with white yarn.
It didn’t have anything else, just a few loose yarns here and there, and simple yarn for the eyes and mouth.
‘ heh so cute,’ it was just a simple toy, yet the eyes that gazed at it held so much fondness and love it was an old toy from a time he couldn’t even remember, he doesn't even know how it stayed here all this time, or how he got it for that matter.
It was always there with his name sewn so carefully on it, it’s been worn over time But simply holding it close made him smile every time.
Holding it close and going back to bed all his previous restlessness was gone, Kasper felt like he could sleep now, holding his little cat nearby, the question from the book earlier today came to mind:
Each person’s treasure is different, what is yours?
"...a treasure….I wonder if that’s what you are to me?" Kasper smiled warmly as he snuggled closer to his treasure, and as he did so, a wandering thought passed through his hazy mind.
‘..I wonder who you are from?’ slowly drifting to sleep, this thought went unattended.
Softly breathing and holding his black cat close, the young boy drifted off to sleep.
For a new day would be waiting afterward.
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