The tall black gloomy building known as the Investigation Bureau Office contrasted heavily with the bright colorful stalls opposite and on either side of it. It was receded from the street and steps led up to the main entrance where, by the front pillars, two officers stood guard.
The visitor accended the stairs and passed under the archway held up by the pillars. The two officers stood at alert.
"Your eminence," they both said at the same time.
The archway opened into a wide courtyard accessible by yet another flight of stairs leading downwards. Everywhere was painted black.
All around the courtyard was a canopy-like walkway held up on pillars. Depressions in the walls held torches, put out. Once in a while, doors led off the corridor.
"My lord, how may I serve you?" A uniformed officer respectfully asked, assessing the purple eyed man sashaying into the Investigation Bureau Office like he owned it. If not for his rich attire, Officer Mo decided that he would have grabbed the scruff of his neck and tossed him back onto the streets.
Janus glared at the officer.
"Is the Bureau Office not allowing free entry of citizens to report crimes anymore?" He growled.
Officer Mo smirked inwardly. Surely a noble would not trouble themselves too much to report a crime! Down below their flashy manors each noble family had dungeons where they kept offenders. Surely this noble had other motives of coming to the Investigation Bureau Office that day.
"Of course not, my lord. Come this way please. Let me show you to a vacant officer,"
"Enough! Who said I am a novice? I am not here to see any random officer. I want Officer Moran,"
Mo's jaw dropped open. The nerve!
"My lord, as you know, Officer Moran is a very busy person. She will not have time to handle--"
But Janus had already started walking away. Knocking the imposing staff he carried on the floor after every two steps, it was not long before he got the attention of the Senior Officer, who came out of her office to see who it was "disturbing the much needed serenity of the Investigation Bureau,"
"It's you I have come to see," Janus approached her with dignity.
"Pardon me, my lord, but I don't even know who you are," Moran replied blandly.
"All in good time," Janus responded, and pointed his staff st her door, "mind we talk inside,"
"Pardon me, my lord, but I don't even want to talk." was the reply, "as you can see I am on a mission and it will take a while before I return." Moran took the sword offered her by a junior officer, "why don't your eminence discuss the matter with Officer Mo?" and without a further word, she walked away, three junior officers in her wake.
***
"Your eminence," a servant of the prime minister held a small scroll in hand, "this is from the Minister for Rites,"
The prime minister was having afternoon tea at the gazebo in his manor. His forehead was creased when he heard the name of the Minister for Rites.
"What has he said? Read it,"
The servant unfurled the scroll.
"'Karlem'," the servant read the one word written on the scroll, "that's all it says, your eminence. 'karlem'"
"Burn the scroll and leave at once,"
"Yes, your eminence,"
After the eunuch left the prime minister was left with his thoughts. Pouring the last cupfull of tea from a kettle in front of him, his brows creased and he called out:
"Who's there? Bring more tea,"
Promptly a maid appeared with another kettle and replaced the old one with it. She was not gone when another servant came into view.
"Your eminence," the eunuch bowed.
"News from the south?"
"Yes. Young master is coming to the capital. The message sent by pigeon says he is within a day's distance,"
The prime minister rose abruptly, up turning his cup of tea.
"No! Prevent him from coming to the capital! Now's not the time!--"
"May I ask, adoptive father, why?" chuckled a young man, striding into view. The prime minister slumped back on his reclining seat with a sigh.
"Why bring me fake news?" He growled at the servant.
....
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