Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.
Coming of Age (Part 10)
Voices swirled around him as one question bled into the next. His own voice, too, mixed in with what must be an answer, but what was asked and what he replied remained uncertain. He could only hear the silence of the one voice he desired to speak.
But for all his silence, he could feel him watching. Those eyes, hard and piercing, penetrated his resolve and to meet that gaze would be his undoing. With all his strength, Regis steadied his own voice, forcing blurred words to form and fearing the sounds would betray him.
And, then, the voices stopped. His clan leader stood beside him and with a curt motion, they began to move. This, too, seemed unfocused. Step after step until his mind finally cleared, and he became aware they were going home.
Should he say something? Apologize? Regis stared at his grandfather's back and watched silver hair brushed against his shoulders as he walked. Silence. Was he angry? He must be. And disappointed. Ashamed?
Gejutel opened the door to the house and finally looked back at his grandson. "Regis."
"Clan leader, I-"
"Remain here." With that, he turned around and left Regis alone in the open doorway with nothing but the silence.
[-] [-] [-]
"You're back." Tao didn't bother to hide that he had been waiting for them. "How'd it go? Did Regis impress them?"
Rai passed him and quietly sat down in an overstuffed yellow chair. Frankenstein followed, leaving Tao's questions unanswered. "Master, I am certain Gejutel will come here soon."
"Prepare tea for him."
"Yes, Master." Frankenstein nodded and turned back to Tao. "Call the others here."
"Alright, boss!" Tao saluted and disappeared through a corridor.
By the time Frankenstein returned with tea, everyone had gathered. "You should know I have chosen to place Regis in a compromising situation. It is unlikely that he or Seira will return here."
"What does that mean?" Takeo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Doesn't he have time before the ceremony?"
"Rather, he will not be allowed to return here."
That caught M-21's attention. "What happened?"
"I am helping Regis acquire something he desires. This will not be easy for him." Frankenstein poured tea for his master and set a second cup across from an empty chair. "Gejutel will arrive shortly. You three-"
A sharp knock shook the door.
"Tao, let him in." Frankenstein set out four more cups and quickly filled them.
"Welcome!" Tao pulled open the door, and Gejutel entered without acknowledging the greeting.
"Frankenstein, I need to speak with you."
"You say that so seriously." Frankenstein smiled, knowing charm would not work on this man. "My master would like you to join us for tea."
[-] [-] [-]
Regis waited. For what? He couldn't be sure. For his clan leader to return, certainly. For Seira? It was like her to be with him at times like this. Perhaps even Karias with his unsubtle comforts. But who arrived was unexpected.
"Rajak-nim." Regis suppressed his surprise. "My clan leader isn't here."
"Come with me." He said and immediately turned to leave. Regis had no choice but to follow.
[-] [-] [-]
It smelled of mint. Gejutel gently swirled the brown liquid in the cup and forced himself to take a drink. It tasted of mint.
"Do you enjoy it, Master?" Frankenstein beamed while ignoring his guest. "It's a new flavor."
"I find it satisfactory." Rai set his empty cup in the saucer, and Frankenstein immediately refilled it.
"I am pleased you like it."
"Frankenstein." Gejutel cradled his cup in his hands to avoid it being refilled. "I need to speak to you."
"Of course! What would you like to say?"
"Privately." He strained the tone slightly and glanced at the others.
"We'll leave." Tao stood and waved for Takeo to follow. "M-21, come on. You don't want to impose on Regis' grandpa."
Grandpa. Gejutel narrowed his eyes. "Why do you insist on referring to me as such? I am a clan leader."
"Hmm, was that a befitting response?" Frankenstein refilled his cup and sent a fresh wave of mint through the air. "Have you forgotten you are also his grandfather?"
"Of course not. What are you implying?"
"Tao, go ahead and answer his first question."
"Ah…" Tao looked from one to the other but had no choice but to become involved. "I guess for the same reason I call Regis 'No. 3.' There's a sense of comradeship to it. Regis would never say it himself, but I think he likes to hear it."
"I see." Gejutel placed his cup on the coffee table. Mint tea tasted worse lukewarm.
Frankenstein quickly topped it off as the others left and the real conversation came into play. "Well, why have you come here?"
"I believe you know." He kept his voice even, controlled. "What are you planning? Why do you want Regis?"
"I believe you are mistaken. I do not want Regis for anything."
"That question!" His voice raised, and Gejutel quickly returned it to a natural level although he couldn't hide the edge in his words. "You ask a question like that during the inquiry, and you insist it's nothing? Have you considered the connotation of that question?"
"I have." Frankenstein met his glare with a smile. "Have you considered that I did not ask it because I didn't know the answer? If I knew what he would say, who did I want to hear the answer, I wonder?"
"Frankenstein, I-"
"No, Gejutel K. Landegre, It wasn't for your sake."
CoA