The Hikari Ghost
Chapter 6:
Dark paled, "please tell me this is a joke…just a really bad, tasteless joke."
Satoshi frowned, "Wait…Dark, didn't you say something about your family stealing medicine before…?"
"Yea but…oh god, don't tell me you think-no way, just no way. That's not possible."
Daisuke took a deep breath, "let's just continue reading for now, maybe we'll get more answers. Dark? Are you going to be alright?"
The elder gave an unsure nod, "I guess…I call the couch though."
So the three sat in the library, reading, Dark on the couch, Daisuke sprawled out on the floor, and Satoshi who was sitting against a shelf. The three of them sat there, diving deeper into the past than they'd ever imagined possible.
(Dark's)
I was summoned by the lord today. I wonder what he could possibly want from a freelancer. Oh well, I guess I'll find out when I go see him later. I don't really have much of a choice, do I? If I don't go, I might as well slit my throat and die now.
Unbelievable.
The lord wants me to guard his son. But doesn't his son already have at least a dozen guards around him at all times? What's the point in adding another one? I've packed up my stuff already. Apparently I'll be taking residence at the lord's place from tomorrow onwards. There's something wrong with this, I know it, but I can't say exactly what it is yet.
I'll write more tomorrow after everything's settled down a bit again.
That was completely unexpected.
I'm not guarding the lord's son, or at least not the one I thought I was. Who knew the lord had two sons? I've never even heard of this second son. I asked around the castle but no one answered any of my questions. I looked around for him too. I found the son I actually know of, the lord's wife (this is his third wife I think), and I ran into the lord himself a couple times. The rest of the people were servants or guests.
It's almost like this other son doesn't exist.
Am I guarding a ghost?
I can't get that haunting melody out of my head.
Last night, in the dead of the night, I heard someone playing the clavichord. It was beautiful, but I couldn't will myself to get out of bed to take a look. Some guard I'll make. However, if the player returns for another performance tonight, I'll get up for sure. I want to see who could play such a sad tune so perfectly in the night without anyone noticing. Or is it because they're all used to it already?
I tried searching for the second son again, but I got the same results as yesterday. Nothing. This is very discouraging. Perhaps I should ask the lord about it. Maybe if I do, he'll let me go home, though I'm not really complaining. I've got a wonderful room here, it's probably bigger than my entire house. Though why the lord gave me this room, I'm not sure, it's right by his room which is slightly uncomforting.
I hope the mysterious player returns tonight.
There was no music last night. But today, I'm reconsidering what I said about guarding a ghost. I caught the sight of unfamiliar golden hair today. It was too flawless to be a servant's, and the scent, though I can't put a name to it right now, was too rich to be anything but a noble's. It didn't smell the same as the lord or his family's though, this is going to pester me for the rest of the day.
What was that smell?
Who was that person?
I feel like I'm hunting. I've spent the whole day searching for the blond from yesterday. But it wasn't without success, though I couldn't catch the blond, I managed to get a glimpse of their face. It was a pale face, so flawless I honestly couldn't tell whether it was a girl or boy. Unfortunately, the blond disappeared within moments. I've never met or seen anyone who could move so fast and soundlessly. But that's not what stood out the most about this person.
Those lonely, golden eyes will be imprinted in my mind for the rest of my life.
(Satoshi's)
The poor young master, I haven't heard him speak in weeks now. How can anyone live without speaking? But I suppose it's the same thing if he speaks but no one listens. His health seems to have gotten better somewhat as of lately, the poor young master. He never asked to be poisoned. If he hadn't, he would probably be the heir to the lord's title right now. The poor young master…
The stable boy was caught having an affair with one of the maids today. I wonder what will become of them. I didn't see the young master today, how quietly he moves through these hallways.
No one takes notice of him.
It's as though he's a ghost.
Rumor has it that the lord is hiring a guard for the young master. Apparently it's a renowned freelancer by the name of Dark Mousy. I haven't actually heard of this person but I'm curious as to why he'd do something like that. A freelancer? Why would the young master need a guard?
I suppose it's no secret that the lord still cares deeply for the child of his first wife.
But why would he need to hire a guard?
Is something going to happen soon?
The rumors turned out to be true. A person was wandering around the halls today, asking questions, searching for something. I'm assuming that this person is the infamous Dark Mousy. He had wild violet hair and ruffled clothes, clearly not one of a noble family. Perhaps he was in the past though, this is the first time I've seen such deep amethyst eyes, it's not the colour of a commoner.
He kept walking around, looking for something. The young master? The chances of his finding the young master are very slim. Even I have a hard time finding the young master, at least I know what I'm looking out for. Usually, I can only catch a glimpse of the poor boy for a few seconds before he vanishes from sight.
I wonder where he disappears to, the young master. He's always walking around, without a destination in mind.
Perhaps he's looking for something too.
(Dark's)
Today proved to be my lucky day. I finally found the person I was searching for. He was standing by the window that looks over the front of the place. He took my breath away. It was indeed the blond from the other days, he stood there by himself, looking outside with what appeared to be longing.
Why didn't anyone take notice of him?
He was so beautiful yet so lonely, standing there. I walked behind him, his hair looked like rays of sunlight. So soft, so silky, I wanted to run my fingers through it. I was afraid he was going to disappear like he did all those other times, so I called his name.
I must've surprised him because he stiffened and turned around quickly, staring at me with those large golden eyes. He didn't say anything; he just stared at me almost as though he was paralyzed. Without thinking, I walked over and kneeled, taking his hand, I kissed it. I don't know what compelled me to do such a thing. I told him that I was going to be his guard from now on, and he just continued staring, then he spoke.
His voice was quiet, smooth, like what I imagine his hair is like. He only asked me one thing.
He asked me if I could see him.
(Daisuke's)
Someone called me by my name today…someone by the name of Dark Mousy. I was looking outside when someone called my name. It's been so long since I've heard that name called…
And when I turned around, I found violet eyes watching me.
He can see me?
That's all I could think of when I looked at him, this stranger. Clearly, he's from the outside world. But how could anyone from outside know of my existence?
This person, Dark Mousy, he introduced himself as, walked over and I could only stare. He kneeled before me and kissed my hand, telling me that he was hired by father to be my guard from now on. My guard? What need do I have for a guard?
Does that mean I'm still alive? If father hired a guard, and this guard could see me…
Perhaps I am not a ghost after all.
I ran into my brother today. An unfortunate event, but it happened nonetheless. I didn't look at him and tried to get away as fast as I could. He didn't acknowledge me, actually, he more or less moved right through me. All I could think afterwards was how strange it was that my own younger brother cannot see me yet that person father hired could.
Then the Dark Mousy person found me again.
How he managed to find me again is a mystery. I have prided myself in being hidden from everyone, but then again, no one has ever truly looked for me. Until now that is. I watched him, I was curious about this person, this guard that managed to find me in such a large house in amidst of the bustling servants and guests.
He didn't say anything when he reached me, he just gave a grin. Sheepish…yes, that's the right word for it. He had a sheepish grin on his face, as though he was unsure about what he was supposed to do next. I didn't know either, so I couldn't help him. We stood there for awhile in awkward silence before I took my leave. Maybe he'll quit in a couple days and disappear like all the faceless people in this place.
He seems very determined. I was found once again today. He tried to start a conversation with me of all people, using my name frequently as though he'd forget it if he didn't. I'm not used to talking to people, all the answers I gave were unhelpful short answers. How long has it been since I last talked with someone?
Amazingly, he didn't seem deterred. He continued talking, about himself more than anything. But it was fascinating. The life he's led up until now has been filled with adventures and tales to tell. When he left, it was strange, I felt something I haven't felt in a long time.
I found myself missing his presence
(Dark's)
It took me hours to find him again today.
He's very intriguing, the lord's secret son. Unsocial, but intriguing nonetheless. Perhaps his inability to keep a conversation up adds to his charm and beauty. He kept staring at me with those unsure golden eyes when I tried to start a conversation with him. It's probably not his fault, he probably hasn't talked to anyone in a long time.
I ended up talking about myself and my freelancing days when our conversation ended with silence. It was a good step apparently, he kept watching me, I could tell, he was interested in my stories. I've never seen anyone whose eyes could shine so brightly at mere tales of freelancing.
His eyes reminded me of a child's, unaware of the outside world.
The outside world…I wonder…
Has he ever stepped out of the door and into the sun?
I was surprised to find him waiting for me in the library today. Perhaps he wasn't waiting, but that's where I found him. Hesitantly, almost shyly, he asked me to tell him more stories of the world that was unknown to him. Of course I agreed, so I told him about how people hired me for all sorts of jobs. I told him about towns he's never seen, jobs he's never done, and people he's never met.
He listened, watching me with those same, fascinated eyes. I can't get enough of his eyes. He's probably as intrigued by me as I was by him. But much to my displeasure, I had to go sup, and when I finished, I couldn't find him a second time.
But I solved one mystery.
Vanilla.
The scent was vanilla.
Nya
Yay, another update! Let's see if I can keep this up, hm? Hopefully my writing skills-ness hasn't completely died off. Enjoy!
