Hello everybody after this long long long moment of absence.

MEA CULPA ! My life was a continuation of pitfalls and events thus I was unable to continue to post this story earlier.

Now that I am finally on holidays, it's again possible!
I hope that it will always please you and that you did not lose interest about it

(I would understand but I am again going to post much more regularly I promise!)
I hope that this chapter will please you, it is short but it is voluntary ^^

Chapter 14 :

''Preminger's guest''

The heritage of the ambassador refloated his finances besides endowing him with a really consequent wealth. It was sufficient, decided on Preminger one day. For its oldest project. If the tension rose to his heart, he signed all the same papers and necessary formalities to realize it. A consequent golden sum had been given... It was enough to wait. Of time Preminger had it to resell and strangely, he did not look forward to of this meeting. On the contrary, more it advanced more the anxiety came to haunt him.. And if? He had no really formulated, just fear this obsessing question:

" If? ". And when the day came and when the noise of the carriage rings in front of its house, he bit itself lips curtly.

- ''Mister Ambassador, your.. guest arrived.'' Informed a domestic by making a light low bow.
He see the surprise on the face of this servant. Decided not to take into account it. Why to care in the opinion of a man so low. Resting the report which he made for king, he indicated the door quietly:

- ''Make have him a bath, dress of suitable clothes for him. Once once that is done, and once to have indicated him his apartments, he will have dinner with me.''
- ''Well Mister Ambassador.''
- ''And send you to him respectfully.''

He followed the hesitating silhouette of the domestic to leave the room before diving back into his document. But the spirit was not there. His curiosity was somewhere else. " And if... " No. Everything would go to the perfection. Everything went to the perfection at the moment. It was not even a lie, it was true. His life was a success. " Then why you are so nervous? ". He caught a small mirror and looked with attention and pride. Was not everything on the face an ode in the magnificent social success which he built? Oh yes! Obviously. This study having revived him, it gave him enough detachment to end his report successfully and affix his seal and his signature. "Preminger". Even his calligraphy had this extravagance, this theatrical side which took little by little totally the control of its appearance. There was only ambassador's grey uniform which balanced it. And it wasn't really enough.
He did hair of his white wig, decorated his mouth of an artificial beauty spot then consulted the hour. Twenty hours and twenty. Still let be ten minutes to wait. If he appeared too early in the room, doubtless it he would create a doubt. He took his time, strolled in front of paintings and mirrors then entered the room where the table had been drawn up. Still empty. In a sense, maybe it was a better thing. He sat at the table, letting his look slide on the raised dishes. A roast chicken smoked still ready to be tasted, a green salad also throned and slices of salmon finely seasoned decorated dishes. " A tempting meal in a certain way. " How to believe that it would not please. His host would be delighted there, he would certainly have contented himself with much worse, then when he offered him the best...

He thought of his first meals in the big city, in " the Inn of the Black Horse " that he had found delicious good that refusing to admit it. " And nevertheless it was only of the low cooking ". Then here, nothing could ever establish of better meal than what he had just set up. He took his fork, rested it as a noise of door was listened.

He turned the head slowly watching his host approaching the table in small steps suspicious. His curve had still strengthened and he walked with difficulty, but he reached all the same the seat which Preminger indicated of the hand.
- ''My lord...''
The voice was hoarse, scratched, and the man lowered the head, in a respectful sign of head.
Hair had totally gone pale, noticed Preminger, but not of a spotless and pure white. Here and there brown drills remained tarnished and drills of a tow-coloured white ran along the face.
- ''Eat my dear. We shall discuss along the way'', eventually encourages Preminger of a captivating tone.
He noticed that his guest avoided facing him, hiding his look behind a thick and too long fringe.

" He knows nothing, he does not understand " realized the sudden young man. Hesitating to tell him to everything, Preminger resolved to make nothing and to give the example attacked a good soup of mushrooms. Observing his interlocutor most discreetly possible.
Doubtless, the man had resolved to eat nothing, but the hunger eventually catches him in the view of all this good food and he soon began imitating Preminger.
He did not eat with appetite, he ate with the spite of a private man. Every spoon of soup seemed to be worth gold and every mouthful of water was savoured as Preminger would make it of a great wine.

It was something rather moving and strange at the same time. The manners did not exist for him, and only one his greediness seemed to have took control of his acts. However, he did not eat nastily.
Doubtless he noticed that Preminger looked at him because he suddenly stopped dead in his moose, the going hand to release his fork which rang in its plate.
- ''Forgive me, lord... I forgot myself.''
He cleared his hair, sullenly as a child set in fault, allowing Preminger to observe him more clearly. The skin of his host had sieved, it had took an almost grey tint and its almond eyes seemed to have hidden themselves.

" Say something ". Yes, good idea. Preminger put the cup that he carried in his mouth and made a vast movement of the hand.
- ''It is quite natural, forgotten and forgiven. Eat in your hunger, in your taste and in your speed. All this is made for you.''
If it was affected to see the gratitude gaining the face of his host, the distrust which shook the eyes rained him of advantage:
- ''I am your obligee, my lord... But why? Why all of this ? You're a young lord, why help me ? ''
-''A reason seems to you necessary' ?' Questioned Preminger, by letting the fingers wind around his artificial hair.
- ''For sure! The generosity exists for a reason in this case. I am only a poor man forgotten by all. With a particular reputation. What do you want ?Which interest you have to act like that ? ''

Preminger hesitated. What answer to give? What it was necessary to say? The throat dries, he resumed a mouthful of wine. A drop of drink slid along the glass and he watched at it, captivated, crashing into the tablecloth in a bloody task.
- ''Personal reason.''
He had declared it without raising eyes, letting the man dream up an answer.. The latter emitted a small sceptical, manga growl a new part of its meal with greediness, then rested again its fork. " He has a wrist so fine. If his bust remains strong, his fronts arms seem so thin ".
-''So thank you. And I am at your disposal. ''

- ''Why do you think that? Is not there thus anybody to be able to and wish to help you?''
He kept voluntarily his soft and compassionate voice even if the restlessness gained his members.
- ''Nobody who have the means there, my lord.''
-'' I am not a lord'', rectified Preminger at the end of a moment of silence.
The man shrugged, before drying itself his fine mouth on the white towel.
- ''Forgive me, my lor...Mister. But I do not even know your name. I was just told that you had paid for me.''
A suspicion of shame had crossed the face of his guest and it slightly made frown of Preminger.
- ''I am an ambassador and councillor of Secretary of State count Jonas... ''

He appreciated the confusion and the almost envious admiration which passed under the look of his interlocutor. Some things would never change ... It was good.
- ''I think that it is supposed to impress me ... But, excuse then Ambassador...for having never heard about you ... there where from I come .. let me say that to know the names of upper crust are not a part of our everyday life ...''
- ''Of course ... But I thought well of letting know you my profession ..''
- ''I would prefer your name.''

- ''Of course, you do...But you know my name.''

He wanted that his host makes an effort of imagination, search. And he was what he made, Preminger saw it, now. The old-looking front wrinkled under the effort and he proposed some names which Preminger declined with politeness and smile. Rubbed itself temples, eventually shakes the head, negatively.
- ''I regret, I do not know you.''
- ''Of course you do'', insisted Preminger almost curtly. ''If you know only a name, it is that one.''
His guest began laughing, sadly, stroked the hair.
- ''No, my nice gentleman. I don't want to put you angry, you who were so good for me ... But the only name which I would know if he I knew only one ... It would be mine.''
- ''Undoubtedly.'' Approved Preminger by shaking the head.

A smile crossed him the face whereas the eager eyes scrutinized the face of his host. The latter showed first of all no reaction.. Then his eyebrows frowned to join and he raised eyes towards him, almost shameful of his idea, his lines searching the face of Preminger, really looking at him for the first time.
- ''No... Impossible...It Would Be... Preminger? ''He faltered trembling. ''Impossible... Erwin?''
The smile of the young ambassador widens:
- ''Actually. Hello father''.

The return of Johan! Had you recognized him?

I didn't like necessarily the idea to imagine him to rot in a prison throughout his whole life without Preminger makes something. Because he admires so much his father... And thus yes, that moderates a little the despicable personality whom he begins to have. In the previous chapter he lets die a friend in this chapter he helps his father. He is still ambivalent isn't ?

Johan is a key character of his life and he will be still determining in the future. Let us say that it is a little necessary time to confront Preminger to the person who influenced him in to divert him from the good way... See how Preminger willinfluenced by Johan's returnand how the latter was influenced by the prison...

The Preminger family is gatheredfor better or for worse? Or maybe for both...

LavernaG: I am happy that you liked the last chapter, it is one of my preferred also. Centered on Alexiane (I don't really like this character before this chapter too (yes...even me, I can change my mind on my characters...) and after she really seems more complex to me) and also on the evolution of Preminger. I like these two characters as well as the appearance of Genevieve and Anneliese. They will return one day. When their time will come. While waiting for other important things in the life of the future councillor of the queen are going to arrive... We are really going to see him pursuing his advance in the character that he is in the screen ^^

I see you soon

Kisses

Esmee_Lynn