“I don’t know! Who can know! But here’s a piece of advice, young man. Don’t get involved with that Mr. Denos. He’s pure evil.”
With a nod and a strained smile, I thank her for the bun and leave.
But I can’t stop thinking about what she said, that Mr. Denos might want to harm Miss Moe.
Walking around the area for a while, I ask someone for directions to Mr. Denos’ house. To my surprise, everyone knows where he lives.
“It’s the big red house at the end of the boulevard,” someone tells me.
With no plan in mind other than pure worry for Miss Moe, I head there.
At the end of the boulevard, the red house mentioned stands out among the others. Not only is it the size of a palace, which makes the other houses around look small and puny, but it also has a tall metal fence to rival government institutions.
In all my time spent in the Mortal District, I’ve never seen such a sumptuous building, which confirms Mr. Denos’ status as the richest man in the neighborhood.
Perhaps it’s my own folly and ignorance of the world that drives me forward, but as I reach the main gate, where four armed guards are stationed, I simply smile up at them and ask, “Hello, I am looking for—” I stop, realizing I don’t even know Miss Moe’s last name. Wracking my brain, I simply say, “I’m looking for the family who owns theFated Encounterrestaurant.”
One of the guards, a stocky man of about forty human years, with a thick beard and balding head glares at me.
“This is not a teahouse where you can come in as you like! Scram!”
“You misunderstand me,” I stammer. “I just want to?—”
“Even if that family is here, no one enters or exits without Mr. Denos’ approval,” he continues. “You’re not welcome. Leave.”
“Is there no way I can?—”
Without letting me finish, the guard steps menacingly toward me, his hand on the hilt of his sword. I take a few steps back and raise my arms in a placating gesture.
“I’ll leave,” I mumble. He scoffs at me and whispers something to his mates.
I step away far enough to be out of sight of the guards while I think of a better approach. I should have expected a mansion of this status to have armed guards just as I should have expected they wouldnotwelcome me with open arms.
“Damn it,” I mutter to myself.
Based on the way this place is guarded, this Mr. Denos feels quite dangerous. I can’tnotdo anything. What if Miss Moe is in danger? What if she needs help?
Since the direct approach did not work, I will have to find an indirect one.
I circle around the mansion and make note of all the armed guards. They are typically stationed every hundred or so steps, so I just have to find a blind spot and…climb the fence.
Not that I’m the best athlete, but if the situation requires it, then I will give my best.
Once I have some understanding of the surveillance, I manage to find a spot that isn’t as easily visible from each side where the guards are stationed. Tall trees and foliage are intertwined between the fence walls, obstructing the view.
I slip between the foliage, making sure I’m not visible, and I start climbing. Although the fence is tall, there are enough nooksand crannies to hang onto as I make my way up. Soon, I’m at the top.
Swallowing hard, I jump down.
For a moment, I’m frozen to the spot, waiting for all the guards to come rushing towards me with their swords. When that doesn’t happen, I sigh in relief and continue my way forward.
Avoiding all the open paths, I walk toward the house. The courtyard is as big as the main home, with rare plants, small ponds and pebbled roads gracing the grounds. It speaks to the affluence of Mr. Denos.
Halfway to the house, I hear footsteps. Quickly hiding behind a statue, I wait for them to pass.
From the corner of my eye, I see three females carrying clothes and other feminine toiletries walking down the pebbled path. And as they pass by me, their voices reach my ears.
“Isn’t she a little too old for Mr. Denos? He usually likes them under the age of twenty?” One of the servants whispers to another.
