First thing in the morning, Mai woke up, momentarily disoriented. She blinked the sleep away and sat up, looking out the window to see mountains and trees covered in mist. She hurried off the bed and headed for the bathroom to prepare for the day, not surprised to find it just as aristocratic as the bedchamber to which it was adjacent.
Today was the day when Mai would have to make a good first impression. She only had a week to do this after all. She'd have to be brave and employ all of her charms to make some magic happen. She didn't owe it to Geese, but she'd like to come back to a city where she could drive with him and not worry about getting shot at.
The image of Moira getting her brain splattered all over the dashboard flashed before her eyes and caused her to shudder. It was the cruelty - no, the reality of the situation she had chosen to walk further into. The world was cruel and unbiased yet fair in its complete objectivity, hardly.
Mai knew this all too well. She was just one person so she couldn't fix everything but she had autonomy and she would have to do what she could to make things better. Her hands were shaking as she applied the skincare and makeup. Anxiety slithered in her stomach, making her swallow before she stopped to take a deep breath.
It was okay.
It was going to be okay.
Just as Mai returned to the bedchamber, there was a knock on the door. It opened and Heidi entered.
"Good morning, Fraulein. I hope you slept well. Graf Stroheim has invited you to break his fast with him," the butler greeted with a beaming smirk.
The invitation caught Mai off guard for a moment before she nodded, putting on her best smile. She was here for a reason after all. Just to be safe, Mai took her phone and stuffed it in her pocket; she'd need it if she was to escape after all. She followed Heidi out of the bedchamber, down another set of hallways and stairs until they reached a modest room with more paintings on the walls, depicting historical figures and events. The long, red drapes had been pulled from the windows, spilling daylight into the room.
Mai would have liked to gaze upon the view, but she couldn't because her heart nearly trapped itself in its throat, thanks to the man that sat by a nearby table. He bore a striking resemblance to Rudolph Krauser von Stroheim, which made sense if they were father and son.
He bore a scant but apparent resemblance to Geese as well. Never mind the intent stare both men possessed as if they were trying to read your secrets without plying you open with words. Under his mustache, the man had a hard expression that made him difficult to read. He looked intimidating and frankly, humorless.
Heidi cleared her throat and bowed, stating with practiced pride; "Fraulein, it is my honor to introduce you to the Lord of Stroheim, Lord of Black, and the first to his name, Graf Wolfgang von Krauser."
"Have a seat," Wolfgang gestured to the chair on the other side of the table and Mai obeyed that order, giving a shallow dip of her head as a greeting. She wished someone at the tower had taught her how to behave around the nobility. Now she understood what Geese meant when he had called Wolfgang "old money."
"Pleasure to meet you!" Mai smiled, watching the ice that surrounded Wolfgang defrost just a bit. Good, it was working. Behind her, Heidi vanished, leaving the two of them alone in this grand dining room. Mai looked around, in part to distract herself from the intense stare that came from Wolfgang.
"This castle is really amazing," she said, honestly and truthfully. "It's like a fairy tale. Do you live here alone?"
"Fortunately not," Wolfgang sat back in his chair and snapped his fingers. From somewhere, sounds of rapid running and panting increased until two dogs came into the room, diligently taking their place right next to Krauser. They were black with copper slender legs and long muzzles, graceful and disciplined.
Some level of warmth came into Wolfgang's eyes, although his mouth was still frowning. She wondered if he looked so unapproachable due to the X-shaped scar on his forehead. Where did he even get that? The dogs moved away from their owner and came to Mai, sniffing her legs and bumping their wet noses against her shin. Unable to help herself, Mai began petting the dogs, happy to see them respond so eagerly to her touch.
"Do you like dogs, Fraulein?" Wolfgang asked, sounding a little more approachable.
Mai nodded as the dogs licked her hands. "Mm-hm! I love animals."
Now, the neatly brushed mustache curled into what resembled a faint, controlled smirk. Almost as if his noble pride prevented him from showing empathetic human emotions. For a moment, Mai thought he was just pleased with his dogs taking so kindly to her until she saw the smug expression on his face. Eerily, it reminded her of Geese.
"I'm assuming my baby brother doesn't have much joy in his life for a single cat in his iron fortress then?"
Brother? Mai must have looked confused. She narrowed her eyes a bit, leaning over the table somewhat. "You mean Geese?"
Wolfgang's smile widened just a notch. "Ah, he didn't tell you. We're brothers. Half-brothers to be precise."
That explained the resemblance between the two. Which meant that Rudolph that was their father. It must have been one heck of a family history if the brothers weren't too fond of each other. And amidst all of this was the burning question as to why Geese didn't tell her this. It wasn't Mai's right to know everything about his life but there was a part of her that felt a little betrayed. She would have to get some answers when this week was done. Geese sure owed her a favor after this.
"Wow," Mai raised her brows a bit as Heidi and a few other servants arrived with several dishes and drinks. "No wonder you guys kinda look like each other, uh Herr-"
"Don't bother yourself with customs you don't understand. Call me Wolfgang," the Earl scoffed with a wave of his hand.
"All right, Wolfgang," Mai smiled, an acidic taste forming in her mouth, which was quickly washed away by the dishes presented.
Pancakes, sausages, eggs, cheeses, freshly baked bread, and various other plates stood ready for the taking, their strong aroma being evidence of their freshness. It reminded Mai of food magazines with their perfect pictures of dishes; those photos looked almost too rich to be breakfast but here she was, about to eat the real thing. Immediately, Mai dug in, filling an appropriate portion on her plate.
"How does someone like you end up in the seedy underbelly of South Town?" Wolfgang asked as he went straight for the coffee, pouring himself a generous cup.
By now the dogs had decided to lie down by a nearby wall and sleep.
"By pure happenstance – and stubbornness. I ended up in a bad situation and Geese unintentionally helped me out," Mai shrugged, settling for tea. "I didn't want to owe him favors so I tried to pay him back. One thing led to another and now I'm here, doing his dirty, dirty business. He owes me after this."
Wolfgang hummed a bit, amused and ponderous. His mustache vanished behind the rim of his coffee cup as he went for a sip. "I can certainly see why he'd be so lenient with someone like you. I didn't think he'd allow women like you to be so close to him."
"Women like me?" Mai smiled through the sharp implications. She was prepared for this; she wouldn't let her pride get wounded by his backhanded comments.
"Not the insensate type. Those seem to be a rare breed nowadays," Wolfgang explained, the disdain in his voice apparent. Yep, certainly the snobbish noble stereotype incarnate.
Mai reached for her tea and took a sizable sip without burning her tongue, pleased with the impressions she was making. It was minuscule but it was progress, nonetheless. So, Wolfgang wasn't thinking of her as an idiot, that was…something.
"Maybe you haven't looked hard enough. It's a big world."
She looked over the rim of her cup, looking over at Wolfgang who said nothing to those words. It was meant to be a slight jab at his expense and Mai was curious to see if he would rise to the bait.
"The world is filled with individuals. There are no two people who are the same, but stupidity is a common trait," Wolfgang stabbed at a sausage, never breaking his stare. "On the other hand, there's only one you. A shame Geese keeps you locked up in the tower all day, I hear."
Prying prick, he was. Mai would have to find a way that allowed her to get some answers from him while only feeding him breadcrumbs. Play wisely in this game of verbal Battleship. She cut a piece of her hot cake, slowly and deliberately as she mulled over her next words. Mai found it best to be descriptive yet a little vague to not give too much away.
"Well, I was the secretary for a bit," she said, taking the piece into her mouth and marveling at how fluffy it was. Before the week was over, she'd have to get the recipes.
"Hm, like a Rapunzel with a purpose," Wolfgang mused. He leaned over the table, his gaze never leaving hers as he continued. "I have a few questions that pertain to my brother. I've heard a few troubling stories from South Town. Is it true that attempts have been made on Geese's life yet again?"
His words caused Mai's body to tighten for a bit, hinting at his knowledge about South Town's current coalition. It was hard to tell how much or if he really cared about Geese. Either way, the care was seemingly one-sided, Mai assumed. The reactions from the tower had been telling and worrisome.
This invitation seemed more and more like a cover to gain access to someone whom Wolfgang thought wasn't so loyal to Geese. Now, why he wanted this information was still up in the air. Could he want South Town? But he already had this massive castle with everything money and a title could buy.
"…It's not uncommon, he says," Mai shrugged. "It comes with being a public figure."
"Has he courted you at all, Mai? I hear tell you used to love someone else," Wolfgang asked gently.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room as she stared at him open-mouthed and stunned. She blinked herself to reality before composing herself and putting down the silverware.
"Ah, dating my boss would be weird. Besides I think he'd rather be a bachelor," Mai was almost shocked at how well she spoke those words, adding a little smile to make them more natural. If words could draw blood, she was certain that Wolfgang's would hit her somewhere in the thigh. She would not get defeated or blindsided by bits of sensitive knowledge that were echoed back to her.
"Yes, I guess even the lowest of scum have standards," Wolfgang turned frigid, almost mocking her. "Tell me, Mai. Is he still a Schwanzlutscher?
Mai narrowed her eyes. "Huh?"
"Hm, that wouldn't be appropriate for a little lady. Do you believe he has good qualities? Is he a good man? Is he worth your time?" Wolfgang asked, pouring himself more coffee while Mai watched him intently. He seemed to utter each question like he was goading her for answers.
For a moment, Mai would love to see what type of conversation he'd hold with Geese. She could imagine the tension growing so thick, not even a sharpened knife could slice through it. It would be a battle of sharp tongues and spiteful comments. For all their differences, they had similarities.
Never mind the materialism, the pride and confidence oozed out of them like steam. The walls they had built around themselves were a representation of their status as men and how they viewed themselves. It spoke high and clear of their prowess. Herein was another difference; for Geese, it was how hard he had to work to ascend. For Wolfgang, it was the honor of his bloodline.
Mai tried not to think of Andy or how different he was compared to the both of them. He was so different he just as well could have been an alien.
"…He's nuanced. I'll give him that. I like that about him," Mai answered and kept it at that lest she got overrun by her own emotions. She dared not to think what would occur if Wolfgang caught a glimpse of her healing wounds or her delicate feelings.
"I can tell you that the South Town is a child. And I do believe you know how protective parents are of their children. Everyone else is a sacrificial lamb waiting to get slaughtered. Every single one from the street urchins of London to the most beautiful, striking doe in a tower. Keep that in mind when Geese throws you to the lions to fuel his ambition.
Wouldn't be the first time he had done that to a fair lady," Wolfgang said, hard and cold. He had spoken those words with such conviction that Mai felt her resolve tremble just a bit. His intentions became clear like the unsubtle warnings. She nodded and forced an uneasy smile, finding that a restructure of her strategy was needed.
A routine began to settle over the Stroheim castle by the second day. Mai paid little attention to the jetlag and quickly settled into a cycle while she explored the castle whenever she could not get a hold of Wolfgang. When she did stumble upon him, she found him in a grand concert hall, listening to live performances of classical music while he sipped on some richly colored red wine.
He sat in a chair that could easily be mistaken for a throne, watching the musicians prepare for the next piece and taking a quick break. Slowly, Wolfgang turned his head and spotted her standing in the open doorway. He immediately seemed happy to see her but Mai had learned that his emotions were like mirages; faint and easily quick to miss. It was the way his mustache twitched just a bit that give it away.
"Care to join me?" he raised the bottle, instead of pouring himself a new glass as he intended to. Mai happily entered the concert hall and stood at a comfortable distance from the throne. Moments later, Heidi arrived and Wolfgang immediately sent her running again.
"Bring the Fraulein a chair and a glass."
While the butler was gone, Mai looked over at the musicians and their endless volley of instruments. It was a full-on orchestra with around a hundred people, all coordinating and performing in perfect harmony. Mai didn't care much for classical music; she preferred heavy metal but she'd never deny the skill of the musicians. Eventually, Heidi returned with a chair and a glass, placing it right next to the throne before she bobbed a courtesy and left.
Just as Mai sat down and was poured a glass of wine, the orchestra gathered once more. Meanwhile, Wolfgang leaned closer to her, close enough for her to catch a whiff of his cologne. "Did you know that the number of people at these events can impact the propagation of sound waves? This room has been designed specifically to create the best acoustics with one or two people in the audience."
"Aha, good thing I'm here then," Mai spoke into her wineglass, trying not to grimace at the way he leered at her.
The music began shortly after, serving as a wonderful distraction for a bit. Mai was cultured enough to identify the musical piece as Debussy, and it sounded nice, but it wasn't something she'd be listening to on her own. Recordings probably didn't sound as great as the real deal being performed live anyway. During the entirety of the performance, Mai noted Wolfgang staring at her, lingering when he thought she didn't notice. She was quite aware, and it wasn't like he was being subtle about it either.
Mai wished Geese had told her about that trait of Wolfgang's. They hadn't talked since she arrived so she should probably call him tonight to give him a status report – and find out if her efforts were even doing anything. Somewhere along the way, Mai continued to let her thoughts wander and circle the future that was waiting for her in South Town.
If Mai was successful, things would be peaceful for a while at least. She could spend time with Geese and not worry about dying for a bit. When she thought of him, a calming sense of warmth settled over her body, tempered by a realization.
Geese's child.
Would that mean South Town was her child too? Could she gain the power to make the city better? Wolfgang's warning echoed in the back of her mind, and she felt worried. Fair lady…did he mean Geese's wife? Had he thrown her away for his ambition?
Would that be why Rock hated him so much?
"Dismissed!" Wolfgang's voice called out and Mai realized that the concert had ended. He stood up from his chair while Heidi picked up the glasses and the wine bottle. Meanwhile, Mai sat still, blinking for a bit before her body began working again.
"Thank you for playing. It was great!" she bowed, noting the relieved but tired smiles on the musicians' faces before turning around and hurrying after Wolfgang.
The performance had taken the entire afternoon and now, darkness loomed outside. It was a moonless night. Mai followed Wolfgang down the extravagant hallway because it was time for supper, she assumed. She made sure to keep her distance, observing the noble intently. The man carried himself with antique dignity and Mai figured this was probably what being a maiden in an old noble household was like. Maybe a member of the high court? It was almost fascinating if not outright alienating.
"There is some time left before our evening meal. Join me for a walk," Wolfgang stopped, offering her arm to hold on to. His tone and words didn't match the chivalry of his actions. Reluctantly, Mai put her hand on his bicep as they continued past the dining room and into the castle's eastern wing, an area Mai had not explored just yet.
"I think it'd be beneficial for you if you stayed here with me – forever," Wolfgang stopped in front of a wide door at the bottom of a long staircase. From where the steps lead, Mai assumed they were at basement level.
More so she could almost snort at that proposal. She had seen it coming; infatuation. However, for the sake of her mission, Mai chose to be courteous in her rejection. "With all due respect, we've known each other for less than a week. It'd be a hefty decision to move to Europe for that."
Just for that.
Wolfgang's expression hardened and he removed himself from her side. "Money won't be an issue. I can and will provide you with everything you desire. Riches, jewelry, gowns; everything a woman should ever desire. All I ask for is your devotion, affection, and your company."
Mai swallowed, stepping back a bit. She was royally screwed if he began to use her as a bargaining chip for Geese.
Geese's child.
If Wolfgang did use Mai, would she then be abandoned? Was she expendable after everything that had happened?
"Money doesn't buy happiness," she averted her eyes, looking at the first step of the stairs for comfort.
"What does make you happy then?"
"I don't know. It's hard to say. Unfortunately, it's much easier to say what makes me unhappy."
Wolfgang loomed closer, taking slow, calculated steps. He was like a lion, stalking closer to his prey and trapping Mai with her back against the corner of the tiny corridor. "I could erase your woes, Fraulein. I am the only man in this world who could love you the way a woman like you needs to be loved. No one before or after me shall even come close to rival my affection."
Silence filled the area as Mai struggled with what to say next. Part of her was insulted at his words and the absolute gall to diminish the love she had felt for other men in her life. If he knew of the happiness Andy or Geese had filled her with, he'd be wise to mince his words. Mai wasn't someone who got easily offended but she felt the acidic affront particularly corrosive this time around.
"You look at me as if I'm a lowly peasant," Wolfgang narrowed his eyes once he stood over her. "You know nothing about power, woman. I see now that the dirty whelp my father whored into the world has taught you absolutely nothing,"
His eyes darkened as he spoke to her. Staring at him was like looking straight into an abyss. Mai stood paralyzed, her mouth opening but no words would leave her lips. Her throat tightened and panic began to rise within. Fear. Honest to God, true fear. The likes of which transformed Mai into a doe in headlights.
Before she could produce some flames to ward him off, Wolfgang raised his hand and struck her across the face with such a lightning-fast blow that almost made her teeth rattle. Blood gushed from her nose, and she was sent flying into the door. Before Mai could even begin to defend herself, a hand grabbed her by her ponytail and pulled her to her feet. The faint sound of a door being opened and unlocked accompanied the groans from Mai before she was dragged to the depths of the castle.
Through the burning pain rippling through her scalp, Mai tried to summon flames to release herself, but Wolfgang threw her to the floor and slammed something shut behind him. When Mai looked around, she found herself in a dungeon of some sort with Wolfgang standing over her, his face almost obscured by the dim lighting.
Shivers were shooting up Mai's spine and her heart picked up in rhythm. Something was wrong, so very wrong. Where had she made the misstep? Why was this happening?
Mai tried to amend the situation, which had no hope of getting resolved peacefully. "Wolfgang-"
"Quiet!" He snarled at her. "I can smell Geese's stench all over you. To think you'd choose him over me is preposterous. Women with common sense are a rare breed these days indeed for you are as foolish as most of them are."
"What happened to the chivalrous nobleman?" Mai smiled, realizing that she was more biting than she intended to be. If she was supposed to sting Wolfgang, he only scoffed at it.
"Strong men with sense deserve my respect. Women do not. But that is all right. You will come to love me as you should. One way or another," he said in a low, cold voice. That was not just a promise but also a threat.
Instantly, Mai jumped to her feet, preparing to fight tooth and nail for her survival. She struggled to formulate a plan for escape. She'd have to leave everything behind and leave the castle. She just needed to get past her biggest obstacle blocking out the entrance to the dungeon. The moment, Wolfgang took a step towards her, Mai conjured up a fire, preparing to singe his mustache off.
Instead of getting deterred as he should have, he only smiled before lurching at her, clasping his hand around her neck, and pushing her against the brick wall. His grip was like iron; he could easily crush her windpipes if he needed to. Mai clawed at his hands, trying to summon more fire until her wrists were caught by his remaining hand and pinned above her head.
"I will have to break you in order to make you mine," Wolfgang growled, his face so close to hers that she could smell the wine through his breath.
Mai turned her head, trying not to give him the pleasure of seeing the panic eroding her from within. Fear and fury were useless if she couldn't harness their power to break free and so she could only remain here and pray that she'd leave with her dignity intact.
"Geese won't stand for this!" Mai glared at him, hatred filling her heart. It had been a very long time since her distaste for someone had been this potent.
"He has already forgotten about you. You're a tool at worst and a toy at best. He'd stick his cock in you once and then leave you to rot. He's exceptionally good at discarding women when they no longer serve a purpose. You have already outlived yours."
"You're wrong!" It flew out of Mai's mouth. She wanted to believe this was true more than anything else in this world. She had endured and he had opened his heart to him. More than anything, she wanted to think that she had found happiness again; that she wasn't just a tool. Tears threatened to pour down her cheeks as the seed of doubt began to grow.
And for her efforts, Wolfgang released her throat and smacked her across her face, stars flashing over her blurry vision when her head collided with the wall. The pain was instant and stinging, forcing beads of tears into her eyes. Dazed, she dropped to the floor when he let her go.
When Mai's mind cleared, she tasted blood in her mouth, just barely able to process what had happened before a kick to her back sent her crumbling back to the floor. Wolfgang hovered over her, then pinned her down with his knee, one hand clasped around her wrists and the other tearing her clothes apart. Desperate, Mai closed her legs together, kicking and writing to the best of her ability with a grown man straddling her.
Tears began to burn against her eyelids and she sucked in a terrified gasp when Wolfgang tore her underwear off. Flames erupted from her hands when she felt his hand try to force itself between her thighs and for a moment, Mai tasted freedom as her wrists were released. But such luxuries were thoroughly crushed when Wolfgang punched her across the jaw, causing blood to splatter on the stone floor. Mai was only dimly aware of her legs being forced apart while her head felt like a grape about to burst.
"Please stop…" she whimpered, her voice tiny and hoarse. There was no answer from Wolfgang, only a deep sigh as his fingers burrowed into her, nails scraping harshly against flesh. Pain shot through her entire lower body, and she thrashed in an attempt to break free.
"You are no longer a virgin. You truly are a harlot," he mused. "Harlots are not worthy of ladies, but I can keep you around as my concubine. I'm certain Geese has already educated you in that."
Fuck him. She didn't answer to Wolfgang. Or Geese. She didn't answer to any of them!
Wolfgang's knee sank into her stomach, impacting her breathing, like it was trying to squeeze her lungs. Her heart felt ready to stop at any moment as she drew short, sharp breaths in the shape of desperate sobs. The world began to spin, and a dizzying feeling settled over her like a whirlpool as she felt every movement of Wolfgang's fingers.
Her body grew warm in the worst way possible, eroding the pain she almost wanted to return. It felt like an eternity passed from the beginning of this nightmare to Wolfgang finally pulling out of Mai. He stood up, holding his hand up, revealing how slick his fingers were as they glistened under the bright light.
"You whore," he spat. "I'll make a woman out of you."
Only then did her mind clear and she blinked tears away, curling where she lay. She closed her eyes, drawing deep, shuddering breaths, while she tried to salvage what little dignity she had left. The heat, which covered her body moments earlier, vanished into icy coldness, except for between her legs.
Her groin ached from the assault, but her thighs were slick, a feeling that almost made her want to tear her legs off. Dread and horror almost threatened to swallow her whole as the hopelessness of the situation began to set in. Mai was only dimly aware of Wolfgang leaving the dungeon without a word, leaving her alone to silently weep over her new, horrid fate.
The dungeon was cold and harsh when Mai woke up. She found herself still laying where Wolfgang had left her, thus the chill was allowed to seep into her bones. At some point, she passed out. From somewhere, water was dripping onto a puddle. It was rather close, but Mai couldn't see where it was due to the blinding light that glared at her.
When Mai closed her eyes and saw memories of her life, all she could do was sob, weakly and pathetically as she felt. Her breath hitched in her chest as she rolled across the stone floor, shivering.
For the first time in a long time, Mai wanted her grandmother.
She wanted to magically teleport herself back to a time when everything was simpler; back when she didn't know of love for men and dreams of weddings. She wanted her grandmother to descend from the heavens and wrap her arms around Mai, hug her, and tell her that everything was going to be fine. Everything could go to be the way it used to be. Before death, before South Town, before Andy Bogard.
Grandmother would tell her that Mai had nothing to fear, no need to experience pain and captivity. No worry about being held in a dungeon by a mad nobleman. Not to be used and abused for the ambition or selfishness of men. She wanted that more than words could describe. Yet, Mai knew it was just a fantasy never to become true. Her family was dead. Her greatest love was dead. Her new love maybe never loved her at all, and all his cronies would take his side over hers. Her friends were moving on without her, living their lives while she lay here, withering away.
For the first time in a very long time, she felt cold and alone, sinking into the abyss which she had crawled out of during the last six months. She would die here, descending into grief and sorrow. Forever alone unless she sacrificed her dignity and became yet another tool to fuel another man's desire.
In the Hanakotoba, the yellow chrysanthemum was a symbol of Japan's imperial family. It also meant endurance. It occurred to Mai that it had been quite a while since she had laid eyes on that flower.
I just cannot help emotionally or physically hurting the characters, I write. I'm almost sorry.
Anyway, translations for non-German savvy readers.
Fraulein – Ms. Mrs. would be Frau.
Schwanzlutscher – cocksucker.
Graf – Actually German for Count but it's comparable to the British Earl.