Book 8: Chapter 4: The House of Madame Cassandra (1/2)
[”Miss [Silent Monica], can you hear me?”]
Monica, who's been walking alongside Felix, heard Lynn's voice out of nowhere. She looked around in alarm, but Felix and the other passersby didn't seem to notice.
[”Can you hear me? I am now speaking directly to your eardrums…”]
Apparently, Lynn could speak directly to Monica's eardrums through vibration. It looked simple but was a highly advanced technique. At the very least, it's not something a human being can do.
[”I've confirmed that Miss [Silent Witch] has successfully met up with the Second Prince. I will be guarding the two of you in the air. If everything is all right, please raise your right hand.”]
Monica raised her right hand, pretending to fix the rim of her hood, and found a small yellow bird on the roof of the store ahead.
[”I may not be able to enter the building, but I can hear most of the conversations. If there's an emergency, please do not hesitate to summon me.”]
Although Monica appreciated Lynn's support, one wrong move and she might break in as a man in a flamboyant costume, just like last time. She was making a mental note to keep Lynn's help as a last resort if possible when Felix tapped Monica on the shoulder.
”By the way, Monica, what kind of places do you usually hang out at?”
”…eh?!”
Felix laughed in a somewhat meaner way than usual.
Monica broke out in a lazy cold sweat, desperately trying to figure out what a night out is all about. As a person who basically never went out through the days facing the numbers and magic formulas, the word ”hanging out” was unknown territory. Much less a night out. What is she supposed to do when she goes out at night?
”As bad girl, you should be used to the nights out, right? Can you tell me what kind of places do you usually go to?”
”W-Well… that's…”
Monica, who had been groaning, suddenly had an idea.
That's right, she had just experienced the ”night out”! Moreover, it was the kind of experience that ordinary people can't afford. This must be the exemplary answer to a night out. Her eyes lit up like when she found the solution to a difficult mathematical equation, so she answered confidently.
”Having a drinking feast accompanied by handsome boys!”
Felix burst into a hearty laugh. Furthermore, there were tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. He wiped away his tears of laughter as Monica was stunned by his attitude, which was unthinkable from the usual Felix.
”If you prefer that kind of thing, I can take you to a nice place like that.”
”No, I've had my fill of that sort of thing, so…”
In fact, just a few minutes ago, she had been attended by a beautiful boy at the [Star Oracle Witch]'s mansion.
”Your… I mean Lord Eig…I don't mind if you choose the place…”
”It's Eig.”
”T-Then, E-Eig, I don't mind if you choose the place.”
Responding meekly, Monica let out a small sneeze and shuddered. The blowing wind in the autumn where the winter was reaching can be so cold. Some of the people on the street were already wearing fur coats.
As Monica rubbed her numb fingers together, Felix wrapped his hand around hers and blew a breath of air. The white cloudy breath softly floated then disappearing as if it were melting to the dark night.
Monica tilted her head.
”Um… I think breathing on my hands won't make any difference…”
”Then, how about this?”
Felix loosened his scarf slightly and grabbed Monica's hand to touch his own neck.
Monica's small hand touched Felix's slender, white neck. The warmth of human skin spread slowly into Monica's numb fingertips. The comfort feeling made her mouth loosened… then she remembered the ridiculous reality that she had her hand touched Felix's neck before jumping away.
”Aaaaah, um, well, in times like this, if you open and close your hands, the blood will circulate and wa-wa-wa-warm your fingers.”
”If you had to repeat your words like that… I guess it has to be very warm.”
Felix chuckled as he removed the warm scarf and wrapped it around Monica's neck.
”Before that, I guess we should find you some warm clothes first. Follow me.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Felix brought her to the most gorgeous two-story building in the entertainment district. Upon entering the gorgeously decorated entrance, she was greeted by the intriguing scent of flowers in an opulent vase, mixed with the smell of incense.
Although he said he was looking for winter clothes, she assumed he was going to a clothing store, but it was pretty obvious to everyone that this place did not sell clothes. It was a store that offered an exciting time with beautifully dressed ladies.
”This, This, This, This, This…”
”Are you craving some fish?”
Monica shook her head as she struggled to speak.
”I-I mean, w-what kind of place is this…”
”The House of Madame Cassandra.”
So Felix replied, and then a woman stepped out from the back of the store. She was dressed boldly, her amber hair in a loose updo, exposing her shoulders and chest. She giggled like a cat who's found a prize, nibbled on the base of Felix's neck, and kissed him passionately on the cheek.
”Sir Baron! I haven't seen you in a long time. You haven't shown up at all lately, I missed you so much.”
”Hi, Doris. Sorry I've been so busy lately.”
”Hey, why don't you pick me tonight? Since you're here, I'll turn down all other reservations for tonight.”
The woman called Doris whispered in a tempting voice, to which Felix returned a kiss on Doris' cheek and said.
”Sorry, I have some business with Madame Cassandra.”
”That's a shame.”
Doris seemed to finally notice Monica's presence there, and with her body still entwined with Felix's, she turned her head to look at Monica. There was no malice in her gaze, simply to be genuinely assessing Monica's value.
”Hmmm… for a woman he brought, she doesn't look like she's going to get many customers…” muttered Doris before turning her gaze back to Felix.
”Whatever. Oh, right, Madame Cassandra's in the back room. This way, this way.”
Doris wrapped her own arms around Felix's left arm and started walking. Then found Monica still confused there, so she yelled at her in exasperation.
”Come on, what are you standing there for? Look, his right arm is free right now.”
”…eh?”
Doris beckoned Monica to stand on the right side of Felix. She then grabbed Monica's hand and forcibly entangled it in Felix's right arm, while she herself clung back to his left arm.
”This is how you entwine your arms! Press your chest against his body more… and, uh… well, maybe you don't have any chest to press against.”
”…………”
What am I being forced to do? thought Monica before turning her gaze to Felix with a troubled look on her face, only to find him trying hard to hold his laughter.