14 The Phantom Fifth Floor (2/2)
”I had just arrived, father.” Casimir lied.
”Oh, I see.” Mr. Proulx said, clearly out of it.
”...Father?” Casimir waved his hand in front of the man's face to grab his attention which seemed to have flown to Neverland.
”Ah... Yes?” Casimir had the urge to facepalm himself.
”Why did you call for me, father.” Casimir just sighed and asked.
”...Ah, right!” Finally, Mr. Proulx had a reaction. He smiled apologetically to Casimir but, he had an exhausted look in his eyes despite him trying to hide it.
Mr. Proulx then proceeded to grab something from under his desk.
It was a black, oddly shaped case!
After laying the case on his desk, Mr. Proulx opened it, showing a shiny, stringed instrument and a bow inside.
”Your present from your mother. A violin.” Mr. Proulx said after seeing Casimir's look of confusion.
Oh! I nearly forgot about that matter!
”Thank you, father.” Casimir smiled knowingly.
Casimir actually only said he wanted an instrument as a joke and didn't expect to actually receive one but, he really did feel genuinely grateful for this. The only thing was...
His mother's owl never came to bring the instrument. That was why, he thanked his father instead of his mother.
Mr. Proulx sighed helplessly to himself when he realized this fact.
...
The next morning, when Casimir got up and was ready to head for the stables, he heard soft whispers coming from the kitchen.
It was the servants gossiping with each other. Curious, Casimir decided to eavesdrop on their conversation.
”I swear! I really heard it! You can go ask Alice! She was with me last night!” A maidservant said desperately. ”Why don't any one of you believe me?”
”Dear, we would like to believe you but... There really is no fifth floor in this manor.” A voice which Casimir recognized to belong to a chef in the kitchen replied.
”But... I really did hear footsteps above the fourth floor...” The same voice from before said quietly.
After that, Casimir started walking away.
Footsteps above the fourth floor? Perhaps there is a phantom fifth floor in this manor...
Casimir grinned to himself, his eyes glowing with excitement; ready to cause mischief.
That just means another floor to mess up!