16 Shen Courtyard (2/2)

”What?” I asked as I lift my luggages and put it on the luxurious sofa. They seem to be hesitant in voicing their thoughts. I stand straight, closed my arms, and looked at them.

”You kids, I know how to clean, cook, and even take care of myself. Cleaning is not new to me. So let's clean up so you guys can rest too.” I said and ordered Rory to get some cleaning materials to get started. Rory wanted me to just sit, but I bet they wouldn't be able to even finish this receiving room alone in whole afternoon.

After cleaning the living room. I told them to rest and later prepare for dinner. I looked around the place. It is a big place, here's the living room or receiving room in the north where we entered, kitchen in the west side. The master bedroom and two guests room in the south. There's a servant rooms just at the back of the south.

”Well. This is something.” I said to myself as I opened the door in the East side. What greeted me was a room full of books and a table and chairs in the middle. Must have been a study area or an office. Am I allowed to use or even browse here tho? Seems like pretty important place.

I walked inside and find it somewhat clean. Although there are some dust and spider webs in the ceiling, the floor is clean and the tables and chairs are neatly arranged and uncovered.

I looked at another door that leads outside near the lake, I pulled it to the side so that air can get in and ventilate this place. As I open it, cold and refreshing winds from the lake entered through the sliding door. The light from the moon reflecting in the lake makes it magical and sparkling. Then I saw a silhouette not from a far here. The dark blue robes flutters from the wind. His hair follows the wind blows, but this didn't affect his visual at all. Infact he looks like a deity or God just standing there. He turned his face towards this place and his deep dark blue eyes glisten from the moon's light.

He started walking forwarding here, not breaking the eye contact we had. How can this person looks so Godly? and why am I even freely describing him as godly, it's not that I saw Gods before. Is he that handsome that I'm stupidly using that word? I looked at him as he stand infront of me looking up and me looking down to him.

”Done staring?” He said in a low voice, but I was able to hear every word. I started laughing because of the familiar line. At this time, I'm not even embarrassed staring at him.

”Yeah. You just look so good with the lake as your background, mister.” I smiled at him then I sat down to the wooden floor. He looked at me paused then I heard a titter laugh which amused me. So i looked at him, but his face is still straight face. This guy.. would it kill him to just smile a bit?

”Anyways Mister, what are you doing here? Don't say that you're passing by because that's impossible.” I said jokingly but I meant it. This place was allegedly forbidden area and it's far away from other palaces so either he's here on purpose or some other reason.

”I am often here. I always read in that place.” He said and pointed at the back where the table and chair is located. So that's explain why it was uncovered. But I thought..

”Isn't this place said to be forbidden? Why are you here? Are you sneaking in?” I asked. He then sat down besides me after wiping the floor a bit.

”No. There are just people who are only allowed here, because they have affinity in this place.” He said looking at me. Now that is another long sentence. Wait, why am I getting off track. What does he mean affinity here? Like when the high - priest made the list where we'll live in specific courtyards based on our attribute?

”Then this place is not really forbidden? It's just that people need affinity here or their attributes aligned to the Shen Courtyard?” I asked. He then turned his body towards me, I saw how he slowly raised his hand and then touched my face. I felt his warm fingertips touching my cheek.

”This place is forbidden, but you're special and that's interesting.” He said as he look straight into my eyes. Like he's looking at someone... something he's deeply interested. Which made me cold so I instinctively flick his hand away from my face.

”I.. I'm sorry about that..” I said shocked from what I done. He looked at his hand then me. I looked at his hand which he slowly put down.

”Pardon me, for what I done.” He said nonchalantly. I felt my heartbeat slowing down. Was I that nervous earlier?

”Yeah..” I said then stood up.

”It's getting late so I'll go check on my companions. Feel free to read here. I'll even tell my people to do some dusting here so you can read comfortably.” I smiled at him which he just nodded. I took a step inside to go back when I heard him talk.

”Erden.”

I turned back to him to ask what he just said and saw him frowning and shocked as if he's suprised and confused on what he said.

”Erden.. Is that your name?” I asked. He looked at me and sighed. The next thing he does shocked me. He smiled.

”Yes. That is my name.”