Author's Note: Yes, I know. I'm unbelievable late one month. And I am really sincerely sorry about this. If anyone wants to comment anything about my lazy attitude, please do so. To all readers, my utmost apology…if I still have any.
Chapter 22:
Checking on her uniform one last time, she went out of her room and got herself ready to greet the guests that were arriving somewhere this time.
"Now, what seems to be the problem in Pulata, Mato?"
Creed shifted slightly in his seat and leered at Mato.
"No doubt that you are a skillful and professional in handling trifle matters just slightly lazy, so why the trouble in bringing your petty problems here?"
In meetings like this, each kingdom takes turns in relating their problems and the rest would try to find a possible solution. The first two was done quickly as Kranon and Sarika had no problems in their countries, fortunately for everyone. It was Mato's turn from Pulata to report.
"Goodness, the atmosphere is tensed in here."
"Yes Rin."
"But Train, didn't you say you were all close friends?"
Train shrugged.
"I did say that but I didn't mean everyone was close friends, I was only talking mainly about me and the rest, not Creed."
"Oh, meaning that Creed and the rest of the elders are pretty hostile with one and another?"
Train looked on as Creed and Mato fight to gain dominance in the meeting.
"Enough to attack each other."
"Fascinating."
"It is not when it involves us, Rin."
"Oh."
Their whispered conversation was interrupted with a shout from Mato.
"Look Creed! Didn't we agree that we will bring our problems to this annual meeting! So why are you so against with it?!"
Creed shifted and crossed his legs in a lazy drawl.
"I did say that but I didn't say that you bring petty problems that you could have easily solved if you use your brain here as well."
Creed had made sure that part of the sentence was loud enough for everyone to hear. However, it was obvious that Mato had taken the bait.
"Are you trying to imply something, Creed?!"
"Obviously not, I'm merely stating that the problems could have been easily solved if you just worked your already tiny brains, though I can't blame your right-hand-man Kinto because his is under your orders. Though he had a better future than you as he is sharp in thinking and in actions. What a pity!"
It was obvious that Mato was boiling in anger and Kinto who stood right behind him was red in the face, embarrassed of his Lord's behavior and Lord Creed's compliments on him. It was rare to hear Lord Creed's complimenting on anyone and anyone would have blush in pride when one hears that.
"Imbecile! So what if I'm lazy?! What are you going to do ab-!"
Horror and shocked seeped through the entire hall as blood was spluttered everywhere, some were on people's face or clothes, giving them a sickening look. Creed just placed his beloved sword back to his respective sheath gently.
"Erased you from this place will what I will be doing, moron. You are not worth my time. Kinto, take over the leadership and see that you don't make the same mistakes or I can't guarantee that your head will stay long on your neck and shoulders. Get my drift?"
Poor Kinto was so nervous that he tripped making most of the leaders smiled in amusement at the new incoming leader, he quickly stood up.
"Yes sir!! I will do my best sir!"
Creed sat back down lazily.
"Not sir, idiot! You are a leader now so 'master' is more appropriate."
"Yes, master Creed."
"All right, that is how you addressed your own ranking. However, lower ranking people, like the right-hand-men and right-hand-women would have to addressed you as 'Lord' and bowed as a greeting, if not silenced them eternally but for your best interest, do not expect that from my right-hand-man, as the only thing he will do is addressed you properly but not bowed. Never once did he ever bowed to me and the other leaders no matter how much we persuade with different methods, from gentle to rough. He always gives me a headache."
Roaring laughter erupted, including Rin, poor Train could only glared coldly at Creed and then landed his gaze on the new comer, obviously daring him to try his luck who quickly turned away embarrassed. The leaders here could only agreed on the same thing, never once did Train bowed to anyone of them, much to some of their annoyance.
"Wow, you're pretty famous, Train."
"Not much of an advantage, Rin."
"I see your point!"
Saying that, Rin burst out laughing along with everyone. Really, though Train tried to act cool, tough and serious, in the end inside him was just a teenager still growing up and learning things on his way, not to mention in a stubbornly cute way. Laughter was beginning to cease through time and everyone went back to the serious part of the meeting. Creed stood up again and took charge, glancing at the newcomer.
"Well, when you get back explained the situation to the rest and if they don't cooperate, report to me. Either I or Train will deal with it. After that, it is necessary of you to appoint a new right-hand-man or right-hand-woman. I don't care, your choice. Get what am I'm saying?"
Kinto nodded nervously.
"Well, take your seat and unlike your leader, surely you yourself can solve the fights that are occurring all over the bandits in your town?"
"Yes, 'Master' Creed."
"Good then, next is Lotte from Keko."
A beautiful lady that sat across the table stood up gracefully. Her blonde hair was all tied up excluding a few strands of hair that fell in front of her face. She wore a long bright yellow sleeveless coat and with a bow attached at the back, she look spirited in some way.
"Train, she must be a professional at archery!"
Train gave her a small smile.
"Yes she was the one who almost shot a perfect shot at my eye."
"Really, maybe I can ask her to teach me!"
Train gave a glare.
"Rin, don't try your luck."
Rin pouted.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I beat her fair and square in 15 minutes."
Train look proud in his accomplishments as Rin look surprised and let out a muffled giggle.
"No kidding! God, sucks for her then!"
"All the same, don't piss her off or this day will be your grave. She tends to be overly aggressive."
"Uh-huh, I can see why!"
Train heard a shout immediately after Rin finished her sentence. With a huge sigh, he found himself staring at another once again fight. However, turning his head was a lucky move as he spotted arrows heading their way. In one last moment, he pushed Rin aside and evaded the attack by moving his head slightly to the right, allowing the arrows to land on Train's chair. Rin looked up with an angry and bewildered look,
"Who the hell did that?!"
Rin immediately rise from her fall with anger boiling inside her. Train saw the look and quickly got up from his chair and presumes to hold Rin down in a worried and embarrassed look as people seating nearby was looking at them and giggling.
"Rin, get back to your seat now before I forced you personally!"
"But Train…!"
Train gritted his teeth and hissed slightly,
"Junior, do as what I have said!"
"Yes, senior."
Rin finally sensing that all eyes were on them and finally realized how embarrassing they were. She quickly sat back down as Train released his tight grasp on her. Kranon was obviously hiding a snicker at the enthusiastic Rin who gave him a dirty look in reply. Heads turn back to Lotte as they wondered why she had shot those arrows at the first place.
"Sorry, I thought I saw a green spider near Train-kun side and it was closing in Rin-chan and it was deadly poisonous but I didn't mean to scare Train-kun and Rin-chan. Forgive me."
Upon hearing that, they both turned around and true to her words a green spider was stabbed through Train's chair with an arrow hitting the center. Rin immediately blush in embarrassment whereas Train just gave her a smile of thanks which Lotte acknowledged by nodding.
"She address you as 'kun', are you guys close friends?"
Train gave a sigh.
"I guess you can say that, we did meet at a young age."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, really."
Both were interrupted from their conversation when Lotte had decided to speak.
"I'm glad to announce that our country is as safe as it sounds, Master Creed."
"That's wonderfully good news, Lotte, you may sit and the last would be Haniko. Haniko, if you please?"
Haniko stood up quickly.
"No sire. Nothing for today."
Creed smiled brightly as Haniko sat down.
"Well, another piece of good news! I guess we are lucky today as most of your countries didn't have any problems with yourselves. Reward them if you think they deserve it and since we have finished and hour earlier, can everyone head towards the dining room?"
Saying that, Creed pushed himself up and head towards the dining room. However, because of manners, Train's duty was to stay and wait until everyone makes their way towards the room, Rin to accompany of course. All the leaders started to chat with one another and slowly make their way, once the hall was cleared; Train and Rin finally make their way to the room and seated themselves right beside Creed. Silence was soon settled.
"May the food be just right for your taste buds! Now eat!"
"That was very polite."
Rin murmured.
"Polite alright."
Train murmured.
"Hey Train, when do we see them?"
"Them?"
"Have you forgotten already?!"
"Oh right, Eve and Jenos."
"Yes so when do we go?"
"We can go after lunch is over and when the guests are heading back."
"Really? I thought you said when lunch is over, we get going."
"Yeah but since the meeting took such a short time, we might as well go later which is much safer and better."
"Great! So long we get there!"
Train chuckled lightly before turning back to his own food. He had to admit that today was rather uneventful. Judging by the look of the dark sky, Eve's event was about to start. He smirked mentally as he thought about the poor servants rushing about making everything perfect. He wouldn't want to be there even if Rin promised to leave him alone for one day. He glanced up as Kranon and Giko bid farewell as they left the hall. The visitors were starting to leave already, meaning they still have much time. He sighed in relief as the percentage of getting caught was again lowered.
"Earth to Train!"
He snapped and glanced at Rin.
"You haven't touched your food for the last 5 minutes and if this continues, you are going to subconsciously draw attention and everyone is going to think you are sick!"
Train look up and sure enough a few were looking at him. He hurriedly turned his attention back to his food and feed himself to clear suspicions about him. Rin gave a tired sigh as she heard her senior murmured softly,
"Oops?"
"I can't believe he is older than me…"
In the castle…
"Eve, where are you? Eve?"
"Here I am! Is anything the matter?"
"Eve, have you forgotten that you are supposed to greet the guests once they arrived?"
Eve quickly stood up and went down in a hurry leaving her book wide open on the table. Jenos laughed and presume to follow her.
"How many guests have arrived, Jenos?"
"Three. Friends of fathers, one had come alone and the other is a couple."
"Oh, what time is it?"
"Six sharp, Eve."
"That's pretty punctual."
"Yeah, so do you know when our cousins are coming?"
Eve let out a horrific gasp.
"Ugh, please don't mention about them, Jenos."
"I know how much you feel about them but you have to face the fact they are coming, Eve. So what time?"
"Um, they will be arriving thirty minutes time."
"Well, we should try to enjoy this before 'they' arrived, shouldn't we?"
"Yes, I suppose so. How I wish 'they' could arrive earlier?"
"'They'? You mean our cousins?"
"No, I meant Train and Rin."
"Oh, well they said they will be arriving slightly later right? With they way they were calculating, I suppose they will be arriving one hour and thirty minutes later."
Eve let out a huge sigh. One hour and thirty minutes later?! That was quite a long way. Nonetheless, she had to hold on until they arrived. They were the only people that Eve was looking forward in seeing. Like Jenos, she was pretty interested in how they will act in the crowds. But then again, she was pretty worried too. What would happen if they get paranoid or something? What can she do to help them? She didn't know but she shouldn't worried so much, after all, bandits are supposed to be strong and stubborn, aren't they? Only time will tell.
They soon reached the main grand hall and saw that there were more guests entering the hall. Eve and Jenos spotted their mother having a conversation with a group of women. They were all giggling softly at something their mother had just said. Eve went back in searching for her father among the crowds. Soon enough, her eyes lay upon her father at a corner having a private conversation with an elderly gentleman. Her father spotted her too at the same time and beckoned both of them. Obeying his wishes, they run to his side.
"Yes, Father?"
"Ah Eve, Jenos, I would like you to meet an old time friend of mine, Mason."
"Is a pleasure to meet you, sir."
Jenos and Eve both said at the same time and bowed. Spotting Jenos' uniform, he smiled uneasily.
"Oh, is Jenos a 'Chronos' member?"
"Why yes, you were aware that 'Chronos' existed?"
Sven looked surprised as he answered.
"Of course, they are pretty well known for their strength and loyalty. Are you proud in being a 'Chronos', Jenos?"
Jenos gave a proud smile and nodded.
"Of course sir."
Upon hearing that, Mason gave them a crooked smile and turned towards Sven.
"You have wonderful and well behaved children. You must be very proud of them, Sven."
Sven placed his hands gently on Eve's and Jenos' shoulders.
"Indeed I am. I wouldn't exchange these two for anything else."
Mason smiled again as Eve and Jenos blushed with pride.
"Now run along, you two. Both of you should help Sephira greet the guests."
"Yes Father, by your leave."
Another bow and they were both on their way. Jenos and Eve walked quietly across the room towards Sephira.
"Hey Jenos, about Mason…"
"Yeah, he looks odd…"
Eve nodded in agreement.
"Uh-huh, you think so?"
"Eve, the way he was smiling was just mighty creepy for me. What do you think about him?"
Eve look thoughtful.
"I don't know but one thing is for sure, he smile is obviously fake."
"Fake?"
Jenos was surprised at Eve's answer.
"Yes, Jenos, his smile is fake. Didn't you notice?"
"How could I if I was noticing his horrible taste in clothes?"
Eve gave out a huff of annoyance.
"Jenos, you are mean. Though you have excellent taste in clothing, you don't go around and insult someone else with it."
"I can't help it. You have to admit that I'm pretty good-looking, not that I'm trying to be arrogant, mind you."
Eve kept silent and studied her brother. Okay, she concede defeat, he was pretty good-looking which only make his attitude towards dressing up worst. He was currently wearing a suit inside and the 'Chronos' uniform was making itself look pretty by hanging on good-looking Jenos' shoulders. No one knew anything about the 'Chronos' uniform, excluding the royal family, the 'Chronos' and some royal members, like Mason.
"See, I told ya!"
Eve snapped.
"What do you meant?"
Jenos gave a confident pose as he saw Eve's bewildered expression.
"You were so memorized about me that you almost upset the flower vase and you should be thankful that Sephira noticed that."
"What? Sephira?"
Eve looked up to only find Sephira looking down at her warmly; her hand was holding an expensive vase that was ready to upset in the opposite direction. Eve realizing what Jenos had meant gave out a surprised gasp, quickly taking the vase and placing it gently on the table.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Sephira!! Are you hurt anywhere?"
Sephira let out an amused chuckle.
"Your highness, please let yourself at ease, I'm not hurt."
Eve sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness!"
"So are you here to help me?"
Eve and Jenos nodded simultaneously.
"Okay , come on then."
-End-of-Chapter-
REVIEWS:
Mama: I AGREERED WIF YOU!! PLZ FORGIVE ME 4 THE LONG UPDATE!! THANX 4 UR REVIEW!
Mayab: I'M GLAD YOU FOUND THAT PART FUNNY, I WAS PRETTY AFRAID THAT MY STORY WAS BORING AS EVERYTHING LOOKED SO SERIOUS! PLZ FORGIVE ME 4 THE LONG UPDATE!! THANX 4 UR REVIEW!
Rilafbrk: THANX 4 UR SUPPORT! PLZ FORGIVE ME 4 THE LONG UPDATE!! THANX 4 UR REVIEW!
Lizz: I REALLY APPRECIATE UR COMMENT ABOUT MY STORY!! YOU REALLY MAKE MY DAY! PLZ FORGIVE ME 4 THE LONG UPDATE!! THANX 4 UR REVIEW!
Chidori: THANX 4 UR REVIEW!!! PLZ FORGIVE ME 4 THE LONG UPDATE!!
