-Oxford - Thursday: Part 9-
William Evans was the Press Representative for the Royal family and the British Nobility. This was a nightmare to him, he agreed with the things that were being said, there was just not something right about this whole thing. The fact that he didn't know the children wasn't a problem, they were given a sort of media protection normally from the rest of the world. An unspoken word and yet here was ArchDuke Lory's daughter causing problems not only that but she addressed the nation, it annoyed him to no end. She wasn't of age she should of just let the adults deal with this matter. All she was doing was making matters worse in his eyes, and her father had allowed it? That was likely why he hadn't been invited or sent down to deal with the matter with them, why he was now smiling at the Queen Mother Leiko a woman that honestly scared the shit out of him and her Majesty Queen Mary who arm was wrapped around her husband Prince Consort Robert, something that shouldn't be done at all. He should always stand back but then again Leiko had never done that with her own husband the late King Phillip so he couldn't' be surprised by this. 'Like mother, like daughter.' To think even now they were attempting to change customs. It wasn't an unknown whisper that Leiko was the true head of the family, had been even while her husband ruled. The real power in this nation belonged to Leiko and he knew it better than anyone because he saw the way the daughter would look towards her mother, just like Phillip would do from time to time but without having been with them he would never have noticed these small gestures.
Evans smiled towards the royal family, "Your Majesty looking lovely as always, Duke Robert" he said with a slight nod of his head before finally addressing Leiko "Queen Mother, beautiful as always."
Leiko didn't smile as she looked at him, "No need for uselessly flattering Evans, I'm old, not blind. My age of beauty is far behind me." She shook her head at him before looking towards her daughter, "As for my children, yes my daughter is still beautiful isn't she?" She looked at him slightly and Evans could only smile and nod his head in agreement, hiding his own disgust in the woman who was not a national born citizen. "My son is just as handsome a man who shines perfectly next to my daughter." She nodded her head before a real smile echoed her features, "Yes love has a way of enhancing the beauty of a couple. We are a lucky nation to have such love shines through here." She reached up touching each of their cheeks affection that was rare and the news media went wild, much to Evans dislike. The way the Queen's mother had a way of setting the news media on fire with such a simple gesture as if this wasn't important as if this was just a rare moment. No, it was but it didn't sit well with him. With someone like Leiko within the family what was his point? It was as she was silently saying he was not needed, she could handle it all on her own.
"Yes, of course, forgive me," he said with a small bow of his head, hiding his disgust for this woman all over again. "Shall we begin your Majesty?" he said looking towards the Queen. She smiled softly at him before looking towards her husband, he patted her hand gently and she leaned into him ever so slightly. It was all very unbecoming, not proper at all.
Her eyes trail towards back to him, "My mother will be addressing the nation first." She said turning back to her husband, he supposed he couldn't deny that they had a rare sort of love. It was a good thing yes but still not the way things were supposed to be done.
Evans smiled at her "Yes, of course, then let's begin shall we?" He said moving towards the mic as the three stood in the back, at least at this time, her husband was standing a step behind her, just like her mother was doing. At least that was something. He cleared his throat as he addressed the cameramen for the news media. No questions would be asked, no they would just get their statements and it would be over.
"Thank you all for coming here on such short notice, her Majesty the Queen and the Queen Mother each have a statement they would like to make dealing with the matter around Lady Kyoko. As you know her Majesty and the Queen Mother have been raising the young Lady Kyoko as mother figures for ArchDuke Lory's daughter." He smiled warmly towards the press, "With that said the Queen Mother would like to say a few words to the press first this will be followed by her Majesty the Queen in what should put this matter to rest." He said nodding his head slightly as he stepped to the side, "Queen Mother Leiko if you would please."
Leiko moved like the elderly woman she was, this was just for show for her, since her husband had died and her daughter had taken the Crown, it was as if she had aged in the last 17 years. "Thank you Mr. Evans" she sounded like she could be anyone's grandmother as she turned towards the cameras, "Now it was once said to me many years ago, 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.' It is a saying that I believe we were shown last night when a young man and his friends took a frightened child into their care for just a few moments." She pressed her lips together. "However the picture that was taken is quite fretful. This photo was not taken out of concern for another fellow being, one of this nations daughters, it was taken to brag and to cause pain to those involved." She shook her head a look of disappointment crossing her features, "This is not the country that I call home, this is not how we should treat each other. That Lady Kyoko, a young woman, a child really by our traditions and customs as members of nobility and royalty is just disheartening. I had wished that this dear child of our nation, would not require to have our guards follow her every step, even when she is in a place that should be safe for her. Yet we have two of our own, one who broke into her hotel room, to get even at her father ArchDuke Lory for not accepting her into his company. To have someone who is there to take care of guests break the rules that this hotel a wonderful company and spread lies." Her mouth tightens more as she looked onwards, "It is just shameful. Yet, I am pleased to know that Lory Takarada of LME has such a loyal young man at his side, that that young man has such good friends willing to take the hate and disgust from our own people for simply protecting a young woman who was fearful." She leaned back and it was clear as she spoke that she was no longer talking to the nation but those six young men, "I would love to thank you personally for protecting one our daughters knowing it would damage your reputations doing such a thing. I would like to invite you to join me for tea. I do hope that you will accept my invite and we can make this happen soon." She said with a faint smile, "I also like to thank those who have shown those young Japanese men respect and understanding. For showing them love and respect that they deserve fully." She bowed her head slightly and rejoined her daughter and son in law.
Evans had to admit that her little speech was pretty powerful. As Leiko moved back stepping just behind her daughter slightly she didn't cast him a single look as she straightens her shoulders. Robert leaned forward some touching her arm and whispered something into her ear she nodded her head for a moment before the Queen herself touched her mother's lower arm for just a moment and stepped forward. The images would be shown he knew that. Part of him wanted to reach out touch the Queen Mother himself but he knew better, knew that he didn't have that permission but the fact that this family clearly was tight-knit group shown once more to the outside world. To him, it just showed how much power that the small Asian woman held over the whole lot of them. Neither of them would ever go against this woman. It sickens him but he smiled through it all.
Mary stepped the softest smile played across her features before a look of sadness washed over her features, "Last night it came to our attention that my cousin ArchDuke Lory's daughter, Lady Kyoko had come across a very disturbing message found in her hotel room." She features soften, "It is not without reason that this child who had been kidnapped last year would indeed be scared. She believed she was safe and to think she would react in any other way? Well, it would be foolish to think she would be able to handle it with the grace that so many people believe she should have done. To trust her father choice in putting her with this Ren Tsuruga the boy who is a friend of his own son, Lord Kouki, to know that these other five men also took it upon themselves to comfort her to make her forget her fears. That to proves that one does not have to save lives or win awards to do such extraordinary things. They saw a young woman in need, in trouble and protected that girl from an unknown and unseen threat." She smiled gently as she looked outwards to them all, "It is amazing to know that our neighbors would protect one of our own. That is what we should expect from each other, to protect our sons and daughters. To help each other when we see someone in trouble. Yes, I know that the image taken by that young woman was far from a flattering image at that. It brings to question in how things should of have been properly done but I can't help but think of the times Lady Kyoko is alone with my five sons and I can understand why she felt safe, she has always been safe with my sons. Why would she not be safe with these young men? It does bring to question her judgment but her father trusted them for the short time that they were with her." She looked at the cameras as if questioning them, "Is it wrong for us to ask that we trust ArchDuke Lory's judgment? I personally am grateful to say to these young men. I can only pray that the British Empire and its people will learn from their example." She smiled warmly at the cameras "and I would love to also see these young men in person to thank them for putting themselves at risk from an unknown threat, for protecting a young woman. So my husband and I would also like to have them come for tea. I do hope to hear from them but I understand if they would rather stay under the radar after so many unbecoming things have been said about them. Lastly, I would like to remind people that the young woman who entered Lory Takarada's hotel room is still out there so please do your part if you see her please call the hotline. Thank you all for coming today. May God bless us all." She bowed her head and made her way to her mother and husband before the three left the stage.
Vas leaned back in his chair, he knew that there was the only way to make this work. To make Tomi understand how important this was to them. How much of a risk and that meant telling him everything about their eyes and not just the ones of true power, but the ones that had long ago lost the power born to them. "I had an interesting conversation last night," he said taking out a cigar and lighting it as he leaned back. He knew that he could get Natasha on board that wouldn't but maybe he could force his son to finally do something that truly helped the family, besides his stupid plans to start a clean business. "You recall the stories told to you about our eyes right boy?" he said looking at Tomi who stared at him as if fully bored.
"Yeah, three eyes of magic; Eyes of the Dead, Eyes of the Gods, Eyes of the Demon." His eyes turning to look first at his father, followed by his aunt and then he motioned at himself.
Vas nodded his head "Correct. The Zhatka were born to hold the Eyes of the Dead. To speak to the dead to see the memories, madness and alcoholism is a high price for their gifts."
This was not something unknown to the family. It was part of their history and several generations ago they realized that they could have more control more power. They thought that if they merged their bloodlines with the oldest eyes, the eyes of the Gods found in Egypt text, that they could reawaken the gifts that were slowly dying within their bloodline. They had found someone, she had been forced to bear children for the family. She had no husband, each of the men kept her with child and as soon as she gave birth, they would begin to knock her up again. Until she ended up dying of childbirth. Yet she was able to bear children with the eyes of the Gods. It was written that she gave birth to seventeen children, seven of which were born with Goldeyes in the end truly bring back the Eyes of the Gods which was thought to have been lost forever. Tomi was sure that she hated her eyes, more so with the story that in hopes of making it stop, she stabbed out her own eyes. It didn't end of course. Yet at least her children were treated far better than she had ever been treated by them because those children held their blood where she had not.
That had left them with one last eye of power that they needed, for what Zhatka ancestors wanted to have the full set so to speak but the Damon bloodline who was host to the Eyes of the Demon would not mix their blood with them or anyone for that matter. That had been the cast at least until Tod Damon's daughter, Emilia Damon married Makarios Zhatka, even when her father tried to deny the union at first the love between those two was just too strong or so the story went. Tomi doubted that any such love was true that it was always an illusion to not be alone. Still, with their union, in the end, Tod Damon himself agreed to show them how to call the so-called demon who would bless their child with red eyes. Thus Boris was born with red eyes. Yet did that mean that he himself had gone through the ritual? From what he had gathered that had not been the case. That was why he had been named after his great-grandfather because he had been thought to be a truly blessed child just like Tod Damon had been.
"You should have been born with Eyes of the Gods," Natasha said shaking her head, his eyes turned towards her. "We believed we figured out how to unlock the Eyes of the Gods, rape" she narrowed her eyes, "Rape seemed to be the missing puzzle piece."
Tomi leaned back looking at the ceiling, that would make sense in her mind but he doubted it. It was just most likely she didn't realize or understand the truth of her skills and abilities until afterward. "No. Do you think the Egyptian Queens and Pharaohs raped each other?" He rolled his eyes towards her slightly, "I doubt it, no if anything it's the curse... you draw all types, which put you in danger of such things." He said turning his eyes back towards the ceiling, "I think you just didn't realize that it was awakened inside of you." The truth was no one had any proof that those who had born to that poor woman had ever had the power awaken in them, but Tomi wouldn't be surprised if she herself had the power awoken in her and that had been the real reason she tore out her eyes, hoping to end it all. Only by then it was too late.
Natasha stared at him for a moment before huffing as she looked away, "Still the child who was used bare you, should not have resulted in those eyes." Her eyes turned towards Vas who shot her a warning look "He might as well know. You were the result of a woman who was supposed to have gotten herself pregnant with the sperm donated but instead gave it to her little 12-year-old daughter" she sneered at the thought, "Disgusting woman, the girl was put into a coma state until your birth, we should have just had it aborted but we didn't do that did we?" she said looking at Vas, "No the fact she was carrying your child, you wouldn't let that happen. So the child once we realized what had happened, what that woman did was put into a coma. Still, her dear mother got paid, she spent a good 7 months living here in Russia with that little girl in a coma. Then we sent them back. Who knows what happened to that child."
Tomi wasn't surprised by such things. Which seemed to bother Natasha she wanted him to be outraged but he hadn't been. "Might be how to bare a true child of the Demon," he said simply, "the ritual most likely has nothing to do with it." He closed his eyes, "I also doubt father doesn't know what happened to that little girl or her mother." His eyes glowed as he looked at the man.
"No, I know exactly what happened to her, where she is even." His eyes darken slightly as he looked at him.
Natasha shot him a look, Tomi was sure there was more to the story but in all truth, he wasn't surprised by this news either. No, it might actually be the real reason why Vas was so big on not hurting women or children. The fact that to have a son at all had been the result of hurting a child. It likely was his way to atone for not being more careful with his choice. Yet could he say it was the old man's fault, the woman he had requested, the woman who was supposed to bare the child, to bare him? Made sure it went to her daughter instead, that woman was truly dark. It wouldn't surprise him if the woman who was his biological mother hadn't become a dark and twisted soul herself. Isn't that how it worked? 'Cursed from the start' he thought and he couldn't even be bitter about it. His father had wanted to make it easy on the child, the one who would be his host so to speak. Placed her into a coma, kept her safe so the trauma of giving birth at such a young age would not affect her mind. The issue was he sent her back home, back to the woman in question. Yet he wouldn't have done that without putting some insurance on her mother so she would never think again to sell her daughter. He could almost bet that her life hung on the balance after he had found out about what she had done.
Vas leaned back in his chair, "There is more. More than just the three eyes of powers. Just they no longer hold their so-called gifts and abilities all due to one type having affected all the others."
Tomi leaned forward, now this was new to him. Had the others once held powers of their own? That could be useful information, that could help him understand how the others worked. "Explain."
Natasha shook her head, "Hazel eyes prevent the weaker eyes to gain their powers. So they are long dead, doesn't matter anymore." she crossed her legs her fingers tapping on the armrest, "The only thing that matters is they don't affect our eyes, we have proven that fact with Reino and myself." She closed her eyes. "The only one that might be affected is those with the Demon color."
Tomi knew that wasn't true but he was not about to tell her that, his eyes turned towards his father, "Explain."
Vas nodded his head some, "Well from what I gather. There are several that are just personality types likely always been that way. Dark brown to black eyes have great intuitive powers those with grey eyes are extremely intelligent. Yet the other three common eye colors are different. Brown was said to be the most trustworthy able to make people truly trust them. Yet they themselves apparently find it hard to trust those around them. Those with green eyes were to be very lucky but also tended to act irrationally moved by their jealousy a lot of the time. Don't think straight." He tapped his fingers on the desk, "The ones that could likely overpower even the Eyes of Magic are those with blue eyes. They have the ability to lure people, to cast a spell of calmness and peace. They can lure them to any place, to make them want to remain with them in that spell of peace and calmness. We don't have a weakness for them, none was ever reported for some reason."
Natasha sighed "but like I said the bloodlines that would have allowed them to keep their powers were destroyed when those born with hazel eyes came into the picture. Neutered their DNA forever or so it goes."
Vas "But those born with multi-color eyes might be able to fix that problem. Their blood might hold the key to even awaken ours truly without the knowledge in how to do it we can't make it happen." He said darkly.
Natasha, "We already disproved that too. Generations ago." She huffed.
Tomi eyes turned towards her "Explain."
Natasha sighed heavily, "A few generations ago, a good 100 years ago is when we began to run the tests. We found 30 people born with two different eye colors. Brown and Blue, Black and Green, you get the idea. All common eyes. We thought maybe we could restart our dying powers but we didn't want to risk neutering ourselves either so we took those lesser blood ties and offer them marriages for money. Make babies, 10 of them married 10 of their own. The other 10 married 10 of our distant relatives." She smirked "I don't know what they were expecting but 4 generations were born, married within each other and nothing happened. Not that we can be surprised by that either. We always brought in new blood, other distant relatives, but again it wasn't enough apparently because nothing happened other than a few birth defects and fewer children being born. If anything the only power they had is to completely kill off a bloodline within a few generations."
Vas grunted, "That wasn't the case and you know it, they still were able to have children and only a handful were sterile but that because of the interbreeding between the ones set up for that."
Again none of this really surprised Tomi, his family had a history of wanting more power. The power they believed was held fully in the eyes and the gifts and abilities that were granted to those born with them.
"But we never did find any born with the changing eyes," Vas said simply.
"I'm telling you that it was just a myth that bastard gave you. He didn't want to die and he couldn't even tell you what their real powers were supposed to be. I bet it was just people going blind and they thought they were special, touched. Nothing fucking special." Natasha was tired of his conversation and it was starting to carry into her voice as well as her body language.
Yet Tomi knew better than to say anything because he knew exactly one person who had such eyes like that. If he held a key, if he was special more than what he thought before then he wanted to know more. Yet there was no way he could ask such a thing without bringing questions so he just leaned back. Yet if he was right in his thought about how the bastard was, he was going to need to have a talk with him later when he came back.
"Moving on," Vas said darkly, he cleared his throat, "Apparently the Chinese have found a way to awaken the ability of the weaker eyes. I want more information on how they were able to do that." He said grinning, "Once we have that information we will need people to test it on, safely for our blood of course yet we can use some trusted men to help us." His smile didn't fade as he looked at the two of them, "I don't care how you get the information, just make sure to get it."
A/N: 'Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.' this is a quote by Mother Teresa, 'That to proves that one does not have to save lives or win awards to do such extraordinary things' this is a quote based around Queen Elizabeth.