-Enmie how is Kikuri?
Enmie didn t say a word, her grave look made me even more on guard; she just moved aside and opened the door, what I saw right away made tears instantly appear on my eyes there was my nekomimi, in a wheelchair, upon seeing me she smiled weakly and slowly waved hi to me; my instincts made me instantly run to hug her; I stopped midway though, detained by the usaguimimi s voice:
-I wouldn t do that if I were you not that recklessly at least, she is extremely sensible right now -Sensible? I commented, asking with extreme happiness next that means that 2% probability happened? A miracle took place?
-You could say yes, it did she replied, being hidden behind the wall but we will only be completely sure in three to four weeks, understood?
-Yes! Kitty I asked looking at her how are you feeling?
-As if my whole body was coming back from numbness do you know when you get your leg numb for sitting funny? And when it is coming back to normal it gets extremely sensible? So, like that, much better than the pain I was into -OH so wonderful! I replied kneeing in front of her, trying to get her paw the most delicate way possible, kissing it next it is so good having you back kitty I was so lonely these days -Forgive me sweetie she said while fighting back the tears I promise that I will do my best to be at your side forever from now on -Thanks my dear kitty - I replied while drying my eyes do you wish to do something in particular? Tell me your wish and it shall be an order!
-Sweetie, thanks for being so kind to someone like me she said while a tears rolled down her cheek can I spend the day with Momiji, my sister and my siblings on their house? I know you are busy but would that be asking too much?
-Not at all kitty! I replied turning towards Momiji ask Stephan to take you there by car, as I didn t hire a driver yet, if it is needed tell him to confirm that order with me, understood?
-Yes Richard thanks! replied a smiling Saori.
After seeing my girlfriend go, I headed to my particular room, I took my residential phone and dialed the Capuleto s number; I knew for sure there wasn t anyone I might wanted to talk to there, however there might be some slaves and employees taking care of the place I believe Sir. Monterrey may have ways to contact Margareth s new location, after exact four rings a feminine voice answered my call:
-Capuleto s residence, Hiragi Ginka speaking, to whom I talk to?
-Montecchio Richard.
-Oh! Sir. Montecchio, how can this humble servant be of service?
-Is Sir. Monterrey in at the moment?
-Yes, just a moment and I will bring him here.
-Sir. Monterrey speaking, good morning! he answered after a minute in what can I help little Richard?
Sir. Monterrey was a really old worker on the Capuleto s residence, he was an austere and respectful man, he was already sixty years old, all of them lived inside the family; he wasn t a slave, but rather followed his mother s footsteps, the previous housekeeper; same job he assumed thirty years ago, regardless the friendship we shared, I wouldn t let that get in the way of the objectives I had in mind now:
-Good morning; I have something very important to ask you, I really need to talk with Margareth Capuleto, would you have the number of the place she is now, please?
-Richard - he replied, sighting I know you might have a good reason, but the mistress forbade me completely to reveal any means to contact her, I ask you to forgive me.
-You need to give me her number Monterrey, this is something that cannot be left for another time! Understand please.
-Boy; I know you have a good motive to need to talk to her, but I assure you I cannot reveal you any way that what she asked me not to do as if it was her last wish
That wasn t good at all, I knew Sir. Monterrey was extremely loyal to Margareth he wouldn t concede so easily if he was really following her orders I didn t wish to take it this far, however I didn t have another option in my hands
-Monterrey; I don t want to use this method I said, breathing deeply specially seeing the great relations our families share, but speaking to Margareth is something of royal urgency I have a royal induct that bestows on me total powers on this investigative matter, I really wish I won t need to use this to force you to provide me with the information I need -Boy - he replied, seemingly pondering for some moments the situation is that serious? You need so badly to talk to mistress to take it this far?
- Yes Sir. Monterrey, unfortunately yes I had a hunch before, however today the noble Andrade brought to my knowledge something that just reinforces more my need to talk to her.
-I comprehend Richard - he silenced for a moment however we have a big problem then.
-And what would it be? I asked seeing my patience slowly being drained.
-Not even I have her number, Margareth just calls us occasionally, all times from an unidentified number -Monterrey I replied, almost venting at him I really hope you are joking -No boy; I am not joking, but I told you that so you can understand what I am going to suggest you.
-And what would that be? I asked, slightly calmer.
-Every time she calls, a new calling date is given, where she will instruct on how to deal with family affairs; on her last communication with us she said that she would call again let me check here I heard then sounds of papers being manipulated what a coincidence! Tomorrow! Boy, what do you say about coming here tomorrow morning and when she calls I put you on the line?
-Deal Monterrey; for me that is enough now.
-Do you wish for something else Richard?
-No, thank you, have a nice day.
I hang up the phone and began feeling bothered by something why would Margareth be isolating herself like that? I pondered she always had been a woman to face every problem that would befall her; well losing the husband and son at the same time can radically change a person tomorrow I will talk to her and check how she is feeling
The rest of the day was a slow one, Stephan came to confirm the order I gave Momiji to him, soon all of them went to the meeting Kikuri so wanted; I also asked the catering service I always hire to go there and began planning the first details of the party, give options I wanted my nekomimi to be part of everything now I would give her everything she deserved it but why I had this dreaded feeling inside my heart?
I went to my company together with Akira; then I instructed my direct representative, the one that carried the Montecchio name when I wasn t present; I told him that I would be away for a long period this time, giving him a device similar to the king s one, using a different frequency of course, to get in touch with me directly in case of some emergency; I assured him that the amount of time I would need him was long and if everything was in working order once I was back, I would present him a very comfortable retirement.
In the afternoon, in my office I began thinking about the huge risk I went through this morning; being attacked as we were without having some immediate way to counter attack wasn t good at all, especially considering that it wouldn t be all the times we would be lucky enough to get the first strike hit a wallet what would have happened if Andrade were to be hit directly in the heart I thought worse; and if I were hit? those thoughts made me shiver, dying at this moment would leave the king without someone trustworthy to be at his side and become vulnerable I needed reinforcements on my ranks however in who could I trust? Even someone suggested by Your Highness might be part of the traitors
I then began searching my stuff to try to find a good and trustworthy reference when a card fell to the ground; in it was written Yokumbi and a telephone number it was then when I remembered the incident in that city we wanted to invest Yokumbi has fame of not working with nobles as he doesn t stand them I thought maybe it was him the most indicated? As both traitors were nobles we could at least try right? I got my mobile phone and dialed the number there, sometime later his known voice answered saying:
-Yokumbi here, who am I talking to and how did you get this number?
-I am Montecchio Richard and it was you yourself that gave me this after the fight on North Verona.
-Richard? I never imagined you would really call me, what would be the motive for me to have the honor to talk to a honorable noble?
-We have a big problem among the ones of the same social rank as me, I believe some of them might be into something big I cannot reveal you too much details by phone, but I was already involved in two murder attempts I would need help both in case of direct combat as well as secret missions and even on direct and indirect infiltrations I already could verify that in the fight department you are very good, do you have experience with security systems?
-Richard, I am capable of secrecy, however those mechanical things aren t my turf I always have a supporting partner when being silent isn t enough this partner isn t good on direct combat, but a very valuable intelligence source for you and is extremely sociable, what do you think?
-Do you think this partner is trustworthy? I would like to have a small chat before deciding anyway.
-Deal, tomorrow afternoon is a good time? It is the time I need to get in touch and go there, to your home?
-Yes, better be there, as if we are being watched as I suspect we are, they will think you are a regular visit, see you then Yokumbi.
-See you Richard.
I decided then to finalize the day at the office, now I would go home to rest as the next day was going to be really rushed, Capuleto s residence in the morning and meeting Yokumbi s partner in the afternoon at times I just wished my life to come back to the way it was before this all began I arrived home six PM, I entered by the backdoor as I wanted to talk to Dawn before anything else to know what was dealt with Andrade, I didn t even need to look a lot for her, seeing that she was on a corner of the kitchen, humming a song, visibly blooming with happiness, preparing something that was unknown to me until that moment:
-Good afternoon Dawn-chan, how you doing today?
-Very well Richard she replied blushing slightly especially after the talk I had with the noble -As I see it was a very good talk want to share with me how it went?
-Oh! she blushed deeply the noble wanted to talk both with me and sis Dusk asked him a ton of questions, really flooded him with them but at each reply she had less and less arguments he said he couldn t stop thinking about me he he he that he wanted to have a serious relationship with me which meant being my boyfriend Rick I know I should have asked for your permission but I accepted -Accepted? I replied more shocked than anything else.
-Yes - she replied lowering the ears was it bad of me?
-No, not at all Dawn, I just didn t think you loved him!
-Oh! Love as my mom taught us I still don t however she told me once that love isn t necessary in the beginning of a relationship to start it; just respect and care are needed
That made me think that maybe what I was doing to Kikuri fit in this situation seeing I didn t love her, however I wished for her extreme care and respect so like my father when he had the arranged marriage with the witch I knew as mother, both just loved each other a lot later, according to what Nina told me that is until the day I was born
-I comprehend I replied well I don t see much of a problem if your sister accepted it, as long as it doesn t disturb your work, agreed?
-YOU BET RICK! she shouted in sheer happiness, tail wagging frenetically and bowing - COUNT ON ME RICK! YOU WON T REGRET IT!
I petted her head and left to my room, I asked Akira to take care of the small details of the dinner and to call me when everything was ready; I was tired and I planned to listen to some music to relax in my bedroom, I entered it and turned on the lights, to my surprise my blonde nekomimi was in the middle of the place caught totally off guard, I just asked:
-Oh! Yumi, you around here -Sweetie I needed a lot to talk to you I have to tell you something really important I need to confess something - said Yumi, with a decided look.