" (…) for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." said a sinister friar as he poured a few drops of holy water into the pit filled with corpses in front of them, watching as they fell on the disfigured faces of their parents...
"Oh, Len! I don't want to go and leave you here…! Promise me… please promise me that you won't forget me, okay?" said a tearful Rin at the entrance of the orphanage, already about to take the carriage and leave far away from him...
"I will use this Holidays to come to see you in that big castle where you work…"
"Shall we continue… my Rinny?"
"Yes, master… Take me… Take me…"
― Ahhhghhh...!
Len woke up screaming, breathing deeply in order to recover himself. He rubbed his hands, still covered by bandages after cutting his hands through his episode of desperation in front of the mirror, trying to drive away the cold… Another night like the others: Remnants of unpleasant memories wandering through his mind, untiringly, like menacing shades.
The red and yellow leaves were swept from one side to the other in front of the high and narrow window. A haggard sun was doing languid presence among the gray clouds and the wind ruffling the hairs.
Since the horrible afternoon that Len had realized that his beloved Rin was raped with impunity by his master… Len's life, previously hard, it had now become a damned Hell. Although the Duke was constantly changing of favorite, more than once Len could peer to Gakupo through the crack in the door, fully dressed as a high dignitary, having Rin (dressed in very light in clothes) sat in his lap… The blond was dying of rage and jealousy to see those scenes… That's right, ladies and gentleman: It's not only the fury of a brother to see how his twin sister is humiliated and abused, staining her honor and dignity, which prostitute of brothel or a black slave, but was also present the rage of a man that someone was vilely snatching something what was his…
But of course: Len couldn't do anything. That was the Law of the Feudal Lord… The Divine law given by God in the Bible: Gakupo was his master, his protector, his owner… and he wasn't more than an insignificant servant, and he couldn't protest and do anything… except bite his tongue and be quiet, like all the rest, no matter how terrible the outrage or injustice… And then those fat friars preach in the mass that all the Sons of God are equal, even been lords or slaves? Disgusting lie.
Len sighed while he was getting up of his bed. Due to the fact that it was too cold to tidy up himself out as always, and also considering that precisely these days his master used to sleep beyond the noon, the servant would take the opportunity to use the bathroom. He took several towels, entered to the bath and got rid of his clothes, letting the hot water and the steam of the stoves could caress his body, thin and slightly petite, but firm and well built. Len closed the eyes and threw the head back, allowing that the heat could took his body, because his soul, in that moment, was so frozen and withered as the same dead leaves of the garden.
It was a frozen night. The house was in complete silence and all the lights were off. Gakupo finally retired to sleep, after a thunderous orgy with Meiko, Luka and Miku as if they were in a Roman bacchanal. Len completed all the cleaning duties and he was raising the stairs in order to rest in his room… But he saw the half-open door of Rin's room, which was located in the left wing of the house. After doubting for a few moments, he entered the room that was of big size, furnished with luxury and good taste, with very thick carpets, furniture with a lot of varnish and a wide bed with canopies.
Rin was lying on her side, completely exposed to the cold. The messy sheets, the neck and of her light dress wasted and her skirt rose up to her hips, all were revealing that the Duke had visited her room recently. Clenching his jaw on having imagined it, Len closed the door, to do the only thing he could do for now… Looking her. He was dying of pain to have been completely unable to protect her from Gakupo. Doing an effort to not collapse like in the incident of the mirror, Len with supreme tenderness arranged her messy clothes and covered her with the blanket. After doing that, the servant leaned to the side of his captive princess, stroking her cheek and her disheveled hair, being careful to not wake her… He must do that when Rin was engulfed in the arms of Morpheus, ignoring completely her terrible situation and the pain that her twin was passing… Because when she was awake, she treated him so coldly, as if she had never seen him before and completely unaware to know that he was her brother.
―Rin… I'm sure that if one day you wake up from this nightmare, you're going to hate me for not having prevented this. Forgive me… Forgive me for not being able to protect you… ―Len muttered while running his fingers through her golden head―. I know you don't recognize me, but I know the real you is there… locked in this tower―He took Rin's hand and placed it on his chest, right over his heart, placing his own over hers, joining them―: I will liberate you of this prison, my princess, even if that would costs my life… Your knight will come to rescue you…
Escaping a treacherous tear for his cheek, Len put his lips to her ear and crooned:
You're a princess, I'm a servant
Destiny separated, pitiful twins,
If it's for the sake of protecting you,
I'll become evil for you
Even if the entire world
Became your enemy,
I will protect you,
So you just be there smiling
Len incorporated the head to look at the sleeping face of his sister. She looked so helpless and vulnerable, like a wounded little bird, with the moonlight of the window falling down on her pale face, giving her an embossment to make her even more beautiful than she is… At that thought, Len blushed furiously and turned the face, believing for a moment that Rin had seen him. He was breathing hard, confused and anxious. The poor servant had the desire to get out of there as soon as possible… but… Rin's pink lips, half-opened, were strongly attracted him like a moth to the light the flames…
In his nebulous mind, a voice began to shout: "Are you crazy?! These kinds of thoughts are NOT for a sister! Stay away immediately! Look at the things you're thinking, monster, damned, sick bastard..." But the voice was muting as Len was inclining in the flagrant darkness of the room, unable to control him or even think what he was doing… Until finally putting slightly his lips over Rin's mouth and weaved his other hand in hers. The blond felt like an electric shock violently through his heart to his stomach, shaking him violently and leaving at the same time a trail of warmth behind, impossible to explain or contain. Len shyly slid his tongue into her mouth, enjoying for an ephemeral moment this beautiful sin, in an attempt to erase the repulsive taste of eggplants of his master on her. After a few minutes, completely lost in his ecstasy, hearing her sister moaning softly, Len sighed, giving her a kiss on the forehead and left the room, closing the door.
Even at the gates of the gardens the old bells of the church were heard, announcing the Sunday mass. However, Len didn't move from his place in the stable, where he was feeding Innovator and the other horses. He left to continue playing, wondering if that music could give some hopes to someone… Len never returned to the Church, because he wasn't willing to follow kneeling to this tyrannical God who allowed this ordeal in first place and turned a deaf ear to his praying: "Please, Dear God… I'm begging you, for my sister's sake, take my master Gakupo to Hell"… on the contrary, the evil harem grew even more and with that, the continued suffering of the servant.
He had already prayed from morning to evening and overnight to morning to God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, all that damn Holy Saint and blessed angel that he known for several days, in order that Gakupo could die, falling off of his horse and breaking his head or choking with one of his eggplant for dinner… and all cavalierly ignored him. Until the patience and faith of Len had a break point with an unpleasant visit:
…
―Sluggish servant! Hurry up and prepare everything, this house is like a pigsty and all should shine! ―Gakupo was saying one noon as he wrapped a towel in the long damp hair.
―Whom are come to visit us, my lord? ―Len asked with seeming tranquility as he wiped a few cups from the sideboard.
―That's none of your business―Gakupo replied imperiously. His eyes suddenly flashed with malice. ―; or maybe… if you're interested, Len: They're old comrades of mine, comrades in arms that I haven't seen for a long time… and whom I want to impress. Do you understand?
―Yes, sir―Len said in a bow. He certainly ignore if these drab guys knew anything about his master's "secret", but he knew that he wouldn't do anything by asking; So he bit his tongue and put the cutlery on the long, ornate table to finish what was being cooked in the kitchen, which wasn't a small thing.
It had been a long time since there were no visitors in the house, since being far from the village road, the inhabitants used to avoid it, since it provokes a strange feeling, as if there were a hidden beast sleeping in those lands. Some time ago, the King's envoys had entered the house for royal reasons, but gradually they stopped appearing, so in that cases Len was used as a messenger, leaving the house alone for days. Whenever he did, Len thanked him mentally, so he wouldn't have to listen to the thundering orgies of several days with alcohol, food, aborigines, candies and cantharides in bulk.
By three o'clock in the afternoon, the characters were minutes away from making their appearance. Len took off his old grease-stained shirt and changed it for one he used for special occasions, even though it was too old. Gakupo ordered him to lock the maidens in their rooms, as he said: "I don't want to draw too much attention and therefore ruin the surprise that I've already prepared for my visitors." Len shrugged as he did, while his master disappeared into his room for a few moments.
―Len, stand in front of the door and receive the coats of my guests! It's for today, useless brat! ―Gakupo ordered from the hallway. Len nodded and stood by the door.
First came a young man with short aquamarine green hair and eyes of the same color, he nodded to the servant, then he gave him his embroidered mantle, revealing a light green and silver suit with tall boots. Behind him was a man with an attractive and malicious face, whose hair and eyes were a deep red. He smiled slyly and took off his mottled cloak, throwing over Len's head, who had already his arm extended to receive it, and then passing by ignoring him as if he was a coat rack. Len took the cloak off of his head and glared at him.
― Mikuo! Akaito! Welcome! ―Gakupo said, extending his arms gently. He wore that ornate outfit that was worn only on holidays and his long wet hair was tied up in a long braid. At that moment another young man with short brown hair and dark eyes appeared, also superbly dressed. ― Oh, Meito! Centuries without seeing you my comrades. Come in, come in! Let's go to the dining room. Len! Take these gentlemen to the table. Move it! ― He added, snapping at the enraged servant.
Len sighed and hastened to obey. It was going to be a long, torturous afternoon.
Soon the table was covered with plates and fountains full of vegetables, meats, stews, nuts and crystal glasses filled with water and alcohol. The silverware clinked while they cut the chicken cakes and the pork stew. The four dukes spent talking and laughing at jokes and gossiping rumors of the aristocracy and its palace intrigues; Len's stomach growled near the time of the desserts as the commensals threw away pieces of unfinished food, especially when he saw the fresh bananas in the fruit basket, but he continue with his work, that is to say supplying drinks to the guests, especially Meito, who was drinking alcohol without stop.
Finally, when the strong plates were removed and there were only the desserts with the wines and sweet liquors as an accompaniment remained on the table, Gakupo lazily leaned back on his chair while the three guests thanked him for the food.
―It's just a superb dinner, Gakupo―Mikuo observed with a gesture as he wiped his mouth with an embroidered napkin. ―. You surpassed the dinner that the governor of Enbizaka gave me last week.
―You're welcome― Gakupo said languidly―; I must give a little recognition to Len, my servant, who spent all morning preparing it for us.
―Really? ―Akaito replied, who then murmured: ―…That explains why the stewed pork tasted a bit weird…
―Hey you―Meito pointed Len with hostility―, if I find a sign of your dirty filthy fingers in my Turkish mantle, you will end up headfirst in the fountain.
At that moment, Gakupo got up.
―Are you ready for my surprise? ―Gakupo asked cheerfully. His friends nodded―; I waited for desserts time to give you some entertainment, so ... ―He gave a heavy spanking―: Rin, come here!
The next thing that happened… to say it was awful for Len, we would be short. Too short. His sister entered through a door that was just behind Gakupo and stood in front of the table. What she had for clothing would have made that Len want to rip his eyes out at that precise moment: There was nothing under the dress. She wore a tightly woven robe of whitish color, with that all could fully appreciate each and every one of the young girl's attributes, including the small breasts still in development. She was barefoot and in one of her feet were heavy silver rings. She seemed to be in a trance and her head was spinning, looking like one of the drugged maidens of the Oracle of Delphi, or rather the impudent dancing slaves of Arabia.
Len's blood froze in an instant. He had believed that there could be nothing more horrible than his master had deflowered with impunity to his little sister… and this was a thousand times worse. Mikuo didn't change his expression, although there was a discomfort in his face. Instead, Akaito and Meito clapped with morbid enthusiasm, asking Gakupo to make Rin turn to see her butt and compare it with of their wives and lovers… something that Gakupo gladly fulfilled.
―Come on, Rin! Dance! Dance for us! ―Gakupo ordered with delight.
The girl began to dance gracefully, making a sort of mixture of Ballet with Polka, between the movements her breasts were shaking, making them jump happily… something that the commensals didn't lose sight of. She kept his arms up and spin around, always smiling in a lost way, beginning to sing (1):
Anata ga nozomu no nara ba
Inu no yoni jujun ni
Himo ni nawa ni kusari ni
Shibara rete agemasho
Arui wa koneko no yoni
Ai kuru shiku anta o
Yubi de ashi de kuchibiru de
Yorokoba sete agemasho
Akaito and Meito stood up clapping frantically, dragging Rin to their chairs to fill her with "attentions" to Gakupo's cruel and complacent smile and Len's horrified gaze. After praying and begging… asking for a miracle… and they gave him this. The servant couldn't stand it any longer and ran to his room, ignoring the call of his master, without stopping to look back. Why?! Why?! Why did God allow all that?!
At that moment Len sent to Hell every prayer, taking the crucifix from his room, given by the nuns and broke it into pieces, hurling it violently against the wall, trampling and kicking it, drowned in this paroxysm of pain… He saw everything go through his head like a blinking movie: The pustules full of parents being thrown to other decomposed bodies in the cemetery. Rin accepting the reliquary between sobs. The first time he saw the castle. The cookies of Nana Macne. The punishments. The beatings. The first time he discovered his master and a girl, making love savagely on the floor. Baskets full of dresses in the attic. The stakes of the pumpkin orchard. Rin's letter. Rin fainted in Gakupo's bed, and now… see her dancing almost naked, letting herself play for that group of degenerates... Everything repeating in his head again and again, without rest, accompanied by a piercing headache, giving him a humiliating and frightening feeling… He could have screamed with all his might, tearing his throat for the hundredth time, seeking to drown with screams, sobs, supplications, blasphemies and curses the multitude of frightful images that besieged him; And in spite of everything, the horrible face of his master was nailed to him, along with the other images, burning with fire in his soul… Finally, exhausted and mad with pain, Len lost his consciousness.
When he opened his eyes, he was lying on the cold, unsanitary floor of his room. The old cuckoo clock on the nightstand showed him that was midnight. Len sat up slowly; the headache was fading a little, but he still felt the furious throbbing in his veins, crying out one single thing:
Vendetta.
Since he didn't think to continue praying for the miracle of Gakupo stretched the leg, or to wait until his master died of old, signifying that an eternal cavalry for him and Rin. On the contrary, Len was thinking of… advance the moment. His blue orbs moved to the chipped little cup of his little table, full of dark tea… He could poison him.
For a moment, Len shuddered. He knew full well that murder his master, no matter how despicable he was, that was to attempt against a human life, and therefore, he won a one-way ticket without return to Hell… But as he peered through the window at the blurred silhouette of his master walking through the gardens, in the company of Akaito and Meito, along with Gumi, Luka… and Rin, the fear of condemnation was replaced by a deaf hatred that burned all weakness. What did it matter if St. Peter kicked his butt as soon as he set foot in the heavenly gates and sent him straight to the kitchens of Satan, if that would free his beloved Rin and the other women of that despicable human being? That would be a less evil monster in the world, which was already saturated with them. After many silent turns, he had it planned.
The next day, after returning from the forest with several fungi and plants that had the capacity to kill a man in less than an hour, Len had to be very careful to not poison himself while cutting the amanita pieces (2) and crushing the leaves of belladonna (3) and poinsettia (4) in the mortar, determined to make Gakupo's dinner: Eggplants stuffed with herbs and mushrooms, the last in his life…
The last?
An hour and a half after he had eaten dinner and Gakupo was still alive and kicking, taking Rin and Gumi to the bathroom, the blond servant wanted to tear his hair out, in another fit of desperation...
…
There was another exit… which was practically the same as the previous one, but added to another element that made it more reprehensible than the other: Witchcraft.
Len sighed as he leaned his face against the window frame, where he watched the rain fall. The idea of doing witchcraft was extremely sacrilegious, that frightening him to madness; but it was no time to back down, especially when it was revealed that Akita Neru became pregnant with her master. That was the "click" that pushed Len to do it… The simple idea that Rin conceived a son of the master made him want to throw himself off the roof of the house. In that way Len had numbed his conscience: He would do it for Rin, and for her he would do anything.
He armed himself with courage and began the process:
In the morning, Len covered himself with a black hood, took Innovator of the stable and rode to the town, specifically, to the Bourbon Street. It would look like an alley like any other… But in some backstreets, at prices of gold and with infinite precautions, the necessary ingredients for witchcraft were sold: snake dust, crushed toads, tongues of hanged men, hairs of harlots, as well as all kinds of plants, harvested at the precise moment of the moon, to make filters of love or poisons in order to destroy the enemy. They also called it "street of the witches" to that narrow road where the devil, around the wax, exerted its trade of raw material of the sortileges.
In the afternoon, with the pretext of preparing a baked chicken dinner for that night, Len discreetly went to the chicken coop at the back of the house, where he pulled out a young specimen of a rooster, all black. Then he took him to the horse stable, while choking the animal's screams, Len strangled him and with a knife opened his chest and drew his heart, then set fire to the animal's corpse. He then went to the corral and brought out a goat of the same color, to do the same, only this time he got his brain, according to what he managed to find out from the book of witchcraft in his master's library. Then he slipped silently into his master's room and seized his hairbrush. (It was lucky that the master had such a long hair, Len thought).
That night, Len took a melancholy candle and locked himself in the kitchen. First of all he had to attract the spirits and so he lit several incense sticks, church candles and took out the Bible that was in one of the showcases. First he took some blood out of his arm, which was to join his master's hair, the viscera of the goat and the roosters' heart, where he mixed them with verbena, lily, mouth of dragon and mercury sulphate, while Len muttered gibberish Incomprehensible in which the name of his master came out three times while heating the diabolical mixture in a new brick, to obtain a thick and acrid substance, of a disgusting dark color. The servant's smile grew more pronounced.
― Where's my tea? ― Gakupo asked the next morning, sitting in his armchair in the living room.
―Here you go, my lord ... ― Len whispered, trying to hide his triumphant tone as he handed him his usual cup of tea… to which Len cleverly disguised the terrible volatile smell using a cook stunt.
― Good. You can retire now.
― Oh! Do not you need anything else, sir? ― Len asked dragging his words, crossing his fingers, as his master drank a long sip of tea.
― No, I don't need anything― Gakupo replied. Len bowed and he was about to retire when… ―…By the way, I congratulate you: This tea of animal viscera and plants of witches was very well… Just delicious ― he said suddenly, drinking another long sip.
The servant paled at the words. How did he know!? If he was so careful to not betray himself in everything he did! Len's mouth fell open and he muttered incomprehensible words. His master gave him a wry smile as he dripped some of the dark liquid down his chin.
Terrified, Len locked himself in his room.
…
The streets look saddened. Len was walking painfully into the marketplace, while bursts of wind made his blond hair wave over the hood of the little gray cloak. In his wake, desperate parents and husbands called their daughters and wives; the piles of pamphlets of "disappeared women" were already torn away by the rain and the wind, covering the floor of yellowed and forgotten shreds.
From the second unsuccessful attempt to get rid of his master, Len had fallen into a state of crushing demoralization, sunk in defeat. He looked with sorrow at each person who asked him with a look of anguish in their eyes: "Have you seen her?" wishing with all his soul to help them to find their loved ones… but that didn't seem possible: His master had shown him (or rather, rubbed in the nose), that he was beyond the reach of the destiny… How much Len would give for a damn sign to be presented on him, whether blessed or diabolical…! In the middle of his thoughts he bumped into a hunched woman in her hood.
―Forgive me― Len murmured―, I didn't notice you where I was walking…
―It doesn't matter, boy― the woman muttered, raising her head to look at him, revealing a ripe gray face with long white hair and dark eyes. Looking at him, the woman's basset eyes widened. ―, …Len? It's that you?
―How did you know my name? ―Len asked her, surprised.
―Oh my God… How the stay in that damn house has changed you! Oh Len! Why didn't you run away? It wasn't enough for you to be with that jackal for a single day? ―the servant began to retreat, perhaps taking her for a lunatic woman; she lowered her hood even more. ―Don't you recognize me? I'm Nana… Nana Macne… The former cook of Duke Gakupo.
Len racked his brains for a moment, until a providential memory hit his exhausted mind: He remembered that when he first came to the house, there was a cook of old age: Nana, who received him with a tired smile and a hot wafer… But after a month, she disappeared dusty. Although Len did not have so much contact with her, due to her duties, he missed her and asked to master about her, who said: "She left us for health reasons…"
―It's you, Nana! ― Len said, catching her arms affectionately with his―. Centuries have passed! Where did you go? Why did you leave me? The master said that you left because you were indisposed…
―Lies― Nana interrupted him―, yes, I'm indisposed… but of my soul. Years ago…―she lowered her voice to a whisper―; I received a blow, from which I will never recover. You didn't see it, Len. Oh, God prevented you from seeing that! ―The woman paled suddenly and collapsed on a stool.
―I do not understand, Nana― Len said, sitting down beside her―. What happened to you? What did you see?
― Oh my! That was for being curious! It was when Master Gakupo returned home. He was sad and furious at the same time: Apparently a maiden named Gumi had made him a fool of in front of other people. He was really upset: he was talking to himself and wringing his hands (although I did not worry, I was already accustomed to his eccentricities ...) and one night ... ―The woman lowered her voice even more, closing her eyes―. I heard strange noises in his office… I dared to see through the door: Gakupo was in front of a mirror, completely naked, kneeling in the center of a pentagram painting with blood and surrounded by candles, invoking the Devil… And from what I came to hear… He was asking for the power to attract every woman who looked at him…
Len became livid, assimilating Nana´s words: "So that's why the master doesn't die," thought Len, looking at the floor, "So that's why he didn't react to my prayers or the poisons, coming to a guess it in the tea: He made a pact with the devil to make any woman who looked at him fall madly in love with him… Rin included."
―I'm sorry, I don't like to talk about this…―Nana mused―. Now I want to know… Why didn't you leave the house yet, Len?
―Because I just can't―Len said, looking lost―. Before, what that stopped me to leave that house was the gratefulness that I felt to Master Gakupo for giving me a job and a home, instead of continuing living in that dark orphanage… I've been guarding my master's horrible tastes all these years, fulfilling with the servant's obligation to keep the secrets of their masters… But now, the master has taken my own twin sister Rin as a slave… ―Nana's eyes filled with pity and compassion to see the servant's face of pain―; I confess you that I've tried to eliminate him… in various ways, and in all he has survived completely unscathed. I do not know what else to do, Nana…
―There are three justices in this world, Len―Nana said, standing up―. The justice of God, the justice of Devil… and our own. I wish I could help you in making true justice come and enlighten us with its light… We must wait for a small spark to cause the great fire that we have been waiting for so long… I must go. Trust in God, Len… and he will help you.
The woman waved goodbye and disappeared into the market stalls, leaving a completely thoughtful Len, holding tightly the handle of the basket that was carrying him, full of eggplants. He took one of the thickest eggplants and squeezed it, imagining that it was Gakupo's head and the juice that was slipping between his fingers and dripping in the cold ground, his blood.
Author's Note:
(1) Iroha Song.
(2) A species of fungus that grows wild. The Amanita Virusa, which has an intense red color on its head, (scientific name) differs from other species of its family (cream or beige, with very pleasant flavors) being extremely toxic.
(3) The belladonna (atropa belladonna), commonly known as deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Is one of the most toxic plants found in the Eastern Hemisphere.
(4) The poinsettia is a flower of scarlet color that usually grows in the Nordic towns. Due to its quality of blooming during the winter is known as a Christmas symbol, "The Christmas Flower". Despite its beautiful color and shape, this flower is extremely poisonous, because a single petal is enough to kill a child.