Nota Bene: I do not own Suikoden.

Chapter 3

Last time on Master of Budehuc Castle, Thomas was in danger of loosing his position as master. However he and the castle resisted the council's demands and came out victorious. Now lets see how Thomas is doing.

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Day 100,

Good day. For once I did not sleep all day. There are so many new people coming to the castle! It is so wonderful! Watari is a mysterious person indeed. Get this, I saw him at the restaurant with the cook and then when I came to the ranch five minutes later, he was there talking to the horse wrangler! How he got there so quickly without me seeing is far beyond me. I do believe Cecile is taking her job a bit too seriously. Well ..... what I mean is .... ah. The girl has made it her duty to personally guard the stairs leading to upper hallway where my sleeping quarters are. I suppose it is not so bad but a few days ago, I opened my door to get a glass of water and there she was! I asked her what was wrong and she said she just had a little question for me. I was kind of shocked to hear her say this but, if I can remember rightly, she said,

Thomas, I'm sorry, but I feel that I came on overly strong to the Zexens that day .... I was so rude. I - I hope I didn't make you do anything rash, I don't want you to have to stay if you don't want--- she was stuttering.

Then I politely interrupted. I said. I can't say that I've ever been absolutely sure of anything until now. It was my decision to stay here, my decision to be master! I will never leave this castle. Never.

Then she smiled at me and hugged me and bounded back down the stairs. Do you find that odd, Diary? I do. Well, besides that. Tomorrow I'm going to investigate. Do you remember when Eike got into the underground layer of this castle? The little tunnel down there? Well, I still don't know just how he managed to get there, the elevator being broken and all, but I've decided to go down there and take a look at it. I may just find a secret entrance.

-Thomas

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Day 101,

Today I began my investigation. Kidd offered to help me and so the two of us descended into the tunnel. As to be expected, there were small monsters down there until we arrived the small library and a fire. I looked through several books at Kidd's instructions and tapped at the walls. But I found nothing unusual. Nothing so far. After a while we decided to resurface, so we did. It was dark already when we came up. So now I think I'll be going to bed.

- Thomas

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Day 103,

I've met the most interesting person today. It is a girl who traveled all the way here from Caleria to open shop. Arla is her name. She says she is from beyond the sea ....... There is a land beyond the sea? Well, I suppose it makes sense.
I went fishing with Piccolo today. We've got an evil scheme to wake Juan up. He's slept through three of his kitchen duties already! Well, i'm going to catch a few fish, we'll put them live and well in a bowl and set it next to his head. See, if you've ever noticed. When Juan sleeps, he flicks his arm by his face about every ten or fifteen minutes. It's very humorous. So, if we put a bowl of fish and water there, he'll flick the bowl and it will come tumbling down on him, water and fish. hahaha. Then we'll leave him a note saying, You will have 6 extra kitchen duties to replace the three you've skipped. Haha! I didn't want to do it at first, but Piccolo has convinced me. Perhaps Juan will become a bit more responsible. Excuse me, I'm going to set up the right now!

-Thomas

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Day 104,

My plan didn't work! I saw the entire thing! We placed the bowl next to Juans head, and just as we expected, he flicked at his face. The bowl spilled water all over him and the fish were jumping around all over his back, but he didn't wake up! I just couldn't believe it! I do believe he even snored louder. The nerve. But, I do wish I could sleep so hard. Then I might be able to sleep at night. Do you know what's odd? All night long I hear clanking noises at the foot of the stairs. I think it is Cecile pacing back and forth. But it goes on all the night long and then in the morning, she's bright and cheery, just as ever. I've concluded that she never sleeps.

I investigated the tunnel more today. I found nothing. I even asked Eike how he got down there, but he told me that some things weren't worth knowing. I wonder what he meant by that?

- Thomas

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Day 105,

Oh how embarrassing. Cecile asked me again today if she could cook a bit of food for me. Remembering the last incident, I politely declined the offer. But then the cook laughed and said that Cecile had other motives for making the food...... and Cecile turned bright red and ran off! Now she is avoiding me. She doesn't even guard the stairs at night. Somehow I feel terribly guilty for this but I've decided to let her do as she wishes. Such a strange girl.

- Thomas

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Day 107,

Does the embarrassment ever stop? Today I went to a visit to the nurse. I was feeling a bit warm. You wouldn't believe what the nurse said to me.

Hello, Thomas!



Sick are you?

A bit I think.

Oh well sit down then. ..... Oh Thomas! Cecile was just in here yesterday with the same thing!

Did she?

Oh yes, yes she did. She talked about you the whole time. haha.

She did?

Yep, she did

Uh..... what exactly did she say?

Just the same things everyone says.

And what's that?

Don't be so modest, Master, she simply says how great of a master you are. It was such a nice complement. I thought I would tell you. Let you know how well the others think of you.

I said, feeling a bit relieved. Is that all then ..... Tell Cecile I thank her.

What's this! The nurse exclaimed.

What? What!

Your temperature has gone up significantly just within the last five minutes! My, my, Master Thomas! You are awfully warm indeed!

I was blushing, Diary! And now it's recorded in the medical records. I do not think I shall ever go again.

- Thomas

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Day 110,

I slept long and hard today. I still haven't discovered how Eike got into the Sub level. And I'm still feeling a bit embarrassed ..... you see, the other tenants have noticed that Cecile and I are avoiding each other. I didn't think they'd care so much but today Martha asked me what was going on between us. Nothing, nothing! I said. That's what I said, Diary. It's true, Diary. I will not be having a relationship with my tenants. It's improfessional. I just can't do that. But how could I ever tell Cecile that? Should I tell her?

- Thomas

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Day 111,

Today I asked Sebastion for advice with my personal life. He admitted that he already knew ..... He read my diary! But that is ok. He claims he's said nothing and I believe him. But I needed his advice anyway.

How do you feel, Master Thomas, Sebastion asked me.

How do I feel? Me? ......, I didn't quite know what to say. I, I don't quite know. I don't know how I feel. I haven't even seen Cecile for a few days now. And I don't know if I feel anything at all.

Then, Master Thomas, I would not worry so, Sebastion said. Girls are nothing but trouble. It may be best to avoid them anyway. Then Sebastion bowed and left me to my thoughts.

- Thomas.

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Day 112,

Diary, I've decided that there is nothing. Nothing at all. I can finally be at peace and put my mind to other things. There is nothing between us. Martha has announced a birthday party for Cecile in ten days. The whole castle is going. It's time for me to stop avoiding her and of course I will be there. But I've let things get a bit out of hand with the matter of females. None for me. No, not now.

Now, I do think I'm getting somewhere with Eike's tunnel mystery.

- Thomas

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Day 113,

Muto went investigating with Kidd and I, and it proved useful. He said he could smell fresh air coming from the back of the tunnel, far away from the elevator. There must be a secret passage! I know it!

I accepted a few more tenants. There was a small skirmish outside between a Lizard grasslander and a Zexen merchant, but things have settled now. I made my rules clear and the two seem to have made a sort of peace. The fighting never seems to end.

- Thomas

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Day 118,

Success! We've discovered the secret entrance! Muto knocked himself into the sub level book case and it fell over. Behind it was a large hole. Brilliant! Simply brilliant. But just before we could come out on the other side of the hole, Eike stood in our path. We were all genuinely surprised to see him there.
I asked. What? How did you know we would be here?

..... I know many things. I beg of you, Master Thomas. If you must explore the castle, may it be done another day? For I say to you ..... Some things are better left un known.....

I thought this over a bit and replied. Very well then Eike, though I am curious. Perhaps you should like to explain to me what is behind you?



Then we turned and left. Oh the curiosity is killing me! I MUST know what is behind the wall! I should know, I am the master after all.

- Thomas
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Day 120,

I have a problem. What shall I get Cecile for her birthday? All the other tenants have already done such. I'll have think about it.

We had to repair the elevators again today. Arthur interviewed me on the tunnel discovery. He's going down there now to see the hole for himself. I did ask him not to continue beyond the hole, not yet at least. I do not want to offend my tenants. But I can't stop wondering..... What is Eike hiding?

- Thomas.




NEXT TIME on Master of Budehuc Castle:

Thomas's life is never boring. Next time, he'll be receiving another visit from Geddoe and an infamous gambler will come to set up shop! Cards are everywhere in Budehuc Castle. The Lottery sales have gone up like crazy! Also, will Eike tell Thomas what's beyond the hole? Or better yet, will Thomas ever get to see? What is there anyway? And what is Eike trying to hide? Between Thomas and Cecile, is Thomas in denial? And finally, what should Thomas get Cecile for her birthday? (I should like a bit of ideas from the readers ^_^.)

Find out next time!