Chapter 15: Chapter 15

C14

RUBIN

I was shocked to see the both of them dissolved from the room.

I wonder where they have disappeared to.

Settling on one of the sofa, I reminisced about the things that happened during the day – was it all a dream? I held the sides of my face, feeling the warmth from them. It felt incredible. My heart thudded inside my chest like I have ran a thousand miles making it seem as though I was floating, like I weight nothing, like I have became a vapor, one with the clouds…

Still smiling, I didn’t notice it that it has gotten dark outside, the fireplace dim as all of the wood was now consumed by the fire. I stood from the sofa and stretched my back, only to jump to the side as I noticed someone leaning down on me. I shrieked out loud, collapsing back at the sofa, “Aeon! What did you do that for?” I scrambled up from the sofa and crossed my arm over my chest.

“I saw you – smiling like you won something,” he squinted his eyes, waving a finger in front of my face in a suspicious manner, “I know what you’re thinking, it’s not that hard to figure you out, you know, not with a brilliant mind like mine,” He wriggled his eyebrows, smirking, his eyes glinting. I take a step back from him, not liking the way his purple eyes stare at me.

“Why? It’s true then – your actions confirmed my suspicions.” He snapped at me, his eyebrows drawn in the middle. It took a minute before he sighs, rubbing his hands on his face. “It won’t matter. You’ll be gone soon enough so I should not bother that much.” He muttered more to himself, turning on his heel as he walked back to the living room. I remained standing there, thinking, trying to understand what he said – I’ll be gone?

What does he mean by that? Is Caelum going to kick me out?

I got out of the study and followed Aeon as he was about to take the stairs. I stopped him, glaring, “Why are you giving me that look?” He asked, shoving me to the side. “Aeon, am I to be kicked out?”

“Don’t you answer me with questions for I asked you first!”

“Am I about to be kicked out?” I repeated, trying to hold his purple gaze which dared me to surrender but I stood my ground. Aeon slightly nodded, avoiding my eyes, “Why?” he ignored my question as he holds the banister and take the first step up the stairs, “Why?” I gritted my teeth, glaring at his back as I followed him up. I reached the landing just when he was about to enter his room, Aeon turns at me, opening his mouth only to be interrupted by Caelum’s booming voice coming from the first door at the right side of the hall.

“There will be no one leaving this house without my last word.” Caelum’s head appeared from the door as he continue speaking, “Aeon stay out of this and you,” Caelum looks at me, eyes full of hurt and confusion. He swallowed before saying, “You should go to your room, the one next to Aeon, and rest. You have to be early tomorrow so you’ll be able to resume with your mission. I don’t want to keep you from your duties, cupid.” Caelum shuts his door and I lingered there, mouth hanging open.

The audacity!

I huffed. Oh, my mission – I forgot that I needed to perform my duties. I have wasted five days. I took my satchel and huffed as I noticed the lack of bow – I have to go back and retrieve it back at the boutique!

Aeon turns on his heel and entered his room, his hair tangled in his locks. Not wanting to stay at the room next to the airhead, I took some blankets and pillows from the room and went down the living room, spreading the blanket at the sofa and instantly falling sleep of exhaustion.

*

The tinkling glass woke me from my slumber. I squinted my eyes and glanced at the arms of the great grandfather clock to see that it is twenty past one.

I frowned – who would thought it better to come down this early and interrupt my sleep?

I sat up and stretched, a bit confused as to why I have been awaken. I started rubbing my eyes as I headed inside the kitchen only to see Aeon stirring a cup.

“What are you doing?” I said, covering a yawn that escaped my mouth

“What? Am I not allowed to make myself some hot cocoa when I felt like it?”

“I asked you first. Stop answering me with questions.” Aeon smirks at my retort, sipping his cup. “Clever of you to return my words back to me,” He takes another cup from the counter, fill it with some dark powder and poured some hot water in before he stirred it, sliding it across the counter, “Thank you. Why are you being kind all of a sudden? Should I always wake you during these hours to witness this kind side of yours?”

“Funny but not flattering enough. Consider this an apology to how I have treated you so bad and,” He shrugs his shoulders and smiled, “it is mere manners, of course. I couldn’t live with myself knowing that I am drinking something while you are not.”

I looked at Aeon, watching him as he slowly sips on his cup, “What happened awhile ago – well, I gravely regretted my actions and know that I deeply resented myself for acting that way. I got so caught up with my emotions, I wasn’t thinking straight. Would you like some sandwich?” Aeon offered, sliding the sandwich wrapped in a paper across the counter and I catching it midway. I opened the wrap and bit on it, “Hmm, this is nice.”

“Oh, of course, it should taste nice because you are hungry. Any food that is offered to you when you are hungry will taste great. We haven’t had the chance to have some dinner because of what happened. Pity, I can only prepare eggs, sausages, pancakes and sandwiches. I doubt that you would like any of this if you have Caelum’s dishes to chose with. I shall try and take some of these to Caelum – he hasn’t eaten, poor lad.” He puts another cup of the cocoa and a sandwich on a tray, walking off the kitchen and heading up the stairs, not giving me the chance to ask questions anymore.

*

“You, go take this at the table while I finish the sausages,” Aeon passed me the eggs and I followed his orders, hoping that he’ll be able to help me retrieve my bow because Caelum hasn’t gone down for breakfast yet. I don’t even know if he will, and if he would ever be willing to be with me.

Tipping the rest of the eggs on a plate, Aeon walks towards the table and sits across me, “Make sure not to consume it all, Caelum will go down shortly.”

“How’d you know? He has not answered me when I asked awhile ago – I am betting on it that he’s still fast asleep.”

“My winds don’t fail me like people do, cupid.” As soon as he says these words, I am amazed to see Caelum walking inside the kitchen, snatching a couple of sausages on his wake before walking out, quickly as though he was avoiding me. I bolted out of my seat, not giving him a chance to escape even if my hands are sweaty, trying to get a hold of myself.

“Caelum,” I called out and I smiled in relief, thanking the heavens when he stopped. He stayed motionless, his hands gripping the banister tight. “Caelum, can I ask for your permission to go back to Paris? I haven’t had my bow with me – so…”

“Take Aeon with you,” His voice sounds so weak and faint, I barely heard it when he continue, “And don’t take too long.” I nodded at him even if he didn’t look my way. I watched as he swiftly took the steps and disappeared back on his room without so much of a backward glance.

Skipping back to the kitchen, Aeon scowled at me, “You are really trying it, cupid,”

“Trying what?” I snatched a toast and spread some jam on it before taking a sausage and biting on it. “Getting on my nerves, obviously.” Aeon stuffs the rest of the sausages in his mouth before he marched out of the kitchen, all the while muttering under his breath, “Stupid cupid! Messing up my schedule – am I a babysitter? I am not here to do this job – I have a task and which is to know about things – not looking after a stupid cupid. How old is she, really?” I stopped myself from retorting back as to not aggravate Aeon’s irritation at me. I stuffed the sausages in my mouth and chomped on my sandwiches.

I do the dishes as quietly as I could before I sidled in Aeon’s study, watching him as he pace round and round.

“An hour only, you understand?” Aeon waves a finger at me, shooting me a glare, “An hour.”

I watch as Aeon flicked his hand and almost instantly we are engulfed by the air as the study fades, now being replaced by Caelum’s living room. Aeon held out a finger before pushing me out of the door. Huffing I went down the familiar stairs and rejoiced as I began my journey back to Vivian’s flower shop. The harsh rain shocks me as I stepped out into the open.

I steadily ran towards the shop, having no umbrella to shield myself from the rain and smiling to see Vivian coming out of the boutique.

“Rubin!”

Vivian let go of the violets on her arms and engulfed me in a tight hug. She led me inside the shop, throwing me a towel to dry myself with as she takes a kettle to prepare some tea, all the while giving me an earful. “Where have you been? No note, room empty, you gone – you could’ve been lost or taken for all I know! Me and Viktor are all over the place searching for you for days now, not knowing where we should start to look and I keep blaming myself for asking you to deliver that flower. I am so sorry, I have burdened you with all of the deliveries…”

“Hey Vi, there’s no harm done so you better relax. I’m so sorry for troubling you also and I apologize for the lack of farewell made in my part.” I bowed my head , feeling ashamed of what I did. Vivian takes the kettle and poured hot water on the tea leaves, serving me a cup, “I didn’t mean to go that instant but then a…friend took me and—” Vivian waves her hand at my explanation, focusing her gaze at me.

“No need for such explanation. What matters is you are here, and I am glad to have you back,” Vivian beam at me and I smiled back. She captures me in her arms once again and leaves me to attend to some customers. After finishing my tea, I set out to the kitchen and to the back room where I currently claim as my room in the shop. I took the bedsheets off and take my quiver counting the arrows, as I take my list and my bow.

“Rubin?”

“Yes?” I shakily answered, hiding the rest of my things back under the bedsheet if ever Vivian trudged in – not wanting her to see my things. Confirming my assumptions, Vivian’s head popped by the doorway, carrying a flower on her hand, “Erm, I really have to take this to Madam Whitlock, sadly, a couple has arrived and asked for my assistance…”

“I can go and take it to Madam Whitlock if you want,” I stood, taking a fresh set of clothes before smiling at her, “Let me just change into these and I’ll go.”

“But you are still tired. I’ll just go and entertain the couple for a while before I go to deliver this. You’ll take over the counter while I’m gone, alright?” I paused by the door and shrugged, “Alright then, I’ll be there in a jiffy.” Vivian kindly smiles at me before shuffling back to the front.

I swiftly changed into some faded trousers and a white shirt, before pulling on the red jacket that Caelum gave me. I took a sniff and listened as Vivian entertained the couple. It didn’t take long for them to go and Vivian was off after them, calling out to me, “Man the counter for me, Ru!”

I waited until the bell from the door rings, an indication that she’s gone out, before taking out my things from the bed. I put them inside my satchel and settled my bow on my shoulder for there is no space for it inside my satchel. I looked at the mirror and decided to drape the black cloak over me to hide the sight of the bow on my shoulder.

I went out of the backroom, only to freeze at the entrance as I saw Newman, the doorman from The Chateau. Slinking to the counter, I trained my eyes at Newman as he slowly turns to face me, holding a bouquet of hyacinth flowers.

“This flowers, what do they mean?”

His question surprised me, I observed him to see that he is bowing down on the flowers, a sad regretful emotion apparent in his eyes. “ It means, forgiveness. If you are asking for an apology, that’s the perfect flower to give.” Newman’s piercing gaze pinches my heart. I smiled at him but he did not return it back, his eyes narrowed at the collection of flowers before him, taking a pink camellia from the bunch, “And this flower?”

I rack my brains, trying to remember what Vivian has said only to come into realization that it was Caelum who gave me the meaning of that particular flower. “That’s a pink camellia – it’s when you are…longing for someone.” I can feel my neck and cheeks burning up as I said those words.

Newman did not look at me, his eyes trained at the flower. He returned it back on the pail and replied in a low voice, “Lord Anemoi, I mean Lord Aeon, asked me to escort you back to the Chateau. He said that your time is up and the both of you should go back. Let’s go.”

I glared at Newman’s departing form, snatching my satchel from under the table and following him out. “Wait!” I pulled at his coat making him glare at me, Newman yanked his coat and gritted his teeth.

As the sun shines down at Newman, I noticed that his hair was actually golden blond, almost the same shade as Uncle Cedric’s hair, although his were tinge gray at the tips. He’s not that old, maybe Uncle George and him are of the same age – give and take a few years. I am so distracted of Newman’s appearance that I am a bit surprised when he leans down, his vivid green eyes glinting maliciously, “What are you doing?” I was taken by surprise that I pushed him back, making him stumble and fall down on a pail of sunflowers as I remain standing in front of the shop. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“What’s happened, Rubin? Is this man abusing you?” I watched as Newman stands, dusting off his coat, a glare apparent on his face.

“No, he isn’t.” I stand between the two as Vivian tries to snatch Newman’s coat and hit him. Newman continues to glare at her, unfazed of the feisty woman in front of him, his vivid green eyes turning darker and darker. I grabbed his arm and said, “Stop it, Mr. Newman. Let’s just go.”

“Go where, Rubin? Don’t tell me you’re going to go with that man! Isn’t he too old to be—”

“Don’t think like that, Vivian!” I looked at Newman to see him seething in anger, making him appear like he was badly constipated, reminding me of Uncle Cedric when he sneers at me. I almost laugh – why must Newman resemble my uncles’?

Oh well, I think, I just miss Eros so much.

“Vivian, he’s just going to escort me back to the Chateau. I have to do something and I do not know when I’ll be back. I’m really sorry to take my leave like this after all the things you’ve done for me…”

“But where are you going? What will you do?”

“It’s something – like a task, a mission I have to accomplish. I will explain it in the near future. I will miss you, Vi—” I am about to reach out for her when she speak in a monotone voice making me frown, “Is that so? Alright. Just go.” Her words almost wound me. I stared at her face, shocked to see her eyes, unblinking, void of any emotion as she glanced at Newman, who is furiously muttering under his breath.

I huffed, grabbing his arm so that I can stir him away from the shop. Slowly, Vivian recovered from her trance, looking around in confusion before rushing back inside the shop as though she forgot something.

“How did you do that?”

“It’s not your business, mistress,” he snarled, hunching his shoulders as he marched beside me, resembling a defended knight.

“How did you know Aeon and Caelum?” I watched Newman as he opens his mouth but I beat him at it, “Don’t keep on saying that it is none of my business because it is! I just want to make sure that you are on our side – that Hades did not send for you to take me.”

Newman stopped walking as he looks at me with a calculating gaze. He sighs, “I have served the Lords for almost two decades now. They value my unwavering loyalty and explicit service so much as to entrust me with important task. Now, I’m done with that, I stayed, rotting in that bloody Chateau.” He sneered the last part, his eyes still trained on my face, “ Yet you proved to be the most important of all my Lords’ possessions and now they have entrusted me of your safety. Therefore, you should put all your trust in me and rest assured that I will protect you with my life – even if it’s against my own will. Though I do not tolerate stupidity and such level of stubbornness coming from you. I must follow through and deliver you to the Chateau now for I have no choice but to heed their orders,” He snapped, looking so much alike with my uncle Cedric.

“Right,” I shrugged my shoulders and silently followed him as he sets out the direction of the Chateau. Newman leads us to the lobby and pass the stairs, standing by the two metal doors, clicking a button beside the door. I watch as the door opens with a ‘ping’ and he pushed me inside, clicking another button once we are inside.

The floor lurched making my eyes widen.

Newman looks at me as though he would laugh but I’m glad when he cleared his throat and stared at the other direction with no emotions in his face. The doors open with a ‘ ping’ again and I was startled as a couple more Gaeans entered. Soon enough, the whole room is full of them, making me remember the time when I first arrived here on earth which is roughly a month ago.

Which means – I only have 70 days left!

When our number turned dull yellow, Newman tugged me out of the cramped room. I stood for a while, trying to steady myself so as to avoid from falling face first on the floor for I felt dizzy. Newman held my upper arm and said in a stern voice, “Did you get dizzy? Do you have claustrophobia?” he whispered in a concerned voice as he steadied me with both hands now. I shake my head and straightened up.

“What’s claustrophobia?” I asked him and he rolled his eyes. I breathe in and out, “It was my first time to ride that thing, it was quite cool except for the fact that I got dizzy. It’s like levitating though!”

“You haven’t ride an elevator before?” Newman raised an eyebrow, he sounds curious but his face remained emotionless. We both walk towards Caelum’s flat and I watch him as he puts the password at the door.

“Thank you for bringing her in, Newman. I’ll have to discuss something to her, you may wait outside. I’ll call you back later.” Aeon said all this in a rushed voice as he yankedme inside, rudely closing the door at Newman’s face. He turns at me, his purple eyes ablaze as he takes in my appearance. “Why are you wearing a cloak over your jacket and shirt? Don’t you feel hot?” I look down at my clothes and huffed at him, “I have to hide my bows and arrow.”

“Why bother? You used to parade around them at the past and Caelum spent a mighty fine treasure concealing you from those curious Gaeans, not to mention the memory altering charm I have to mix with air to make sure they will forget.” Aeon let go of my hand as we reached the living room, “Anyways, now that you’re here, sit here for a while – I just have to check something before we leave.” He quickly muttered, leaving me stunned and wondering. Frowning, I decided to follow Aeon as he headed inside Caelum’s bedroom.

Aeon turned around to see me peeking inside the room and he sighs, beckoning me inside, “I need to look for more resources and Caelum has almost everything here – that git!”

Aeon snatched a book from Caelum’s bedside, turning the pages. “There must be some way that indicates ways about—” Aeon stops talking and look at me. “He doesn’t want me to do this but I have to – I couldn’t stop myself! It’s for him.” Aeon headed at the far wall and pushed it, making it retract and reveal a smaller room. I followed Aeon inside and gape as I see thousands of bizarre things, carefully placed and collected on shelves.

The clothes occupy most of the left side while the right side was overwhelmed with books. There are also pipes and armors, crowns, golden coins, jewelry and various treasure chest.

Aeon ignored all these as he headed at the darker side of the room and crouched down, pushing the wall to reveal a small cupboard. “Use an arrow on it, quickly!” I shuffled next to him, fumbling inside my satchel and inserting the fletching on the cupboard’s side which made it shudder and opened making Aeon let out a whoop. I only caught a glimpse of vials of allurements, more books and a rather odd box before Aeon pushed me aside. Aeon takes the various bottle out and puts them on the table to examine them.

He takes a quill and parchment from the other side of the room and began scribbling only to stop, “Bloody Arrows!” he loudly swore as he stands, scrunching up his nose and rubbing his forehead before marching out of the room.

I waited for him to come back quickly but I heard the door open and Newman’s voice rang out, intermingling with Aeon’s voice. I glance around the room, feeling a bit conflicted because I refuse to be back in the living room and be glared at by Aeon. And that rude Newman, he reminds me of Caelum, the way he snap at me and ask me to be obedient – pfft.

Distracting myself, I crouched down and reach for the odd golden box. It was quite large, heavy and worn – as though it has survived a hundred years or more. Removing the lid, I am surprise to see a couple of letter tumble out of the box as though they were finally granted the freedom they had been asking for years. Taking one shivering letter, I opened it and read,

Mon reve,

My thoughts drifted off to you as soon as I opened my eyes. Your face grows blurry as I start this letter and I regret not risking the chance to draw you first. It is my thoughts that matters more at this moment. I saw you again last night, you were smiling and that’s a wonder since it’s my first time seeing you so happy. I wonder why you are smiling –“

I scanned the letter, frowning as I read the next words. “I would love to have you here with me and spend the nights snuggled up in front of the fire or gazing up the stars. I would love to wake up with you in my arms, whispering your name softly and we will dance to a music of our own –silent and unknown by the rest of the world—” I cringde at the letter and gasped as I see the date – six hundred years ago? I snatched another shivering letter and opened it, “I cannot find you. No matter how hard I tried to search the earth, I come back empty handed, carrying a grief in my heart that consumes me inside and out—”

“Three hundred years ago?” I bit my lip and harshly snatched the shivering letter that is scampering off at the carpet, “I have no intention of getting rid of them sooner in hopes that the familiarity of your face will bring me the dreams about you and probably provide me some clues as to where your current location is. Expect that there will be no more letters after this one for I have promised to devote myself instead at the field of forgotten – in honour of your memory. I do hope that someday, when the sun stubbornly pierces the sky, while the rain slowly falls, the breeze carrying my sorrow – the flowers will finally bloom as they welcome you back. I will stand there, watching you as you revel of the beauty of the field while I drink in the sight of you – your half”

“Hmp!” I gathered most of the shivering letters and stuffed them inside my satchel. I was about to return the box inside the cupboard when I saw what is in the back of the lid. There was a rolled parchment concealed on the sides, torn and appears like it belongs to a very ancient scroll.

I removed the leather that holds it and unrolled the parchment, reading, “Cupid must pay a hefty price, for the greatest love his heart desires. He will roam the earth with a hopeless front, as envy and loneliness rule his perished heart,” I scowled at the scroll and stuffed it back on the lid. “How cruel!” I put the lid on top of the box and returned it inside the cupboard, fuming. Is that why Caelum chose to be miserable because of that ancient scroll?

I can’t believe how ignorant he became – believing in words that are merely written in paper – living up to those words just because he felt responsible of all the wrong things that has happened in his life. I walked out of his bedroom, seething, only to be surprised by Aeon who is frantically waving his hand in front of my face.

“Hey!” Aeon smiled before he indicated at Newman. “You know him from a while back but let me introduce him properly,” Aeon cleared his throat and game a snigger, “This is Mr. Newman. I decided to put him up to the job of following you around while you go and do your mission and I continue with my research. I hope the two of you will get along well.” Aeon smirked at me as though he was sure that I am going to burst at any moment and ask him not to place me with Mr. Grouchy pants. I squinted my eyes and smiled sweetly, “How do you do, Mr. Newman?”

“I’m doing fine, mistress,” Newman nodded, his vivid green eyes glistening as he shakes my hand.

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