Citadel of Desire - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 – Homeless and Penniless

It was a wobbly and bumpy ride as the carriage recklessly rolled down the neglected road. A nervous Rei nibbled at her nails as she looked through the window trying to distract herself. Alongside, cigar between his lips, sat a somber man gazing at the anxious girl. This cigar was commonly smoked in the Wenches ghetto. It perfectly represented their current situation.

The carriage shook as it rolled down the road. Rei bit her nails by habit as her older brother held a cigar between his lips. It wasn’t the usual brand. This cigar was commonly smoked in the Wenches ghetto. It perfectly represented their current situation.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.” He tried to placate her.

“…”

“Why aren’t you saying something? You’re so gloomy, it makes it seem like we’re in a grave situation!”

He felt it was about time she snapped out it. She was making a mountain out of a mole hill!

I make it seem so? Rei so wanted to retort.

They were at war with the neighbouring country. The economic recession that came with it was weighing down on everyone. Their father passed away, leaving behind debts and more debts. Mother, unable to cope with the sudden shock, was at a hospice. As if things weren’t bad enough, her brother fell victim to fraud. What happened after, was the most obvious- they were stripped of their status and mercilessly kicked out by their maternal house and kin. They were now homeless and penniless with no future in sight.

If this situation didn’t count as grave, then what did?!

Her brother understood her worries. But he didn’t want her to lose hope, not yet.

“If this goes well, you can live like a proper lady again. The debts we owe to our relatives will also be paid. Our mother will be able to live comfortably again. Do you understand, Rei?”

Rei stopped fiddling with her fingers. Her brother seemed like he’d slap her soon. She took a deep breath and went back to looking at the passing scenery.

Heish seemed satisfied with her response or rather her tacit submission. It was good enough for him, as long as she listened. With a stoic mien, he continued to ramble on.

“Anyway, aren’t they a noble family, so why is their manor so far out in the countryside? I mean, at this point, I won’t be surprised if we’re greeted by peasants covered in muck instead.”

“Heish!” She raised her voice.

She thought her brother was going overboard now, forgetting about the ‘position’ they were in and acting all hoity-toity.

“What? I’m just being honest. People should be allowed to express themselves if something’s wrong.” He was never the one to mince words and wore his heart on his sleeve. Besides, arrogance was ingrained deep in his bones that even bankruptcy could not affect.

“Please don’t say that in front of them.” She hated how he looked down upon people.

“Hah, do you think I’m an idiot? Anyway, this is your problem. All aristocrats who put on airs live like this. Ah, what does it matter anyway? I have no reason to talk to an illiterate country bumpkin like you.”

An illiterate country bumpkin… His nickname for her pricked her where it hurt the most.

“Whose fault do you think that is, Heish? If only you hadn’t harassed every governess that visited our estate, I would’ve been able to learn something.”

What she said wasn’t for the sake of argument. Her manners or lack thereof, were all thanks to this man’s antics that had chased many a governess away.

“There you go blaming others again! This is because of your ignorance. If you had the ability, you could’ve learnt at least foreign languages. It’s your own fault.”

He glowered at her, eyes seething with fury. One more word from her and he’d raise his hand.

This wasn’t the first time Rei had to keep her mouth shut as grief plagued her due to the unfair treatment. Her brother wasted no opportunity to spite her, while she being the weaker one had to always grin and bear it. She was no match to his strength; thus, this was the only recourse. She bit down on her lip, an attempt to avoid retaliating.

“Ugh, even the weather’s nasty. Nothing is pleasant here.”

It had started raining a while ago, so Rei had opened her window to listen to the lovely pitter-patter of raindrops hitting the ground. But Heish’s remarks marred her mood, she slammed it shut.

Instead of being scared of him, Rei was disgusted. Used to being treated favourably as the oldest, Heish detested being talked back to. Even their father, someone who never lost his temper, had a few things to say about this behaviour. Even so, this man remained the same and as a result she had to bear all the consequences.

The coachman impudently knocked on the door. His ingratiating manners had vanished the moment he learned that although noble, they were from a family that had fallen to ruins.  Not only that, he even demanded additional fees using the long distance as an excuse. Despite Heish arguing like an angry ox, they eventually had to cave in.

“Looks like we’ve arrived.”

Finally, the finical Heish deigned to look outside albeit the first time.

They were before a path that led to an overgrown forest. It was too narrow for the carriage to pass through. This road could be traversed only by foot or horseback. As inconvenient as it already was, it was raining. To top it, there was no one outside to welcome them. The situation couldn’t get any worse.

“Hey, drop us off a little further in. It’s raining and we even have luggage to carry. We can’t walk like this.” He didn’t sound like he was asking for help.

“Hmph, that’s your problem. You think this carriage can go any further?” The coachman wanted to wash off his hands as soon as possible.

“What?!” Heish was fuming.