The castle was as big as her village, yet the space felt lifeless. No person was in sight or a single sound of another person. During her walk, which was longer than she anticipated, there was time for her to glance at the art around.
There were many paintings and the occasional vase or sculpture furnishing. Although the content of the artwork was different, some of nature, others of people, they all seemed to speak in the same tone. Depressing. She could not fathom what emotional state the collector was in the chose to buy such expensive paintings with a mood she did not want to surround herself with.
Syrin seeing her interest, walked right beside her. His footsteps were too quiet for her to hear.
"Do you like the decorations my brother chose?" The sudden whisper creeping into her ear\ made Liliana yelp. She quickly scrambled away, only to see Syrin right in her place.
Winston stopped to see the commotion. Although he did glance between the two, he did not say a word. It was not his place to step in.
"I-It's nice," she began. However, once she saw his face slowly lose its joy, she quickly added a second thought. "But they do feel a little... Haunting."
Her eyes settled on the nearest painting. It was of a rose. Beautiful, yet more than the colors, the thorns were the main point of the artwork. The tips glistening brighter than the flower itself with a hue of red. She confirmed it again. The painting made her feel the same way the others did.
Syrin also took a glance. He let out a hum. "Art bores me to the greatest extent." He threw her a smile. "But for you my dear, I will take a closer look."
He walked towards the painting, his slender finger gentle touching the artwork, traveling down the flower all the way to the stem. "Haunting you say..." There was a pause. "I think you're right."
His eyes spoke differently. They were clear. It was the first time in their conversation where she felt he'd shown a true emotion. The question of whether he was lying to her or himself was something she wasn't able to answer, but it was a step forward. However, unlike him, she did not dare say a word against him. Instead, she prompted for him to speak more.
"Why do you also believe it's haunting?" A leap of courage. Whether or not her words had a price to pay was up to Syrin's response.
He stopped in his tracks. His grey eyes spoke many words, but Liliana could not read them. A language, no matter how desperate, she could not decipher. "Wouldn't you like to know my dear."
There was a weight to his voice. A deep anchor sinking down into her soul.
She did not want to know.
They continued to walk, and finally near the back of the castle, they were able to reach a pair of large doors. The wooden mahogany contrasted with the silver detailing on the handles. Curved in the wood was the Zephyr symbol.
Finally, she was at the office. Everything that would happen behind the doors would answer her questions. The reason to why she was called. If the Zephyr's were personally meeting her it was clear that the reason must be important, whatever it may be.
As they opened, the smell of burning incense filled her nose. The room was an office. There was a fireplace on one side with rows of bookshelves on the other. Just like the guest room, there were two couches with a single coffee table in between.
At the back of the room there was a desk. Books and papers laid on top, and in the chair behind, sat a man with midnight black hair. His hands were clasped together almost in a prayer. Ironic considering the person in motion.
The first thing Liliana noticed was the color red. Kaius's eyes shone through the darkness of the room. His iris' looked like jewels shimmering under the moonlight. The man was as beautiful as his brother, yet exuding a more manly air. His shoulders were broad and his facial features were more defined. The air around him was also different, there was no sense of amusement, only darkness.
"Sit down." His deep voice rang loudly, the rasp sent shivers down her spine. She'd never heard a voice quite like his - it was like he spoke into her soul. Her heart beat loudly once again.
Taken aback by his presence and voice, she didn't realize that her body was tense, forcing her to speak in a meek tone. Her voice squeaked. "Yes."
The sound of Syrin's mocking laughter filled her right ear. Her face turned red once again.
Nonetheless, she tried to ignore the mockery and sat down as instructed.
Kaius' eyes were narrow as he watched her. Hostility. If she didn't know better, Liliana would've felt like she was a unwelcomed guest. As if she was intruding into his secret chambers. She shuffled in her seat. The weight of his gaze was heavy. She could not handle it longer.
He slowly stood up.
A step, and then another.
The air was tense as he sat down beside his brother. The contrast between the two men felt like night at day - yet both of them held no warmth in their attitude towards her.
Kaius raised his hand and immediately, a maid placed a tea set on the table. Unlike the dark interior of the room, the set was pure white. As she poured the drink into the cups, Liliana noticed the deep red color.
Once the maid was done pouring, she bowed before leaving to her stationed area. Kaius grabbed his drink. He glanced towards her. "Have a sip."
She nodded slowly. Although it was her rule to not take food or drinks from strangers, she couldn't say no. Just like how the older ladies taught her, she grabbed the plate underneath the cup as well as the handle. She took a quick sip with her pinky slightly up.
To her surprise the drink was sweet and savory. different from what she would expect for the Zephyr brothers to enjoy. She took another whiff, the aroma was so unique yet somewhat familiar. Her taste buds begged for more and she took another sip.
The corner of Syrin's lips curved up. "Tastes great doesn't it?"
"Yes, very." Her eyes stared down at the tea and the leaves that laid at the bottom of the cup. They seemed to swirl, dancing as they dyed the drink deeper. "W-what tea is it?"
A luxury probably more than she could afford, but it wasn't a harm to ask.
"The tea is made from a special breed of trees in the Forest of Aikon that harbors red leaves. The leaves never whither so they call it the four seasons." He swirled his drink using a small grey spoon. "Each cup is worth a gold coin."
She almost spat out her drink. A gold coin was worth as much as three months of hard labor. A lot more expensive than she anticipated from a single tiny cup. After a quick glance at the teapot, she estimated it was worth about fifteen gold coins. Of course, expected of the wealthy Zephyr family but she felt slightly damned for drinking.
The price again made her feel the weight of her position in this room. The sheer difference between her and the two men in front of her.