"At first sin was as fragile as a spider's thread,
And finally as stout as a ship's hawser;
Sin arrived as a passerby, next lingered for a moment,
Then came as a visitor, and finally became the Master of the House"
-Israel Shenker
I am a bystander.
I listen and I watch. I spectate. An onlooker. Never meant to interfere.
The hall of the Romanov Household was in silent chaos. Tahimik at literal na nakakamatay. Countless of blank faces filled the halls. Lingering in the dark. Some mutters profanity under their breaths. Irritated and furious. Who wouldn't? It was suppose to be a night full of celebrations. Pero sa isang iglap lang, sa isang ihip ng hangin, it turned out to be an unexpected execution.
"I am clueless, sir. Per favore, I am innocent!"
All of us turned to him as he cried out. Torn clothes, busted lips, terrified face adorned with fresh wounds. Chains attached to each of his limbs rattled as his body trembled with fear. He was put in the middle of the hall to be scrutinized like an animal.
I heard someone sighed. Napatingin ako dito. Jacopo was standing beside me. Proud features and a cold aura in display. Behind us was the unending stairs. Each side was filled with servants. Heads down. They were stiff but calm.
"Walls have ears, lad. We are not fools." Jacopo rebuked as his eyes glint for a second.
"Questions are unecessary, Jacopo. Kill him already. This is really getting annoying" a protest came out of nowhere.
"Behead the child, feed his body to the dogs."
"It is appropriate to have him tortured. Traitors are never meant for a quick death."
"He possess a cute face. We can have him serve in a whore house, shamed and dignity stripped. Offering his body to dirty bastards."
Countless of suggestions echoed the hall as the household 'dogs' voiced out their anger. They surrounded the boy, each had their own distances. They were formally dressed in black. But if one stares long enough, you can see they were covered with blood. I scrunched my nose on disgust. Filthy.
Napapagpag ako ng wala sa sarili sa itim kong bestida. We were supposed to be preparing for the Romanov's only offspring and heir's arrival. Everyone was giddy and excited. For the first time, the household was bright since the late Romanov passed. Every nook was cleaned and inspected. Servants prepared and was already briefed. But hours before, countless of unknown men trespassed the territory. Armed with dangerous weapons, they caused havoc to the place. They turned the mansion upside down looking for something.
They failed, of course.
But the 'dogs' weren't in the mood to play. They were pissed by the blood stains in their suits. It was a special day for them. It was meant to be a celebration. And the dogs always believed that is rude to hunt before a celebration. For them, it is unbecoming. It was a disrespect. And they are having none of it.
Jacopo sighed and took a step forward. Annoyed but still collected.
"Servants behind us are gifted with tight mouths, lad. If not, they were disciplined. And they always behave. It is a disappointment that you lack in that area. Your loose mouth is a sin. A sin we can't afford." Jacopo shaked his head and gestured to a servant.
"Please, Sir. It is true! I do not know! They said they worked here. Special workers you assigned for preparation. I do not know they were outsiders! Per favore! I am innocent!" he defended himself. Two servants approached him. Forcing him to come with them. His body trembled with force and face strained with tears.
Napabuntonghininga naman ako at napalingo.
"A shame." I muttered under my breath.
Suddenly, the lound sound of bells chiming echoed through the mansion. The faces of the 'dogs' suddenly lit up. Jacopo turned to me and I nod. Naglakad ito palabas at tahimik akong napasunod rito.
Pagdating namin sa malaking pintuan, Jacopo raised his hands and effortlessly pulled those big doors. I flinched as the setting sun instantly kissed my skin.
Ahead of us was a number of black sedan cars. All lined up. Naglakad kami palapit rito habang unti unting nagbukasan ang ilang pinto ng sasakyan. Men in suit stealthily walked out from the car. They stood stiffly as some of them approached the car in the middle. Bowed and opened its doors.
Romanov's only offspring descended from it. He was lean and tall. Hair neatly brushed away from its face. He was wearing a simple white polo paired with black plants as if seemingly to appear simple and plain. But as a Romanov, it was impossible. With a powerful and forceful air he possessed, weak and frail normal people would instantly feel their hair stood up. Knees week as if their bodies begged to kneel. Of course, Romanov is a powerful family. Weakness is a sin.
Jacopo and I bowed as we neared the Romanov heir.
"Bentornato, Sire. Welcome welcome. The household is prepared for your arrival." Jacopo respectfully stated and bowed its head again.
The Romanov blankly stared at him. Unmoved. His black cold eyes depicting nothing. Seconds passed as his eyes averted and landed on mine.
I slightly bowed my head and respectfully meet his eyes.
"I am Scilla, one of late Signore Romanov's aid" my voice came out strong but muted. I was expecting questions about my identity as I named myself as the late Romanov's aid as I was young myself. But it never came. Blank eyes continually stared at me.
I was about to open my mouth when he took a step forward and suddenly he was walking behind me towards the house. Jacopo gently patted my shoulder and gestured for me to follow the Romanov heir.
A complete opposite of his father.
I shrugged the thoughts off and silently followed them as the men who arrived with the heir slowly dispersed along with the sedans.
As we entered the household, we stop at the entrance as the servants piled inside and silently bowed. Giving respect to the Romanov heir. The household dogs was now in their best behaviors. Heads bowed and neatly lined themselves at the end of the stairs. They were seven of them.
He gave them a small nod and resumed his way upstairs. We silently walked until we approached the study room of the late Romanov.
He sat at the chair behind the study table while Jacopo stood behind it. I made myself comfortable at one of the chairs meant for visitors and crossed my leg. Servants suddenly came and served him tea. They turned towards me.
"I am good." I muttered as they found their way outside, leaving the three of us.
"Sir"
"Set aside the pleasantries." he interjected Jacopo. His cold silent voice sent shivers to my spine. I stared at him and tilted my head.
Jacopo feigned a coughed and nodded his head.
"Then I will, Sir. Tomorrow is the signing of the papers for the transferring of the rights. The will of the late Sir Romanov will be revealed. The head priest, Father Russo will head the procedure tomorrow before lunch and the introduction of the household will take place before dinner"
The Romanov heir nodded. He folded his arms and closed his eyes.
"People I know will come here early in the morning, prepare for them. Leave for now and don't disturb me until I call for you." He blankly stated and turned it's back against us facing the window. Napataas ako ng kilay.
Jacopo gave me a look as if stopping me. I sighed and followed him out.
We walked together at the corridors. The Romanov heir was simply dismissing us and we were silently obeying. The household has it's rules.
I stopped him and his eyes found him.
"I will be at my room. I'll skip dinner. Please tell the servants to bring me my tea as usual." I silently left him and found my way to my own room.
Later that night, with my thin nightdress I looked at the empty dark sky, tea in my hand.
