Chapter 3. Following Around

Ezekiel Godric read the article in the back exit of Heartless Pub.

‘With ravenous cries of people screaming in empty stomachs, will it be worth it to fight for a country cruel to its colony, unmoved by their winces, bruises masking their silent pains?

‘Does the Queen deserve a noble respect after her deception, the battles they fought into life unbeknownst to happiness?’

He put down his book and crumpled it in his fists. That woman defies the nation.

Ezekiel focused on the door, his hooded brows hidden beneath his bowler hat. He’s expecting Rachel Han to appear. The lovely lady wearing a loose skirt and tight sleeves while playing the piano, who ignored the audience and concentrated on delivering the smooth lines inside their ears.

Ezekiel observed that she looked good in every outfit.

The wooden door creaked. Ezekiel stayed in his position, unseen.

“Lady Han, you have a lovely voice. I know you have the ability to sing as well.”

Rachel is not permitted to sing. Her education limited her, and she was focused solely on playing the piano keys. If she is asked for her achievement, Rachel will avoid the authorities if they discover she sings.

“I only sing in secret, Mr. Duchess. I am not permitted to hum even a single tone.”

Conrad was aware of the rules. Rachel was simply following the rules.

“If that’s the case, you may depart. I’m sure you’re exhausted today.”

Rachel mumbled, “Thank you, Mr. Duchess,” while Ada muttered, “Thank you, Mr. Duchess.”

“Come on out.” Rachel turned around quickly, sensing a man following them. They’re on their way back to the mansion to pack some clothes when Rachel notices a stalker in the bushes. She walked under the tall, arc lights, moth drawn to the brightness, veil removed.

“Let’s hurry up, young lady,” Ada said quietly. “It could be a wild boar.”

“I know the sounds they make,” Rachel shushed her, shaking her head. “It’s a person following us.”

Ezekiel Godric crammed himself into a tiny corner by the tree, just a few feet away from Rachel. She is a true musician who understands sound waves. Ezekiel considered his breath to be a sin. Rachel cinched up her skirt, exposing her modesty boards, and Ada was concerned she would expose her ankles.

“Show yourself, or I’ll file a report with the Captain-General about your presence in the dark.”

He was recently promoted. Ezekiel cannot afford to lose his leadership position.

He stepped out of the house, removing his bowler hat and staring at the lovely lady. Rachel Han was taken aback when she realized it was a man. According to the system, men should be home by dark unless they have an important task to complete. Rachel Han sneered and lifted her chin.

“Gentleman, I’m guessing you don’t have anything important to do, which is why you’re following us.”

Ezekiel fixed his gaze on Rachel and blinked.

She remained the same. Her ferocious gaze will dig a grave for him.

“I just happened to walk by. I didn’t mean to scare you two.” Rachel’s heart relaxed as a result of his soothing tone. What… on earth did he do to race her tips? Rachel had an undeniable connection with the man, but she couldn’t pinpoint where.

“Did I recognize you, gentleman? I felt like I recognized you,” Rachel explained.

Ezekiel was stunned. Rachel furrowed her brows and smoothed her puffy skirt.

“I believe this is our first meeting, young lady. I don’t know who you are or even what your name is.”

She exhaled a sigh of relief as she blinked. A man like him should not live with a divorced wife.

“So, what brings you here? The streets are empty. I don’t like the fact that someone is following us around. Could you please refrain from repeating that?”

Her eyes were emotionless. Is it the same as it was before?

“It’s just a coincidence, young lady. I apologize for the trouble I caused you.”

Rachel Han remained silent and simply paid his respects. Ezekiel returned it.

***

‘I purposefully left the house and signed it in your name. Remember, my dearest Rachel, I loved you, and you left a void inside my heart…’

She surprised Ada by tossing the paper to the other side of the room. Rachel’s pupils are filled with tears.

Luther had vanished when she returned to the mansion after a few hours of playing at the Heartless Pub. He ingeniously stated lies all the time in that letter.

“He was candid in telling me that he used to love me and now he doesn’t,” Rachel roared. How can such a man exist?

Ada took up the letter, looked at the other sides, and found nothing but words.

“Send a telegraph back to my parents in the center of Wales. After hearing such heartbreaking news, I just want to go home.”

***

“I’m going to ride a boat to Wales in the next weeks or so. I haven’t received a telegram back from my parents,” Rachel admitted unequivocally. Conrad Duchess signed and stamped his thumbprint on the resignation letter she wrote.

“I never saw Luther Griffin after that. He must be madly in love with Amira Edwidge.”

Rachel was aware of the rumors. They’re too common to ignore at the market.

“He’s enchanted by her beauty, so I let him go. I don’t have the right to argue with someone who escaped my grasp.” Rachel was correct. She’s a woman who deserves to be loved by someone else.

“Can you tell me when you’ll have the last play here?”

“Perhaps three weeks. The message will be delivered around that time.”

It’s evening once more, and Ezekiel Godric knows the young lady will perform. At work earlier, he has done a great job. He’s now alone in the pub. Everyone was punished for drinking excessively late at night when they were training for the first rise of the sun.

Ezekiel was free to leave the camp and go to the Heartless Pub. He wished Rachel would participate this time.

Ezekiel waited for the piano and the fish bowl as the lights dimmed. It felt like yesterday.

Rachel sat down, her hair in a low bun, mirroring her unaffected demeanor, and began playing another song. It ranged from her depression to the loss of a lover. Ezekiel understood what she was saying. Rachel was simply too shy to speak up.

Ezekiel was the only one who did not applaud when she finished. Rachel Han was overcome with grief.

She rose quickly and exited the stage without hesitation.

***

Rachel Han lit a cigar in front of the Heartless Pub. The moonlight cast its rays, but it is insufficient to illuminate her location. The dogs’ distant bark was audible, but it was the sound of boots squeaking that alarmed Rachel.

Rachel’s defense mechanism activated as the door opened.

Her pale lips huffed as she threatened the man who stepped out, angling the empty bottle upside down. Rachel, on the other hand, held the cigar. She furrowed her brows as she recognized the stalker.

“Yet again!” Rachel gushed out.

“That is dangerous, young lady,” Ezekiel warned, his gaze following the beer bottle. “Set it down.”

“Who are you to tell me what to do, stalker?” Rachel was charged. Perhaps she was correct.

Ezekiel waited for Heartless Pub to open after his Captain training so he could drink one beer.

Ezekiel is now obsessed with Rachel’s music and captivating beauty, and he will be frequenting the pub.

“I came here to smoke. We meet again in a tangle of coincidence. You should be aware of this.”

Rachel was hesitant to put her trust in a stranger.

Ezekiel walked ahead, ignoring her suspicious crease. She was left to dangle.

He reached into his coat for a cigar and leaned to the side, wary of Rachel’s presence.

Is she even aware that Ezekiel knew her name?

Rachel decided to retract her leer. It’s foolish and thoughtless of a woman to do so.

“If I see you tomorrow, I’ll swing this empty bottle around your neck! You are a discourteous and insolent gentleman who follows me around. That obnoxious attitude bothers me.”

Rachel put down the bottle and returned to the pub.

“If only you were aware of my existence, Mrs. Rachel Griffin.”