The Wallflower's Descent

Chapter Two

Disclaimer: The translations may be off because I used a translation site so any fixes are appreciated!

"15-love!"

Lucienne panted and ceased her run to a slight jog before using the back of her hand to dab the sweat droplets away from her forehead. Benjamin shook his head disapprovingly, readjusting his hat.

"What was that, woman?!" Malachi shouted from the sidelines, "How did the ball land all the way near the lake?"

"It'll bounce off your head next, Mal, if you don't keep quiet!" Lucienne shot back, tossing the ball into the air and smacking it with her racket; Malachi shriveled in his seat.

The ball returned to her at lightning speed and she barely caught it with the tip of the racket, sending it flying over the net. Hit after hit, her vexation grew intensely and it was noticeable in how she tightly gripped the racket.

In a sheer rage, she let out a yell and struck the ball down aggressively, aiming it down the center. Her tennis instructor fell to the ground to avoid being hit, whipping her head up with a perplexed look on her face.

"Wow, this is something that I wasn't expecting from you today. Let's call it a day and when you've collected yourself, we can try again." Her teacher advised her, running around the net to fetch the remaining tennis balls.

Sighing to herself, Lucienne dropped to the ground and ran a hand over her face, the hot rays of the sun beating on her skin. The sweat continued to permeate all over her body, making her uncomfortable staying in her one-piece gym suit.

Leaving him behind, Malachi sauntered towards Lucienne, using his book to shield himself.

"Are you alright? You've had a nasty temper since you woke up this morning. Is something the matter?" He asked her.

She inhaled deeply, understanding that her anger was becoming more prominent now that the realization that Arthur had to return to Japan was settling within her. Although she was upset, she felt guilty for taking her anger out on her brother over such silly remarks. 

"All is well, Mal. I'm sorry for getting mad at you. I have a lot on my mind right now."

He clicked his tongue; girl troubles, no doubt.

"Apology accepted, sister. It doesn't have anything to do with Arthur, does it? From what I remember, he never returned to his room. In fact, he just about disappeared. Is he traveling again?"

Her nails dug into her racket, noticeable indentations on the hardened part of the handle.

So, Mal removed the racket from her and placed it on the ground, knowing that she wouldn't be opposed to lopping heads in her rage. He may have been young and labeled inexperienced when it came to affairs of the heart but he had a general understanding that when a woman is upset over something a man has done to her, it's only a matter of time before everyone around her feels the effects of her wrath, be it directly or indirectly. There would be no massacre today if he had any say.

"You should go clean up, Luci, and when you're done, come find me in the library."

~~~

Lucienne opened the double doors to the library and found her brother gazing out of the window overlooking the back of the manor.

Malachi approached her with a large white photo album and sat down next to her, offering it to her. At first, she was confused but as soon it was placed in her hands, the memories started flooding back. She flipped it open to a random page and paused on it.

"Do you remember this day, Mal? God, it feels so fresh to me..." Lucienne said, tears brimming in her eyes.

*Early 1901*