Third Person
Paris, France: Heinz Manor
5:03 P.M.
"Good evening, Mademoiselle!" The man in a suit was young to be even working, but she was pleased to know that the servants here were nowhere near the savages grown in the feral areas like Dione told her to expect. Always expect the worst while inside because the worst thing that could expect isn't still probably the worst, she quoted the teen's words as they walked on shiny tile with an intricate and detailed pattern of Fleur-de-lis.
They stopped in front of a dark passageway. Expecting the worst from what's lurking within that way, she gulped and looked at her guide. A exhale escaped her glossed lips when a beautiful hallway was revealed after the man clapped three times to activate the light. Raine looked up and saw vines hanging down from the diamond-shaped holes, the sides of the hall were lined with vases full of carnations of different breeds.
It seemed creepy and ominous for the girl that they had time to prepare the venue and pick flowers for her sudden unplanned visit. The curious girl couldn't prevent herself from asking, "Is there someone from here who really likes carnation?"
"The general longed prepared for this day," smiled the young man as he continued to lead her through the leading vases of her favorite flowers, "His wife handpicked those flowers from the garden of Jardin d'Eden which cost her - I believe they instructed me to say a fortune..."
"Oh," It was all she could process out of her. His statement didn't dawn on her properly, if it was to make her guilty of this huge spent bother fir just one lady guest or a sign that she was taken as an important guest that they took time and a great amount of money to impress her.
Either those two, she was still flattered by the effort and thought, but it added her confusion on what to expect because Dione's description of the manor was nothing like the actual view. Nothing surpasses the fantasy quality of the Jardin d'Eden, but both can be compared to it and stay on the second.
Her thin lips were in an 'o' formation the whole time or whenever they pass a spot she admires. A wonderland was in front of her, an arc plated with gold sculptured birds. Marble steps were leading to the balcony which she assumed they'll have their dinner. Taking a few steps ahead of her, the kind butler offered his hands to guide the lady to her destination. As bright as her smile, she happily accepted it, but before they could take another step forward - the butler collapsed and tumbled down the hard stairs, before appearing unconscious back to the grassy first step.
Raine actioned as soon as the butler collapsed, she got rid of the heels and rushed to his side, not caring if the mud soiled her newly bought dress, "What happened?!" she helped him get up, "Where's the infirmary here? I need to take you there..."
A gasp escaped her lips as the first vibration signal was sent by Dione. She almost forgot that her phone was in her bra pocket so, the boy from outside the gates could massage her if something's wrong. Now that she actually felt it, this might be a wrong decision - a wrong messy moaning situation.
She asked the butler about the infirmary again before the phone vibrated again. Raine covered her chest as she moaned from the sensation before assisting the slowly recovering man. Apparently, the word infirmary sounded like the word morgue in this household. Upon hearing the word and seeing how the girl offered a kind gesture, the butler stood up and distanced himself with the face of a pig close to slaughter. He adjusted his tie and straightened the creases on his dress pants before beaming a smile at her like nothing happened to him.
He took three steps up the stairs and offered his gloved hand again, "It's nothing, Ma'am," he reassured her, "Let me escort you to the dining area," Raine sense something, she's not entirely sure, but judging with the way the poor man walks - there is something wrong with his left leg.
The female can't help seeing someone hurt so, she asked, "Are you sure- Ahhh"
A mild vibration spread all over her chest as she moaned and stopped walking up the steps. The butler looked at her worriedly. She smiled sheepishly and looked down to hide the red tint on her cheeks. It was a third warning from Dione to stop talking, so she zipped her mouth and secretly adjusted her phone as to not bother the small knob of flesh when it vibrates.
A minute later she was left in front of a wooden door with a mythical demon carved and polished as its design. Her stomach was full of butterflies and they are ready to tear her intestines apart if he makes her wait any longer for the door to open. She bit her lip and closed her eyes when a bright light from inside the room almost blinded her.
Her heart dropped and her fingers dug themselves before squeezing the fabric of her dress. She's nervous and has no idea how to greet the extravagantly dressed couple standing in front of a 5 feet long table.
It was Saccharide's father, wearing a white suit and gold crocheted of Victorian pattern, who approached her by the door first with a gentle hug. Raine's eyes were wide as she hugged back while asking herself how a man like him could be soft as a lamb, "There you are sweet succulent cherry," he kissed her cheek and guided her to her seat, "Come on sit down and have a nice wine with us. My, you are as beautiful the first day I met you in your jammies," the man chuckled.
"P- pleasant to meet you again, Sir..." Raine stuttered and blushed as the awkward memory of their first meeting became fresh, "And you too, Madame..."
Raine was speechless about the poured preparation for the dining area, it's like they themed the design as her 18th birthday. Tall scented candles were lit for a pleasant ambiance, the table cloth and the drapes screamed elegance with the purple and red colored sides.
She hasn't said a single utter since the moment he sat her down for a drink. The nervous girl just kept silent until someone hugged her from behind. It was Saccharide's mother, looking beautiful in a lavender dipped evening dress. Hence, her name. The woman smelled nice, not with excessive perfume, she smelled like a marinated cloth in a tub full of lavender oil.
"Dear," General Dèmise called her, "I presume red wine. This is good for your health and doesn't interrupt with your sober ass..."
The old man held a bottle of vintage red wine and let the butler serve it to where she was seated. Raine's location was far from where the married couple was seated, there was approximately a five feet distance between them, making it awkward to outset a conversation.
Staring at the red liquid poured into her wine glass, Raine hesitated, but remembering Dione's word, she gulped it to the last drop. Gaining a little prowess from the wine, she requested, "Normal wine would be great too," she let out a little giggle, "I need the courage to do this anyway..."
Happy to hear her words, the general slammed both his hands on the table and rolled another bottle of wine towards the girl, "Hell yeah! That's the spirit, bitch!" he teased, "Bottoms up!"
Raine did not catch the fragile bottle with her hands, thankfully for her long dress and agile legs, she managed to squeeze the bottle between them. She set it gently on the table before the butler poured it into her glass. Thanking the general politely, she smiled and after a while, she almost finished half of the bottle. It was deemed a breach of etiquette to drink wine before the meal, but she has to accept anything that's being offered.
Their greetings started politely until the old man got the hang of calling her "bitch", Raine didn't bother. It's like hearing Saccharide call her that word again, they don't part from their looks. But Saccharide's father lacks the gentle features of his son, which Raine assumed she got from her mother's mellow smile and gaze.
The general's wife frowned upon hearing her husband calling the girl inappropriate names, "Watch your language, Dèmise!" warned the woman with dignity, "You might be making the little lady uncomfortable..."
Not to start a conflict between the two this early in the evening, Raine protested, "I- It's fine!" she giggled and said, "Your son calls me the same at the younger times of our relationship."
Hoping the two would take her forgiving attitude a pro, Raine examined both of their faces. At first, they looked surprised until Saccharide's mother faced her husband and held his hand, "Oh dear, she's beautiful and polite. Now, I know why my little Dèmise loves her very much," - her big eyes, became droopy and sad, "Too bad he's in jail to enjoy this scrumptious meal," The woman was close to crying, but the general squeezed her hands and reassured her.
"I taught him how to settle on dirt and worms, Lavender. Have some faith in our son," He smirked and handed her a napkin as he pats her back.
As he calmed his wife, he faced Raine and said, "Saccharide has made choices in life that were obviously not right-" his smile mocked the girl, "But he's got a woman to accompany him while fighting his case."
The device vibrated again, resulting in a moan escaping her, Raine looked down and whispered, "Ahhh... Dione stop it," Thinking of words to say, she planned to stand up, but the general rang the bell and the butler came.
Hurriedly, the butler walked towards the intimidating man and asked, "Ye-yes Sir?"
"Serve us our starters," politely with a smile, he commanded.
The butler nodded vigorously and started taking the empty bottles on the table. As soon as he gets to Raine's side, he kneeled on the floor to get an empty bottle. Suddenly, he stopped upon getting the bottle. The girl noticed his brisk breathing and how he perspires in such a cold place. Without a word from the butler, she crouched down and helped him with the remaining bottles. He did not thank her and just walked away. It bothered the girl and finally made a decision, "I know it's rude to ask a favor at the beginning of our meeting-"
General Dèmise motioned her to ask as he listened, "Anything at all!"
The girl's face lit up and looked at the butler who was laying the utensils and arranging the bread in the basket beside her, "Can you release this butler from his evening duties?" she requested and the young servant immediately dropped the bread knife on the floor, "He collapsed awhile ago and his pale skin sug-Ahhh..."
Raine moaned again as her phone vibrated twice. The butler apologized and picked the knife before cleaning it with a hand towel. Before the general could take her request, the young butler bowed to her and said with fear in his words, "Mademoiselle, I succumb to your kindness, but I won't relive from my duties until I serve you satisfied," When he looked up, his eyes were pleading for her to stop.
"But- Ahhh..." She was about to insist when her phone vibrated again, "Very well. I won't say much from now on," Raine just smiled and waited for their meal.
"The meal was expertly prepared by our head chef," described the butler while the other servers put the food on their table, "For the appetizer, a pea soup with creme fresh on top, edible flowers for aesthetic. Enjoy..."
They finished the first course without conversing. Just an awkward sound of utensils and air from the centralized air conditioner.
"For entrée fillet mignon on top of creamy mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes. Asparagus on top and a balsamic red wine reduction for sauce," they brought the main entrée.
Raine was not used to this kind of food. Even Saccharide preferred French food, instead of these western cuisines. She was used to her boyfriend's big portion cooking and not usually these wares to prevent overeating. The thought of the grey-haired boy added to her loss of appetite. No progress has been done since they ate the appetizer and she was worried about making her purpose known.
Raine caught the butler staring at her food so, she did the first that came to her senses, "You look hungry Monsieur," she offered her last bread and meat, "Please have this piece of bread and meat..."
Hesitantly, he shook his head and was about to walk away. Then the general stood up and strived closer to Raine, "Go on! Accept what's being offered by the young lady," his voice sounded threatening. The butler can't do anything, but accept the food and eat it as fast as possible.
After he's done, he thanked Raine took her plate. General Dèmise made the butler get her another plate from the kitchen when the girl noticed the young man limping his way towards the kitchen. That was the last sign for her to speak up, but she knew Dione will activate another vibration to make her stop.
Taking the phone out of her brassiere, Raine pressed the shut down button for more than 5 seconds to turn it off, "I'm sorry," - the screen remained black.
Once the other plate was placed in front of her, she called for the married couple's attention, "No more work for him please," she kept the young man beside her as she spoke, "I think he needs to rest. He looks painfully exhausted..."
...
Laughter echoed across the big hall while the old man with the silver hair walked towards them in a jock-like manner before smiling warmly, "Of course. Let's make him rest," - she was relieved to hear his words without any hint of annoyance.
What she wasn't prepared for is when her red dress darkened in color as the old man had hidden a three-tine fork behind his back before stabbing the young man in the abdomen multiple times, each stab had more pressure than the previous. The blood splattered on her face, dress, and her plate. All she can do was stand there as the general cracked the poor boy's limbs.
"Oh, may he rest in pieces," said the old man before stomping one last time on his neck, making a satisfying sound, "Bring in Sebastian to take his brother's body," As soon as his words were declared, another butler entered the room and pulled the body out of there. Raine just watched as the so-called, "Sebastian" showed no remorse while cleaning his brother's blood and scattered muscles on the floor. The new butler was pale, his untidy hair was the color of different kinds of soil. He wore the same outfit as his brother, they shared the same resemblance, but he was taller and his grey eyes were deeper in their sockets.
Raine sat on her chair and stared with bewildered eyes on her plate, "Look! I got his tongue!" General Dèmise picked up a chunk of meat on the floor and made the girl hold it.
It was the young butler's tongue. His face was smashed so hard, the tongue was cut off with few pieces of his teeth was latched onto it. Raine covered it with a napkin and placed it in front of the tall scented candle before praying for his soul. Anger rose within her as she watched both of Saccharide's parents act like they didn't kill a human being.
Saccharide's mother laughed gracefully at her husband's joke as she welcomed him back to his seat, "That classical joke, gets cornier and cornier every time I hear it Dèmise," the fine lady caught the young girl staring at them so, she took notice of the blood marinated meal in front of her, "Don't worry, he'll switch plates with you. He likes a little drizzle of blood in his meals now and then..."
Another butler, the older one who was called, "Sebastian" took her plate and switched it to a new one before serving the general the soiled plate. Raine wanted to condolence to the younger boy's relatives, but as long as she stared at the new butler, the more she senses the wrath from him.
"You see dear," Without looking up, Raine listened to the statement Saccharide's mother was about to impart, "The kindness you bring might be a danger to others so, please shut your pretty mouth..."
Now, she knows where Saccharide got that expression from-
General Dèmise, with no holdback, chomped down on the meat and ate with his bare hands, "I like my meat rare, but Gutcho just can't get the right temperature," Picking up the asparagus, he swept it around the sides of the plate to mix the blood with the gravy, "Calls himself 'Head Chef', If I lose my temper on him, he'll become 'Head Chopped', aye Lavender?"
His wife just laughed at his joke and continued slicing her meat with a knife, "You rascal! How can you make such brutal jokes while eating?"
Traumatized, she wanted to end this. Quickly, "I have something to say!"
All the people in the room looked in her direction. The General excitedly went near her still with his plate in hand, "Wait! Let me guess- I studied for this last night!" He sat beside the lady before asking, "Waving the white flag so early?"
Raine gulped and looked down, "I can't continue this war!"
He felt like teasing and feeding off the fear in her for his amusement, the old man snatched her hand and sharpened the knife on the rose-colored carnation ring around her finger, "This early?" He asked while increasing the speed of the sharpening. Raine kept still as to avoid being cut, "My battalions are not yet unleashed, dear..."
Once he was satisfied, she let go of her hand and proceeded on cutting the remains of his fillet. He continued eating to mock the girl further.
Raine made her point again and adjusted the ring on her finger back to its original place, "I give up your son," she pleaded, "Please I'm ending it for his sake..."
"But I don't want you to surrender this early," said the general without any other concept within.
"I'm sorry to disappoint. I'm not as strong as your kind. I can't fight in your battlefield, even with weapons," said the girl as she stood up from her seat, "If you're making your son's life miserable because of me, I'd rather disappear than to live with him..."
Once a hand grabbed her by the shoulder and made her sit, she was stunned and as she looked up, she was shocked to see Saccharide standing behind her. Raine knew she was hallucinating, the girl blinked and it was Phoenix who was holding her down while staring down at her. She imagined her own death and it wasn't like this.
Her tears made the knife glint more. As the General raises his hand to stab her, the only image that appeared to keep her accompany was Saccharide's.