Chapter 3 - Into the Beast’s Lair (2) (1/2)

Chapter 3 – Into the Beast’s Lair (2)

Just as the heartless old man was about to shut the door, Rei hurriedly took out a damp letter from her bosom.

“Please send this to your lord.”

“…”

“You can at least do this much, right?” God only knew how much courage she had to muster to face that threatening aura.

But…

Instead of accepting the letter, the old man merely stared at Rei. He kept at it for a long time, amplifying the hostility and discomfiture.

The object of ‘interest’ was mortified under the grumpy old man’s scrutiny. And the fact that he had left her hand hanging in the air, only added to it. He stared at her for a bit more and then spoke.

“Come inside,” said he finally.

“Ah, thank you!”

“You should’ve invited us inside earlier…” A fellow grouch’s voice sounded.

Rei tried to communicate with Heish through her eyes, telling him not to act that way. But this man was sans all sense of propriety and modesty. Once inside, he even plopped down on the couch without permission and demanded extra clothes and a bath in a loud voice.

Rei flushed with embarrassment.

“And you, lady?”

“Yes?” The sudden question had her confused.

“Do you need a bath or new clothes?” His tone had… softened.

The current old man was a far cry from his usually unsociable self. The man who didn’t bother to even accidentally glance at people, was intently gazing at the visitor’s face.

It was strange, and Rei felt uneasy from his unexpected attention. Just then this uncaring man was eagerly slamming the door on their face, refusing to even listen, and now he was studying her as if she was a thing of intrigue. This sudden change in attitude was making angsty.

“Can we see the lord first?” she asked.

“In that state?” He looked at her, amused.

“Then, can you give him this letter…?”

Right now, her appearance was the last thing on her mind. It was imperative to see the master of this house, and the sooner they were done with it the sooner they could rest easy.

Just then, the sound of glasses clinking, and a tantalizing aroma reached Rei. Her mouth reflexively watered. As if on cue, her stomach rumbled, her eyes glanced upstairs.

A puddle formed around her feet as the droplets fell from her wet hair, trickling down her bosom, making their way to the ground by way of her clothes. In that instance, she felt a gaze upon her. Her eyes instinctively turned towards the carefully prepared meal set out and then to the figure that was leaning against the banister.

“Master.”

The man’s lips rested on the tip of the glass in his hand. His gaze ran down her figure, from the damp blond hair to her feet trembling from the cold. He didn’t bother trying to hide his gaze. As their eyes met, the man softly licked his lips.

“Master, this is Heish from the Lisburn family and…”

The old man let his words hang as he turned around to look at Rei, asking for her name.

“Rei Lisburn.”