Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.

Coming of Age (Part 11)

"Someone's here." Tao's fingers clicked across his keyboard as several more windows popped up. "They're outside the house."

"How did they get that close before you noticed them?" Takeo shoved Tao over so he could see the yellow dot slowly move across a black screen.

"Ah, I was listening to something else."

"Don't tell me you were eavesdropping on the boss."

"I may have dropped an earpiece in the chair…accidentally."

"Tao, he's going to find out."

"Shouldn't we focus on the invader right now?" Tao redirected his attention to his computer. "Who could it be?"

"It's Seira." M-21 announced. "You can see her from the window."

[-] [-] [-]

It wasn't for his sake. Gejutel allowed the thought to echo through his mind, but the resounding words offered no answer. Whose sake, then?

Frankenstein continued to cheerfully dote upon his master as if his actions had no consequences. Did this display mean he had succeeded in whatever he had planned? Even the conversation now lacked the usual insults. It prevented Gejutel from showing any vestiges of anger and made him ponder just why he had come here. "If you thought to help Regis by asking that question, you only succeeded in placing him in jeopardy. To force him to choose between his clan and him, what were you thinking?"

"Is that what you believe I asked?" Frankenstein exhaled slowly. "In words, perhaps, but in essence?"

"What do you mean?"

Tap Tap Tap

"The question was not for your sake, but neither was it for Regis." Frankenstein stood and pulled open the door. "Ah, Miss Seira, I didn't expect you so soon."

"I am looking for Regis. Has he come here?"

"I left him at home." Gejutel walked over to her. "He is still there."

"That is not so."

"I told him to stay there. He wouldn't have disobeyed my order."

"Gejutel," Frankenstein frowned and folded his arms, "did you leave Regis confused and alone just because you were upset with me?"

Confused and alone. Regis wouldn't have… He must have been under immense pressure after Seira's failed ceremony. Was he afraid to face the same fate? Did he hide his desire to remain in the human world until Frankenstein forced him to admit it publicly? If he hadn't already been in a state of ambivalence, that question would have created it. And his own actions? Gejutel thought of their last parting. Did it seem as an abandonment? Even so, Regis wouldn't have… He wouldn't have run away… Would he?

"I will find him." Without hesitation, Gejutel set out in search of the boy.

"Seira, you should stay here until the ceremony." Frankenstein cast one more look after Gejutel and slowly shut the door. "Regis will be fine."

"Yes, I know."

"And you three, I know you're listening."

[-] [-] [-]

One hundred years had passed since the first time Regis had walked through these doors. His grandfather had lead him down the carpeted path while avoiding stares from the lord and clan leaders. It was against the rules, coming before the throne uninvited, but no one asked him to leave. Afraid and trembling, he clung to his grandfather's hand and tried not to sob as he hid his face in his sleeve. Others ran in and out, delivering frantic messages and confirming his apprehensions. All at once, his grandfather lifted him into his arms and ran to the home of the Roiard clan. Seira. He had seen her before but never like this. Never so numb. His clan leader took her hand, too. One hundred years since the night their fathers had died.

Standing here again with the fear of losing someone dear to him brought the images to the forefront of his mind. His clan leader must have felt the same way he had that night. He must have suppressed his own grief and confusion so that Regis could have someone to lean on, and when the news of the second death came, he extended that support to Seira.

Looking back now, did his clan leader suspect the trader's involvement? That night, it was more than mere comfort to morning children. It was protection. They were safe as long as they were with him.

He opened his eyes at the sound of footsteps. Rajak still stood wordlessly to his left. Regis shifted his body into a respectable stance and awaited the approach of the lord.

CoA