After Gilbert left,
I had snuggled back into the warmth of my blankets.

It felt a little regretful
that the day was almost over,
but I thought I'd at least do myself a favor
and enjoy what's left of it.

"Milady."

...until I heard Gilbert's voice again.

Dear Lord(if you exist),
please let it be my imagination.

I pulled the covers over my head,
hoping to drown out the voice.

"Milady, please open up."

A persistent tapping on the door ensued.

Frustrated,
I pushed off my covers
and stomped over to the source of the noise.

"What now?!"

I flung the door open with an aggressive pull,
expecting to see an apologetic Gilbert...

However,
the person I found standing before me...

...was much younger and disheveled-looking than I had hoped.

"Yo."

He casually waved at me.

I blinked twice,
confused.

"Who are you?"

But the person refused to answer me.

Instead,
he pushed past me
and proceeded to seat himself
on a nearby satin chair.

"Nice place you got here."

He commented nonchalantly,
looking around with distracted eyes.

I turned back to the door
and saw Gilbert approaching slowly
from a dark spot in the corridor.

"Gilbert,

who invited this Pierrot* into the house?"

--------------------------

*Pierrot = a stock male character in French pantomime with a sad white-painted face, a loose white costume, and a pointed hat