Disclaimer: I do not own the cover image. This fanart is an entry of user ChocoMouse on Zerochan.
If you are the artist and do not wish your work to be associated with this story, feel free to contact me and I will remove it.
A.N. This story contains some sentences in German. Translation is available at the end of each chapter. Have a nice read :)
According to Miles's instructions, Phoenix and Larry had presented themselves at the front door of the imposing manor house at 2 PM sharp. They had been ushered into the mansion's drawing room by a dull-looking servant, who had assured them that Herren von Karma and Edgeworth, as well as the young Fräulein von Karma, would be joining them shortly.
Therefore, they were currently standing in the middle of the lavishly decorated room, staring at each other and feeling utterly out of place. Phoenix was still deliberating whether he could walk on the pristine, expensive carpet with his old sneakers to get to a chair when the door opened. Miles Edgeworth came in, hand in hand with a blue-haired child who seemed more than displeased to be there.
Is that 'Fräulein von Karma'? Phoenix wondered. The girl, who appeared to be about four or five years old, was staring at him and Larry, her little nose turned up in what looked like intense distaste.
However, Phoenix didn't get the time to greet Miles, nor to ask about the child, because when his best friend's mentor appeared on the threshold, the boy couldn't help but be impressed. Tall, clad in clothes from another time, von Karma looked like some legendary baron, directly out of a historical novel.
Any urge Phoenix might have had to smile instantly left him as his and the prosecutor's piercing eyes met. Von Karma gave off such an aura of authority and power that it was almost oppressing. The intimidating-looking man took a few steps inside the room and stopped in front of the two boys.
"You must be Miles's friends. I must say we didn't expect you so early…"
The comment was made in a casual manner, but despite its seeming levity, Phoenix distinctly saw the side-glance von Karma threw at his protege. He felt a sudden urge to make excuses.
"We're sorry, sir, the butler let us in. We didn't mean to distu- "
"That's all right, I understand," the prosecutor interrupted sharply. For a split second, his grayish gaze lingered on the insolent boy who had dared to speak, taking in the spiky hair and the clever eyes, then his mouth split into a wolfish grin.
"Mr Phoenix Wright, I presume?"
Then his eyes fell on Larry's radiant face and Phoenix thought he could see a mischievous glint shine in them.
"And this dazed-looking boy beside you must be Mr. Larry Butz…"
Larry's smile instantly vanished. "Dazed-looking?!" he muttered.
Phoenix nudged him in the ribs. "Shut up, Larry," he breathed through his teeth.
Beside Miles, the blue-haired girl was stamping her feet impatiently, fidgeting with the bow in her hair.
"Miles told me about you," Von Karma said.
"Yes, Mr. von Karma," the latter confirmed. "They were my best friends back in-"
"Do not speak when you're not spoken to, boy."
Miles lowered his head sheepishly. Von Karma resumed talking, impassive.
"Gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to the von Karma estate. I hope you'll enjoy your time here."
Behind the prosecutor's back, the child pinched Miles's arm. The boy grimaced and immediately let go of her hand.
"As for me, I have to go – I have an important business meeting downtown…"
Visibly unable to hold back any longer, the little girl approached von Karma, tugged at the hem of his pants and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
„Warum lassen Sie mich hier, Papa? Ich bin kein Kind mehr! Ich will mit Ihnen kommen."
The man laughed heartily.
„Franziska, du bist das intelligenteste Mädchen, das ich je gesehen habe. Du bist perfekt. Doch bist du immer noch ein Kind. Vergiss das nicht, mein Liebling."
He patted Franziska's head affectionately.
„Ich muss weg. Miles wird für dich sorgen. Benimm dich während ich weg bin."
„Er ist mir Schnuppe," she retorted, but von Karma ignored her. Her frown turned into a pout as she turned away from them and left the room.
Herren von Karma and Edgeworth : Messrs von Karma and Edgeworth
Fräulein von Karma : Miss von Karma
Warum lassen Sie mich hier, Papa? Ich bin kein Kind mehr! Ich will mit Ihnen kommen. : Why are you leaving me here, Papa? I'm not a child anymore! I want to go with you.
Franziska, du bist das intelligenteste Mädchen, das ich je gesehen habe. Du bist perfekt. Doch bist du immer noch ein Kind. Vergiss das nicht, mein Liebling. : Franziska, you are the most intelligent girl I've ever seen. You are perfect. But you're still a child. Don't forget that, my darling.
Ich muss weg. Miles wird für dich sorgen. Benimm dich während ich weg bin. : I must go. Miles will take care of you. Behave while I'm gone.
Er ist mir Schnuppe. : I don't care about him.
