Her eyes opened, and she found herself lying against the chest of someone…a stranger?
Then like a flashflood, she recalled the events earlier.
Heavens! She jumped, knocking her head on the jaw of the young man beside her.
"Ow, Christ, Jeanne-san," the voice whined as she saw his hand brush his chin. "My teeth have a perfect dental history. Don't go breaking it like that."
She immediately jumped away from him, swaying a little, for she realized that she was riding the carriage with him!
He looked amused. "Hey, don't worry. I won't ruin my abovementioned record by biting on someone like you." His eyes crinkled into a smile. "You are not my type."
For the first time ever in her life, she felt the incredibly overwhelming urge to slap a certain someone. She clenched and unclenched her fists, then shakily inhaled and exhaled, hoping it would calm her.
"So savage seizing of my womanhood is out of the possible causes for this abduction," she said coolly.
Unfortunately, he found this too as a source of entertainment—a fact he bothered not to hide. He laughed heartily as she silently seethed, finding something close to extreme dislike in her heart.
At last, he had run out of steam. He beamed at her. "Jeanne-san, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I am no cradle snatcher."
"I'm seventeen years old," she said indignantly, not realizing what kind of implication did she give him.
"And so naïve," he agreed, his eyes twinkling, but saying nothing about her fault in her previous statement. "You still have to live the rest of your years to realize that you can never grow old enough to understand how life works."
"Y-You didn't just abduct me to exchange philosophical thoughts or insult me, did you, Mr. Stranger?" she asked, her eyebrows knitted.
"You're right. I probably should go down to business." He grinned apologetically, and for a moment, the novice nun couldn't help but think if this young man was really a kidnapper. He didn't look an age older than twenty, or was it because of the impeccable smile on his face?
However, she shuddered momentarily when she saw a flicker of malice in his dark eyes. It was hauntingly cold, and she would not have believed such emotion existed had she not seen it with her very own eyes. She silently wondered what was going on in this man's mind.
He began his explanation. "You see, this fine young man,
Lyserg Diethyl, carries the key to my fate."
"Y-You…locked up your fate?" she said in disbelief.
He chuckled. "Someone locked it up for me, Lady Jeanne. But that's beside the point."
"W-Why was it locked?"
"I said, it's beside the point."
"God must have a reason for shutting out on you," she said thoughtfully.
His face was an interesting marriage of annoyance and amusement. "I do not have this God in my life, Sister Jeanne. Honestly, do I look like someone who shares your beliefs?"
"With all honesty…" She shrugged. "No. But miracles do happen."
He shook his head incredulously. "I heard nuns are supposed to be quiet and pensive."
"Very well, godless person. I shall be quiet and pensive." Her brows knitted. "But you must enlighten me as to why I was abducted. What has I, being Lyserg's bride, got to do with this?"
"Everything." He smiled. "I will be holding you hostage until he is forced to give me the one thing that I need…"
"A life? A brain? A lecture on how to treat a lady like one?" she asked mockingly.
"None of the above," he said, his smile still in place. He didn't look the least bit offended by her tirade. "My younger brother."
"Huh? She looked at him blankly, as if trying to picture the stranger before her having a family. Somehow, something didn't fit.
"Don't look too fascinated," he said wryly. "You see, I need my brother, and I have my own reason for needing so."
"A reason not based on pure, unadulterated love, of course," she said dryly.
"Correct. I need my brother to grab the chance once more to conquer mankind."
She frowned, trying to gauge his truthfulness.
"I-Is Lyserg your brother?" she asked.
He laughed out loud. "Your humor is delightful. Oh, Jeanne-san, such naivety…"
"I resent that!" She hated how he pointed out how young and innocent she was in such a condescending tone. "And let me tell you that I perceive you as a liar. World domination? How can you do that? And what has Lyserg got to do with this?"
"You ask too much." He leaned against the window of the carriage again, turning his back on her. It was the end of the conversation.
She, on the other hand, was aghast as to how rough he was, considering that she was a woman! Lyserg does not act like this, and the same goes for Marco. How dare he, a stranger, do this to me? She fumed quietly.
She turned her attention to the other window, wondering what happened to Marco, though she knew it in her heart that her guardian was alive. She smiled. Marco was frighteningly strict and imposing, but it was only because he cared for her, and that he would do anything for her. Anything she wishes.
Live, Marco. Live.
She then remembered one important thing. "Who's driving the carriage?" she asked, alarmed.
"My aid, Opacho," he said, turning to her.
"Opacho?" she echoed.
"Don't worry. She's good with learning anything and everything. We'll make it to our destination just fine," he said, his tone lax.
"L-Learning?" Why was it that she didn't like how his sentence went?
"It's Opacho's first try on the reins, but she's doing a mighty good job of handling the horses, don't you think so?" he asked cheerfully.
"F-First time?!" She peeked through the window separating the passenger seat from the driver seat. And there, on the wooden bench sat the diminutive figure of a young child with plentiful curled hair and small, delicate brown hands.
Her eyes widened. "Oh good gracious!" She turned to the young man in front of her, panicked. "H-How could you let a child handle the coach?" she asked, terrified.
His face wore the opposite expression. "Because I do not know how to ride horses."
"But a child—"
"That child is better than me. I should face facts," he said calmly. "Now be seated, Jeanne-san, so we can have the tranquil atmosphere once again."
"A child—"
"It is best that you rest, Jeanne-san." He grinned. "The last thing that would happen is for Opacho to disobey me. And when I ordered her to bring us to Patch Village safely, she will."
"You're too full of yourself!" she couldn't help but cry. "Your confidence should be condemned to the hottest pits of hell!"
He shrugged. "Whatever you say." He resumed his interrupted nap, making the nun fume some more.
She sat down once more, near to tears. This man was impossible! And it didn't delight her that he was also the first man to disobey her will. Lyserg and Marco had always been open to her wishes, and were always gentle if ever they would have to advise her on something. They never give her flat denials and lofty dismissals; they respect her as a lady.
But this man before her…he seemed to be a stranger to such word, or he wouldn't ignore her in her moment of panic.
She knew it wasn't in the will of God, and she knew this was sinful, but she hated – really, REALLY HATED – this man, with all her heart.
She pressed her hands together in meditation, praying that Lyserg would know about her situation and rescue her already.
But for now, she must gather her strength to live with this brute.
She then remembered him saying something about Patch Village. She wondered what fate awaits her in that place.
tsuzuku