Blossoms of the Dark

CLXXXVI Selene: Escape

Walls have ears.

Doors have eyes.

Trees have voices.

Beasts tell lies.

Beware the rain.

Beware the snow.

Beware the man.

You think you know.

One of my favorite poems. And as of this moment, it has never felt more apt.

Big houses possess many secrets. Glances are exchanged amongst butlers, whispers are murmured amongst maids. They hear everything, see everything, and if paid enough, will speak everything. Conversely, they can pretend to be deaf, blind, and mute. Same reason. Paid enough.

That is all I have to do when I snag the sleeve of the head butler and slip him a handful of gems to help me escape the manor. Everyone here knows about the kind of treatment I face, but they are paid very handsomely to keep quiet. The only incentive I can give him is to provide further aid in his situation.

"I heard your mother is feeling unwell these days," I mutter once he feels the press of a strand of pearls into his back. "Stage 2 cancer, I believe? Medical tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or whatever regimen the doctors have planned deplete savings in an instant. You probably know better than anyone else how important it is to cure her midway through the cycle."

He reaches a hand behind him and accepts the necklace. "What do you need, Ojou-sama?"

The corner of my mouth tilts up at the honorific. You give this prostitute far too much respect. Given our outward statuses, he is bound to give me respect. In reality, he has more power than me; otherwise, I would not have had to resort to bribery to meet Shouto. It is not the butler's fault, but I cannot help feel a prick of disdain toward him.

"You must know all the hidden entrances and exits to this place. Find me one where there are no prying eyes or cameras."

He nods and beckons me to follow him.

We are in one of the spare bedrooms, since the police have banned anyone other than the forensics team from entering the room that belongs to me. I grab two dark-colored shawls lying on the bed. Once we step out of the room, I lock the door by entering the numerical pin code outside. A display appears, asking for my thumbprint. I look at the butler, who very conspicuously turns the other way. Shaking my head at the unnecessary theatric, I do as the display says. Hanada-sama insisted on installing high-tech lock mechanisms after the murders. Currently, he is collaborating with the security to find a solution for the windows as well. Also unnecessary and theatrical.

But he does not know that. He does not need to know that. Whatever makes him believe he is safe. His demise will lie in the fact that his death is already inside the manor.

The butler escorts me down the stairs. The commotion reverberating from below becomes louder. Preparations for the press conference. The reporters who arrived for the funeral are fighting over seats and camera positions in the large chamber reserved for occasions like this. Other guests - the more prominent and influential ones - are staying behind for the behind-the-doors meeting Hanada-sama has planned after the conference. I am expected to be present for both events.

So I have a short time frame to reach the lake and talk to Shouto. Luckily, I have plenty of experience of working in stressful situations.

After we descend, we cross the hall where the altars are set. I do not spare a glance for the dead. Pretending to lament their deaths was irritating enough. None of the servants who are busy cleaning up the hall pay attention to the cold glare I level ahead of me. How much farther away is this secret exit?

Finally, the butler enters a secluded, empty alcove. "This is a shortcut to the kitchens," he explains. "All food deliveries come through the many back doors that lead into the kitchens. Choose any one of them to leave and return."

I dare not question why this area is not installed and monitored with security devices. After all, it would be easy to sneak in and out of a regularly busy place. The side eye that the butler gives me raises my own guard. For a moment, I wonder why my intuition is telling me to remain cautious when I understand. Ah, I see now. He is looking for any sort of confirmation or denial of the accusation Hanada-sama made. Of course, he and the other servants heard about it. Sama was not exactly quiet when he shouted that I must have crossed countries and seas to reach England.

Careful to keep my features devoid of emotion, I say, "Thank you very much. I hope your mother gets better soon."

The light in his eyes dim slightly. Proof that I succeeded in thwarting his attempts to get a rise out of me.

Without turning back, I slip into the alcove. White light seeps outside the kitchens into the corridor. I warp the light and the air to camouflage myself with the counters and shelves. One of the chefs has set aside onigiri in a tray. I reach for a container, put some of the snacks into it, and hide it between the currently invisible shawls. No one notices my presence.

Perfect.

Easy escape.

Easy return.

And though it pains me, all my lies are prepared, too

Locating the nearest unattended door, I step through.

The frigidity of the night air makes me shiver involuntarily.

After sparing a moment to ensure I am alone, I summon a warp gate and cross through. 

_________________________________________________________

Image URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Bachelor%27s_button%2C_Basket_flower%2C_Boutonniere_flower%2C_Cornflower_-_3.jpg/1200px-Bachelor%27s_button%2C_Basket_flower%2C_Boutonniere_flower%2C_Cornflower_-_3.jpg

Citations:

"Walls have ears. Doors have eyes. Trees have voices. Beasts tell lies. Beware the rain. Beware the snow. Beware the man You think you know." - Songs of Sapphique by Catherine Fisher