Daydreams And Nightshade (DaN #1)

Chapter 34: The key to progress (pt. 2)

They walked down the stairs again, and in the meantime Luna tried to form a plan in her head. If she wanted Hauke to bring out the keys she had to ask him for something that'd require a key in the first place. Of course, it was unlikely he'd open Catherine's door for her. It had to be a room Luna would be granted access to in general.

"Mr. Hauke," Alexei suddenly uttered and Luna looked around. To her dismay, the BBT mansion's butler was standing further down the hall, watering a floor plant, and she hadn't even come up with a plan yet.

Hauke didn't say anything, but acknowledged their presence with a nod before returning his attention to the plant. Luna had to make up her mind quickly.

"Say, uh... Hauke?"

The butler looked up again.

"I'm having some... That is, I'm feeling a bit faint. I think I could use something to eat."

Hauke walked over to the other side of the hallway to water the next plant and gestured towards the kitchen, but Luna wouldn't give in that easily.

"Well I... Could you come with me? I don't know the other servants, so... But I know you're good at what you do." She dearly hoped flattery would work. In case it wouldn't, she decided to add another approach. "... And I'm not supposed to get something to eat on my own, am I?"

She didn't need to elaborate further. Hauke placed the watering can down and gestured to the kitchen once again, this time following along. The three of them hurried after. Alexei discreetly bumped into Luna's shoulder to get her attention, arching his eyebrows to ask if she had a plan.

Luna rapidly shook her head.

Almost nothing in the kitchen would require a key, Luna concluded as they entered. The only food she could see present seemed to be eggs, butter, jam and some biscuits. The butter already had a knife beside it and the rest didn't require any cutlery so even if the silverware was in a locked cabinet she doubted she could give Hauke a reason to unlock it. So how would she make him bring out the key?

Her eyes fell on the small supply of food on the bench. Hardly anything fresh, which suggested they kept the fresh food somewhere else.

A larder.

Assuming they had a larder there was a good chance it'd be locked, so Luna made an exaggerated grimace even Frey would've been proud of at the biscuits and turned to face Hauke.

"This won't do, it will just clog my throat. Can I have something more... refreshing, or something?"

She received a tired look from Hauke before he began walking out of the kitchen. Luna eagerly followed him. She expected the others to follow as well, but after looking over her shoulder she noticed they must've stayed in the kitchen.

Hauke looked over his shoulder as well and frowned at her. He probably didn't consider her presence needed, but she also hadn't specified any type of food, so Luna didn't bother saying anything.

As expected they reached a door leading to the basement and walked down the stairs. It was cold and smelled like dirt, but Luna somehow found it surprisingly pleasant. Downstairs were three doors and while Mr. Hauke walked over to the one on the left Luna studied the other two. She'd never been down in the basement before, and while she was rather certain it most likely contained wine or other beverages aside from the food and possibly a storage space there was something about the BBT mansion causing her to think there was something else down there.

The rustling of keys interrupted her thoughts and she looked over as Mr. Hauke unlocked the door to what she guessed was the larder. This was it, but how would she get him to leave without taking the keys with him?