Though I tried to stop him, Vincent boldly strode into the kitchen without even listening to me. If Audrey had seen this, she would have been scandalized that someone of higher status had entered such a place.
His face was calm as he looked around the humble kitchen. I anxiously scanned his back, then turned to quickly find the candles and leave. In a large cupboard in the kitchen, I found a few spare candles in the back.
Where is the candlestick? As I turned, I was startled. Vincent was standing behind me, looking down at me as if I were a curious object.
"Why are there candles in such a place?"
"W-well, sometimes I need them in a hurry. If I can just find the candlestick, we can leave."
"Where is the candlestick?"
"It's around here... P-please, let's go out first, okay?"
I was worried that someone might come in and see us. I pleaded with him to wait outside while I found my way out, and Vincent reluctantly turned around. I let out a sigh of relief as I watched him leave the kitchen.
I searched the cupboard and its surroundings but found no spare candlestick. I had no choice but to take an old, used candlestick. I clutched it to my chest and went out, only to find Vincent waiting for me. I was a bit surprised. Why is he still here?
"Why are you still here?"
"We're going back to Robert, right? I'm coming too."
"Ah, I see."
Though he didn't show it, he must be worried about Robert. I nodded and led the way. Thanks to the lamp's light, I wasn't afraid anymore. Or maybe it was because he was with me.
The wind still howled through the corridor like a scream, and the sound of branches rubbing against each other could be heard. Mixed in with these sounds were our footsteps. Two sources of light illuminated the path ahead.
This felt just like five years ago, when I would lead the way, holding Vincent's hand as we walked together.
Suddenly, a sharp sensation washed over me. My nose tingled. I rubbed it and took a step forward. Thanks to him, I was able to easily climb the central stairs.
"Did you deliver the letter to Robert?"
"Yes, he was very happy. I'm really grateful."
"How did that go?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean the ink."
I almost stopped in my tracks. I managed to maintain my balance and swallowed hard. The tension I had momentarily forgotten surged back. I clutched my chest, fearing he might hear my heart pounding. The eerie sounds around us were a blessing.
Is now the right time? I should tell him I couldn't find it and apologize. I don't know if he'll let it go easily, but I have no other choice.
I took a deep breath, calmed my racing heart, and steeled myself. I mustn't show how nervous I am. I closed my eyes, then turned to give my answer.
"Hey!"
Suddenly, everything in front of me lit up. The corridor's end and Vincent's startled face were clearly visible. Then, darkness descended.
At the same time, a loud boom echoed.
BOOM!
"AHHH!"
I covered my ears and screamed without realizing it. The loud thunder brought back the fear. It felt like the thunder had struck right next to me. I dropped the lamp in my hand.
The sound of breaking glass made me open my eyes. This time, something flew past me and hit the wall. Instinctively, I dodged but lost my balance and fell on my bottom. Another thunderclap struck before I could react.
BOOM! I covered my ears and crouched down. The wind howled fiercely. The last remaining light flickered and went out. The corridor plunged into darkness.
I crouched there for a while. The thunder continued to rumble, but it gradually subsided.
Gradually, I came to my senses. I opened my eyes and looked around, but it was pitch black. Even the moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, leaving no trace of light.
The wind blew my hair and clothes around. The sound of breaking glass indicated that the lamp had shattered. The wind was coming from somewhere nearby, maybe a broken window. Something had flown in, perhaps a branch or a rock. The wind was so strong it could have carried a person away.
I grabbed my tangled hair and felt around. It was too dark to tell where I was. The only sounds were the wind and thunder. Where is Vincent? Where is he?
"Master? Master!"
I called out urgently, but there was no response.
I felt my way along the floor where Vincent might be. But I found nothing. I called out again, but still no answer. No matter how I searched the darkness, I couldn't find him.
'No, I don't even know where I am.'
Was I walking down a corridor? I was suddenly afraid. My body hadn't been carried away, yet everything felt unfamiliar. It was so dark, so cold, just like that day.
That day.
I felt like someone else was in the darkness. I could hear footsteps. I knew there was only darkness and no one else around, yet I felt someone watching me. I sensed a warning, a sharp blade about to pierce me and take my life. I had to get out of there.
They're coming to kill me. I have to run.
But why can't I move? It feels like the wind is holding me back. It's telling me not to go, that this is my end.
"...La."
A hoarse voice called out to me. The voice was faint, as if the person was struggling to breathe. I turned my head, and something wet touched my hand. It was blood. Even in the darkness, the red blood was vivid.
And there was a man lying there.
"A, Ah—"
No, don't. This can't be happening. The scream that wouldn't come out choked me. I kicked and scooted backward. This nightmare again. The chilling fear that had once enveloped me, the feeling of death.
"Don't do this. Don't do this to me."
Don't pull me back there. I moved my body, but the nightmare didn't disappear. My vision blurred, yet the face became clearer. Why are you like this? Why, why... Lord Lucas.
The tips of my fingers, raised in the air, trembled. His brown eyes, filled with pain, looked at me desperately. His face, twisted as if in tears, was shouting at me. Run. Get away. No, maybe he was asking for help. Maybe he was telling me not to abandon him. Maybe I had misinterpreted his feelings.
I, I want to live... So...
"You're right, sister."
A cold hand grabbed my shoulder. The chill from the body behind me was so intense it could freeze me. The breath near my ear was icy. The young voice that used to cling to me at night, sobbing, now pierced my throat with venom.
"You're a selfish person who only cares about yourself."
"No, no."
"You devoured even your own flesh and blood and the man who was kind to you, and survived alone."
"Stop it. Stop..."
"Sister, sister, come with us. Come with us."
At that moment, pale feet suddenly appeared in front of me. One, two, three. They danced in the air, swaying eerily. I let out a silent scream. A gentle voice called out to me. Sister, sister. My older sister. The voices of my deceased younger siblings, the cries of a newborn baby, echoed from all around.
I struggled to breathe, choked by guilt. I didn't know what to do. I felt revulsion at myself for surviving while my siblings died.
I wanted to hold the delicate hands clinging to me and share my warmth. But I couldn't, and I curled up. I covered my ears and sobbed. The howling wind and the thunder that had terrified me were now silent. Only the dream-like voices were squeezing me.
"Pola."
Someone called out to me. Pola. Pola. The voice was so weak, so fragile, it could break at any moment. I knew this voice well.
Lord Lucas. I thought of him, fighting alone in pain. This time, I wanted to be by his side. I didn't want to leave him alone again.
I crawled toward him. The surroundings flickered. Lucas appeared and disappeared. I was afraid he would be consumed by the darkness. My hand stung, but I ignored it. I just kept crawling. I called out to him, crying. Lord Lucas. Lord Lucas.
As soon as I reached him, I reached out. The thunder stopped, and the surroundings darkened again. I felt around in the darkness and found him. I held him tightly and embraced his large body with my other hand.
"I'm here."
I'll be by your side this time.
I stroked his back and pressed my cheek against his rough hair. I tried to share my warmth with him, though it was weak. I wanted him to no longer be afraid.
Despite his cold body, his hot breath broke against my shoulder. Soon, a warm sensation pressed against the thin fabric. I felt a small tremor, but it wasn't as intense as before. His shaking gradually subsided.
The warmth spread from my shoulder to my neck. I shivered at the unfamiliar touch. The warmth seemed to soothe me, moving back to the fabric. The hair tickling my ear felt good. His large hand gripped my back tightly.
"La..."
The sky still rumbled, but the darkness no longer scared me. The warmth against my body gradually heated