Vollkommenheit

Chapter 2:

Ich bin die Tochter meines Vaters

Author's note: This is not the third installment of the Perfection series. But this does follow the same time line as the Perfection series. The title is in German, and is does, in fact, mean perfection. And while the chapter titles will be in German, on the drop down menu, they will be in English. Okay…you know the drill. I don't own Phoenix Wright games or characters…and if I did, I'd be swimming in my own pool of money (which would be shaped like a dollar bill!) But I DO own Diana (pronounced Dee-ahna with a German accent), and Marty Cruss. I'll never abandon my story! Promise! And while you don't have to read Limits or Striving before this...it might help, as some of the flashbacks will be referenced to.

TO MY REVIEWERS!

Wow...I must be making a name for myself here...five reviews in one day!

neoswordmaster: I saw that! But someone took their story off, and so it then became the 599th...but I'm still going to claim it was the 600th!

Tilea: I shall! Thank you for such encouragement!

noian: I wanted to make him more human at this point in time, but don't worry...he'll be more evil! muahahahhah!

Indochine: Thank you!

Vaxl: Haha! Me too! She's so cute, isn't she?

AND NOW...ON TO THE STORY

Ah, these translations you might need...

Kleine Dame...little lady

Ja...yes

Auf Wiedersehen...goodbye (formal)

Herr...Sir

Frau...Mrs. (respectful)

Meine Mutter...my mother

Es tut mir Leid...I'm sorry

What was it that brought this back to her? A distant memory...something she had kept buried deep inside of her. What exactly was it that compelled her mind to fixate on her father? She had not given a thought to her father since she realized his involvement in the DL6 case. Since that day, she had stopped looking up to her father...so why was her mind so fixated on him now?

"Is the reason you came here to avenge your father?"

Foolish man! Foolish defense lawyer...Phoenix Wright... She pounded her fists on the desk so hard, that she was sure they would have made impressions and dents. How DARE he suggest that she come all these miles and suffer so many hours of long study, to come to avenge her father?! How dare he even suggest that he knew enough about her to try and guess her motives! What did he know? What did...what did anyone know...?

"The term criminal law, sometimes called penal law, refers to any of various bodies of rules in different jurisdictions whose common characteristic is the potential for unique and often severe impositions as punishment for failure to comply. Criminal punishment, depending on the offense and jurisdiction, may include execution, loss of liberty, government supervision (parole or probation), or fines. There are some archetypal crimes, like murder, but the acts that are forbidden are not wholly consistent between different criminal codes, and even within a particular code lines may be blurred as civil infractions may give rise also to criminal consequences. Criminal law typically is enforced by the government, unlike the civil law, which may be enforced by private parties."

Franziska looked up and sighed, closing the book. Her father had been gone for several weeks now, and she had been diligently reading every day, for at least eight hours a day. While Diana clucked at her like an angry mother hen, Franziska merely kept her eyes glued to the book and barely responded. She was disappointed that she hadn't heard a word from her father. Normally, Manfred von Karma would call her almost every week if he was on business. She was always proud to hear his voice, and then hear him call her his heir. He would call, to check on her and to make sure she was was being taken care of. But this time...this time he hadn't even bothered as to call to simply say hello! Feeling the slight hurt, she looked down at the book and was surprised to notice a piece of paper in the center of the book, halfway sticking out. Cursing herself mentally on not being mentally sharp enough to have seen it earlier, Franziska opened the book to that page and pulled out the paper. Written on it, in bold cursive letters that could have only been written by a masculine hand, was a note.

No matter what, the defendant is ALWAYS guilty!
Never hesitate and never show emotions.
Emotions are a sign of weakness, and a weak prosecutor is nothing in a court of law!
Remember this, Franziska!

It was as though she was holding a bar of gold in her hands, the way she treated this piece of paper. She clutched the piece of paper to her chest and a burst of pride filled her body. It was a note written to her by her father! It was the most special thing in the world to the child...more valuable than anything in her room...than anything in her house... Franziska turned around and tucked the note underneath a pillow in her crib for safe keeping. Upon turning back and closing the large book, she happened to look up, and there was Diana, standing in the doorway, holding a phone.

"Kleine dame...your father is on the phone. He wishes to speak to you." she murmured, walking towards the child, and handing the eager girl the phone. Franziska pressed it up to her ear and squealed an eager, "Hello?!".

There was a pause before her father answered back. "Hello, Franziska." he replied calmly.

"Papa! How is America? Is it just as wonderful as it was the last time you were there? How are you, Papa? I've been reading that book ever since you left! Oh! Why didn't you call me earlier, Papa? I-"

"FRANZISKA!"

Manfred von Karma's voice rang throughout the phone, and even Diana, who was standing at the doorway, flinched, as she could hear it as well.

"Franziska, stop babbling child, and let me speak!"

"Y-yes, Papa." Franziska whispered, shrinking slightly.

"Now...I'm rather impressed that you have been dedicated enough to study that book. You have exceeded my expectations."

This made Franziska's frame swell with pride.

"When I return home, you will have company to help you in your studies." Manfred von Karma continued.

This statement caused shock to the child. Her way of life would be shattered as she knew it! Another person in this house? Swallowing hard, the child began to speak. "...w-what do you mean, Papa?" she questioned.

"His name is Miles Edgeworth...His father was killed in a tragic accident, and he has no family left...so I offered to take him in. He will be studying to be a prosecutor just like you, Franziska. Naturally, I expect you to be better than him... But, of course, you will teach him the rules of our home, won't you?" Manfred von Karma's tone of voice made the last statement sound more like a demand than a question.

But these words brought a sympathetic pang to Franziska's heart. How kind it was of her father to help a poor, orphan boy. Of course nothing would change with his arrival. She, and not this boy, was a von Karma, and as such, she was destined for life as a prosecutor. She was sure he didn't have the drive and determination it took. Perhaps the boy would make a nice limo driver...

"Of course, Papa. He will learn what perfection means in this household. I will teach him." she replied confidently.

This was received with a hearty laugh from her father. "Ah! That is what I was expecting to hear from you, Franziska. Continue to read that book. I will be calling again to quiz you on your knowledge. Hand the phone back to Diana now, and let me speak to her."

Franziska was contemplating asking for more time to speak with her father, but she decided not, thinking of the last time she showed weakness towards him. She suppressed the childish and clinging emotions that were normal of her age.

"Goodbye, Papa." she replied to the surprise of the stern man on the other end of the phone. Franziska could practically hear her father's pleased smile. What she could not see, were the wheels turning in his head, and his mind working overtime, now that she was showing signs of the cold exterior that was the very essence of a von Karma. His grin widened as he spoke in return.

"Auf Wiedersehen, Franziska."

Holding the phone up for maid, Franziska looked at Diana that held traces of coldness in them. "Papa wants to speak with you Frau Diana." she stated, as the woman quickly snatched the device from the child. Franziska watched carefully as Diana tried to whisper her conversation.

"...Ja...Ja, Herr von Karma...I'll make another room up...what...of course I'm taking care of her! Manfred, what sort of...Es tut mir Leid...Herr von Karma...I'll fix that immediately...Ja...Auf Wiedersehen." She hung up the phone and looked at the curious child.

"Diana...when is Papa coming home?" Franziska asked, resting her hands on the bar of her crib.

"...he didn't tell me, Franziska." Diana replied.

"Oh..." Franziska whispered with a sigh.

Diana smiled slightly and walked to the child, lifting her up and holding her against her hip. "Ah...Kleine dame...you remind me so much of your Mama, you know that?" Diana asked with a chuckle, to the surprise of her ward.

"Meine Mutter?" Franziska questioned with wide eyes.

"Yes, your Mama. She used to wait for your Papa just like that...waiting by the window, sighing." Diana replied.

"So you know my Mama?" Franziska asked, hopeful...until Diana shook her head.

"I knew your Mama, Kleine dame. I don't know her any more." she replied softly.

"Oh..." Franziska replied nodding. "Do you think...one day...she'll come back and see me?"

This questioned shocked the maid, but she shook her head. "Your Mama will probably never come back, Kleine dame. But know that she is always proud of you, no matter what path you choose."

"Really Diana?" Franziska asked.

"Absolutely, Franziska...but...never forget...you are your father's daughter."