Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

We agreed to meet Polly. One of us is more eager to do that and I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch, but there was something in Seth’s aura when he literally screamed her name that made me squint my eyes at him. Although, I do remember Polly having her own romance when I was here, if I recall correctly, it was with one of the knights.

There are a lot of names swirling in my head, but I'm fairly certain I didn't make good friends with any of those men, not necessarily because of them or anything. I suppose I just didn’t get the chance to. We walked around and asked around with the passing servants if they saw Polly anywhere and we were told she’s in the kitchen.

Great, another place in the castle that's very close to my heart, I wonder if that man—with a face made with cement, just a plain brick wall of a man, I forgot his anime but I wonder if he’s still there, making plain bread and casually insulin everyone around him. Along with that is the big, mean old man. I wonder if they’re all doing just fine. I found my steps to be peppier once we knew where we were heading and soon enough we arrived at our smokey destination.

The scent alone could have led us here, but I still, somewhat, know my way around. We were greeted by the delicious wafting scent of fresh bread and dishes. Klaus and Seth were grinning ear to ear as we watched their clamoring steps around the place, shouting orders and along with the noise made by the clanging pots, plates, and silverware.

I waved the smoke as I walked in, “Excuse me?” I called out, and of course, my first call was drowned out by all of them. This is a busy kitchen after all, “Uhm—Is–Is Polly here?” I called again, and this time the voices started hushing, and I took that opportunity to ask again, “Is Polly here?” I asked,

The kitchen went dead silent as they paused in their spots, looking at me up and down with a frown as if wondering what a woman like me is doing here. It was clear they didn’t recognize me, but Polly did and it turns out she was running errands for the kitchen because the moment she neutered the kitchen, she rushed toward me.

“My lady!” she gushed, making the whole room gasp,

“Our lady, the lady Pelomina?” one of them asked,

“No, I can’t be… is she truly her?” another one doubted as they gradually approached me, apprehensive that I truly am the flawless lady Pelomina they know and love. Now I somewhat feel guilty for tampering with Pelomina Vaustero’s body shaping as I like,

I could tell Polly was about to speak up to clear the air until one more voice spoke into the silence, “Oh yes, it is her… the minute she entered here she wore the same grin she had when she helped us on that day,” a man announced, and like a chant, speak of the devil and he shall appear. A brick wall’s personification as a man appeared emerged out of the thick smoke from the over made from the same material he is,

“Limwei…” I mumbled, the corners of my mouth pulling into a smile once I saw that deadpan expression of his, remembering his name when I saw his face.

“You’ve been gone quite a while, my lady,” he noted, “I wish I could leave this place for four years as well,” he followed and while he took that opportunity to indirectly complain, the other servants rushed to me with beaming smiles,

“Ah! We’re so glad you’re alright!”

“You’re finally back!”

“Will you be staying now?”

“Where have you been, my lady?”

They yelled one question after the other and I chuckled as I waved to break the commotions off. “We all have time to catch up, for the meantime, I need to talk with Polly first,” I announce and they nodded, hesitantly backing away to make space for Polly, who inched closer.

“Yes, what can I help you with, my lady?” she asked, and I gestured for her to follow me out of the kitchen. When she did, the kitchen gradually started to return to its busy and fast-paced setting,

I leaned in closer to her for a whisper, “Polly… could you perhaps get me some pants?” I asked and just from hearing taught she backed away with a concerned look,

A confounded smile on her lips, “My lady, you’re not, perhaps, planning to escape—”

“Wha—-No! No, I just truly got used to wearing pants over the years that dresses make me somewhat uncomfortable,” I deflected. How could she immediately think that wearing pants is equal to escaping the castle? I mean, she's not wrong, but what a rather direct correlation. How did her mind even get there?

“You're not looking into more comfortable clothing to make your inevitable escape easier?” She followed and by that, I just exasperatedly waved my hands, stammering. Now realizing how Klaus feels whenever he was caught in a lie but couldn’t stop lying to save his life, or in this instance, my life. My eyes darted to the two, who kept silent with their mouths forming a thin line, very clearly insinuating that they will not speak in the matter, essentially telling me that I was on my own.

Which was reassuring. I know adversaries build character, and by now, I must be at the level of a virtuous monk.

“No… I’m not, a–and I’m not going to leave, see—even my friends chose to stay,” I blurted, gesturing at the two, putting them in the spotlight that they refused,

Klaus chuckled nervously as he grinned, “Y-Yes, that’s quite right, miss Polly, we’re not going anywhere,” he agreed, nudging Seth, who nodded along.

Seth cleared his throat and nodded at Polly, “I would stay if you ask me to do—”

“Right, right—see?” Klaus cut off, not sure if it was because he noticed how Polly looked when he said that to her or because he was sweating through his new fancy clothes trying to sell a lie said through his toothy grin.

Polly looked at him and Seth both, skeptical but Klaus just shrugged as he pointed at me, “... She just needs a pair of pants, that is all this is, please… “ he trailed off, dragging his hands over his face, “Just… give her pants,” he begged at this point and now even I’m looking at him weirdly,

Polly leaned closer to me by a millimeter, “Is your friends alright, my lady?”

I sighed, crossing my arms, “I think he’s just a little stressed out…” I answered before sucking in a sharp breath and clasping my hands, “So… pants?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Please wait for me in your room and I will bring you a set of clothes, that being pants,” she said with cheeky clarification as he looked at Seth and Klaus before taking her leave after a bow. Once she disappeared into the distance, Klaus heaved.

“I don’t think I could do this,” he groaned, and I scoffed at him as I gestured for them to follow me back to my room. I doubt they’d know the way back with the many hallways and rooms we just passed. I wonder how they even managed to find my bedroom. Who let them in?

“You’ll get over it Klaus, also I forgot to ask this, but how did you even get into the castle?” I asked, and they exchanged glances. Seth was the first to look away, leaving the responsibility of giving an explanation to Klaus, who didn’t look eager at all to do that.

He began with a sigh, his hand creeping to the back of his neck, “Well… you recall that your husband gave us an ultimatum, and obviously we didn’t take it, and in return, he said…” he trailed off looking at Ste for support but Seth was doing exceptional work in avoiding his gaze, looking all around except Klaus, I frowned.

“Klaus, you could just say it outright. What did Lykus say?” I asked,

He squinted, sucking in a deep breath through his teeth, “He said that if we’re staying, then we better make sure you’re staying too or—”

“Oh, sh*t—is that him out there?” Seth suddenly said in an outburst, looking out a window we passed, pointing to Lykus’s figure on top of Lily. Yes, it is him indeed. I've never met a man who can match just with the sheer size of this man. He seems to be coming back instead of heading out, so he must’ve been out early. He must’ve dealt with these two at that time as well.

The other knights were with him too, but unlike when they hunted before, they didn’t bring back quarry, so what did they do out there? They look exhausted, too. What’s up with that? But moreover… he’s back.

I huffed, “come on, we need to get back to my room, I need to change—uhh, I guess… you two wait outside,” I said, backtracking because I doubt lykus would appreciate it if I had two men with me in my bedroom.

They nodded, knowing full well what I mean, and just in time that we made it to my bedroom, we saw Polly in the distance rushing to deliver what was asked of her; she insisted on helping me out in on and at that, I should’ve already had an idea of what I was going to expect from these clothes. The top was loose, very much reminiscent of that of a man’s with thick, loose, sleeves, of course, dark blue in color, but Polly made it fit me just well with a half corset that rested right under my bosoms.

“N-Not so tight please, Poly,” I gasped,

“Ah, of course, my lady,” she said, loosening it enough for proper breathing. After that were rather snug white pants and a pair of black boots, obviously from a man, but whoever he was, he must’ve been a small guy because these fit me perfectly.

Once it was done, we took a look at our handiwork, I beamed, “I look great, this is great, thank you so much, Polly,” I gushed, trying to comb my hair back to make it less styled and matched the look, leaving only the small section of my long hair braided as a way to accessorize.

Although while I was looking at the mirror, Polly took the liberty to rummage through the drawers of hair ornaments and humbly gave me a golden slip with a single blue flower on the side, “I trust that you would prefer a delphinium for today?” she asked.

I frowned at the little ornament on her hands and looked at her again; she wasn't suggesting… this was a plea, and I don’t have it in me to refuse when she looked at me like that if she’s not simply offering me a hair clip, this was something else, and I don’t know what it is but I feel like Polly knows things I don’t and if taking this particular clip would put her at temporary ease, just until I know exactly what I’m looking for, then so be it.

I clipped it on the left side of my hair, it’s not a big clip so some of my hair would fall in front of my face but it just adds to the look, what’s important is I have the clip on and I have some pants, now onto the next part.

Leaving.