Chichester Mansion

Allies and Traps

  ''A trap is only a trap if you don't know about it. If you know about it, it's a challenge."   

-China Mieville

Eclair's P.O.V

"Lady Éclair?!!!! Where are you?!!" I heard Maud's voice calling for me. I stepped my right foot out and  was about to go  out from where I was hiding

shoot! 

She might have been caught as the ally of "it". I shouldn't be fooled.

Running away, I turned to the other side.

It has been three weeks since I sealed the contract with Raven.

But until now, I still haven't apologize for the things I said to him. For letting him get captured by those wish maniacs too.
"Psst! Lady Éclair!"

A shout of whisper?...

I was cautiously walking through the maze garden while playing hide and seek with Ead and the others since it's Saturday today.

Which means,

There are no classes.

"Huh. You're not an ally of the 'it' are you? ...Prince Shoú?"

I asked the little prince who's rather relaxed.

Ead may know sweet talks but if he wants something, that brat does everything to get it by hook or by crook.

I can't let my guard down. He must be using this kid to track me.

"Nu-uh. I won't ever let Ead-chan catch us!"

He raised his right arm as if he was taking an oath.

"Well, would you like to take my hand Clair-chan? We could hide together..."
He stretched out his hand.

I was reluctant to take it buy he seemed trustworthy so I let my guard down.

He grinned widely.

Before I knew it, I was being dragged to who knows where.

-

"It's raining cats and dogs"
Little prince stated

"Huh. That's obvious. We just have to wait for the weather to calm down."

It's a good thing we're being sheltered by a cozy waiting shed in this magnificent maze garden of Chest.

I didn't expect what would follow.

The prince started crying.

Tche.

I really don't want to hear or see anyone crying so I wiped his tears.

"Stop crying little prince."

I hugged him.

*sob

*sob

"L-lady Éclair... I'm sorry I just... Wanted to play...but...but now we're alone and you might catch a cold. .." 

*sob

This is  the first time he called me Lady Eclair. I'm quite pleased.

"It's alright Prince Shoú."
More than myself, I'm worried about him, he looks weak.

He was holding on to his Rin-chan tightly, he must be scared being away from Ryuu.

I wonder why he's here at the mansion...

What is this kid's chester?...

"It's unusual for you to be separated  from Ryuu, little Prince."

I said while caressing his back

"Mmm..."

O.o

He fell asleep.

A hand tapped my left shoulder.

So he was here.

All along.

"Thank You Lady Éclair. For accompanying him while I was away"
This man's eyes never fail to mesmerize me. He's dark grey eyes could express more than what he says.

"Huh. I- it's nothing, Ryuu."

 He seems like a totally different person now that I get to be this near to him.

He must have noticed that I was staring at him, that's why he looked at me and...

..smiled.

"..."

Wait- he smiled?!

It's the first.

"Would it be alright if the three of us stay here for a little longer Lady Eclair?"

Wow. My name sounds good when he says it. He's voice is soothing.

"Huh. Do as you please."

We waited for a couple of seconds, before the rain has finally stopped.

Is it just me,

Or there is something strange about the weather today?...

I'm not sure so I decided to shrug it off.

Ryuu had Shoú perching on his back as we take our steps to go back inside the mansion

"Say, how long have you been the Prince's familiar?"

I asked

"Since he was 5. I  was 6 when I became his familiar."

.. Longer than I thought.

He became a familiar at such a young age.

Truly, our Chesters require us to be more than what we ought to be.

"How old is this prince by the way?"

I remember Maud calling him a 'child looking adult'

"Shoú's 19 and is already in college. The same goes for me, although I am a year older."

"Huh! So the little kid who fell asleep crying on my shoulder was older than me."

"Oh. He wasn't crying lady Éclair."

"I beg your pardon"

"I know my cousin. He wouldn't cry over being alone with someone under the rain. Especially if I'm the one controlling the weather."

"So what you're saying is-"

Before I could finish what I was about to say,

Shoú jumped high enough to amaze me and landed right beside me to hold my right arm.

While... Ryuu had my left.

"Maud-chan! She's right here!!!!"