Citadel of Desire - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – An Eerie Warning

Heish became busy. After the rain stopped, he went outside the manor, and only Rei remained as still as an abandoned portrait since she did not have a best friend to visit. Rei was envious of Heish at times like this. He had graduated from an elite school, knew many people and had several good friends because of his arrogant and yet open-handed personality.

On the other hand, Rei was like a lonely island. Her parents insisted on a live-in governess instead of a girl’s school and did not think anything of other people thinking they were behind the times.

The only one who felt frustrated was Rei. Governesses coming after much effort were harassed by Heish, and her hardheaded parents favored their son rather than strange governesses. Later on, because of rumors, governesses would not come even though they were offered double the market price.

Rei watched the rain falling again. This was better than mulling over an insignificant past. A manor that was silent of servant’s footsteps and a daily routine of leaning against its windows. The sofa that is placed forlornly in the lobby connected to the sitting room was not tumultuous as if it was a prepared spot. Naturally, Rei killed her time sitting there.

She was neither lonely nor sad. Actually, she had dreamed of this peace and quiet for a long time. Creditors who would suddenly enter when a candle lit in her house, a mother who whined in a pained voice to her family, harsh criticism from relatives that had a small amount of goodwill. Now everything was peaceful. Being depressed was probably a luxury.

“Lady.”

A voice she heard for the first time broke the silence. A startled Rei immediately turned back and saw an old woman with her knitting smiling with her teeth showing. Rei had never seen her before.

“Are you not cold? Do you need a blanket?”

“Not at all. I’m all right.”

She seemed to be a servant who was still strange to her. However, the old woman did not leave easily and explicitly implied that she had a different agenda.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“Lady.”

“Yes.”

“Why are you at a place like this?”

“A place like this?”

“You are still pure. Not still infected.”

“Um…are you all right?”

“You have to be careful. Everyone in the manor is after you.”

In a moment, Rei lost her voice and the old woman came as fast as a wolf. Rei felt faint. Therefore, she could not compose herself until the old woman held her wrists.

“A face that would lose her parents early. The sibling from the same womb will end badly.” The old woman, who seemed mad, touched Rei’s cheeks. Her hand felt icy.

“This is a cursed place. You should not drink even a cup of water here.”

“Please…your hand.”

“Do not look at anyone in the eyes. Do not let them get your body, but more your mind.”

Only then Rei physically tried to break free from the old woman. But she was more than strong. She looked as if she were eighty years old, but her hands felt persistent and hard as tree roots.

Her attitude that was as careful as feet stepping on the ice became rougher. Rei did not want to make a fuss and looked around for help, but the lobby was the same.

“Girl, do you want to become like me?”

“Please let go of my hand. I will call someone!”

Rei was becoming scared of the pleasant-looking old lady. Sweat was coming out of her held wrist.

“You have a face a beast would like. Do not trust him. He is grinding his teeth to devour your spirit. I can hear that dirty sound even here. Can’t you hear? Yes?”

Rei was beginning to feel irritated. She felt a dislike to the old woman who was ruining her peace that was gotten so preciously.

“Let go of me! It hurts!”

“Della.”

The old woman became suddenly stiff. With her neck creaking, the sound was like that of a wooden doll. Her eyes fumbled over upstairs and let go of Rei’s cheek she was shaking without further ado.

“Young Master.”

Clodan had a black cigar in his mouth. It went well with his black hair and hid his face in smoke.

“You surprised my guest.”

“Young Master, I…”

Instead of a sigh, Clodan let out smoke. Anyone could know it carried annoyance. The situation was serious. The old woman seemed quick-witted, and after straightening her dishevelled hair went straight to the door.

“Please be careful.”

Her disposition was tougher than a whale’s sinew. She glanced at Rei who was standing blankly until the last moment.

“You too, Young Master.”

Clodan laughed with his body half leaning against the barrister. It was a dumbfounded laugh. After the door swallowed the old woman who left a powerful residue, only a threateningly strangling silence remained. Clodan did not laugh again.

“Lord.”

Rei was confused because she had lost her sense of direction. But she still had her humility. As a guest who cannot pay her rent, she had broken the peace of the afternoon. To fault only the unstable old woman, the voice staring down at her was cold to the bone.

“I will not be staying outside my rooms from now on.”

With her knees slightly bent, Rei spoke with her hand covering the other. Her voice was brimming with an apology.

Clodan placed his cigar to his left. The smoke dispersed, and his entire face was revealed.

“Rei.”

He was smiling brightly. “Why are you there?”

“Yes?”

“I am on the third floor.”

“What…”

“You are charming suffering down there, but I would prefer you to come above.”

Rei unconsciously rolled and grasped the curtains. Again, she felt like she was tethered to him.

“Come. There are a lot of fun things here.”

“You said not to come above.” Rei stated firmly.

Rei hid behind the curtains as to cover her body. Clodan’s smile deepened at the sight.

Clodan was nodding his head from one side to the other as if he were excited. After he brushed off his cigar against the bannister three or four times, Clodan turned around and gently beckoned her.

“You have nothing to do anyway.”

“.…”

Rei was reluctant, even more because of what the mysterious lady warned her. However, as if compelled by some spell, her feet followed him out of her will. A curtain intentionally left behind, fidgeting fingers, flushed eyes.

Rei stepped on the stairs slowly. He was right. She had very few things to do around here. It was an invitation made in an afternoon drenched with a shower of rain