Kiyel hesitated briefly before following her inside, brushing off the trail of smoke that wafted toward his face. The interior of the building was a striking contrast to its modest exterior. The air was thick with the scent of incense, its sweetness mingling with a faint trace of spice. A warm, golden glow filled the room, cast by intricate lanterns that hung from the ceiling and adorned the walls.
Women filled the space, their soft laughter and muted chatter creating an oddly soothing ambiance. They were dressed in flowing robes, their faces partially obscured by delicate sleeves or veils, giving them an air of mystery. Kiyel's eyes wandered upward to the second floor, where silk curtains swayed gently, concealing whatever—or whoever—lay beyond.
The woman leading him walked with effortless elegance, her robes swaying in rhythm with her steps. The ribbons tied around her waist fluttered lightly, and the silver hairpins in her hair caught the light, casting tiny reflections on the walls. Kiyel found himself following her without thinking, his gaze drawn to the way she moved, as if every step was part of an intricate dance.
"So, tell me," she asked, her voice smooth and alluring but carrying an edge. "What brings you here, really?"
Kiyel snapped back to reality, quickly matching her pace. "You're Lady Lili?"
She glanced at him over her shoulder, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, so you've heard of me. But you still don't seem sure."
Kiyel shook his head, eyes earnest. "I was told you could help me. I need to find someone—Yen of the Von Sumidra family. I was hoping you'd know where he is."
At the mention of Yen's name, Lili paused mid-step. Her head tilted, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"And what makes you think I'd help you?" Her tone was light but carried an underlying challenge.
Kiyel answered without hesitation, his voice firm and unwavering. "Yen saved my life once. I owe him more than I can ever repay. If he's here, I'll do whatever it takes to repay that debt."
Lili's laughter rang out, soft and melodic. She took a long drag from her pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke that curled around her like a slow, lazy serpent. "A debt? You think a little devotion will earn you anything from me?"
Kiyel stiffened but refused to back down. "I'm from a minor family in the Athanasios Nation," he explained, his tone steady despite the weight of her gaze. "I earned my place as a servant in the Von Sumidra household. Yen taught me everything I know. Please, if he's here, I just want to see him."
Lili's smile never wavered, but her eyes sharpened. She stepped closer, her gaze assessing him as if peeling back layers of his soul. "Your qi... it's weak," she murmured, her voice a soft, cutting observation.
Kiyel felt a pang of discomfort but quickly squared his shoulders. "I... I'm working on it."
Lili tilted her head, studying him for a long moment, then turned and began walking again. "Come, then. Keep up. The rest of this place has a way of swallowing those who falter."
As they ascended a staircase, the atmosphere grew heavier. The laughter and chatter from below faded into a distant hum, replaced by soft whispers in the background. Silken curtains fluttered with unseen currents. Kiyel could smell the incense growing stronger, now mingling with something sharper—more metallic.
"Focus," Lili said sharply, snapping her fingers in front of him. Kiyel jolted, realizing his vision had started to blur. His head felt light, and his steps unsteady.
"What—"
"The incense," she explained matter-of-factly. "It's meant to cloud your senses. If you're not careful, you'll end up lost in paradise. Keep your focus, or your mind might wander."
Kiyel swallowed hard, shaking his head to clear the fog. He forced himself to concentrate, but the weight of the place pressed down on him, like a heavy blanket smothering his thoughts.
The corridors seemed endless, identical doors lining each one, marked with strange, pulsing runes. Each step forward seemed to stretch the space, making it feel even larger than it had seemed from the outside. He couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped in a labyrinth.
Finally, Lili stopped in front of an unremarkable door. Without a word, she pushed it open, revealing a room that looked like it had been abandoned in haste. Books and papers were scattered across the floor, and the desk in the center was buried under open scrolls and ink stains.
Kiyel stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Yen. "Where is he?" His voice was tinged with urgency.
"Who's this?"
The voice came from behind him—low, calm, and heavy with an edge of curiosity. Kiyel spun around, his heart leaping into his throat.
Leaning casually against the doorframe was a man with sharp, angular features and dark under-eye bags. Despite the exhaustion etched into his face, his presence was undeniable, a calm weight that made the air feel still.
"Young master... Yen?" Kiyel stammered, barely able to contain his shock.
Yen's dark eyes flicked to him, sharp and calculating. "Kiyel," he said flatly, his tone devoid of warmth. "You were a servant in the estate, weren't you?"
"Yes, young master!" Kiyel exclaimed, bowing deeply. "Please, let me serve you once again."
Yen's gaze grew colder, a small sigh escaping his lips. "I'm no longer a part of that family," he said, his voice disinterested. "You've come all this way for nothing. Leave."
Kiyel hesitated, torn between the weight of his gratitude and Yen's indifference. But before he could respond, Yen moved past him, his steps unhurried, as though nothing could shake his composure.
Lili, who had remained silent until now, gracefully moved to the desk, lounging in the chair with a casual, almost bored elegance. She took a drag from her pipe, exhaling a stream of smoke that seemed to settle like a fog around the room. Her crimson eyes gleamed with amusement as she watched the exchange with quiet curiosity, like a cat observing a mouse.
Kiyel, feeling the tension build, turned his eyes between Lili and Yen, both of whom seemed utterly unbothered by the storm swirling inside him. Yen pulled out the chair with ease and sat, his posture flawless and unruffled.
Without missing a beat, Lili slid from the chair, moving with fluid grace. She perched herself on Yen's lap with casual confidence, her fingers brushing against his cheek in an intimate yet nonchalant manner. Her lips brushed his ear, and she whispered something, her voice low and teasing.
Kiyel froze, his face burning red. His eyes were locked on the scene before him, even as he tried to look away. Yen, however, remained still, his expression impassive, his hand resting lightly on Lili's waist as he met Kiyel's gaze with an intensity that could cut through steel.
Lili's eyes flicked up, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. She leaned closer to Yen, her lips curling in a knowing smile before glancing back at Kiyel.
Kiyel stood frozen, his mind reeling. The overwhelming intensity of their combined stares made his heart race.
A shiver ran down his spine, and for the first time, doubt crept into his mind.
Maybe this was a mistake.