Chapter 10 - Chained to the main attractions

Why was he being hugged like that by that guy?

No matter how hard he looked at him, Leonardo had no idea who he was. Did they happen to know each other? I mean, he had saved him the other day. But they had never seen each other before that.

Besides this detail, the boy hugged him tight and called him by his nickname as if they were close. Should he act politely or be direct? Situations like that were delicate because they put him in a dead end.

Luckily for him, the red-eyed fellow had pulled the trapeze artist forcing him to let go.

― You'll scare off the heir project, behave yourself Ben.

The trapeze artist had glanced over his shoulder forming a sly peck on the lips, eliciting a roll of the other's eyes.

A gasp closed the subject between the two, with Vincent standing in front of them, pointing at the blond boy who kept quiet and stared only at Leonardo. It was definitely hard to know how to act with them.

I mean, they were important people who didn't seem serious at all.

― This is Aslan, our logistics representative. He's responsible for taking care of our shops' sales.

Looking the boy up and down, Leonardo recognised the descriptions Gustavo had made earlier. Definitely that little guy was the main attraction sculpted in Carrara. His cosplay was definitely eye-catching because it was so well done.

― Is that Alois Trancy?

The short guy's eyes widened in fascination at the question, stepping forward ignoring the perplexity of the other two beside him.

― Do you know Black Butler?

The mere mention of the anime's name had made Leonardo match the fascination. Laughing politely, the university student held up his thumb in a positive sign.

― I like to watch anime when I have some free time.

― Really? Which one do you like the most? Have you seen all the Black Butler specials?

The short blond's excitement had earned him devilishly scathing looks from the other two who were waiting for their introductions. A dangerous atmosphere emanated from those two strangers. Even under threat, Aslan had not failed to look excited for someone who knew the vast world of Japanese animation.

― I like Undertaker, but I haven't seen the specials yet. I need to catch up on my list, by the way.

Leonardo's answer drew a sigh from Aslan, who extended his hand to him.

― It will be a great pleasure to be with you, young master.

What? He wasn't scary at all. The way Gustavo had told them about the attractions, none of them seemed to be straight out of an urban legend. They were actually very young. And that Aslan seemed like a nice guy.

Shaking the young boy's hand, the university student smiled openly in pure relief for having been wrong about them.

― You can call me Leo, it's more comfortable, isn't it?

― Right, Leo!

― Get out of there! ― growled the trapeze artist.

― It's getting too tight already!

The other two pulled Aslan back, with Leonardo receiving a fierce stare from the platinum-haired fellow. Was there some sort of rule preventing him from touching them? It was just a handshake.

How many weird people.

― Boys, manners please. ― Vincent asked, pointing to the white-haired, red-eyed man who was staring at him fiercely. ― This is Ray, our representative in charge of the amusement park. He also takes part in some circus shows with magic tricks, but most of his time is spent at the park.

― Right, um...

― I will make you disappear if you get any funny business, young master.

A threat being made with an affable smile was scarier than overt anger. Leonardo didn't even know what to answer. He was trying to understand if it was a joke or a real threat.

Mental note, beware of the magician.

― I ask you to forgive him, Ray likes to make bad jokes. Anyway, this is Benjin. I believe you remember him from helping him last time.

Lowering his eyes to the greyish-blue haired fellow with the artistic make-up staring expectantly at him, Leonardo just shook his head. Again he had stood close to him, arms outstretched as if forbidding the proximity of anyone else.

When their eyes met, he realized that their colour was greenish. Beautiful green eyes.

― The puppet trapeze artist.

― You came to see me that night, didn't you? What did you think of the show? Hm?

Taking a step back, Leonardo definitely couldn't handle him. It was as if his excitement was beating him mercilessly. A bit suffocating. He needed space, but even as Leonardo retraced his steps, the trapeze artist followed him.

― I think it's a mistake. I was there by chance.

― By chance? You didn't come to watch your fiancé?

The world had simply stopped spinning at that moment. That fellow was staring at him like the cat in boots from the Shrek movie, looking saddened at the idea that Leonardo hadn't come to the circus to see him. A hell of an emotional blackmail.

However, Leonardo would not be affected by those beautiful clear eyes begging. Not when disbelief had reminded him of the biggest blunder in that arrangement. One of the reasons he had gone to that place.

―What is this shit? ― Leonardo whispered, turning to Vicente. ― Hein... Clown?

― Benjin is the other possible heir of Dreamland, if you get married and share your property. That was the agreement made by your father.

― Uhul, looks like the young master is having trouble understanding that. ― mocked Ray, hugging Aslan from behind and ruffling his blond hair.

― Quiet you pervert. ― Complained the blond, slapping his hand.

Taking another step back, Leonardo looked directly at the trapeze artist. The guy that had screwed him in a completely unfavorable situation. Coincidentally it was the same fellow he had saved the other day, which made the second reason for his unfavourable situation.

Who was he to make him marry?

― I don't intend to marry a guy, much less inherit this place. ― With determination Leonardo addressed the others. ― I will stay here only for a while, enough to get rid of anything that ties me to this place. So don't expect too much from me.

― Oh, abused boy.

― Don't worry, ― Benjin smiled, stretching to cover the long distance between him and the young master. The purity of yesteryear seemed to share space with the seductiveness of that ladish smile. ― I'll make sure you never want to leave here again, Leo.

A piece of paper intervened in the space between those two, causing Leonardo's salvation. Vincent received Benjin's unfriendly look, but the administrator didn't seem to be intimidated.

― We should have dinner, the young master needs to rest for today.

― Dinner would be delicious, what shall we have tonight?

Aslan rolled his eyes, pulling Ray by the arm to leave the office. Vincent cast a quick glance at the other two, and Leonardo stared at the trapeze artist without much enthusiasm. Preferring to leave him alone, Vincent leaned the door.

Neither of them said a word, they kept exchanging glances. His fiancé. What the hell did his father have in mind when creating an arrangement like that? I mean, it was enough to make it clear that if Leonardo did not wish to inherit, he would have the possibility of passing it on to that trapeze artist.

That's all there was to it.

Simple and easy.

That engagement would be unnecessary. Unless that fellow and his father had some heavy roll. Leonardo wouldn't doubt that plot worthy of a Mexican soap opera.

What also bothered him was his resemblance to a stuffed toy from his childhood. I mean, the make-up, the clothes and the hair. The circus seemed to take the issue of cosplay seriously, Leonardo imagined.

― You may be suspicious of me, but I'm really glad you're back here.

Right, as long as he was under that roof he would pretend to be an heir. He was in charge of everything and everyone. He shouldn't lower himself to a circus trapeze artist.

Leonardo leaned towards the trapeze artist, his hands in the pockets in his sweatshirt looking sloppy without being shaken by the fellow's words. Despite his proximity, Benjin had not shaken without moving. Rather audaciously, as if to confront Leonardo in some way.

But Leonardo was tempted to compete for the win.

― I really don't see any reason for you to be happy for me, since we haven't met. But you said you were willing to make me want to stay here, so make yourself at home.

The malice in that snobbish smile did not frighten the trapeze artist. On the contrary, it made him step forward, holding Leonardo's face with both hands.

― You will not escape me.

Before any words could be said by the university student, his lips were taken in a daring kiss given by the trapeze artist.

What the...

He was being kissed by a guy?

A guy he'd never seen fatter in his life?

When Benjin pulled away far enough, smiling in a corner before turning his back on him, Leonardo had his mind a blank. He didn't know how to react. His mind had simply gone blank like a flash.

― What the fuck is that? ― Leonardo shouted, his eyes bulging in the direction of the door. ― You hell puppet, that's sexual abuse!

Alone in the office, under the starry ceiling, Leonardo touched his lips as if he could still feel the pressure in his lips.

He would definitely make an effort to leave the place as soon as possible.

He could not, in any way, show himself shaken by that person's deeds.

Snapping his tongue, Leonardo also left the office to follow the corridor where he could hear the lively chatter of the others. All he had to do was go in the direction of the voices, which came from the ground floor, to reach the dining room.

A long room with a table in the centre of it already filled with warm dishes of delicious aromas. Standing in the doorway, Leonardo watched the four subjects talk amongst themselves as they arranged to sit down, leaving the end of the table empty.

The perverted magician seemed to revel in annoying the cosplay boy. Vicente was talking seriously to the trapeze artist, while the latter formed a pout on his lips answering him. Watching them from afar, Leonardo couldn't understand how those four could head such scary legends found on the internet.

They were young like him, living alone in that mansion and working in a circus. They joked and fussed like everyone else.

So why were there such scurrilous rumours?

― Young master, please come and join us.

Leonardo woke up from his reverie to approach the set table. The place indicated by Vicente was precisely at the head of the table. Sitting there, he noticed the others looking at him.

― What is it?

― It's been a while since anyone has sat there. ― Aslan murmured, smiling slightly. ― Whatever, let's eat before the bottomless bag runs out of food.

― Ah, my little piece of cloud, I hope you don't mean me. ― Smiled Ray twirling the knife between his fingers.

― If the shoe fits. Stop playing with knives, you might end up cutting yourself.

Ray kept spinning the knife until it disappeared in a little magic trick. Leonardo had blinked a few times trying to find the said knife, which had appeared in its place on the untouched table.

― Wow.

― Impressive, isn't it young master? ― Laughed Ray amused at having caught the college boy's attention.

― Here, young master. ― Vincent had held out the served plate to Leonardo, who blinked even more dazedly.

― Well worth it, I guess.

Leonardo looked at the plate, mashed potatoes, steak in madeira sauce and a portion of white rice. There was plenty of food and people talking while they served themselves. How long had it been since he had seen a view like that?

I mean, he had already gone out with his friends to eat out and they always talked during their encounters. But the atmosphere was different. It seemed a bit... familiar.

A light blush appeared on his cheeks. Realizing the thoughts that were circling around him, Leonardo lowered his head and began to eat silently, without getting too involved in the dynamics of those four.

It was only when they began to eat that they calmed down. But Leonardo hadn't even noticed, because he was completely absorbed in his own thoughts.

― Young master. ― called Vincent, poking him with his arm. Leonardo raised his eyes slowly, with his fork hanging in his mouth. ― I was asking what you intend to do tomorrow.

― Tomorrow? Work, of course.

― Oh, he says he doesn't intend to stay here for too long, but he already wants to work. ― Mocked Ray, turning the knife again between his fingers.

Leonardo grimaced in response.

― I don't work here.

― Then where do you work? ― Benjin asked, leaning across the table, his eyes shining.

Leonardo had not been able to look at him directly for a long time. He just lowered his head to his plate, cutting the meat.

― In a machine shop.

― Well, I've already left your letter of resignation for your boss. There's no need for you to attend.

― Right... Wait, what? ― Blinking his brown eyes at Vicente, who ate elegantly as if he had stepped out of an old book, Leonardo found no sign of joking. ― Why did you do such a shit?

― Young master works for a living. But while you're here, there's no need to worry about that. You can focus on your scholarship and Dreamland.

The heavy rain outside sounded distant to Leonardo's ears. Stunned he realized that a chain was holding him there.

He just hadn't noticed the moment Vincent had magically locked him there.