Total number of words including Authors' note: 4650
Chapter Five
Two weeks after the masquerade ball held by the British Detective, everything went back on how it used to be. People have continued with their own jobs, including the detectives who are currently busy on reading file of cases. For Jimmy Kudo and Harley Hartwell, these cases are already a part of their life, that solving different cases have already become their hobby instead of a job.
But Jimmy couldn't help but to feel distracted by the thought of the British detective and the lady magician whom they left at the masquerade ball.
"Kudo, is your brain flyin'? You are readin' that file upside-down" snapped back in reality by Harley hitting his head with a newspaper, he turns his gaze to his co-detective with a frown.
"I am trying to think here, Hartwell, if you don't mind" he said as he put the file down on the table
"I know what you're thinkin', it's that girl and Monsieur Hainse, isn't it?" teasingly said by his best friend, "This is the first time I've saw you act like this, Kudo. Don't tell me that you, a dense idiot, is in love with the mademoiselle and jealous over that Brit?"
Jimmy's eyes narrowed while looking at Harley, "I am not dense, in love, nor jealous, Hartwell" he said as he looks away quickly that have made his best friend wear a teasing grin.
"Not in love, I see? Alright then, but I wonder what Hainse told to that girl, maybe he asked her hand for marriage?"
Jimmy gave his friend a deadly glare who continue to tease him and annoy him, he knows exactly what he's doing, he is saying those things to make him confess everything, but there is nothing to confess, well that's what he keep on saying to himself.
"Say whatever you want, I'm going to have a little walk." Said Jimmy who quickly stands up and left the office waving to his friend as he head out.
"Oi, Kudo!"
He did not listen to any of his friends complaints and went outside to have a little stroll. His mind is indeed full of the thought of Sebastian Hainse and the lady magician. He already knows her, age and where she works yet he still hasn't visited her despite on wanting to see the lady again. After that night, the magician have made the detective's mind more insane, he couldn't take her off his mind that have made his mind get messed up. He doesn't want to admit it but he really want to see her again but he don't want to just go towards the flower shop and ask for the lady.
He let out a deep sigh when he couldn't think of something to reason out just to see the magician and just continue walking around, still thinking of a way to see the lady again as he saw a letter being delivered on a certain house. That has made him think of an idea,
to buy a flower and ask it to be delivered at their office.
With a wide grin on his face, he went back to his office as quick as possible and asked the teen aged boy that is being trained by them to be a detective,
"Arthur, buy me a bouquet of white roses to the certain flower shop that is listed here and asked it to be delivered here in the office, there's extra money in case you want to buy something else for you as a reward" said Jimmy and gave Jimmy the piece of paper with the address of the shop and their office. Harley who is currently sitting on the couch just watches his co-detective while crossing his arms.
"Since when did you like flowers, Monsieur Kudo?" Arthur asked curiously as get the paper and money from Jimmy who is now thinking of an excuse but when he was about to say something, Harley spoke
"Ever since he met a woman that has a name close to a rose"
Arthur then grins teasingly to the detective who is now throwing deadly glare to Harley.
"My my, Monsieur Kudo is finally pursuing someone?"
"Oh just go and buy the flowers before I change my mind on giving you a reward!" Jimmy exclaimed that have made Arthur run outside to buy the bouquet of roses while laughing at the in denial detective.
However, Jimmy suddenly froze when he realised something,
'I didn't tell him about Rosalia!' He thought as he face palmed, now he has 50-50 chances of meeting the lady.
On the other hand, the said lady is currently watering the plants and flowers that are slowly blooming with a smile on her face. The lady kneels down and gently brushes her fingertips on its petals. She is enjoying the peaceful and relaxing feeling when an unexpected voice suddenly interrupted. She looks on where the voice came from and saw a boy who seems to be at age 13-14. He is looking at her with a familiar wide grin on his face; he clears his throat as he bows in front of her in a gentleman manner and greets her.
"Good morning, mademoiselle, I'm Arthur, Arthur Chevalier, I was asked by my teacher to buy a bouquet of white roses" he said as he looks at her, still wearing a grin. She flashes him a bright smile as he put down the sprinkler.
"Let's come inside the shop first, we'll prepare the bouquet of white roses for you" she said and was about to open the door when Arthur quickly opened it before she does.
"Come in first, milady" he said with a wide grin, that made her chuckle and walk inside the shop. He enters after Rosalia as he sniffs the scent of the fragrant of the flowers, also probably the lady's scent.
He turns his gaze back to the lady who is currently talking to another lady, her co-worker, asking for what he just ordered. He sat down on the wooden stool nearby while waiting for the lady. He stares at the lady, memorising her features and appearance, few moments later, Rosalia went back to him.
"Let's wait for a little bit, okay little fella?" she said and the boy nods. Rosalia observed that the boy seems to be a quiet type so she decided to open up a small topic.
"So... since you're buying white roses, do you know the meaning of white roses?" she suddenly asked that have made the boy think.
"It represents youthfulness, purity and innocence, right, mademoiselle—"
"My name is Rosalia, and yes you are right but there is something else you have missed"
"Again, I'm Arthur — so there's another meaning for that rose?" he asked curiously while roaming his eyes around to look at the other flowers with different colours, 'Flowers in here are really in care, probably by this lady right here' he thought
"Yep there is! White roses sometimes are referred to as bridal roses, because of their association with young love and eternal loyalty. White roses also symbolises new beginning and everlasting love— in short true love"
His eyes suddenly widens, a thought suddenly pops out in his mind
"Monsieur was planning already to get married!" he suddenly exclaimed and starts thinking back of what happened this morning.
'It all makes sense now! The way he acts and he even asked me to buy white roses...but isn't it too soon? And why didn't he inform me? Maybe he's trying to keep it from me! Well in that case, I will reveal truth in front of him!'
He thought as a smirk forms on his lips. He looks back at the lady who is now looking at him confusedly.
"Mademoiselle Rosalia, if a guy gives white roses to a woman does it mean that he is planning to as her for marriage?"
"W-well about that... maybe? He probably might as for it but—"
Before she could even finish, she suddenly got cut off when Arthur suddenly gave her a paper and money and quickly run towards the door.
"Please deliver the roses to the address written on this paper! I'm really sorry mademoiselle but I really need to go to ask him!"
She noticed the excitement and bright aura that surround the boy who bows down for the last time and goes out of the shop.
"Sure then, take care Arthur!"
She said to the boy who is now waving at her as he leaves. She looks on the address then to the girl who suddenly calls her.
"Rosalia! Here are the white roses— wait, where is the costumer?" Sapphire asked and looks around to look for the boy who just left.
"Oh, he already left, he told me to just deliver the bouquet" Rosalia said as he gets the bouquet of white Roses and the other basket that has different type of flowers.
"Do you need some help for that, Rosa? Geez, why can't people just wait here instead of asking to deliver it?" he best friend said as he sighed and pouts. Rosalia giggles on her cute reaction and pats her and flashes her one bright smile.
"You know that people in the village are busy people, right? All that we can do is to deliver it to them; also it is one of our job. Just think about this, at least we can help them to save some time, right?"
"Yet we're the one who can't"
"Like I've said, it is a part of our job. Anyways, enough with that give me the written address of those who bought these flowers"
Sapphire just sighed again as she looks at he and gave her the list of addresses.
"Just be careful, okay? If someone dared to hurt or touch you again, tell me!"
Sapphire has been a sister to her, and just like a sister, she was a protective and caring friend. She met her when Sapphires offered her current job to her and they became best friends in no time.
She chuckles softly as she kisses her cheek while grinning widely
"Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine anyway, and the should be the one who should be worried on the things I can do if they dared to hurt or touch me"
Sapphire smiles brightly as she chuckles and gives her thumbs up.
"Good! Use your tricks to protect yourself!"
"Well... Of course I will!"
Rosalia starts to walk outside the shop and waved her goodbye before leaving. He starts to go to the addresses that are listed to deliver the flowers they bought.
Meanwhile, Arthur arrived at the agency and quickly went inside the office of the detective who is now currently busy reading files of unsolved cases that was given to them by the police.
"Monsieur Jimmy! How dare you hide something to your student?" Arthur exclaimed that have made Harley and Jimmy drop the folder on their tables
"What are you talking about, Arthur?" Jimmy asked and looks at the narrowed eyed boy who is now standing in front of him
"That odd behaviour of yours these past few weeks, those white roses, you are in love aren't you, monsieur?!" Arthur said that have made both of the detectives sweat drop
"Didn't I just mention that earlier?" Harley said as he lean his back on the cushion of his chair and drinks his coffee
"Well this is different; monsieur asked me to buy those white roses because he was planning to ask that girl for marriage!" he exclaimed that have made Harley choke while drinking his coffee and Jimmy's eyes suddenly widens.
"What?! Of course I'm not, where does that idea came from?" Jimmy suddenly said in surprise and stand up
"According to that beautiful lady in the flower shop, white roses means bridal roses that are used for marriage, it also means eternal love, and monsieur Harley said you liked roses ever since you met a lady that is close to the word rose, so you were planning to marry a girl named Rose, Rosie, Rosa or Rosalia— wait..."
Arthur's suddenly stopped on talking as both of the detectives eyes widens as they looked at each other, Jimmy gave Harley a warning glare that seems to have been ignored since his best friend already burst into laughter.
"Rosalia...it's Mademoiselle Rosalia, isn't it?! That's why you asked me to buy on that certain flower shop even if there are flower shops near our agency, and you're planning to give the rose to her once she deliver it today then ask her for marriage!" he said while grinning widely that have made Jimmy face palmed
"You got it all wrong—"
"So that's how it is, Kudo. Ya were plannin' to ask the lady for marriage!" Harley said, cutting Jimmy off from talking and gave him a teasing smile
"Idiot! I'm not!" Jimmy exclaimed with a visible red ears in embarrassment
"Ah~ monsieur Jimmy you don't have to be shy about it, mademoiselle will be here any minute!" Arthur said while wearing a teasing grin on his face
Jimmy shook his head and sat back on his chair as he shook his head
'I shouldn't have asked this boy to order those flowers'
He thought while frowning, at that exact moment a sudden knock can be heard from the door of the agency that have made all of them looks at each other, Harley and Arthur exchanged a mischievous smile as Harley signalled Arthur to go get the door.
After she delivered the flowers to written address in no time, she looks at the bouquet of roses that she's holding, she looks at the address the boy gave him and went towards to the location.
When she arrived, she realised that it is a detective agency. She looks around first as she walks towards the door and knocks catch the attention of the people inside him. Second later, the door opened and the boy who ordered the flowers appeared right in front of her.
"Mademoiselle Rosalia, you made it!" Arthur greeted her as he quickly holds her wrist and pulls her inside the agency without letting her greet him back
"Where are you taking me, Arthur?" she suddenly asked as they stopped in front of another door of the office.
"You'll see mademoiselle" he said as he opens the door,
Her eyes widens as they went inside of the office, she stare at the man who suddenly stand the moment she entered the office with Arthur.
'Jimmy Kudo...'
She thought to herself. The detective walks towards her and hold her hand to kiss the back of it
"Mademoiselle, we meet again" Jimmy said and flashes him a smile,
"Monsieur Jimmy, it's nice meeting you...again" she said as she roam his eyes around and saw the other detective, "You too, monsieur Harley" she said and smiles
"Mademoiselle, monsieur Jimmy and monsieur Harley are my teachers. I am under their training to be a detective and it is monsieur Jimmy who asked me to order those white roses" he said while grinning widely
There she realised why that grin is so familiar, it is similar on how Jimmy grins and both of them also slightly resembles each other.
"Also, monsieur Jimmy wants to tell you something, right, monsieur?" Arthur said while looking at the detective who is now giving him a deadly glare before he turns his gaze back to the lady
Rosalia turns her gazed to the detective who bought a bouquet of white roses that is now blushing, then to the others who is wearing a bright and teasing smile while looking at Jimmy.
"And what is it, monsieur Jimmy?" She asked which made the detective quickly think of a possible thing to reason out. He cussed the two in his mind as he starts to think of something, knowing that the lady is already curious, he will end up being hanged upside-down again, if not then he will end up being embarrassed by his co-detective and student. Whatever might he can already hear the two's hysterical laughter.
"Monsieur Jimmy, do you want me to tell it to mademoiselle Rosalia instead?"
He looks at Arthur who is now nudging him while wearing a teasing smile. He sweat dropped and moves away from the boy, by the look on Arthur's face he can already tell that trouble and embarrassment awaits for him, especially that he already know what his student is planning to say to the innocent lady in front of him.
"O-oi, don't you even try—"
"Go tell it to me, fella" Rosalia said who turn her gaze to the boy beside Jimmy
"Mademoiselle, don't listen to him" Jimmy said but Rosalia gave him a warning expression that have made him not speak a word.
"Let him speak, monsieur Jimmy. So, what do you want to say again?" she asked which made the boy grins widely, Arthur cleans his thought as he crosses his arms.
"Well as you can see, mademoiselle Rosalia, these past few weeks monsieur Jimmy is acting really weird, we always encounter him having deep thoughts, reading his file of cases upside-down, and sometimes whispering to himself. Monsieur Jimmy is usually really serious especially when it comes to work but he is totally the opposite, now he asked me to buy a bouquet of white roses that he seems like planning to give to someone..." he said and points at the roses that the lady is holding the turn his gaze to the detective before he continue explaining
"Do you remember what you've said to me when I asked the beaning of white roses?"
The lady tilts her head as she holds her chin,
"White roses symbolises purity, innocence, and eternal love. It is use as a bri—"
She hasn't finished her words as her eyes widens in realisation while looking at Jimmy who is currently blushing. He quickly shook his head and waves his hands, giving her a sign to stop what thinking the thing she has in mind.
"First of all you're wrong on wha—"
"My...You should inform me about that, monsieur! What a surprising news!" she said while showing him a bright smile that made him stunned, blinded by the creature of brightness' cuteness.
'She surely is a ball of sunshine...'
"But anyway... who's the lucky lady?" she asked, leaning closer to the detective. Her eyes are filled with excitement and curiosity that made her look more adorable for him.
"W-well about that...it's—""
"You know the person, mademoiselle!"
Again the detective is being cut off by Arthur, not letting him speak that have made him frowned and face palmed.
"You absolutely know who the lady is. I mean—you really know her!"
"Stop it Arthur, let me expl—"
"Who is it then?"
This is surely an embarrassing moment for him as he shook his head, he fixed his body posture as he sighed and cleans his throat while looking at the lady.
'I guess I have no choice'
He thought while looking at the curious lady right in front of him
"Actually, that bouquet of white roses is for you, mademoiselle Rosalia..." he said as he sighed, he finally said it but he realised the sudden silence that have made him look at the lady whose eyes widens in shock, he's suddenly confused.
'Wait...did she understood me? It seems like she didn't— damn it, she got the wrong idea! Damn, Jimmy be more concise!'
He slightly panicked on thinking on how he should explain it to the lady until she noticed something; a cherry bright colour is tinted on the lady's cheek. Seeing her blush made him think again while looking at her. He chuckles on her expression; he shook his head while looking at the lady with a smile on his face,
'Well I guess this embarrassing moment is actually worth it by seeing that expression on her'
He though as he chuckles on her expression; he shook his head while looking at the lady with a smile on his face,
"Isn't it too fast... monsi—"
He quickly shook his head and cut her thoughts off in order to make her realize that she has the wrong idea.
"It's not like that, Rosalia! Uh... they are wrong about it, sorry if it made you uncomfortable..."
"Wrong? Monsieur Jimmy, I'm right!"
"So what's the real reason then?" she suddenly asked while staring at him, her azure eyes are filled with curiosity. He clears his throat as he flashes her a smile, he holds her hand and kissed the back of it before answering.
"Because like those beautiful roses, you are pure and innocent as white, beautiful and fragile as roses. It suits you, right? I really wanted to have a talk to you after that masquerade ball, do I decided to do it this way, knowing that both of us have busy schedules" he said as a small, sweet, and lovely smile form on those beautiful lips. He also smiles and sigh in relief, he's now safe from being tied up, well it doesn't matter, seeing her bright and sweet smile is already worth it, even if he'll be hanged upside-down again, just like that night.
"Anyway, can I have a talk with you... but not here, in private" he said as he looks at the other two who is curiously looking at the both of them, obviously waiting for something to happen.
The lady just smiles brightly and gave him a nod, she suddenly hold his hand and pulls him outside the agency. Harley and Arthur exchanged gaze as they grins widely
.
"But you know he will surely give you a punishment when he comes back." Harley said that have made Arthur whine.
"I basically helped him!"
As for the lady and the detective who made their way out, they both went to the spot on where they first met, on where the lady got the detective's interest and curiosity with her magic performance for those children. They both sat down under the huge tree, glimpsing at each other.
"So anyway, about that thing I'm about to say, I really want to ask how are you after that case two weeks ago, are you doing fine?" he asked and finally looks at the lady who is holding and smelling the flower he gave her, she turns her gaze to him and smiles.
"Everything's great, the rumours of me about being a witch finally silenced, though there are still few people who think that I am, but still I proved my innocence. It's all thanks to you three detectives, especially to you who defended me a lot and proved my innocence, thank you so much, monsieur Jimmy" she said with sincerity on her eyes that is filled of satisfaction.
"Aside from the ridiculous belief about witch craft, I just couldn't let an innocent lady be accused on the crime she have not done, right?" he said while looking at the lady beside him
"I'm really moved by your kindness, monsieur. You've been kind to me ever since that day we first met even if you always spoil my ticks, thank you." she said as he holds the detective's hand, his heart skipped with her simple appreciation, by simply expressing how she appreciate what he have done for her.
"You've been really kind and bright too, you also deserve an appreciation. Also, you have amazing magic tricks even if some of those are predictable for a detective like me, your magic tricks have me curious of you, it made me want to know you more" he said as he looks at the lady beside him
"Don't you know a lot about me already?" she said as she chuckles
"Well no...not if we exchange addresses so that we could exchange letters and visit each other's houses" he said while grinning widely that have made the lady laugh
"Alright then, if the great detective has a quill and ink with him then he should right the address I'll give him my address" she while wearing a wide grin
"Of course I do, I also have a small notebook in case of emergency" he said as he gets his quill and small notebook inside his satchel. The lady chuckles as she starts to state her address, they both exchanged addresses, the lady placed the paper on where the detective's address is written.
"Thank you, mademoiselle, expect a sudden visit from me next time" he said as he chuckles so as Rosalia.
"Then I should stock some ingredient to cook something for my visitor" she said softly as she smile, Jimmy laughs as he remembers the other thing that has been bothering him, the thing that the British said to the lady.
"Mademoiselle, can I ask something" he said with a sudden seriousness in his tone made Rosalia looks at him
"Sure, what is it?" she asked him, the detective took a deep breath before speaking
"I...can I ask what Hainse told you that time?"
The both of them suddenly went silent as the detective waits for the lady to speak, she opens her mouth, attempting to speak but hesitated. Rosalia remembered the thing they talked about after Jimmy and Harley left, and he's still waiting for her answer.
"I'm just curious, it's okay if you're not comfortable on tell." He said and gave her a reassuring smile
Again both of them went quiet again; even if he really wants to know it he respects the lady's decision because never in his life he wants to make her uncomfortable. But then, a sighed can be heard from the lady as she starts to break the awkward silence
"He offered me marriage" she said that made Jimmy's eyes widens and gaze back to the lady that is now looking down. He wants to say something, but she couldn't not until the lady continue
"He told me that he is interested in me, I have captured his heart by the time I bump into him but..." she said as he looks at him and smiles, "it's too soon so I said that I couldn't, but he said that he'll wait for my respond until I make up my mind."
He was able to breathe properly after she finished talking, "Wise choice mademoiselle, you shouldn't just accept a stranger's offer no matter how he acts nice at first" he said
"Well aren't you also a strange?" she asked teasingly and chuckles
He frowned while looking at her, "This is the third time we met already, and I didn't gave you such huge decision to make..." he paused as he scratch his nape, "Well maybe except for asking you to exchange address with me, but that one is fair" he continued with a wide grin
Before going back to their respective jobs, both of them talked about things first about each other in order to get to know each other better. They both discovered each other's similarities and differences that have made something between them deeper, they both bid their goodbyes with each other with the feeling of satisfaction in them,
Still Jimmy has one thing left in mind, knowing that Sebastian Hainse offered marriage, as a man he knows that he will start courting her,
'I have to do a step, before I end up with regret'
NOTE: Late update once again! Anyway, thanks for the votes and comments, we really appreciate it! The story is starting to get interesting since war between Jimmy and Sebastian is about to start~