Chapter 4

Three Weeks Later

"Two men are here to see you," Amelia declared. "I recognize one, my lord, from the day you had sent me to take the letter, he was the one I gave the letter to. He goes by the name of Deneuve."

"Deneuve?" Light said standing, prepared to confront the matter.

"Should I let them in?" Amelia uttered.

"Let them in," Light ordered. "Bring them here."

"Yes, master." Amelia left the scene, embarrassed. Light found time to pace some more. No more than a couple of minutes had past, and Amelia had brought the two mysterious people into the living room. The two men, that stood before Light, didn't seem at all threatening. On the contrary, they seemed approachable, but they dressed in black from head to toe, which made Light skeptical.

The taller man wore a hat, concealing his face under the shadows. The other man, slightly shorter than the seemingly older man, had messy, untamed auburn hair, giving him an edge. His strong, angular jaw structure made him appear dangerous, yet he appeared that he could be fancied by the young ladies of England. His light brown eyes haunted Light in ways he couldn't understand; Light kept staring.

"You must be Soichiro's son. Light, is it?" the auburn haired man chanted.

"Correct, and you are?" Light inquired, raising a brow.

"Deneuve, at your service," Deneuve bowed. "I received your letter."

"Then you must be-"

"No. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not who you think I am," Deneuve interrupted. "I'm merely one of my master's assistants. This here is Watari, his trusted butler." Deneuve turned to the old man next to him.

"Why are you here?" Light asked strictly.

"Responding to your letter, my good sir," Deneuve awed. "Our master would be delighted to help you with your endeavors. He is most interested in working with your ingenious mind."

"Is he now?" Light stared.

"Quite certainly," Watari spoke up. "He would like to work with you as soon as possible. To be honest, he would have enjoyed telling you this in person, but he-"

"He doesn't want half of the country to know his true identity. He takes the best of precautions to keep himself safe. He's not liked by his locked up foes or their comrades who roam freely. Nonetheless, he is no fool, I will assure you that." Deneuve started. "He was not about to take in your proposition if it was not for your family relation with Soichiro Yagami. We wouldn't even be here, but since your father had informed us so much about you, when he had the honor to work for my master, well, our master could not say no to your letter. You have potential, Yagami, I can see it myself."

"We've heard of your knack to catch on to things quicker than your father," Watari soothed. "And your deduction ability is very impressive as well."

Light was struck. Could all this possibly be some twisted joke? If it was, he fell for it.

"The Master said he would like for you to think things through," Watari added, "before we bring you to him to start working as partners."

Partners did he say? Light was a little perplexed; he couldn't believe this was actually happening. Light's chance of stopping crime was on the palm of his hands. He didn't feel alone anymore. He desperately wanted to smile, but hid his temptation and looked up at the two men that stood before him. He kept a straight face.

"I think I have made my choice," Light mused.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like a few days to think about it a bit more?" Watari suggested. "There's no rush."

"I've been waiting long enough," Light said, sure of himself. "I'm prepared for anything."

"Welcome to the force, Mister Yagami." Deneuve smiled, reaching out to Light for a handshake. Light returned the gesture, courteously. "We will leave as soon as possible. You have a couple of days to collect your essential belongings, other than that you would have to tell your family about your departure."

"Of course," Light answered.

"Ah, this deserves a celebration!" Deneuve cheered.

Light took it upon himself to have a glass of his finest wine hidden in one of the many cabinets in the living room. He took out three glasses and a large bottle of wine from the small doors. The twinkling glasses, made of fine crystal, were placed by Light on the table that stood on the center of the room. He poured the deep red liquid from the bottle in each glass and handed one to Deneuve and Watari. Watari refused his drink, but before Light could place it back on the table, Deneuve took it from his hand and gleamed at both men.

"You can never have too much wine, gentlemen," Deneuve said. "Cheers!"

Light and Deneuve clanked glasses together. Right after, Deneuve was on his way on chugging his second glass of wine. Light took a small sip of his glass in a more civilized matter. Watari watched, repulsed by Deneuve and his drinking habits, but he was not surprised; he expected behavior like this from Deneuve. Deneuve gulped the last bit of his wine.

"I believe we will be leaving, Mister Yagami," Watari announced. "But we will be coming back in the morning, say at ten before nine?"

"Of cou-"

"Why at a time so late, Watari? Let's come early in the morning... Let's say... dawn!" Deneuve said slightly slurred. "The brink of sudden daylight, where you can hear the birds chipper their sweet, whistling songs... Can we do that, Watari?"

Watari took of his top hat and placed it over his chest in full apology to Light. An old man, wise looking, and fully well mannered appeared under the shadows. His hair combed to the back, his glasses perfectly on the bridge of his crocked like nose made him look like he came from a much higher social class than Deneuve.

"Excuse Deneuve," Watari said, apologetically. "We will be here at nine."

Light nodded. "Please, let me walk you both out."

"We would be delighted!" Deneuve said flourished, making his way to the doors in quick steps. Watari followed hastily behind. Light looked at them as they left through the massive mansion doors. Soon they were out of sight completely.

. . .

The late afternoon abrupted Light's mind apprehensively. It had been seven days since he had made his choice to work with the mysterious detective. In just a matter of hours he would be departing from his home estate into the dark night to London leaving his dear mother, sister, and loyal servants. How could he make the choice to leave them? He could not possibly do that, they were family after all. No matter now. The decision was final.

Light already made it clear to the household, and his dear mother, that he would be leaving and would return when time called for it. His mother could only nod and accept her son's wishes. Light knew she disapproved of the choice from the moment she had turned her back, to the moment he saw a rolling tear coming down her cheek.

Light could only ponder in his thoughts at the moment. Light knew his mother wanted the best for him and let him be happy, even if that meant him leaving for who knows how long.

"I am to assume you are all prepared Mr. Yagami," Watari said. All reality resumed into Light. He was outside the estate grounds, a carriage stood before him, and his bulky, fancy looking bags sat next to him. The sky above was turning into a soft purple and faded orange. Twilight was surely a mystery and wonder to Light.

"I cannot see a reason why I shouldn't be," Light said with the calmest of tones.

And with that, Watari welcomed him to the ebony colored carriage.