Chapter 28: Be careful what you ask for Part 1

Reimuz guides me out of his home. I walk behind him, holding his hand, and even in this summer heat I feel a faint warmth passing from his hand to mine. He remains mute, making me wonder what he has in mind.

The seconds continues to tick in my head as we walk pass the crowd of people. No matter what it might feel like for him, this silence is heavy for me. I swallow, finding my throat dry, and for the first time this walk has started, he glances at my direction.

“We’re here,” he says, stopping in front of a carefully designed structure made from concrete, covered by a gabled roof. The main entrance is arched, and within it are two large wooden doors. Above the entrance is a stained glass window portraying a girl? No, a Goddess would be a more suitable word.

I’m starting to feel nervous. I’m not sure where the suspicion came from, but I lost my breath and my will to speak the moment we trudge our way inside. Natural light flows in from the six arched windows surrounding us on each side, and at the very end is a classic looking altar decorated by different kinds of flowers and plants. It’s a beautiful place.

“You’re bringing another woman, again?”

Appearing out of nowhere, a woman wearing a plain black dress starts to scold Reimuz right away. Her brown hair in contrast to her fair skin, hangs down below her shoulders. She has an oval face and her gentle brown eyes conveys her relaxed and demure expression.

“You can’t be serious—” she pinch his face, and Reimuz can do nothing but nod.

When she finally notices my presence, I bow my head and introduce myself with a smile.

“Emily Ramburg. Just Emi is fine.”

“Oh. Everyone calls me Sister Amelia, and I run things around here.”

She sounds so free and excited. Her natural manners loosens me up, and I’m able to smile in relief. She leads us further inside, back to the children’s quarters. I start to follow her, glancing all over the area as I walk.

“Good girl,” Reimuz suddenly whispers behind me, and my heart pounds. What is his problem?

I ignore him and continue. It doesn’t take us that long to reach our first destination. More natural light flows in the room on both sides. It seems like the children sleeps on the bunk beds here and there’s a big rectangular dining table just ahead, on a separate room, for their big family to share.

“Oh, Sister Amelia, have you seen Lepust?” Reimuz asks.

“Why? Did he run away from work again?” she asks back, sounding like an angry mother.

“Yes,” he sighs. “Anyways is it okay if we visit the Cuckoos? I want Emily to see my chickens.”

Like a child, he grabs my hand the moment Sister Amelia nods in permission. Remuz has a bright smile, and it’s good to see him smiling like this, but what is it about chickens that makes him so excited? Seeing his wide toothed smile, a girl can’t help but wonder.

By the time we reach this place he has in mind, inspiration hits me. Does he have a chicken-fetish? I shake my head. No, that’s an impossible feat. It cannot be.

He clambers down in front of the cage and starts to communicate with them, as if he can understand what they’re saying.

“Ah, the wonders of the egg…” he murmurs, embracing the egg in his hand. “Come here, Emily. Listen to its heartbeat…”

“I’d rather not.”

“Come on. Have you not once wondered how eggs can grow this gigantic? I do, and I find it romantic.”

“I don’t really want to know,” I whimper, but he’s so enthusiastic about explaining. Someone save me from this nonsense. I sit by the cage and take the egg from his hand. He traps me inside the circle of his arms. It’s futile to resist, but I like that he holds me closer in exchange, so I concede and listen to him yammer gibberish.

“From where I came from, eggs doesn’t grow as big as this,” he murmurs, his voice entering a state of melancholy. “I was curious, you know. I stayed up here all night, waiting, but not once did it laid eggs even when I’m hiding.”

“That’s because Cuckoos normally don’t lay eggs when they’re feeling tense.”

He sighs. “Poppie told me the same thing.”

I open the cage and return the egg back in place.

“Hey, Reimuz, do you have any further plans for the kids here?” I ask.

“Well, I plan to give them a better future, but I have my own sights at something else for now.”

Reimuz takes my hand and moves his thumb a small circle over my knuckles. I smile and enjoy his display of affection, even though I know it isn’t exactly for me.

“How... how about letting them stay in our mansion? We have plenty of rooms and I’m sure Father wouldn’t mind their lively company… We can even hire some private tutors to school them properly.”

“Really? You’d do this for us?”

“Yes.” Only for you, Reimuz. But I can’t exactly tell him that.

“Thanks Emily,” he hugs me tight and nudge my cheek.

I blush. “Reimuz... another thing…”

“What?”

“I liked it when we kissed.”

“Oh yeah?”

I feel my consciousness glaring at me. Stop inquiring any further, Emily. Even your sisters told you beforehand, you stand no chance. But, I can’t help the beating of my heart after all.

“Why did you stop? Is it because of her?”

“Yes,” he whispers.

“But, some time has passed. Don’t you think it’s time to move on?”

“That’s where my problem lies, Emily. I don’t want to move on.”

“I wish I can replace her…”

“Don’t think like that… You’re a different person, Emily.”

“Can I hope?”

“I don’t know, Emily. I don’t know.”

“Would you mind it if I hope?”

“No.”

I tilt my head and catch his lips with mine. One instant and our kiss is over. He doesn’t pursue me further unlike before, leaving me thirsty and hanging.

“You don’t like me kissing you?”

“Umm, when I kiss I want to touch, and when I touch I want to fuck. You see what kind of trouble you’re getting yourself into?”

“Not unless you show me in detail.”

“You and your smart mouth,” he murmurs. He places his index finger on my lips, sliding it from one corner of my mouth to the other.

“Are you making an exception?”

“Only for your mouth.”

“So kisses are fine?”

“You just don’t relent, huh?”

“I’m serious.”

“You’re one dangerous woman, Miss Emily. How many times now did you make me break the promise I made to myself?”

“It means you have a weak resolve,” I chide him, and he smirks back.

“I blame that ass... and this mouth.”

He strokes my chin and levers my gaze to his.

“Come, let me you take back home before I do something to you here,” he smiles. “Something I wouldn’t want the children to see.”

My cheeks burn. I see the hint of amusement flashing across his eyes. What could he possibly mean by that?