The Lynn mansion was in sight. It looked like a mini fort with high grass walls around its periphery. Every house in the neighborhood had at least one tree, but multiple trees resided around the mansion.
This was Trace's first time coming over to Wysoki and every house here was unique. It felt different than the rest of Koyoko. Even the coachman was very hesitant to come to this place. But despite that, the Lynn manor was easily located.
Trace was standing in front of a large gate. By no means it was taller than his house but it gave that feeling. A straight road ahead directly lead to a giant tree surrounded by bushes that hid front door of Lynn mansion.
Where do I knock, who do I call, Trace couldn't help but wonder. He walked towards one end of the gate. A slab was sticking out of the wall despite a perfect fit. A weird feeling told him that this was the doorbell.
Trace put his hand on top of the stone slab but nothing happened. So he inserted mana into it. Still no response? Trace wondered if he was doing it right.
Inside the mansion a bell rang, two bells rang when Trace increased the mana flow. A total of five bells rang and attracted the attention of every main present. In a room two maids were leisurely reading books when the bell first rang. One of them channeled her mana and image of Trace appeared on a screen.
"Check this out Miss Yui, a young boy is at the gate. Should I chase him away?" one of the maids said.
"Let me see," the maid named Yui put down the book.
But before she could speak anything another bell rang, and then another. She tried to speak but the continuous rining of bell made it difficult for her. After channeling mana into the screen in front, she slowly said.
"Stop," the voice was loud when it reached Trace.
"I want to meet Noelle," Trace said.
The maid was confused and looked at the other maid. Their elder mistress had never got a visitor so it was difficult for them to believe. But recently, the news of Noelle on going out after receiving the letter was in the air.
"State your name please."
After listening to the name, one of the maids left the room to confirm if it was a valid visitor. The chances were slim but if it were then it would be a hot topic among the maids.
"Who are you to Miss Noelle," the maid poked.
"I am a friend," Trace said.
It was shocking to hear. When did their mistress made a friend. Adding another layer of spiciness, it was a young boy. And now the poor boy was all the way here to seek an audience. What a heart warming tale.
…
Trace was led to the pond side by a maid. Under the pavilion, Noelle was reading. It wasn't until Trace called out her name that she looked up.
Noelle gestured Trace to sit on the same bench by patting on it. She closed the book and got up after Trace sat. The maid at the side, bowed and accompanied Noelle out. Before Noelle went out of Trace vision, she looked back at him.
The slow movement of her delicate head and a mild smile told that she wanted Trace to wait. He let out a deep breath and looked at the pond in front. This place had a unique air, it was quite different than rest of Koyoko.
Just by sitting there, mild wind blew over Trace's face. The air felt so light and comforting. At the distance green branches swayed, layer by layer the leaves wiggled.
Trace got up and walked close to the pond. His face along with the clean blue sky was reflected back. Turning around his head slowly, the image also moved along.
Suddenly another face popped up along with Trace's image. It was that of a pretty girl with pink hair. She had her hands behind her back and was staring intently at the reflection beside hers.
"You are the girl from Paporcean Palace," Trace immediately recognized her.
It came only as a little surprise because he had thought of this possibility before. The two sisters wore the same attire and had similar hair but their faces differed a bit. That's what Trace thought.
"You are the one who used to got out with my sister," Rae said, as a matter of fact.
"Yes," Trace said.
"Why did you stop seeing her?" Rae's monotonous voice sounded again.
"My master asked me to stop," Trace stated plainly.
"That shady good for nothing fortune teller."
"Master is really awesome, you shouldn't speak such about someone you don't know."
Trace looked away from Rae's reflection and looked back at his. Rae also noticed the change and squinted her eyes. She pouted and with the same monotonous voice she said.
"Why did you do this to my sister?"
"She was a bad influence," Trace said.
He was still looking at his own reflection now. Just like the reflection on the pond, his mind was calm. It was something that he understood fully. He thought of the time when he involuntary stared at Eimi's lips.
"Did she ever talk to you?" Rae said.
She stopped bending to look at the pond. At this point her interest towards this guy had totally evaporated. When her grandfather told her about the boy who beat up a Level 2 Sorcerer of SJD. The desire to meet the young knight flared her up. But it quickly extinguished when she saw Trace at his house.
Still an interest towards the guy who went out with her sister remained. Now that was also burning out. She was ready to leave even before Trace gave an answer.
When Trace saw Noelle today, the expectations were that she would be just as cheerful as before. But seeing her walk away without even saying anything was bitter.
"Yes, she used to talk a lot." Trace said after some time.
"You are lying, no way she would talk to someone like you" Rae couldn't believe it.
She turned around and bent down again. Staring at the reflection of Trace, she saw the same face. She hated to admit but it looked pretty honest. Additionally, there was no reason to lie on this matter.
"Who are you to my sister."