The room became drenched in heavy silence, blanketed only by the rumbling of the sky overhead. The rain finally touched the ground, each splatter heavier than the last.
"Er...um..." Hart tried to take his hand away from Rhane but noticed he couldn't.
Jenna glanced from Rhane to Hart; she could see the vein on Rhane's hand enough to tell her his grip was too tight.
Mabel and Harriet glanced at each other, then at Rhane. Bruno covered his face with Henri's back, afraid to witness the drama that was about to unfold.
Percy gritted his teeth; he wanted to say something but he wasn't that foolish. He had seen clearly how strong Rhane actually was, and none of them in the room knew his origin. If the man said he could kill, then maybe he could actually kill.
"Rhane," Jenna began, sucking in her breathe. "Let go of him," she moved her hand in a relaxing gesture. It was almost as if she was asking her beast or pet not to bite a visitor.
What Jenna wasn't sure of, was if Rhane was a beast or a tamed pet.
Rhane cocked his head to the side, his eyes dully on Jenna's face, but he didn't let go.
"Ow," Hart winced, feeling his blood clot with the tightness. "Jenna, please ask him to let go."
Jenna closed her eyes and inhaled deeply; this young man had clearly said he belonged to her. She wasn't sure how true it was, because at the moment his eyes looked as dark as the rainy sky, and she could swear she heard him growl just a little bit. She wasn't sure if it was even possible for a human to growl.
With the only option she could think of, Jenna licked her lips and said,
"As your master, Rhane, I command you to let go, this instant."
Even the sky became silent; the rumbling ceased and everyone held their breath, waiting for what would be Rhane's reaction.
Jenna and Rhane held each other in an eye contest; Jenna wanted to blink but she couldn't. It felt like he would do something worse if she looked away. Rhane, on the other side, curled his lips but didn't smile.
He slowly let go of the hand without even looking at the man who was writhing in pain.
"Mas-" before he could walk over to Jenna, Jenna rushed to hold Hart.
"Are you okay? Good gracious! Your hand," Jenna exclaimed when she noticed the man's pale hands had turned shades of blue and black.
"Harriet! Mabel! Get me a towel and warm water, bring the ointment quick!"
"Yes Mistress," Mabel and Harriet dashed out of the room, scampering and searching for everything their mistress asked.
Rhane stood at the spot without moving, his eyes on Jenna who had passed him to meet her childhood friend.
"Come, let's go inside," Jenna lifted Hart up from the ground, "Henri, help me."
Henri, who had also been in shock, nodded, "Y-yes," he ran towards the young man and helped him up.
As they left the room, Rhane turned in their direction. It was as if he was waiting for Jenna to at least look at him. When Jenna turned, he blinked, his lips curled almost like he wanted to smile but that joy vanished almost immediately.
"Percy, get a room ready for Hart," Jenna didn't look in Rhane's direction; she left the room.
Percy bit his lips, holding down his laugh. He nodded, "Yes, My lady," he bowed.
The young man was enjoying every bit of the situation that was at a disadvantage to Rhane. Since the young man had tried to threaten him.
Before Percy left the room, he turned to look at Rhane, then cleared his throat and left.
Inside the kitchen, Bruno stayed behind, his eyes on Rhane and the pot. He was curious about something; he had clearly seen Rhane pick the pot up with his bare hands.
When everyone else left, Bruno took two steps further inside the kitchen, his eyes on Rhane.
"Ehm," he cleared his throat and pointed at the pot. "It was really hot...are you okay?"
Rhane's eyes remained on the spot where Jenna had been standing before. He was like a child waiting for his mother to come back after being abandoned near the spring. Seconds became minutes but Jenna didn't walk back in.
"The pot was really..." Bruno peeked closer, checking Rhane's palm.
"What?!" The boy screamed and jumped back, pointing at Rhane. "Your hand... it's — you need treatment right now."
Rhane raised his palm and stared at it; both were covered with burn marks that had turned red, almost peeling, and would definitely leave callouses.
"You're the one who actually needs all that care; that man didn't get hurt one bit," Bruno whined, his heart aching for Rhane.
Rhane shrugged, walking out of the kitchen. He could hear the soft platter of Bruno's feet trotting behind him.
Stepping out of the kitchen, Rhane moved both hands out in the rain.
"Ow," Bruno winced like it was his own hand; he covered his face. "What are you doing?"
Rhane didn't reply, his eyes at one of the rooms where a lantern was turned on. He saw Jenna's small face filled with worry as she tended to the man sitting before her.
"This is so unfair," Bruno began, "You're the only one who actually got hurt and another person is being cared for."
He folded his arms on his chest and sighed, "Why would you risk so much as hurting your body...well, the mistress is good but also..." Bruno sighed.
Rhane's jaw ticked, each time the rain dropped on the scalds.
"Well...that's why we should remember our place in this world," Bruno muttered. "Men like him should never get hurt because they're embodiments of perfection. Pale milky soft skin, silk hair, beautiful face. They are what every woman desires."
Bruno raised his hand dramatically, "Their Prince Charming or knight in shining armour or whatever they say." He turned and pointed at Rhane.
"But the actual knight should have scars and an armour stained with blood and filth. A rough skin tanned by the sun, hands covered with blisters and callouses to show for their valiant effort. But no...its the other way around more like a demon in spikes or a villain of scourge. Tsk," the young boy tutted.
He turned to Rhane and said, "Young Master Hart is Prince Charming and Rhane you're... Prince Harming to women of Class."
Rhane turned his head at the boy's last statement and he smiled.
"Rhane...you shouldn't be smiling," Bruno sighed, "Or maybe it's better this way when you don't understand how people like us are treated," he muttered, pointing at the room.
"If that young master didn't try to play around in the kitchen, you wouldn't have hurt yourself. Yet, still he's the one being treated while you who saved the mistress are here all alone."
"Young master Hart deserves to be punished, and I wish someone could punish young masters like him," Bruno raised his upper lips and scowled, knowing it was impossible.
"Bruno! Rhane! The mistress said you should return to the main house for dinner," Mabel shouted.
Bruno held his hand over his head and ran into the rain, "Let's go have dinner, Rhane."
Rhane glanced at Jenna one more time; this time he actually smiled before entering the rain.