Author's Note:
Guys, question. If I release a visual novel, filled with art, music and writing by yours truly, would you guys be interested in getting it? Cause that's what I'm doing right now. With the idea of it being part of my creative portfolio I have shifted most of my free time in writing, art and music producing as well as programming the Visual Novel. But it seems I missed Amato and his friends a little bit too much to stay away completely...
Chapter 69: A Very Special Day.
Some days, you find it easier to sleep in. To stay in bed, just turn off that alarm and bury yourself under the blanket. Today was one of those days. A Sunday, a holiday and best of all, none of those mandatory patrol-before-the-Famiglia-starts-patrolling-befor e-dawn patrols Kiera would assign me once every week. How I yearn to just lose myself in my dreams, to sleep till noon like a normal teenager for once...
So why am driven awake by this small hint of noise ringing through my ears?
Suddenly I'm pulled out of the sheets by instinct, rising out of bed and slipping into my flip flops. The buzzing seems to be getting louder and louder, as if something big is happening. Pushed forward by the sound, the gnawing feeling that today's a rather special occasion appeared in the back of my head.
Now if only I can figure out what is it exactly...
Digging through the wardrobe, I ended up ignoring it as I picked up my usual set of clothes before shuffling my way out of the room, dazed and barely catching the sight the calendar placed beside the grand mirror.
Out of my bedroom, the hallways seemed especially quiet today for some reason. No soft chatter littering the corridors, the sign of my Famiglia working out their daily routines. I wonder where everyone went? It's been a long while since it felt this solemn as I made my way down the flight of stairs. The steps themselves feels as though they could go on forever, reaching up into the sky or deep into the ground. Pushing through the halls, the journey to the bathroom has never felt so drawn out.
No one. I didn't see anyone even as I made my way out of my bath. The stillness of the halls are suffocating, and I can only keep the inner voice of my thoughts going for so long. Still, now freshened up, it doesn't feel as surreal as before as I made my way into the kitchen. Amidst the piles and piles of fruit and bread placed across the corners of the place, the questions can only linger for so long before a ravenous growl from the stomach took over.
Welp, at least there's still food all over the table. Last time I remember I can't cook for nuts! Hold on...
Breaking my chain of thoughts, a tray of food all covered up caught my eye. It was still warm, and the delicious scent of mildly toasted bread and freshly whipped scrambled eggs wafted through the air. Neatly placed at its side is a small note. Lured by the mesmerizing smell I took one glance at the tiny piece of embroidered paper and instantly recognized the handwriting.
"My Lord, please pardon me for my absence. I have but a small errand to run for the day. On the table is a full set of American-styled breakfast of ham, bacon and eggs complimented by a set of your favorite french toast as well as a cup of hot cocoa on the side. I apologize for the fact that you will have to have breakfast alone, for I have granted leave a great number of the Famiglia this day. But do not fret, my Lord, for I will be back latest by dusk."
"Kiera's gone for the day?" I can't help but ask out despite the fact that no one is there to catch it. Kiera hardly ever leaves the mansion, and today she's apparently given most of the Famiglia day off. Maybe Sergio and Johann's gone for the day as well.
"Crunch."
Biting into toast left a sweet and creamy taste in my mouth, blending well with the roughness of the bread. The morning ticks by as I sat there in the Venetian Gothic-styled kitchen, surrounded by beautiful figures carved into the stone pillars, enjoying the quiet breakfast with a peace unlike anything I've experienced before...
Scratch that, it's boring!
I can't believe it! I think I would prefer to have myself surrounded by a dozen other people rather than being alone! Even if they're just members of my Famiglia, present around me to do nothing but grace my presence alone...
This loneliness...is the worst!
"I gotta get outta here, maybe towards the garden. A little fresh air might do wonders..." Again I mutter to no one but myself as I took one last sip, pushing the creamy cocoa down the throat. The morning light has started tinting yellow, bit by bit. Before long, the restlessness grew unbearable, and I find myself kicking my way out of my seat. Grabbing an apple off the grand table I soon turned heels back into the house, making my way towards the garden at the back.
Who knows, maybe someone will be there to tell me what's so special about today.
Away from the modern sights of the city, the door leading out to the gardens opened with a gentle breeze. Winter is slowly coming to an end, and even now, the rich smell of the leaves seeped into the air. How long has it been since I last stepped foot into the garden? I think it's been a little more than a year now. Eyes tracing along the scenery, the rows of rare fauna collected over decades, the border of the garden itself slowly disappeared, blending into the outlying forest way towards the back.
The only artificial forest ever grown here in Venice, if I'm not wrong.
As the sun's light grazed the skin, I started to hear the sound of pouring water. In the sea of green, a familiar blond ponytail appeared amidst the fern. She had the same jet-black suit on, and the gentle gaze she had as she watered each and every plant showed me a side of her I've never seen before. The motherly warmth took my breath away for a good few seconds before the words came back to me.
"Sera?"
"I told you not to call me that..." She replied with calm, her eyes closing as a gentle smile stretched across her face. Almost immediately after, she turned to me with a bow. "What a surprise! Exactly what did I accomplished to have you grace me with your presence, Boss?" She gave out, looking to me with her alluring blue eyes while bearing a placid demeanor.
Because of that I can't tell if the question was sarcasm or serious. Maybe it was a bit of both.
"N-No, it's nothing like that! I'm just...wondering what you're up to, Sera..." For some reason, it became a little bit more difficult to talk. "The house feels eerie with most of the Famiglia gone, so I wanted to come relax in the garden..." Slowly I pieced together a somewhat reasonable explanation, before ultimately turning my eyes away from Sera. Her beaming smile was making me...nervous, I guess. As her eyes fell to her feet and her cheeks tint red, I watched as she started fidgeting for a bit, losing the calm she showed just seconds before.
She turned from distinguished Famiglia into a normal teenaged girl in a manner of seconds, and I felt my face heating up...
Desperate for a respite, I quickly jumped towards one of the pearl-white garden benches littered around the corners. I just realized we hadn't talked in forever, and even when we did, it wasn't to get to know each other. It was always business. I guess I'm kinda afraid? Afraid that my current image of her would disappear when I get to know the real Sera...
The next thing I know, I look back up only to see Sera having taken a seat beside me. For some reason, she still had her eyes pinned on me...
"Uh...do I have something on my face, Sera?" To break the silence I suddenly found myself croaking out.
"Nope, I'm just really glad I got to spend some time with you today, of all days..." She muttered out, before taking a deep breath and relaxing in her seat. By now she's practically no more than an inch away from where sat, and she was inching closer still. "Weird, Kiera actually told me not to disturb you for the day..." She whispered, as if mumbling to herself before her voice just kinda trailed off.
Nevertheless, her words reminded me of something. "Um, Sera? Is...today a special day or something? I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something really important..." As the morning wind grazed against my hair, I asked out while trying my best to look back towards Sera, only to notice a weight gently pressing against my left shoulders.
Oh boy.
Sera had dozed off at my side, her breathing slow as each breath tickled the skin. I guess I'll just sit here for a while longer...
Oh look, another gust of wind drew a bunch of leaves into the air. They glide and sailed along the wind before dispersing into five different directions, disappearing into the light of the sun. Admiring the scenery is one of the few things I could do without disturbing Sera. Of course, there are worse ways to spend a morning than have a beautiful girl snoozing off by your side.
I look at Sera and can't help but wonder. She must have been really exhausted to fall asleep so easily. How long had she been keeping watch over the garden? For all I know she could have been here since last night, so maybe she's earned an hour of rest...
"Hmph..uh..hah.." Just as I convinced myself to stay still for a little while longer however, I hear the soft moaning of someone waking up. As her striking blue eyes opened, she only needed a second before she almost literally leaped away from me in surprise!
"Eyah! B-Boss! Oh my gosh, I-I fell asleep!" Immediately Sera's face went from calm to beet red as she struggled to get a hold of the situation. In truth, I didn't quite mind what happened, but something tells me speaking out to Sera right now would only make things worse.
In the end, she just pushed herself to the other end of the bench, her reddened face hanging amidst her golden bangs as she stared at the ground embarrassed.
"S-Sera?" I couldn't help it any longer. She seemed to be beating herself up a bit too much from the look on her face. "Uh...don't worry about what happened. I kept watch while you rested, and nothing happened. So..everything's..fine?" As the words continued however, she doesn't seem to be snapping out of her depressed stupor. "So um..you okay?" By now I can't help but worry. As my hand tried to reach out to her however, Sera suddenly pushed herself off the seat!
"I'm sorry...Boss. I'm sorry you had to do all of that for me..." As if too ashamed to face me, she apologized without turning to me with a shaking voice. In my seat I can't help but feel she's overreacting a tad bit too much. She's moving so quickly I'm barely able to calm her down! "Excuse me, Boss...I, uh..gotta go!" She cried out before dodging to the sides and straight for the mansion!
"Wha-what? Sera, wait up!" In a blink of an eye she just blew off from the gardens with me breaking off behind her! I ran calling her name, barely able to keep sight of her as we plunged back into the house of Zanna. Oh man, even at her back I could see her shaking in her steps as she scrambled forth, nearly tripping over her own feet every few steps. Gotta find some way to calm her down!
At least, that's the plan. But with each corridor, our steps clicking along the marble floors, I realized the distance between the two of us was growing larger. It wasn't as much as Sera getting quicker, but the fact that I'm slowing down. It only took seconds before my chest got tighter and tighter before a sharp pain seemed to struck out from my lungs.
"Hah..huff..hah..hah.."
I can't believe I'm so out of shape without my Awakening!
Dodging past the towering white pillars, the sight of the stained glass windows marked with numerous symbols seemed to fade in and out of clarity. The next thing I know I ran all the way to the main hall, and Sera's golden hair had disappeared.
"Huff..hah..hah.."Oh boy, I lost her. My feet felt like jelly, the muscles throbbing and tingling. I couldn't help but bend down clutching my chest and trying to assuaged the piercing pain. I hate the fact that my stamina's practically non-existent without my Awakening. Man, if Master was here, he would have been furious!
"Sigh, I guess Sera could use some time alone to sort out her thoughts..." I concluded as my mind gave off an apology. Catching my breath, I made my way down the arching steps leading towards the halls. Something was...ringing. And it was getting louder. I can't help but twitch as my ears starting picking it up again...
Is that..music?
As I made my way towards the huge, wooden main doors, the sounds became clearer. There were entire ensembles playing, not to mention laughter and chatter so prominent I can't help interested. Drawn by what felt like festivities beyond the doors, I wasted no time getting them open. As my hands gently pushed down on the mahogany doors, light and sound flooded into the mansion like a wave, engulfing every one of my senses! When thing became clear, a smile stretched across my face.
Oh, how did I managed to miss such a grand event?
"The day's young and we have events and food galore!" Out of nowhere, a voice started addressing t the sea of crowds through the public address system. Some people were dressed in robes and masks while others were just in casual clothes enjoying the festivities, but every one turned to listen.
"The main event is on the way, for those who just joining us, let me be the first to say, welcome to Carnevale de Venezia!"
Yes, I finally manage to break out of my procrastination long enough to churn out another chapter! I really enjoyed writing the interactions between Amato and Sera. You guys still remember who she is? The special day has just begun, and I can't wait to write about what's gonna happen next! As usual, give me you thoughts in your reviews, I would love to hear from you guys! Suggestions, comments, critiques and even questions are all welcome, and I'll do my best to reply to every single one!