Chapter 4
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud gunshot echoed from somewhere in the distance. For a moment, it felt like time had frozen.
That's what I thought.
As I stared at him blankly, the person who looked more like a member of a secret organization than a new hotel construction supervisor briefly denied his own existence.
Then, just as suddenly, he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket with a determined look on his face.
"Don't come out under any circumstances. Don't be afraid; I'll be back soon."
That was a comforting statement. Why would a mere construction supervisor be carrying a handgun?
I wasn't scared, but the gunshot I had just heard made me worried. What if Lethias got caught up in it...
I blinked nervously and scanned the space around me.
Construction materials were scattered throughout the small, dark room, and there were narrow stairs leading up and down. It seemed to be an emergency exit and storage area.
I searched carefully to see if there were any hidden weapons, but I couldn't find anything, not even a rusty knife, let alone a gun.
There's no way I can hide here in a place like this. Maybe it's best if I don't just wait here...
Bang!
"Hey!!! What the… @#$@#**"
I almost dropped the shovel I was holding and accidentally hit the top of my foot. Gosh, my ears! It's like my ears are getting dirty. Where on earth did you learn all those swear words?
Indeed, the loud and furious curses were coming from Lethias. Judging by the sound of the wall collapsing, he must have been nearby.
My heart was racing. What's going on? Maybe he got shot...
"Who's there?!"
"… Ah!"
You deceitful supervisor, you told me it's a safe place!
Everything happened in a split second. Just as that shady-looking guy kicked open the door and entered, I jumped and grabbed the stair railing, then sprinted downstairs as fast as I could.
The sound of my footsteps running away and his chasing ones created quite a dramatic scene. What a commotion to walk into right after coming home!
"Where are you running, kitten?! Even if you run, you'll end up in the palm of my hand!"
T-That crazy guy is chasing me and laughing! That jerk! My heart was pounding like crazy, either from fear or just the sheer intensity of running.
I ran up and down the stairs for a while until, without realizing it, the stairs disappeared and a wall blocked my path.
From right above my head, footsteps as heavy as those of Jack and the Beanstalk Giant thudded. I quickly turned around and sprinted towards a distant door.
"Argh!"
Ouch, that hurts! I opened the door and rushed out, screaming as loudly as I could. The long hallway I had admired earlier seemed so unfriendly now.
Damn, it would be so nice to have a self-defense gun right now! Of course, I'd need to learn how to use it, but... at least a knife! Or maybe a candlestick!
"Ah! You crazy bastard!"
"I've got you...!"
Bang!
The grip on my hair was suddenly released, and I heard a heavy thud.
A pungent smell, both unfamiliar and strangely familiar, reached my nose. It was the same smell I had encountered long ago, exactly 7 years ago.
I gasped for breath and looked back. The man lying on the floor, blood flowing from his head, stained the concrete floor dark red.
"Sasha?!"
"Are you okay?!"
There was chaos all around me. I couldn't quite grasp what had just happened. It was only when Lethias's hand rested on my shoulder, as I stood there dazed, that I snapped out of it.
"Sasha, are you okay?"
I wanted to say that I was fine, but my tongue felt stuck to the roof of my mouth. So, I nodded vigorously instead. All the while, my gaze remained fixated on the person standing across from me.
"…Benya?"
As memories from the past flooded my mind, I recalled a pale, thin boy with serious eyes that contrasted with his pretty face.
The image of him fighting with his Hyung over me, the mischievous smile that lured me into dance practice, and the sight of him laughing while sitting on a gargoyle statue.
The way he sobbed in my arms, the times he looked into my eyes with an endless gaze as he lay on the floor of the old library, and how he waved goodbye to me at the dock for the last time.
A man with a smoking pistol tucked inside his frock coat approached us.
Soft silver-gray hair. Sky-blue eyes. It was Benya. Though he looked different from the last time I saw him, I immediately recognized him.
But...
"Dude, if you're glad to see me, just say it's nice to see me. Don't be shy."
I blinked hard. Is this really Benya? Is this really our second young master?
... What has happened to everyone in these past 7 years!
First of all... He was tall. He was almost as big as his older brother.
But compared to Lethias, who was known for his bear hugs, he was on the slim side, and his handsome face now carried a mature, decadent charm.
His cool and clear eyes seemed sharp enough to pierce through you, and they were a bit intimidating to look at.
Instead of responding to his brother's scolding, Benya just stared at my face. His expression was enigmatic, and his gaze was somewhat burdening, making me nervous.
As I tried to figure out the appropriate greeting in my mind, he kept looking at me without saying a word. But after what felt like an eternity, the only thing I could manage to say after he asked me was:
"Are you hurt?"
"... No, thanks to you."
This silly response just slipped out of me. Ugh, I had some nice greetings in mind before coming back here, but the first thing I said was… What on earth is this?
"Are you okay?"
Instead of answering, Benya slightly lowered his head, then raised his gloved hand and took mine.
He handled my hands delicately as if holding a fragile glass bowl. Or was he just trying to confirm that I'm really here?
Amidst this cautious reunion, the Duke was clearly furious.
"Why the hell are you bringing your problems here!"
"I'm sorry."
"How are you going to handle this?! What if something had happened to my siblings?!"
"I apologize. We'll make sure such an unsavory incident doesn't happen again in the future."
Gradually, our grip on each other tightened. Benya turned his head slightly, glancing at his brother while holding my hand firmly.
He seemed to be looking directly at the man who was bowing his head to Lethias. So, naturally, I also looked in that direction.
It was a face I hadn't seen before. Fresh caramel-colored hair and green eyes that maintained a smile even while being scolded.
He appeared fairly youthful, but there was a certain air of elegance about him, and he was dressed in a very expensive suit.
"Yann."
Yann...? Wait, I think I've heard that name before.
Benya's gentle call wiped the smile off the unknown man's pretty face. It was quite a sight to witness him going from smiling even after Lethias's harsh reprimand to becoming visibly nervous.
However, contrary to my expectations, Benya didn't say anything more. He just stared at Yann blankly. And Mr. Yann seemed to be very uneasy.
"I'll take anything as an apology."
"…"
"Seriously."
Lethias stepped in, taking over for Benya, who was still silent.
He gave a disapproving look to the standing men, suggesting that they were truly ashamed, then he approached and patted Benya's shoulder.
"The officers will be here soon, so take Sasha and go inside first. I'll handle it."
"... Are you going to get arrested again for assaulting a police officer?"
"W-When did I do that?!"
* * *
It was a cozy room with a sunny terrace and a Japanese-style room on the south wing of the third floor in the main building of the Duke's residence.
This room was filled with our old and hazy memories. A place where a young princess and two maids used to play house, spin threads, and play with imitation jewels.
It was where we took turns practicing songs, whispered meaningless secrets, and played by tapping on the piano keys.
I had been so envious of this room, once adorned in a cute and bright girlish style.
Just like the dresses with lace and chiffon, the adorable velvet shoes, and the jewels that shone like stars, this room was also something I had longed for as a child.
Everything seemed more aristocratic because I knew it could never be mine... So, my desire to protect it became even stronger than my desire to possess it. After all, it belonged to my princess.
The room, whose original owner had vanished long ago, now looked completely different from what it used to be.
I couldn't help but sigh as I gazed at the golden Damascus wallpaper with shimmering flower patterns, the silk carpet, the chiffon curtains resembling dragonfly wings, and the bed with an opulent canopy.
It truly deserved admiration.
A room befitting a mature and refined aristocratic lady. All the furniture was of the finest quality, and there was a dressing table similar to the one in the special room where I stayed during my return.
Glancing at the adjacent studio, wondering how it might have changed, I saw that it had transformed into a luxurious dressing room.
There were all sorts of dresses, oriental gowns, corselets, chemises, equestrian attire, jackets, capes, coats, hats, parasols, and shoes; it was like a comprehensive exhibition of the latest trends.
"I thought you might like it."
These words came from the Head Butler, who had been observing me closely as I was overwhelmed and dazed. Finally snapping out of it, I managed to smile.
"Please feel free to speak to me. I don't deserve such formality."
"That doesn't matter. As for the Lady..."
"I'm just Sasha."
"Miss Sasha is very important..."
"Let's just address each other politely."
The butler smiled weakly as if he had been waiting for that response. As I noticed the gentle wrinkles around his eyes, a sense of familiarity, as if seeing old Karon, washed over me. He couldn't be compared to his ruthless successor**...
(**tl/n: she’s talking about Harris)
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