Chap 3 Wake up (cont)

It's been three months since the seal finally vanished, but the little girl still stayed in her deep sleep. Whenever, Yuuki had free time, he went to the tomb immediately. He wanted to be the first person whom Yumi met when she woke up. Thus, he could figure out what had happened after his parents and Yumi went to Japan. It supposed to be a short trip to maintain the relationship between Bradford and Fukuzawa. Normally, only his parents would go for this type of business but he wondered why they brought Yumi with that time. It was a terrible time for him whenever he was left in the castle with his grandpa and the Council. So many secrets in his family, and only Yumi could give him the answer. That's what his grandpa said before he went for his eternal sleep. He was sitting in the study room and remembering all the event that happened after those spells was leaped.

- THE PAST (600 YEARS AGO) -

"Yumi, Yuuki. Be careful. Don't come near the forest", shouted by a beautiful woman. She sat under the tree not far from the place where her children played. That woman is Miki Fukuzawa, a heiress of the most powerful and wealthy family in Japan. Moreover, she was a descendant of the greatest Kistune, messenger of Inari - god of food. Miki succeeded both the title and all power from her mom. Who could expect that one day she would live far away from home but still she had to run all family affairs. Such a burden. She only wanted to live happily with her beautiful children and her handsome husband. By the way, where is he anyway. He said that he would be here with them at this time. She frowned at thought that he might not be able to join this picnic with Yumi and Yuuki. They haven't seen their father for weeks. She wondered how long her husband wanted to keep their children in this form. He had used some spells on their children in order to keep them look like five years old kid. He thought that would be a nice idea to not let them grow up too soon, so they can enjoy this wonderful moment without thinking about current trouble between the Council and human. Bradford was one of the highest rank member in this Council, so both her husband and her father in law had to attend many meetings to discuss about that problem.

"What are you thinking, sweetheart?", the dashing young gentlemen asked while he gave a peck on his gorgeous wife's cheek. That was Julian Bradford who was a renowned Noblesse (1) and also known as Yuichiro at the time he was in Japan. Instead of giving a stoned face just like when he was at the meeting or in front of their servants, he gave his beloved wife a gigantic smile. He always thought that he did not fulfill his obligation as a father and a husband, so he tried his best to make sure they would not involve in any Bradford affairs. "Sorry, I'm late.", he sounded guiltily. That was the only reason that came up to him.

"Nah, it's okay, honey. That's not a reason. Don't feel guilty or anything. It's your duty after all. It's just...that", the voice seemed lower at the end of the sentence. She giggled at the look on Yuichiro. He looked so lost and had no idea what happened with his wife. Even when he had been trained to not show all his thought in front of people but whenever he was with her, nothing could be conceal. She thought about her daughter who exacted like him. She could never hid her thought since everybody can see it through her face. "Can lift up the spells?", Miki asked her husband with stern voice. "May I know why?", she did not expect that her husband could give such a serious look in this matter. Perhaps, he had hidden something.

"You know. You can tell me everything."

"Miki, I...". He avoided his wife's look. It was hard to tell her the truth that he wanted to bury it deep down in his soul. The truth might take away the most precious thing in his life which was his family. This was an awkward moment after hundred years of marriage.

Suddenly, Yumi ran to him and gave him a garland of red roses. She said, "Daddy, here take it. Don't make mama sad.". He smiled at his innocent daughter and said, "Thanks Yumi. I will never dare to make your mom sad. She's too good at handling me. Agree?" Both father and daughter giggled at the talk. "Nah Yumi, how old are you?" He changed to a serious face when he ask his looking five years old girl. Yumi frowned at his father. She thought why he did not know how old she was. Perhaps, he was working too hard. A little girl cupped her hand on the man's cheek and said, "I'm five years old, father Yuichiro. You will be punished because of forgetting it. I'll tell Yuuki. Prepare the gifts. OKay" She gave a broad grin.

"Hey, Yumi. Come here. They are sure just play around. Don't worry about them. I found something really interested here. Come. Come". A voice of young boy far away from them. He became impatient when his sister was so worried about their parents. They would be fine since they were adult.

After the little girl left her parents alone, they still maintain the silence between them for awhile. Up until that time, Miki finally realized how strong the spells was. It made her children have no idea about their own age. However, Yuichiro have never showed his true power to her. She sighted, there were many questions that she could not understand about this family, except their obligation for the Lord. Yuichiro glanced at his wife and he knew that he had no chance to win. "Uhm, Miki. Please, look at me." After a long pause, he leaned forward and rest his forehead on hers. Their eyes met each other. "OK. I'll remove that spells and we all will face what will come up after that together. But before that give your husband a kiss, sweetheart. Nothing is important than you and our kids. Maybe, it's time to tell you everything." They shared a long tender kiss before they called Yumi and Yuuki go back for dinner.

-BACK TO PRESENT-

Yuuki's thought was cut because of his butler's inform. "Yuuki sama, the Council is here. They're waiting at the meeting room. Do you want to go now or let them wait"

Again, another wastes meeting. He hated this Council. Actuallly, he did not like some members in the Council. If it is not because of the Lord, he would have resigned as the elder in the Council. The previous Lord and some of his loyal knights went to their eternal sleep three hundred years ago, his grandpa was one of them. Only one oldest Knight still remained here to support the young Lord. She did not have enough experience to handle the council' problems. Yuuki knew that man, Sir Landegre (2), want to go to but he had to keep his promise with the Lord. He taught Yuuki many things and took care of him after his grandpa went away. So basically, Yuuki already acknowledged this man as his grandpa. Yuuki walked along the hallway to the meeting room which was on the other side of the castle. He could hear the argument from outside of the room. He had no idea what would they want to discuss about at this time. Maybe about how they can keep their identity under secret again. He sighed before he opened the door. everyone stopped when he entered the room. He bowed at sir Landegre to show his respect to this man, then sat opposite side of him. He could clearly see the hesitance in those eyes. He decided to break this awkward silence.

"What will we discuss today, Sir"

Landegre was the one who answered him after a moment in a thought. "Yuuki, I'm afraid that I have to tell you this unwanted news. The last heir of Kertia escaped three months ago in the stormy night. I'm afraid that he is behind you. Thus we want you to hide somewhere until we can catch him back"

This must be the most surprised news for the past few years, Kertia had vowed that they would kill all Bradford until the last Kertia fell down. That's why both he and Yumi followed their mom's last name which was Fukuzawa instead of Bradford. Hence, not many Noblesse knew about their exist except some high rank members. However, there was a rebellion that cause this secret flied fast to the Kertia. They had made some moved in order to kill his family, but their plan was screwed up because of the spy that his grandpa put in long ago. Most of Kertia died but the last one, Alexander Kertia, was imprisoned in The Temple which was guarded by the strongest Noblesse in the Council. But somehow he managed to escape this place after many tries.

"I'm sorry. I can't run away like a coward. That's not what Bradford do. I'll consider this issue carefully. It's really kind of you about the solution. Maybe we could corporate to capture him again." Finally, Yuuki spoke to the Council. He could not leave his sister here, because nothing could lift that coffin up. Only the first Knight of the family could do it, she was the one who brought Yumi back here with a letter from their parents. However, Yuuki had no glue what inside it since his grandpa did not let him read it.

"My mas...ter, finally young lady woke up." Takana ran through the room without knocking again. He was excited about this news so he did not care about those etiquettes. Yuuki stood up right away after hearing the news. He could not believe in his ears anymore. He wanted to run away out of this place to see his beloved sister. However, consider as the master here, he could not do it. He looked at Landerge for his approval. Landegre nodded as an agreement. He could not keep this young man any longer since Yumi's awake was very important. He was informed that all the seals was disappeared on the day that Kertia escaped. Maybe, these two things had related to each other. He must find out before it was too late.

- LANDEGRE'S MEMORY-

It was very late on that day. But Landegre had a strange conversation with William Bradford.

"Well, well, how come the head of Bradford pay me a visit at this time", Landegre said.

"I think I might join the eternal sleep with our Lord soon. Since you are the trusted man who will be struggle in this life for how long who knows. I have a favor to ask.", his best friend, William said.

"Haizz, don't mention that. It's so cruel that all of you leave me behind. Why don't you stay Bradford?"

"Nah, I live long enough, Albert. Moreover, it seems you still have unfinished business here. I'll go straight to the point. Want it or not. I'll tell you anyway. Bare it until I finish." William told his friend with a big grin. He gave a long talk about his request. "You see. My son and his wife disappeared and my granddaughter is in the crystal coffin with many spells on it. This is a art from both my son and my daughter in law. I cannot unseal it completely after many tries."

"So you want my help to unseal those spells. Right", Albert did not have enough patient to hear the full story so he jumped to the talk. As a consequence, he got the death glare from his friend. He swore that he felt the cold run along his spine. "Oh, OK. Go ahead. Please continue. Want some tea?", he tried to lighten the atmosphere in this room.

"Black tea, no sugar. Thanks. I also got a letter from Miki. She told me that the spell will be vanished when the time come. So I just have to take care of Yuuki and the coffin. I want to know more but their first Knight left immediately not give me the time to ask. There is another letter but it can only be given to Yumi. Can't believe that Miki put a spell on it too. This must be very serious. I only hope that they are alright. It seems I could not see them the last time. So can you help me to take care of Yuuki, since I can only truth you. He's still young as a Noblesse. There are many things he has to learn and you're the best teacher anyway. ... Moreover, currently Miki had told her clan that Yuuki will run all the business until Yumi awake. Thus he needs help from elder like us. That's all I want to say. There is no for the answer. I won't accept it. ...Ah, by the way I think you should keep this letter and give it to Yumi for me. Thanks." William finished his talk, take a sip of tea and hugged his friend tightly then leave the house. Left Albert no choice to disagree with his request.

He decided to refuse the next day after he had thought over and over again. he did not think that he had ability to help these children, although he really love William's grandkids. He knew them since the day they were born. However, when he got to Bradford's castle, he was informed that their master had gone to his eternal sleep last night. He was shocked to the core. No wonder that old man acted strange last night. He became reluctant mentor to Yuuki Fukazawa since then.

- END -

"Finally, she awake. I think I can retire now. I cannot handle this burden anymore." He talked to himself when he was alone in his car. He returned to his mansion and waited for the next visit of the Bradford.

Haizzzzzz...I need more inspiration to continue so maybe I should stop here or I'll write dummy things.

NOTE:

(1) Noblesse: a web comic from Son Jae Ho. I love this manhwa so I borrow some idea about the high rank vampire in the story

(2) Landegre is one of Noblesse' family.

If anyone want to know more, find and read the manhwa.