Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or P&P... all rights reserved to their owners...
Chapter : 9
The room was filled with awe as the three newcomers approached, with Tora escorting Misaki. All of them curtsied; the music, the dance and everything else continued.
Misaki, Inspector Norris and his wife were received by Lady Everglott and her nephew, Usui. After the introduction, they dined together; while the others were talking with vigor, though Usui spoke a little while Misaki spoke none at all. But the truth is that she was merely observing them.
As Misaki took a spoonful of her meal, she heard Lady Everglott talking about her, "Upon my word, Jane, your lady companion is such a silent fellow, making her to look like some unintelligent woman of her age. Has her parents deprived her of education?" Upon hearing this, Misaki looked down to her food in order to hide her blushing face, to find time to compose herself of her slight anger, as well as to pretend that she was ashamed.
Usui's face altered for he was embarrassed by his aunt's words. But, controlling his feelings inside, he calmly said, "But I do believe, your ladyship, that in measuring the intelligence of a person, one does not refer alone if a person talks to other people or not, in a gathering such as these. The silence itself is, somehow, intelligence itself, depending on the circumstance."
"And what do you mean on that kind of circumstance, Takumi? Remember, in a society such as this, especially of hers, that a person who rarely, if not never, talks must have nothing to say, hence a person of little knowledge," Lady Everglott said.
"Circumstances, your ladyship, when a person decides to not share his or her opinion on a topic which she deemed unnecessary to talk about, which his or her intuition tells her that it will make the matters worse," Usui replied.
"I do not know about you," said Tora, "But I agree with Takumi at some point"
"And how about you, Francis, what do you say?" asked the lady.
"I say that Miss Ayuzawa speak for herself," the inspector replied.
"Well, you, young lady, what do you say? Did your parents provide you a governess?" asked the lady to Misaki.
Misaki looked up to Lady Everglott as she was asked by her and said, "My sister and I never had one. Rather, our parents provide us our education."
"But why of silence? I am not used to young girls of your age ever speak so rarely. I remember Lady Chevalier's daughter Angelique; that girl is such a lively fellow and a well-rounded girl. Don't you think, Takumi?" (Takumi only gave a nod then continued his meal. )
"Your ladyship, if my silence does offend you, I do apologize for it; I was only admiring on such an elegant ball you hosted."
"Yes, I do always receive that comment; my guest never got home without a word on my ball. 'So very grand', they always say," Lady Everglott said, "Now, Jane, about the tapestry you bought..."
Then, they continued on to their previous topics, leaving Misaki to eat her meal; Usui never said a word to their discussions ever again, except when needed. Amidst the talking, as Misaki finished eating, Inspector Norris said, "Pardon me but, it seems that my wife forgot her purse..."
"But I believe that I didn't..."
But Inspector Norris interrupted his wife and said, "I wonder where it could be? Miss Ayuzawa, do you think it was left in the coach?"
Misaki, joining his act, said, "If you like, I will check it myself."
"Oh, please do. You're an angel, Miss Ayuzawa" said Inspector Norris.
"Shall I accompany you, Miss Ayuzawa? Or perhaps you would like Takumi to join you," Tora said.
Misaki smiled and, after politely declining his offer, excused herself and left.
-0-
Misaki was left by Inspector Norris on her own to find her way to speak to Lady Chevalier; he will only distract Lady Everglott of their plan. She did not asked anyone of Lady Chevalier's room, for it would give out suspicion, and they would rather play safe. As Misaki left the hall, she first waited by the pillar on a corner near the entrance and made sure that she won't look anyone suspicious. She waited a little while until a maid passed by and she followed her in the shadows and also made sure that she would not ruin her attire. The maid finally arrived on the servants' quarters; Misaki listened carefully of their conversation. She was in luck that one of the servants was ordered to deliver tea to Lady Chevalier. As she did before, she followed her, until she was standing before Lady Chevalier's room. She waited first for the maid to go and then when that happened, she herself went inside.
At first she thought that the lady was not there, but a few seconds later, she found her relaxing in the terrace and enjoying her tea.
She slowly went to her, but Lady Chevalier turned towards her; Misaki, expecting a grouchy old lady, was quite surprised that she found the opposite. Lady Chevalier looked like someone in their thirties, though according to the information that the inspector told her that she is forty-years-old. She has a more amiable aura than her friend, and when she saw Misaki, instead of getting angry, she wondered why a guest would come in her room. "Perhaps, young miss, are you lost in here? Are you looking for the grand hall?"
"Oh, uh, I have to say yes. I'm really sorry for bothering you. I... I was looking for my companion..."
"Oh, not at all. Rather, do you mind if you accompany me for a few moment?" asked Lady Chevalier.
Misaki agreed and she was invited by the lady to sit beside her. Misaki thanked her, to which she replied, "I'm sorry if I also bothered you to come here. I just missed my daughter so much. She is of the same age as of you, Miss?"
"Ayuzawa, ma'am, I am known by that name."
"Well, you see, Miss Ayuzawa, my daughter was missing few days back, and I was brought here by the advice of the police for some reason."
"Well, your ladyship, do you mind if you describe your daughter?"
"Not at all. She is a little bit taller than you, has blond hair and a fair skin. She is also highly skilled in using guns, I believe. Her father taught her, despite my objections. Wouldn't use a knife in her entire life due to an accident."
"Could you tell me if she was acting suspiciously?"
"Hmm... I have to say no... No... wait, there was a time where she received many letters from a single person, as the butler told me, and that the day when the cops found a body in her room, she was out with her personal maid, and returned without her. So far she did not talk with liveliness like before; she must have a problem which she did not tell me..."
"I see. Thank you, your ladyship, for your time. I am now needed by my companion," Misaki said "By the way, if it's alright with you, would you keep this little meeting a secret, Lady Chevalier?"
"Not at all, Miss Ayuzawa. I thank you for accompanying me," Lady Chevalier said, "By the way, can you promise something?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"If you ever found my daughter, would you give this to her?" Lady Chevalier asked as she handed Misaki a velvet box "Do you promise, in all you power, to find my daughter?"
Misaki smiled and answered a single word.
"Yes"
-0-
Lucky for Misaki, she remembered her way to the grand hall. On her way, she remembered the group's conversation during dinner. She could not help herself not to laugh, for she remembered Usui being so silent during their first meeting. She tried to conceal her laugh (she covered her mouth to do so) all the way that she almost did not notice someone was on her way and almost bumped into him. It was none other than the object of her laughter, Usui. She quickly stopped giggling as she saw him. Usui then spoke, "Miss Ayuzawa, would you do me the honor of asking you to dance?"
She then replied quickly, "Yes, you may."
Usui bowed and left; Misaki was so shocked that it seemed that her body moved on its own, thus her mouth uttered the words which she didn't want to say. But it was settled; she was to dance with him.
_END_
I am sorry that I have to cut in this part because the chapter will be too long... I am really sorry, I don't want to cut it either and I apologize for: a.) crappy chapter, b.) very very late update, c.) cliffhanger, d.) confusion and mistakes and many others...
Additional: I want to say I'm sorry to : Lexie-chan, Fin-chan and Ofe-san for not reviewing immediately... I'm really sorry... so stressful... and I wanted to relax a bit... sorry...
And I would also like to thank those who added my story (as well as my other stories) to their favourites, those who subscribed and supported... thank you!
Until the next chapter!
Lovelots!