"Well, let's start the tour!"
I said to myself while clapping my now-healed hands. Took 'em long enough! I was sure that I didn't cut myself that deeply but alas, the body of a young miss who never held a knife in her life might have a different constitution than one might expect.
Anyway, back to the task at hand, and of course, by tour, I mean snooping around Carlyanne's room!
This opportunity comes as I'm about to head to sleep, belatedly realizing I don't need to go to sleep immediately. No one will know! This is the best chance to go around the place with peace of mind to look for stuff!
"Now, let's see…"
The room, which I can finally turn upside down after 3 days of bed rest, looks like any generic room assets from webtoons. Not to say that I know what a real European bedroom looks like, but the fact that the chandelier above doesn't hold any candles yet somehow emits light kind of insinuates other powers than fire to light things up.
Anyway, let's start with the area I'm most familiar with; the bedroom! It is a spacious place, a very generous amount of foot space for a room with only a single bed in it. Around it sits a not-very-small dressing table decorated with several perfume bottles which, thanks to yesterday's demonstration of how it feels to be a life-sized dress-up doll, I now know that the rest of the makeup is kept in the drawers, out of view along with the jewelry collection that I don't doubt are some of Claryanne's favorite.
I then wander around what should be the receiving area? Since there is a small, round table like one you'd find in little quaint cafes, and two seats of the same style tucked underneath it. My feet continue to walk towards the door that leads to the bathroom and wardrobe area, noting nothing out of peculiar interest as most of the bathing items are neatly collected on the shelf at the corner of the room, right by the stained glass window.
Also, I was just here, not even an hour ago, bathing in that pool that they called a tub. Soaking isn't the custom here but I just have to insist that I stay a little longer in the warm water. At least the maids weren't too against me pruning in the water as long it doesn't turn cool.
"Actually, I might have stepped on my own foot?"
My mind replayed the conversation I had from yesterday and today regarding bathing. As I didn't bring up the issue of bathing in the morning, the staff will then offer me once evening creeps close, right after I had my dinner. Does this mean that, if I bring up the issue of bathing and preparing myself to look presentable, they'd take it as me wishing to join the Hortensias in meals??
On the foot of the bed, there's a.. couch? Settee? Something like that. I threw my entire weight on it as I sat, finding that the soft, bouncy cushion was deceptive as I hear a thud on contact.
It doesn't hurt, but I'm just a little surprised at the loud sound…
"..Loud?"
I get off the settee and observe the item closer. Lifting the cushion reveals a smooth groove, but the shift of the object shows me that there are hinge marks on the backside of the box. That means I should be able to lift this like a chest.
"Heave-ho!"
The lid is a little heavy, but I managed to lift it up anyway! Carlyanne, I think I'm going to have to start some basic training for your noodle arms, it's way too useless!!
My joy became short-lived, however, when my eyes finally saw what the box had to offer as the reward for my efforts.
"… Girl, that is some impressive collection." I eye the various flogs, whips, and other striking tools that one might think of when they think of a 4 letter word associated with these instruments that starts with the letter B. "No hidden diary though- hm, it's another false bottom?"
When I reach down to the bottom of the box, the length from the top still doesn't match the full capacity of the volume. So I shuffle out most of the items to the floor and yes, there's a false bottom!
Taking that false bottom turns out to be an exercise in itself, however. I can kind of wiggle the sides, but no matter what I do, the bottom doesn't give enough for me to lift.
"This reminds me of that Sword in The Stone." huffing in annoyance, I take a break from messing with it by straightening my back, feeling myself glaring at the offending box like a petulant child. "Huff.. Take a closer look at the thing. It gives at the corner, but won't budge when pulled.. maybe…?"
I try giving the bottom a push with one hand and hear a soft 'click!' from under my fingers, the panel giving a bit but soon back to its infuriating wobbly state. "Fuck yeah, I got this!"
Bracing both arms on the side, I push again and this time, there's a double click before a small, middle part of the panel lifts on its own. Taking that off, I'm greeted with a small, ornate box the size of my two hands.
I give my thanks to the gods that there doesn't seem to be any lock on it, and able to open the lid easily. "Let's see if there's anything of importance here…"
There are three items inside of the box. A pressed flower made into a paper bookmark, a broken snowglobe base and its shattered glass pieces, and a single earring.
Nothing of the written sort, unfortunately. "Welp, there's that confirmation I guess."
I had some inkling of hope that maybe, just maybe, Carlyanne might have left any paper trails for me to follow. I had hoped that maybe, she had learned how to read and write secretly, had hidden something of her thought in this room where it has the shortest inkling of not being found.
"..I don't know how to take this situation, now," I whisper to the box, as if stashing away my words into its secretive existence might help digest the rising gut feeling that I might have been too hopeful about the situation of the original goods. "Between the bookmark and the broken snow globe, the earrings instantly catch your eye, doesn't it?"
I took the earring out of the box, the misty marble-shaped stone rolled under my thumb while the long, thin cord reminiscent of a fishing line spun around my pointer finger, connected to a simple hook.
Raising it to the moonlight does nothing interesting, aside from highlighting the dirty state of the item. There's some rust on some of its parts and this, I'm sure, will definitely give me tetanus if I don't handle it properly.
Therefore, I take precautions as I return it to the box.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." I say while I put everything back together. The box returns under the false bottom, and the various exotic tools cover it messily. "I'll have to check if it's possible to get my jewelry appraised.. Now that I think about it, does Carlyanne even hold money? Is she allowed to spend??"
Wiping the traces of dust from my finger, I climb onto the bed and pull the cover once more with a sigh. "I'll have to take stock of the assets tomorrow."
-----
And so, I done exactly that!
Sieghart looks as if he's about to jump to the ceiling when I don't lie down on the bed right after breakfast, chasing after me while I walk out of the room at a leisurely pace. "What's this room for?" I point to the first door I see.
"That's the room to store your dresses.." Sieghart answers with worry in his voice.
"Ah, so that's where they come from." I walk over the hall to the door, then look at the man with what's hopefully an expectant face. "Open it."
Following my orders, Sieghart opens the set of double doors for me, and I enter without missing the timing.
The room is big, perhaps the length of my bedroom to the bathroom, and it's all covered by dresses hanging in all corners of the room. In rows, on the wall, dresses as far as the eyes can see. Not only dresses, but there are also hats, bonnets, and sunhats, to be exact, and I spied some shoes slotted on the back shelf. I only turn my head to the left and right of the room to quickly spot the monotony of the layout before backing out again, searching for other rooms to raid. "What's that one?"
"That is the jewelry and accessories room."
"Ooh!"
As expected of the room's name, there are glittering stones all around the display cases. It truly feels as if I've stepped into a jewelry store at a high-end mall, with the amount of sparkling that's assaulting my eyes. "I don't know that I own this many gems." I muse while squinting just to be able to walk around the room.
Sieghart doesn't comment as I scan over the accessories, though he does linger his gaze on the silver mirror propped up at the corner. I won't comment on his behavior either, opting to go back out and allowing him to follow once again. "That-"
"Is the gift room," Sieghart answers ahead of my question, his tone polite without a hint of impatience. "We store any unopened gifts that you receive there until they are properly opened and later, dispersed to their proper designation."
Then, a moment later before he takes the door handle, he adds, "This room is currently empty."
I don't reply, and the door opens to a bare, plain room. It's not completely bare, the floor is carpeted and there are more of those magic lamps on the ceiling, but like he said, there's nothing of interest in this room. At least, there's nothing that immediately catches the eye.
"Next." I utter as I stride to the next set of doors, this one leading to the parlor used to receive guests.
Now, while the room itself doesn't look dirty, there's something about unused rooms that gives off desolate air. Perhaps Carlyanne never used this place, considering it's rendered moot when her bedroom also has a guest-receiving space, but I doubt that's the main reason why this room is left out of her lifestyle.
The table is clean, without a speck of dust, as my fingers come off clean after swiping over the textured wood.
Outside, the sun is shining brightly, without a speck of clouds in sight. A true summer experience that I can only remember from memory, most of them faded and tinted with rural nostalgia.
"..Next."
In the end, I managed to exercise while running around for hours just visiting rooms. There are rooms for paintings that I like but can't display in the halls, another room for other kinds of art pieces like statues (and soft plush animals apparently), a private music room and.. "The servant quarters?"
Sieghart answers dutifully, "This area is where your personal attendants will reside, should you decide to assign the chosen maids with the duty and responsibility."
Picking the meaning between the lines, it means that I do not have a personal maid to serve me. I can't tell if that's due to Carlyanne being Carlyanne and thought it's not important enough for her to do, or if there were other factors.
Hm. It'll be hard to play guessing games if I don't even get hints. I'll just ask the conveniently near but unwilling guide over there, "So what's inside if not my personal attendants?"
"Just the barest furniture and amenities." Sieghart talks as if he's reciting from a memorized sheet answer. "Unfortunately, I must implore you to not open this room, it is dusty from disuse and doesn't get cleaned often."
I gave a short nod, indicating that I understood, "Have you been inside before?"
"Yes, I have."
"How does it compare to the general servant quarter?" I walk away from the door, eyeing all identical single doors that are marked as the servant's quarters. There are 5 of them on one side, totaling 10 for the whole wing. "Like your room, for example."
"...It would be impossible to make a comparison with my room, miss, you'd be comparing apples to oranges."
There's a strain in his voice. Even I can hear it without having to pay close attention. Tilting back my head just slightly, I see the normal composed expression that I've come to stare at often for the past 4 days and wonder if I had just missed something. An inside joke reference that flew over my head, kind of feeling.
Anyway, I'm not one to feel bad about being left out of stuff, so I continue with the walk to see a set of stairs at the end of the path, leading down. "Remind me of who assigned you to serve?"
Sieghart, whose mouth is half-open about to talk about something else, pauses when he hears my question. The thin line of his mouth that hadn't twitched even once during our tour smoothed out into a smile, stiff and formal, as he gave me a polite bow for his answer. "The Count was the one who personally bestowed me with the grace to serve you, miss."
Ah fuck. That smile is so filled with murder intent that I can't even find it in me to smile back as if nothing is wrong. What does that even mean? Why are you so angy?? Also, why are you still so handsome while doing it???
Instead of saying anything, as always, I just end the conversation by walking away. This time, I descend the stairs, stepping down carefully as the ever-present Sieghart follows a distance away.
The tour continues as I look around the servant hub as they call it, traversing the halls that lead to the sleeping quarters, the toilet which is located precisely under the room where mine is, to utilize the already existing plumbing structure, Sieghart said; as if I actually look like I'll ask about it. I'm just glad that everyone here gets to know the greatness and use of the flush toilet. Viva la revolution!
We make our way back around to the front, where I see the stairs that I pass by on my first day here, and back again to my room.
While entering the room, I feel a little wave of tiredness wash over me. Maybe this body hasn't recovered all that well… "I'm going to take a nap."
Sieghart doesn't take that announcement, however, and with a deep breath he takes, it sounds as if he's about to reason with a petulant child. "It is about to be lunchtime soon, miss."
Normally, I'd agree with that opinion, but the tone he uses reminds me so much of preschooler teachers that it kind of makes me want to swat at his face with my newfound nails. Carlyanne was really that bad huh? "I didn't say I'm going to nap now."
Then, to my genuine surprise that I kind of flinches after, Sieghart kneels on the floor, on both knees as he bows so low that his face must be touching the carpet??! "I apologize! I didn't mean to insinuate that, miss!"
"..."
Ok, now I kinda feel bad for even trying to joke. The villainess' face must have looked terrifying when she smiles smugly, isn't it? I'm sorry for exposing you to horror, man! I won't do it again!! "Well, there is reason in your words.. I'll wait until after lunch. Continue reading the book again."
Soon, I make myself comfortable on the bed and, surprisingly, without much fuss, Sieghart slowly rises from the floor and takes the forgotten book, then starts to read out from where we left off previously, engrossing his voice to suit the passage about General Aoife's victory on the Rocky Hill, with Albert's intel being credited for helping the troops to pass without casualties.
… Now I think about it, he always stands when he reads, doesn't he? That will be tiring after I made him walk all over the place. "Stop."
Sieghart looks up from the book with a pause, looking almost languid in his motions, as if carefully practiced yet effortless to pull and yet I nearly snorted as I study his face.
Hah! I know that look! I've seen that look on cats that got interrupted when taking naps before! That is so cute! You don't like being interrupted huh? I'll keep that in mind from now on!
Suppressing the urge to laugh aloud, I point at the dressing table with my eyes and try to gentle my tone while issuing the order. "Sit down while you read."
It takes about one second for the words to register in his eyes, and another where the neutral look is tinted with a smidge of contemplation, but Sieghart obediently moves over to pull the seat, sitting down in perfect form before he looks back up at me, eyes asking if I'm satisfied.
For once, he finally looked at me in my eyes and- I don't know how to describe the feeling I'm experiencing as I see Carla's face reflected in those clear blue so vividly. The painting of blue of her heavenly physique in his monochrome blue makes quite the picture that I wish cameras existed so this moment could be preserved eternally.
Sheesh, both villains are utterly dangerous people, in a different sense. I should be careful and avoid looking into the mirror for too long starting from today.
"Continue."
Today's lunchtime passed uneventfully, and I took a nap as planned. It is simply a bliss to rest when you want to, I should do that more often from now on.
[author] On an unrelated news, by the time that this chapters goes up, it might actually be November and with that, Nanowrimo! Does anyone here participates? I'm going to give it an actual try this year, now that I'm able to balance my schedule. I hope you all remain motivated to tackle the challenge![/author]