Note: Standard Disclaimers Applied

Chapter 10: Revealed

The silence in the room was unnerving and there was a tinge of tension hovering in the air. Andrew unclenched his fist as he released a pent up breath. The information that had just been told to him swirled around and the sign of an upcoming headache nagged for his attention. Instead Andrew focused on the question at hand.

"Are you certain about this, Jason?" the leather armchair squeaked as the occupant leaned back and stared at the dark haired man before him.

The count nodded. "Yes I am."

"You are my friend, Jason and I value honesty," Andrew stared pointedly at his friend as he allows the man before him catch the hint behind the words.

The count nodded again. "And as I. You have known me for long, Andrew and you should know that I have never told any falsehood to you."

"People can change with temptation as Adam had when he plucked the forbidden fruit." Andrew leaned forward and continued, "But I trust you. Don't make me regret it."

Jason nodded at the statement. The gravity of honesty had always been stressed between them and fortunately both had pass with ease. One could never drop his guard. Intending to ease the tension in the room, Jason chuckled heartily. "How long have you had that tick on your jaw?"

It took a few seconds before an amused chuckle was heard, the tension finally lifted.

"Coffee milord?"

"Not now Simon." Andrew watched as the butler settled the china set onto the polished table. Jason had left an hour ago which left ample time for him to totally let the information sink it. Up till now, he still quite couldn't believe it. Andrew lets out an irritated sigh, swallowing the urge to curse. This complicates his very expertly laid out plan. He needs a new plan and it had to be quick. A sudden thought brought his head up.

"Simon, you have been with us for a long time, am I right?"

"Yes milord. Been serving while you were still a bairn." The old highlander answered as he smiled at the memory.

Inclining his head to the butler, Andrew voiced out another question. "Then your connections to the other servants are also well established?"

"Established may not be 'tae right word milord. 'Tis more of a family bond."

Andrew was silent for a while as he pondered on a certain idea. "What about your connections to the house of the Harcorte?"

A lopsided smile creased the tips of the butler's lips. Years of servitude to the family has established a very close bond to the members of the Blazewood family to the point of understanding their ways of mind. His blood sings with adrenaline as his instincts kicked in. The young master is planning something and he can feel it. Instead of answering the question, he shot out one of his own. "What do you need young master?"

A wicked smile crossed the duke's face as he shared his strategy. If things goes off as plan…

"The room to Moonlight Sonata."

The receptionist snapped his head up at the sharp command. A sandy haired man dressed in pristine white tunic with black jacket and a pair of matching breeches stared down at him. An adam's apple bobbed up and down as the receptionist took note of the house emblem on the duke's jacket.

"Five storeys up and the last one of the left wing, your grace. I could show you the way," the receptionist stood up, fully intending to show the duke the way.

The Duke of Blazewood shook his head and raised his hand, immediately stopping the receptionist. "Don't bother."

A pair of boots clipped onto the parquet flooring, once in a while gleaming off the light from the candelabra on the walls. Striding the last few distance, a double mahogany door greeted him. An inscription of gold on the center confirmed the stranger of the room.

Moonlight Sonata.

Without wasting anymore time, the Duke of Blazewood reached for the handle and opened the door. A sharp intake of breath was heard from the duke and his eyes widened. "What the hell!"

Bunching his muscles on his foreleg, Diamond jumped up the last ledge and onto a spacious balcony. Ears twitched around and he sniffed the air, testing it. Satisfied that none had breach his lair, the large feline prowled to the end of the bed. Though his body was slightly protesting at the stress the magic was causing, he ignored it. The only thing that he should concentrate on is his appearance at the upcoming ball.

Which reminded him… closing his eyes, he let the familiar magic washed over him.

Andrew watched with disbelief as the feline creature arched its back in an impossible angle. The second it did, a large vortex of white and blue ribboned itself around the small figure. The air around the creature crackled with power and every so often a small bolt of electricity clapped. Odd, though the energy was apparent, not a single sound reverberated through the room.

After a while, the storm calmed down. Andrew's eyes widened as an extremely lean and sculptured man crouched over the place that the feline once stood. He watched as the panting body brought his silver head up. Finally snapping out of his stupor, the duke walked in and closed the door, bringing the head to snap to his direction. A pair of indigo eyes stared at him.

Walking to the naked man, he took hold of the tunic that hung on settee and passed it to him. The man took it warily, donning it. Settling himself on the large settee, Andrew leaned his forward, bracing his arms on his knees, his eyes darkened dangerously. "You got a lot of explanation to do, Highness. Don't worry I have all the time in the world."

Demando sighed and magically willed a pair of breeches on him, earning him another questioning look. Walking to the bed, he sat on it and looked at the hostile duke. His mind treaded carefully on the explanation he is going to give. He has to play his cards right knowing that he would lose his only wildcard if he didn't. "What do you want to know?"

"What the hell are you? The devil?"

Demando knew that this day would come but he didn't expect it to be this fast. He had better explain from the start else he doubts he will achieve his goal with ease. After all, the punishment witchcraft is death and he doubt Serena would except his corpse as her husband. "My name is Diamond Demando of Dark Moon, the king of Dark Moon and the Moon Kingdom."

Andrew arched an eyebrow and snorted. "I've checked with my resources and there isn't a single country called Dark Moon or the Moon Kingdom. Try harder Highness."

The muscle in his jaw ticked. How the hell does one explain to a person that you are not from this world? "You are wrong Andrew, the place exist but not in this dimension." His hand immediately raise up, stopping the duke from interrupting. "If you want me to explain you have to remain silent, Andrew."

Not being used to being ordered around, Andrew glared at the witchcraft apparition. "Fine but it had better be good."

Taking a deep breath, Demando began a full version of his adventure. It took a long while for the retelling but all the while, the duke had been true to his promise. Not once was there an interruption even though his throat ached as he controlled his urge to question the ridiculous story. When the retelling was finished, his mind had swirled with floating images of a kingdom from other dimension, a talking black cat and a person who claimed reverently that he is not associated with the witchcraft society. Hell it was just too much for a mere human to handle. Perhaps that was the reason why he is seated in the settee, his jacket strewn carelessly on the floor and a large helping of strong spirit in his hand. Taking another mouthful, he silently savored the heat that had trailed down his throat. At least that is real.

Indigo eyes watched his friend's antics and couldn't help but felt amused. He had not wanted to give him the full truth yet but upon his friend's insistence, he had complied. Strong hand fingered through his silver hair. He had better set his friend straight; he had a haunch that his beauty would not be please to know that her cousin had been reduced to a pondering simpleton due to him.

"Are you alright Andrew? You need more brandy?"

Forest green eyes turned sharply at him.

"Well at least he still has some sanity left in him," Demando thought inwardly.

Andrew cracked his neck as he tries to reign in his thoughts. With a grace of a swan, Andrew leaned forward and set the spirit onto the end table next to him. "I don't know what to say, Demando. The story is just like a fairytale, a fable, a story that a mother created to amuse her child to sleep." Bringing his eyes up, he pinned the silver haired man with his stare. "But this I can assure you, hurt Serena and I shall make sure even the dimensional holes and your soldiers can't defend you from my wrath."

Demando nodded his acknowledgement as he locked gazes with Andrew. "You have my word that I shall never harm Serena."

Now it was Andrew's turn to nod. "Then I want to know what exactly your intentions towards my cousin are."

"I love her and I want her as my soulmate," Demando answered, his eyes mirroring his words.

A few seconds ticked by before Andrew finally broke the staring contest. Sighing, he stood up and walked towards his dimensional-thrown friend, his face expressionless. Without a warning, he slapped Demando's back and grinned at the astonished look on Demando's face. "Well now that it's settled, let me give you some pointers on Serena. I have a feeling you are going to need it in the future."

Somewhere deeply imbedded in the corners of Andrew's little mind, a miniature Andrew hopped around in a victory dance, chortling merrily. What was the old saying again? The wedding bells are ringing, the bride is smiling… but what would the cousin be doing? The little Andrew giggled uncontrollably. Why, the cousin is matchmaking…

Sighing, Demando closed the door and rested his head on the massive door. Hell that was a very eventful afternoon and thank lord it went very smoothly. The unexpected turn of events had taken quite a strain on his tensed demeanor. The surprised visit from Andrew was the major blow. It had shocked him to find Andrew in his chambers and watching his changing and luckily it had ended well. It had grated his nerves that the security in the hotel is not as promising as it had sounded. Hell he need to talk to the manager of the hotel about this.

Turning around, he took a few steps towards the bed, the call of sleep numbing his senses when a slight rap on the door stopped him. Muttering an oath under his breath, he turned around to answer the door. Who the hell is it now?

He almost jerked the door off its hinges in irritation. His eyes scanned the corridor, taking in everything the candles had illuminated before resting on a familiar face. A middle aged man grinned ruefully at him; his fangs glinted in the dimness of the candlelight. Do normal humans have fangs? Warily he asked, "Whistler?"

"Your highness," the old man bowed low, his ebony hair slightly parted, showing Demando his pair of twitching pointed ears.

Instantly he knew something amiss was up. No normal human would have a pair of canine teeth and a pair of pointed ears even if they were costumes. He made a mental note to have a talk with the manager about allowing unauthorized visitors taking leisure stroll into his room first thing tomorrow. "How may I assist you?"

The eyes that once used to be human had slit upwards, the violet orbs glinted at him. Though no lips had moved, Demando had heard the voice clearly in his mind. Your highness, tis I, Ryu, your loyal servant.

An image of his personal guard flashed in his mind. Ryu, the dragon demon who was gifted the power of shape shifting, the demon whom he had saved during one of his battles with his enemies whom in return had pledged his life into his servitude as his personal guard. That explains the rapidly changing irises. Smiling, he stepped aside and let the dragon demon in.

Closing the door, he turned to the fully morphed demon, smiling at the contented look on his guard's face. "Is everything going smoothly at home?"

Flexing his claws once again, Ryu brought his gaze to his king's, his eyes glinted. Everything is fine, your highness.

"Then why are you here?" Demando asked, pouring himself a glass of wine, taking note of the almost finished wine and the empty bottle of brandy. Amazing at how fast these things finished at the thought of another problem. "So why are you here?"

The demon laughed softly, spitting out small fire from his mouth. Plenty of reasons, your highness. I'm not sure which one you would want to hear.

Demando arched an eyebrow. The demon rarely laughed and if some had already concluded that the demon had no sense of humor in him. "Amuse me, Ryu." Demando said as he settled himself onto the settee.

Setsuna and Sapphire sent me saying you need protection. Haruka sent me saying to make sure you didn't brawl without her. Minako sent me saying to make sure I assist you in finding your true love. The dragon answered as he counted off his fingers.

The last answer had made Demando smirked. A picture of a smiling golden haired beauty flashed in his mind, true love indeed. "And I take it you came here not because of them, am I right?"

The demon laughed softly again. If it would save me from them, then yes I came here to save myself.

Demando joined in the laughter, knowing from experience how very reactive the senshi and his generals could be. He could just imagine the demon stuck in the middle of very highly reactive females whose chatters can wake the dead up especially the senshi of love.

"Now tell me why you chose to be Whistler."

They sent me here with no clues to your whereabouts and it would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack. Since you have a certain appeal towards weapons, I took a chance and became Whistler.

Suddenly all of the pieces were put together and things began to make sense. "That explains your knowledge to my kenjitsu. I was surprise someone from this dimension who know of it."

The demon smiled at the memory. Tis was an honor to witness your show of your skill, my king. The demon paused momentarily and looked at his liege respectfully. If I may ask, may I know who is that lady that you were with, my king?

A rare smile touched Demando's lips at the mention of a certain golden haired beauty. "Your future queen."

The answer seemed to startle the demon. A knowing smile soon replaced the look and his eyes sparkled. A very wise choice, my king. Just as Sailor Venus had predicted. But does she know of your position, my liege?

An exasperated sigh escaped Demando. When was the last time he had this conversation? Oh yes, a moment ago with Andrew. "No she does not, which complicates things a little."

The demon nodded in understanding. If you would allow me, I would be glad to assist you, my king.

The sudden declaration suddenly brought him out of his musings. Turning to the demon, he said, "Ryu you had better be true to your words because I'm going to make sure you keep to it."

Indigo eyes glinted in earnest. Plan three is near complete…

A/N: hi again! Thanks for reviewing and diligently waited for this chapter. I actually wanted to pend it longer so I can add in the ballroom thingy and stuffs but since I saw how packed up my work schedule is going to be like in the coming week, I might as well post this up.

For those who is still thinking how Ryu looks like, just imagine a demon from Inuyasha. Oh yeah here's a small little scoop for those Inuyasha lovers out there, I'm gonna start writing one! Woohoo! Dun worry I'll make sure I finish this fic first..

I do hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Ciaoz!

zackire