A/N:: Mathematical! I figured if I'm getting back into the habit of writing, I would get into the habit of updating both of my stories. Fractured foot at the moment, so I'm not working, but who knows when I'll update since I do on whims. Well enjoy anyway.
Disclaimer:: I do not own the rights to the Cain Saga, those rights belong Kaori Yuki, kthxbai.
Chapter Four:: Roses Are Red Part I
Cain let out a loud yawn and stretched as he lazily reclined on the divan. He picked the book he had been reading off of his chest, sighing in relief that the house was peaceful, rather than in its usual state of turmoil.
"Tea Master Cain?" Riff asked, entering the room in his usual timely fashion.
"Yes, I do believe that tea is the only thing missing from this delightfully peaceful day," Cain replied.
"Then I suppose that it's a good thing I arrived to liven up your day," the cocky voice of Crehador drifted into the room, and sure enough, moments later the animal print clad young man sauntered into the room with his usual grandiose air.
"Riff, would you care to explain to me what this buffoon is doing intruding into my house, when I cannot recall calling him?" Cain asked, raising an eyebrow as Riff handed him a cup of freshly poured tea. He took a sip, eyes concentrated in a glare upon the young man.
"What a rude way to treat one's guests, Earl of Misfortune," Crehador replied. "I thought our partnership was as good as any superficial invitation, especially when there is news of our objective."
"Well don't be daft then, give me this information and leave," Cain snapped, less than enthused about the visit of the young man.
"Delilah has been unusually quiet lately, no new property being bought, no suspicious deaths or activity from any plots in our projected area, just quiet activity. I have a few individuals keeping tabs on some of the known members, namely your doctor friend and even he has not made any recent moves even to come into contact with you."
"And that would be a problem because?" Cain asked, annoyed.
"Because it means they're planning something and haven't made their move yet." Crehador took a seat across from Cain. "I can sense it, it's going to be huge and I don't like it at all."
"Communicating with the spirits again?" Cain raised an eyebrow and sighed, sitting up and brought his fingers together in a triangular position, resting his head on his thumbs. "I must have been temporarily insane when I acquired your assistance. Coming to me with your hunches, honestly, I'm only interested in facts, not speculation."
"Then don't trust my instincts Earl, I'll take no offense, I just hope that if my feeling proves true your casual attitude doesn't destroy you. Adieu." And in a huff Crehador got up and left without another word.
"Well sir, shall we go out to town so you can get fitted for a new hat? I have been looking all over this morning and I simply cannot find it," Riff walked into the room with Cain's black cloak draped over his arm.
"Ah, what a shame, I was quite partial to that hat, suppose you can't change fate though," Cain sighed, slipping into the jacket Riff held, "well then, shall we?" Cain headed out the door with Riff quickly following at his heels.
"Where today, milord?" The old cabbie asked, opening the carriage door for Cain to slip in.
"Take me to Roger's, I'm due for a new hat apparently," Cain ordered.
"As you wish milord," the driver bowed and the shut the door, climbing into his perch and clicking for the horses to begin their journey. The carriage lurched to a start, Cain sighing, as he stared out the window with his arm resting on the side of the carriage and his head resting in his hand.
The pair sat in silence as Cain gazed lazily out of the window, drifting in and out of consciousness, until finally he drifted into slumber, falling into Riff's lap as they rounded a turn. Riff stiffened in surprise from the sudden event, but quickly relaxed, chuckling slightly at the carefree nature of his young master. He lightly stroked Cain's silky ebony locks as one would stroke a child's hair, pleased at the closeness intentional or not. He knew his desires were strictly forbidden, a man loving his master, even more so his male master, but Riff couldn't help but develop an attraction to the elegant young man. He kept all his feelings inside however, knowing Cain would probably accept his feelings, but not reciprocate them and as a result an irreparable distance would grow between them. Therefore Riff was content with moments such as these when he could just be near his master. The carriage lurched to a halt and Riff swiftly removed his hand as Cain bolted up, quickly looking around.
"Up too late last night testing new poisons," he muttered, then smirked, "didn't bother you too much with my careless dozing did I Riff? Should've knocked me out of the carriage when you had the chance."
"I would never dream of it milord," Riff replied, getting out of the carriage. He proceeded to walk to the other side and open the door for Cain. Cain stepped out and straightened his coat.
"Message for you sir," a grubby youth with a soot covered face huffed running up to Cain and handed him a thick ivory envelope with a strange crest embellished into the seal. The urchin held out his dirt covered hands expectantly, waiting for his tip.
"Take this, perhaps tonight you can sleep with a full stomach," Cain said, handing the urchin a sovereign.
"How generous of you milord, I thank you," the urchin bowed running off.
"Well, this is rather peculiar, no? How did the urchin know of our location, we only just arrived," Cain asked, staring quizzically at the envelope in his hands. He slipped his finger in between the seal and the paper of the envelope, separating the two and pulling a note out from the envelope. The note was plain and written on thick paper in an elegant swooping script.
Earl Hargreaves,
I hope that this letter will find you promptly. It does make me uneasy to have to send it with a wretch from the streets, but I feared you would not accept a message from one of my personal guards. I have recently acquired the position of Baroness and would be honored if you would attend a soiree that I will be hosting tonight. I would like to become acquainted better with my fellow nobles and make my entrance into respectable society. The event will begin promptly at 5'o clock this eve; however you may come at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Baroness Lorraine Dagon
"Interesting, the new baroness has invited me to her house for the evening," Cain tucked the letter into his coat. "I was not aware that there was a new baroness."
"Yes, apparently old Baron Henry Dagon passed away about a month ago and left his estate and his title to his only daughter Lorraine. However, it took a while to locate her and make all arrangements for the transference of the title and land. I assume that her ladyship is probably holding the event in hopes of scouting out a possible suitor to seal her position," Riff explained, handing the Earl his cane as the two walked into the hat shop. "And I told the housekeeper of our departure milord so I would suppose that the Baroness has a large contact network and therefore swiftly contacted us."
"I suppose I will have to join her ladyship this eve since she has gone to so much trouble to ensure that I was invited, a shame but I will not be able to wait for my hat today, simply tell Roger to make one with the usual measurements and I will be by to pick it up tomorrow if I have the time," Cain sighed, heading back into the carriage.
The manor was rather plain, in a slight state of disrepair since the old owner had clearly cared little for the estate in his older age. Ivy clung to the sides, choking the building in its embrace. The gardens looked freshly tended to however, with beautiful pink roses freshly planted. A lonely willow tree stood in the yard overlooking a pond that was black with dirt. A young woman sat on a stone bench underneath the tree picking petals off of one of the pink roses from the garden and threw them into the water. Cain and Riff walked over to her, believing this was the owner of the house who had stepped out for a minute.
"He loves me, he loves me not," she muttered under her breath as she plucked petal after petal, her words not even matching the vigorous speed that she was pulling the petals off. "He loves me, he loves me not," she said again, a bit louder this time, finishing one rose and picking up another one from a small stack she had beside her. "He loves me, he loves me not! He loves me, he loves me not! He loves me, he loves me not!" The girl began to scream now merely ripping the tops of the roses off and throwing them into the water before jumping in herself screaming.
"Madam, what are you doing?" Cain called after her, jumping into the water and pulling her out where she lay screaming on the beach, her hair shrouding her face.
"Let go of me, let go of me! Unhand me you fiend!" the girl screamed, and the moment Cain let go the girl bolted up and started running toward the manor.
"Lilith, mind yourself!" A willowy young woman shouted from the doorway before walking over towards the two men. She had a proud appearance to her face as she sauntered over with all the pride that comes with being noble. She stared at the two men with harsh grey eyes, clearly judging them. "Dreadfully sorry about Lilith, she is a bit unstable, but the doctors did not believe the hospital was the most constructive place for her illness. I am the lady of this house, Baroness Lorraine and I welcome you to my humble abode."
"It is truly an honor to meet such a lovely young woman," Cain replied, kissing her hand, "I am Earl Cain Hargreaves and this is my servant, Riff."
"The pleasure is all mine Lord Hargreaves, you were the guest who I had most hoped to meet," her eyes briefly flashed with what appeared to be lust. "It is true that Lilith may be 17, but I assure you I myself am only 32, a horrible mistake I made in my youth of getting married prematurely."
"32? My lady, you barely look a day over 18," Cain charmed her, and it was clear that Lorraine was basking in the flattery.
"Please, come into my house and we can get better acquainted. I feel a chill in the air and I am not so eager to catch my death when I have only just joined society," Lorraine replied, wrapping her shawl tightly around her body as she walked towards the manor. As they walked she continued to talk. "This house is in a great state of disrepair at the moment, but I feel given a bit of time I can restore it back to its glory days. I've already begun renovations on the gardens; I feel a healthy garden says a lot about a person, more so than even the state of the house. I'm having a hard time doing anything about the ivy though, it simply clings to the building like an ill fitting cloak and the more I chop at it the more it seems to spring right back up. I do suppose that it adds an air of mystery to the estate however." Lorraine giggled, opening the front door and walking through. "Make yourself at home, I must greet the other guests and we will dine soon. I am most eager to chat with you again Earl." With that Lorraine made her exit and the two were once again left solitary.
There was a sudden sound of footsteps and the two looked up the spiral staircase to their left to see Lorraine's daughter Lilith walking delicately down the stairs, a complete transformation from earlier. Her previously black medusa curls had been tamed and her hair was now pinned tightly in a chignon, although a thick chunk of hair was still free, covering the majority of the left part of her face. She had changed out of the tattered mud stained dress that Cain had pulled her out of the water in and was now wearing a fashionable green gown that complemented her bright emerald eyes. She descended the stairs with a grace that she had not previously shown before stopping before them, looking at them with a mixture of coldness and disgust as though the spirit from earlier still remained.
"Yes, do feel free to make yourself at home if you can call this horrible place a home. We shall treat you with all the artificial hospitality you expect and will have our servants break their back to meet even your most asinine request. Afterwards feel free to fuck my hooker of a mother so that her womb may be filled with another abomination like me," Lilith laughed.
"I assure you my dear lady; I had absolutely no intention of partaking in any such illicit activities with your mother. She is almost twice my age for starters, and secondly I merely have no interest in her," Cain replied.
"As though relationships with such an age difference were anything uncommon, surely you jest Earl. However, if you are serious of having no interest in my mother then why did you accept her invitation? Any nobleman who is not married merely showed up to attempt to bed my mother," Lilith crossed her arms and frowned in curiosity.
"I did not realize upon agreeing that it was that kind of an event. I thought it was the introduction of a new noble into society and was merely fulfilling my role as a noble by showing up," Cain replied.
"You're a liar, a good one, but definitely a liar. I care little for your true purpose here Earl, but I can almost definitely promise you you'll have an interesting night," Lilith smiled, walking into another room. "Adieu dear Earl."
Riff frowned thoughtfully as he stared at the doorway that the insane daughter of the baroness had just passed through. Cain picked up his hand and brushed his fingers over Riff's brow and down to his lips, where the paused for a moment before he retracted them.
"Be careful how you crease your face, no need to give yourself wrinkles."
"Yes, but that girl truly chills me to the bone," Riff replied, turning to stare at his young master.
"Dwell no more on it, we must prepare for this interesting night we were promised," Cain scoffed. "Let's have a seat until dinner begins." Cain walked into a room in front of them, shutting the doors behind him. The room was elegantly done in a mahogany wood with a fireplace casting shadows over much of the furniture. Two chintz armchairs faced the fireplace with a small table in the middle holding an elegant clear dish filled with assorted candies. Tall bookshelves covered the entirety of the room perimeter, containing thousands of books of different sizes and colours. Riff sat in one of the armchairs as Cain perused the bookshelves, a hand to his chin as her focused on the various titles.
"Necromancy and Its Practices, The Use of Black Magic For Longevity, Demon Summonings and Control, Modern Witchcraft, Deals With the Devil," Cain read a few of the titles of some of the darker leather bound tomes, "quite an interesting collection the old Baron had. Shame it has seemed to help him little."
"I cannot say that I am thrilled that we're in the house of an occultist, even if he is now dead," Riff frowned.
"Relax," Cain replied, walking over to Riff. He sat himself directly into Riff's lap, turned at an angle, as he wrapped an arm around the older gentleman. "They're quite dusty."
"Master Cain? What are you doing?" Riff stiffened, startled at the sudden contact.
"I suppose I must be a far better actor than I had previously believed," Cain laughed, "I feigned sleep merely for the chance to rest on your lap. I was surprised but pleased when you didn't simply shove me off, though I didn't believe you would regardless, but imagine my surprise when not only was I not mercilessly shoved across the carriage and back to my seat, but you also began to stroke my hair."
"Master Cain, please excuse my extremely unnecessary and socially unaccepted action. I have no idea what possessed me," Riff began to vehemently apologize.
"Perhaps the same thing that possesses me whenever we're together, I had my suspicions but I needed to be sure. You never flinch from my actions, no matter how far they cross what is acceptable behavior. However one could merely attribute that to being a faithful servant. So I set off to find out through your actions when I would not be aware that you were not being the ever dutiful servant. That you have more or less accepted my advances has greatly pleased me," Cain explained before he gently pressed his lips against Riff's.
"This is extremely unacceptable behavior Master, think of the stigma if anyone were to discover these feelings," Riff begged.
"I neither care nor fear the rules of society," Cain replied, "my only fear is that I am mistaken and in being so I will lose that which I care about most in this world."
"Master, I promised that I would follow you to hell and back regardless of the circumstances." Riff pulled the boy close and began to kiss him gently on the lips before the young Earl pressed back, harder against Riff's lips. He lightly pressed his tongue against Riff's lips, asking permission to enter. Riff opened his mouth and the two kissed more furiously, tongues dancing as they kissed. Finally Riff withdrew, panting slightly. "And I can't say that I won't enjoy following you there." Riff smiled coyly. Light footsteps from the hall echoed into the room and Cain shot up, quickly sinking into the adjacent chair, straightening his clothes to erase the events that had just transpired in the eyes of whoever was coming.
"Dinner is ready if you're ready to join us Earl," Lorraine smiled, walking in. "Normally I would've sent a servant to fetch you, but I wanted to personally tell you that I have arranged things so that we will be sitting together at the meal and I am really looking forward to speaking with you tonight." Lorraine gave Riff a disgusted look. "You may dine in the servants' quarters; one of the servants will be by shortly to show you the way." Her tone changed from its normal pleasant and sultry tone to one that was extremely cold. Cain got up and began to follow her, an amused look on his face.
"If you excuse me Riff, I must contend with my newest admirer," Cain whispered so that only Riff caught his words.
"As popular with the ladies as ever sir," Riff replied shaking his head and stood up and bowed to acknowledge Cain's exit.
A steady rain had begun to fall outside, causing a heavy cascade to slide down the windows of the manor. The sky outside had gone from being overcast earlier with light grey clouds to extremely dark, the sky now filled with pitch black clouds, forewarning of an impending storm.
"Dreadful night wouldn't you say Earl?" Lorraine asked, turning her head slightly as she led him through the house and to the dining room.
"It definitely is, I'm certainly glad I'm inside of your warm house and not caught in that horrible downpour," Cain replied curtly.
Lorraine opened a huge set of mahogany doors and walked into large dining room. It was just as elegant and dark as the rest of the house. A huge chandelier was set into the middle of the ceiling, illuminating the room in a haunting glow. All of the red velvet curtains had been drawn so that the ugly sight of Mother Nature was blocked from the view of the guests. The focal point of the room however was a large mahogany table, topped with beautifully decorated white china and goblets of red wine. The majority of guests were already seated around the table in the chairs he was certain the servants had designated for them. They gave Cain a curt nod or brief words of greeting to acknowledge his entrance, each of which Cain replied in turn, promising some individuals they would speak later in the evening. Lorraine sat at the head of the table and gestured towards a seat next to her. Cain sat down, seeing the seat beside him was currently unoccupied.
"If Lilith decides to join us this eve she will be seated to your right. She simply insisted on sitting beside the handsome young Earl and almost threw a fit until I agreed to her request. She rarely joins us for dinner however, so I believe you should be quite free of her inane prattling," Lorraine explained.
"What a shame that I have decided to join you this evening," Lilith laughed, holding a fan to her face as she walked to her seat. "You're merely scared that I'll steal the heart of your current interest you old harpy. And don't you dare look at me with that shocked expression; even a blind man could see how you shamelessly throw yourself at the Earl like a common whore."
Lorraine stood up and slapped Lilith across the face. "How dare you speak of me so you ungrateful cur, I should've forced them to keep you in that god awful asylum, you mad whore."
"Yes, yes," Lilith sat down, unfazed by the slap, as her mother also regained her seat, "let us shout to the heavens that Lilith Dagon is mad as a hatter. She tried to drown herself and was committed, but deemed only temporarily insane and therefore the doctors refused to keep her. Let us not mention however the events that led to these actions. One would hate to tarnish the spotless reputation of Baroness Lorraine Dagon."
"Cain, if I may be so bold, please ignore this contemptible individual," Lorraine replied.
"Enough mother, you're making a scene, save face and converse with the gentleman to your left who has been eager to catch your attention since your arrival. I am sure that the Earl has had more than enough of your incessant attention," Lilith spat. Lorraine shot her daughter a dark look before turning to look at Cain.
"Please, I would hate for you to waste your whole evening talking to me and risk alienating your other guests as a result," Cain nodded. A look of complete shock crossed Lorraine's face as though she had just been slapped. Quickly she regained her composure and without another word turned to converse with the older gentleman beside her.
"I do apologize for my mother's outright nature; she simply has never learned to control herself around men. No matter what she's told you it is this very attitude of hers that resulted in my conception. The marriage was merely a necessary act to prevent the scandal that would result from a young woman pregnant with no husband. I am a bastard," Lilith laughed.
"Your mother seems agreeable enough if a bit headstrong, but if you want something I suppose you must do all that is in your power to seize it. In that way you are not too different from your mother. Isn't that right Lady Dagon?" Cain raised an eyebrow.
"So you've caught me," Lilith sighed, "I can't say I am surprised however, although I am only partly the child of that bitch."
"Oh, how so?" Cain asked, genuinely curious at this point.
"I have not been entirely honest with you tonight, I confess. I am a monster, at least partly so. My mother offered me as a sacrifice to a demon in my infancy. I am not aware of the deal she attempted to make, however I do know that instead of killing me the demon entered my body, merging with my soul. Mother was furious, she absolutely abhors having a child especially one as horrid as me. However it is never wise to anger a demon so she allows my existence and provides for my wellbeing. My hair covers the demon's part of my face, I am truly hideous underneath this veil," Lilith told Cain, seemingly pleased that someone held an interest in her.
"Is that so? Might I gain a glance at the demon?" Cain asked.
"I cannot show you, I'm simply to horrible to look at. You would never look at me the same again," Lilith replied.
"Please, I promise you my lady there is nothing that could be so horrible as to alter my opinion of you," Cain pressed, now earnest to see what Lilith was so eager to hide.
"It is only fitting that I was named Lilith after the woman who was thought to have been related to a class of demons," Lilith sighed, lifting her bang. Her face was perfectly unmarred and was exactly symmetrical to the right side of her face, causing Cain confusion at her lament. As he scrutinized her features however he noticed her bane. Her left iris was a bright shade of gold, a sharp contrast to her other eye. "You see the demon inside of me?" Lilith began to cackle. "Be careful Earl or I will consume you with those pretty eyes and that temptingly stained soul." Lilith got up, still laughing, and left the room.
"Dreadfully sorry to interrupt madam, but I am afraid the storm has escalated in severity. There is no way that any carriage will be able to brave this storm and I must insist that the guests remain until it blows over. I can arrange to have some rooms made ready if you wish it Mistress," a butler walked into the room, immediately bowing and remaining in that position.
"Yes, set it up, and absolutely do not interrupt again unless lives are at stake," Lorraine snapped. "I assume you have all heard my guests, but tonight you shall remain with me." And with that Lorraine smiled at all her guests, "I assure you it will be a pleasant night."
A/N:: I feel this will be extremely dark, but I was in a dark mood when I came up with the idea for the story so I hope you will forgive me. I'm beginning to enter the territory of a relationship between Cain and Riff so let's see how it progresses. I hope you enjoyed and I will get the next part out when I can.