17 Hope and Goals

Vasillis leaned on his seat with his feet up on the table. His fingers were intertwined and he fidgeted with it, circling his thumbs and rubbing them together. He stared at it, not even a blink as if something might happen if he stared at it long enough.

He was no longer in reality, the man was so deep in his thoughts that he did not realize that he went into his own world, where it was only him, no one else. Now he is lost, and no matter how much he looked around, he did not know where he was.

Not even a dust, not even a bird, not a single being. Only he was there in that infinite world of white. No buildings, no roads, no paths that he could choose. He took a step, and another one, until he was walking, little by little he picked up the pace and ran.

Yet for him, it felt like he never moved at all. How could one continue to move yet still be stuck in the same place? No progress could be seen, no matter how hard he tries. It was frustrating, not even a clue of where he should go, not a hint of what he should do.

"How will I be able to go back?" he asked, yet no one answered.

"Where should I go, What should I do?" he asked again but the silence was the only thing he received.

It was only him, how could anyone answer? It was only him, how can he ask for help? Even if he runs around and raises his hand, no one will see him. He sat down on the ground, realizing that only he himself can provide the answer and help that he needs.

What was the point of trying so hard if he does not get anything good out of it?

The moment that thought crossed his mind, he heard a scream from afar. He heard it so clearly so he was sure that lady was just somewhere in the place he was in. He was not alone.

Instead of waiting for someone to help him, he remembered that he got lost while trying to search for that lady.

At that moment, even at the brink of giving up, he stood up and continued to search for her. "The one who screamed must also be crying for help," he thought. "She must also be lost, waiting for someone to find her."

He continued to run, run, and run. Starting from nothing, even if it seems impossible, he will not give up.

But for how long? How long does he have to run? How long does he have to search?

What if the results he gets from everything he has done are nothing but disappointment?

Negative thoughts flooded his mind but the surroundings that were white had slowly turned black as if the darkness wanted to swallow him but he snapped back into reality when he heard a knock from the door.

He took a deep breath and massaged his temples, "Come in."

Aaron, the man he ordered to gather information, went inside his office with papers in his hand, he waved his hand as a greeting and dropped the papers onto his desk before lying down on the sofa. Vasillis sprang back, sitting straight as he grabbed the papers.

"What did you get?"

"I was able to get some info of who used to come there before. Fortunately, the place is not bustling with people so it was easy to see and remember who comes in there," he said and lit up his cigarette.

Aaron was one of Vasillis's acquaintances who takes requests from people who want to get information about a person they requested. He and Vasillis often help each other since their works are similar. Vasillis gets paid for doing requests from people in investigating incidents that they want to know about.

Aaron considers himself as his friend, but it may not be the same for Vasillis, since it was hard for him to take anyone as a friend especially after what happened to his dear friend.

"The ladies are Stella Saville, Valentin-

"Wait a minute," Vasillis said, cutting him off. "What about the old lady?" he asked.

He wanted to hear the information regarding the old lady first before anyone else, he did not want to think that the old lady would be up to something, but it was still better to be sure. "Oh, her. I did not get much on the old lady. Only her name and small stuff," he said and puffed a cigarette.

"Her husband died and she went to the middle. She stayed there for five years, but whatever happened to her or where she lived before those five years are unknown." he responded, "The old lady is tough to crack, if I ask her myself, she might kill me with her knife and put my head in her basket." he added with a laugh, making him cough the smoke.

Vasillis slowly nodded as he listened, "Continue."

"The ones who used to come to that place are Stella Saville, Valentine Avington, Emiely, and Clauzia Millington."

Vasillis froze. "The last one you mentioned…" he muttered and his gaze dropped down to the paper regarding Clauzia Millington.

For what reason does the Lady of Millington House would come to that place?

"What is the matter?"

"That lady is Alexander Midford's fiancee."

~~~~~~~~~~

Before the chaos,

Vasillis went to the Kingdom of Canopus the next day after Alexandria declined the offer of coming with him. Now Alexandria was at her room, waiting for the Head Butler to come and bring news about the son of the duke.

She would rather meet with the Crown Prince of Antares than with the one in Canopus. Rumors spread easily, so she must refrain from making a mistake, especially considering how the Marquess treats her and the innocent servants getting involved in his anger.

"My Lady," Bastien Cross called when he arrived at her chamber.

Alexandria turned around and looked at her butler, "Have you received a reply?"

Bastien Cross smiled and let out a chuckle, "Lord Alistair Lockhart seemed to be quite charmed by you, despite not attending your arranged meet-up."

"How could one be charmed by a glimpse of a person in a carriage."

"Only My Lady made that possible."

Alexandria ignored him and lowered his gaze when Bastien Cross extended his hand with an envelope at hand. "You received a reply so quickly, he must be wanting to see My Lady as soon as possible."

Alexandria took the knife that Bastie Cross brought with him and opened the envelope, "Someone who shows too much interest always has a goal in mind." she uttered.

She opened the letter and saw that the son of the duke had already planned a date and time to meet. She narrowed her eyes, "I will know your plans soon enough."

An amused smile formed on Bastien's face, 'Who will use who?' he thought and chuckled.

If Alistair Lockhart thinks he can use Alexandria, he might as well be prepared for what she will do with him in return.