Winter Mansion

Spiteful

Chapter Twenty: Spiteful

Farlan had begun to act differently around me, for better or for worse, I'm not sure. He has become my sole companion, in-between my separate chores I try to stay near him seeing as he is the only one to bear my terrifying secret.

On top of that Levi has been absent, I've kept his untouched library and music floor clean, and done some looking around the Mansion for the stairs to the third hall but had no such luck.

It was dinner time when Isabel slinked into the kitchen, a grave expression set upon her face at seeing Farlan and I laughing horribly over a chicken roast.

Isabel cleared her throat loudly, our chuckles died down as we turned to look at her. "Eren," Her eyes narrow on mine before flickering away, "Master Levi is set to arrive soon, Accompany me in retrieving his bags."

I nod, "Yeah, just let me help-"

"Now." She swiftly interjects and turns out the door.

I sigh and turn to Farlan, his face is blushed as he watches the door close behind her. He catches my curious gaze and lets loose an embarrassed chuckle, "I should have told you," He lets another chuckle loose and looks away, "The Mansion thinks we're in a relationship or something I guess."

At this, I let go another laugh almost doubling over in pain, "what could ever make them say that?" I laugh out.

Farlan laughs a bit harder now too, "That night you ran off I guess," Another fit of giggles hits us both, "Don't worry, I told them we aren't though." He finishes.

I wipe stray tears from my eyes and look up at him with a bright smile, "Gosh, you should have told me we were dating Farlan, I need flowers every Monday." I joke in a girly voice and laugh a bit.

Farlan gives a soft chuckle and pushes me a little, "You should catch up with my sister before she thinks he we had a quickie!" He exclaims in his own girly voice.

I let more tears fall from laughing so hard and quickly wash my hands.

As I leave I turn back to him, "I'll see you later Farlan." I call and leave him with the broiling asparagus and cut chicken.

I miss the way his eyes trail down my body as I leave, the way his eyes sparkle with adoration, the way his gaze lingers as I leave the corridor in search of the evil head of red.

I make it to the center dome that connects all of the halls on the first floor, Miss Isabel waits, gloves on hands, a tap to her watch, and eyes watching her watch. Her eyes flicker up to my figure and she makes a disapproving noise.

I raise my eyebrows in question, "Put your gloves on, hurry." She says and strides down the long Hall towards the extravagant front doors. I follow her a bit slower and take my time in observing the details that I had not observed my first time down here.

The walls are a deep Indigo blue with grees drapes across the wall and gold designs accent it the walls along with statues and paintings.

I stop next to Isabel, just a body away and fold my gloved hands behind my back, posture erect, eyes focused on the knob in hopes to catch a glimpse of the world outside.

We stand silently for a few more moments until she breaks the silence, "Stay away from my brothers." She says in a tight tone.

It takes a moment for my mind to decipher the words she says, but when I do, it's like a chord snaps.

"What the flipping dippity are you talking about?" I exclaim, body turned to hers now glaring at her stoic face.

She slowly turns to me on the balls of her feet, "Don't think I've not noticed the way you hang off of the men in the Mansion, you're nothing but a wanton whore." She states with a snare.

My anger spikes and I have to bite my lip to keep from crying, instead, I look away from the women, but she continues.

"Nobody needs a whor-"

"I never asked to be here," I say in a choked voice.

I turn to her quickly, she has her mouth open for a snarky remark but closes it upon seeing my killer expression.

"If you hate it so much, then hurry up and get rid of me." I spit out.

She gives a haughty noise and steps forth, "With fucking pleasure." She says and swiftly jumps forward.

I just barely move out of her way, and hands just miss my neck when I trip over the thick expensive carpet and plummet to the floor.

One of the doors slowly opens, a blast of ice and snow shoots me in the face, I have to cover my face that quickly gets red from the change in temperature.

The doors close with e 'THUMP', and the warmth moves quickly to push the cold back out.

I slowly lower my arm and set my sight on snow-covered black boots, then up black trousers and the thin white snow covered shirt. I slowly come to a stand, as does Isabel from the corner of my eyes. Her shirt has shifted and hairs escaped her ponytails.

"Welcome Master Levi." She says in fake happiness and bows.

I follow her lead, keeping my eyes downcast on his shirt's collar. He steps forward, stomping snow from his shoes to be soaked up by the carpet, "Eren, take my bags to my room."

"I don't know where your room is Master?" I say quietly.

Isabel scoffs, while Levi gives a long sigh, "Then you shall escort me and learn today." He says and I give a curt nod. "Isabel, bring a cup of tea to my room."

Levi strides down the hall and I quickly grasp the handle of his case following him down the hall, and up the stairs to the second floor.

We walk down the long hall and through the large ballroom/ music room and down another corridor that looks like the ones below.

We walk down past many doors until we come to a black one, Levi holds it open and motions for me to enter first.

Fixation.