Citadel of Desire

Chapter 2 – Into the Beast’s Lair (1)

“Honestly, had I known this place was this far into the mountains, I would’ve asked for more. You should be grateful I even came this far.” The coachman spared no curtsies now that he was assured he had nothing to gain from this fellow.

“Say that again? You already took the money and are now complaining? For someone who earns their living driving a shabby carriage to talk this way…”

“Well, it’s thanks to this shabby carriage that you even managed to come this far. I’ll leave the rest to you now.”

The driver angrily threw their luggage to the ground. Heish rushed to save the bags from being muddied while Rei got down from the carriage.

“Do you think you’re still an aristocrat that can order about? Hah, you’re just a penniless youngster!”

Heish was furious. Nobody had dared to ridicule him like this before. But the carriage was long on its way now, he could do nothing.

The rain beat down on their bodies with no relief. They couldn’t make out how far the entrance to the manor was and the luggage was too heavy for the two of them to carry by themselves. Rei felt her body grow cold as the water seeped into her clothes.

“I’ll gouge his eyes out!!”

It was no surprise that Heish was reacting like that. Rei salvaged the remaining bags and approached her still raging brother.

 

“Let’s carry what we can. We can ask for help once we’re inside.” She suggested.

“He didn’t pay any respect to me! He’s only a carriage driver and dared to talk so impudently?!”

It was the first time this poison tongue had met a match and suffered a blatant humiliation without being able to retaliate.

“Heish, it’s not something that can be solved by yelling! Let’s go inside or we’ll fall ill!”

“Drat! Just you wait!!”

With bloodshot angry eyes he gave one last look in the direction of the carriage and roughly grabbed a couple of bags with clothes in them. He cared about his appearance the most. Nothing else mattered to him. So, the grandmother had deemed all the valuables they carried to be gifts for Rei.

The siblings made their way down the narrow path in silence, Heish because of his bad mood and Rei because she was afraid of stoking the fire.

The rain was cruel. Their already burdened body felt even heavier. It even dampened the only pair of shoes Rei owned. Heish couldn’t have looked worse. His usual gentleman-like appearance had been reduced to that of a stable boy. Only bad luck had followed them ever since they got into that carriage. At this rate, they’d be lucky to not be driven away by their hosts.

“I’m not someone who can be treated like this! Look at how wrinkled my clothes have become!”

The harsh rain and wind helped drown out Heish’s grumbling. Rei sighed as she came to a stop.

 

“Heish.”

“What?!”

“We’ve arrived.”

Heish’s breath hitched for a moment. The manor was far more majestic and luxurious than he’d expected. The walls were covered with sensuous roses and even the flag waving with the heavy winds looked dignified. To him, who’d assumed the manor would look like a normal country lord’s house, it felt like he was a frog who’d come face to face with a snake.

“Heish…”

“I know, I know. Don’t rush me!”

There were no gatekeepers around, as if everyone was welcomed. Heish gently knocked on the door but it creaked open. Her puzzled brother stepped in first and Rei followed him, looking around the manor.

The siblings had entered on a moment’s whim. The ground was still wet with rain, they wandered aimlessly through a flower garden. The neatly cut grass showed someone’s gentle care, but the manor itself looked gloomy and abandoned. It was still afternoon, so the servants should’ve been busy preparing for their master’s meal. All in all, this time of the day should be bustling with activity.

However, this whole place was shrouded in an eerie silence, neither flesh nor fowl in sight.

“Is… anyone here?”

 

The siblings slowly grew anxious. Doubt started to creep in.

Soon, they found themselves before a huge, closed door. Two candelabrums, sitting taut on the stone wall, adorned its either side. But they were not lit, despite it being cloudy and a tad dark. An intricately carved lion head served as a doorknob…

… but would anyone open the door?

Heish took a deep breath, grabbed the lion, shaking it in desperation as if attempting to break in. Gone was his arrogance and haughtiness. He clung to the knocker like his life depended on it, rattling it with all his might. He was ready to faint just to get in but refused to return… not like this! At the very least, he wanted to see the owner’s face.

“Heck, is there no one here?” His tone displayed his unease.

“Heish… Do you think we came to the wrong place?”

Looking at the situation, it was quite possible.

“Open up! This can’t be! I spent our entire fortune to come here…!” He cried in anguish.

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Right then, a sound of rotten wood scratching against the floor resonated throughout the manor. The firmly shut doors finally opened and an old man with a nasty expression stuck his head out.

“Who is it?”

A cold voice that made people shut their mouths, raised eyebrows that seemed unsatisfied with everything, dark, sharp menacing eyes, and a face teeming with viciousness… In just one glance, one could tell that the old man wasn’t exactly welcoming towards strangers.

“I am Heish of the Lisburns. I came to visit the lord here, and this letter is…”

“I haven’t heard about any guest with that name visiting us from my lord. Go back.” He barked.