Chapter 08

ELENA's POV

One week had passed since the incident. The 'punishment', he called it. Afterward, even if there were times that I was mad at Oswin to the point that I wanted to strangle him to death, I knew better than to cross the line.

He, on the other hand, acted as if nothing had happened and carried on with his royal order as if he were living in his own kingdom. It made me wonder how much longer this elf king would come to terms with the fact that he was currently in the human realm and not his so-called Aldous Kingdom. It irritated me to the core how he kept bossing me around as if I was his personal servant.

But what else could I do? I was the one who decided to let him stay here, anyway.

I had already given up on the idea of sending him back to his home because no matter how hard I tried to research 'The Aldous Kingdom of the Elf Realm,' only 'no result found' was shown across all search engines. That meant I had no clue how to get him back to his place. I wished I could mail him like a package, but it didn't work like that. Giving him to the police was not an option either because I didn't know how to explain to the authorities without being accused of being a lunatic. So, I finally settled on the decision to take him in to live with me. After all, he did save me from a terrible thing that would have scarred me for life.

However, the addition of the new member stirred up a problem.

Money.

The living expenses for two people were increasing. I had to find another job to earn extra pay to support both of us. I couldn't tell him to find a job, given the fact that he still acted like royalty. Have you ever seen a king working? No, right?

So, after my waitressing job, I took a night shift at a convenience store and worked until four in the morning. By the time I arrived at my apartment, I was so exhausted that I just crawled onto the couch and slept like a dead person. However, one thing that occurred strange to me was that I always found myself tucked in bed when I opened my eyes in the morning, and Oswin was nowhere next to me.

One Saturday morning during breakfast, I choked and spat out my Tum-Yum flavored instant noodle when Oswin asked a question that I never in a million years expected to hear.

"Where can I find a job?" he asked once he finished his food.

"Excuse me?" I voiced out my confusion once I managed to steady my breath after a few coughs. Grabbing a tissue nearby to wipe my mouth clean, I looked at the glorious elf king sitting opposite me and asked him to repeat. "What did you just say?"

"After staying here for a week, plus your help in explaining, I understand how humans live their lives here," he said in a confident tone.

"O-okay?" I tilted my head to the side in perplexity. "And?"

"You said that humans like you," he paused, pointing his finger at me before continuing, "need money to live here."

“Yeah…I…did…” I nodded hesitantly, still trying to make sense of what he had said.

"And to get money, we have to get a job."

"That's true." I nodded again.

"So, I figured that I should get myself this so-called job to help you earn." He finished with a proud smile, his chin lifted slightly as if he had just said something of significant importance that deserved a celebration. With his body leaned back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest, he continued, "So, find me a job."

The room fell into a brief silence, with no one speaking. The only noise was the faint sound of their breaths.

"Your Majesty, is the noodle too hot and spicy for you?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

"No. I like it. Why?" He looked down at the now empty cup noodle, wearing a puzzled expression on his face.

"I just thought the hotness and spiciness were burning your brain cells. You seem to be blabbering about things." I shrugged. "Do you need some cold water or pills?"

Ignoring my sarcasm, he shifted his gaze to me and said, "It's not my style to live off someone. Since it would take a while for me to get back to Aldous, I can't just sit back and do nothing. I can't depend on you like this."

"How wise of you, Your Highness. I am flattered," I bowed my head in a playful manner. "I am amazed. You learn fast."

"Of course. I'm a king, after all. My brain can catch up with everything," he said, his lips curved up into a satisfactory smile.

Oh please, will it kill him to not be a narcissist for a day? I thought to myself, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes.

"Besides, I see you have been having a hard time lately trying to maintain the expenses for two. You are not getting enough sleep with that extra job of yours. So, if I can find a job, you can quit that one. It isn't safe for a woman like you to come home that late," he continued.

For some reason, I felt touched by his words. I had imagined him as a spoiled king who liked to abuse his power, doing nothing but sitting on his throne and bossing people or maybe elves around. Nevertheless, no one had thought that there was this sweet and considerate side to him, too. It was totally unexpected.

And this made something on the left side of my chest act up, which I hurriedly brushed off.

"So, I see this restaurant here is recruiting. Help me apply for it." He picked up the newspaper and tossed it in front of me before pointing his long, slender finger at one of the job announcement sections.

It was no surprise that he could read because I had been teaching him our language. It baffled me at first to see how quickly he was catching up with the lesson. Though I didn't want to admit it, I silently agreed that he sure was quick-witted.

"You? Working as a waiter?!" I exclaimed in surprise, my eyes looking at the section his finger was pointing to.

"Em," he hummed. "It's the same as what you do, isn't it?"

My gaze shifted from the paper to his face. I couldn't help but let a few imaginations run wild in my head. Scenes where the elf king, Oswin Alvingham, became a waiter.

*******

THIRD PERSON's POV

Scene one:

"Hey, you! Waiter boy with long blonde hair and a silver robe. Get me a menu," yelled the grumpy customer.

"How dare you use that tone towards me? Do you have any idea who I am?" said Oswin through gritted teeth.

"Well, who are you then, pointed-ear boy?"

"I'm the king of the elf. Reigning over the Kingdom of Aldous, in the..."

As Oswin was making a self-introduction, the customer took out his phone and dialed a nearby psychiatric hospital.

*******

ELENA's POV

I shook my head, trying to shake that scene off my mind. However, when the previous imagination was gone, a new one arrived. This time, it happened when I at least expected Oswin to understand his duty and stop calling himself king.

*******

THIRD PERSON's POV

Scene two:

"I want a big plate of fried rice, one seafood pasta, and a glass of orange juice," said customer number one, putting down the menu once he was done.

However, he arched his eyebrow in confusion upon seeing Oswin rooted to the spot. The elf king showed no sign of moving to place the order. He didn't even take note.

"Do you need me to repeat my order?" customer number one asked.

Oswin remained still and kept staring at the customers who had just taken his order.

"Um, why are you still standing here and staring at us instead of going to place the order?" asked customer number two.

"I have no idea what you've just said. The only word I understand is fried rice."

Both customers: "Err..."

*******

ELENA's POV

When the scene dissipated from my head, I sighed and muttered, "And then whoever is the boss will declare bankruptcy the next day." I shook my head vigorously. "I can't have that."

"Why are you talking to yourself like a lunatic?" he asked, gazing at me with narrowed eyes.

The only lunatic here is you! Screamed an inner voice at the back of my head. I wanted to shout this right at his face but decided to keep the words to myself.

"So, what should I do to get a job?" He asked, bringing the topic up again.

"You're not giving up, are you?" I sighed.

"Giving up is never featured in a king's dictionary."

"Fine. I'll help you look and apply for a job. But under one condition."

Raising one of his eyebrows, he stared at me. "And that is?"

"Listen to my guidance." I lifted my chin, maintaining eye contact, clearly trying to show off who was in charge.

Leaning back with his arms folded, he replied with a crooked smile that depicted a how-hard-could-it-be look. "Fine," he said.

"Will you give me your words so that you will listen to me?" I asked in a challenging tone.

He narrowed his eyes, studying me intently with a suspicious glare. Our gazes locked briefly without any further exchange of words. Seeing how I showed no signs of backing down, he finally broke the silence first. "Fine. As long as it is within the context of training for this job, I will listen to you," he said, finally giving in. "You have my words."

Suppressing the urge to jump up and dance triumphantly, my lips curved up into a smile. "Deal," I said, getting up to collect the empty cup of noodles and bringing them to the trash can.

Oswin Alvingham. Welcome to chapter one of 'How To Take Revenge on the Elf King 101', written by Elena Dixons, I thought to myself and allowed a full smirk to form now that my back was turned to him.

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<TO BE CONTINUED>