'I'm not surprised, even with the way he stares, anyone would feel nervous right off the bat.' She narrowed her eyes, and her hands slowly rubbed the little girl's back.
"Welcome back, Master Liam, Levi, and my Lady Lucy."
Liam spearheaded the formalities, nodding. "We have returned."
Anasthasia eyed them as the head butler—In a high-quality black uniform and a tinge of silver monocle in his eyes—gave a curt bow before them.
'He looked quite the same of those silver fox men and his mana capacity is—this is definitely not an ordinary person.'
She remained cautious as she went into an unknown lair. She couldn't be dependent at this point, even if the three of them were here. She prowled behind them as she continued to wander her gaze back and forth in the area.
'This grand salon, right off the bat, is over-the-top and avant garde.'
It was the only thing she ever thought of, and by the name it suggested, the motif and the ambiance suited perfectly on its term: the central chamber to receive the guests and entertain.
'Such intricacies of the wide ceiling blanketed the area and glass panels almost draped all over the place. Nooks and corners filled with gold and porcelain, meeting the polished stone tiles halfway.'
Anasthasia felt her nose crash behind Levi's back, which caused him to flinch but calmed down with such realization. She rubbed her nose and ought to be careful this time.
Curiosity piqued her, she peered at the side and saw how the man, presumably the Archduke, was going down the sophisticated stairs.
'Even from afar, he has a tall and large stature.'
Without breaking eye contact, his dark blue cape fluttered with every domineering step. An emerald brooch and with gleaming chains, hooked either side, dangled.
Anasthasia scrutinized closer—from his white leather shoes, white trousers up to his cream silver suit.
'His slick navy blue hair complimented well with his trimmed goatee beard, giving an overall suave.'
Soon as he got to the floor, his rasp and deep voice echoed, "You're here, Lucy."
"...Yes—I've arrived safely..." Lucy looked down, quivering so subtle.
Anasthasia leered at his emerald eyes only to find out something that baffled her. He closed his eyes, sighing, and ordered the head butler.
"It's almost dusk. You should prepare, Steven."
"As you wish. Your Grace."
That said, The Archduke of Aureole shifted one foot to the other and stepped away, leaving them at the hands of the head butler, Steven.
Steven led their way towards their assigned rooms. No beats of their footsteps could overthrow the utter silence within the corridor. All she could see is how the twins moved cohesive and always had Lucy's back.
Anasthasia turned to the side as though she witnessed a panorama, so wide that she saw how the golden light bathed them with warmth. Her lips parted in awe as she continued to admire the beauty from the distance.
They changed their direction, going deeper to the crevice of the manor. There, after a couple of minutes, the head butler stopped and gestured his hand, saying, "This will be the new room for my Lady Lucy."
"I see."
"Then, after my Lady comes in her room, we shall proceed with Master—"
Liam raised a dismissive wave of hand. "We would like to stay with our little sister, for a while."
"But—"
"We already know." Levi darted with indifference in his eyes.
"Then, I shall prepare for the dinner, Master." Steven could hardly gulp while he gave a curt bow. He stood with poise, twisting his heel, and strolled away from their sight.
Liam awaited Lucy's permission and with a nod, the door creaked, heralding a peculiar noise to their ears. Lights flashed and it was a spectacle all over.
"Is it safe to reveal myself?"
"Oh! Ana, I almost forgot." Liam suddenly pushed Lucy inside. "Come in before things will get suspicious."
Without delay, they walked in and welcomed the new ambiance. But Anasthasia couldn't be bothered by it as she slowly appeared and glared at Liam.
"Your action says otherwise, Liam."
"I concur." Levi nudged his glasses back and nodded.
"I apologize for that." He couldn't help but scratch his nape.
"What a beautiful chamber…" Lucy gawked as she pranced around, admiring the wonders of the room.
'As what I would expect from an Archduke's Manor. It's no different from the motiff's of the Grand Salon, except with the red velvet carpets with gold fractals in it.'
Lucy rushed towards the edge of the green warm quilt on a canopy bed and sat comfortably. She swayed her feet back and forth while she held unto the dark wooden frame.
On the other hand, Anasthasia strutted towards the alcove—she noticed how the corner caved in with built in couches and chaises on the side that seemed to allure her—which, in the end, she failed to resist.
Her body nimbly moved in the air and leaned against the wall, looking heavenward. She noticed the artistic design on its small ceiling.
'I miss something like this. Staying here makes me forget all my problems, even for a little while.'
It was becoming a place of comfort where she could be lost in her own world and forget the problems for a while. She hugged herself, feeling the cushion against her body and the white linen and lace curtains, cascading, caressed her delicate skin.
Levi and Liam sat on the couch adjacent, several feet away from the canopy bed, and leaned their heads with arms rested at the back pillows. It was the moment they could relax and let go of their upright facade.
Noone said a word. They could only hear the clock that ticked with a beat.
Until Lucy sprang from where she was and drew closer to Levi, sitting beside him, which had astonishment flush up his face. His eyes wallowed in panic as she noticed her dull expression.
"What's wrong? Are you hungry, Lucy?"
"No, brother Levi. Not that I'm worried about it. In fact, I feel so full the moment we departed there."
Levi's mouth jagged, no words could escape his lips. His hand grazed her back, giving her the need of comfort.
"Do you need something else?"
Lucy shook her head before she uttered in a low voice, "I'm worried for Sister Ana."
"Why so?"
"It's… I just have a bad feeling."
They all looked towards Anasthasia, who rested behind the thin layer of curtain, with deep concern in their eyes.
"This is insane!" Liam covered his face and ran his fingers through his hair. "Until now, we still had no idea why we were summoned beforehand."
Levi, crossing his arms and legs, nodded and quipped his tone, "While it's true that we caught off guard from what Father, The Archduke, truly intended. I hope Ana would stay out of it."
"I don't know about this anymore. I'll take my leave and get myself some fresh air." Liam sighed and jolted from his seat.
But as soon as Liam clicked the doorknob, leaving it a slight ajar, he saw the glimpse of Steven: Looking down and amiable; holding a tea trolley. He opened it widely and stared at the head butler as eyes flashed with surprise.
'Refraction!'
His voice started to trail off, "This is?"
"Master Liam, I have brought some treats for this afternoon."
"I can see that," he spat, dripping with satire. "But aren't there lots of silverwares for the three of us?"
But the words that blurted out from Steven's mouth shuddered them.
"I'd like to agree with your sentiments, Master. But His Grace shouldn't treat our esteemed guest so poorly.
They didn't see that coming and Anasthasia, in the distance, squinted her eyes with skepticism. She nibbled her lips as she pondered about the things that could drive such possibility.
"Perhaps this person doesn't prefer tea or the deserts that I have prepared?"
But from afar, she peered behind the curtains and witnessed how Liam clenched his fist, tucking to his side. That in mind, she blew a kiss of wind that headed his way and prodded his firm hand.
Liam cleared his throat and gestured Steven. With a cue, he strolled in and prepared everything laid on the coffee table.
It took a couple of minutes for him to finish his preparation. That said, Steven glanced at his watch while tucking the other hand on his back as he muttered, "Will the esteemed guest be coming out anytime soon—?"
"I'm here."
Anasthasia blew off the draping curtains, revealing a fluttering effect. Her silhouette took form but remained blurry to their eyes. From the shadows cast behind the linen fabric, it remained a mystery, at least from Steven's mumbled aghast.
"I have no words." His eyes widened from her presence, emerging, and strutted in an ostentatious manner.
With her taking a seat, her eyes lit up. "These cakes look absolutely delicious, I hope you don't mind if I indulge in them?"