What Lies Beneath

[ 9 | Be Very Afraid ]

As time passes, Casper heads back inside the gallery to be greeted by Emily's sleeping figure, snoring and drooling.

He giggled at the sight in front of him but his mood turned upside down as he noticed Emily sleeping in the most uncomfortable position ever. He rushed to her and picked her up in a bride style. He headed upstairs and into her room, placing her gently on her bed.

He closed the blinds and the lights but made sure to turn on the lamp beside her, on the side table. He also didn't forget to put the blankets on her to keep her warm. He admired the sleeping figure on the bed before leaving her room.

The morning was swift and quick, to her, to say the least. She opened her eyes, waking up from the wind still pounding on her window. She sat up, scratching her forehead while yawning.

She uses both of her hands to scratch her hair, making her hair tangled. She all the sudden feels tired to even get up from the bed. She was disappointed when she realized she hadn't had a dream because her dreams had been pleasant and calm.

A knocking sound could be heard on her door, she wished it wasn't the one she was thinking. She hopes it is someone different, for once— waking her up and checking how she is.

She carried her heavy and tired body to the door and opened it for whoever the person was outside. To her surprise, it wasn't the one she was thinking of.

"Hi, good morning."

Harnen...

"Uh, good morning." Emily replied, trying to stand straight.

"Rough morning?" Harnen questioned.

"Yeah, I still feel tired." Emily answered.

"Must be the weather." Harnen suggested.

"Yeah, it must be." Emily agreed.

"Uh, I notice you haven't taken a shower." Harnen handed her clothes— a lavish dress that's a wine shade of red with fancy heels, matching the same shade of the dress.

"Also here's a towel and the things you need to clean yourself are already inside the bathroom." Harnen escorts her to the bathroom.

"Take your time but not too much." Harnen said.

"Huh?"

"Uh, I was also hoping you could join me on visiting my friend?" Harnen asked.

"Sure.." Emily blurted, she does feel suffocated inside the house. It wouldn't be that bad going outside, right?

"I guess I'll see you 3 hours from now." Harnen flashes his smile.

"Is 3 hours enough?"

"Of course." Emily nodded her head.

"Okay, enjoy." Harnen said before leaving her.

Once inside. She placed the clothes that were handed to her on the counter top of the vanity. The bathroom still has its double vanity and the bathtub that is big enough for 2 people that she used but she decided to use the big shower instead.

Besides it has the stuff she needs— soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste and many more. She hung the towel on the side. Emily set the water to warm, since outside was freezing cold, the bathroom was cold but it's not colder than what is outside.

Emily stripped naked, placing her dirty clothes in the basket, the cold atmospheres roaming around the bathroom sent shivers down her spine. She hated it, so she immediately turned in the shower, soaking herself with the warm water.

The water slid off her silky skin down to the floor, she smiled in satisfaction, feeling the warm water get rid of the cold feeling on her body. She continues to clean herself with the basic stuff she needs.

Emily grabs the towel on the side, drying herself before wrapping it around her body. She noticed the walk-in closet, so she decided she'll change there. She grabs the clothes and walks towards the walk-in closet, changing into the clothes that were given to her.

She checks herself In the mirror, awe at the sight in front of her, she brushes her soft hair that was already dry. Even after days of not showering, she looks decent. Much better than her previous appearance. She was pleased with the new clothing style because she rarely wears dresses and only does so on special occasions.

"A scar?" She whispers.

She moved closer to the mirror, touching the scar that was on her neck. Touching it gave her a painful sting— though it wasn't bleeding, it hurts touching it. Her neck was pierced by two holes. Though it was not bleeding, the scar appeared to be deep in her neck. She shakes her thoughts, ignoring it.

Getting back to reality, she realized she had been in the bathroom. Who knows how many hours she has been in there but she hopes it didn't take her 3 hours.

She rushed out of the bathroom and out of her room. She carefully roamed the hall, trying to find the staircase and to her luck she found it. Though, there was someone sitting at the end of it.

"Hi." Emily breathed out.

The man that was sitting is now standing on his feet, mesmerized at the sight that was on top of the stairs case. She stared awkwardly back at him, showing a small and awkward smile.

"Hey, how did you get pre- that dress?" Casper asked.

"Your brother, Harnen. Give it to me." Emily replied.

"Where is he anyways? I forgot to say thank you." Emily felt embarrassed and guilty, she didn't want to be disrespectful to them.

"Oh, I'm not sure." Casper mumbled.

"Hey!" Harnen ran beside Emily.

"Ready?" Harnen asked, offering his hand for Emily. Emily nodded her head before accepting Harnen's hands.

"Wait, where are you going?" Casper asked, frustration invented in his voice which he tried to hide.

"I told you, I'm visiting a friend." Harnen hissed.

"With her?" Quite disbelief about what's going to happen.

"Yes." Harnen sassed before leading Emily outside.

Outside was still storming but a carriage greeted her, a fancy carriage, the one that royalty might or might not use. It's no surprise that they have one. After all, they seem filthy rich.

The man that was in front of the carriage, gripping the rope tightly soon caught Emily's attention. The man was shaking, shivering to say the least, but the man was only looking ahead.

"Hop in." Harnen opened the carriage door, offering his hands— Emily held Harnen's hands to help her get up as Harnen followed her.

"Here have this shawl and this floppy hat that will match your dress." He hands her the shawl and floppy hat.

"Hope that will keep you warm." Emily didn't notice but the carriage started to move the moment they were seated but it was fast nor rocky. The ride to the other side of the town was peaceful.

"Who are we visiting?" Emily asked.

"Elena, she lives in Instasia. Instasia is our neighborhood. I'm good friends with her." Harnen explained.

Time passed by, Emily could hear talking, singing, songs and laughter. She peered her head to the window to see people walking past them, it wasn't storming, it was sunny, it looked like a warm spring. It looks like the town is having a festival. The place was colorful, Emily smiled at the people that she made eye contact with when they returned back with a wave.

The carriage went inside a massive gate and stopped in front of a gigantic palace.

"Darling, let's go." The door opens as a hand sticks out, helping Emily get down which Harnen follows after.

"Let's get inside." Harnen said, heading inside with the guards following him.

Emily tried to follow them but the strong wind made the floppy hat she was wearing fly off her head.

"No!" Emily shouted. She tried looking around to find someone to help her but to her avail, no one was there. She sighs before getting inside, Harnen was already there, waiting for her.

"What took you so long?" Harnen asked.

"My hat flew away." Emily wailed.

"What-" Harnen tried to stop himself but a chuckle left his mouth. Emily just stared at him with pouting lips.

"Sorry." Harnen flashes his smile.

"We'll find it later. Don't worry." Harnen said before turning his full attention to the lady walking towards them.

"Welcome!"

"Elena." Harnen handed her the flowers, Chrysanthemum, that he ordered Casper to get.

"Oh why, thank you." The lady grabbed the flowers but her attention quickly changed to someone. Harnen was quick to notice Elena's actions.

"I'm Elena." The lady introduced herself.

"Okay Elena, this is Emily." Pointing his finger at Emily before bringing her close to him.

The lady was wearing a thick pile of lavish clothing on herself. The lady pulls out her gloves out of her pocket and puts it back on before looking back at Emily.

"Oh my- you're so pretty!" Elena squealed in excitement before hugging Emily.

"Oh wow, you smell.... nice, very nice." Elena whispered into Emily's ears.

"Must be the soap." Harnen suggests before gently pushing Elena from Emily.

"Must be." Elena agreed, smiling at Emily.

"The soap Frederick is improving a lot." Elena said while Harnen "hum" in response, agreeing to whatever she just said.

"Make yourself feel at home. " Elena smiled.

"I'll take you somewhere." Elena smiled, grabbing Emily's arm and leading her somewhere.

Emily felt shy and nervous but Elena didn't seem to notice the action Emily is showing.

"Here we are!" Elena let go of Emily's arm before going somewhere in the distance.

The room was filled with dresses, shoes, jewelry and many more. The shade of white and gold glitters painted around the room. It had a chandelier in the middle with white couches and white cabinets.

"Here, try this." Elena hands Emily a dress, the dress is a dress.

A long gown made of silk and rich in velvet. It was covered by a luxurious tunic and also contained embroidered lace and gems in a shade of midnight black, its luxurious, elegant, bold and powerful.

"It's a gown, try it out." Elena escorts Emily inside the changing room.

Once inside, Elena smiled, leaving Emily all alone. Emily got to removing the dress and fitting the new dress that was handed to her and to her surprise it fits. Emily twirls, admiring the dress, she looks elegant.

Emily walked out the changing room and faced Elena who was waiting for her.

"Oh my! The dress is beautiful but it's more beautiful when you wear it!" Elena squealed in excitement once again.

"You look like a princess." Elena said

"A beautiful one." She added.

Emily blooms in different shades of red, getting shy from all the compliments she is getting, to be realistic no one really compliments her, now she feels overwhelmed by the kind actions the lady is giving.

"Wait here." Elena rushed inside the changing room, folding the dress and placing it on the table.

"Hey."

"I'm having an event, would you like to join?" Elena asked.

"Well-" Emily paused thinking about her answer but Elena's stare made her feel pressured to answer. So, she nodded her head, agreeing to join Elena's party.

Elena jumps in excitement, dragging Emily out the room into another room where she once again meets Harnen again.

"Harnen! you bastard." Elena squealed in excitement, it wasn't an insult but more of a pet name that she gave to him.

"What?" Harnen said, annoyed at her presence.

"Emily wants to join my event."

"No, we're leaving right now." Harnen stood up from the couch before picking up his coat.

"Well, you can leave, she'll stay." The words that fell out of Elena's mouth made Harnen stop.

"After all, you don't own her, she can decide for herself." Elena smirked.

"No, if she is staying then I'm staying," Harnen said.

"Well, she is staying." Elena turns her attention to Emily.

"Yeah, I mean Elena seems nice. I don't see the problem with staying here." Emily said, returning the compliments Elena once gave her.

"Oh, don't be silly!" Elena snorted, hiding her blushing face.

Harnen rolled his eyes, quite disbelieving at the scene happening in front of him. Elena and Emily had gotten close, Elena toured the girl around her palace while Harnen followed not far behind, protective might not be the right thing after all he is not close with Emily but he felt like he needs to keep an eye on her.

The two girls roam around endlessly but Elena had to be notified that the event is already starting. Three of them head downstairs and walk towards the main door, Elena and Harnen greeted the guest that was coming in while Emily stood there awkwardly, smiling at the people that were coming in.

Emily noticed some guests that were coming in were giving her odd looks, probably because no one knew her. As Elena finished greeting the guest, three of them went to the main ballroom. Elena apologizes to Emily for taking so long to greet the guest before fading into the distance to have a conversation with the other guests.

"Stay here, I'll get us some drinks." Harnen said, also fading into the distance. Now Emily is alone, everyone that would pass by would spare a glance at her which made Emily uncomfortable.

"Hey!" Said the man that was in front of her that she didn't notice walking past.

"Hi." Emily flashes an awkward smile, fidgeting her fingers.

"Uh, must it be yours?" The man pulled out the floppy hat that flew off Emily's hair.

"Yes."

"Uh, how did you know it's mine?" Emily asked the man, taking the floppy hat off his hands.

"Oh- uh." The man paused.

"I was asking people around and my instinct told me to ask you." Oh is all Emily could mumble, believing whatever he had said.

"Thank you!" Emily cheered.

"I'm Authur." He introduce himself.

"Oh, I'm Emily." Emily sticks out her hand for a handshake with Authur gladly accepted.

"Oh." As Emily shook his hand, his cold hand made Emily quite shocked.

"You must be freezing cold." Emily asked, concerned about the man.

"It's understandable."

"I've been going back and forth asking people who own the floppy hat." Authur explained.

"It's nice, I finally found you." Authur smiled.

"Authur?"

"Oh, Harnen?"

"How are you?" Authur asked.

"I'm fine, you?" Harnen questioned.

"I'm fine too." Authur answered turning his attention back to Emily.

"She's Emily." Harnen said.

"Yeah, I was just talking to her." Authur giggled, which made Harnen pull Emily closer in response.

"Oh, you must be close." Authur assumed.

"Oh n-

"Yes, we're." Harnen cut off Emily.

"She's mine, actually." Harnen remarked. Emily jerks her head towards Harnen, raising her brows.

"I'll leave you two then." Authur bid his goodbye before walking away.

"What-" Emily stood there dumbfounded at what just happened.

"I'm yours?" Emily asked.

"I needed to lure him away." Harnen explained.

"Here's your drink." Harnen hands Emily her drink, it was a fruity red wine.

"I don't like it here, let's go somewhere." Harnen spoke before dragging Emily somewhere.

"Where are we going?" Emily asked.

"Somewhere."

They made their way up the stairs and into the room Harnen was once in. He removed his coat before flopping on the bed, Emily went out the balcony to breathe some fresh air but a loud screaming caught her attention. A man, bleeding and limping out in the garden, Elena had shown to her.

After the man, two other men were following behind him, then suddenly the man was quickly dragged inside a shed. It sounds like they were beating the poor man, his screams and shouting hinted at it. Then the two men walked out, they were also bleeding, the man's blood appears to be painted on his suit, shoes, hands, and lips.

Emily felt like she witness a murder, she rush inside the room, panting heavily and trembling from the scenes she had witness. She was at a loss for what to do or say. She fixed her gaze on Harnen but he was busy laying on the bed.

"Why are you so loud?" Harnen whispered.

"What?" Emily asked, not catching what he said.

"Nothing." Harnen mumbled.

Emily stood there, not knowing what to do. She sat on the bed, beside Harnen, still trembling and her thoughts running wild, she wonders if she just witness a murder.

"You know what, let's go somewhere."

Harnen said, grabbing his coat, leaving the room before Emily could react.

"Huh-" Emily noticed Harnen wasn't there anymore which made her get up fast and walk out the room.

As she walked down the hallway, she was curious about the man and wanted to help, she did remember how to get to the garden. She rushed to the garden but Elena and Harnen were already there. Emily hid behind the bushes, trying to hide from Elena and Harnen.

"The Chrysanthemum flower you gave was useful." Elena said emotionless, throwing the Chrysanthemum flower Harnen gave her.

"I know."

"You buried him really fast." Harnen said, looking down at the dirt in front of him.

"I know." Elena said, crossing her arms.

"Dig him up after the event and bring it over to Casper. He'll handle it." Harnen ordered.