Chapter Three

Encounter

Calian

I definitely hit my head. I must have smashed it good too because this was some sort of hallucination. I stared at Nova Laurant Grimaldi—the girl I’ve thought about since I was five—and I was in awe. She looked exactly as I always imagined! Hair long and silver like a beam of moonlight. Eyes dark and glittering like a nebula. Skin pale and creamy with not a single blemish in sight. I could vaguely see her slender physique beneath her loosely tied robe and silk midnight blue nightgown.

However, the features that captured my attention most, at the moment, were her aghast expression and the way her fingers tightened on the saber. Its handle was surprisingly simple in design. A copper handle that wrapped around her delicate hand like an uppercase cursive d. The blade itself looked used but well taken care of and had a slight curve to it as she pointed it at me.

“Who are you? How do you know me!?” Even glowering, she was stunning.

Wake up, dummy! I yelled at myself. She’s a master swordswoman. You don’t have time to stare at her slack jawed!

“I…” Boldly, I took a step towards her on the stairs. She clearly didn’t like it because her brows pulled together tighter. I probably should have stopped after that clear warning, but I couldn’t resist getting as close as I possibly could. It still didn’t feel real. “I’ve… heard of you! And… and that you’re the only one that lives on the outskirts of town. I never imagined I would meet you, but then I suddenly found myself in the middle of the woods and…”

…after being dumped here from some weird lake portal…

“Got caught in the blizzard.” Nova finished for me as she placed the blade just below my chin, forcing me to stop completely.

“Right! So… if you don’t mind, could I stay ’til this storm passes?” My eyes pleaded with her to not stab me on the spot.

Nova lowered the sword, eyes still narrowed as a single eyebrow rose. She closed the remaining space between us, stopping on the step just before mine. Even with a single step between us, she still managed to tower over me, eliciting every shred of respect and awe from me.

My mouth went dry as she raised her hand towards my neck. The heat of her bare skin hovering above mine made me shiver. One misstep and I would be dead by just the graze of her beautiful fingertips. Still, though, I found myself wanting to get closer. I should have been terrified at the situation, but I knew the rapid beating of my heart was not from anxiety.

“You know of me, and yet, you still dare trespass on my manor and request assistance?” her voice was icy yet enthralling.

I nearly nodded but stopped myself. I didn’t want our encounter to end so soon.

However, Nova’s sharp gaze caught my minute movement, and her hand adjusted ever-so-slightly while it remained within reach. “I could just be rid of you. A simple touch would have your corpse lain before my feet.”

My hand slid up the rail and stopped just before her adjacent free hand. I watched her grip the mahogany banister before I replied, “I’m aware.”

Nova leered for a second longer before she sighed and declared, “Do what you want.” Her hand fell to her waist as she started up the stairs. “Bailey!” she bellowed.

Not a minute after she called came a matronly housekeeper. She arranged her glasses as she presented herself to the lady of the house. “Yes, Lady Nova?”

“Take care of this…” she side-eyed me before ambling away. “…guest. He’ll be staying the night.”

“Of course.” Bailey gave Nova a small bow before her astute gaze examined me. The woman was in a thick, long-sleeved black nightie that covered her completely to her ankles. Surprisingly, her house-slippers were pink. I didn’t expect the prim and proper Ms. Baily Lenore to have a softer side. All the stories Mom has ever told me about Bailey always had her being motherly to Nova. Firm but caring.

So, now, as she peered at me through those rimless oval lenses, I could feel that sternness thoroughly.

“Mister…?”

“Ah,” I started, realizing I never introduced myself. “Calian. Calian Verity.”

Bailey seemed to flinch before she said, “Mr. Verity, if you’ll follow me.”

“Is something the matter, Ms. Bailey?” I inquired, finding her reaction to my name strange.

“Of course not, sir.” She spoke swiftly, as if watching her get repulsed by my moniker was just a strange delusion I conjured up. Then, with practiced patience she gestured up the stairs in the opposite corridor that Nova headed towards. “Your lodgings for the night are this way.”

“Right… thank you.” I said with a slight bow, but Bailey didn’t seem to notice. I ambled up the stairs feeling how my cold clothes stuck to my skin uncomfortably and followed the speedy head maid.

She didn’t even turn around once to see if I was following. It made me wonder if her years of experience made her confident or haughty. Whatever it may be, I followed diligently and was immensely grateful that it only took a few minutes for her to reach my chambers for the evening.

Bailey pressed a button to switch on the lights and then headed straight to another door within the room. I didn’t follow her in, but it didn’t take a genius to realize that she was running me a bath when the sound of gushing water presided loudly. I looked around the room. It was a generous size for a stranger. Honestly, I was expecting some sort of closet or even a room for servants and not a room fit for a proper guest. Sheer white curtains covered the wall of windows and the French door that led to the balcony. A large bed with the fluffiest green comforter I’ve ever seen was on the opposite wall of the windows. Along with a desk that held candles and matches which was to the right of that. Finally, I could make out a large wardrobe to the far left near the bathroom door.

Bailey came back out, her hand gesturing to the lavatory as she said, “You may refresh yourself here, Mr. Verity. Will you be in need of a change of clothes?”

I blushed, embarrassed suddenly. I mean, what did I think I was going to wear? “Y-yes. My apologies for the inconvenience.”

Bailey gave an archaic smile—neither showing true joy nor despair. She was the picture of a perfect maid. “I will get that ready for you right away. I can put away your belongings as well if that pleases you, sir.”

“Uh…” I clutched my mother’s satchel tightly. “No, thank you that will not be necessary.”

Her eyes flashed down at my tightened grip before nodding in response. “As you wish. I will get your desired items. Please feel free to retire here for the evening.”

She began to walk away but before she left the room, I shouted. “I’m sorry for the trouble!”

Bailey stopped, watching me curiously for a moment before nodding once more and leaving the room.

With the door closed, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t believe I didn’t get murdered…” I said to myself, exasperated, as I made my way to the bathroom.

The steam from the hot water could be felt the moment I entered. There was an oval, gold-framed mirror on the wall above the pearly white sink, a toilet in the far corner of the room and in the center was a large clawfoot tub. The water was nearly to the brim, but if I got in carefully, I could probably not spill a drop.

Huh. Does this world not have showers? I wondered, curiously as I undressed and placed everything, including mom’s satchel on the sink. I wasted no time hopping into the tub and instantly appreciating it. It felt as if the cold had permeated deep in my bones and the hot water only reminded me of the raging blizzard outside. In my silence, I could hear the whistling of the wind and the chatter of the window glass.  

Am I really in Cisluna? Hell, am I really in Gravitas Manor!? The gravity of the situation was finally sinking in now that I’ve spent a few minutes warming up. How the hell am I supposed to get home!?!

I sighed, descending further into the water until I was completely submerged.