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"However I will warn you in advance, you will be quite surprised with the result,"
Those words played inside Holly' head like a broken record player. That was the last thing that boy said before he went to the safely of Artemis Senior's side as they left the manor. Somehow, he knew that Holly can't do anything to him as long as he is near the Fowl patriarchs.
What could that boy possibly mean by those words? It's either he is playing with her mind or he is telling the truth.
Holly shuddered at the latter thought. If this boy is hiding something, Holly doubts she would like it.
Holly just finished sending Foaly the scanned data of the hair sample she took from Temmy. The result will come in less than five hours; in maximum time, knowing Foaly's present situation. If they could just know who the boy's parents are, they can easily trace his origin.
All she has to do now is to wait; not that it was helping with Holly's mood of course.
Artemis has something to do with this whole thing or else he wouldn't just let her do this whole investigation thing alone. Holly thought of asking the said Irish genius if he does know something about this situation but a certain memory changed her mind.
She witnessed how Artemis lied in her face and how she failed to notice it. If he could do it once, he could do it again. Even though Artemis already apologized about that, Holly has been cautious ever since.
Holly shook her head slightly as if it would help get her mind off such things.
Maybe it was wrong to doubt her friend, seeing how he changed so much for the past years
Holly sighed as she walked towards a huge closet and began choosing something to wear for the occasion to get her mind off somewhere. But then instead of picking up a gown for her to try on, Holly just stared blankly at the numerous gowns hanging in the closet.
Holly made a mental note to tell Artemis that this is the last time she will attend the family's Christmas ball or any other formal parties associated with the Fowls. She would rather go on a retrieval mission or even do some office paper works than to go in this ball.
A knock from the door and the sound of someone opening it snapped Holly's mental complaints.
It was Juliet; already dressed for the occasion. She was wearing a sparkly silver gown with matching shoes, jewelry and make-up. Her hair was tied up in a stylish ponytail tied to one side. She looked more like a normal teenage girl going to a prom than a presidential bodyguard. Holly could only guess what kind of weapon she is hiding in her outfit.
"Aren't you going to get ready?" she asked with a small smile.
"Later," Holly bit her lip, "Maybe,"
"Later, maybe?" Juliet repeated, eyes wide in surprise, like Holly said something unbelievable. Then she let out a groan and placed her palm on her forehead, "Oh Holly,"
"What?"
"Holly, everyone in the family is looking forward to this event. Mrs. Angeline has been convincing Artemis to invite you to this event for months. She really wants you to join the family in this event, Holly," Juliet explained, "You can't just throw that offer away. Besides the twins are growing fond of you,"
Holly bit her lip then sighed, glaring at Juliet playfully, "You just have to say that, don't you?"
That made Juliet laugh as she held both hands up in a fake surrender, "It's the truth" she said
"I can help you prepare and I wont take no for an answer," Juliet added with a smirk but that smirk immediately turned into a laugh when she saw Holly's facial expression - a mixture of dread and doubt.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Holly said uncertainly, shaking her head as she started backing away from Juliet.
Juliet pouted, "I said I wont take no for an answer,"
"It just sounded dangerous when -" Holly stopped and noticed what Juliet is doing, "Oh no….I'm not….You may fool Artemis with that but not me…Juliet…."
Juliet put on her best puppy-dog look, "Please?"
That's when Holly made a mistake in looking at Juliet's direction. Juliet's puppy-dog look is one of the best convincing weapon the Butler Girl has that even Artemis can sometimes give in because of that look..
"Alright, but no so much on the girly stuff," Holly said reluctantly, knowing she will regret this decision later on.
Juliet squealed, clapping her hands as she twirled around; her smile stretched from ear to ear, sending shivers down Holly's spine.
Oh Frond, that can't be good, Holly thought.
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After Holly washed and dried herself, Juliet immediately proceeded in applying make-up to the elf. It was not a quiet job though. Protest can be heard every five minutes till Juliet finished. After that, Juliet insisted that she needs to arrange Holly's hair first before she lets her put on the gown she picked for her. The gown Juliet picked for her was, of course, wonderfully made; one of the most beautiful gowns Holly has ever seen. It was as if it was entirely made just for her. But then again, this is the Fowls so maybe they did hire the best seamstress there is to make the gown.
However, the gown was not what Holly had in mind. Other than the fact that the gown has a tube-style top, it was also colored pink. The cloth the seamstress used for the gown was made with some sort of glittery velvet kind of fabric with matching elbow length gloves.
Juliet was brushing Holly's hair when someone knocked on the large wooden doors of the room but before Juliet could put down the brush and open the door, someone already opened it from the outside. The person peeped in to check the occupants in the room.
It was Angeline Fowl.
At the sight of the two girls, she smiled warmly then she stepped inside the room; closing the door behind her in the process.
"Almost ready?" she inquired
"Almost, Mrs. Fowl," Juliet answered politely, "Just doing Holly's hair."
"I'll do that for you," Angeline sad as she walked towards then. Holly could see their facial expressions on the large mirror in front of her. She could see that Juliet is slightly confused by what Angeline said and was about to speak out a protest but Angeline seemed to sense that. With a sigh, Angeline told the Butler Girl the reason, "Arty needs some assistance in his…erm…presents. He wants you to supervise the inspection with Timothy and I must warn you in advance it's quite a large pile."
Realization immediately crept on Juliet's face as she listened to the explanation. She let out a heavy sigh then set the brush down.
"I think they recruited more members this year," Juliet said with a weary smile while Holly casted a slightly confused look at the mirror so Juliet could see it. And she did. Juliet immediately smiled; a kind of smile that one can't really determine if it's a form of mockery or amazement.
"Oh, Artemis has his own fan club ever since his school became a co-ed academy," Juliet explained. Upon hearing the words fan club, Holly's eyes grew slightly wide and her jaw nearly dropped open in surprise.
"Timothy is waiting for you in the gift room," Angeline said. Juliet nodded then left without a word.
Angeline took the brush from the table and began doing what Juliet was doing a while back. She glanced at Holly just in time to catch her slightly puzzled looked. Angeline mentally smiled for an unknown reason.
"You seem surprised," Angeline began, in an attempt to start a conversation
"I just never thought of Artemis having a fan club," Holly answered politely
Angeline laughed, "True. I was surprised at first too. It is composed of a group of vampire crazy girls from his school who believes that Artemis is some hot vampire hero manifested to life. Or something like that,"
Holly couldn't help but smile at that. She has heard about the so-called 'Twilight Fever' that affected thousands of mudgirls over the world. Even Juliet was addicted to that vampire inspired novel and wouldn't stop talking about it for almost two weeks.
"For every special event they would send Arty various gifts in hopes that he'll date one of them," Angeline added as she began putting numerous hairpins in Holly's hair.
"What does he do with all those gifts?" Holly asked, both in order to continue the conversation and in pure curiosity. She wondered why Artemis didn't tell her anything about his vampire-crazy fan club. Then a mental image of Foaly typing away in his computer with a huge evil grin plastered on his face suddenly popped in her mind.
'Maybe that's one of the reasons,' Holly thought
"Honestly, I don't know," Angeline answered with a frown as she looked at Holly on the mirror, "I think it depends on the style of the gift. Sometimes he gives some of the gifts to charity houses as an anonymous donor,"
Holly frowned, "That's just harsh,"
Angeline let out a laugh; a sweet melodic laugh.
"Honestly, I can't imagine how he survives in St. Bartleby with all his fan girls nagging him," Angeline said. This time it was Holly's turn to laugh; not a fake laugh but a real one.
"I can't imagine either how he rejects every confession. I feel sorry for the girl already," Holly said, "I wonder if there is someone who can pass Artemis' qualifications for a girlfriend,"
Angeline smiled at that, "Well there is one," she said as she and Holly met eyes as they looked at the mirror, "But I don't think Arty realizes that he loves her yet."
"I just hope the girl feels the same for him when he realized his feelings," Angeline added, turning around to get a fancy ribbon for Holly's hair from the drawer near the closet.
That sent the gears in Holly's mind turning. Who could she possibly mean?
"I hope everything will turn out perfectly for them though," Angeline said as she placed some finishing touches on Holly' hair style, "There all done,"
Holly looked at the mirror once again and her eyes widen for a bit at what she saw.
It wasn't like her at all.
"Now then, lets get you dressed up,"
-o-o-o-0-o-o-o-
Temmy leaned on the railing of the staircase, watching the busy caterers below him as they fuss here and there, making some final changes on things.
Temmy had seen how his family set up the usual Christmas Ball at the Manor. For the past two years, he even helped in the preparations since his grandmother convinced him that Riley can't do it alone. The Christmas Ball became a family tradition since who-knows-when but seeing it happen in his father's teenage years could only mean that the event started years before his father was even born.
As usual, the event was held in the Manor's banquet room. The decorations were nicely done and perfectly placed in their supposed positions. On the left side at the far-end of the room, about halfway between the floor and the floor of the second level of the room in a sort of high platform, musicians are starting to ready their instruments. Innumerable stuffed chairs have replaced traditional dining tables, so that people can eat and drink and do whatever they want in the utmost comfort. There was a large tiled space in the center of the room that serves as everything from a dance floor to a stage for the performers or just another spot to mingle with the guests.
And of course, the star of the evening is, of course, the food. Tables laden with delicacies from various countries line the walls cooked by world-renowned chefs. There were different kinds of roasted birds, cows, pigs and even goats. Also there were huge platters of ocean creatures like crabs, shrimps, drizzled in sauces. And of course, there were countless pastries, puddings and all sorts of desserts.
Still, even in the past, the Fowl Christmas ball has no equal. Everything was organized, as Temmy expected
So far he was ready for the event. He wore the finely made black tuxedo his grandmother bought for him with matching shiny black shoes and a dark blue necktie. His hair, however, no matter how he tried to comb it down, it was always that messy. Juliet said girls find that more attractive so he has nothing to worry about, which Temmy doubts.
Temmy once again looked at the scene before him and sighed. He could see it now; faces appear, names are exchanged, pictures taken, kisses brushed on cheeks. The typical party stuff.
After a few moments, Butler walked in, scanning the perimeter. Some of the caterers even dropped some pot and pan covers at the sight of Butler. Some froze on the spot and some never dared to look at him again. Of course, Butler ignored all of that and continued to monitor the area.
Temmy smirked at the scene. Typical.
So far, no one from the Butler kids has inherited such trait. One may look at the Butler kids for a long time and won't know that they are bodyguards in training, skilled with different combat skills. Cerise looks like a cheerleader, Theos looks like an office assistant manager (since he hangs around Riley often) and Jordan looks like a varsity soccer player.
Temmy glanced sideways, just in time to see Butler approaching him. He too, was already set for the event; wearing a black tuxedo, which probably held more that ten kinds of weapon, with a red tie.
"Everything okay?" Temmy asked casually
"So far everything is in order," the huge manservant answered, scanning the area from above.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Temmy said with a reassuring smile
Beneath that smile, however, Temmy doubt that everything will go on smoothly.
In his thirteen years of existence, Temmy was able to witness and prove that the Fowl Family is always attached to danger. Never did they experience celebrating a big event without something bad happening.
It was like the family is cursed, preventing them from having a peaceful and danger-free life.
"I hope…" Temmy muttered, mostly to himself but of course, the huge bodyguard heard him. Butler nodded once, not taking his eyes off the area he is scanning.
For a while the two watched the busy caterers from above as they went here and there. Temmy was always comfortable with Butler's presence, even though the other people around him don't feel the same.
"Temmy, may I ask you something," Butler began. Temmy looked up at him inquiringly, urging him to go on so Butler continued, "About your mother,"
"What about her?" Temmy asked quickly
"When you told Artemis who she is, how did he react to it?"
"He just looked up, blinked a couple of times then he closed his eyes again resuming to his original position. So I just continued and told him the things he needs to know," Temmy answered glumly, keeping his eyes fixed on the commotion below them. Temmy inwardly sighed and wished that Riley was the one in this situation instead of him. At least he knows what to do since it's his idea.
Butler didn't say a word for a while. True, his charge is good in masking his emotions when the situation calls it but the bodyguard couldn't help but wonder at how his charge deals with situations like this. Genius Artemis may be, he is still human. When Butler learned that Cerise is his daughter from the future, it was enough to keep him awake half the night just thinking, though me may not admit it to anyone else. Butler couldn't help but wonder how Artemis is dealing with the present situation right now.
"I'll do everything to change what happened," Temmy muttered to himself, not aware that he voiced out his thoughts. Though it was merely a whisper, Butler understood it.
"Why did your mother leave anyway?"
Temmy closed his eyes and sighed, "I don't know, Butler. I don't think father knows himself. She just left,"
Butler shook his head lightly, "That's not like her at all," he said
Temmy scowled, "Since you seem to know my mother well, can you at least tell me one valid reason why she did that?"
"Maybe it was for your own good," Butler answered, no matter how painful the answer is.
Temmy scoffed, "Maybe," he said half-heartedly then he let out a dejected sigh, "I don't know what to think of her now, Butler"
"It's not yet too late to change everything," Butler said as he placed a reassuring hand on Temmy's shoulder.
Temmy looked up to him, nodded then smiled, "Thanks old friend,"
Just then, Artemis Fowl II walked in the banquet room holding a black folder in one hand. Artemis scanned the room for a moment; clearly looking for something or someone. When he spotted Butler and Temmy he immediately headed to their direction.
"How's the preparations going, Artemis?" Butler asked once Artemis reached them.
Of course, Artemis is already suited up for the event too. He is wearing a black suit (specially made for the event, Butler said) with matching slacks, shoes and accessories such as the pocket watch Minerva gave him (though only the golden chain is visible) and a royal blue necktie that matched his now blue eyes perfectly. Since this is a large social event, taking to guest with a blue-hazel eye color won't do Artemis any good so he was forced to wear blue contact lenses. Temmy on the other hand, just thought of wearing hazel colored contact lenses so that he won't look like his father's twin brother. Top it off with a rose corsage Juliet made just for the event.
"Excellent Butler, everything seems to go according to plan," Artemis answered, "But of course, the compliments will go to Juliet for the decorations. She did all the planning,"
Temmy smiled.
"I was hoping I'd find you here," Artemis said to Temmy then handed him the black folder he is holding and a small communicating device, "I need to ask you a favor, I want you to help Juliet with the presents. Separate the gifts from those people whose names are printed with red ink. Call me up if you need help in anything,"
"Of course. Consider it done," Temmy said with a nod. After saying that Temmy excused himself as he went to do what he was told while Butler and Artemis watched him go.
Then Artemis turned to Butler, "I want you to keep an eye on these people, old friend" he said as he handed the huge manservant a folded piece of paper, "Father insisted of inviting them and I just couldn't say no. Don't worry old friend, they're not much of a threat but it's never wrong to be on guard,"
Butler mentally sighed but he nodded. Though he was expecting the Fowls ended all that has to do with the illegal world, there are some things that can't be avoided.
"How are you feeling about this whole situation, Artemis?"
"A little nervous and a little bit tired but that's just normal for an event like this. I'm a little sleepy too, since the twins woke me up early than expected this morning," Artemis answered and gave his bodyguard a prefect fake wondering look, "Why did you ask, old friend?"
Of course, Artemis knew what Butler meant about that question but since the manservant didn't specify, he just thought of sidetracking the topic. But Butler was not easily fooled.
"You know what I meant with question Artemis," Butler answered, "This whole situation, how is it affecting you?"
"You didn't specify what situation you meant old friend so I assumed it is about this current event," Artemis answered, pertaining to the Christmas Ball. Then he went to Temmy's previous position and watched as the musicians began to rehearse for a bit, "To answer your question, truth to be told Butler, I'm not sure. It's a complex mixture of emotions. I don't know if I'm going to be happy, angry, frustrated or disappointed about this,"
"I believe the main reason why my future self invented the time machine in first place is simply to correct the mistakes of the past - to set things right again - not my love for science," Artemis continued, then he turned to Butler, "If what my son told me is what the future holds, I can still make it better. I can still change it,"
Butler smiled in his mind as he heard those words coming out of his charge's mouth.
His young charge was determined to accomplish his goal, a goal that would make his parents proud - a goal to save his own family.
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