Reiner - Emptiness


    That night I somehow managed to make it back to the mansion without running into anyone. When I


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    arrived back in my bedroom, I took off my dress and just climbed into bed. I felt so cold, and I was


    certain that it wasn’t just from being in the rain. There was so much coldness inside of me, and I had


    never felt this empty inside before.


    I didn’t remember much of what happened for the remainder of that night and it was probably because I


    didn’t want to remember. My eyes hurt from crying non-stop, but it was nothingpared to the pain


    that was tearing at my heart. I couldn’t recall when I fell asleep, but I remembered clearly how I fell


    asleep. I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore and then I fell asleep.


    …


    Morning finally came and the sunlight that shone through the window onto my face was merciless. One


    nce at the time and I knew that I had gotten upte. It was already close to midday. I got up and the


    nket fell from my body, revealing that I was naked. That’s right,st night I just got into bed and cried


    myself to sleep…after my confession to Reiner didn’t go very well, to say the least.


    I felt tired and drained of energy. My body felt heavy like I had a mild fever, and my lower body was


    sore. The worst part was that I had nothing to show for my efforts. I closed my eyes and just focused


    on breathing deeply. The sounds of soft knocks on my bedroom door brought me back to my harsh


    reality.


    “Miss Natalia…”


    A voice I was familiar with called my name through the door. Although the voice was familiar, it wasn’t


    the voice that I wanted to hear…


    “Come in, Laura…” I called back just loud enough for her to hear.


    The door to my bedroom opened immediately and came in Laura with an excessively worried look on


    her face. One look at my face and her eyes grew wide with shock and concern.


    “Oh miss…” was all that she managed to say as she quickly came to my side and ced aforting


    arm around my shoulder.


    I didn’t need to take a look in the mirror to know that I looked like a mess. It was probably nothing


    though,pared to how broken I felt inside.


    If Laura is here, then that only means one thing: Reiner is no longer here.


    “Let me help you shower and get changed right away. The chefs have prepared so many of your


    favorite foods so after we’re done, let’s go down to have lunch…” Laura suggested as she showed me


    her best smile.


    I appreciated her efforts even though they weren’t exactly going to be very effective in cheering me up.


    “Thank you…Laura…” I said as I put in effort to smile back at her.


    After preparing for my warm bath, Laura led me to the bathtub and helped me get in. The warm water


    felt wonderful against my skin, and I let out a sigh.


    “Mr. Reiner got called back to the main house so suddenly, Miss…” Laura said softly as she massaged


    my shoulder gently.


    “I see…” I mumbled.


    He got called back there at Lucien’s request and Lucien made that request based on my request. I bit


    my lower lip as I tried to hold in my tears. Although I knew that this would happen, now that he was


    really gone, I still felt shocked and lost, nheless.


    “I heard from the other staffs that he packed his stuff so suddenly and was already gone before dawn


    broke…” Laura said, and I didn’t miss the note of sadness in her voice.


    “I see. Thank you for letting me know…” I replied softly.


    “I’ll prepare your clothes for you. Pleasee to the dining room for lunch when you’re done dressing,


    Miss,” Laura said before she got up and turned to leave.


    Once the bathroom door closed behind her and I was alone, I covered my face with my hands and


    cried. Sitting there in the bathtub, I pulled my knees up and curled myself into a ball.


    “Reiner…”


    So, he decided to leave after all…


    …


    When was thest time that I thought that food tasted like sand in my mouth? I couldn’t help but


    wonder as I stared at the food in my spoon. Never mind the taste, just looking at the food made me feel


    sick.


    I could feel Laura and the other maid’s eyes on me and that made me feel so guilty. What would the


    chefs think when they see all the left-over food? I felt so sorry towards them because I knew that they


    too probably felt distressed over Reiner’s sudden departure, and they were doing their best to cheer


    me up.


    I closed my eyes and shoved more food into my mouth. Eating without an appetite was so painful but I


    did it anyways. I could literally hear sigh of relief from the maids when they saw that I was eating some


    food.


    After I was done with lunch, I quickly excused the maids so that I could finally be alone. Unfortunately, I


    didn’t have the energy or the mood to entertain or live up to anyone’s expectations right now. When the


    maids had left me alone, I got up and headed to the one destination that I had in mind.


    I remembered the first time that I stood here in front of this door. It didn’t seem that long ago, and I


    remembered the moment so clearly. A small smile curved my lips as I recalled how I had to ask the


    maids where this room was and how confused and hesitant, they were to tell me. Then I remembered


    the struggles and trials that I had to go through just to take my first step into this room. Those times


    were gone now.


    I put my hand on the doorknob and it turned easily. With a small push, the door opened and weed


    me into the room. However, all of that was useless now. The room was so empty that it would be hard


    for anyone to believe that someone was actually living here up until a few hours ago. Reiner’s room is


    no longer his room.


    --To be continued…