––In opera House.
The day hasn't turn dark yet. However, the interion inside the building was dark. So dark it's needed many magic lamps to brighten the entire space.
Across the space, on the second floor, inside a VIP room of opera house, three gentlemen with golden hair sitting leisurely, waiting the show to appear. Though, they don't come to opera house solely for entertainment.
"…" (Saffron)
Took out his watch, Duke Saffron looking at the hour hand.
"Father, do you want some refreshment?" (Emer)
"No need." (Saffron)
"How about you, Brother Rian?" (Emer)
"A red wine just fine." (Rian)
"Okay."
Emer gave the orders to the servant after confirmed the order.
The servant bows politely, then silently leave out the room.
"Almost the time." Duke Saffron said in low tone.
The door opened just the time Duke Saffron finished his word. Sir Robert coming in the room followed by two men behind him. One of newcomers somewhat similar with Duke Saffron. Not just from their look, their aura and demeanor also similar.
Both Rian and Emer were smiling, doesn't let their expression surfaced. But inwardly, they awed by the man's presence.
What an amazing presence.
They both thought.
"Nice to see you, old friend." (Old man)
"Yeah, it was nice to see an old comrade." (Saffron)
"Ga-ha-ha, good! You still remember this old man." (Saffron)
Duke Saffron and the man make simple greeting. Giving brief warm embrace as courtesy upon their meeting.
"…" (Emer)
Emer glanced at the man.
This old man name is Grill Orb Tinker.
By the look, his age more advanced than his father. If isn't for his intimidating aura, this old man may be looked doesn't different from any kindly grandpa out there.
From the information he received, this man was Myrdiana army general. He was Duke Saffron superior when he was started his career in military. Right now, he had been retired from military since last war.
Emer remember the stories about him and his father. It was full of heroic tales of their glory. The story of them suppressed a run-amok monster camp just with minimal troops. The story of them defeated a neighbor country army in a disadvantage war.
Afterward, the old man takes a seat, opposite Duke Saffron location. The other man simply standing behind.
This other man has similar facial with the old former general, just younger. Seems like Sir Grill's relative.
"Could you introduce the man behind you, Sir Grill?" (Saffron)
"Sure. But first, drop the 'Sir' thing. I'm no longer your superior remember." (Grill)
"Sure, Old Grill then." (Saffron)
"Ha-ha-ha. That's more like it." (Grill)
The old former general, Grill, nodded in satisfied. He really an easy-going man.
"Now, this is my second son, Cain." (Grill)
"Nice to meet you, Duke Everyne. I the second son of my old man, Cain Fond Tinker." (Cain)
"What a polite man." (Saffron)
Grill clicked his tongue heard his son.
"He too polite. As a man, he should more-bold." (Grill)
"There's no need for me, Father. Brother Sein more than enough for our house. Moreover, I more comfortable being polite." (Cain)
"No, you should! Because your politeness, people always questioning if you truly born from me." (Grill)
"Don't worry. I already checked the authenticity of our blood. We truly a parent and child." (Cain)
"That's not the problem! Wait, said once again what had you done!"
Watching the long banter of parent and child before him, Duke Saffron and others felt their facial stiffened.
*Cough*
"Um, ah, sorry for ignoring you, old friend. My silly son truly distracted me just now."
"No, it's okay."
Duke Saffron smiling wryly, then decided to directly proceed to the purpose of this meeting.
"Old Grill, my old friend. You had known why I called you here, right?" (Saffron)
A sharp glint flashed inside the old general's eyes.
"…Yeah, this about them and that thing, isn't it?" (Grill)
Duke Saffron nodded.
Them and that thing.
Emer's heart chilled heard this keyword came out from the subject. He knew what they talking about since his father and Rian decided pulled him into the case. They informed him the secret that endangering not just their family, but also the country. Emer couldn't sleep comfortably ever since he knew this secret.
"Yes, it was confirmed that thing had already entering the city." (Saffron)
"What? Why didn't you prevent it?" (Grill)
"Because we don't know anything. How we confirmed its presence was because a Magist in our side managed to feel its residual mana in the city, and there's reports of its appearance in the slum. However, we lost its track, and don't have any clue where in the capital is that thing currently." (Saffron)
"Ugh! This is trouble…" (Grill)
Exactly.
Emer agreed with Old Grill in his mind.
What Duke Saffron said is 'That bomb have been confirmed around here, but we don't know where exactly is it', basically.
It was akin searching a poison needle in a haystack, or a real sword in the pile of swords imitation.
"Honestly, I didn't have any suggestion for you, old friend. It just recently I gotten this news. Also, my specialty lies in combat, not investigating." (Grill)
"I see…" (Saffron)
Sighing out, Duke Saffron lean on his seat tiredly.
Turn out, even his former superior couldn't help him with his case. Duke Saffron had mobilized everything he can, but the trouble managed to creep under his watch.
The air inside the room turning heavy.
*Knock… Knock…*
"Mr. Emer, I brought your order." (Servant)
With impeccable timing, the servant that took Emer order have come back.
"Great timing, how about some refreshment before continuing your discussion, Father." (Rian)
"…Good." (Saffron)
Duke Saffron accepted Emer suggestion, as he too need some break.
*****
***
*
The discussion went on for a while.
Not just about that thing, they also discuss something about them.
Unknowingly, time had passed quickly.
"Hmm?" (Saffron)
"The show about to start, Father." (Emer)
"It's that so." (Saffron)
"Old friend, I know this is an important discussion. However, how about we stop here and enjoy the show? Since we have come here, it would be waste if we didn't watch the show." (Grill)
"Alright, Old Grill. It's good suggestion since I need to organize my mind." (Saffron)
The light dimmed. Leaving only the light above the stage turn on.
"Excuse me, my lord. Here your refreshments." (Servant)
A servant brought an additional refreshment. Emer felt their amount too few for them, so he ordered more refreshment.
Wine, roast meat, and some cakes placed on top the table.
After arranged the refreshment, the servant leave the room.
Old Grill takes a look at Duke Saffron entourage.
"By the way, why you didn't you brought you daughter here?" (Grill)
He suddenly raised up a daughter subject.
"…" Duke Saffron paused. "Which daughter?"
"Your second daughter, that Little Saint." (Grill)
Since their already dark, Old Grill doesn't see the other party's face have turned weird, Duke Saffron and Robert's especially.
"Why suddenly bring up her?" (Saffron)
Duke Saffron curious why his old friend mentioned Misha.
"Nothing." Old Grill said. "I just want to see that little girl."
"You seem fond my little girl, Old Grill."
"Ga-ha-ha, of course! That because I'm indebted at her, she also boldest little girl I ever seen."
You right!
Duke Saffron, Rian, Emer, and Robert agreed with this opinion in their mind.
They would never find another little girl that often got involved in many incidents like Misha.
"I remembered at my last war. That girl participated in that war as healer." Old Grill reminiscing. "There's time I heavily injured by enemy ambush. I thought I was gone that time. Then, this little lad suddenly come."
Duke Saffron knew this story, since he was Old Grill's vice-general that time. That time they totally screw up, not just he and old Grill separated, old Grill also ambushed by enemy sneak attack. It was truly precarious situation.
"Did you know what I thought when I heard she'll charge my recovering back then?" He grinned. "'Screw up, do you people want this old man die!?' That's I thought."
"Ha-ha-ha."
Duke Saffron could only smile wryly, as he was the one that sent Misha.
That's the normal reaction. Normally, no one would thought bring their little daughter to battlefield. It was his decision to brought his little girl to war being seen as odd. Even his wives still frowning upon this decision, occasionally. But Duke Saffron desperately need Misha ability at that time.
"But you know, she didn't back down nor cowered. Even though I covered by heavy wounds that would make even the bravest warrior chilled, that girl calmly observing my condition as if it's nothing." Old Grill take a breath. "She even touched me. Let herself dirtied by my blood and act it's nothing frightening. I could help but admire that little girl's courage."
Duke Saffron and others knew they talking about Misha here. However, they couldn't stop the fidgeting feeling they felt.
Duke Saffron recalled Misha's body always covered by blood after she done her job as healer.
"The next moment was most shocking moment in my old life. Your daughter use magic! Can you believe that if she isn't your daughter!? She isn't even ten years old that time, but she healing my wound with magic, a blessed genius! My supposed life-threatening wound healed by her just in hour!"
Yeah, me too.
That time, Duke Saffron just hope old Grill's life saved by her magic. Never he expected Misha would allowing old Grill return to battlefield once more.
"I truly envy you to have such daughter." Old Grill ended his long passionate speech.
Complicated.
This the current feeling for people who knew Misha, hearing Old Grill overly praise toward the little girl known as Little Saint.
Duke Saffron suffered by complicated feeling.
Fortunately, the room already dark. Covering his expression from Old Grill's sight.
Fortunate enough, he didn't bring his little girl with him now, or he might suffer headache.
Everything what Old Grill said was true. She was brave and a blessed genius. If there's shortcoming for her, it's the fact Misha was a portable-event human.
I have makes sure never let Old Grill meet Misha.
Duke Saffron doesn't fear Misha would misbehave in front of his former superior. On contrary, he's sure Misha will act politely. He fearing if Misha meets with this old general, she may be involved with something weird again.
Glancing around, Duke Saffron see-through darkness with his ability and found he isn't the only one thought like that. His sons and trusted subordinate also think same.
Even darkness couldn't block his family bond, they nodded, agreed to prevent Misha meet this old general.
"Oh, the show started." (Grill)
Old Grill doesn't know tacit agreement that formed beside him. he called Everyne family to watch the show.
"Once upon time, there––"
On the stage, a man standing, give a brief narrative of beginning of the story.
"This…" (Saffron)
"Oh, what an old story." (Grill)
"Do you know this, Father?" Cain asked.
"Of course, this a famous old story that existed before this country built." (Grill)
"That long?" (Cain)
"Yes, the story title is the witch and four princesses. Quite interesting story if you ask me. For the continuation, just watch yourself." (Grill)
"Okay." (Cain)
The story progressing, the female lead that playing as the witch come out to the stage.
"Huh?" (Robert)
Robert who was silent until now, let out shocked gasp.
"What's wrong Robert?" (Rian)
"Nothing. I'm just surprised found the female actor actually my acquaintance." (Robert)
"Oh." (Rian)
Rian doesn't pursue Robert's matter, since he knew this butler of his family have a huge network. Having an artist acquaintance wasn't something surprising for someone like Robert.
"Elisabeth, why are you here?" (Robert)
Robert murmured. Strangely, a bad hunch surged out his heart.
"The show quite interesting." Emer commented, sipping a wine.
The story proceeding forward, showing the appearance of four princesses.
Not like he was expected, the four princesses turned out to be young girls. As Emer sighed in disappointment, he then spotted the looks of four princesses.
"Puuff–!!!" (Emer)
The wine spurted from Emer's mouth, as he shocked by the appearance of someone who shouldn't be here.
"What!? Emer, what were you doing!?" (Rian)
Screamed out, Rian angry as he was sprayed by wine.
But Emer doesn't pay his brother any head, as he yelled out a name.
"Misha!?" (Emer)
"Hey, look at me when I talking!" (Rian)
Old grill followed Emer's line sight and found what he fussing about.
"Old Friend, isn't that your daughter?" (Grill)
"What!? Where!?" (Saffron)
Duke Saffron shocked. Just when he decided to keep away his daughter from this old general. Misha suddenly showed up around.
"There, on the stage." (Grill)
Old Grill was sure with Misha's appearance since her profile deeply embedded in his mind.
"Huh!?" (Saffron)
"How come she was here!?" (Emer)
Right now, Misha playing as one of four princesses on opera house stage.
It was unknown how could their little girl could be on the stage.
Beside Misha, they also found her newly recruited maid playing as silent princess in the story.
The Everyne family groaned of how could this girl could often appearing in the least expected place in least expected manner.
Among Everyne people, only one person could keep his calm.
"*Sigh* As expected." (Robert)
He was Robert alias Uncle Jug. He already prepared his heart when he saw Elisabeth, as he could faintly imagine how little Misha could appeared on the stage.
Letting out a sigh of resignation, he looking up, seemed of give up something.
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