'Don't worry, Rin. I'll take care of it.'
These words played in my head, over and over. A reverberating chorus singing notes I've never heard. My thoughts attempted to recall memories of when she's shown this kind of levelheadedness.
My mother said these words after what happened the other day, and like she said, she took care of it. The mess was gone: the body, the blood, everything. The situation didn't scare her; she wasn't shaken or distraught after the fact, just… composed.
The same can't be said for Rose, however. Being held hostage with a knife to her throat left her frightened. It took some time to comfort her, she even insisted we all sleep in the same room. Making the excuse that it's best to stay warm during the winter. While my mother and I could see through her lie, we didn't fuss about it. Allowing Rose the time to recover.
While I –my experience of taking a life– I was calm.
I am calm.
I see it as necessary. A life cut short, and the world hasn't changed. Whether this is seen as a good thing or a bad thing, it's not for me to say. I didn't know him, and maybe… It's better that way.
I don't know whose lives I just changed.
I know I changed his, but this affair hasn't changed mine, so it doesn't matter.
My mother and sister don't know much about what happened. With their inability to innately see through the darkness, they assume that the intruders slipped up, and I got lucky.
Which is of no concern for me, not having to explain my Lord-Will to them.
I breathed a sigh of relief, trying to forget the whole ordeal, as there's nothing I can do about it now.
I made my way through the District Gates, into the Middle District. Mentally preparing myself to ask Asher about getting a leave of absence. After my meeting with Leo Grimwald, and the subsequent meeting with his father, I need to keep my schedule open. Without a set date, I already know how our discussion will go. I just hope he'll let me keep the job.
Walking through the familiar streets of the Middle District, stuck in my head, nothing today could grab my attention: not the people who walked by in a blur of shapes, not the buildings in a blur of unfocused colour, and not the distant sounds of clamor and conversation. My sight focused on the ground, my eyes in a constant squint from the sharp winds and snow cutting my face. Walking in an unsteady stride to the cafe.
"Morning, I ha–" A voice came from closer than the others, almost breaking through my absentmindedness. It seemed addressed in my direction, but I didn't care to look.
I was taken by surprise when my hood was grabbed from behind, and my collar tightened around my neck.
It seems that I forgot to put my hood up today.
"So, you're just going to ignore me like that?" A man said in a friendly and playful tone.
I turned around to see Leo Grimwald behind me, his hand still on my hood. "My bad."
"That's all you have to say?" He called out, looking genuinely hurt. "Whatever." Letting go of my hood. "I have come to let you know… that it is time."
I fix my hood, shaking off some of the snow that has piled up. "Okay, but it's not that convenient right now. I'm headed to work."
"It's more convenient than you think, as I am headed there as well."
I turned to walk back down the street. "Okay…?"
Blinking in surprise at my reaction, he stood there for a moment before catching up in a jog. Walking alongside me, Leo kept silent while we made our way to the cafe.
He looked… intrigued. Observing the surroundings with the smile of a child, taking an interest in every little thing we passed: the stores and administrative buildings near the gates, the markets and parks further in the Middle District, and the students making their way toward the schools scattered around the District.
"It's quite fascinating, is it not?" Leo spoke with a hint of wonder in his voice.
"The District? It's cool, I guess. Better than the forests in the Lower District." I grumble.
"I mean the people. Everyone's getting along, there are no arguments or strife, and no one looks down on their neighbors. They all work together. It's fascinating."
"The Middle District?" I looked at him in surprise, as if he had two heads. "You must be blind if you think that."
"It's not perfect, no, but vastly different from the Upper District. You can't walk a block without being praised for your royalty or shunned for your normalcy. The people here are, for the most part, equal."
"Sure." I scoff, fixing my hair out of my face as I take my eyes off him.
Walking the rest of the way in silence, I try to understand what he could mean by calling the people here 'equal'. If there's one thing in the Kingdom, it's not equality. Not in any District.
After another five minutes, we arrive at the cafe.
Leo stops dead in his tracks at the door. Looking up at the OCC sign, then at the door.
I look at him confused. "What are you doing?"
"It's closed."
Grumbling as I push past him, the door opens with a ring from the bell, and I head inside.
Leo follows suit before yelling out into the room, "We're here, Uncle Asher!"
'Uncle'?! Suddenly, it hits me. I remember where I've seen Leo before. He showed up at the cafe at the end of the day before I was brought into the Domain. His jacket is the same.
Asher comes walking out from the staff room, briskly drinking a coffee. "Greeeat." He spoke with no excitement in his voice.
"Wait. He's the familiar face?!" I yell out, whipping my head between Leo and Asher.
"Quit yur shakin'. Yur gettin' snow all over my floor. Save the mess fur the customers." Asher walks into the bathroom, returning with a towel.
He walks over and hands it to me. "Thanks." Wiping the snow from my head.
"Why don't we all have a chat?" Leo says while gesturing towards the tables.
"Then, I'll brew some tea."
Walking to the counter, I turn on the special heating pit to boil some water, and grab the most expensive tea bags from the drawer. Waiting for the water to boil in the kettle, I lean on the counter and hold the conversation from there.
Leo and Asher take a seat at the closest table, staring daggers at each other, when Asher looks at me and speaks. "Yes, I'm the familiar face. We'll both be goin' to the Upper District to meet with my brother."
"You're a Grimwald? Why didn't you say anything? Why do you live in the Middle District? Were you once a Royal Guard as well?"
"Rin, please. Those're all questions for another day. Let's just discuss the current situation." Asher faces Leo with an expectant face, leaning back deeper in his chair. "An' why're you the messenger boy?"
Leo looks at Asher with a frown. "Father says we should 'get closer'." Rolling his eyes as he speaks.
"Sure, like a damn lightbulb in the head, the bastard finally cares about family relations."
Rising in pitch, the whistling of the kettle and water got louder.
"That's what he said! And I don't need you to tell me your opinion." Slightly leaning up from his chair, Leo raises his voice, his frown deepening.
Shifting to lean on the table, Asher slightly raises his voice. "It may be what he said, but 'chu know damn well that ain't what he means!"
"Who cares what he means? Are you really in the position to say no?!"
It's like watching two Beasts go at it.
I smile to myself.
But maybe I should still stop them.
"Oooh, don't give me that shi–"
Just then, the heating pit clicks, signaling the water is ready. "Just shut up! Both of you!" I cut off Asher. "It's like I'm watching two children fight over what Daddy said! Instead of two adults, or… one adult and a teenager."
Leo and Asher both take a breath. Leo sits back in his chair, sitting straight, and Asher leans back again.
Clearing his throat for a moment, Asher speaks, "S-sorry."
I grab three mugs and pour the water inside before tossing in a tea bag.
"So, why'd he summon me?" Looking at Leo.
"As I have said before, I am unsure. But we all need to leave today."
Asher throws his arms up in bewilderment, gesturing to the room around him. "You know I've got a business to run. I can't just skedaddle on a whim. You couldn't have given me a second heads-up?"
"Father said he has someone in mind who could help out. As… a show of good faith." Leo reassures.
"Riiight. He and his 'good faith'." Asher speaks sarcastically.
"Just… let it go." I grumble, slamming the three mugs on the table.
I slide one to Leo and Asher and keep one for myself while settling into a chair. The steam from the mugs rising to our faces.
Asher takes a whiff of the tea. "Hey, this is my most expensive one!" He looks at me, slightly annoyed.
"Good faith." I grin.
He stays silent for a second before flashing a smirk. "Cheeky."
Looking at the steaming tea, we all take a simultaneous drink from our mugs. When the tea hits my mouth, I instinctively spit it out, getting it all over the table. "Sorry, that was disgustingly cold."
Leo laughs, clenching onto his stomach.
"Damn it, Rin!" Asher calls out. Jumping to his feet, away from my stream. He grabs a towel from the counter and tosses it at my face. "Wipe it down. And you better finish all of that! It's expensive." Exhaling loudly.
I take a minute to wipe down the table and floor, giving everyone a breather to drink the tea and calm down from the argument.
When Asher finishes his tea, he slams the mug roughly onto the table. Making an obnoxious, satisfied sigh. "Just give me some time. Let me finish out the day and get the chance to inform my workers of the change for the time I'm gone. We can leave tonight. I'll even close early."
"That's… fine." Leo answers stubbornly.