The evening crept softly on the manor's dwelling as the walls turned amber under the calm twilight. The courtyard had grown quieter now, fresher air came through it, bearing the scent of far-off jasmine, and soft noises of the breeze that chased the rustling leaves.
Miss Mei never went near the outer noise. She had heard the voices from afar-the arrival of a 'man from the West'-spilling in the ambient tones of people who must have been surprised, or so unfamiliar to her guards.
Suspicion filled the space immediately, just as it ever did at a time of uncertainty. In a world where unspeakable evils often wore silk and smiled like a friend, who, they might ask, could say that this stranger wasn't danger in disguise?
But Miss Mei always calm advanced towards the open courtyard. The reports she didn 't ask for, only calmly sat on the stone bench curved under the arch of moonlight, her robes flowing about her like silver water, tilting her head, waiting.
Soon footsteps would echo.
A guard came with a tall person by his side. The stranger had loose waisted brown hair; some strands braided loosely hung over his sharp cheekbones. Green eyes had that teasing glint; his informal dusty dark Western jacket made him looked charming. Once he stepped in sight of Miss Mei, she quickly rose.
A soft smile lit her face. "It's you ... Sebastian."
The young man bowed a little, then greeted in a teasing way. "Yh, my Princess. Oh, it has really taken so long. But anyway, your place is ... wow. I'm amazed."
She chuckled and motioned for the others to withdraw. The guards bowed and retreated. Even the maids vanished into the evening shadows, leaving only the two of them under the moon's quiet gaze.
These were then stepping out together side by side through the broad hallway, as had old friends. Their laughter threatened to rouse the silence now and again, floating between the columns as one might recall echoes of a time easier.
In her quite solitary room, Ying was admiring everything open to her glances-the carved furniture, the porcelain vases, the tall silken curtains fluttering like soft clouds. Everything was her own yet unknown; she regarded each part as kind of quietly magic.
However, Li Wei listened to some murmurs about the intruder. But he was neither concerned about it. It is not his issue…not tonight. He was still within his small room, back facing the door, with brows furrowed, deep with thought. And before long, sleep pulled him into silence.
In the great hall then, Miss Mei and Sebastian were engrossed in a reminiscence of their mutual school days in France-teachers long gone and escapee mischievous pranks and dreams-which they talked over in the days when they were still youngsters with high hopes.
Eventually, Mei called for a maid. "Make preparations for one of the guest chambers; best there is," she declared. "He is going to stay for a while."
The servants moved into action under the measures of quiet efficiency. They got his small baggage out, dusted the room to perfection, lit lamps, and put fresh towels beside a pot with warm tea at the window.
And there was Sebastian that evening at the dining table with Miss Mei, his face glowing as he surveyed the dishes before him.
"Oh, I quite fancy Chinese food," he grinned. "But still can't get a grip on these chop- What, slippery! They're acting really fishy."
Miss Mei chuckled gently. "You're funny," she said. "Here, let me teach you how it's used." She proceeded to show him how to grip it, guiding his fingers like a patient teacher in her gentle way. They shared smiles, and the room warmed up for a short while.
Later, they said their goodnights after the dinner.
Miss Mei eventually headed to the East Wing, where her private quarters lay. Upon entering, she spotted Ying still awake and sitting on a chair's edge. Her eyelids appeared heavy, blinking slowly.
"You should really go to bed, little one," she said softly.
She led her into the giant bed, careful to see to it that she was tucked in, and brushed away strands of hair from the girl's forehead. Ying looked up once at her, a sweet trust in her gaze before sleep took her.
Miss Mei was so for a long poise, staring into the dark sky through the window. Sebastian had come with a surprise, sweet, perhaps, but quick. She did not want to think of Elsie tonight; nor did she want to think now about what the past was still hiding in its folds. Climbing, then, slowly into bed beside Ying, who now slept as peacefully as a daughter curled up soundly.
Sebastian, on the other hand, was residing in his guest room somewhere else in the manor. Remarkable the chamber: soft yellow walls with a carved headboard, beside the window was a beautifully crafted desk, fully adorned, and the robe folded gently across the bed. The tea had gone lukewarm. He took a slow sip and leaned back in his chair while staring out into the courtyard.
He looked... thoughtful.
Elsewhere, Li Wei had already slept long ago with murky and uncertain dreams. His breathing was calm; his mind, however, stirred.
Something changed tonight.
A young man from the West had entered the manor. No precautions had been taken: Miss Mei, Li Wei, not even serene and gentle Ying, could know yet what that arrival might stir in days to come.
Something was coming.
And the house that was once peaceful would soon learn something more intense.
Maybe not now, but something is about happening .