Siege

this beast that you're after will eat you alive (ii)

Specks of dust flew as Keres busily checked the antiquated contents of the attic. She barely saw anything with her blurred vision as she listened to Carmilla playing the cello, her heart aching with every note. But she has no time for grief.

She let worn papers fly as she scrambled for a certain document. She'd blink more often than she should to shoo the unshed tears and she feels guilty for not comforting her siblings when they need her the most more than this...stupid...document... 

Her thoughts trailed down as she read a paper that's seen better days. When she confirmed it was the one, she smiled a little. It was the first step in her plan.

She straightened her back as the commotion outside caught her eye from the attic's misted windows. She inched closer to watch Levi walk stiffly towards the gate of the manor. The gates opened and the townspeople froze. She could not hear what he said to them, but some fell to their knees and some clasped their hands together.

Keres left the attic and raced outside to better hear what his brother was telling their people. And rest assured, it was only the words of a true heir to the duchy.

"...This shall be the last dark day for the north. We are already looking forward to a brighter future for everyone. Perhaps, a better economy and more trade from other regions. I give you all my word for it. Please pass on the good news," he announced.

She watched the people. They were not kneeling in despair but in hope. They were not praying to ask mercy but to express gratefulness.

· • —–٠ ☀ ٠ —– • ·

Inside the manor, a few hours later, a young man warming himself indoors opened the window and let the cold breeze seep in as he welcomed a friend crow from the outside. It smoothly flew through the ajar window and gently landed on Eli's shoulders, cawing once, as he pets the bird. 

The two listened in on their oldest siblings' talk. Carmilla was now quiet by her cello and absentminded. The air remained heavy, a smile on anyone's face scarce and unseen for days.

"We must find the bloody bastards that did this. And fast," said Levi as he paced around the room, his hands on his waist and his brows furrowed. Keres, calm and collected, sipped on her earl grey tea at the settee.

She turned to her other brother feigning fascination at the crow. "Eli, do calm your brother. Do tell him revenge is not something to be rushed and should he make any reckless moves soon, I will be forced to take over."

Eli tensed as he saw Levi halt his anxious pacing. He faced her. But her gaze remained on Eli. He stuttered, unsure of which sibling he fears more.

"S-She's right, brother. It's...It's not been so long since it happened. Mayhap wait for the issue to subside?"

"And what? Let them get away with this treachery?" He immediately snapped back, nostrils flaring. The latter visibly flinched and shot Keres a meaningful glance. His flimsy hands gestured in the air. 

"The whole of Odrivell will hear about this in a few days. And by then, the suspects may as well have left the kingdom before we even get our answers. Eli," he turns to his brother who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It wasn't simply an accident...it was an ambush. Had it been an accident, we would've accepted it better. But it was not. And the rage I feel now is more than enough to kill all who have been associated with those bastards."

"And then what? Do you have a plan that is not led by blind anger? What of your promise to the people?" She snapped.

Levi shot his sister an incredulous look. "...What are you trying to say? Do you not want to get to the bottom of this, as well?"

"Come now," his pathetic excuse to extinguish their flame, "It is not quite the time for an inner dispute..."

"Acting impulsively is futile, is all I'm saying." He was ignored like a passing breeze as his sister replied and placed down her tea. "Not to mention a waste of resources and manpower to track down the pawns that are merely following orders."

"Is that so? How would you know they're just pawns?" Levi scoffed, his hands finding their way to his waists.

Keres sighed and shrugged. "It's clear as day, brother."

He found his twin's blank gaze. He enlarged his eyes and slightly tilted his head, bobbing his tousled brown hair. If he wants to free himself of the tension in the room, his twin must be feeling the same. Her eyes shifted their focus to the crow by his shoulder and glared at it. With a loud caw, the crow bared its wings and flapped out the same way it entered.

"Why are you so against this? Whatever has gotten into you?" Levi's tone aggressively rose. "Are mother and father's death so insignificant for you?"

His sharp words caught everyone off-guard. Keres's brows furrowed. Eli froze as his expression tightened. He saw his twin's lower lip tremble and her scathing cries once again filled the silence of the room.

Until a low snarl made everyone's heads snap to the ajar door. 

Slowly, a dainty hand pushed the door wider, and came a visibly unamused tiger. On its back was Lilith, fatigue carved on her hollow cheekbones and deep eyes. Their sister had gone out of her room for the first time in a few days, in her sickly complexion, and this was the first thing she hears. Eli felt guilt gnaw him inside.

Ironically, it was Keres who acted first. She greeted her sister warmly like she always does.

"Lilith, we're glad to see you, finally," she spoke softly as if Levi's booming voice to her earlier was nothing. She raised her teacup. "Fancy some tea?"

Lilith shook her head and pulled out her notepad. 

Please do not mind me. I only want to hear this conversation.'  It wrote.

Keres paused before nodding understandingly. Levi was making every effort to keep quiet with respect to his mute sister, but seeing her note, he felt able to lash out again. Until Keres answered.

"Then, allow me to explain whatever has gotten into me," she echoed his words meaningfully. 

"It's a waste of time and resources to investigate the goons when we could directly investigate the mastermind... because I have a lead of who it could be."

Every soul in the room listened anxiously.

She met their eyes with nothing but utter seriousness on her face as she spoke, "This might be quite the shock, but we have been betrayed. By a relative, no less."