The four friends started in astonishment at the tall man - he was like nothing or no one they had seen before. No doubt about it, this man was something else: He was dressed in a three piece silk suit that would've taken a fortune to buy, His face was one of a gentlemen but it had a pale complexion. He had handsome features but they were savage at the same time. His eyes were crimson in colour but sparkled at the visitors. Amelia and Lina just stood there gawking at the man. Even Gourry and Zelgadis looked on, impressed.
"May I help you?" the man inquired. His voice was deep and rich and thickly accented. There was a purring quality to it.
Lina was first to gather her wits. "Come on Amelia" she whispered.
Amelia broke out of her trance. "Huh?"
"You're a princess right? You should know all about formal introductions."
"Uh right" Amelia whispered back.
She bowed deeply to the man. "Excuse us sir, but we got caught in the storm...Um.."
Amelia's speech faltered - she had never been in the presence of anyone like this guy. But the man knew what she was thinking.
"So you would like to spend the night here until the storm passes, right?"
"Yes! Yes! Of course!" Lina, Amelia, Zelgadis and Gourry chorused.
"Well then" continued the man, chuckling "Do come on in. I've been expecting you."
The man stepped aside so the foursome could come out of the storm. The four all observed the impressive interiors of the place. There was a staircase were made of white marble in the centre of the hall. The floor was decorated with black and white tiles set in a checkerboard pattern. The walls were decorated with black vinyl and there were great red drapes hanging from the ceiling. There were also fancy gold sculptures all around. Indeed, the mansion's insides were much better then its outsides. It was unmistakable that this fancy interior decorating would've been expensive to set up.
Then all of a sudden, the four noticed a young man lurking behind the tall man. The tall man turned to the young man.
"Rolf! Go get towels for our visitors" he ordered.
"Yes sir, Of course sir" the young man stammered. He didn't look very happy. He too had a pale complexion and a nice three piece silk suit, but his facial expression never moved from a constant frown. He stared at the friends but only briefly - Yet long enough for them to see a cold, hard stare.
The tall man turned to face his visitors.
"Allow me to introduce myself." He purred. "I am Leopold von Hurst. Welcome to my mansion and my home."
Amelia, then launched into introductions: "I'm Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune, and may I introduce Gourry Gabriev, Zelgadis Greywars and Lina Inverse."
"Lina Inverse?" Leopold raised an eyebrow "The famous Lina Inverse? I've heard so much about you. I'm delighted to be greeted by your presence"
"Oh... Why.... Thank you!" said Lina in surprise - She never knew she'd get a greeting like that anywhere.
"Its certainly an impressive looking place" Amelia noted. As a princess she knew all about finery and fancy decoration.
"Oh yes. This place was the home of my fore-fathers. My family were very rich and travelled a lot."
"Why did your fore-fathers build this place in the middle of a forest away from the nearest town?" asked Gourry
"GOURRY!" snapped Lina indignantly.
Leopold chuckled. "My family was highly respected and feared. My ancestors cultivated numerous enemies in their time."
At this point, Rolf returned with towels. Lina, Gourry, Zel and Amelia took them and wiped their faces down. Leopold cleared his throat.
"Rolf! These people will be spending the night there, out of the storm. They are now our guests. Will you please be so kind as to showing our guests to their rooms?"
Rolf led Lina, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadis to their rooms. But the four couldn't help but marvel at the mansion's interiors. Superb gold and silver statuettes lined the corridors, panels made from the finest pine wood made up the walls, magnificent paintings were dotted here and there. No doubt Leopold must be an incredibly rich person to afford all this luxuries.
Eventually Rolf directed the four to their rooms. They were all in pairs on opposite sides of the corridor. Gourry and Zel took the two rooms on the left and Lina and Amelia took the two rooms on the right.
Some time later, Lina removed her damp cloak and hang it up on a hook. She was impressed by the effort Leopold went for the comfort of his guests: The room contained a entire wardrobe of nice outfits, a dresser of ornate design and a nice soft and springy bed (Lina tested it out earlier by jumping up and down on it). Obviously her host went to a lot of trouble. This sudden thought made Lina feel a bit uneasy. But Lina's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Who's there?" she asked.
"It's me, Amelia."
Lina crossed the room and opened the door. "What's up kid?"
"Uh Lina, can I talk with you for a moment?"
"Sure. Come on in."
Lina stepped aside to let Amelia in and closed the door behind her. Amelia walked over to the bed and sat down.
"Well Amelia, what's up?" Lina began.
Amelia turned her head downwards - facing away from Lina. "Well... Uh... Lina..."
Lina frowned. Judging by the hesitation in Amelia's speech, she was dealing with an embarrassing and indeed, personnel subject. Lina decided to cut to the chase.
"Let me guess, this is about Zel right?"
Amelia's eyes widened in astonishment. "Zel?!"
She looked shocked. But Lina wasn't convinced by Amelia's denial act and grinned a grin of satisfaction and victory. Amelia, realising that she had been seen through, mouthed silent words. She had no idea Lina was so perceptive.
"How did you know?" asked Amelia eventually.
"How could I not know?" chuckled Lina "It was so obvious!"
In desperation, and a rise in embarrassment, Amelia blurted out: "No! It's not like that at all! We are just good friends like you and Gourry are!!!"
Lina's expression changed into one of slyness: "So, you're in denial eh?"
"I'm not in denial!!" yelled Amelia. Lina burst into a fit of laughter. Then Amelia paused as she realised what she just said. Then she hung her head in defeat as Lina calmed down.
"Yes Lina you're right. I have a crush on Zelgadis."
Lina, whose laughter had, by now, come a complete stop, nodded in confirmation.
"I see, and you're worried that he hasn't noticed, right?'
Amelia nodded. Lina could certainly read her like a book.
"Right, I know for certain that you both have feelings for each other but the problem is you are both in denial. Zel in particular."
"Can't Zel understand that I like him even with his curse?" Amelia said. "Can't he see that if he wasn't so single-minded, and if he learned to smile, everything will be all right? Can't he see that if he was more aware of my feelings for him he will maybe get a more a more positive outlook on life?! Doesn't he know how I long for his words and his touch?! Can't Zel...."
Amelia's speech came to a abrupt halt. Normally she wouldn't do a thing like that (Phil had taught her from an earlier age how to deliver the perfect justice speech, flawlessly) but now it was different. For Lina was staring at Amelia with an odd expression etched on her face. Amelia remained silent in confused but then she put her hands in her mouth in embarrassment: She'd been thinking aloud.
Lina was first to recover her wits. "Wow Amelia. You obviously feel for Zel more then I thought."
Amelia sighed before nodding in agreement.
"Well, why don't you tell him?" asked Lina.
Amelia hesitated. "Well.... I.... It's..... just....."
"You're afraid he might be too self-conscious about finding a cure to think about you?" Lina finished.
Amelia nodded. "I know he's determined to find a cure for his curse but does finding one mean that he has to shut everyone and everything else away?"
Lina sighed. She could understand what Amelia was going through. She was using a lot of time and effort into trying to get Zelgadis' attention. However it was (literally) like trying to talk to a stone wall. Eventually, Lina broke her silence.
"Look Amelia. It all boils down to you - Zel will never know if you or anyone cares for him if you don't say so! If you keep your feelings bottled up, he'll never know about them and will always be depressed! But if you just come out front and say so, maybe he'll feel better and he'll warm up to you"
Amelia paused and then looked up at Lina with a more happier expression. "Why Lina! You're right! Of course! I must confront Zel and tell him what I think!"
That's the spirit!" chuckled Lina.
"Oh thank you Lina!" said an overjoyed Amelia. "I'll don't know what I'll do without you!"
"Hey, don't think about it okay?" Lina smiled.
"Okay I won't!" giggled Amelia. "Goodnight!"
"Goodnight Amelia!"
And with that, Amelia left Lina's room and went to her own room. Once inside, she lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Then she reflected on the conversation she had with Lina. Amelia's goal is now clear - She must tell Zel about her feelings for him - at all costs.
Then Amelia began thinking about Leopold. He certainly was....
...Handsome. His first impression was an impressive one. His speech was well thought out, his house was superbly decorated and Leopold himself was indeed elegant and a superb host. He certainly was....
...handsome. He seemed quite talkative. He also appeared enigmatic and quite secretive. But Amelia was intrigued. She must find out more about the mysterious Leopold. Just as soon as she has sought out Zelgadis....
Amelia caught herself. She softly giggled. Previously Zel had dominated her thoughts. But now Leopold has been proven to be a strong replacement. Has her heart been won over by Leopold instead of Zel? Impossible! But, no doubt about it, Leopold certainly was...
....handsome.
Next door to Amelia's room, Lina was also coming to the same conclusion: Leopold was indeed an enigmatic person. He appeared secretive but, unlike Xelloss, he didn't try to hide them. It was then Lina decided to follow up on Leopold's secrecy. Indeed the challenge has potential and it could be worthy. After all, it was about time she had encountered a man of such dignity and grace after spending too long hanging around the brain-dead Gourry and the emotionless Zelgadis....
Meanwhile, across the hall, Gourry settled in with ease. He had removed his wet gear and fell fast asleep on the bed. And all the while next door.....
In his room Zelgadis paced around, his mind working into overtime. There was something about Leopold he didn't like. He couldn't exactly put his finger on it but something was indeed very wrong.....
Zelgadis went over the facts: a pale and deathly pallor, a peculiar foreign accent, a finely decorated house in a remote location, a family history of travelling and enemies, and an odd sense of charisma. Zelgadis racked his brains to find where these points were heading. He thought about the times he went into Rezo's colossal library and tried to recall what he read in it.
A sorcerer? No, Zel had encountered many evil sorcerers before. None of them looked or acted like Leopold. But then again....
A mazoku? That was a possibility. But he was certainly different from Xelloss, that's for sure. But then again not all mazoku would operate exactly like Xelloss.
After minutes of pacing and thinking things through, he still hadn't reached a conclusion. Zel's face hardened. He had no idea who this Leopold is but he could sense they were all in danger. Himself, Lina, Gourry and Amelia.....
At the mere thought of the princess, Zel stopped and sighed.
What was it about the princess that got him thinking about her once every so often? What was it about the princess which occupied many of his thoughts? What was it about the princess which haunted him? She didn't seem perturbed about his curse. She seemed to warm up to his presence - unlike ordinary people who reacted to his appearance in a repulsed and rejected way. What's more she appeared to be quite enlightened by his presence. But then again, judging by Zel's experience, appearances have always proven to be deceptive. Zel shivered as he pondered on that statement.
Amelia also appeared to be determined to talk to him. Zel reflected on what she said to him before they entered the mansion. She wanted to say something to him quite badly. But he had turned her down in a rather cold manner - judging by the look on her face from his reaction. That was because he was far more concerned with getting inside and out of the rain. It was not because he was not interested in what the princess had to say....
Was it?
Zel looked at his hands and thought, as he'd done many times before, that nothing must stand in his way of finding a cure for his body. Nothing. Nothing at all. Not even a...
Zelgadis paused. She was, after all, a princess. Therefore a person of royalty and dignity. So why would she care for a chimera? Furthermore she was fourteen - So this feelings she felt for him could just mean idol worship or just a girl thing - he recalled seeing other fourteen year old girls drooling over pictures of some troubadour or some equally poncy git. So her feelings must be some silly teenage thing. And these type of things only last a short space of time.
But still he needed more evidence - If this was love then it had to be real - But if this was indeed a silly teenage crush he must put an end to it. But what if it was for real?
Elsewhere in the mansion, Leopold sat at his desk, writing something down. Just then, the door creaked open. Leopold looked up but no one came in. Then he saw a pair of glowing crimson eyes, hiding in the shade of the door. He smiled to himself.
"Greetings, sister." he purred.
"How did it go?" a cold voice responded.
"You were right. All four of them have arrived, just like you said. They all wanted refuge from the storm."
"Perfect."
"One of them is the infamous bandit killer Lina Inverse."
"Yes I know."
Leopold stopped writing. "What? You knew that Lina Inverse herself was coming?"
"Of course! But think brother, If we do away with her, many will pay millions just to see the corpse!"
Leopold paused before a sly smile made its way across his face. "That sounds like a good idea. I could certainly use the money to repair that hole in the roof."
"Yes" growled the cold voice. "And the tall blond man that accompanies her - Gourry Gabriev. He has the Sword of Light."
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "The Sword of Light?"
"The same."
Leopold grinned a wolfish grin. "That could prove to be a worthy acquisition."
"Precisely"
The cold voice paused before continuing.
"Where are they now?"
"They're all in the guest rooms."
"So what are you going to do with them?" the cold voice asked with a growing urgency.
Leopold hesitated before answering. "Lina and the other girl seemed to be seduced by my appearance. Thus concealing our intentions from them could be easy."
"Yes but we must keep all four of them here. If they get to suspicious, they must be dealt with" replied the cold voice sternly.
Leopold nodded before the voice continued.
"What about the other two?"
"That blond swordsman Gourry Gabriev and that other man are quite unsuspecting. However there is chance their suspicions will arise"
"Don't worry, Just Leave it to me." the cold voice murmured.
Chapter 3
Contents
