“Where were you all this time?” Akila asked, directing her attention to the leisurely, relaxed-on-bed, Savannah. Her eyes were narrowed and gave off the glow of suspicion. But her tone was more honest and firm. “Ah… Ma!… Do not tell me that you expected me to enter through the main gate?” Akila’s face made more strict and serious expressions. Savannah …
Chapter Twenty-nine: A sibling’s hidden plot
Kanari unsealed the door of her room, and because her mind was filled with many intricate ideas, she didn’t notice or remark on the change that occurred to the furniture. She was exactly like a half conscience doll that looked but did not see, eyes in the void and mind stranded in fear of her mother knowing what she and …
Chapter Twenty-eight: A feeble smell of blood
“Lady Savannah is here…” “Does that mean that my debt is paid off? Am I a free man now?” “But my mission wasn’t fully completed… The one-way barrier is still up and perfectly working. ¨ “Does that mean Lady Savannah found a way to trace past it?” Rokah repeated those questions in his head like a sacred mantra while traveling …
Chapter Twenty-seven: A glimpse at distinct motives
The mother’s pair of pale glittering yellow eyes softened at the melting frustrations on her daughter’s face and felt safe to continue: “I merely thought that I could give you some pieces of advice on how to read and marks the opening in negotiation.” Kanari moistened her lower lip as she thought about the negotiation and her mother’s declaration. Next, …
Chapter Twenty-six: A guide to dinner etiquettes
The count circled the vacant space around his office in weighing slow steps. His hands were behind his back. And his head made some time nodding movements and other times a shaking motion. It was like that for a few moments before he decided to sit down and revise the first draft of the term of the agreement between him …
Chapter Twenty-five: A meeting and alliance
The new daylight brought a new movement to the village residents. Savannah and Mr. Isidore weren’t standing near the busy crossroads frequently used by the villagers, but their position wasn’t far from the curious eyes. Pretending to be on the friendly term was a need felt by the two of them since they didn’t want to cause unwelcome attention. It …
Chapter Twenty-four: A transgression against laws
Following the trails of the doctor, The Aractanthrope never expected to confront a person who carried the eight-pointed star from the Isotoxal octagram constellation, the Crocotta clan’s famous crest. In his past, he easily could detect the stigma of their particular dangerous scents and the traces that they left purposely on their territories. He always preferred to avoid them. It …
Chapter Twenty-three: A tour in the hall
Mr. Hendrickson stood near the entrance of the grand hall, watching the outline of the old lady as she inspected the paintings that were dangled on the walls. He observed the changes that her face made each time she shifted her head to look at another picture.He remained silent until she addressed him, making a comment about the art style: …
Chapter Twenty-two: A long history of clash
Outside, the dark clouds delicately covered the morning light and gave the scenery a melancholic feeling. At the entrance of the manor, two rows of maids and servants halted in two parallel lines, in the middle between the two rows, stood the count wearing a gray Victorian formal custom with a burgundy long tweed coat, arms straight down, hands forming …
Chapter Twenty-one: A daunting visitors
When Rokah didn’t get an answer, it jumped to his mind that Mr. Hendrickson wasn’t in contact with the Aractanthrope. If those two aren’t working together, then who is working with whom? Who is the true controlling figure of the village? Rokah’s suspicions grew more intrusive. Even though his position as informer got possibly exposed and the likelihood of him …