Bab 302: [60.2] Priscilla POV: Antirrhinum
After being helped out of the carriage, I walked to the town fiddling with my gloves to calm down my anxiety as I dodged the people on the streets.
Wow. It's so busy I can barely see what's in front of me.
I stepped to the side to take a pebble out of my shoe and noticed a small shop advertising fortunes on it. Curious, I pushed the curtain apart and walked inside. The room was completely dark and uninviting, but I couldn't stop walking as if something was dragging me inside. As I walked further inside, I noticed a woman sitting at a table, the only spot illuminated in the entire room.
The woman held out her palm to me and spoke in a harmonious voice, "Would you like to have your fortune read? I can tell you about your future."
I sat down in front of her while pursing my lips, "I'm not so sure I believe in fortunes."
She giggled, "This one you will."
Trying to peer into the darkness of her cloak to make out her face, I timidly reached out my hand which was swiftly taken up by hers. She hummed, "Oh my. Not good. Not good at all."
My heart quickened, "What do you mean?"
"Hmmm. I can see it. A flower, blooming elegantly in the sun. However, there's another flower beside it, and it's wilting… Yet, it doesn't die. It's there. Slowly corrupting the roots of the flower blooming beside it."
A flower analogy? Really?
I tried to hide my skepticism, "What does that mean?"
She ignored me and let out a sigh, "Such a shame. That wilted flower hopelessly wants to stay beside the blooming one. It is clinging to it so desperately, it's depriving it of life. Isn't that just a pity?"
"I don't understand this fortune." I tried to pull my hand away, but her hands clamped down on mine so hard I heard a pop. I let out a cry, "That hurts!!!"
She leaned forward and whispered, "Then allow me to explain. You're the blooming flower and in this analogy, the wilted one is a demon."
My eyes widened in shock, "What?!"
"A demon who is very, VERY close beside you…. Do you understand?"
The pain in my hand was overshadowed by my curiosity, "I-I don't have any demons-"
"The demon is in your family." She giggled, "The demon calls himself a Newman just like you. Do you get it now?"
I felt my blood chill, "In… In my family?"
Wouldn't that mean…
My suspicions have been right all this time?
"You don't look very surprised, my child. It's almost as if you know exactly who it is."
Taking advantage of her lowered guard, I pulled my hand out of her grasp and stood up quickly. I tossed out a coin and turned to leave as if I was running away.
She called out to me, "If you ever need me, I will be here."
I scoffed as I pushed back the curtain, "As if."
The woman under the cloak whispered, "You'll be back… I know you will be."
I ignored her and quickly made my way back to the carriage, completely forgetting about the reason I came back in the first place. Once I was back, I hopped inside.
"Let's go home."
"Yes, my lady."
As we moved at a crawling pace, I bit my nails as I thought.
I knew things were strange in my household after the tunnel collapsed. Everyone started acting differently that day.
Everyone.
But then who would be the demon if everyone was acting strange?
Ugh!
I don't understand it…
I need to figure it out.
I need to find out who it is and what they want.
All I have to do is act normal.
I can't alert the enemy.
I took a deep breath, "I won't let anyone ruin my family."
I arrived back home, ignoring the staff and keeping my gaze low as I scurried to the garden. I collided with someone just as I entered the garden.
My brother caught me before I fell over, "Priscilla!? Are you okay?"
I looked up at him, recognizing the warmth behind his eyes. My lower lip started to tremble and I burst out crying. I jumped into his arms and rubbed my snotty nose on his shirt, "I don't want to leave the house ever again!"
He comforted me just as he always had, "It's okay, Priscilla. What exactly happened? Did something at the tea party happen?"
I thought back to what they said and shook my head. I looked up at him with puppy eyes, "No. I just missed my brother so very VERY much!"
He laughed as he rubbed my head, "I feel like you've gotten clingier these days. Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
I stared up at him, deeply assessing his eyes.
Sure enough, this is my brother.
I know it is.
But then why-
"Priscilla?"
I flinched and smiled in embarrassment, "Felix… Have I ever told you that your eyes are so beautiful?"
His cheeks reddened and he stepped away from me with a cough, "I keep telling you to stop calling me beautiful. Don't you think it's weird?"
I giggled, "Why would it be weird?"
Watching his flustered reaction, I knew I successfully diverted his attention from the previous conversation.
He ignored me and spoke, "I-I have to go to the art museum. You'll be okay, right?"
I nodded, "I will be fine."
I watched him walk away and gave him a wave when he hesitated in the doorway. He looked confused for a moment then continued walking.
My smile fell.
I knew exactly why he was confused.
I didn't chase him, nor did I try to stop him from leaving.
I hit my head, cursing myself.
I said I would act normal around him! He's going to catch on that I'm acting differently!!!
Letting out a sigh, I raised my head and froze upon seeing the staff staring at me with a dead look in their eyes. I quickly left the garden and sprinted to my room, slamming myself inside where I stayed all night until I was finally able to fall asleep.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone