The Stranger Beneath the Crumbling Crown

Chapter 6: Cages Behind Smoke and Mirrors

The dreaded feeling of a disgusting serpent didn't disappear as I walked through the corridors of the Spring Palace. A calm smile appeared on my face... but I couldn't feel it. I couldn't feel anything. My feet moved, but they never seemed to truly touch the ground. Was I walking?

Why... are there so many eyes. My eyes glanced around to spot each pair... blue, green, brown... there were too many eyes. I just want to be alone... when can I be alone? There's always more eyes... too many eyes... stop staring. Stop—

My ever-darting eyes stopped as I fell down to the marbled floor's of the luxurious Palace. Papers flew as I tried to grab onto them before they went out the open window. The scent of charcoal pencils lingered, the smell of oil paints. I grabbed the last paper before it flew away from the arched opening in the palace walls.

"Apologies," the words fell out of my mouth, rehearsed and reused. I was apologetic... but... I couldn't seem to control this body anymore, I felt like I was on auto-pilot. I didn't feel like I was there.

"Are you alright?" I asked the boy in front of me. Glancing up ever so slightly above his head. I offered my hand in front of me.

Liddell Ellespein - Liddell Ascelin Silvanus

First Class Attendant - Silent Concubine - Obsessive Painter

Flaws: Single-minded/Simple/Selfish/Withdrawn/Shy

Ah... I've heard his name before. Only once... and only by one concubine. She had mentioned his paintings... ah... but it was a single off-handed comment. He stared up at me, as I kept my usually expression on my face.

"Yes," a barely audible mumble came from his mouth. I blinked... hmm? He seems rather nervous. Seeing something so simple... it...

makes me feel a little happier.

He took my hand, his hand felt cold but rough. It felt like a hand of a labourer... it felt like how my hand felt. I lifted him back up to his feet. Putting the papers I collected into his arms. I went to crouch back down, to gather the rest of the papers. It was quiet... but... his peering eyes didn't feel intimidating. No... I glanced at the two different coloured eyes... they looked at me curiously.

"My name's Alistair Renatus, apologies once again, First Class Attendant Silvanus," I said the words a little too monotone for my liking... ah... I guess I'm getting a little bit tired for today. I reached for the final paper, just under his shoes.

"The... sea," the mumble was let out accidentally. A beautiful scene was in front of me... a true smile crept onto my lips as I remembered my promise. This... wasn't all that bad... right... I still have somewhere to go back to. I haven't lost everything. I... just have to complete this. I... just... want to see your photo again. Just once... would be enough.

I want to visit the sea with you one last time... Manami... I still have something I want. I tucked a final piece of hair behind my ears... the salty scent of the sea filling my nose as my ribbon, with the swift movement, moved beneath my nose. It was nostalgic... I want to see the sea.

"You're... a wonderful artist," I plainly stated... I wanted to see the sea... so I had to live. I have to live... for Manami. I can't get wrapped up in my own wallowing. I had to move forward. Get over yourself you fool.

"The sea... is such a wonderful place," I finished my words with a different smile than usual. The boy seemed to hesitate grabbing onto the photo. My eyes reopened, as I took note of his appearance. Disheveled and wavy dark, almost black, brown hair, two different eye colours, and a cool pale skin tone, a couple scars covering his body. He wasn't particularly noteworthy... he seemed alike to the rest of the harem members... good-looking. Although... I guess... his simplistic ways seemed endearing. His drawing was endearing... charming... captivating in its own simplistic way. It was clear... but it made me joyful. It reminded me... of simpler times.