MENACE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Fixations

Flabbergasted, Edmund took a step backward and accidentally knocked on a book on the bookshelf which caused something to drop from above.

Rita's eyes widened as she watched as the box fell on the floor.

A moment of silence.

"I'm very sorry for my carelessness. " The old man apologised while collecting what he'd mess around him, including the diamond hair clip which he curiously eyed for a moment.

"Uh... "

"This is..."

"I need the shovel since I thought I should help out replanting the plants that got damaged by rain. I'll be bored anyways. "

Rita butted in and Edmund returned the box to where it was placed. She couldn't see his expression because he looked away but he dutifully responded to her.

"I see, that will be a great help Miss Rita. However I suggest for you to take a rest today , you can help out in the garden next time."

Rita silently agreed and the next day she begun helping out till her back hurts, still she was thankful to distract her mind for awhile and pouring her sweat out also helped her sleep in exhaustion despite Edmund's constant reminder to not push herself.

"No, I'm truly enjoying this. I want to work myself or else I can't sleep." Rita argued to Edmund who shook his head.

"You almost took my work, Miss. You should remember that you're the guest here. It'll cause me some trouble too, yknow? " Rita laughed at him when she remembered that Kikuo gave him a word about something.

"Alright, don't worry I won't steal your job."

The oldman only sighed heavily and she continued laughing.

"That's unfair. I want Miss Rita to smile at me too !" Suddenly, the boy next door Ryuu popped out like a mushroom, carrying a basket. Why does he always carry something? Is he red riding hood?

"Oh, what's in there boy?"

"Nah, this is for Miss. And old man, you shouldn't let her do your work! Her beautiful hands get dirtied."

"Sigh. It wasn't my fault, she kept insisting to do it."

"Still, you should keep your distance too !"

Rita watched the two of them exchanged words which sounded like counter arguing each other. So she cleared her throat after she tidy up herself from fixing the shrubs.

" It's okay, Ryuu. I'm actually used to this because my mother owns a flower shop. So don't blame Mr. Edmund, he already got a lot from Miss Kikuo."

She interrupted them and they instantly stopped. Although they have huge age differences, they talked as if they're siblings, or long time best friends. It was fun seeing them because it reminded her of her younger brothers somehow.

"Okay, here's some fresh apples from the neighborhood!"

"How lovely, let's make some apple pie."

Edmund eyed the delicious apples and Rita nodded excitedly.

"Ehh okay, call us when you're done cooking! We'll just gonna tour around the Mansion! "

Before Rita could say something, Ryuu took her hand and they went inside the house.

"W-wait, Ryuu-san. I should help -"

"Nope. You're being too kind, Ms. Rita. Relax, I gotta show you something!"

She couldn't retort more as they climbed up the spiral staircase. Treading through the dark narrow hallway, Ryuu lead her to one among the rooms and she got surprised as he opened up the door easily. I thought these doors are locked..?

"Haha, don't be too nervous. I'm not gonna do anything."

"..."

Rita felt aggravated, regretting why she let herself be dragged with him. Before she could say something to him, he let go of her hands and her eyes tried to look at what's inside the room. At first, the high dark ceiling looked very ominous, as well as the large decorations plastered on the walls and the the standing bookshelves looking over their presence.

"Wait for a moment."

Ryuu walked over the the huge window pains and pulled the dark red curtains which eventually illuminated the entire room.

Gasp. Rita's mouth fell agaped as her eyes adjusted and took in everything.

Beautiful paintings hanging on the wall , and the graceful statues appeared to greet them. The grand collection of books and the meticulous arrangements seemed to take Rita's breath away.

"Heavenly, isn't?"

"Yes.." She muttered after the voice which chuckled. Ryuu got incredibly amazed not by the beautiful arrangements and decorations present in the room, but towards Rita who looked very enchanted.

So cute...

He couldn't help it. He cleared his thoughts and pointed at the one large painting at the center.

"This is basically the heart of this place. It shows the first headmaster and his family."

The baroque painting was portrayed realistically as each subject's figure seemed hold power to emit such regal atmosphere that carries on generations. What especially took her attention is the gorgeos woman sitting gracefully,with the handsome man standing behind her, and their three children surrounding them. They perfectly define that 'perfect family ' ideology.

Her eyes didn't fail to see the woman's accessory. It looked oddly similar to that diamond hair clip she had been planning to bury these past few days.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it. There's a lot of cheap copies or similar to that design nowadays. Rita shrugged and listened to Ryuu talking more about their history and eye catching figures like a tourist guide that she didn't noticed the sky turning dark already.

Only the sound of her belly broke their interesting conversation.

"Excuse me.."

"Oh, it seems like I kept you starving! Sorry I just got too excited in our little expedition .It's really been along time since I got to show someone this place!"

Ryuu scratched the back of his neck looking embarrassed.

"It's fine, I enjoyed our time too."

After Ryuu covered the windows and make things appear undisturbed, they exited the room and heard Edmund's call from downstairs.

"Miss? and Boy?! How long will you keep me waiting here. The pie already turned cold!"

He sounded like a housewife scolding her children, so she couldn't help but giggle.

"Sorry, we enjoyed our time abit too much!"

" It still looks delicious."

They sat down at the table , while Edmund remained looking at Ryuu suspiciously.

"What?"

"Did you -"

"No! Stop thinking badly, old man. Let's just eat !"

"I already prepared your portions while ago. Please enjoy~"

Rita didn't mind anymore on what they were saying as she immediately dig in to the food that melted in her mouth.

"Delicious."

"I'm very glad that it suits to your taste."

"Not bad, I'll bring more apples next time."

" Boy, aren't you more busy?"

The both of them exchanged remarks and Rita only focused on savouring her food. The warmth of having company and the delicious smell of apple pie strangely comforted her tired spirit.

"I hope these days will continue."

Her mind chose to avert itself on what she think is more better.