Thread of Fate
Chapter 5
(Lilianne)
"I wonder... how in the world did I get myself into this mess?" I muttered and rubbed my face in the palm of my hand, frustrated.
"The library's books need to be arranged by the way." Pakunoda, one of Chrollo's bodyguards, told me as I finally finished cleaning one of the vacant rooms.
I nodded. "I got it."
"I'm hiring you to be my housekeeper."
I stared in disbelief. Up here on the roof, I stood with the Student Council's Vice President, the wind tousling my silver-blonde hair and his raven-black one.
"I heard you were looking for a job and it seems like you've failed." And he grinned mockingly at me. "Quite miserably if I may add."
Oh, how I would have loved to punch him to wipe that grin off his face... and send a few teeth flying. But I took a deep breath and kept my cool.
"I don't know where you heard that rumor and even if I am looking for a job, it wouldn't be long before I do find one so I'll decline your offer... if it ever is serious."
"Oh, it is." His smile said it all: I'm hiring you to amuse me and entertain me in my boring house and obey my every whim like a slave."And the job has come to you as well. I'm hiring you to be my housekeeper and I'm more than willing to pay you handsomely for your services."
I eyed him warily. This is Chrollo in front of me and not some generous benefactor.
"And besides" He continued. "A fourteen year old girl wouldn't be allowed to take a job so easily. Even if you search your hardest, do you really think you'll get yourself a decent paying job?"
It pains me (and my pride) to admit it, but Chrollo's right. What can a 14-year old do? Even if it is me, what would they expect? Should I use my father's name to get myself a job? But if I'm going to use his name, I might as well let him adopt me and then acquire the money I need.
I bit my lip and Chrollo just smugly smiled at me. I can hear him saying 'checkmate'.
"How much will you pay me?" I was cautious. I don't know anything about Chrollo and it might be a trap. Maybe he's in league with Sylvia nee-sama or father.
"Hmm... How much will you demand? I can so much as assure you that you won't be disappointed." His voice was cool and confident. It pisses me off to lose the upperhand.
"Give me your word that if I agree, no one in this school will know, that you'll honor my rights as a minor and as a laborer." My voice practically demanded it.
"There's no need to be so paranoid. Is it because your sister and your father aren't giving up on you? What makes you think that I'll hand you over for some prize money whose amount I can so easily obtain with a push of button?"
This man... just boasted about his riches. He sounded so confident that I could have so easily fallen into his hands and his game but as if I'll do so. After all, do I not carry Welthe blood in me? If there's anything I'm proud of, it's that this bloodline is more stubborn than a mule. Well, it also has its disadvantages.
I crossed my arms above my chest and looked at him sternly in the eyes. "It's not about being paranoid. It's about doing what I should and must to survive. Our world runs by 'Survival of the Fittest' so don't expect me to fall so easily into your hands. I will only accept your offer if you adhere to my conditions."
Entering the room which I'm told to be the library, my eyes widened as before me really is a library, vast, walls lined with bookshelves, even a big globe in the middle of the room and there's a fireplace too! A couple of chairs and a table were near the fireplace. It's like something out of an old British era! I never notice Pakunoda leave me but before I knew it, I ran to the nearest shelf, my eyes sparkling with delight as I examined the many books. Cleaning and organizing was completely eradicated from my memory as I was soon engulfed in reading, sitting on the floor like a child in a maid costume reading fairytales.
"Ahem" I heard and I instantly looked up.
"Chrollo" I said and I woke up from my little fantasy.
"It's 'master' as long as you work here." He corrected and then gestured at the books piled up around me, which I just noticed myself. "I thought your job was to organize the books, not mess them up on the floor."
I closed my eyes and stood up, brushing the dust off my skirt. "My apologies, master. I shall do so immediately"
(Chrollo)
I entered the mansion's library and found Lilianne reading on the floor on the farther part of the room, her eyes sparkling like that of a child's, and smiling so innocently. It's a completely different side of her. I watched her for a few minutes, amused. There were many books piled up around her signifying she has been reading for a while now. The mansion has always been boring for me, especially if I didn't have training. My life is boring. The consequence of being a genius. And then I met Lilianne. Every girl I met practically worshipped me but Lilianne... Nope. She opposed me, outsmarted me, HATED me. It's a good change of pace. Someone to finally entertain me.
Smirking, I approached her and took her away from her little world. After scolding her for the heck of it, she immediately went back to work, accepting her mistake as maturely as she could, though I think she only did so because I am her master right now. If we were in school, she would probably glare daggers at me and answer me smartly. As Lilianne returned the books to their proper shelves, I got my own book and sat on one of the chairs in front of the vacant fireplace, stealing glances of her from time to time. It didn't take long before I couldn't even focus to read so I completely gave it up and stared at the working silver-blonde haired maid.
"Welcome to our mansion, Ms. Lilianne Rosette." I smirked from the stairs with Nobunaga and Franklin by my side, knowing how surprised she was when she saw it from outside and how her head reeled around, looking at the place in amazement. However, upon greeting her, she immediately looked at me and smiled courteously.
"Thank you, Mr. Chrollo Lucifer Morningstar." She gave a curt nod. "I am grateful for this opportunity"
This girl knows how to play her game.
To be courteous and obedient while inside a stranger's territory, let alone an influential one, it's like she was trained. But I do wonder how she'll react upon this surprise I have in stored for her.
"By the way, I want you to wear this while working." And Pakunoda approached her, carrying a maid dress hanging on a hanger. "I'm sure it will fit you just fine"
I feigned an innocent smile as she ran her fingers through the magnificent black and white fabric.
"You have odd tastes" was all she said before taking the dress from Pakunoda. "Can you please direct me to where I can change?"
I was so surprised. I expected her to glare at me at least but she was so level headed. What in the world could make her stay calm and obedient like that? I don't think she would even hold a glare in for just the sake of cash. And so I found myself in wonder of her again. This might just be a fun Saturday for me.
"Oh! Yes, Paku, kindly lead her and accompany her on today's chores." I quickly regained my composure.
Pakunoda nodded and led Lilianne away.
"Heh" I smiled.
So even here you think you can turn the tables around and I underestimated you, Lilianne.
"My apologies, master, but I would appreciate it if you stop looking at me so much. It would make just about anyone uneasy." Lilianne said courteously as she arranged some more books.
Despite that, I still stared and after a moment of silence I asked, "You're not going to glare at me?"
Lilianne paused what she was doing and said, "Excuse me?"
I have already gotten bored of her obedience. The reason why I employed her in the first place was so I would be amused but she turned out to be a disappointment. Just like anyone else in this household, she respects me and obeys me. At first, I thought: At last, I have you at the palm of my hands and you have no choice but to do everything I bid of you.
But now, I seem to yearn for her stubbornness and her glares and her smart replies.
"Put down those books. I have a new task for you." I said and she paused her work for a moment and looked at me, the books cradled in her arms. "I'm a little tired from my training earlier. Give me a massage"
I want you to glare at me and spit poison at my name. Look at me with contempt and hatred and curse at me. Because that's you. I would have liked you to be obedient and respectful but it's no fun. I want someone who would hate me for once in my life. Sure I have my enemies but none of them would even touch me for fear of my skilled guards and they're all people in high places but you... You're nothing but a student, a bastard who carries her mother's name and denies her father's riches. But you're the very one who bravely stepped up to me and told me to step down.
(Lilianne)
Chrollo smirked mockingly at me as his new order flowed through his lips so naturally it looks like I've been working under him for years. Normally, I would glare and give him a snarky answer but this is not my territory and as agreed, he's master while I'm here and as his servant, I should be obedient and courteous. So I put down the books on a nearby table and went to behind my seated arrogant master. As I placed my hands gently on his shoulders, I felt a shock run up from my hands, up to my arms, then to my body. It made me feel quite awkward. I was hesitating whether to obey or just freeze and look for a way out.
Oh, come now, Lilianne. You just need to give him a massage. Nothing more. So stop dawdling and get to work! Besides, you only have a couple of things left to do and you'll be able to go home for the day.
I took a deep breath and started massaging Chrollo's shoulders. It felt awkward but I tried my best.
ba-thump... ba-thump... ba-thump...
The overwhelming silence made things more awkward as it seemed like I can hear my own heartbeat. Damn the woman's sensitivity to touch. Somehow, I knew I had to break the silence.
"Hmm... You're good at this." Chrollo commented, snapping his neck to the side.
... Was that a compliment? From CHROLLO?
"Um... Thank you... master" I continued, moving to the back of his neck.
Silence.
"Can you go on to my arm? Nobunaga doesn't let me spare a single sword swing." He said, outstretching his arm for me. "And lessons don't get any easier as the years progress."
I nodded and knelt on the carpeted floor. I gently took hold of his arm, folding up the long sleeves and then started, putting a little pressure, going up to the shoulder joint.
Crack
"Ahhh~!" Chrollo moaned. "Perfect"
I then removed my hold as he rotated and flexed his arm. I watched the muscles flex underneath that pale flesh and for a moment, I felt the color rush up to my cheeks. I mentally slapped myself.
"Why did you accept my offer?" He suddenly asked as he rolled his sleeve down, covering the visible flesh that made me blush. Then outstretching the hand to me, flexing it, signaling me to massage it. I once more knelt, cursing my hormones and myself for having disgraceful fantasies and took his hand and started rubbing and applying pressure.
"Isn't the answer obvious, master? I was looking for a decent paying job and you gracefully provided me with the opportunity." I flashed him a meaningless gentle smile for courtesy.
"Is that so?" He smirked at me as he rested his head on a closed fist, his elbow resting on one of the chair's arms.
Oh, how low I feel. Kneeling in front of him like a real slave and giving him a massage, and cleaning the different rooms in his vast mansion whether they're to be used or not. Bones and knuckles popped as I pulled at his fingers one by one. He seemed to enjoy it as he exhales with a smile at every crack and pop.
Satisfied, he was taking his hand back. Or I thought he was so I let go. But he then cupped my chin and tilted my head up, leaning closer, our faces inches apart. I was so surprised I couldn't move. A shock more intense than earlier immobilized me. I struggled as my mind started going blank.
Stop it... stop it... Let me go...Leave me alone... I just came here to work.. What are you doing?
But like our first meeting, there was a magic spell that bound us and instead of the library, the world changed and I found myself in a dimly lit room. No, it's dark with only the faintest of moonlight illuminating it. I was sitting up on a canopy bed, my face felt wet with cold sweat and tears. My body chilled to the bone in my silk purple nightgown.
'Why? Why did you have to go?'
I heard a slightly muffled and trembling voice much like my own but the words aren't mine and so is the pain I feel now in my chest. The salty tears flowed like rivers down my cheeks as I bit my lip in agony. Then a rusty and salty taste touched the tip of my tongue. I removed my hand covering my mouth and blood dyed the slender fingertips.
Why? What's going on? Who... is this?
Soon enough, I was back in my own reality and I felt so small and in my head, I can hear a voice yelling for me to disappear, to run but my body won't listen. I felt like he can see through my soul as he charged through my defenses, breaking one after another. He was getting closer and closer.
Run! Get up and run! You'll only get into a bigger mess!
Fortunately, lady luck was kind because at the moment Chrollo's face was just another inch away, Pakunoda arrived. Chrollo and I immediately drew back from each other.
"Lilianne, are you done yet? Ah, danchou. I was just getting Lilianne so she can finish her work for the day."
Both Chrollo and I looked at her. I immediately regained my composure, my mask and stood up. Chrollo glanced at me and I glanced back, my expression cool and calm. He looked back at Pakunoda and nodded.
I was finally about to leave when he called me one last time. "Lilianne" And he took a book from the shelf and gave it to me. "Take this and read it."
His tone wasn't mocking. It's serious and... apologetic? No, I was imagining things. I quietly took the book, his hand gently brushing against my tattooed one, looking at him and I said, "Thank you" in a professional tone and left.
