Chapter 16: Chapter 16

C15

RUBIN

It doesn’t fail to surprise me every time a place dissolves as though it was melting around me and the other one takes over it, solidifying, like it was being built in a fast pace.

Birds twitter around, some of them diving in the fountain, splashing as they rejoiced of the water.

Aeon marched at the front door and asked for me to prepare my arrow and open it only to be surprise when the door opens. Caelum’s head popped out and he ushered us in. With my guilty hand over my satchel, I silently followed after Newman.

“I didn’t expect you to take longer as you should considering the short distance between here and there,” Caelum said as we walk inside, his eyes glued at the books on Aeon’s hand “I can say that you’ve taken your sweet precious time in my flat, judging by those books.”

Aeon nervously passed the books to Newman whose knees buckled of the weight, fumbling with them on his arms. “Well, you cannot blame me for taking my time searching over your books considering the amount that you have; so many collections and you never bothered to tell me about it – I doubt you would even plan to. I cannot quench my thirst of knowledge and so I take some of them back here.” Aeon shrugs his shoulders, still cautious of the way Caelum is looking at him. Aeon pointed to his study and said, “Take those books to my table, Newman. I will study them later.”

Caelum scowled at Aeon as Newman takes the book to the study. I watch as the both of them have a stare down. “Who told you that you can invade and abuse my things?”

“Invade, yes, but abuse, no. I do this because it is essential. I just can’t settle with the fact that you will accuse me of abusing your things when I’m just—” Caelum pointedly stared at Aeon making him stop talking.

“What is it? Why did the two of you stop? Are you keeping something from me?” Aeon opens his mouth to speak but Caelum looks at me with that very sad look again which made Aeon close his mouth back and sighed, “If you would only allow me Caelum, I can find a way around it.”

“Aeon, I believe you’ve said too much than I wanted for her to hear,” Caelum gritted his teeth before he walks off. Annoyed, I glared back at him but directed it off to Aeon once Caelum has gone up the stairs, “What is it, Aeon? Tell me what are you keeping from me, please.”

“I can’t, Rubin,” with a conflicted look, Aeon sighs as he takes a seat at the sofa. “I wish I did not show it to him.”

“What is it? What did you show him?” His words gave me a snippet as to what it was but I do not want to get ahead with my assumptions so I prodded him on, sitting next to him, “Tell me what it is, I might be able to help.”

Aeon sighs once again and threaded his fingers on his hair, looking at me, “ No matter how much you tried to question me, I couldn’t say it. Caelum is so adept with enchantments, you wouldn’t know you’re already entrapped unless you tried to speak about it or do something against it.” Aeon huffed, his tone repressive as he looks up at the stairs. “Believe me, I really wanted to tell you everything but, I couldn’t. I am sorry.”

“It’s alright. I guess, I’d have to figure it out on my own.” Aeon nodded his head and stretched his back.

“I will go downtown and buy some necessities, should you have anything you want me to buy, tell me.” Newman hastily said as he looked anywhere but us. Aeon claps his hand and said excitedly, “Perfect! Rubin go with Newman and proceed with your task while the sun is still up. You missed quite a couple of days already.”

“Why should I take her with me?”

“As I have explained, Newman, she has certain task that she needs to accomplish. I’m sure, she won’t be that much of a bother, Newman.” I tightened my hand at the bow under my cloak, looking down at the carpet as I wound my toes on it, trying to find it entertaining. “It won’t take long, I promise to behave myself, Mr. Newman.”

Newman narrowed his eyes before he strut toward the threshold. I quietly followed him and watch him as he held out the door, making our way out.

The bright sun blinded me as we went out. We passed the fountain and I couldn’t help but be enthralled by how thick the trees have grown around the manor making it seem impossible to spot. The wrought iron gates that surrounded the vicinity was thickly covered with vines, it was a wonder how Newman managed to push it open. The metal creaks as Newman nodded and led me away from the manor. Getting more excited with the magnificence of the Gaean world, I tugged at Newman’s coat on which he only shrugged him off.

“Let me get this straight,” Newman snapped, gripping my arms to stop me from running away. “I’ll set down rules to make our trip easier.”

“Why do you keep on talking to me like I am a child?”

He looks down at me and put his arms over my head making me scoff, prying his arms only to have him put it back, laughing at me like how Uncle George does, “Are you sure? Because you are so small and you act like a spoilt child.” He straightened up and gave me a smirk, pulling his hand off the top of my head. Newman glanced around us, glaring at the couple who scurried off after catching his gaze, resembling my Uncle Cedric.

I frown as Newman focuses his green eyes at me, “Have you got a phone?”

“Oh!” I reached inside my jacket and hand the black pad to him. Newman swipe the screen of the phone to unlock it before he entered a complicated set of number in it, giving me no chance to follow. He passed it to me afterwards, saying, “There,” He gave me a look and walk off.

“Wait, I don’t know how this things work! What did you just do?” I tried to catch up with Newman but his strides were so long, I couldn’t keep up. “You’ll figure it out, I need to be somewhere,” He turns a corner and disappeared into a crowd of people dressed in bizarre outfits.

Blond hair, green eyes, tall stature, blue coat – these descriptions repeated themselves inside my head as I roamed around, my bow on one hand and my quiver slung on my shoulder. The shivering letters are still inside my satchel, hidden beneath my cloak. People were giving me odd side glances because of how I was dressed and I glared back at them, annoyed.

So what if I dress like it’s winter?

Entering an alley, I grabbed a vial of potion from my satchel and poured it on top of my head. Warmth flooded my insides as I walk back outside the sun, now unnoticeable. I took an arrow from my quiver and lined it with my bow while I choose my desirable victim.

The park was sprinkled here and there with children and adults – all occupied with their own business. I couldn’t decide on whom should I target. I bit my lip.

I scurried behind a tree and let the arrow fly across and hit a guy who is running after a dog. I watched as the dog pulled harder and the leash tangled with the girl’s roller skate, making her stumble on top of the guy. The dog sniffed its owner before licking the girl’s face as though, the dog approves.

“Not bad for today,” I counted my arrows and recheck the tally on my notebook – 23 couples to go. I am past my quota. I just have to work harder to spot which of these Gaeans deserves my blessing of undying love. Slipping the bow on my shoulder, I noticed the park was emptying fast. I decided to walk the distance leading to the market so I can grab some snack.

The little rodent scuttled off the nearby branch, quivering while it hides its dinner behind a bunch of leaves. I spotted a bicycle or two pass by while a couple of cars rushed their way home. I’ve ran out of potions to conceal myself and now, Gaeans are openly staring at me, their eyes lingering on my bow and arrow while my satchel constantly shivered as though a scared cat is hiding inside. I reached the bakeshop and decided I should buy myself some Danish bread while waiting outside for Newman. I took the black pad, occasionally fumbling and shaking it, trying to figure it out.

The sun has now set and it has been six hours since we left the manor. It’s getting colder and even if I am wearing my cloak, I shivered, suddenly afraid. Should I just walk home and not wait for Newman? But what if he looks for me?

He wouldn’t leave me, would he?

I blew on my hand and rubbed them together before standing up, pacing in front of the now closed bakeshop. I took the black pad out of my satchel and closed my eyes, thinking hard of Caelum – he might be able to feel it. He will fetch me from this hole.

I was about to resume my pacing when Newman marched towards me and takes my arm, “Been lookin’ all over fer yeh.” He hurriedly says, pulling me by my arm and dragging me back to the direction of the manor. “Aeon will have me neck fer this! He told me so – we should ’a got home three ‘ours ago bu’ yeh so idiot, yeh don’ phone me, aye? I should ’a follow yeh.” Newman’s accent was off, his wording a bit rush and I have a hard time understanding him though it made my lip pull on the sides as I remember my Aunt Lilia’s accent. They would get along well, especially when they’re hating on someone.

“Yeh think it’s amusin’ ter see me worry about yeh? Wait until we get home.” I quickly bit my lip, assuming an expression of one who just watched their pet died. “Wait until yeh see Aeon. He’ll talk yer ears off, that one was not to be crossed in times like this!”

Newman huffed, his worried face sliding in and out of sight as broken street lights gleam, providing us a view of the foggy path. The grass was wet and I couldn’t help but wrinkle my nose, not liking the idea of changing out my favorite trousers just yet. Newman stopped and whispered under his breath before plunging his hand in the thick vines. He groped in the dark, face focused before the metallic groan reach my ear as he yanked open the gates.

“In, now.” His accent was gone as he resumes to his usual drawl. I slipped inside the gates and stared at Newman as he close them back, the metal groaning.

“They should replace the gates, it’s ancient.”

“You must not speak like that specially when the Lords are around to hear you.” I rolled my eyes, thanking the darkness for it conceals my emotion from Newman’s eyes, while trying to match his quick pace, “Calling them Lord now, huh?” I squinted my eyes at him, giving him a suspecting look making him roll his eyes at me. He studied me for a while as we stopped under a lamp post before he turns and quicken his pace, leaving me gawking.

“Hey, you tactless jerk!” Newman stopped and turned at me, his eyes glowing yellow in the dark. He yanked me by my arms and drag me up the steps passed the fountain, “Let go! Let go—”

The door burst open as Aeon went out, showering light at the front porch, his purple eyes blazing, “I told you to be back before the sun has set!

“You didn’t tell us that.” I muttered, snatching my arms away from Newman’s hold. Aeon glared at me, his form shaking, making me remember the very first time I have met him. “You dare take this lightly, cupid?” The wind picks up as his voice rise. Newman tugged at my arm but I pushed his hand off.

“I’m not taking this lightly, Aeon. I’m simply stucked, okay? I didn’t want to stay outside for that long – I just didn’t know how to work that – that – black pad or phone or whatever the hell it is—” I pushed Aeon back as I entered inside the manor, seething in anger. “I wanted to go home but I do not know how to contact him. I am not sure where the manor is and I do not want to leave because Newman might come back and search for me.” I bit my lip, trying to stop myself from crying, “If you only taught me how to work this stupid black pads – there wouldn’t be any problem.”

Aeon glared at me from the doorway while Newman stared at me with a weary look, “Not an acceptable excuse, cupid!”

“Stop calling me cupid, that is not my name!” I snapped at him, my fingernails digging in the palm of my hands, “And I’m not making excuses, Aeon. If you are not going to listen to me then I better head to bed. Don’t worry, you won’t see me here tomorrow.” I marched up the stairs, shaking in anger when Caelum appeared out of his room. Ignoring him, I stomped my way down at the end of the hall, inserting my fletching on the sides and pushing open the door. I let the light shine in before I closed it back with a bang.

The echo resounded and I huffed, not caring at how loud I am being, “Well, they deserve that!”

*

“I am not sure that this is wise, my lord.” Newman’s voice rose me up from my slumber. I stretched on the bed and wondered how I ended up here when I clearly remembered how I was sprawled on the cold floor.

Sitting up, I strained my ears waiting for Newman to talk again. “ Essential even if not wise, Newman. I don’t want her to leave just yet,” The smooth voice of Aeon made me shot up from the bed.

What is he doing with Newman just outside my bloody room?

“Give me the arrow, Newman, hand it to me!” There is some scuffle followed by a pregnant pause before the door shakes, rattling as Aeon tried to open it. Smirking, I collapsed back on the bed, stretching my arms and back.

It won’t work, cupids are the only one who could—“Aha!”

Aeon whooped as he pushed open the door. I shrieked as he entered the room, laughing his head off as he stared at my surprise face. “I knew it will work.”

“How did you get inside my room? The arrow wasn’t supposed to work that way.”

“Curious, isn’t it? But you’d be more interested on what I should say,” Aeon’s purple iris glinted as he settled at the foot of the bed, handing me a wad of papers, “Here’s the summary of your lessons. I will be teaching you to be like one of the humans or Gaeans as you call them considering that it is your greatest desire,” Aeon smirked, feeling pleased of himself as he leans back and spread his arms, as though it were his bed.

“As if,” I threw a pillow at him, muttering, “Perhaps, it is one of my greatest desire though I have included there on my list that if I want to be alone, I should be left alone,” I whispered to myself, giving him a menacing look.

“I can hear you, you know, as though you’re just whispering in my ear,” Aeon sits up, fixing me a serious gaze, “ I know it’s wrong that I have chosen to invade your solitary peace, but this is of essential.” He waves at the paper on my hands and they shuffled, arranging themselves, “The core things I wanted to introduce to you mostly involved the Dailies. I call them ‘E.R.M.S.’ short for Essential Regulated Mundane Studies. Let’s go down so I can introduce the things we shall highlight.” Huffing, I get off from the bed and asked Aeon if I can be allowed to change into a fresh set of clothes and if he could provide me some. He shakes his head, waves his hand, leaving me gob smacked as another room open, revealing rows of dresses and shirts and trousers.

“Be quick!”

*

“This is the usual ethics. You use the knife and fork for fine dining. You don’t grab food!” I sighed, biting my lip – I know about this already.

“Cars are the carriages you are talking about yesterday. Can you tell me what motorcycles are?” I pondered for a moment, putting my finger under my chin and tapping it, “It’s, uh, it’s like the same thing with cars only that motorcycles have two wheels like bicycles but run on machines and operated with gasoline.” Newman smirks as he sat across me, watching us with his curious green eyes that almost matches mine. I smiled back and huffed as Aeon pass me different pictures. “Humans are not that observant, so you can passed most of this as simple ignorance or twisted joke but the crucial thing here is this,” he waves the black pad and gave me a wide grin which I scowled at. He passed the phone at me and take his own, showing me, “The top, smooth part is called the screen. You tap it once or twice and it reacts.” The so called screen lights up and I do it with mine, smiling as I get the proper reaction.

Aeon taught me how to properly send messages and how to call their numbers using the phone because for some reason, cherubims do not exist here on earth to deliver my messages. Me and Newman even managed to video call each other while Aeon laugh his head off.

“This is it. I guess we’d have to teach you how to work the appliances tomorrow.” Aeon shakes his head one more time and stretched before waving, “Oi, Caelum!”

I caught the sight of Caelum’s cloak disappearing around the door as his departing form was the only response we’ve got, hearing him trudgedup the stairs and disappear to his room again. “What’s with him?”

Aeon looks surprise when he realized that the question actually came from me. Aeon ran his hand on his hair and scratched his ear, “My answer will be the same as what I told you before. I can’t tell you but rest assured that it concerns you,” I frowned down at my hands and forced myself not to think about what Aeon said as we proceed.

*

“How many arrows do you have left?”

“About…seventeen?” I scratch my forehead, blinking back at Aeon.

“What?!” Aeon looked up from his laptop, waddling towards me as his feet remains, framing his humungous bean bag. “That means you got more days to have fun and wreck us all.”

“Yep,” I smiled, pushing him back and laughing as he toppled down on the floor. “I can explore the earth more.”

“Brilliant! I will ask Newman to accompany you today if you like, you can’t miss such a beautiful day outside. It’s too valuable to be wasted.”

“Are you sure? You will let me out?” I caught Caelum’s eyes as he chanced a look inside the study, his stare darting from me to Aeon who is laughing his head off.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? I would ask Newman to bring—Oh, Caelum!”

Caelum walks inside, his strides long and within seconds, he was already towering in front of me, turning at Aeon who gives him a weird look, “We should talk.”

“Alright then, Rubin—”

I did not wait for Aeon’s instruction as I went out of the study, ignoring Caelum’s hurtful gaze trained on me while I dragged a protesting Newman out of the manor.

*

“Like I told you before, the slide by the park is where I’ll be waiting.” Newman said in an exasperated voice, not looking at me directly. I nodded, pouting at him as he walks away. Puffing my cheeks I settled down next to the tree trunk and took a shivering letter out of my satchel.

“Mon reve,

I have so much questions to ask, so many things I wanted to know. Last night, when I saw you there staring at me – your eyes fixed against mine, your lips quivering slightly – I almost lost it. You were just there, not too far for me to hold, yet I know that as I opened my eyes, you’ll fade into nothing like dreams always do. And so, I do what I have longed to do—”

“You look quite serious, I’m afraid I’d have to interrupt,” I glanc up to see a girl, leaning down across me, her hands on her knees, curly black hair blowing with the wind. “I’m Rause, by the way, Rause as in R-A-U-S-E. Not Rose but Rause. I know my name’s weird, but, erm, nice to meet you,” She extended her hand, her dozen rings glistening as it catches the sunlight, the little charms on her bracelet clinking.

“Rubin. I’m Rubin.” I said as I shook her hand.

“Cool!” She settled next to me and tried to look at the letter I am holding. I quickly shoved it back inside my satchel and she cast me a curious look, “What’s with the letters?”

I can feel my cheek burning up and Rause giving me a smile before throwing her head back, laughing. After a while, she recovers, furiously shaking her head, “You know, Rubin. I wasn’t usually like this. I mostly kept to myself. I don’t approach people but seeing you here – well, I am drawn to you. It’s like I know you. I don’t understand but I really felt drawn of your presence.” Rause finished her sentence, her cheeks very red. I can feel my own cheeks heating up as I gulped, trying to hide my arrows.

Did I accidentally hit her with an arrow? I count my arrows with my deft fingers – Nope! I didn’t. So, why is she being like this?

Rause looks at me, her hazel eyes glinting gold in the sunlight, “I would love to have you as my friend if you want to, only if you are not weirded out by the idea of it. I am sorry it came so sudden, I just felt like we are connected so…” she shyly smiled at me and the awkwardness I felt before dissolves into nothing as she offered me some chocolate – practically luring me in.

The wind carries our laughter and soon enough, I have forgotten that I just met Rause a couple of hours ago. She felt like someone I know before, like a long lost sister.

“It’s fun talking with you. I haven’t really—“Rause interrupted me with a hug, giving me no chance to speak as a lump form in my throat.

“Promise me. We will meet here again, “ her face appears serious as she pulls away from the hug. I nodded and watched as Rause takes her picnic basket, walking back home.

Newman arrived not long after and together, we headed back at the manor. The rest of the walk back to the manor is consumed with silence. Newman held the door for me as before on which I bowed, thanking him.

*

The arrows fly past my fingers quickly like the days transition into weeks. Rause and I grew closer than before and tonight, we have planned to meet up for dinner and have a movie night.

Asking Aeon for permission was easy, but Caelum is not that easy to convince. He strongly believes that I am going to a date with a boy instead of a girl, insisting that I am only making excuses. I just laughed at his face, much to his annoyance and challenged him to follow me out tonight and confirm if I am really telling the truth or not.

Like today and any other day, Caelum looks downright pissed, his lips stubbornly clumped together ever since a few weeks ago when he decided to stop talking to me. I asked him again for permission during breakfast and he looks at me as though I have done him wrong. I marched out of the kitchen, seething as I went up the stairs – I can just wait until night falls and I will go out and escape to my rendezvous.

I don’t understand why he should act like this when he clearly stated that he doesn’t care. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye, so why should he act like he’s my bloody husband?

I wanted to shout at him, be angry at him but I couldn’t. The letters in my possession made me think twice . I pity him for acting like this, for getting me confused with the girl he sees in his dreams.

But why should I feel guilty about it? It’s not like I plan for him to remember her and make him go crazy over me. I was just sent here on earth to do my mission – nothing more.

Trying to push the thoughts on the back of my head, I was surprised when someone knocked on the door I was leaning on.

“Mistress, Lord Aeon thought it best that I should accompany you to the dinner.”

Oh joy.

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