Ran wandered toward the garden where the dancing was taking place, and stopped to admire its beauty.
"Shizuka san must have spent a great deal of time with the decoration of this place," Ran thought to herself.
The band was set up on a small stage with Wisteria hanging from overhead and was now playing soft classical music. At the center of the garden was a large exquisite marble fountain with water pouring down from a miniature bride and groom at the top. Golden vines were strung across the surrounding trees with Chinese lanterns hanging off them, illuminating the night sky. Glass ornamental decorations were scattered throughout the garden, with lavender and honey suckle intertwined around them. Fireflies flew through the garden, completing the majestic appearance.
The garden was like a setting from a Disney movie, in which the prince would sweep the princess of her feet and they would live happily ever after. Except Ran would never have a fairy tale ending.
Sighing, Ran walked over to the nearest bench and plopped herself on it, and with nothing else to do, began to observe the couples dancing. They all looked so blissfully self-occupied that it actually hurt to watch them. She and Shinichi were supposed to be like that. He was supposed to be by her side right now, twirling her around in circles around the garden, not away on some stupid case. He was supposed to be like her Peter Parker, her Edward Cullen, and her Romeo. Shinichi was supposed to be by her side, constantly protecting her from danger while making her laugh every day. But instead she had to deal with his aggravating mysteries always being the third person in their relationship. If it was a choice between her and a mystery, he would always place the mystery before her. He even decided to leave her alone for three years while solving "a big case."
The only thing that had made his long absence acceptable was Conan. Conan had always somehow snuck up on her and cheered her up when she was feeling upset, and made her feel complete again when she felt ripped apart. It was as if he could read her mind. Nevertheless Conan too had left her alone, with not even a way to contact him. A tear leaked from the corner of her eye.
Damn it. She promised herself she wouldn't cry today. It was Kazuha's and Heiji's big day. She couldn't afford to selfishly go back into the depression which had overtaken her when Conan left. She began to take deep breaths and struggled to regain her composure.
"Yukiko san was wrong," she thought. "This beautiful night is not suited for somebody as heartbroken as I. I mar its serenity and elegance with my inner turmoil."
As Ran got up to leave, a voice onstage stopped her. Turning to look, she saw Heiji holding the microphone with one hand, and other his arm snaked around Kazuha possessively.
"He still hasn't let her go," Ran thought dryly to herself.
"Ladies and gentleman, if I could please have your attention," Heiji said with a secretive smile. "We would like to offer a special event which is unusual for weddings, but then again, many of you have probably heard of what a mystery freak I am."
The crowd chuckled. Heiji's love for mysteries was well known among the audience. It could be easily compared to Shinichi's.
"Kazuha and I have planned a special event for one lucky guest as a way of saying sorry for everything we've put you through."
"That's strange wording," Ran mused. "Normally wouldn't he say something like 'as a way of saying thank you for supporting us?' Why would he say sorry for everything we've put you through?"
Meanwhile, Heiji kept describing the event which was going to take place.
"In this mystery hunt we will provide clues of locations. At each location will be a hint to the next one and after the second location will be the hint of the site of our prize. If you solve the given riddle properly, you should be able to easily find the exact location of the next one. Of course, the chosen guest can always have audience participation if they need it. Is everybody ready for an adventure?"
The guests cheered enthusiastically, not fazed at all by the bizarre turn of events. It was Heiji Hattori after all. He probably was dying to insert some kind of mystery into the wedding plan. Ran played along, cheering and clapping her hands. The sudden turn of events was a welcome change from the romantic atmosphere from earlier.
"Drum roll please," Heiji called to the band. The drum kit player began a loud roll on the suspended cymbal as Heiji picked out a name from a black velvet hat.
"Ran Mouri, you have been chosen as our candidate for the 'Felicitas Venari' mystery hunt!" He announced, his eyes gleaming.
Ran felt all eyes in the garden turn on her as she began striding toward the stage, determined to get this "mystery contest" over with.
From the edge of the forest, the man grinned, his azure blue eyes glinting in the darkness, as he listened to the events in the garden through his blue tooth.
"And so our plot thickens," he whispered deviously.
O.o What's he planning? And what will happen with this "mystery hunt?"
Read the next chapter to find out!
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xoxoxoxo,
~Agentlebreeze