Vongola Garden, Vongola HQ
Talbot flushed all flowers in the garden. He picked off several Gladiol flowers and made it a bouquet for Lacey. He sang happily while kept flushing the flowers until he felt someone's presence behind him. He smiled and turned around and saw Knuckle in front of him.
"You seem to be having fun, Talbot" Knuckle commented, chuckling at how cheerful the craftsman is.
"Sir Knuckle, it is been a while. How are you?" he said as they shake hands.
"I am fine to the extreme as usual. How is your sheep? I heard from Lacey, that you lost them at the mountain." He said as he chuckled.
"Hohohoho… I already found them and took them back to their cage with this cane… hohohoho!" he laughed as he showed him his skull-like cane. They shared laughter together at the moment. Knuckle then noticed a bouquet of flowers that he held.
"Why did you carrying a bouquet of flowers? Is it for a date…?" Knuckle asked quite teasingly.
Talbot quickly shook his head in denial "No, no, this is for Lady Lacey. Since Primo and all of you, the guardians will go for important meeting I think I should accompany her for the rest of the day."
Knuckle raised his brow. "What do you mean? You will come with us too." Knuckle added.
Talbot blinked, he hadn't heard about this. Knuckle observed him and realized that Giotto must have forgotten to tell him. He patted Talbot's back. "You should be prepared now we will go soon." Talbot nodded. as he went back to his room for preparation.
Lacey's room, Whitehouse of Vongola
Lacey ate her warm soup to warm herself along with Éclair who decided to pay her a visit before leaving. The weather had become colder than she thought, but she can't wait for the snow to fall. Éclair on the other hand, happy seeing Lacey's expression had changed. However, she was a bit uneasy because of Daemon. No matter how many times she told her that he is danger, Lacey insist on wanting him by her side. Therefore, she decided after the meeting over, she will observe Daemon.
"Éclair…? What is wrong? You look like you are lamenting something…" Lacey noted.
"Oh, no, it is nothing. This soup is really tasty, that is all." Éclair replied quickly.
"You will go on a meeting soon, right? Be careful." She said in concern tone.
"Yes. I-we will…you should need more rest too. You look a little pale, you know. And your face is all red. Have you slept properly these days?" she asked, looking at her pale face.
"I… I am okay…" she encountered it. But this only made Éclair suspicious. She placed her hand on her forehead, checking her temperature. Her body was really hot.
"Lacey…! I think you catch a cold...! Rest now! Come on!" Éclair helped her stand. She then placed her blanket over the purple haired woman's cold body.
"Please do not tell my brother or the others about this…at least until the meeting is over…" Lacey said as she slowly fell asleep. Éclair put a cold towel on her forehead and closed all room windows so the cold air wouldn't come in and heated up the fireplace. After making sure that everything was fine, the Snow guardian left the house.
Meeting room, Vongola base south branch, south Italy
The allied families' bosses of Vongola, along with G, Ugetsu, Alaude and Lampo have gathered in the meeting room, waiting for Giotto, Daemon, Cozart, Éclair, Knuckle, and Talbot who are still on their way. The bosses took a seat while the guardians just stood beside them until the meeting is over.
"Does Giotto and the remaining guardians still on their way here?" The Cavallone boss asked as he crossed his arms.
"They will be here soon around five minutes, please be patient." Ugetsu assured as he looked at the time with his pocket watch. Suddenly the door opened, revealing Giotto, Cozart, Talbot and the remaining guardians entered the room. "Or maybe faster than I thought…" Ugetsu commented again.
"Sorry we are late there was some problem before we get here." Giotto apologized as he and Cozart took a seat. "Shall we begin, then?" Cozart looked around him, and they nodded. Alaude began to give them the papers of reports he had gathered.
The bosses looked through the papers on the table and could not hide their surprise.
"Vongola is this true…?" Geigue boss asked as he looked at Giotto.
Giotto nodded before he started to explain. "As what written on those papers, there is a spy in Vongola Family and after the case few days ago, we've concluded the spy is inside Vongola HQ. The spy had killed two Éclair's subordinates and one housemaid."
"If the spy is inside Vongola base and even killed some people there, why the spy didn't just try to kill you, the boss or your guardians?" Cavallone boss commented.
"Maybe the enemy is waiting for the right time?" Ugetsu guessed.
"But then why would he kill? That just as same as revealing his identity to us." G. added again.
"Please be quite for a while, I have something to show, my subordinates found this near the exploded training ground…" Bertesco Primo showed them a small bomb on his hand and put it on the center of the table.
"Is this one of those bombs that you were talking about…?" Cozart asked to Giotto. "Perhaps… We also get some information that it contained Dying Flame."
"What…! How is that even possible?" The Geigue boss commented in disbelieve. "I never heard any weapon that strong enough to contain Dying Will Flames!"
"That is why we have to check this bomb. Talbot, could you…?" Giotto looked at Talbot. Talbot reached for the bomb, only to be interrupted by a sudden bang from the hallway outside the meeting room.
"What was that noise?" G. shouted and looked at the door. Everybody in the room visibly tensed. The bosses stood up and ready with their weapons so does the guardians. After a moment of silence, the door was slammed opened and a flood of men wearing white suit entered the room with their weapons.
"Kill all enemies of Deviola Family!" One of the men in the front shouted. It seemed he was the leader of this group.
"Enemies…! Everyone be ready!" Giotto ordered his guardians.
"Yes, boss!" they replied and sprung into actions. They moved quickly to halt the rush, disarming and knocking out any man that came at their direction, for exception of Daemon, who attacked with intent to kill.
The bosses soon also sprung into actions, assisting the Vongola guardians. Realizing the enemies are too many, they immediately ignited their Dying Will flames.
"It seems we have no choice but to get serious to end this…"
Deviola Family secret base, unknown Area, Italy
"How is the plan?" The boss asked to a shadow figure in front of him.
"Everything had gone smoothly. My subordinates already interrupted the meeting by now."
"I see… good then. You already told them not to kill all of them, right?"
"Yes. They will just give them some injuries that won't kill them."
"After this…you know what you should do, right?" he handed the shadow figure a piece of paper
"Yes… boss." The shadow disappeared in the darkness.
Lacey's room, Whitehouse of Vongola
Lacey awoke from her sleep but decided to keep laying herself on the bed, knowing her own condition. Her vision was blurry and she tried to close her eyes again so she could fell asleep until she felt a warm hand holding her hand tightly.
"I thought I already told you not to sleep late and not to sleep on the floor…"
Lacey's vision became clearer and she was surprised seeing the person who held her hand.
"Spade…!" Lacey uttered. "I thought…you along with brother and the others going on a meeting." She added, blushing.
"The meeting was over soon than we have scheduled…because of some interruption…" Daemon explained. "Well, it seemed you feel better now, still…you should get some rest." He said as he let go of her hand and gave her a warm soup.
Lacey sat and took the soup "Thank you… I feel much better maybe because of Talbot's herbs… he gave me before he went to the meeting." She explained and drank the soup. "Where is my brother…?" she asked
"He is in his office, taking care of something."
"I see… Umm…?" She felt dizzy. Her vision became blurry again. Her body unexpectedly gave out on her. In an instant, Daemon was there to catch her "So… sorry…" Lacey apologized softly as she looked up to him. However, she blushed as Daemon pressed his forehead to hers, intent to check her body's temperature.
"You should sleep now, it seems your fever started to heat up again, your face even became so red like that…"
"This is not because of my fever…" Lacey said in her mind, embarrassed. She then laid her head back to her soft pillow and covered her face with the blanket avoiding his face. "Tha… thank you for visiting me today… before you go… could you open the music box…? The music box is on the table…" she requested.
"I have bought you many gifts, but it seems this music box is the only gift that you really attached to…" Daemon commented as he opened the box and the music flow throughout the room.
"But I always make sure that all gifts you gave me stay clean… You should see it yourself…" she added. Daemon looked closely to one of the gifts he gave her. It's really indeed clean and there is no single dust on it.
"Hmm… You really take a good care of all your gifts in this room." He commented.
"Of course, because all those gifts is precious to me. My brother and the others including you are the ones who gave it to me." She explained.
"Soon… it will be my birthday… the day after tomorrow… will you come here to celebrate it… with us?" she asked hesitant and shyly. "
"Your brother would not be pleased of it. And I don't really like to celebrate something in that way..." He stated.
"I see…" she smiled sadly, but hid it with her blanket. However, Daemon immediately pulled the blanket from her, much to her surprised. He leaned to her, his face dangerously close to hers. Her blushing overcame her cheeks as she tried to keep a distant between their face.
"I have no intention to celebrate your birthday with your brother and other guardians… though, if is it only the two of us… I do not mind…" He stated. Daemon stood up and jumped from the window, leaving her alone.
"If is it only… the two of us…" she muttered. Her sad smile turned to happy and expecting smile "He still like that… never honest… but now… it is in a good way… I think…"
Living room, first floor, Vongola HQ
Éclair, Lampo, Talbot, and Ugetsu arrived after bought presents for Lacey. Even though the situation cannot be taken lightly, they still cannot forget about Lacey that easily. At the very least, they have to celebrate her upcoming birthday.
"What did you bought for her?" Éclair asked her three companions beside her.
"I bought some chocolate snacks for her!" Lampo answered.
Éclair and Ugetsu looked at him weirdly. "Chocolate snacks again…? You always the one who end up finished it in the end…" Talbot reminded him. Lampo frowned at this, but Talbot ignored it and turned to Ugetsu.
"I bought her a white ribbon." Ugetsu showed them the ribbon.
"At least it is better than Lampo…" Éclair commented, making Lampo growl.
"Rather than commented our present, how about both you? What kind of present you bought for her?" Lampo asked angrily. Éclair showed them her present, both felt amazed as they saw it. It was a white long-sleeve dress that she made herself and knew that Lacie would like it. Talbot also showed them his present, a white pair of shoes that Lacey had always wanted for a long time. Lampo looked down, felt defeated. Ugetsu could only laugh softly seeing Lampo's reaction.
"I wonder how she is now…" Lampo worried. "Maybe we should visit her now?" Lampo suggested.
Giotto's office, Third floor, Vongola HQ
Giotto and G. sighed heavily. They finally finished all of their paper works together. Giotto drank his water to clear his throat. While G. tried to stretch his body before light his cigarette as usual and turned to Giotto.
"Geez… since when your works became this much? Not to mention about our investigation…" G. growled and frowned in frustration.
Giotto sighed again. "It could not be helped… sorry for asking you help me with all of this work…" Giotto replied as he sipped his drink again.
"Hey… is it okay for you to let Daemon visit her?" G. asked. His tone was serious and concern. Giotto silence but then answered "He will still visit her even if I forbid him… and… I do not know what had happened between them, but Lacey has become more cheerful and her eyes no longer show any loneliness… all of it was because of Daemon… she wants to be by his side…"
"Lacey said that…?" G. raised his brow in disbelieved and surprised. Giotto nodded calmly before continue again "I also cannot understand how Daemon able to make her expressions like that… and Lacey… she had changed… in a good way… she is not a little girl anymore… I have to trust her…"
G. was about to utter a protest until Alaude came. "We have found out Deviola Family's base. The man we had caught had finally told us after some interrogation." At this news, Giotto and G. went silent for a moment.
"For real? Where is it?" G asked, breaking the silence. "Follow me. You can meet the man that told us about this now…" Alaude walked away from the room with Giotto and G. follow him behind.
"We finally… able to find their base… we will finally end this war soon…!"
Lacey's room, Whitehouse of Vongola
Lacey chatted with Éclair, Talbot, Ugetsu, and Lampo. Her condition had become much better after Talbot gave her some medicine that he made from his so-called secret herbs. The room became livelier with the music that flows throughout the room from her music box.
"You really like that music box, are you not?" Talbot commented.
Lacey smiled and nodded. "This is very special to me…" she said while holding her music box.
"Where did you get that music box?" Ugetsu asked. Lampo shuddered at his question and about to say something, but it's too late.
"I get this from Spade." She answered calmly. Her tone was no longer hesitated to answer this. Of course this gave Ugetsu, Éclair, and Talbot a shock. Lacey kept smiling until they finally overcome their shock and snapped out.
"Daemon…? He gave you this…? He still visits you…?" Ugetsu asked.
Lacey nodded, still smiling "I will always welcome him here…regardless of anything you said… Because of him…I have finally found something important…" Her eyes clearly showed what she meant and what she feels.
Talbot smiled as he observed her. "So… it seems you able to touch that man's heart…" Talbot thought, somehow feeling proud of her. Éclair, Ugetsu, and Lampo also noticed this. They realized that she had changed…in good way. They still couldn't trust Daemon, though.
"By the way…soon it will be my birthday, will all of you celebrate it with me?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, of course! We will make the party more splendid than last year!" Lampo cheered.
"We are busy, but that does not mean we forget about your birthday, so do not worry. We also had bought you presents." Talbot added.
The cheerful atmosphere returned again. They shared laughter together at certain conversation until the end of the visit.
Outside tower, inside forest
"It is good that Lacey much better now. She had grown into a strong woman…" Ugetsu commented. The others nodded in agreement.
"But still… it is hard to believe if it was Daemon who changed her that way… I still think he is plotting something…" Éclair added
"How can woman as innocent as Lacey can be so close with… some cruel person like Daemon…" Lampo added again.
Talbot stopped for a moment as he turned to three guardians behind him. "Why do not we try to trust Sir Daemon? Maybe we will know the reason why Lady Lacey is so attached to him." He suggested.
Éclair quickly dismissed this and rejected the idea "Sorry, but I cannot. For now, I will observe him to make sure he did not do anything bad…" she stated.
Talbot sighed "Okay, you may do as you wish then… but allow me to accompany you on observing him… there is one thing I want to find out…" Talbot grinned widely.
Vongola garden, Vongola HQ
Daemon walked around the garden, his mind deep in thought. He then stopped as he saw a certain flowers, spider lilies. The flowers she had picked two days ago. Red Poisonous flower she called beautiful.
"I have no intention to celebrate your birthday with your brother and other guardians… though, if is it only the two of us… I do not mind..."
"Why did I say that…? It is her birthday, her own business, so why do I care…? Though, it might be better that way… I am not enjoying any celebration with Primo and the others…it will make me as same as them." He muttered under his breath.
Daemon picked the spider lily. He looked at it as he remembered the day when he and Lacie went to the riverbank. Her expression, her touch, her words, her gaze, her smile…
He chuckled as he thought of this. "I am really started to out of my mind…how foolish of me…this is not like me at all…" This thought immediately dismissed as Knuckle called him.
"Daemon! We have to gather at the meeting room now! We have found out enemy's hideout!" he shouted.
"Are you sure?" Daemon asked.
Knuckle nodded "We are sure to the extreme! Theo had confirmed this information. Let us go now, Primo and the others are waiting." Without anymore question, Daemon and Knuckle went to the meeting room.
Meeting room, third floor, Vongola HQ
"Theo, you really sure of this, are you not?" Giotto talked to the butler in front of him.
Theo nodded "Yes, I had gain many proves of this information. There is no doubt that this place is indeed their hideout." He handed him papers.
"Thank you Theo, you may leave now." Giotto thanked the butler. Theo bowed to his boss before leaving the room.
"That butler… Theo… I always saw him act as a messenger from a month ago until now…" G. commented as he threw his cigarette into trash bin.
"He is indeed reliable. His information always accurate and we never doubt of this, though, I am confused how he get this information. It must be hard to get it." Giotto replied, observing the papers.
"But I never thought that that man we captured will revealed us this many information so quick. He at first refused to answer until that butler came and interrogated him he suddenly became somehow… obedient…" G. commented.
"Let us concentrate on forming the plan to invade their base… we have to end this war quickly, as soon as possible…!"
"Yeah! This time, we have to end this!"
