Author's note:
I don't own HxH but I wish I did.
Prologue:
This is not a Love Story.
"So you just don't believe it huh?" she asked.
"took you too long to figure out." he answered arrogantly.
"Which part of it?" she asked one more time, ever so patient she was.
"Everything, from the family ties to the marriage bonds"
"Well, if you don't believe it, then why are you here?" her voice came out so gentle and tranquil.
"Why are you here talking to me?"
"Because.." and that was all he could say as his voice faded along with his thoughts.
...
"Everything, I am afraid, leads to you sire" The old and kindly looking gentle man said as he straightened up, placing his documents inside his leather suitcase.
Kuroro scanned through the pages of a thick black binder which contained paper evidences, news paper clippings and photographs. The papers were compiled meticulously by the old man himself. It contains a very fragile and confidential case, and finally it met its completion.
"It doesn't look all too convincing" the handsome raven haired man stated, quickly glancing at the photograph of a young woman. "This doesn't prove anything"
It was just a week ago when Kuroro received a message, something trivial which led him to meet up with this old man in a town not too far from where he was staying. The old man he was talking to happened to be the keeper of the said establishment. And what a grand library it is, Kuroro was very impressed with the book collections. He was intrigued and of course he cannot help but feel a little excited for he had all things fictional or restricted to himself alone that day. It was of course closed on Sunday. And it was however, a beautiful Sunday.
"I understand, I should have considered your feelings.." Bart croaked, taking out a neat white handkerchief and cleaning the lenses off his gold framed glasses.
"Hn.. feelings?" Kuroro's tone was sarcastic, When did he have feelings anyway. Bart looked up at the handsome young man in front of him. He was disguised to fit into the crowd, He looked amiable and friendly. With his ebony hair down and his attire in an elegant white shirt and black pants. He would have never thought that a handsome young man like he is would be the head honcho of the most notorious group of thieves in history.
"I am fully aware of standing I am currently in" Bart cleared his throat, evidently brave and unafraid despite the fact that he standing face to face with a man who is yet to be the most cold hearted killer alive. "but I wouldn't approach you if it wasn't a matter of life and death"
"This.." Kuroro pertained to the black binder, holding it up with his right hand, "this is a matter of life and death to you?" it was a petty speculation, a theory, an assumption and most importantly, it was not true.
Then again maybe it was all too good to be true.
"Tis my life's work sire, and yes. The truth is always a matter life and death, to me at least"
"I know who you are, Bartholomew Hahnzeis, a lot of people like me owe you, then again you must have been paid beforehand graciously to have come to me"
"No, my client is very different from the ones I've had before. And No, I am doing a massive favor, free of charge. And the fact that I am graced by you, you should say and that I am working with no money involved whatsoever.. consider this as my way of penance for all the things I've done in my past"
"These are not facts.." it wasn't like him at all, Kuroro didn't have the time for Bart's humor, he was usually calm and controlling. But the strain and the effort that he exerts just to show how he is not affected at all by all these things laid out in front of him shows albeit not too obvious, but certainly to the keen.
"That year sire, your age, the dna samples, the series of events, the plane.. the place of landing.. " Bart persuaded in mild protests.
"Do you expect me to believe this? Just because you managed to come up with paper clippings in chronological order, Mr. Hanhzeis, with all due to respect to your craft, you should have known better" Kuroro said flatly. With the deep sigh he gently threw the black binder on the dark wood oak table.
"I merely gathered the information. Tis not my concern however if you choose to believe it or not" Bart straightened up. "I have done my part after all, based on the facts gathered through intensive investigation, You are none other than the son of the late Duke of Linoria, as such, you are the sole heir to the valuables, accounts and whatnots that has been stored upon the death of the Duke and the Lady."
"You're wasting your time old man" Kuroro snickered, walking past the table, eyes at the distant view out the window.
"All you have to do is sign the papers so we could transfer everything to you"
"I do not belong to this society, I guess you may have known that I am from a place of nonexistence"
"And then sign the divorce papers so you can free your wife"
For a moment Kuroro thought he heard wrong, he paused, his dark eyes shot back at Bart, discerning the old man who seemed to be amused with the young man's reaction. Bart was, of course just saving the best for last.
"The son of the duke has been long betrothed to the daughter of a close family friend. Now this young woman was informed that she was already married, She wanted me to uh "double check". Now, everything has been confirmed. And all that we need is your signature"
"She sent you here?" Kuroro asked, mildly interrupting the old man, he said it fast.
"Yes.." Bart nodded, "She sent me here to have you sign the divorce papers so she, or most likely, the both of you would be free to wed"
Kuroro was speechless. "A wife?" he repeated.
"I know from where you grew up signing papers for legality is not really necessary, but I pray for your patience boy, let's just say it will always be a trend in this society" Bart's voice was richly accented and husky. It sounds both regal and fatherly at the same time
"I came all the way here just so you could tell me that I am a lost son of a late Duke and that I am married, what a colossal waste of time"
"Well, I cannot force you to believe something you don't want to believe in, no matter how valid or truthful it may seem.. for us at least" Bart surrendered. "I am just a messenger after all, if you choose to ignore things like this, then there is not much I can do, you'll just have to face the consequences I am afraid"
"What consequences?" Kuroro asked, surely if it were a threat, it seriously needs some working on.
"the all wrath of your wife" and with that, Bart took out his phone and started to dial a number, Kuroro watched him intently. He heard the ringing since the phone was on loud speakers. A few rings later..
"Hello?" it was a woman's voice. It was somber, gentle and sweet.
But Bart didn't reply and Kuroro suddenly found himself listening to her voice
"Hello?" she repeated.
No answer.
The woman made a deep sigh and then she hang up.
Bart silently laughed to himself seeing that Kuroro was deep in his thoughts.
"She is a little younger than you are but I am confident that you two will get a long well. A pity however, that she would only request for you to sign separation papers no?, perhaps I could arrange a meet?" The old man suggested.
"That's not necessary" Kuroro replied quickly. His eyes was cast down the floor. He was deep in thought.
"Very well then" Bart brushed the book dusts off his gray suit, feeling very accomplished. "If you ever you need to find us" distinctly elaborating us, "Here, the miss wanted you to have this, I presumed this would be for more private conversations" he almost laughed when he said. Gently placing the phone on the oaken table. "I best be off now, boy" Bart merrily said, "Til we meet again"
"Don't count on it" Kuroro replied.
...
That was a whole lot to take in one sitting, raven haired man thought. He was standing in front of the shelves placed right above the adorned fireplace. He was browsing through the titles engraved on the thick binds holding the books together. He suddenly stopped, eyes squinting when he read the title on the red bound book, amused with sudden display of irony. He laughed to himself silently as he pulled it out. "Surviving Marriage" he said, "this should be interesting.."
He read a few pages, scanned a few more, flipped a whole lot before finally putting it down on the center table. He then again caught sight of what Bart left him. A black sleek phone resting on top of the card, but what came to his surprise are the two rings joined together by a thin strand of silver necklace. He took the rings and examined it on his palm. Wedding rings obviously, made from white gold and somehow speckled with tiny sparkling diamonds.
"how inconvenient" he scoffed, he for one, did not believe in the whole idea of marriage. It would be subject to his ridicule and such, but who's he to judge? If it were true, he'd be a married man. The eyed the rings hatefully, this symbol, this token of love and uh loyalty.. devotion. Of all things he's not, all things he thought were silly. But if it were just rings, just normal regular rings, and not wedding rings, then these would be just fine for a casual suit.
It was awfully silent in the library that Kuroro's heart almost raised when the phone started ringing.