Chapter 2: Chapter 2
???
"What are you doing there?"
Kira
"…Who's there?"
It was a man with jet-black hair. Tips as silver as the stars outside. He spoke to me in French, albeit with a thick accent. Not quite Italian. Something about his mien recalled my nightmare to me. But there wasn't anything frightening about him. And is he dressed in costume? Maybe he's part of a show the Louvre is putting on? At this point, I don't care who he is.I'm glad to have found someone!
Kira
"Pardon. Do you know how to open this door? I'm trying to get back to the musée."
???
"What's that? 'Get back?' You're not telling me you came through that door?"
Kira
"That's exactly what I did. I came through the hallway, the one with all the antiques.
He took stock of me. He didn't seem to doubt my story, only his own eyes.
???
"Just what are you?"
From down the hall, I heard the soft click of the heels of fine oxford shoes. "Could that be the gentleman I met?" I thought to myself. I could use a familiar face right now.
And more help getting this door to open.
Kira
"Excuse m-"
The dark-haired man clapped a hand over my mouth and swept me into his arms. "What is he doing?!" I questioned. He pulled me behind the long curtains, hiding us, his back flat against the wall. "Is he hiding me or himself?" I trembled in his arms. But he held me gently.
???
"I won't hurt you. Just for now, don't make a sound."
Half shadowed, half illuminated in moonlight, he was a living painting in chiaroscuro. His features were all in contrast. Slender face with a firm jaw. Sharp tufts of hair that looked soft as silk. Eyes of bright jade that met mine without shying away. Powerful eyes. Eyes that made me trust him. " I still don't know what's going on here." "But he's not lying to me." I nodded, and he uncovered my mouth. "What are we hiding from? The man coming down the hallway? Why?" After a moment, the dark-haired man spoke.
???
"They're gone."
He was right. I couldn't hear the echoes of footsteps anymore.
???
"I'll answer your questions later. You need to escape before the others find you."
We stepped out from the curtain. He took my hand, his grip firm, and began walking. Escape? What exactly is this place that I need to escape from it?..What happens here? I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid.
???
"We'd better run. Don't let go of my hand."
There was one thing in this mansion I wasn't afraid of-him. He's done nothing but try to help me. I held his hand tight. If someone could get me out of this, I thought, it would be him.
qq???
"By Jove, what's this?"
The door ahead of us opened and a man stepped out. He struck a casual pose, stuffing his hands in his pockets. My savior clicked his tongue. I knew what that sound implied. We'd been caught.
???
"I don't know who let this sweet little bird into the mansion, but from what I can deduce...you're helping her escape." "Now, why would you go and do that?...I rather fancy her type, you know. She looks absolutely scrumptious."
He'd blocked off our exit in the smoothest of fashions. And his eyes fastened on me with obvious fascination. Scrumptious, am I? He's British, isn't he? Although he's got a bit of a brogue.
???
"Ah, maybe you fancy me too, judging by the way you're looking me over."
He's also a rotten flirt! He ran his tongue over his lips in a very purposeful gesture.
???
"...It had to be you."
My savior interposed himself between me and the colorful flirt.
~~~~
Elsewhere in the mansion
The gentleman from Paris settled into a chair in his private suite. His gazed into the candle-lantern as if it were but a window.
???
"A moment, Sebastian."
Sebastian
"Yes, Monsieur?"
The butler, Sebastian, finished setting tea for the gentleman and stood attentively.
???
"We have an unexpected guest. I want to be sure she receives our best hospitality." "See there is a place set for her at the banquet."
Sebastian
"As you wish."
~~~~
???
"Why do you want to help her escape? Let's bring her to the banquet."
???
"That's not up to me or you."
???
"Don't be so stodgy! Who's going to complain if we add a little colour to that drab table?"
"They're having a banquet? And he called this place a mansion." "What mansion is connected to the
Louvre?" I asked myself. I had more questions and zero answers.
???
"Messieurs."
A man dressed in butler's garb entered the hallway.
Sebastian
"It is time for supper. They're gathering in the dining room now, if you please."
When I didn't move, he fixed his eyes on me.
Sebastian
"You too, Mademoiselle."
Kira
"Me?"
"I don't belong here!" I thought to myself.
Kira
"I'm not planning on staying for supper."
Sebastian
"But the lord of the manor is awaiting you."
"The lord of the manor?" This is really someone's house?" I said to myself.
Kira
"How does he know I'm here?"
Sebastian
"You can ask him yourself at supper."
I'm getting no answers until then?
Sebastian
"Or will you refuse his invitation after so rudely invading his house?"
Kira
"But I didn't-"
I wanted to tell him it was an accident. Yet, I knew that was just an excuse. I'd apparently trespassed onto some noble lord's property. If nothing else made sense, the butler's reasoning did. The lord of this manor can tell me how to get back to the Louvre. The best thing to do is be polite until then. The butler sensed my acquiesce.
Sebastian
"Allow me to escort you."
I followed the butler closely, mentally mapping the route we took, just in case. The other two men followed behind me. I can't just run about the place trying doors. That's what got me here. I contemplated my guide. He wore a crisp uniform with spotless white gloves. He's fastidious. No nonsense. His master wanted me to dine with him and sent this one to make sure I did. As we walked, I heard the dainty, frolicking keys of a piano. The melody grew louder as we approached a door.
???
"Sounds like Wolfie's in a sprightly mood."
"Wolfie?" Is that who's playing the piano?" I questioned myself. The butler stopped at the door, braced himself for a trial, and rapped three times.
Sebastian
"Pardon me." "..Ahem. I know that you are in there.
Come join us in the dining room."
The piano stopped, cut-short. The door opened, revealing a man who remained firmly entrenched on the other side.
???
"Go away."
Sebastian
"It is time for the banquet."
The pianist, whose curt voice carried a faint Austrian accent, sighed as if he'd been rudely awakened from a beautiful dream. He's gorgeous. He stood unmoving. As if the flickering light of the chandeliers was the only life in him. Silvery-white hair laced across violet eyes-eyes that narrowed unhappily when they landed on me.
???
"Why was everyone being so loud?...It's her fault, isn't it?"
Kira
"My fault? I don't know why I'm here. I'm supposed to be at the museum.
???
"Who cares. Why don't you just go back then?" "Unless you enjoy the idea of being everyone's food."
"Food?" I must have misheard him. He slipped past me, bending slightly to avoid touching me. This one wasn't interested in clearing up any misunderstandings.
???
..As if the banquet wasn't bad enough."
He took the staircase down, his cold voice hanging like notes in the air around us. We followed him. Another figure awaited us at the bottom of the steps.
???
"It's poor manners to keep those who've arrived on time waiting."
I knew his voice, which belonged to many countries and none.
Kira
"It's you!"
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