A Stay in Gensokyo

Chapter Eight - What lurks below the Scarlet Mansion

Entering the courtyard of a large mansion usually fills one with an extreme feeling of exploration. Searching every nook and cranny in hopes to find something unique or amazing, especially if it belongs to a supernatural being like a vampire.

What is there to expect, bats maybe? Perhaps a dungeon located deep below, filled with slaves used only for their blood? Though since Remilia would rather eat sweets than consume blood, I guess the latter isn't being realistic.

Maybe there's a field of tomatoes used only for their juice to sate the eyes of hers before consuming it and making herself believe it's blood.

Whilst letting my imagination go wild, I follow Meiling around the courtyard towards the far right as the scent of flowers become more present.

"How long have you been serving Remilia for, Meiling?"

"How long? Hmm, well when I think about it all I can say is that I've been serving her for a long time."

That's basically the same answer Remilia gave me when I asked about Sakuya. If that's the case then I suppose they've been serving her for so long that there's really no reason to be counting.

"We have freedom to leave whenever we want, we all know that. With her personality, it'd be easy for her to find replacements. We may be nothing more than tools to her, but even then my loyalty will forever be with Remilia. So you could say I'll be serving her for my lifetime."

"Oh, that's quite amazing."

I didn't think someone who's as laid back as her could confirm that she'd spend her life serving another.

"Ahaha, it's not really. I'm sure there's a lot of people like that in your world, right?"

"Ehh... I suppose there are, I've just never really met them."

There's quite a huge difference between offering your life to someone back at home, especially since there's supernatural beings. Though, I guess the motive is just the same.

With the scent of flowers persisting, we enter through an arch and suddenly the surroundings fill up with all sorts of wonders. Since there's large hedges that block them from sight, I couldn't quite get to sneak a peak before it's all revealed. It's like a botanic garden.

"Wow... T-This is just- Did you grow and maintain all these yourself?"

"I had a slight bit of assistance from the maids and a small little helper, but other than that I have quite a lot of spare time. At first all I could do was maintain the current plants Remilia had, but soon after I was given permission to do what I saw fit."

I haven't quite seen anything like it, botanic gardens are amazing but they're more for scientific research and are run by more than a single individual.

"If Maribel-san was here, I think she'd love it just as much, perhaps even more."

"Ahaha, you're too kind, Yuuki. Would you like for me to give you a tour? Some fruits should be ripe by now, so you're welcome to have first taste."

I nod eagerly.

...

After being given a tour of the entire garden and eventually being able to see the strange plant she spoke of earlier, we simply stroll around I'm trying to soak in as much knowledge as I can. Honestly, there's some plants I'm familiar with but the rest were all new to me. Whether if it's because they're native to this world or not, I can't quite confirm.

As I was about to ask a question about a certain flower, fast paced steps slowly close in.

"Oh, the little helper seems to be out again."