REVERIE: Twisted Reality

Day 24: Gordian Knot

Alexandria Lennon

I didn't find the brat in his room last night so I decided to go back to my room and sleep.

And as soon as I woke up I quickly got out of my room and headed to the brat's room.

But he still wasn't there!

'What the hell? Where is he?!'

I sat down on the couch in his room and delve into my thoughts.

'The Prince, the brat, the Duke, Joker, and now, White too!'

Just who are these people and how are they related to me?! 

I remembered what the Duke said to me before, 'Everything in this house has to do with you.'

Then the sentence that I read from the library came into my mind, 'How could I not know the prince was right there all along?'

Everything is so twisted! Each information leads to one another and then to a dead end.

I'm like untying a Gordian knot.

I remembered the deal I had with the Duke so I rushed to the second floor and knocked on his door.

"My love. You have finally come to visit me again." He said as soon as he saw me. 

I took a deep breath and thought of England.

I gave him a sincere smile. The Duke's eyes widened and he was taken aback by my sudden expression.

"I smiled. Now, do your end of the deal." I seriously told him but he was still dumbfounded but he managed to gather himself a bit.

"O-of course, my love... P-please come again- I meant, come in!" 

He opened the door wider and pulled a chair for me. I watched him drink a glass of water in one gulp before sitting in front of me.

"If even your forced smile could be so beautiful, your real smile would definitely sink a hundred ships, my love!" He said with admiration as he looked at me with a glint of adoration in his eyes.

But I just eyed him seriously so he quickly said, "But enough with my senseless babble. you want me to fill my part of the deal so I will. I am a man of my words, my love. So which lucky gentleman do you want to know about?"

"Tell me about the albino in the attic." I wasted no time in answering.

"Ah~ So you have met him. Quite a silent fellow, isn't he? I swear he is a hermit if there ever is one."

I wasn't surprised that he's badmouthing White. I already knew that all of them doesn't really like each other.

But then he added, "But despite his odd and reclusive nature, he does give out a rather pure and desperate aura. Observing him is like watching a white lily slowly wilt."

"That's it?" I asked him because he didn't say anymore after that. 

The Duke nodded and said, "I don't think there's any more to that lad, my love."

"Then tell me something about that mad hatter rip-off!"

The Duke laughed first before answering, "Oh, that is a good name for him, my love. Well, despite what he tells you. He's not just a simple errand boy for the prince of the broken throne. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he claims to be the prince himself. So if I were you, I would keep as much distance from him as possible."

I stood up from my seat after hearing what he said.

'The Prince. The Prince. It always comes back to the Prince!'

"Who is the Prince of the Broken Throne?!" I asked with gritted teeth. 

I was so frustrated. 

"Let's just say he is even more interested in you than I am. I would even venture as far as to say that he is obsessed." The Duke told me.

'What?!'

"However, he also refuses to take a direct approach in realizing his desire. But I am not complaining. It is hard enough trying to win your heart without another competitor showing up." He added.

I looked at him in irritation and walked out of the room.

'All that Duke ever talks about is winning my heart!'

I headed to the living room.

I can't trust the Duke with just his words though I doubt Joker will tell me anything useful I still decided to go try and ask him.

I was just about to open the door when someone opened it from the inside first.

Joker and I were both surprised to see each other but he quickly gathered himself and said, "Alexandria... I'm really sorry."

His voice was full of sincerity and his eyes were filled with sadness.

I felt guilty once again. He was bubbly and energetic when I first met him and I can't help but blame myself that he's become like this.

"I kept talking about the negative side of things. It's my fault. We should talk about something else for a while." He told me. 

I felt so bad because I was there to ask him about the Prince but I swallowed my guilt.

"Tell me more about the Prince of the broken throne. I should have the right to know the nature of my captor, don't I?" I demanded. 

I looked at him emotionless. 

He looked taken aback by the question but he answered it anyway, "Well, I haven't met him all that often myself. But he is rather reclusive and he would rather not show himself to you if possible. It's rather strange, isn't it?"

I already expected him to answer my question carefully or not at all but I was still frustrated. 

I didn't reply anymore and turned my back on him and went back to my room.

I tried to deduce something from everything I learned since coming here but nothing.

I'm stuck with a Gordian knot.