-Boy! This is a joke isn t it? after staring at me face that clearly didn t seem one of someone that was actually even joking for a moment, added even if you aren t, we cannot simply take our things and walk away! You know very well that once a slave, always a slave! Even if you don t tell the authorities that there was a slave outbreak, as soon as the cops find us, we shall be dead! How and we flee?
-I imagined that you would be the one to ask me this I replied to Stephan, signing for him to sit down I am completely aware of that problem Stephan, don t you worry; I have something in mind, there is an organization that does not aim profit that helps those who lost everything, but didn t get to the point of being enslaved, they make food, help them finding jobs, give roof to them among other things; sponsored by me I lifted my index finger, signing one with it the only request I made of them to cover one hundred percent of their expenses was that they only used slave workforce, and that they had the same respect for them as I give to you here, of course today that is the second best place to work as a slave in Verona, and there is where I will order my lawyer to take you, in case you decide to go; that is why at this instant I turned the hourglass upside down, the sand in it began falling down, I closed my eyes in sequence you have five minutes to decide what you wish to do.
I crossed my arms then and waited, I kept listening to my workers whispering and talking between all the presents at the table; I was almost certain all would stand up and leave, as a matter of fact when the time was about to run out, I heard chairs moving from their places and a disturbing silence, right after I saw Akira comment oh the sand is over ; that was when I had the major surprise of my life, everyone was standing before their respective places! Then Momiji looked at me and said:
-Richard he bowed in sequence I believe I what I shall say is our mutual opinion on this matter, you always have been an honest and caring master, taking care of us as part of your family, giving us attention and respect we wouldn t even find in another place Momiji then looked at me in the eyes again, with so much determination that made me shiver even if we went to the place you mentioned, in case the Montecchio house were to fall, it wouldn t take long so that there would fall as well and it became as any other place; that is why that even without the need for words, we decided to stay and fight until the end, as a true family should be!
-B But Momiji! Everyone can be involved in the conflicts and be killed! I then pointed to Dawn, that had heard everything silently and agreed to Dawn, are you up to taking this risk and making Andrade sad in case something happens?
-Rick, I bet even Andrade would support this decision of mine Dawn then looked at me and smiled the only thing I have left after I became a slave was my dignity, running with my tail between my legs isn t something that I - the inumimi blushed at that moment, along with Dusk that my children with my loved one have as an example -B But Dawn - I tried to reply her, when I was interrupted by Momiji.
-Richard, with all due respect, you won t be able to demote us from our convictions he then looked at each member, one by one they nodded as a reply we are sincerely together with you until the end of the investigations, we will either arrived or die together, and I assure you at this moment you have all my support, I am here to help you in any way I can, think of my as you most loyal servant Richard, that is the very least Kikuri expected from her brother-in-law.
-I u understand I replied, giving in to them, however a little worried but Momiji, from everyone here, you are the one that has a whole family depending on you, how will things be in case the worse happens to you?
-You don t have to worry regarding that Richard Momiji bowed, asking in sequence I am sure that Marcus will take good care of everyone, however if it isn t much of a burden, would you allow me to just see my siblings one more time tomorrow? In case I fall in combat I will be sure to have told them all how much I loved them.
-Oh! Consider your wish granted I replied enthusiastically would you allow me to take myself, Saori and yourself there? I am actually missing little Yui-chan and wanted to see her - I blushed in sequence, scratching my cheek.
-Richard you don t know how you would honor us with that! Saori bowed replying my question you don t have a clue how much Yui-chan likes you!
-Thanks Saori-chan! I smiled and pointed to all that food! without further ado then, let s eat to our hearts content!
We ate until we were completely stuffed; all the food was wolfed down, however Akira seemed as if she wasn t as normally energetic as she usually is, when I asked her regarding this fact, she just said she wasn t with much appetite and a little bit tired, I imagined this fact was due to stress from taking care of my this whole month added with how tiring this day was, once again trusting my instincts proved to be a serious mistake which I found out way later why; once we were done we went to my bedroom I took my shower together with my sleepy nekomimi and as soon as we finished she simply sat on her bedroom still naked and slept, without even having time to wish my goodnight; after covering her with the bed sheets I called the king and Andrade setting up a video conference between the two, as soon both of them were connected, our images showed up, then Andrade said:
-Well, if it isn t our dear companion Montecchio! Andrade commented as soon as he saw me onscreen I bet you finally recovered from the problems that were wounding you correct? he then winked to me discreetly.
-Is that true Richard? asked the king, with a reassured face the noble Andrade had reported me that you were, along with his bride, seriously wounded on the operation against the ex-noble Silva; and that you were needing to rest under medical orientation, your full recovery makes me really happy; can we resume our investigative activities then?
-O Of course! I replied, thanking Andrade mentally for not having told the king what he witnessed here while he was visiting Dawn, I reported everything that happened on the mission to him and also the continuation of the threat letters, making a question next before we debate what might still happen, could you inform how Rita is?
-She was relocated to work with us, since she is under aged and was molested by a noble he replied pointing to Rita who was working cleaning the place up we have a moral obligation to take care of her, little Daisy, although some of the things that were taught her were deplorable, is a very cute kid; our teachers said that it will still be possible to correct the wrong things that were taught her.
-That is very good! I replied, going for another subject Jo o, at first I thought that Silva was one of the responsible for the murder attempts, however I now believe he was manipulated by the real traitor or the extremists themselves trying to make us unstable, however our list has shortened quite a bit now -You are right Montecchio Andrade replied, pondering for some instants the Capuleto and the Bernardo were murdered, the Silva was manipulated and killed in combat, me and Montecchio are investigating and are the main targets aside Your Highness, leaving then the Oliveira, Souza and Soares -Among there I also don t believe there might be someone able both monetarily, as well witty enough to be part of such well elaborated plot the king commented, with a thoughtful face.
-I know that the Oliveira always has been your friend said Andrade, looking to me however the fact she is closer to the nekomimi because she belongs to their race doesn t make her an automatic suspect?
-Well, unless said nekomimi prophet or leader order all members of their race to become our enemies, I really doubt she would do something while I am still siding the king I replied shaking the head the noble loves me way too much to try something that would potentially make me see her as a traitor and consequently make me hate her.
-Richard is right about that one Andrade said the king, nodding the their promise is something that even I believe into, seeing as that even Oliveira s mother would comment to me from time to time.
-In worst case scenario, she may be being manipulated by the extremists or traitor as Silva once was I thought a bit on what I said and corrected myself I don t say being manipulated on Silva s level though, she might be receiving and passing us information strategically manipulated by the radicals, one of the motives that made me give up having her with us investigating.
-It makes sense Andrade replied, thinking in sequence but what shall we do next? Now that Silva is dead we apparently are back to zero.
-Before replying this, I need to be sure of something I then directed my attention to the king Your Highness, could you inform me if Silva s death has been broadly announced?
-No, I just ordered one of the royal lawyers to take administrate his proprieties seeing that on the future we shall split it as a punishment for the treachery, now regarding his absence, we are stating that he is away on a serious health treatment at the moment he then pointed to some papers he had over his table when they call me to verify this info, we tell them exactly that.
-Perfect, as I believe the real traitor still doesn t know that Silva is dead I then showed the threat letters that dated after Silva s death as you can see, they keep coming.
-But wouldn t that mean that the extremists don t know about the noble s death and hence why they want to make even more pressure or even act? Andrade asked, worried.
-Negative, I have very trustworthy contacts that state that the extremists won t act until august twenty one of two thousand twenty one I looked at the calendar, it was may seventeen of two thousand twenty one which gives us around two more months without them actually acting; that same contact said that in case they acted, it would be a result of someone trying to put the blame on them, that is why I shall continue investigating based on that premise; soon I must get the last part of the information regarding the real nekomimi plans.
-Who is your source Montecchio? asked Andrade, apparently curious.
-Let s just say that is someone Richard trusted his life into replied the king with authority, looking at us next however it is already late and I have some business, you are allowed to keep going in that line of investigation.
-I was about to say the same Your Highness, that is why I say count on me as well! replied Andrade.
-It is settled then Jo o, thanks again for the trust and goodnight to you all I then bowed to both of them.
Right after I ended our video conference I felt sleepy and decided it was time to rest, I checked if Akira was well and, after certifying me of that I laid down and slept. It was past eight am when I woke up and noticed that Akira was still sleeping on her bed, how weird, I never saw her be late in my whole life with her! worried I stood up and went to check how she was, I touched her forehead however she wasn t with a fever, I woke her up and she opened her eyes, was startled for being so late and rushed to get my things for the morning hygiene, always saying she was sorry for being late.
After we had a showed we went down and had breakfast, as we were late just Enmie was eating with us, Catherine's fresh bread was the best with the fresh butter that had just arrived that day; I ordered Dusk warn Momiji and Saori that we were leaving in around twenty minutes and so that they waited for me at the car parking place; after ten minutes I finished my meal, I stood up to leave and was about to call Akira when I noticed she barely had touched her meal and her ears were lowered, worried I asked:
-Akira-chan, you barely eaten and now that I observe you better I looked her from up-close you seem a little pale, we are almost leave, are you well?
-I d don t know dear I am not hungry tired I think I haven t slept well I am so sleepy - replied Akira, rubbing her eyes with her little paws.
-Wow Akira-chan, I never saw you like that I looked at Enmie then and asked Enmie, could you please check on her and see which would be her problem?
-Yes! Leave it to me! Enmie then neared Akira and placed her paw on her forehead, soon the light began being emitted are you feeling pain somewhere? Are you stressed or something like that? to what Akira just replied with a weak no , soon the light disappeared and Enmie said then there is nothing wrong with her body, but considering how much she cares for you, she must be mentally exhausted after watching your deliriums, that is why I advise her to rest for today Richard, tomorrow if she isn t better bring her to me again and we shall do a more complete treatment, alright?
-Yes, thank you very much Enmie! I looked at little Akira that seemed sad for being in that state little one, I know you didn t want to be sick so you could take care of me, but I don t want you to forget about yourself and become sick! That is why I ask you to rest for today, so tomorrow you can serve me much better, understood?
-Y Yes dear - Akira stood up from her chair, hugged me tenderly and at slow, unsure steps headed towards our bedroom take care dear!
I headed then to the parking lot where were waiting for me Momiji and Saori, we entered the car and headed towards their siblings house; after approximately twenty minutes we were parking before their propriety, Saori asked me not to honk the horn, as she wanted to surprise them, everything was quiet but Momiji assured me that Marcus might have already left to wok and the kids would still be sleeping, as soon as I was going to open the door, Saori looked at me and asked:
-Richard I know this might be asking way too much - she then looked at the ground as we don t know we shall leave this alive could we, before talking to them, buy a little gift to each one of them? In case we died I wanted them to have something to remember us - she then looked at me tenderly it doesn t need to be something expensive anything will do -S Sure Saori, that wouldn t be a problem at all! I replied, at that same moment I imagined Kikuri s happiness face if she was there let s go to a place I am sure to have a lot of great stuff! I made then a gesture to indicate us to be quiet let s leave quietly so we won t wake them up!
We headed then to a memento shop for all ages, Saori together with Momiji choose one small adequate gift to each sibling, that were gently gift-wrapped for present, with the exception of a ball that reflected light as if it was a kaleidoscope, a present the male nekomimi would take on his paws directly to little Yui-chan; after two hours of shopping we stopped before their house again.
I felt a shiver rush down my spine, something was out of the pattern here for that moment we were, however I couldn t put my finger as to what was misplaced; it didn t take me that long to understand, Momiji opened the door while Saori also headed there to enter with her fianc e, but she was looking at me while she was walking and talking, bumping into his back, because he stopped under the doorframe, he let the ball fall from his paw, even I couldn t believe in what I saw next.