Author's Note: OMG! Thank you for the views, everyone! I know it's just the beginning of the story, but I'm still so incredibly happy for the views and favorites. I wanted to update a little early since we're still at the beginning and things may not be as interesting just yet.
Special thank you to Victoria Cullen 39 for following and favoriting this story! It really made me so incredibly happy! Sending you the biggest hug possible!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Resident Evil Franchise! All rights belong to Capcom! I only claim my OC. Any grammatical errors you see I apologize and I hope you can forgive me! Happy reading everyone!
"I apologize, son, I didn't mean to frighten you." The elder gentlemen chuckled the moment both he and Ethan finally met.
"It's alright, I honestly didn't expect anyone to suddenly...appear." Ethan confessed. "Not anyone normal at least."
Ethan had opted to follow in the direction the old man had pointed toward, keeping close to the glass wall until he came across a single opening that led into the complex and almost bumped into the man who had led him to this opening.
The old man was dressed quite warmly, similar to the other villagers that he had briefly seen. Padded wool jacket over a simple buttoned-up wool shirt with farm work jeans over heavy brown boots. He stood an inch or two above Ethan, eyes full of wisdom and mirth with his hands entwined behind his back having waited patiently for Ethan to appear. Ethan noted how the man's posture never faltered as his bulky frame stood tall with his shoulders back and head held proudly up.
"Judging from your clothing, you're not from around here are you?" The man asked. "Have you come to see Lady Sinclair?"
"Yes?" Ethan hesitantly responded causing the man to only laugh as he shook his head.
"From your response, you don't seem so sure about your answer yourself, young man." The man wearily laughed.
"I was sent here by the Duke to deliver something to...Miss Sinclair." Ethan hesitantly replied as the man's eyes widened at the mere mention of the Duke's name.
"Ah, then if you've been sent here by the Duke himself you are no threat to us or Lady Sinclair." The man pivoted and turned his back to Ethan, lifted his hand, and motioned with his finger for Ethan to follow. "I shall take you to meet the Lady."
The man, though old, seemed quite spritely and full of energy as Ethan tried his best to keep pace with the old man. It was proving to be quite difficult considering Ethan was also completely entranced by the scenery around him the further they walked into the greenhouse. Ethan wasn't concerned about how large the place was, he was more so curious about how such a place like this even existed.
While outside in the main part of the village Ethan had just come from was dark, gloomy, freezing cold, and reeks of death...inside this greenhouse, it seemed they were sheltered from the horrors of the outside world. From the entryway, several paces in were mostly thick trees that Ethan could only assume lined the edges of the glass walls. The dense forest blocks out the view for those looking inside out and vice versa. After the forest became scarce the pair came across a large, clear river filled with lily pads.
"How is this place even possible?" Ethan couldn't help but ask in awe as he stared at the whole expanse where the forest edge met the manmade river.
"It's all possible because of Lady Sinclair." The man answered as he pointed back to where they came from. "There is only one way in and out of this secluded paradise. And along the outskirts of this greenhouse, Lady Sinclair had carefully planted an abundance of trees a very long time ago so that when they grew it would allow us some privacy. From there, with the help of the villagers that lived here, we built this large river that circled around the expanse creating a moat, and at the very center is our little bubble of paradise. Within this greenhouse, everything was strategically set up to block out the troubles of the outside world...at least that's what she tells the others now."
'So I was right to assume that it was the same all the way around.' Ethan thought before he faltered, the old man's words sinking in when he gave it a thought. "Others?"
"Watch your step Mister Outsider, wouldn't want you to trip and fall into the river. That would be unfortunate." The man advised as he led Ethan across an eloquent jade-colored bridge.
"Because of the chance that I'd drown?" Ethan questioned just as his toe got caught on the edge of the bridge where the stone path met dirt.
"No, because you wouldn't want to meet Lady Sinclair soaking wet." The man chuckled. "And yes, others. Across this bridge, you will be met with constant stares from those living here, but pay them no mind. We don't get many new faces passing by nowadays."
As Ethan crossed the bridge he couldn't help but look over the railing, admiring the flowers floating in the river, amazed at the amount of fish that swam beneath them. And when Ethan came to the end of the bridge, he turned to look forward and was taken back by what greeted him, completely at a loss for words.
It was like he caught a glimpse of what the main village would've and could've looked like. There were houses still intact, living people smiling and making small talk while tending to the crops and animals running around freely in the village. When Ethan got close, the people of this tiny village indeed stopped to stare at him, but they didn't regard him with caution. The stares were one of curiosity and amazement. "It's like...you're all stuck in this little moment in time...undisturbed."
"As I've said, Mister Outsider, this is all possible because of Lady Sinclair." The man smiled as he was greeted warmly by a villager as soon as they passed by. "We're coming up to her house now. Only she can answer all of your questions."
Color. That's the first thing that caught Ethan's eyes as well as causing him a mild headache after having been so accustomed to the dark atmosphere the main village provided. Ethan had to squint, wait for his eyes to adjust before seeing neat rows of different types of flowers lined all around the single house. There were all the colors of the rainbow surrounding the cottage-like house...and Ethan wasn't exaggerating. In that second Ethan had forgotten how to breathe, forgotten how to function as he stared wide-eyed and mouth open at the beautiful scene in front of him, admiring what he was seeing. Sure, the signs of life had taken him by surprise, but seeing such a colorful and breathtaking sight that he'd only seen online and in magazines here? It was a different story altogether.
"I'll never tire of that reaction. Lady Sinclair loves her flowers." Ethan turned back to the man who had spoken and saw that he had walked up the path leading to the house, waiting for Ethan to catch up as he waited just by the door. "You're not the first to be so entranced by the Lady's domain."
"There were others?" Ethan asked as he rushed to close the distance between him and the man before coming to a stop just in front of his 'tour guide'.
"There were others who've come here, from the main village." The man nodded as he stroked his chin, speaking to no one in particular. "You are probably the second outsider we've had...the first was memorable. An odd group of people really dressed all in black and wearing weird gear on their bodies. Thankfully, they didn't pose a threat to Lady Sinclair."
Ethan wasn't sure if he heard the man correctly, but he wasn't even given the opportunity to inquire more about that statement as the man had knocked on the door to the house. The door had creaked open without anyone to greet them on the other side, and as if it was completely normal the old man had turned to look at Ethan and nodded his head.
"And this is where I leave you, Mister Outsider. Lady Sinclair will be inside." The man stated as he started to retrace his steps back the way they had come from. "I hope your meeting with the lady of our village provides you with the answers to your questions plaguing your mind."
"Wh...wait!" Ethan called out to the old man in a panic, quickly turning on his heels as he attempted to stop the old man from leaving. "Am-am I just supposed to walk in?"
"Yes?" The man responded as if it was the clear obvious thing to do, confused since it was the first time anyone has ever asked such a thing before. "Just walk right in Mister Outsider, and you will find Lady Sinclair. She should be in her living room around this time."
"I have a name, it's Ethan Winters." Ethan pointed out in annoyance which only caused the old man to smile.
"Ianto." The old man introduced as he turned back to continue walking down the path. "I have some duties to attend to Mister Outsider, chores that need to be done, and you must go to see Lady Sinclair. She'll be ecstatic to have a guest." Ianto lifted his hand and without looking had waved back to Ethan. "Be seeing you around Mister Outsider."
"It's-!" Ethan began to correct the man but decided against it when Ianto was almost already out of earshot. As Ianto had pointed out, Ethan was here to meet Miss Sinclair, and if she was ecstatic to have guests, then he didn't want to keep her waiting and get on her bad side. Who knows what this...Lord was capable of. He'd seen what Dimitrescu could do after he had angered her, and he hoped that he would get no trouble from Miss Sinclair.
One step into the house and Ethan took note that for a 'Lord' this house seemed quite...normal. It reminded him of the house he shared with Mia, simple yet inviting. From the doorway, Ethan heard the distant sound of a piano being played, not quite a live performance, but more like something that was being played through a stereo.
'Moonlight Sonata?' Ethan recognized the song after a few notes had been played, he's heard it at least once or twice in passing, or was it when he was little...he wasn't quite sure. But he knew the song enough to recognize the mysterious, haunting tune.
As Ethan crept further into the house, he had accidentally stumbled into a simple room that contained a single window. The wooden floor shined when the outside light came in through the window, bouncing off the sheen from the floor and making the room look brighter than usual. This house seemed eerily peaceful for Ethan's taste, with what he saw in this village he wasn't sure if he could trust the facade this house was giving off, it was luring him into a false sense of security.
"Hello...?" Ethan hesitantly called out, his voice wavering as he walked aimlessly into the house. When the next movement of the song began to play Ethan had ventured into another area of the house. In this part Ethan could clearly tell that it was the living room area, it was cozy, open, and created a bright and welcoming atmosphere...and then Ethan realized something. This house, just like the greenhouse he entered held not a hint of snow or any signs that anything foul had passed through here. "That's so suspicious..."
The song grew louder the further he walked into the living room, and Ethan located the source from where the music was coming from. Located on one of the small tables in the far corner of the room was a surprisingly modern mini stereo system. Contrary to the first movement of the song, the second matched the tranquil ambiance this living room exuded. The combination made Ethan's soul and body feel just a tad bit lighter.
That is when Ethan noticed the woman standing on a foldable stepping stool placed just parallel to the bookcase beside the stereo. The woman was cleaning the top of the shelf with a duster in her gloved hand, platinum blonde hair neatly pulled into a crown braid updo hairstyle with strands of hair outlining the sides of her face. The woman wore a victorian inspired black long sleeve dress with white frills peeking out from the bottom of her skirt, her black round-toed loafers bending as she stood to the tip of her toes to reach the higher places on her bookshelf.
'Must be the maid...' Ethan thought as he watched the woman lightly sway as she continued cleaning, completely immersed in the music, and never noticing that a stranger had entered the house.
Happy to finally come across the first sign of life in this cozy home, Ethan reached down and loudly knocked three times against the wooden table in the living room to announce his presence. "Hello!"
The woman let out a tiny squeak, wobbling on the stepping stool as she almost lost her balance before stabilizing herself, and when the woman knew she wasn't going to fall she turned in his direction. Large, expressive, red doe-like eyes stared back at Ethan which caught him slightly off guard. The woman's bow-shaped lips were parted slightly as she tilted her head to the side in curiosity as her eyes looked Ethan up and down.
"Hello? Um...I'm looking for a Miss Selena Sinclair?" Ethan spoke up or attempted to as the music coming from the stereo was drowning out his voice.
Ethan was about to speak up louder when he realized that the woman hadn't heard him until the woman held up her hand. She was signaling for Ethan to wait before hopping off the stool and went over to turn off the speakers. The silence that now settled around the room made Ethan incredibly uncomfortable...this silence seemed out of place now that he thought about it.
"Sorry," The woman, who Ethan had now thought of as the maid of this house judging by the outfit she was wearing smiled in Ethan's direction as she placed the duster beside the stereo. "what was it that you said?"
"I'm looking for a Miss Selena Sinclair? I was asked to deliver this to her by the Duke?" Ethan repeated as he brought out the red book from inside his jacket. "He said...he said that she could help me?"
The maid looked at the book before almost gliding across the room to take it from Ethan's hands. He watched as the maid gingerly traced her fingers over the cover. With the woman so close Ethan finally noticed a couple of things. One was the flawless alabaster skin that seemed otherworldly peaking out from the exposed space between the sleeve of her dress and her gloves. The second was the jewelry that stood out on the maid's outfit. Attached to the left of her chest, just to the left of her heart, was a small metal brooch in the shape of a rose.
"You said the Duke sent you?" The woman asked in a serious tone to which Ethan simply nodded, afraid that his voice would shake at how scary the woman sounded. But then the woman smiled as she motioned toward one of the armchairs situated beside the living room table. "Please have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" But before Ethan could respond the maid was already walking out of the living room. "I'm thinking something warm considering how cold it is out there."
Ethan hesitantly lowered himself onto the armchair, unsure what he was supposed to do as he waited for the maid to return. He now wished that she had turned the music back on so that he wouldn't have to sit in silence while fiddling with his fingers.
Not long after the maid had left, a nice aroma began to fill the house mixed with something else. Ethan instantly recognized what it was: mint and bacon. What could the maid possibly be doing? She only asked if he wanted something to drink...unless there was a strange drink that this Lord specifically drank that has meat in it.
At that thought, Ethan couldn't help but shudder at the thought of having to drink such a concoction. Even more so at the thought of refusing the hospitality of someone who could possibly be just as dangerous if they were similar to Lady Dimitrescu.
When the maid returned she was carrying a tray in both hands. One tray held a porcelain teapot with two empty teacups and the other was a neat arrangement of tiny finger sandwiches.
"Sorry I don't have anything better, it's the best I could come up with in such short notice." The maid smiled as she placed both trays on the table in front of Ethan. She had reached over to the teapot, grabbed one of the teacups, and gracefully began to pour Ethan his drink. Putting on a little show as she held the pot slightly higher than necessary as the liquid fell into the teacup without spilling or splashing all over the place. The maid then slid the cup over to Ethan before quickly pouring another cup and then taking a seat across from him. "You must be exhausted to have made it this far from the main village, please eat and drink to your heart's content."
"What's...what's in them?" Ethan asked as he reached out for the cup, the heat from the porcelain cup warming up his freezing hands instantly, a welcoming feeling for Ethan.
"The drink is one of my favorites, peppermint tea." The maid smiled as she took a sip from her own cup, letting out a long content sigh before reaching out to grab one of the finger sandwiches. "These are filled with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It's good I promise. Everything was handmade and grown in this very village." The woman took a dainty bite from the corner of the sandwich and let out a delightful hum. "With, of course, some help from the Duke when it concerns ingredients we can't get in this part of the village."
"When...when is Miss Sinclair going to join us?" Ethan asked the maid who stopped mid-bite. "I don't think she would appreciate her maid eating the food that was meant for her."
The maid stared at Ethan, her eyes widening before she let out a whimsical laugh that caused tears to form in the corner of her eyes.
"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry...I don't mean to laugh. I just didn't think there was such a big misunderstanding between us." The maid placed her sandwich down on the saucer that held her teacup, reaching up to wipe the corner of her eyes. "Apologies, Mister Outsider, allow me to properly introduce myself." The woman cleared her throat and smiled welcomingly at Ethan. "My name is Selena Sinclair. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You?" The outsider, who looked completely disheveled from head to toe, asked incredulously. He had dark and heavy bags under his eyes, blonde hair ruffled and unkept with what looked like dried splotches of blood clinging to his hair and jacket. His body lightly shook from the cold that had settled outside of my humble greenhouse and his hands were stiff, trying to grasp the cup in his hands, and on closer inspection, I saw that two of his fingers on his left hand were missing. "You're Miss Sinclair?"
"Guilty." I nervously giggled. "I know, I don't look the part right? Honest answer? You caught me on my cleaning day." I smiled warmly at the man. "And who might you be?"
"Ethan Winters." The man, now known to be Ethan, politely introduced but I could tell by the strain in his voice that he was on guard. His whole body was coiled and ready to make a run for my front door...he clearly didn't feel comfortable in my presence judging off his body language.
"Well then, it's nice to meet you Ethan Winters. Though I wish it could've been on better terms." I pointed out as I motioned toward the blood-stained clothes. "Please have a drink, after what I've been hearing going on in the village it's a miracle that you managed to reach my home alive."
Ethan took a glance down at the cup in his hands before bringing it up to his lips. I watched as the steam invaded his senses, clearing up his sinuses, the adam's apple in his throat bobbed up and down as he drank the contents in the cup. As the liquid went down his throat I saw his whole body instantly relax into the chair as he let out a content sigh.
"Good, isn't it?" I chuckled at seeing his reaction before taking a sip from my own. "You're safe Ethan, nothing can harm you here. Please relax."
"How can you be so sure?" Ethan blatantly asked me, and when I looked back to the man he was glaring in my direction. His whole body shook as he suddenly jolted back up to his feet. "For all I know, this place is your own slaughterhouse, it's no different than the others."
"Does this place look like a slaughterhouse to you, Ethan?" I asked defensively, staring back at the man as I calmly motioned for him to sit back down. "I know my...siblings can be monsters, but I assure you this place is nothing like their domain. This is a place of safety."
"And I'm supposed to trust you and your word?" Ethan asked, still standing on his feet as his jaw tensed. Carefully and slowly, I stood to my feet and walked around the low table to where Ethan was standing, his eyes following me every step that I went. Ethan had flinched away when my hand came into contact with his body, and to my shock, my hand had jolted away as well, but as quickly as it happened I covered up my mishap and lay my hand on his shoulder. Gently, with an assuring smile, I pushed him back down.
"The Duke would not have sent you my way if I was a threat." I pacified, content when Ethan finally sat back in his chair before going back over to my own, crossing my leg over the other in one fluid motion to get comfortable. "You don't have to trust what I say, simply trust in my actions. You're still alive and breathing are you not?"
"I..." Ethan suddenly looked down in shame as he stared at his lap. "I suppose so..."
"And so long as you're here in my home, walking in my territory, you will remain that way." I stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "So, Ethan, I must ask, did you come here with Luiza?" "Luiza?" "Yes, you would've had to walk through her yard to get here."
"I-I didn't come here with Luiza." Ethan stuttered.
"Oh..." I mumbled in disappointment, I hadn't heard from the woman in a while and I was beginning to worry for their safety. "I hope she's alright..."
"Are you expecting this...Luiza woman to come here?" Ethan asked and I slowly nodded my head.
"She had come to visit me not too long ago, notifying me that these monsters had suddenly appeared in the village and started slaughtering their cattle as well as attacking and devouring the people living there. They had prayed to Mother Miranda, but...she had not answered their prayers." I sighed. "So Luiza asked me for sanctuary and I welcomed her, but she said that she had something to do first before settling into one of our houses. Luiza left my home, promising to return once she had finished and that was the last I'd seen her."
"So what happened?" Ethan asked. "What prevented her from staying here?"
"It wasn't only her that Luiza was asking sanctuary for." I pointed out. "Luiza had said that there was still some survivors left in the village, that she would gather them together at her house and then bring them here to my greenhouse." I sighed. "I had heard her radio broadcast, notifying the village that any survivors left should go to Luiza's house, but after? Radio silence. I fear that they are still holding on to hope that Mother Miranda will come for them." I looked to Ethan pleadingly. "If you see Luiza at her house, please tell her that I still welcome her and the people in the village, I always have...even if Mother Miranda has forsaken them."
I watched as Ethan fidgeted just a bit in his seat before he looked away and began to mutter under his breath, almost to a point where I had to strain my ears to hear him. "...she didn't make it."
"Luiza...didn't make it?" I felt my heart drop to the bottom of my stomach at hearing such news. "What-what happened?"
"Elena's father...he was badly injured by those...creatures." Ethan's expression turned sour. "I found the two in the shed by Luiza's wheat field and helped them get through the gate that was locked. We made it into Luiza's house and there were others there taking shelter, the last remaining survivors they said, but...Elena's father lost control. He...he turned into one of them and slaughtered everyone." Ethan hesitantly looked back to me with sorrow in his eyes. "A burned-down house is all that's left..."
"Elena and Leonardo too..." I turned my head to look out the window, seeing the remaining villagers walking freely in the fields without a care in the world. "Things have gotten worse in such a short amount of time..."
"Why didn't you leave to get them?" Ethan asked me, bringing my attention back to my guest when I heard the slight anger and anguish in his voice. "They...they were afraid, they held on to hope that someone would come for them. To save them."
"It's a complicated story, Ethan..." I said as I placed my saucer and teacup onto the table and folded my hands on my lap, lacing my fingers as I stared at the cup. "Unlike my siblings, my gift...it's...well...it can't do much out there. I would've been more of a hindrance if I made an appearance." I shook my head. "There's a reason I'm not a Lord, Ethan."
The two of us sat in silence, Ethan continuously staring at me to a point that I started to get uncomfortable under his judgmental gaze...the best possible solution was to avert my eyes.
"Anyways Ethan, what brings you...an outsider here to my house?" I questioned and in response, Ethan tilted his head to the side in confusion. "The only reason why the Duke would've told you about me is if you needed something from me. It's the only reason why any of the villagers seek me out."
"The Duke," Ethan hesitated, collecting his thoughts and taking a moment to think before he looked at me with wide, pleading eyes. "he said you could help me." Ethan said with slight desperation in his voice. "He said that you could help me with collecting the pieces of my daughter."
"Your daughter?" I asked as Ethan nodded his head. "Yes, her name is Rose." Ethan was different from the villagers who had come here seeking my help. They tended to seek comfort and a relaxing environment from me, not for a favor.
"You...you lost your daughter?" I repeated to make sure I had heard correctly. "And you're asking for my help in finding her, in a village where not a soul exists?"
"I didn't lose her." Ethan growled at me, taking out this yellow, glass flask and placing it down on the table. "She was taken from me...by Mother Miranda. She did this to her, and the Duke said that I can get my daughter back if I gather the other flasks which the other Lords are in possession of. I can fix this and get her back. So, if there's anything you can do to help me...please..."
'Mother Miranda...so you must be what she was talking about.' I thought as I studied Ethan, his dark blue eyes staring back at me, waiting expectantly for me to say something, anything, that would give him some sign of hope. "I'm sorry Ethan, I don't have a flask in my possession, and if you have spoken to the Duke, you'll know that I have nothing else to offer you to help you find your child. At least nothing that you don't already know."
"Then it was pointless coming here..." I heard Ethan mumble as his body slumped further into the armchair in defeat, his head tilted downward, chin against his chest as his shoulders fell in defeat. "Why did the Duke tell me to come here then..."
'Poor papa...' I thought as I quietly unfolded my legs and got up, moving over to Ethan's side as I placed a hand on the juncture between his neck and shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. Ethen tensed under my hand and turned his eyes up to look at me, a questioning look in his eyes. I smiled and nodded with my head in the direction of my backdoor. "Follow me. I want to show you something."
I started to walk, leaving the living room without waiting for Ethan to indicate that he would follow, I didn't even need to turn to look if he was following me because I already knew. Aside from my own footsteps, the wood floors creaked under the added weight when I walked and I heard another set of footsteps following close behind.
"Where are we going?" Ethan asked when I heard him come to a slow walk beside me.
"Do you know why people from the village came here seeking me out Ethan?" I asked as I led him to the backdoor of my house. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Ethan contemplate my question before seeing him shake his head side to side. "The villagers have heard the nasty things that happen when they go to my siblings. People going missing, terrible smells, the mistreatment...but they come to me simply because it's the safest and the most peaceful option. What was that saying?" I hummed in thought. "I'm the lesser of two evils."
When we reached the backdoor I opened it and allowed the outside light to flow into my house as well as inviting an overload of our senses. Smell, sight, touch, hearing, and even taste! We could experience it all the moment we stepped out of my house. The warmth my greenhouse provided, the smell of fresh flowers, delicious aroma of food being cooked over a hot stove, the laugher of villagers not too far away from my house, farm animals calling for the attention of their master. The distant sound of rushing water from the river moat that surrounded the whole village.
"Here, they can live the remainder of their life without fear...now more than ever with what's been going on out there." I stated as I waved at a villager who had caught sight of me standing outside my house.
"How..." Ethan took a deep breath. "how are you able to keep so many of these villagers...safe from the horrors going on out there?"
"A secret that's been working for a very long time." I giggled. "Maybe I'll feel inclined to tell you, or maybe during one of your many tasks collecting your daughter you may stumble across something that'll point you in the right direction. Or you may never find out." I turned to Ethan and smiled. "Ethan, I may not be able to help you collect your little Rose, but...should you ever need food to fill your belly, your throat parched, or you need a safe place to rest your head." I motioned back to my house as well as our surroundings. "You are always welcomed to take advantage of the comfort my humble abode provides. Consider this...your safe house."
"I..." Ethan had opened his mouth to speak before quickly closing it, diverting his eyes back to the dirt ground. "Thank you..." Ethan then started to sway awkwardly to the side. "I suppose...since you can't physically help me, then I should get going."
"I'll walk you back to the path." I volunteered, but instead of going back into my house, I started walking around the perimeter of my house and through the field of flowers. "Every so often it's nice to walk and smell the roses than take the shortest, quickest route to get to your destination."
Though the house of Miss Sinclair was peaceful, Ethan still felt unsure about the warm and inviting woman whose laugh seemed quite infectious. Ethan followed the woman who seemed to lightly skip through the field of flowers, studying her and her carefree behavior.
'Who-who was this woman?' Ethan thought as he stared at the back of Selena's head, clearly dumbfounded by her kind attitude. He couldn't tell if she was being honestly sincere or trying to lure him into a false sense of security in order to entrap him. It's also highly possible that the environment Ethan was suddenly thrust into caused him to feel this way. Ethan could only let out a sigh.
'Suppose I'll trust you for now.' Ethan thought as they rounded the corner of her house, getting close to the entrance. 'But any sign of a threat...'
But Ethan wasn't able to finish his thought because as they got close to the front Ethan heard the voice of someone he didn't expect to be here. Especially when said someone was the one who asked him to come here in the first place!
"Welcome! Welcome!" A jovial voice yelled out. "I trust your meeting was most insightful."
There was the Duke, holed up in what looked to be a fairly large connecting building to the main house, it was big enough for the Duke to move around freely it seemed...as freely as he could be at least. His shop was all set up with tons of different selections of meat, vegetables, and an array of farm tools and weaponry. The usual, Ethan realized, aside from a different array of food and spices tucked away behind him.
"Duke." Selena greeted the merchant when they reached the front of the extension. "Good afternoon."
"And a good afternoon to you as well, Miss Sinclair." The Duke nodded his head, his own way of bowing, before turning his gaze toward Ethan. "Mister Winters, I trust you found the path here easily enough."
"Yes, I found it." Ethan's irritation flared as he crossed his arms over his chest as he glared at the large man. "I also thought that the reason you asked me to come to deliver the book was because you yourself couldn't physically come!"
"I didn't say that I wouldn't be here. You simply assumed." The Duke flippantly stated causing Ethan to let out a frustrated sigh as Selena simply laughed at the exchange between the two men.
"I didn't expect to see you so soon Duke." Selena warmly smiled.
"As I always say...where there's coin to be made." The Duke chuckled. "And a few of your villagers wished to purchase a few things from my large selection of wares."
"Wait, see you soon?" Ethan interjected looking at Selena. "When was the last time you saw the Duke?"
Selena tilted her head to the side and thought for a second before answering: "Yesterday was it?"
"Indeed." The Duke responded, unbeknownst to Selena the silent argument that Ethan was having with the Duke.
"You said, and I quote! 'A face I had not seen in a long while!'" Ethan harshly whispered as the Duke shrugged his shoulders.
"Yesterday was a long while." The Duke stated as Selena looked between the two men who silently argued back and forth. "Anyway Mister Winters, what can I do for you today?"
"Nothing that you didn't already do for me an hour ago." Ethan grumbled.
"Ah, Ianto." Selena stopped and gave a beckoning wave to the same man that had escorted Ethan to her house. It would seem the man had just come back from a strenuous encounter as his clothes seemed to be lightly torn and covered in dark splotches. "I know you just got back, but do you mind escorting Ethan back the way he came as well as pointing him in the right direction back to the village? I still have a few things to do around the house."
"Of course Lady Sinclair." Ianto replied without hesitation, bowing, before motioning for Ethan to follow him. "This way, please, Mister Outsider."
"As I said before, my name is-" Ethan began to insist that Ianto call him by his name before relenting, deciding to instead follow the old man. "Mister Outsider is fine..."
"And Ethan!" Selena called back as the two turned back around to face the blonde woman. "Don't forget, you're always welcomed here."
Ethan said nothing, simply nodded his head as he was led away. Selena continued to wave goodbye at the two departing men and it was only when Ethan was out of sight did she stop. The woman's expression changed as her smile vanished, her eyes showing one of sorrow and concern. "How bad is it out there, Duke."
"Not a single soul left I'm afraid. Unless you consider those creatures a living soul." The Duke said as he bought up both hands to his mouth, one holding a new cigar and the other a lit match. "Because of all this commotion I've lost an entire territory to transact in."
"You still have mine." Selena sadly smiled at the Duke to which he replied.
"For now..." The Duke said he let out a long exhale, a puff of smoke escaping from his lips. "what is your opinion on Mister Winters?"
"He's an impossible individual..." Selena whispered sadly. "you were smart to send him my way." "Can you-" Selena shook her head. "I'm not sure myself what I can do for him or even how...aside from doing what I'm usually good at."
"Good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home." The Duke responded with a chuckle after his little literature reference. "A lone flower amongst a bed of thorns."
"You speak too highly of me, Duke." Selena bashfully smiled with a shake of her head, the light in her eyes dimming as she became lost in her own thoughts. "I'm still a monster in the end. Papa is gonna have a hard time. He'll have to push through this forest of thorns to find his Rose."
"Lady Sinclair!" A couple of the villagers came rushing toward Selena, interrupting the two mutants' conversation as one of them was carrying a child in their arms who looked to be on the brink of death. "We found him in the Forest, we're not sure when or how he ventured into the greenhouse...but he's barely breathing my Lady!"
"Take him into my house and place him on one of the beds." Selena firmly instructed and immediately the villagers acted without hesitation. "I'll be right there to help him."
"It truly is a miracle what you do." The Duke complimented as the large man watched Selena rush into the field of flowers planted around her house. Bending down to gather a few into her arms before moving over to another part of the field.
"It's not a miracle Duke...more like a curse. I'm just making the best with the hand I was dealt with." Selena sighed as she got to her feet and dusted off her skirt. Selena turned to the Duke, cradling the bouquet of flowers as she curtseyed to the merchant. "Thank you for finding that book for me."
"You never told me the reason why you urgently wanted that book." The Duke hummed. "Were you looking for something in particular that only that book had?"
"I wanted to confirm something, and I took a chance that maybe that book would give me the answers I seek." Selena mumbled before turning around to run back to her house.
"Will you share such information with me? After all, I did go through all that trouble to sneak it to you?" The Duke questioned and Selena only answered when she was just about to pass the large man.
"Maybe one day." Selena's smile was the last thing the Duke saw before the door to her house closed behind her.
And here we are introduced to my darling Selena, my lovely OC, and I hope you are curious about her and as we get more chapters love her as much as I do. What's her gift is, how she came to this part of the village, her past, and why is she so nice to Ethan and the villagers. =3 It's all a mystery that will be revealed in time.
If you are enjoying what you see so far, and looking forward to more chapters then leave a nice little review, favorite, and follow just to let me know! It's not mandatory though, but it's greatly appreciated. Thank you everyone for reading! Sending lots of love your way!
-SO