Book 2, Chapter 1, Part 3 (I Am A Child Of This House)

Tok Tok—

I lightened my eyes at the sound of knocking on the carriage window. When i open the wagon window, Ellen smiled from outside the window.

“Lady, you can see the White Hall now.”

“Really?”

Ellen nodded at my question. I glanced at my dad’s eyes and looked out the window.

“Wow—“

It was a shocking situation.

The building was built on a desolate hill, a huge amount of smoke was coming out around the building.

“Why the building full of smoke?”

“Because there’s a hot spring flowing right below the building.”

Dad answered my question.

Hot spring!

I was surprise and looked back at the White Hall.

Then i could see some smoke coming out of the chimneys. The smoke that come from the chimney serves as a heating for a winter time.

‘It’s like a cloud factory…….’

I wanted to see the building up close. Then the carriage speed up as if they had read my mind.

Not long after, the wagon arrived in the White Hall.

I got off from the wagon and admired the building in a different sense. The appearance of the building was completely different from the other mansion. Lined archesmand big columns, domed roofs…….

‘Mudejar form?’

Didn’t the Alhambra feel like this?

It was completely different from the European style mansion.

“It looks different.”

At my word my dad nodded.

“The method that used for build this building is not like a kingdom style. I used country’s architecture style when i made this building.”

“How old was it?”

“200 years old.”

“It’s that really old?”

“Yes, long time ago this building took about 80 year to complete.”

I opened my mouth to Dad’s answer. If it was build for 80 years, then the man who started to build this must have already died before even seeing this building complete.

Inside the building was luxurious as the outside. The interiors of the building was full of tiles and mosaics was beautiful.

Beside……

“Why it’s warm inside?”

“It’s from the hot spring that dragged the warm through the pipes and running on the walls an floors.”

I quickly touch the wall. The wall was really warm.

“It’s awesome………”

“The creator made like this to warm and for avoid cold, he said it was especially expensive to build it in here.”

“I see.”

It’s really amazing.

The servants was diligently carried the luggage while i was walking around the building. After a while i was guided to ‘golden star room.’ It was a gorgeous room with small tiles on the ceiling, imbued with gold stars.

Stephanie, Jane, and Annie were also busy at checking the items inside the room.

“Winter is coming soon.”

Annie said so, as she checked at my clothes again and Jane looked at the chimney.

The bed was covered from a large bearskin with rich golden brown hairs. When i touched it slightly, it was surprisingly fluffy and soft.

I thought the bear’s hair would feel rough, does it had through a special treatment before?

As i looked around the room, Jane, Annie and Stephanie was finished checking everything. And as Annie said, the winter soon come.

+++

‘Huft, huft, it’s cold—‘

It was so cold that i can’t even scream. My whole body was trembling from cold as soon as the strong wind drove inside the open gazebo. The gazebo was open from many side and it made the wind blown easily and hit mt body.

“Lady, please come inside.”

Jane pulled my arm. I shook my head.

“Oh, no, oh, please wait.”

“You would have a cold if you wait in this cold weather. I’ll let you know if i see the sled come from a distance. Okay?”

Jane advised again. I shook my head and told Jane to go inside.

“No. Don’t come out Jane. Me, because of me.”

I become stuttering because it’s very cold. It was hard not become stuttered because my jaw was bumped while i felt the cold.

“Sa-me, Lady is stubborn too.”

Jane shook her head as she said that.

I got a letter from Carl, the letter said that he was arrived today. But as i waiting for him i can’t see him coming. After all, even in the dark night i decide to wait at the gazebo deck.

‘I didn’t expect that it would be this cold.’

“Maybe he doesn’t come today. The weather is like this—“

I agree at Jane words, maybe it’s true. Then some light came into my eyes.

“Jane, look at that!”

I pointed at the source of the light with my finger.

“Where, where?”

Jane narrowed her eyes as she catches her hair that blowing in the wind. In the distance several lights were shining on the horizon.

“Oh? That’s true! It’s getting closer.”

I laughed at Jane’s words “Brother!” as i shouted i waved my hand. But i think brother wouldn’t hear me , so i run from the deck.

“Lady, go slowly!”

I listened to what Jane said, as the same time i run and came to the downstairs. My breath went up from my chest. When i ran to the front door, the attendants were already ready to greet Carl.

After a while, a cheerful sled bell came out loud. Winter winds blew as the servants opened the front door. I could see a person getting off from the sled.

“Brother!”

As i ran and embraced him, a small laugh came from within the thick hood.

“Welcome home.”

Carl took off the hood and hugged me. He rubbed my cheeks with his cold hands.

“What, that iron wall is smiling!”

“Is he really close to his sister………?”

The voices seemed in the amazement, and i was surprised.

The two men getting off one after another from the sled and trembled went to the porch. One of them took off the hood and brushed his eyes. Vivid maroon hair was clearly visible in a dim light.

“It’s really cold. I think i’ll die because it’s cold. My ears haven’t fallen yet right?”

“It’s still fine.”

The other man said in a low tone. When he took off the hood, the moon-like platinum hair glistered. The light blue eyes looked at me and grinned.

“Hello, is this the first time you see me?”

As he asked, i felt nervous and hiding my face half-way on Carl’s shoulder.

“Who are you?”

“I—“

“Stranger.”

Carl cut out his words and start to walked inside as he still holding me in his arms. The servants looked at each other alternately as if they were embarrassed. Carl said.

“Do not let them came in, i don’t know them.”

“What?! Hey! Carl Castiello!”

“Are you really not letting us came in?”

The servants were surprisingly faithful in the cries of the two embarrassed people. They really prevented those two people from coming in.

However. If we don’t let them come inside in this cold……..

“Brother, aren’t they your friends?”

As i asked him i shake his shoulder a few times, Carl glazed at me and rubbed my cheeks lightly. My cheeks become cold but it’s still okay.

As i laughed unknowingly, Carl sighed and said.

“They are my acquaintance. Send them in.”

Only then the servants response to Carl words and let those two came inside. The two came in quickly.

Maroon hair said in a surprise.

“Inside the building is really warm. Is it because of the steam?”

“It said it’s warm because the walls and the floors get steamed with the hot spring water.”

Platinum hair men replied in a quiet tone. Hmm, those men was the people who always follow Carl, right?!

What did Carl said your name was then?

I can’t remember it well. I still remember it when i sent brother a letter, who was it?

“Young master, are you come?”

Kelson came out to meet brother. He glanced at back and asked.

“Did you come with your friends?”

“No they aren’t my friend.”

At Carl’s words, the red-brown haired and platiunum hair men was just smiling.

“Are they from the same academy?”

Not paid attention to what Carl said, Kelson smiled and asked. Karl nodded.

Then Kelson politely greeted the two men behind Carl.

“Hello, my name is Kelson. Welcome to the White Hall. We will guide you to your room. How long are you going to stay?”

“We were planning to stay here until the end of the winter vacation.”

The maroon-brown hair replied. Kelson replied with a smile.

“Yes, i understand.”

Kelson called the attendant to guide both of them into the guest room and to move their luggage.

“There, brother friend. Welcome to the White Hall. Nice to meet you.”

They are a good person who hang out with Carl who is not sociable! I smiled as i said that and the maroon-brown hair men opened his eyes and laughed.

“Oh, you are really cute? Hello, i’m—“

“Go away.”

Carl turned around and get in our way so we can’t face each other.

Ca, Carl?

“Ah, you are really! Would anyone without a sister will live in sad state?”

“You can say hello later.”

The platinum hair said so, the two of them disappeared along in the hallway. It wasn’t until after the two people disappeared, Carl put me down.

“Estelle.”

“Yes.”

“All men are beasts.”

Beast? You mean real beast?

I looked at Carl he sighed and rubbed my head. No, this guy!

“Brother!”

As i grab Carl’s arm with both my hands and pulled my head back, he laughed lightly.

Uh, Carls is laughing.

And some point i feel glad.

“I didn’t know that you would bring your friends.”

Kelson was also pretty happy. That’s right. The two of them will grew up like this with Carl.

“They always follow me tightly.”

Carl frowned. I think it’s a good sign that you didn’t ignore your friend and let them come after you. By the way, both of them were seemed fine to look at Carl.

I’m glad.

“What about father?”

When Carl asked, Kelson “Come this way.” Replied and guided the way, Carl pushed my forehead slightly.

“See you later. Rabbit.”

“See you later, Brother.”

I smiled and waved my hand. Jane was watching from distance and she pulled my hand and said.

“Well, then i’ll have to comb you hair again, Lady.”

+++

Annie changed my clothes. My hair was also braided more precisely than before because there was a guests.

“Did Carl ever bring his friend before?”

Annie shook her head over and over again and said.

“This is all thanks to you.”

At Stephanie words i tried to shake my head, Annie caught my head. So i had replace it with words.

“You so exaggerated said it’s because of me.”

“No that’s right. This is thanks to the Lady. What should i say, the duke estate was like a temple before the Lady came.”

Jane replied at my words.

“Temple?”

When i asked, Jane looked up and said.

“Solemn, we have to be quiet, it’s like a place where you can’t even laughed. The young master and the duke is more scary before.”

Stephanie “That’s right.” She added.

“The knights are hard—they never laughed in the mansion. Even if they laughed, it felt like we had to take a look to see who was listening.”

I remember when i was came to the mansion for the first time, i think that is why the servant deliberately behave as if i were invisible.

The original atmosphere of the duke estate is like that……

‘It will choke you.’

Annie smiled and tied my braided hair with a silver strap.

“When the Lady came, the atmosphere become more brighter. For everybody.”

“Is that so.”

I was ashamed and my face become hot.

“I’m not used to it, but i really grateful for everyone for being kind.”

Everyone was grinned as they confessed their gratitude. Stephanie glance over my blonde hair and said.

“Young master friends who come together is Count son and Prince right?”

“Prince? Who?”

“That’s, the one who had platinum hair. The one who quiet.”

“Ah—!”

Prince………

Normally, he might be a thrilling partner, as for me who met Iris and the Empress before………

“But why is he had a platinum hair? Both Empress Mama and the Emperor hair are brown.”

“It was Emperor—the prince’s grandfather was had a platinum hair.”

Is it a violent genetic?

“Right……..”

As i think that, i looked down. Honey blonde, deep and thick like honey color, not a platinum.

‘I like my hair more. I don’t envy you.’

In addition these days i washed my hair everyday in a hot spring water, it seemed i become maniac of my own hair, i covered them with egg mask to make my hair more shiny.

‘It would be nice if Hardel come here.’

Since brother friends are coming, it would be nice if i can ask for some information from him.

But Hardel didn’t come here.

“Me too, i need some rest. Since it’s winter vacation.”

He said at the last meeting class, and left the mansion.

‘Emel is late too……’

Emel, said he would join here after recovering from injury, but later i was informed that he was delayed the plan because he must participating in the Winter Knights for Winter Training.

Among to my escort Ellen and Jean went to Winter Training too, the only person who left now was Roy.

When they come back after training, then Roy will going to the winter training. He can’t empty the troops, and the training was divided into several team to train alternately.

So i waited for Carl.

‘Beside he was bring his friend.’

I’m really excited.

“Then i want to go now.”

Annie nodded at me.

“The guest will be in the guest room now.”

“Thanks!”

I headed to the parlor with the light steps. Roy has joined and start to follow me.

Stepping into the guest room, both of them was sat on the couch talking with their thick clothes. The guest room are included the fireplace that already lighted was warm enough and you don’t have to wear a thick coat.

“Hi.”

Both of them woke up from seat when i greeted them.

“I didn’t have time to say hello before. My name is Riddle Luste Alkina. Just call me Riddle.”

The platinum hair is Riddle—so he is the prince—he is greeted me with a smile.

“I’m Estelle Castiello. You can just call me Estelle.”

“I’m Xeon Encaste. Just call me Xeon. No, how’s about call me brother Xeon? Call me like thatonce.”

Xeon bends his knee and smiles, i looked at him.

“Brother Xeon?”

I called him as he want “Wow—“ he admired my words and laughed.

“Indeed, that’s why Carl deserve to be melted. I was surprised that he suddenly asked me. Did you the one who send a letter?”

I nodded my small head, Xeon “Indeed. Indeed.” He said it repeatedly as he was convinced.

“Who you call it like that?”

I looked back at the sharp voice. Carl stood there, he already change from his school uniform and changed into his everyday clothes. It seemed like ‘sickness’ were written between all over his brows.

“Brother.”

“Estelle brother is just me. It’s enough to call him Xeon. No, it’s already exaggerated.”

Xeon was surprised to heard Carl response and laughed.

“Yes. Xeon is enough. Right, Estelle?”

“Yes? Yes.”

Well, i don’t need two more brother.

Carl sat on the couch near the fireplace and knocked on his side. I quickly ran and sat next to him.

“How was the academy?”

“It was the same as usual.”

“What didn’t dad say anything?”

“Exactly.”

“Brother is already here now, so we can go to sledding together.”

“Sled?”

“Yeah! I want to ride a sled…….But everybody against it they said it was dangerous. But i think is it okay now, because i can ride it with brother right?”

“Sled………”

Carl seemed to think for a while. I heard a small murmur.

“Normal………..normal……….”

“A normal ride.”

I raised my eyebrows and said, Carl asked “Really?” and i nodded.

“If so.”

“Wow—!”

I hugged Carl and he hugged me back. Carl’s hand lightly pounded my back.

Riddle was watching and asked in an interesting question.

“Aren’t Estelle ever felt scared of Carl?”

“Are you scared?”

When i asked back, Riddle faced Xeon and he nodded.

“A little?”

“Do you feel like he is standing behind your neck when he is talking?”

Xeon said with a smile while he hold her body with his arms folded.

“I’ll never talk to Carl alone in the hallway at night.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I mean there’s a weak student who fainted after looked at Carl.”

“I’m sick.”

Carl’s voice tone was full of contempt. They put down their eyes ‘Like this.’ It seemed what they want to say. I hugged Carl to comfort him.

It seems they really to be uncomfortable with each other.

‘Wait, no?’

Suddenly i thought it wasn’t. Ordinary people are afraid of Castiello, but for Castiello they doesn’t like ordinary people? Are these two are a completely different matter?

‘Which is better?’

I was worried and Xeon continued to grumble.

“I had to missed my birthday party too. So i’m not an unknown person—“

“I never told you to come right?”

“Oh—really!”

I coughed up quickly. I don’t want Carl’s to lose one of his friend so i try to meddling in their argument.

“When is your birthday?”

“In December 19th.”

“There’s not much time left. How about we throw a small party together? I will ask the chef to bake some cake.”

Xeon’s bright turquoise eyes were become round. He said in a serious tone.

“No, how do you have a sister like this? Isn’t sister is like another monster?”

“Well, is it?”

Riddle said as he smiled. If you think about it he has Iris as his sibling. How close is the princess to him?

In the story that Irish told, Riddle rarely appeared.

Maybe he is neglecting.

Xeon patted his knees as if he was in a serious thinking.

“By the way about birthday, when is Estelle birthday? Is it already passed?”

At that point i shook my head.

Birthday.

If you know your birthday it means someone care about you. No one knows his birthday when they born.

In short i realized, i don’t know my birthday. Of course it’s because i never had a birthday celebration before.

‘Come to think of it.’

Never once, i felt people were glad i was born, i never thought i was deserve to be happy.

Until i came here.

When i did not answer, Xeon smiled and said.

“You can’t tell me about your birthday? Is it coming soon? You help me to celebrate my birthday, so i want to celebrate your birthday too.”

I shrank even more. Can i say that i don’t know when my birthday is? Just how must both of them know about my origin?

As i hesitated, Carl leaned toward me.

“It’s okay to talk.”

At the end, my cheeks rose up. Do you told me to lie in moderation? Since when lie is a good things?

But in the end i couldn’t lie to Carl. He put his nose on my side.

“Estelle?”

He asked me, i said small.

“That……that……i don’t know.”

Silence flowed.