Dark clouds shrouded the blackish sky; the towers of the majestic grey castle scraped the night. Damp gardens decorated the grounds, complimenting the stained glass which glimmered in the moonlight.
Inside of the castle, however, it was becoming more and more grim. Sickness gripped its elaborate corridors, both mental and physical. Throughout the community of maids and assistants, it was spoken that those who entered service there were doomed to fall. But what was the definition of falling?
Luka pondered these philosophical questions as she strode down the hall, absently admiring portraits of past nobles; she paused near her favourite painting of a bright patch of flowers. She recalled the time her mentor told her that her pink hair matched the same shade as the flower in the centre. It made her smile; which was a rare occurrence since the death of the very same mentor who made that comment.
Startling her considerably, a tall man with a long, straight ponytail snaking over his shoulder, clad in an expensive purple cloak, had stepped in front of her; his wicked eyes and dashing grin were not reassuring. He smelled powerfully of roses and mint, to a point where her eyes water.
"Megurine Luka…seeing you smile is such a rich experience. I would sail entire oceans to see it for a mere minute." Kamui Gakupo, a lord of the castle, announced in a singsong voice.
The ends of her mouth flickering into a grimace, Luka replied, "T-Thank you. Excuse me, I must return to the task at hand." She adjusted herself and walked away calmly.
What a gross creep! I hate having to be considerate to his perverted-her thoughts were interrupted when she realized her attempt at escape had been successful. She had slipped out of Gakupo's slimy grasp.
At last, Luka had arrived at the doorstep of Kaito; she was ordered to refresh his pillowcases. She was nervous, as he was somehow intimidating. She knocked in a rhythm. It took a minute before it opened, but soon it revealed the lean figure of Kaito, who's stark blue hair neatly matched his cloak, and its odd yellow embellishments.
"Oh, yes, I remember. For the pillowcases." He ran his fingers through his hair, and then stepped out, swiveling swiftly to face Luka, nodding to her before striding away.
Strange, Luka thought, before entering the room. The floral wallpaper was covered in expensive relics from around the world, including murals and intricate maps. A plush bed covered by a magnificent navy canopy was in the corner, while two matching couches surrounded a silver table. Luka trained her eyes on the pillowcases and carefully made her way there, careful not to break anything.
She leaned down, and slid the case off, and felt the soft texture; she was startled by its…scent. It was a fierce smell of roses and mint…She cocked her head as the puzzle pieces quietly fell in place.
Now why would the aroma be present only on the bed? She hadn't noticed it anywhere else in the room…the only time Luka had ever recalled the scent in her entire life was upon the skin of Kamui Gakupo.