Chapter 6

            However, instinct often overthrows reason. It wasn't until we took the cups from the tray cart and went to the bathroom to get a full glass of water that we finally had the opportunity to sit side by side and discuss what we had just witnessed.

            Lethias was the first to speak, his expression mirroring the one he had worn earlier when I had mentioned drinking water from the bathroom—as if I had claimed to have caught a whale.

            "The bell tower? This is the bell tower? It's so random..."

            "You remember the bell tower of the chapel? It was definitely that bell."

            Indeed, within the Serpente Duke's residence was a chapel dedicated to the family. It stood apart from the main building, towards the north, and its bell would ring in the tower every day at noon and during prayer times.

            The tower, adorned with golden bells, reached such heights that it appeared taller than the central church in town.

            "So, this is inside the bell tower? Or rather, there was a place like this within that bell tower."

            Benya, muttering in disbelief, exchanged a meaningful glance with his older brother. A peculiar suspicion flickered in their identical sky-blue eyes before it just vanished.

            "Did neither of you have any knowledge of this?"

            "There's no way I could have known. Did you know about it, Hyung?"

            "No. I never even fathomed that there would be such a space within this tower."

            I echoed their sentiments.

            While I had occasionally imagined the possibility of a secret room hidden somewhere within the vast mansion, I had never entertained the idea that it would be inside the bell tower of the chapel rather than within the main building.

            This was our hiding place. No one would suspect that we had chosen this as our hiding place, and thus there was no fear of being discovered. Screams and outbursts would go unheard.

            In a way, it could be considered a prison. There was no way out other than through the mirror door, and attempting to escape through a window would likely result in a fatal fall.

            "Oh, so the noon bell ringing must be incredibly loud. Could that crack on the wall be caused by it?"

            How loud would the bell sound? It shouldn't be loud enough to startle Estelle.

            If she were aware that we were within her bell tower, she would undoubtedly become anxious about finding a way out. Estelle had a fear of heights.

            In a sense, it was the safest place within the entire mansion. Who would typically venture here? Most would never have imagined that there could be a place like this hidden within the bell tower.

            In other words, it was truly the perfect hiding place. A place deliberately crafted by someone in the distant past. A secret room designed to conceal people.

            The reason it didn't feel like a prison was due to the presence of the library. Additionally, it lacked the necessary features to function as a prison.

            The tingling sensation beneath my ears and the goosebumps on my arms returned. Knowing precisely where we were only served to deepen my confusion.

            If someone were to decide to lock us away here indefinitely...

            "What's with the sudden change in your expression?"

            I slowly lifted my head. However, instead of meeting the gazes of the two boys, I found myself gazing into the mirror affixed to the opposite wall.

            It reflected the bedroom, with softly flickering candles and three children seated. In an instant, a chilling and unsettling sensation overcame me.

            There was something eerily thrilling about our reflection in the mirror, akin to a scene from a suspenseful movie. I couldn't explain why it felt that way.

            "I'll make sure Estelle is sleeping soundly and come back."

            The two boys silently watched me as I stood up and made my way towards the stairs.

            Estelle lay on the bed, seemingly lifeless.

            What time was it?

            It would be helpful to have a watch so that I could prepare in advance before the bell chimed. I would have to request one from Mr. Harris tomorrow morning.

            I sat by the bed for a while, looking up at the ceiling where sunlight streamed through before suddenly getting up and heading towards the closet.

            The marble closet, though worn, was rather spacious, and with a futon inside, it could serve as a makeshift bed.

            I grasped the handle and opened the door, revealing a collection of dresses befitting a young girl.

            They were Estelle's clothes that had been moved here beforehand. In the drawers, there were spare sets of underwear, pajamas, silk socks, and shawls.

            However, despite scouring all the closets and drawers, I couldn't find anything suitable for me to wear.

            Had they forgotten? It seemed so. I had made it clear that Estelle and I shouldn't wear the same clothes. I would have to inform Mr. Harris about that as well.

            For today, I had no choice but to wear these pajamas. It was something I wouldn't have considered under normal circumstances, but given the current emergency, there was nothing else I could do.

            However, the following morning, I didn't get the opportunity to relay my requests to Mr. Harris.

            As if they had only been present while we were asleep, there stood the new tray cart beside the mirror door, glaring at us like a sentinel.


***


            Several days passed, and it suddenly occurred to me that I was craving fried dumplings.

            Despite not being confined, our current situation felt no different from being imprisoned, as we could not roam freely.

            "It's damp and stuffy in here. I'm afraid the smell will cling to me as well." 

            "That's because there's no ventilation. But I don't detect any odor from you."

            On the first day, Estelle had insisted on not washing without warm water, but now she had grown accustomed to the cold water.

            Perhaps the discomfort of not bathing outweighed the coldness for her.

            Strangely enough, we both emerged from the bathroom smelling of the same soap and sanitizer.

            The detergents stacked on the shelf were intended for the use of the household staff, but we had no other option.

            Towels were scarce. We had to dry them and reuse them for an entire week. Of course, I didn't bother mentioning it.

            If Estelle were to discover that the towel, she had used in the morning, had been used throughout the day, she would prefer to have it air-dried.

            Speaking of drying, on sunny days, our current bedroom had ideal conditions for drying our hair.

            The intense sunlight pouring in from the ceiling often roused me from sleep early. Fortunately, we had not encountered any rain during our time here.

            Estelle sat on a chair in the center of the room, pouting in discontent, while I retrieved a comb from the drawer. Her curls, reminiscent of watercolor paint, were wet and stretched out.

We shouldn't have stayed here any longer. Even if it was only for a few days, constantly bathing in cold water would be detrimental to Estelle's fragile health. Poor child.

"I'll comb your hair. Are you feeling dizzy?"

"I'm not dizzy, but it's frustrating. I wish we could open a window."

I wished for the same. However, there was only one small window hanging from the high ceiling, making it impossible for us to reach.

After drying Estelle's hair and helping her get dressed, I attended to my own appearance. The only clothes available were Estelle's, but since we were similar in size, it worked out fine.

Wearing Princess Serpente's dress was something I had longed for as a child, although I never imagined it would happen under these circumstances.

I chose a modest-looking dress, hoping not to offend Estelle, but she seemed unfazed by the situation.

Lethias didn't show much reaction either, while Benya made a snide comment about putting lipstick on a pig.

(putting lipstick on a pig: make superficial changes to something regarded with dislike or disfavor in a fruitless attempt to make it more appealing. Basically, Benya was telling Sasha that she looks horrible but pretty in Estelle’s dresses. LOL, what a tsun.)

I couldn't help but wonder why Mr. Harris had been secretly leaving food for us while we slept.

It seemed excessive, considering we weren't even confined and had no means to communicate our needs or potential illnesses.

"Are you done yet? I'm starving!"

We heard Benya's loud complaints from downstairs. Estelle, already in a low mood, responded with annoyance.

"Brothers, you can eat first!"

"I don't want to eat in the bedroom. Our father always said that we should eat together."

In the past, I watched as Benya disregarded his father's words and acted as he pleased. The absurdity of his words must have been the same with Lethias, leading to a heated argument.

“Our father must have been very proud of you to see you act so crudely.”

“Hyung, are you not trembling with disgust at the fact that you yourself whine about being hungry together?”

It was strange how they both woke up early without the sun serving as an alarm. This skit-like argument they performed every morning would likely become tiresome soon enough.

A week had passed since we had arrived here. Time felt incredibly long in the cramped space with nothing to do. Even the food, no matter how delicious, became monotonous when eaten daily.

"I'm so sick of it."

Estelle sighed as she stared at the pancakes, olives, omelet plates, and apple juice glasses in front of her.

I could understand her sentiment. Eating the same thing every day eventually becomes wearisome.

"What would you like to eat first when we get out of here?"

I asked cheerfully, trying to prevent the atmosphere from becoming gloomy. Estelle answered without hesitation.

"Cheese. I want to eat all kinds of cheese."

"I would like some perch and veal stew. Oh, and mushroom soup too. Why am I still feeling hungry even while eating?"

Benya grumbled after devouring a pancake soaked in syrup. Lethias joined in.

"I crave some refreshing sherbet. Being stuck here for days, I feel like my throat is filled with dust. Sasha, what about you? What would you like to eat?"

"Um, maybe a cream cake?"

"I knew it. I used to give you my dessert in the past."

Cream cake was a luxury item for servants, but Lethias would often share his with me. I smiled at the fond memories of my childhood, looking directly into his face.

"Indeed... Do you remember when my mother caught us? I got in so much trouble."

"It was no joke. I was really scared when your mother got angry. She didn't buy it when I said I gave you the cake willingly."

"I never asked you for it, but you always gave it to me willingly. That's why I got scolded even more."

"Then you sulked and hid in the greenhouse all day. You fell asleep there too, didn't you? If Father hadn't found you, who knows what could have happened?"

Those were memories with people we could never see again. Despite the sadness, a sense of warmth and affection arose as we laughed side by side with Lethias.

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Chapter 4

Chapter 1