Ebony Castle

“Eden, are you okay?”The woman, who had come out of the kitchen while Doha hadn’t noticed, was shaking his shoulder. Doha forced his eyes open and pushed himself up. He nearly collapsed to the side but steadied himself by holding onto the bar. The concern on the woman’s face was blurry but visible.“I’m just not feeling well…”“Take this and get some rest,” she said, handing him a tray. On it were pieces of fried fish with a pile of fries next to them.Doha thanked her and carried the tray with both arms as he climbed the stairs, barely managing to find his door through his unsteady vision.After closing the door firmly and setting the tray on the table, his body started trembling uncontrollably. Doha reached for the pills on the mantle above the fireplace, fumbling several times before managing to grab one and swallow it without water.“…Ah…”It had begun. Doha curled up tightly on the bed. The pain that started somewhere deep in his brain felt like it was tearing his mind apart and ravaging his body. His back, where the Neim was marked, ached as if his bones were being seared by fire.The strongest painkillers available to him were now useless. These sudden attacks, which occurred every few weeks without warning, brought with them the most unbearable agony he had ever experienced.No matter how many times it happened, it never became something he could get used to. During the attack, Doha remained still, lying there as he focused only on shallow breaths. He wrapped his trembling limbs around himself and closed his burning eyes. His shaky breaths slipped out between his dry lips.From somewhere far away, he heard his phone ringing. Even that sound felt like needles scraping inside his ears.The phone kept ringing persistently before it finally stopped. As the painkillers took effect and dulled his senses a little, Doha continued lying there for another thirty minutes, barely moving.When the attack finally ended, the lingering pain left him weak and shaking. Slowly, he sat up and wiped his face, now a mess from tears and sweat. His meal had gone cold on the table. In hindsight, he should’ve waited until after the attack to head down to the pub, but the timing had been off.“……”The sound of water droplets hitting the bucket filled the room. Outside, the rain continued to pour relentlessly.Just then, his phone started ringing again. As expected, it was Niklas.— Eden, did you eat?Doha switched the phone to speaker mode and placed it on the table as he sat down in the chair.“I’m just about to.”— Oh.Niklas sounded a bit flustered.— Am I interrupting? Should I call you later?“No, it’s fine,” Doha replied, knowing the call wouldn’t take long anyway. Niklas called once a day, always asking the same questions: “Did you eat? How’s your leg? You haven’t gotten lost, have you? Is the secretary still being unpleasant?”— Then go ahead and eat while I talk. You’re having pub food again, right?“Yes.”— That pub’s pretty nice. It’s like an old London pub but way cheaper.Doha absentmindedly picked up a fry and stopped. He had never thought the pub’s food was particularly good. Whether it was meatloaf or fish, it all felt gritty like sand in his mouth.— Eden, is it still raining there?“Yes, it hasn’t stopped.”— Well, at least it’s more romantic than this dreary office.Niklas sighed heavily.— After visiting Scotland, I’ve been itching to go on another trip. Can’t you tell the director that you need me? That way, I could come on a business trip.Doha laughed at how Niklas thought he was in a position to make such requests.“I don’t really need you here, Niklas.”— You’re too harsh.Niklas’ exaggerated whine came through the speaker. Doha swallowed the soggy fry. The cold food felt as limp as if it had been left out in the rain.— Right, I had something to tell you.Niklas said before clearing his throat.— After I came back, I searched for Tristan Locke and looked at old articles. From what I saw of his dating history, he definitely doesn’t seem to be gay. His ex-girlfriends were all gorgeous.“…Yeah.”— I’m not saying this to make you feel bad, but… unless we come to him with another proposal, there’s honestly not much chance Tristan Locke will help you, right?Doha set down the fork he had been holding in one hand. His body, still damp from sweat, felt unpleasant.— And… I also thought of something while reading those articles. Remember how a year ago, Tristan Locke suddenly disappeared? The whole of England was in an uproar. You remember, right?“…Yeah.”Even Doha, who had shut himself off from the world at the time, had heard snippets of the news. Around that time, he had moved to a small flat in East End, unable to afford the rent for his previous place anymore. The new flat had such thin walls that he could hear his neighbor’s coughs, making it impossible to practice the piano there.— The Locke family said it was due to health issues, but even back then, a lot of people didn’t believe that. When you met him recently, he looked healthy, right? So, if that’s the case, don’t you think Tristan Locke went to Scotland because of a secret he absolutely couldn’t let anyone find out?“……”While investigating Tristan Locke after receiving his name from the Neim interpreter, Doha had come across similar speculations. There were rumors that Tristan Locke had committed murder, run away with a married woman, or had been admitted to an exclusive mental hospital for the wealthy.Niklas, now sounding a bit excited, continued speaking rapidly.— You’re the only outsider going in and out of that house right now, Eden. If you could find out something while you’re there… you could use it as leverage to blackmail Tristan Locke, right?“……”The story was even more unrealistic than Doha had anticipated. He pushed his plate away.“Niklas, that kind of thing…”— It might be a bit underhanded, but you’re not in a position to be picky, Eden. Unless…Niklas’ voice suddenly cut off. There was a loud rustling, as if someone had covered the receiver with their hand.— Hold on a second. The director…— Eden.A different voice flowed out from the speaker.— Eden, are you there?It was a sharp, low voice. Doha’s shoulders slightly hunched as if physically shaken.“…Richard.”— What are you going to find in that house? You’re not a detective. Can you even properly go through any documents with your hands?Niklas’s voice could be heard faintly in the background before disappearing completely. It seemed the call had entirely transferred to the director.— Just come back to London. We’ll reveal everything to the media—your Neim diagnosis, your back, your visit to Tristan Locke, and how you were refused help.“……”— There are plenty of people who can testify to how much you’ve suffered these past two years. A talented pianist destined to live disabled and die young, all because of some rich man’s obsession with cleanliness—public sympathy will be easy to garner. And given it’s related to the Locke family, the media attention will be guaranteed.“……”— If the Neim condition didn’t appear for one person, doesn’t that mean Tristan Locke has some kind of flaw? He should take responsibility. Especially since he’s part of the privileged English aristocracy—there’s the idea of noblesse oblige, after all. I’ll consult with the legal team. Just come back to London, and we’ll make sure to squeeze a settlement out of the Locke family.Richard’s voice was full of certainty, as though everything had already been decided. Doha suddenly recalled his first encounter with Richard Evans three years ago at the office of a world-class classical music management company. Back then, he had confidently laid out a contract and recited Doha’s future recording and tour plans without hesitation.Had Doha not exhibited symptoms of Neim, Richard’s plans would have gone smoothly, just like they had for other new talents under his management. Doha would have become another shining achievement in Richard Evans’s successful career.— Eden, return to London tomorrow. Do you have a way to get to the airport?“…Wait, Richard.”— Now what?Irritation seeped into the man’s voice.“…I want to talk to Tristan Locke one more time.”— Do you really think visiting him again will make Tristan Locke pity you?“……”— You’re something he needs to deal with quietly. If you keep pushing, you might disappear without a trace. If an accident happens in the woods—Doha cut him off, interrupting his endless tirade.“Richard, I’ll contact you in a few days.”— Fine, do as you please. It’s your life after all.There was a sharp click as the call ended. Doha exhaled a breath he’d been holding and slumped back.He imagined going back to London, standing in front of a room full of reporters, and showing them his dry, crippled hands. If he removed his shirt and revealed his back, countless camera flashes would illuminate the Neim markings on his skin.Even if everything went according to Richard’s plan, it wouldn’t solve the problem. If the public turned against Tristan Locke, forcing him to take responsibility for Doha’s treatment, what kind of painful hell would result from such a relationship? It wouldn’t be a one-time ordeal—they’d have to endure each other for a lifetime. Just thinking about the expression Tristan might make while looking at him was suffocating.Doha lay there motionless, covering his face with his arm. His crushed view turned red.He knew. His reluctance to resort to extreme measures meant he hadn’t lost everything yet. It meant he still wasn’t desperate enough.The swamp gripping his ankles was deep and dark. Even after falling this far, he realized there were still more places for him to break down.***The drizzle that had been falling since morning stopped shortly after lunchtime. Doha was at the inn’s front entrance putting on his shoes when he encountered the innkeeper. Startled to see him, she asked,“Eden? Are you heading out in this weather?”“Yes, it seems the rain has stopped.”“What was it you said you were doing? Nature research? There’s no such thing as an easy job. The roads are probably still quite slippery…”She glanced at his attire before turning to open the shoe cabinet next to the entrance.“Hold on a moment.”Soon, she pulled out a large pair of boots. A pink pair of children’s boots and a green boot followed behind.“The other one’s around here somewhere, but why don’t you try these on for now?”“Is it alright for me to borrow them?”“Of course. Oh, and I found these too. They’re a bit dirty on the outside, but they’re the newest ones.”She dragged a stool from beside the inn’s counter and had Doha sit. Unable to pull the boots on properly with his own hands, he accepted her help as she knelt in front of him. One relatively clean green boot and a mud-covered black boot were slipped onto his feet.“Try walking from here to over there. Which one feels better?”“…This one.”Both were large, but the black one was less loose. Doha stood, walked a few steps, and then hesitated before sitting down again. He put on the other black boot she handed him.“Thank you.”“Not at all. Would you like to borrow a raincoat too, in case it rains again?”“No, I’ll be fine.”She opened the door and held it for him. The cold air caused the wind chime shaped like a flute to jingle overhead.“If it gets too slippery, just come back. The trees aren’t going anywhere.”“Alright.”Doha waved several times in reassurance before heading down the road. The door of the inn finally closed once he had walked some distance away.Each step made a squeaky rubber sound in the boots. It was nice not to worry about stepping in puddles, but the weight made his feet tire more easily. Doha paused for a moment at the familiar path leading out of town into the woods and looked up at the muddy trail.A few days ago, he wouldn’t have bothered climbing such a path, but it had already been four days since the storm trapped him inside the inn. Every morning, when he looked out the rain-streaked window, Tristan Locke’s mansion seemed to grow more distant and blurred. It was such an unreal place from the beginning that it now felt like it might disappear if he tried to visit again.The forest trail was different from the paved roads in town. The sticky mud was so deep it sank his boots up to his ankles, and the path he had memorized seemed unfamiliar. The forest, ravaged by the storm, was barren and eerily quiet, with no signs of life.“…Ah, ugh!”Eventually, Doha lost his footing and tumbled once, with dirt and leaves clinging messily to his arms and legs. From that point on, he gave up on speed and carefully lifted his feet one step at a time. Each time the boots sank deep into the mud and emerged, they made a squelching sound.When he finally reached the top of the last hill and the mansion came into view, Doha involuntarily stopped walking.The massive mansion looked more dilapidated than usual, as if it had been swept away by the changing seasons. Dead ivy vines clung to the faded brown bricks. The window frames were rusted, and the tall chimneys stood quietly without any rising smoke.Doha knocked on the heavy wooden door with the back of his hand and pressed his ear against the cold surface. It seemed like he could hear a dog barking in the distance.Click.Without realizing it, Doha lowered his gaze, expecting to see Ulysses, but only the blonde secretary was standing in the dim entrance hall. His pale face gave Doha a blank stare.“You’re later than usual.”“…The rain… the path was slippery.”Only then did Doha notice his own clothes, filthy and covered in mud. He had rarely walked around in such a state, even as a child. Doha made a half-hearted attempt to brush off his clothes before asking,“Is Mr. Locke… here?”“The CEO is not in.”The secretary stared at Doha’s face for a moment before adding,“This time, it’s true.”“…Does he often go out?”“Rarely, but it happens.”Doha hesitated for a moment before bowing his head slightly. His sweat-drenched hair clung to his forehead. It seemed the secretary had no intention of letting him inside the house today.Despite having climbed the mountain for hours just to meet Tristan Locke, hearing that he wasn’t home brought Doha an odd sense of relief. He blinked his tired eyes a few times.“When Mr. Locke returns… Please tell him that I would really like to meet him, even if only for a short time.”As he turned to leave, the secretary’s voice stopped him.“Would you like to come in for a moment?”“…….”Doha’s expression must have betrayed his disbelief because the secretary gave a faint, wry smile.“I won’t keep you long. Just come in for a glass of water before you leave.”“…Thank you.”Doha stepped into the entrance hall. Perhaps because of the cloudy weather, the grand hall and the elegant marble staircase leading to the second floor were shrouded in darkness.The secretary led Doha down the usual path to the drawing room and let him in before stepping back.“You must be cold. I’ll bring you some warm water.”“That’s not neces—”The secretary was already gone. Doha sat on the edge of the familiar sofa. In the distance, he thought he heard Ulysses barking again.The unheated room was chilly, and it felt as though night had already fallen, with the gloom enveloping the space. A still life painting above the fireplace stood out more vividly in the dim light. The flowers and fruit seemed so real they could almost be touched. It was a style Doha had seen in a museum a few times.“I thought this might be good for you, so I brought it.”The secretary returned to the drawing room carrying a tea tray. On it were a steaming teapot, a milk jug, and a plate of small sandwiches. Doha, taken aback, stood up.“You didn’t have to—”“Please, sit.”The secretary closed the drawing room door and efficiently set the tray on the table. Doha reluctantly pulled out a chair on the side of the table and sat down. The secretary took his place opposite Doha and poured tea into a cup.Doha watched the secretary take a sip before cautiously lifting the teacup with both wrists. The hot tea had a slight bitterness and a deep sweetness, almost like roasted sweet potatoes.“It’s good tea.”“I’m glad it suits your taste,” the secretary replied.Doha put the cup down, waiting for whatever important matter the secretary wanted to discuss. His dirty hands left marks on the white porcelain that couldn’t be wiped away no matter how much he rubbed them.The fog that had briefly clouded the secretary’s round glasses cleared, revealing his blue eyes behind the transparent lenses.“Winter will be here soon,” he said, shifting his gaze toward the tightly drawn curtains.“You’ll feel the seasonal changes much more than when you were in London. The Highlands tend to get cold early, quickly dropping below freezing. And we get quite a bit of snow.”“…I see.”“When that time comes, won’t it be difficult for you to keep climbing up to the mansion like this?”“I suppose so.”Doha replied calmly and raised his head to find the secretary staring at him.“You seem… more reckless than the first time you came here. It’s a bit surprising.”“…….”“Eden, did you know the CEO is preparing to retire from all his public roles?”“…No, I didn’t.”“He’s gradually handing over and transferring all the responsibilities and positions he held, including the CEO position at Locke Holdings. Though he still manages important tasks remotely, it’s far less than when he was in London, and even those duties are decreasing.”The secretary paused, his eyes staring into the air as if he could see the office in London.“Five and a half years ago, after the disgraceful retirement of his father, the Earl of Charrington, the CEO took over Locke Holdings at a very young age. He quickly dispelled all concerns and achieved remarkable success in just a few years. …Until this time last year, when he suddenly withdrew to this secluded forest.”“…….”“And now, there’s a fierce internal struggle over who will take the powers the CEO is relinquishing, both within and outside the Locke family.”Doha remembered reading vague articles about this and remained silent. Though he understood the situation, he still didn’t know why the secretary was telling him all this.The secretary’s gaze returned to Doha, and their eyes met. In a dry tone, the secretary spoke.“Eden, I hope the CEO will cancel his retirement plans and return to his work.”Only then did a faint light flicker in Doha’s mind, as if he finally understood the meaning behind the secretary’s words.