Chapter 5: The devil was beside

With the romance storybook in hand, I skimmed through the pages briefly before starting to read. The stories didn't seem too long, but I decided I'd only read one per day.

As I began reading aloud, I turned back to the first lines of the page:

" Once upon a time, there was a princess named Bavil, dearly loved by her kingdom and her parents. But one day, a lord known for being so wicked that no woman would ever want to marry him was promised as Bavil's betrothed. Before Bavil could marry, however, she had to pass a test. Soon after, she was kidnapped by the lord and forced to listen to horror stories every night before bed.

Seeing that Bavil didn't seem frightened by anything he told her, the lord promised that if she could make him fall asleep for 100 nights in a row, she would be freed from the marriage.

And so, Bavil began her journey, telling the lord stories she had heard from her people to lull him to sleep. "

– Well, it seems like another one fell asleep before the stories even began. – I muttered. The boy clutching the blanket had already closed his eyes, drifting into a deep slumber. I turned off the old lantern and placed the book on the floor, where it was easier to find. Climbing back into bed, I pulled Reon's blanket over us both, tucking us in together.

– Goodnight, Reon. – I whispered, gently ruffling his hair before closing my eyes, feeling drowsy...

[...]

Morning had come, and I could feel the air growing colder since yesterday's rain. We had slept so well to the sound of the raindrops and the storm, but the only downside was the leaks that had sprung up everywhere.

I got out of bed before Reon and took the opportunity to fill the bathtub for my morning bath. As I undressed, I noticed more red marks on my body when I looked in the mirror. Some pesky insect must have been feasting on me during the night, as the broken windows allowed all sorts of critters into the room.

After finishing my bath, I put on some small men's clothes that allowed for easier movement, since I wasn't used to wearing such glamorous dresses.

By then, Reon had just opened his eyes, stumbling out of bed groggily as he looked around for me.

Thinking about the older boys from yesterday, I wanted to prepare in case they showed up again. But before I could, I heard voices calling from the front door of the mansion, echoing through the empty main hall.

– Hello? Anyone there? – It was Penelope's voice.

– We brought food! – Cedric chimed in, his voice resonating alongside Penelope's.

With Reon, I went downstairs and hid behind the banister of the staircase leading to the first floor.

– What the hell are they doing here? Trying to win us over with food? – I thought, my mouth watering with hunger.

I wiped the drool from my mouth with the back of my hand while gripping the wooden railing. Soon, they gave up waiting outside and quietly opened the door to the mansion. Cedric was the first to enter, peeking through the crack before stepping in.

– Excuse us! – The redheaded boy entered, looking around as he carried a basket that smelled delicious. After scanning the room with his eyes, he quickly spotted me on the stairs, along with Reon.

– Shall we have breakfast together? – He smiled, his eyes closing as he held up the basket. Penelope, peeking from behind the door, seemed hesitant to enter but followed her brother shortly after, afraid of being left alone outside.

– Do you really think it's safe to enter the devil's den? – the girl whispered into her brother's ear.

– Don't say that, Penelope. The devil would have horns, not twigs on his head.

As I listened to their conversation, I descended the stairs step by step, still suspicious of their intentions. Reon didn't want to hide behind me and walked confidently by my side, his head held high, looking as if he was ready to attack them like a guard dog.

– Calm down, Reon. If they seem aggressive, we'll handle it. – I said, patting his head.

– So, what are you doing here again?! – I stood in the middle of the staircase, looking down at them.

– We come in peace! We've brought this humble basket with breads, hot chocolate, and fruits! – Cedric began approaching again like he had yesterday, slyly and with no sense of personal space.

"Did they really come to bribe us? " Even though I scowled as if to tell them to leave, the drool dripping from my mouth and the growling of my stomach betrayed me.

– Don't come any closer! – I shouted threateningly from above.

– Alright, I'll leave it here at the bottom. – Cedric said, placing the basket on the first step of the staircase and backing away.

– Weren't we supposed to get closer to them? – Penelope grabbed her brother's shoulders, annoyed.

This time, I noticed they were wearing winter clothes, with a white fox fur draped over their shoulders. Their outfits matched, with deep burgundy red and black leather gloves.

The boy and his sister sneezed in unison, their faces turning slightly red.

– Let's go back home. Yesterday's rain must have given us a cold. – Cedric said, taking his sister's hand and starting to leave.

– Wait! – I called out, stopping them in their tracks. They both turned to me, confused.

– If you tell me why you were following me in the village… I'll consider letting you eat with us…

– I felt a bit embarrassed for changing my mind so quickly about giving them a chance, but if a street dweller distrusted everyone who offered food, they'd starve, just like I was at that moment.

Penelope seemed skeptical, but every time her eyes met mine, they quickly shifted to Reon, as if there was something she wanted to ask. Her curiosity seemed stronger than her fear of the boy.

Cedric let go of Penelope's hand and placed his hand on his chest, greeting us like a knight.

– Thank you, miss.

"As long as they bring more food next time, I'm fine with this exchange. " I thought. Reon and I exchanged glances—or something like that. I gave a slight nod, signaling my agreement but also to stay on guard, while the boy seemed to say he didn't like any of this.

[...]

In the dining room on the second floor, the table and the tablecloth had been hastily arranged, though the cloth had been removed earlier because it was dirty. Penelope, sitting in her chair, looked both scowling and disgusted, as if the idea of eating with her hands was unthinkable for a noble lady. Cedric, however, didn't fuss. He split the bread in half and dipped it into the cup of milk he had brought from home.

– What is this? – I asked, trying to eat without seeming rude, but the way everyone kept glancing at each other was giving me indigestion. – Start talking. That was the condition.

The redheaded teenager smiled with your closed eyes, as he set the bread on the cup and wiped his mouth lightly with his handkerchief.

– This little creature by your side… Reon, right? Do you know who he is? – Cedric turned his gaze to me, interlacing his fingers.

– If this is about that demon nonsense again, you can leave, – I cut in.

– We have no reason to lie. He's probably the son the emperor left to die. –

– What do you mean? Are you talking about the empress's story? – I asked, holding a butter

knife as I sliced an apple and placed the pieces on a small plate. Reon, sitting beside me, happily drank peach juice but stayed away from the milk on the table, as if he didn't even want to look at it.

– So you know the story… I hope whoever told you isn't afraid of death, – Cedric said, glancing briefly at his sister, who still hadn't eaten anything and was just glaring at the three of us, displeased.

– He seems pretty docile, and small… In the end, his existence was almost erased, if he hadn't survived. He doesn't look like the demons from the stories I read in church.

Penelope sighed and shrugged, finally seeming to relax enough to start talking – This is all wrong! The demon should have horns! – she exclaimed. – Girl, what's your name? –

I didn't want to answer.

She had asked so rudely. I pressed my lips together as if they were sewn shut.

– Calm down, little sister. We should introduce ourselves first, shouldn't we? – Cedric straightened in his chair, sitting upright. – I'm Cedric Mortheu, the second son of House Mortheu, a baronial family. – He looked at his sister, expecting her to do the same, but she just ignored him. – And this is my sister, Penélope Mortheu, the first daughter of House Mortheu. We were born together. – he said, pointing at himself and then at her, as if wanting us to compare their similarities.

– I can tell. Same face… – I replied sarcastically.

After finishing slicing the apples, I started eating them with my hands, while Reon picked up a piece, licked it, and then put it back.

– Don't do that, Reon. If you can't eat it, let me mash it for you.

Penélope finally seemed to break out of her silent observation and started eating the peaches, asking her brother to peel them for her.

– We have an older brother too. He's six years older than us. He'll be turning 21 this year. –

I still wasn't sure where he was going with this, but as long as I could fill my stomach, I didn't mind listening to their nonsense.

– Now, what's your name? – Penélope asked again, this time more gently.

– Lucia.– I replied, my mouth full.

– Lucia, why are you in the Vespertine mansion taking care of… that? – She pointed at Reon with her index finger.

– None of your business. – I said, giving her a deadly glare as I chewed the apple. – I want to know why you were following me!

– You know, red eyes aren't common. In fact, I'd say they don't exist. And hooded children are strange…– Cedric explained, taking a sip of milk.

"Just like Mr. Gather said, walking around in a hood during the day in a small village is eye-catching… "

– If only it were just that… But there's another reason.

– Are you really going to tell them that?! – Penélope interrupted, showing strong opposition to her brother, gesturing exaggeratedly.

– Why shouldn't I? It's true that our brother is different – he shrugged. – That's what I wanted to understand, Lucia. Our older brother also has red eyes.

I stopped eating to think, but I wasn't sure if this was something to be shocked about. I didn't have the same understanding of things as they did, since I wasn't born in this world.

– What does that have to do with me and Reon? – I shrugged, raising an eyebrow in doubt.

– Our mother was once one of the women of the sanctuary, the same empire the former Empress came from.

"I don't want to complicate things for myself, but could these coincidences be related somehow?"

– You still don't get it, Lucia? – Cedric leaned on the table with his elbows, interlacing his fingers again and looking up at me. – Your friend Reon is the son of the late Empress.

I slapped my forehead in surprise and stared at Reon, shocked. My face turned as white as snow, and my hands trembled.

"You mean Reon is actually grown?!"

– Are you serious, girl?! I can't believe you didn't pick up on the hints – Penelope mocked me for not noticing something so obvious. It made sense—the Vespertine diary mentioned a creature trapped in this house, and until now, I hadn't seen any signs of it.

All this time, the creature has been by my side, sleeping in the same bed and being cared for like a baby!

– No… It's just… I don't know, I thought the demon would be some horned animal, with bat wings and a tail… – I started to justify myself, embarrassed by my slowness.

– Ridiculous! – The girl angrily chewed the rest of the fruit her brother had peeled for her.

– Lucia, what we want to know is if the boy with you is really what we've heard he is; A demon.

– As ugly as he is… But mom said we shouldn't judge by appearances. – Penelope talked too much, and I almost shoved a piece of bread into her mouth to shut her up.

– You said your brother also has red eyes, but he's not like Reon, right?

– Not at all. He's handsome and kind, very mature. The only problem is that he… – Penelope stopped talking and looked at her brother as if waiting for a signal.

– He's blind. He won't even be able to take over the duchy. – Cedric finished.

"Hmm… Should I keep asking questions? I don't want to get too involved with them…"

– Well, I think we've said enough. If you want to know more, you can start inviting us over for meals!

– Look, Cedric… This isn't exactly a comfortable place for nobles like you… We don't have much to show…

– It's fine. We can bring some things over.

"They'll come, and we'll have food every day?"

– Then you're invited for lunch and dinner with us too! You're very welcome! – Reon looked at me, bewildered, as if I had sold myself out for food.

– Pi pi pi, pi, – the boy said fervently.

– Well said, Reon! How can we trust you? You're not going to want something in return, are you? – I shook my head, agreeing with him. My apple was gone, but there was still plenty of food left, even some sweet bread.

– Of course, we're not giving everything for free. I just want to be able to train in peace.– Cedric said, standing up from his chair and grabbing his jacket hanging on the back of it. His gaze wandered for a moment but returned to me and Reon with a pained smile.

– And I want to study to become the heir princess! – Penelope replied excitedly and proudly. – That's why I came with my parents to this dumpy little village. After all, the crown prince will be here soon!

"Big dreams for a 14-year-old…"

– So that's it? – I got up from the chair to walk them to the door.

– See you later, then… – At the front door, I waved goodbye briefly.

– We'll be back soon, Lucia, – Cedric said, sounding like an older brother comforting his little sister because he had to go to school. It was a feeling I didn't quite understand, but I realized later that it was something I might never experience again.

[...]

Reon seemed mad at me. Whenever I tried to talk to him, he'd turn his face away, pouting, and cross his arms, stomping his feet firmly on the ground.

– Geez… Did I do something to you? – Outside the mansion, with a large piece of paper in hand, we searched for the furnace or the room with all the plumbing. With the cold coming, I couldn't risk our only way of staying warm breaking down.

– Reon, I feel like you know something about this… – There were times during the day when Reon would come back covered in dirt and soot, and he knew where the coal pieces were. A furnace fire wouldn't last so long without someone tending to it.

We walked in circles around the property several times until we veered off onto a path leading to the woods, where the stone tower stood tall even after 20 years of abandonment.

– Hey… Isn't this where you were trapped? – I grabbed his shoulders and turned him around, afraid he might still have some trauma. But instead, he looked up at me and then ran toward the tower.

– Wait! – I ran after him until we reached the tower, its wooden door with dark planks held together by heavy metal.

– Are you going in? – I tried to push the door open with my hand, but only a crack appeared. The boy then helped and managed to open it.

He went in, and I followed right behind. The place was dark, with a massive spiral staircase that we climbed together until we reached a "cell," which was more like a cold room.

It was a dull room with a pile of fabrics and straw serving as a bed on the floor, and toys made of old rags but well-sewn. The walls were stone, and the dampness brought a musty smell. There was only a small window letting in sunlight, barred with shiny silver, the same used on the little wooden door.

– Was this where you used to stay? I don't think it's a good idea for us to stay here too long… – I felt uncomfortable inside, noticing the chains fixed to the wall. I wasn't sure if the stains on them were rust or blood.

Reon approached the bed and picked up a rag doll that looked like a ghost. It didn't seem like there was anything else he wanted to do, and soon he left. I, on the other hand, stayed a little longer, hoping that looking at the cell would help me understand him better or figure out what was going on in his head.

[...]

When we went back down, the boy led me to the room with the furnace, as I had imagined he would. All this time, he had been secretly working to keep the water warm.

The room was underground, accessed through a trapdoor in the gardening storage. Inside, it was warm and comforting, and the reddish glow of the fire lit up the darkness. Reon brought pieces of coal and threw them into the fire, showing me how he did it.

– Wow! You know what you're doing! – I praised him, making his cheeks turn slightly red, and he let out a small smile after being mad for so long.

I don't know how to treat him anymore. Should I still teach him as if he didn't know anything?

After seeing the room, I thought how comforting it would be to light a fireplace, like the one in the bedroom, while we're wrapped in a blanket, eating and talking together.

Out of habit, I ran my hand over Reon's head, but he held onto my hand as I was about to pull away.

– What's wrong? – Reon didn't react immediately. He also placed his hand on my head and gave me a gentle pat. I was surprised by his gesture—maybe he wanted to return the favor?

Tears filled my eyes. It felt like I was breaking down over something I had kept inside for a long time, perhaps from the affection and kindness I received from someone who wasn't even human.

He froze, searching for a response with his eyes, or maybe he wanted to do something but didn't know how to start. So, I hugged him, and he hugged me back.

– Let's go draw? – I said, sniffling, wiping my tears on my sleeve.

[...]

It was almost lunchtime. The two of us had been drawing on the dining table until I remembered we needed to clean up and look for utensils and plates in the kitchen cabinet for lunch later.

Standing on a wooden chair near the cabinet, I rummaged through the shelves looking for utensils but only found four porcelain plates, each with different colors, and silverware.

"Why is there so much silver in this house?!"

The boy was rummaging through things, even spice jars and barrels of preserves, when he turned on the sink faucet, which now poured clean water. I got down from the chair to check, and sure enough, the plumbing seemed to have been fixed!

– Now we can finally clean the kitchen properly! – I jumped for joy and went looking for a cloth and the piece of soap I had broken earlier. I filled several buckets with water and scrubbed everywhere, starting with the kitchen, cleaning the counters, washing all the utensils, bowls, jars, and pots. Then I moved on to the floor and the shelves.

Reon helped me too, drying what was wet and replacing the dirty water with clean.

Taking advantage of the clean kitchen, I was so excited that I started washing the dining room and the entrance hall, even cleaning the banisters.

"I said I didn't like living in a dirty place, but I don't like cleaning either."

Reon followed me everywhere with the water bucket and the makeshift mop I had made, but one misstep and he slipped on the smooth marble floor of the first floor. Water went everywhere, and from his head to his feet, he was covered in soap, with the bucket stuck on his foot.

Achoo!

Brrrrrrrrrr.

I had to dry him quickly because, with the cold weather coming, he could easily catch a cold, as his sneeze just now foreshadowed.