The Lady's Right-Hand Man

CHAPTER 1 "LADY OF THE CLANDESTINE HOUSE"

We all experience dreaming. Dreaming is like watching yourself in movie-like scenes that could be entertaining, disturbing, or completely bizarre. But why do we dream? What do these dreams mean, anyway? Thoughts lurked in her mind that way. Shiori gripped her blanket tighter and tighter as she felt mixture of emotions surged in her chest right after she opened her eyes.

"If dreams were only made by our brain during REM..." she mumbled chasing her breath. "...then why you always appear on mine as if you were someone I know for so long?" Her slender and long fingers ran through her silky black hair. "Who are you?" she asked to herself.

A loud bang on her door broke the silence in her room.

"SHIORI, MY DEAR!"

A woman wearing a knee-length crimson-colored skinny dress came in. Her age could hardly be seen on her physical look and really fancy-looking from her headdress down to the pair of stilettos that she was wearing. Shiori just gave her a bland and uninterested look.

"Your face is pale. Are you sick, my dear?" The woman asked.

Shiori shook her head. "No. I am fine." She responded. "What brings you here, Madame?"

"I was concerned about you." The lady in red sat on the other side of the bed watching Shiori's unfazed expression. "Everyone was surprised on your sudden appearance three days ago. Even I myself can't believe. Where have you been?"

Nothing... there was nothing on her head even a bit of memory of what she had few days ago. All she could remember was that night where she woke up sleeping on her own bed. That night was odd and terrifying but Shiori couldn't recall what made her feel that way.

"I can't remember anything." Shiori replied in monotone after a long silence.

"It is fine if you couldn't remember anything for now." Anneliese said. "And I just wanted you to know that I am always on your side."

Shiori remained in silence.

Another morning in Clandestine Manor, everyone was busy on their own after the lady came back three days ago. Shiori's unexpected appearance was all over the newspapers and became the hottest topic in town but she was nonchalant for she believed it was something not worthy of her attention. There was only one thing that vexed her even on her sleep.

"This tea tastes awful."

Maids froze on their places.

"Bold of you to mess with my morning tea."

"I—I am sorry. I d—didn't know this will—"

"ENOUGH. I don't want to hear more excuses from you. Get out of my sight!"

Staggered on her own feet the poor maid loses her balance as she frantically left the dining hall. This scenario was not good for them and most especially not good for the lady.

"Let me prepare a new tea for you, my lady." Her butler offered.

"No thanks." Shiori stood from her seat and pointed the table using her right index finger. "Everything on this table looks so awful and doesn't even look appetizing." She mocked. "I can't remember hiring incapable people here in my manor."

Shiori left the hall right after without having a proper meal. Everyone was standing there silently with shaky hands and hearts on their throats. "The rumors about the lady were correct." They thought. The cruel and heartless lady came home and seemed to be even more vicious than before. Though Shiori has her mother's kind and captivating eyes, her glares and stares were dead and cold just like her soul. Lady Shiori Clandestine who survived from the horrendous tragedy a month ago, the only one left in the bloodline Clandestine.