Dark in the Dollhouse Chapter 14: Chapter 14: My Doll

Read chapter 14 of Dark in the Dollhouse by Haspberry on NovelPedia.

A silent, cold wind swept past the majestic garden. The flora gently swayed and the fauna sat still, biding their time. The wilting flower cackled softly, waiting, and wishing. “Oh? You have to be more specific than that. Didn’t I tell you before? I am a dollmaker. One who isn’t very appreciated for his work,” Evander answered as he leaned on the dining table with his hands behind his back. He looked straight at Yuliana without a hint of unease in his eyes. For some reason, his absolute composure even when getting asked such a doubtful question unnerved her. She stepped back a little. It was a little too relaxed. Almost as if... He was expecting it. He doesn’t seem like the type of person to be unaware of how people perceive him. His cautious nature makes me think so. As far as I can tell, his carefree exterior is just that, an exterior. In reality, he’s very meticulous. So it wouldn’t be surprising if he saw this coming. Yuliana thought as she could feel her brain running. She coughed into her fist and said, “I-I mean to talk about your personality.” “My personality? What, do you not like my jokes? Heh, I guess I’m just that unfunny after all huh...” Evander said as he did a pitiful shrug. Yuliana hurriedly added, “N-no, it’s not that!” she waved her hands around “I think you’re pretty funny, but that’s not the issue!” She released a breath and went to the heart of the problem, “What I’m saying is, The mellow and outgoing personality you have shown me is contradictory to what is established as the norm in town. From what I’ve heard, you are supposed to be an antisocial and more of a silent type of person, but I don’t see such behaviour in you. All this has got me wondering whether you are forcing yourself to be like that or whether the mellow you is your real personality and the town is the one who just doesn’t know you.” Yuliana could feel her heartbeat quickening as she finished her words. Evander chuckled. His face still carrying that unchanged smile, he replied, “My personality huh? Hmm, what do you think? Who do you think is the ‘real’ me?” Yuliana was at a loss for words. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. She opened again but tightened her fist in frustration instead. With quivering lips, she answered, “I-I... believe, no, I want to believe that the one I know is the real Evander. The chipper and upbeat Evan who’s mischievous yet very kind and caring.” A tinge of sadness could be heard in her voice. Evander nodded his head. As if taking in her answer, he took a cigarette out of his breast pocket and inhaled it, releasing a puff of white, chocolate-smelling smoke. Her body tense, she didn’t even realise the oddity of the cigarette. All she could do was stay silent in the wait for his answer. Evander looked up as his eyes slightly relaxed. He said while looking at the ceiling, “You’re about half right. In reality, both Evanders are correct. The one the people of the town know is the ‘doctor’ Evander, the Miracle Hands of Dokan. The one you know is the ‘dollmaker’ Evander. That’s the only difference.” Yuliana frowned. She replied in a confused voice, “I don’t get it. So who’s the real you? The doctor or the dollmaker?” Evander chuckled. He said, “Once again, they are both real. Both are me.” Yuliana’s face scrunched up. She didn’t understand. How can someone be two different people? She leaned forward and said with exasperation, “Just what are you-” “But, if I had to choose,” he cut Yuliana off. He took a deep inhale of the cigarette and added, “I’d probably go with the dollmaker.” Yuliana fell silent. For a while, there was not a single word exchanged in the house. Only the distant sound of food being cooked by the wooden arms could be heard. “May I ask why?” she asked, the anticipation clear in her voice. Evander’s smile widened. He took another whiff and answered as he clicked his tongue playfully, “Tch tch tch, didn’t I tell you before? My true passion is doll-making. And as such, I’d obviously prefer b