Night came around faster than I had expected.
We had dealt with the people of the factory after that happened. Well, I say we, but those guys were way too scared of me to talk with me.
Lady Sophia gave them 70 gold coins as compensation for the damage and then further blackmailed them by saying they housed a criminal. They were likely to not act out.
On the other hand, the explosion and death of a person itself was a bigger problem. While we wanted to capture him alive to get the necessary information, it was also to make sure no other problems rise up.
We could have taken him away stating it's for negotiation and no big problem would have happened, but with him dead, rumours were bound to leak out and rumours of such an incident wasn't going to cover the knights' eyes.
Thankfully, sir Buhini understood how dangerous it was for the demons's agent's information to spread. He was planning to stop any investigations from the knights, but I didn't let him do so.
"We're not dealing with static bombs now, but with people," was what I had said. "We need as many eyes as possible. Let the knights look into it. A person's reputation come later."
Sir Buhini was very friendly after I said that as he said he'll do his best to not let any connection come up to us, especially lady Sophia.
The person herself was biting her lips the entire time with clenched fists, but didn't say anything to stop us.
A long and tiring day had come to an end. One that pissed me off greatly.
With a sigh, I climbed up the stairs of the castle moving to the second floor.
I stopped on the floor.
Our perfect plans were ruined, even if it was handled well later.
It was ruined nonetheless.
Was it luck? Fate?
Maybe. Maybe that was it.
But all of those paled in front of strength.
I lacked strength. Again. I lacked strength. If I was more powerful, keeping one person alive was one thing, I could bend even luck and fate to my will.
My nails dug into my palms, causing blood to seep out.
Strength.
After a long time, I was feeling the lack of strength again.
More.
I want more power.
The power to change everything. That was my goal. The strongest in the world.
My breathing was rushed and my mind felt heated. I couldn't go back to my room like this.
I clenched my fists even harder, soon, the pain started blurring out my thoughts.
Like that, I walked further up the stairs.
pαпdα-ňᴏνê|·сóМ ***
'Prepare the topmost piano room.'
When Vienna Golden Hall received that order, she was overcome with both shock and and anticipation.
The room that had been locked for the past 14 years was asked to be opened again, and given to the heir of that room's owner.
The night had fallen deeply as the shade of the full moon colored the room from within the window.
The single piano standing against the windows that stretched from the top to the floor of the room created a picturesque scene that sent her heart racing.
But it was incomplete.
She was the one who was originally supposed to take over the room. But Vienna had refused it after trying for a short time.
No matter how much she played, she couldn't complete the picture, she couldn't fit in the room.
It felt wrong. Especially so when she remembered the fading silhouette of that white haired lady sitting here all those years ago.
A snap pulled her out of her reverie.
Vienna turned to her side to see a young man standing at the door.
His white hair the color of snow had dulled gray under the moonlight and his crimson eyes the shade of blood seemed to lack a soul.
On this person who she found to be the most interesting one she had met, she never expected to see that expression.
Vienna was shocked. What could have made that person, her younger brother look like that?
"Um, lord Eugene...?"
"Yes?" An equally soulless voice answered. "Who are you? I was told I can use this room."
Who? What was he...
"Do you not recognise me?"
"Have we met before?"
Vienna's jaw fell wide open.
She took a step ahead to take a closer look. He didn't seem to be pretending, he wasn't lying either.
"Lord Eugene..."
"I'm very sorry. I'm not really good with faces..."
Good?
Vienna peered into his eyes for the first time since she met him. He was looking at her, but he wasn't seeing her. It didn't take an observant genius to notice it, how strangely his gaze moved.
He couldn't see her.
'He can't see?'
Vienna felt something choking her neck. Her eyes spun around before landing on his hands.
"Lord Eugene you! You're bleeding like crazy!"
"Ah, this? Please don't worry about it." Eugene 'looked' at her again and smiled. "Can I use the piano now? If you don't mind, mam?"
Vienna stopped herself from saying anything else.
The moment he came in, she had treated him like an enemy.
What right did she have to worry about him?
Vienna nodded. She swallowed all her questions, all her worries as she bowed.
"I'm sorry, please go ahead," she said, and moved out of the room.
She left the room, but didn't move away. Quietly, Vienna stuck to the walls and stood outside the room.
As if he didn't have a clue, Eugene completely ignored everything around him as he moved to the piano. Not a candle nor the chandelier, he didn't look at anything but the piano.
Blood dripped from his palms, staining the already red carpet.
With the light of the moon as his guide, the boy raised his hands above the piano.
Vienna slowly peeked in, and held her breath.
His hands fell.
A single note.
The single note took all her attention.
The rest started flowing out as he slowly moved his fingers.
Vienna was completely enraptured as the melody of the song played out. Slow, precise.
Like the bleak midwinter covered in snow, the notes filled her chest with sorrow and grief.
She felt her heart overcome with emotion.
As the sound of the piano spread through, the few small sounds coming from the castle stopped.
Vienna's chest pounded as the grief contained in the notes increased. But she didn't miss something deeper in it all.
His fingers served over the piano, his body shook with each chord. Amidst the unceasing veil of sadness, like a single flame burning in a snow storm, was a longing.
His music contained longing.
The chords heightened.
The song moved toward the crescendo.
The cruel snowstorm intensified, it raged and fell harder than ever, but the flame of longing was unyielding.
The sparks spread, from a single flame to a raging blaze, the battle between the two grew more and more.
Her heart cried as the blazes brightened with the snow. The music crescendoed, and the snowstorm was gone.
The unyielding flames of longing had now turned into an all swallowing inferno.
Vienna gripped her chest.
The music was coming to an end, but she didn't let go.
The cruel snow was defeated by the flames, but what did it matter?
Whether through ice or through fire.
Her heart still ached.
Vienna summoned her strength and raised her gaze.
The last note of the piece was played.
She could see it through her aching heart.
Her picture was complete
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