Chapter 27: Surprise Visit

I heard the footsteps and I wiped the tears quickly with my hand. Making sure I looked like nothing had happened or else Nick and Hope might find out I had just visited Lucy for a goodbye and they'll voice out their dismay for missing out on her, and I already feel guilty as it is that I saw her behind their backs. Looking like I hadn't say goodbye to my sister, I got up straight and greeted the crew with a wide smile once they were done arranging their room with their stuff.

For the past 4 months or so, it wasn't like we didn't do anything while we hid away from the public. Though maybe because I'm a mage and a noble at that, the council was putting more effort into spreading the fact the Second Son of Duke Jurenelle was a fugitive and was being indicted for the crime of kidnapping the Princess. The Princess is already well liked by the public so off course many were angry of the fact and demanded my head. Almost at every town we visited, there would at least be one wanted poster of my face and we would often high tail out of there when we saw at least one person that would even so much saw a spark of recognition from their eyes.

So for these past few months, we were mostly busy finding a safe house at many spots around Fiore. Just in case if at one point we got separated or couldn't get to TORRI for whatever reason. That, and stocking supplies for our livelihood inside my ship. Off course, there's the easy course of action which is going off country and live our lives separately from Fiore for good, but you all know that isn't going to happened. At least, not until I find the Son of a Bitch who ruin my life and kick his face until he couldn't recognize himself. Oh, and probably cut his balls off too if he has any, but I sure not going to give him mercy.

Anyway, revenge aside. It's time I paid Spade his pay for all that he's done. "Right, Spade I think your past due for a visit."

Spade tilted his head, and it took me great deal not to put on an excited grin at his expression since he still has no idea where I'm taking him. You could say it was one of my side project while we were left on the run for the past months.

"I'm sorry Roy-sama, but what do you mean by that?"

I didn't answer him, but a smile did finally bloom on my face as I strut to the Control Wall and type in the coordinates I remembered. Spade and Zeffik immediately dash to the nearest railing while Nick dashed to the nearest trash can instead. It was clear who wasn't psyche in the prospect of riding a teleporting ship.

Nick was wiping the leftover puke on his mouth, "For God's sake can't you warn us when you starting to take us somewhere," Nick went green and continue puking even while Hope flew behind him and rubbed his back soothingly.

"Where's the fun in that?" I responded.

TORRI shook into a stop and everyone but me were shaken up enough to fall to the floor. I stride to the door, unperturbed of the chaotic ride and Nick sickly groan, "You're going to be the death of me," he said.

I laughed, "Don't worry, I'll bring you back to life, no problem."

Nick rolled his eyes and managed to stand up, albeit with a sway. I then stepped outside with the others and spotted the 100 steps stairs that led toward a specific house, far away from civilization, you might mistaken anyone who lived there as a hermit.

"Where are we?" asked Zeffik.

"Asking the right question you are, well just so you know we are at Heart Kreuz home address."

That got the gang to all freeze, but three of them couldn't help but looked back at Spade, who was more like a stone. Keeping his gaze locked at my back as I climbed up the stairs. I turned to them and asked with amusedment in tone, "Well, aren't any of you coming?"

That knocked the shock out of his system as he dashed to my side, "Roy-sam-"

"For the last time Spade, when I wear my glasses, call me Captain. Can't have people figured my identity that easily."

"Sorry, but Captain you don't have to do this, Heart and I-"

"I know I don't, but I'm doing it anyway. If you don't want to come then it's fine, I still want to meet the CEO of the Heart Kreuz clothing line. Do you know how hard it was getting her address, she's a pretty private person who only comes once a month to her office just to give her employees some design she worked on."

Spade didn't say anything as I rambled. The others had already quickly followed behind us and heard Nick, Zeffik, and Hope were all excited on meeting the famed Heart Kreuz and started discussing what she might look like. Nick thinks she would be a sexy woman with wavy orange hair and big boobs, a beauty mark under her lips and would talk while sounding flirty. Hope imagines her as an old lady with gray hair that smoked and looked tough. While Zeffik imagined her to be a long haired version of Spade, with his five o'clock shade, sideburns and all.

Though I could have cut their argument by just suggesting to ask Spade himself, but it's been years since he's seen her and he probably still reeling from the fact how his years of searching his sister has finally coming to an end. It wouldn't be weird that by any second he would-Yup, there it is. He's about to turned back around if I hadn't snatch the crook of his elbow, "Where are you going Spade?"

"Me? Oh just, maybe I could..err...y'now...get some fresh air-"

"-we're outside-"

"-or get some coffee, it's bloody freezing here after all-"

"-We're in the middle of the woods Spade-"

"-or maybe have someone on lookout for any bandits or anyone unfavorable coming at us-"

"Spade!" He cut off his rambling when I sternly called his name. Shooting him an understanding look and that he has no need to give me excuses.

"Sorry, it's just...you surprised me Captain. I wasn't...I didn't expect to meet her today and suddenly you brought me to her house. I mean...when did you even have the time to look into it?"

"I'm a multitasker Spade, besides I've always wanted to talk with Heart Kreuz properly. I've only ever got the chance to talk to her with a passing greeting in business party so I barely remember her."

Spade was borderline speechless, I wasn't sure what he must be feeling at the moment but I could imagine. For so long, he had been relying on his goal to give himself a reason to open his eyes every morning. For years, he held on to his goal as his only source for hope to live. And for years, that goal became his purpose in life.

Now that that hope and reason is right in front of him, it might feel looking at the end of the line. Because where would he go after he land?

However, that is a question answered once you actually reach that line, and if I don't drag this sissy off the stair's railing while mumbling a list of reason why we should be back here later on. Making me roll my eyes and coiling a Rave Whip around him so I could drag him up despite his unwillingness.

"Do me a favor Spade and have a silent debate to yourself on why this is a bad idea or what you should say to her because no one is going to listen to you." The trashing decreased and it was apparent that he's taking my advice most likely so he could avoid thinking of his impeding meeting with his long lost sister.

Oh, I can't wait to watch the drama. Should have brought some popcorns with me.

We reached to the top flight of the stairs, then spotted a humble house made almost entirely out of stone. There was a large chimney at the side, the roof covered with green most and ivy, placed at the edge of a steep hill and overlooking the greenery forestry as it it were the home's personal garden. I admit it was a great home despite the simplicity of it, but the nature gave the place its own unique beauty. Sure it wasn't the kind of house a CEO would have and more of a secluded hermit, but hey...everyone has their prefence.

I looked back to see their reaction but frown when I found that Nick was panting hard, putting one foot forward to the last steps of the stairs. Zeffik was still a few steps away, climbing up with his hand while heaving heavy breaths. It took an effort not to roll my eyes at how easily they were defeated by a set of stairs, "Note to self: put more strain on Nicks's training next time." I grumbled.

Anyway, pulling the struggling Spade. I threw him off on her doorsteps and pulled my Rave back as a bracelet. Crossing my arm and waiting patiently for his next move. The only help he's getting from me is forcing him to make a move on, but this one small step would be him and him alone to make.

Spade looked like a lost child, his gaze kept switching from me, to the door, and back to me in silent plea for help. What kind of help? I wasn't sure, but he asked for help nonetheless, so I only raise an expectant eyebrow at him. He stood on his legs, and after a few nervous breathing finally turned to the door. His gulped was audible and his fist clenched and unclenched repeatedly before raising it and knocked on the door.

And the door promptly fell to the floor.

"Jeez Spade, calm the fuck down would you?"

"...that's not me," he said, and his voice came out almost a whisper.

I frowned at his response and came beside him, my muscle tensed at the scene. It looked like a hurricane came and trashed the whole place. Tables and chairs were split or looked as it's been thrown around, the walls had many cracks, some windows had its sill fall off, pictures were torn apart, and many pieces of glass from possibly mugs and vases was strewn all over alongside the dust from the walls and ceilings.

Overall, the place look like shit.

"What happened here?" Zeffik asked when he finally came over.

Spade didn't say anything, either he didn't know the answer or was too speechless to speak. Most likely both. He silently and slowly stepped inside the house, ignoring the the dangerous creaking of wood, and the pieces of glass and china being stepped on. His eyes roamed the trashed room, the quiet demeanor he had was unnerving and I was half-sure there was a cold fury simmering underneath alongside various other emotions being brewed. I didn't dare to address him when I don't know what kind of reaction he might make from the slightest trigger.

Instead, I focused more on the crime scene (wow, I felt like a detective) and glanced for any noticeable sign that could clue us in on what happened, other than the fact there was a struggle. Tilting my head from one side to another, I backtracked my way to the front door. I examined the locks and found it was unhinge and there was a leftover footprint left on it. The image appeared in my mind of a the door being banged ruthlessly but with no one to answer until it was finally kicked down. From the size of the shoe and the force, it would most like be a big man. Not as big as Zeffik, but close.

Whoever came then would likely came strolling in a rush with little to no regard to his surrounding, not sure if he was alone or not. I went deeper to the house and checked the rooms, while it weren't as pretty, they looked more like they were ransacked rather than trashed so they didn't fight immediately and searched for her or something she had instead.

I encountered another trashed room with evident signs of struggle. Had I been Sherlock Holmes, I might have able to deduce what chronologically happened. If Heart had attacked her assailant first, if she had hid inside the cupboard or beneath her bed.

Sadly because I'm not, I barely know jack squat.

That doesn't stop me from scanning any clues the captors may left behind, then Spade finally voiced his thought for the first time since we properly came inside, "We should go. Hopefully there are still leftover tracks for us to follow."

The thought of 'time' immediately came to kind and I jerked my head to the cracked clocked hanging on the wall, showing the incident happened at 10:20 but whether it was this morning, yesterday night, or days before I didn't know how to measure the exact time before an idea struck and I strode toward the kitchen. Opening the fridge and saw that most of the food here: milk, cheese, yogurt, and they were all molded for about a week old. Other than the scene showed that she was a big fan of dairy foods and she had left to rot far longer than she should.

I thought the answer was clear until a rational thought argued in my head that it was possible she was a woman that often likes to leave the food they buy to rot because she's the type that would stock food but was too lazy to cook. Ridiculous sure, but probable. Then another thought struck me as I turned to Nick and asked him if he could smell anything.

He scrunched his nose and sniffed the air, frowning he said "Other than the smell of the person living here for years, mostly dust and wood which is generally what most houses smells like."

"Can you tell how long since she last stood in her home?"

"I would say, around a week ago."

I was to say it confirm with my suspicion when Spade cried more indignantly and frustratingly "HEY! Could we cut the talking and snooping for a bit and actually do something! Like, I don't know, get the fucking move on."

I sighed resignedly at his tone, "Spade, please calm do-" At that point, I should have known that was the wrong thing to say because that's when Spade finally snapped. He lunged at me, cutting me off mid sentence and choking the air as he pressed his arm on my throat and pushed me against the wall. Zeffik and Nick was about to pull him away when I made a small gesture for them to stop.

"Don't," he hissed, "you dare tell me to calm down. My sister is kidnapped by god knows who and I've been trying not to explode or break down on the spot with only the image of whoever dared took her would feast the on my sword's blade and make them scream in agony to put me on hold. So don't you DARE try to insinuate for me to calm down because I'm keeping myself in a very thin line here and you're having an easy way to look at things when this is not your family being involved."

"Okay, okay, you made your point, I get it but can you please try not choking me here!" I wheezed while tapping his arm repeatedly for him to let go.

The growling he made ceased and he seemed to just realized what he had done as he back away abruptly and looked down in horror down his hands, "I'm, I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what came over me."

"You snap," I point out bluntly as I soothed my sore and bruised throat, "That's normal, just...try to notch it down a bit. Anyway, the house isn't occupied for at least a week so they've long since gone and tracks would have gone cold by now. So our next move would be finding a way to track her despite that and while I want to snoop the house some more for more clues, like you said we're in a race against time and the longer we stay here, the more likely she'd be in danger." I stated grimly.

"How are we going to track her then?" asked Zeffik.

I mulled for ideas to come before snapping my finger when a eureka moment came. I dashed back to her trashed room, knocked aside some things before grinning when wide when I spotted the key to solve her disappearance problem. I took the item and pocketed them before dashing past the confused look of my crew from my sudden mood swing. I ignored their looks and moved backward while facing them, "Come on gang, I think I have a solution to all this so let's go back to TORRI and-"

My words were cut off once more when I turned and felt the cold steel of a sword aimed at my throat, saw the stern angry face of the wielder.

You might be surprised to know that having a sword on my neck wasn't that shocking to me.

What did shock me was the girl who wield it has a long braided red hair, piercing brown eyes on her beautiful face that would make boys definitely drool on her despite her similar age to mine, but most noticeably was her outfit. To be more specific; a plain armor strapped on her white shirt.

Really, I should have been terrified at the moment.

But how could I when I'm too busy inwardly screaming in joy at meeting face to face to none other than Erza Scarlet?