Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own KWMS and P&P... all rights reserved for their proper owners...
Author's Note: the beginning of this chapter follows from the time that Misaki and Usui are in the coach going back to Château de Chamomiles... then following the ending of the previous chapter...
Chapter 16
"May I ask, Usui, what are you doing in town?" Misaki asked curiously.
"Every afternoon I am going to town to purchase some books to add in my library," Usui answered.
"For collection purposes?"
"No. I have read all the books in the library, and I also wish to add more; the previous head of the Usui family was also fond of books," Usui smiled.
'Should I ask how he got to town that fast? Probably not..." Misaki thought.
She looked outside through the glass window of the coach, and she saw that the sky is covered with dark, rain clouds. "It is going to rain," she said.
Usui looked in front of him where Misaki was sitting, and said, "Ayuzawa, may I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
As soon as he began to speak, the coach jerked, and instead, Usui said to the coachman, "Is everything alright, Adam?"
But the coachman did not respond, for after Usui asked him, Misaki saw, through the glass window, a figure flying, as if it fell from the coachman's seat.
"Usui! Mr. Adam fell!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Then, who's driving?" Usui said, then he went by Misaki's side of the seat to open a small window that shows the coachman, but as he opened it, he was greeted with a scar-faced man who was pointing a gun to Usui's face. Usui acted quickly; he embraced Misaki so that he could protect her and stayed away from the gunpoint.
The scar-faced man smiled and said, "You'd better think of a way to escape, we don't want something wrong will happen to little missy... and remember... time is ticking..." and then the man rode the horse and cut the strap which the coach is connected to the animal and in an instance, he rode away.
The coach started to tilt forward and jerked unstoppably. Usui freed Misaki from his grip and started to open the door of the coach, which did not even budge. He then drew out his pistol from his coat and pointed at the hinge, but then again, he stopped.
"You smelled it to, Usui?" Misaki said.
"Yes, it's gunpowder," Usui replied and glared at the door.
"We need to escape at once," Misaki said as she saw from the distance the scar-faced man stood and pointed the gun towards the coach.
Then there was a gunshot, followed by an explosion. The coach was destroyed and some of its parts flew in every direction.
"Too bad, young man... you couldn't protect you lady...," the scar-faced man smirked and rode of the scene.
-0-
Rain started to fall. The coach was in pieces.
Amidst the ruin, at a distance, two unconscious people lay.
Misaki gained back her consciousness, sat up and found herself on top of an unconscious Usui.
"Usui!" she exclaimed. "Please! Come back!"
She started to shake him so that she will know that he's still alive. Luckily, Usui groaned and opened his eyes.
"Ayuzawa?" he said weakly.
"Oh, thank goodness you're alive," Misaki said.
"Ayuzawa, I'm not going to get killed that easily..." he replied, and then he stopped. Misaki then held his coat tightly and said, "No... I just thought..."
Usui lay silently as he noticed that Misaki was shaking slightly and, as he looked at her face, he wondered whether it was rain, or tears flowed in Misaki's cheeks.
Misaki breathed deeply and went by Usui's right, and saw a dark liquid flowed from his arm. "You're injured!"
He assured her with a smile and said, "It's nothing. Please do not worry Ayuzawa..."
Misaki started to rip the bottom portion of her skirt and started to do first aid. As soon as she was done, she said, "This should help stop the bleeding. Give me your left arm. Let's find a place to stay, and place a better bandage your wound."
"But Ayuzawa, I'm fine..." Usui protested.
"Hush now, and do not protest," she said.
Usui did not dared to do so, but he did let Misaki assist him to stand up. She placed his right arm on her shoulders and they started to walk.
"We should find any place soon enough. The rain is now heavy," Misaki said.
"But do you even know where you are going, Ayuzawa?" Usui said.
"Trust me. We'll find a place to stay," Misaki assured him with a smile.
The two started to walk, and not far enough, they saw a fairly big house. They followed the small path towards it and soon, they reached the door. Misaki knocked and an old woman answered.
"Please, I beg of you..." Misaki started to say, but was interrupted by the old woman.
"Goodness gracious! What are you two doing in this rain? Come by the fire, warm yourselves up... the young man's injured, is he not? I'll go get warm water and some bandages," she said while leading them to the parlour and hurriedly went away.
Usui noticed Misaki worriedly looking at him and he said, "Do not worry, Ayuzawa, I'll be fine,"
Misaki smiled and looked around the place. "This place..."
The old woman, now accompanied with an old man, carried a basin of warm water and some bandages.
"I am sorry to keep you waiting. Oh, and this is my husband, Mr. Johnson. Albert, please dress his wound. Young miss, would you clean his wound first? I'm going to get some tea." Misaki did as she was told.
Usui kept staring at the old man. He noticed that the old man kept on glancing at Misaki, who was cleaning his wound. He wanted to say something, but the old man faced him and asked, "Young man, would you kindly introduce yourselves to me? And who are you to the lady?"
He was a bit stunned by the question, but, without any altering his facial expression, he said, "My name is Takumi, and this young lady is my younger sister, Misaki. We were going home but the coach was sabotage, and we have to find a shelter."
"Oh."
The old man began to dress Usui's wound and Misaki stood behind the old man and glared at Usui. As soon as the old man went away, Misaki said, "Why did you say that I'm your younger sister?"
"Ayuzawa, I do not trust them. We should not let them know who we really are."
"Oh really?" Misaki smirked.
"Yes, we are lovers, aren't we?" Usui said cheerily.
Misaki hit his head and said, "Where did that idea come from?"
But, they were interrupted by the sound of a door opening, and out came the old woman carrying a tray. "I've brought tea," she said, "By the way; my mistress' sister wants to see you."
Then, another figure came out from the door. A tall, slender woman with a fair skin about thirty years of age, her brown hair tied up in a bun, revealing her gentle, smiling face.
"I hope Mr and Mrs. Johnson is keeping you company here," she said as she poured tea for Misaki and Usui.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Misaki said and gave a cup of tea to Usui.
"Since it is dinner time, I would like the two of you to join us. Some of my relatives are here, and I am sure my sister would want to see you. Oh, I have not introduced myself. I am Helen Rivers. My sister, Fanny, is the mistress of this house. I have just arrived yesterday morning from London; it's been ten years since I returned here, and I want to visit my sister," Helen said.
Misaki said, "Is that the portrait of your sister on top of the fireplace? I am sorry to say this but you don't..."
"...look alike?" Helen interrupted. "Yes, that would be logical; I am only an adopted daughter of the family. I heard from Mr. Johnson that you two are siblings, but then again you do not look alike."
"Well... that is... his father married my mother years ago when we were twelve. Surprisingly, we are of the same age, that is, my step brother, there," Misaki said.
Helen looked at Usui as he sipped his tea and said, "You have a lovely brother."
Misaki sipped her tea and did not answer.
"He does not say much, isn't he?"
Again, Misaki did not say anything.
"Well, then, dinner will be ready in ten minutes. Albert, Gertrude, would you give new clothes to them? They might catch cold is they continued wearing those clothes," Helen said as she left the room.
"Yes, ma'am," Mr. Johnson said and left the other door.
"Don't you worry, my dears. We will assist you in any way," Mrs. Johnson smiled and followed her husband.
Misaki and Usui were again left alone in the room. Usui began to chuckle and Misaki asked, "What is so funny?"
"You look adorable, Ayuzawa. I guess the game is on?" Usui smirked.
"Pretending to be your little sister? I will not lose to you," Misaki smirked back.
Then few minutes later, Mrs. Johnson led them to their separate rooms and a new set of clothes, telling them to prepare for dinner. The rain finally came to a stop.
-0-
The scar-faced man rode away in triumph, suddenly, a man stood on his way.
"Out of the way, you dope!" he said.
But the man did not budge. As the scar-faced man was about a few meters away from the man, he then brought out his gun. But the man in the middle of the road raised his arm up and fired his gun. The horse was startled and stood on its hind legs, in which the scar-faced man fell.
"That fall is not even half of the pain which I felt when I fell from the coach," Adam said, "And what's more, you have no right to hurt my master and his friend."
"Ha! As if... your master and the little missy are already dead!"
Adam attacked the scar-faced man and choked him and said, "Who are you? Who sent you to do this?"
"As if... I'll... answer... you... gah!"
"Well, then. Let's just end this," Adam said. He punched him in his gut and as soon as the scar-faced man recovered, Adam pointed his gun to his forehead and said, "This is your end..."
"Wait! The lady... of the house... paid me thirty pounds to attack any coach who will be passing by... unfortunately, you were the first one... please spare me sir! I was only hired by the lady..." the scar-faced man begged.
"Actually, you have still use to me..." Adam smiled sneakily.
-0-
Ten minutes later, dinner was ready and Misaki and Usui, in their new clothes, were in the dining hall with Helen and her relatives. They have introduced each other. Catherine, their cousin, is a very jumpy to the things around her; her father, and Helen's uncle, Samuel, is a man of short temper; Harry, Catherine's brother, is yet in his 20's and likes to shoot at little animals outside; Conrad, another uncle and younger brother of the father of Helen, was very kind and overprotective of the sisters, that is, he was their legal guardian; Matthew, Conrad's friend, is a bit of the same age as Helen, and he is her closest friend, and as protective of Helen as Conrad. These were according to Misaki and Usui's observation after the relatives introduced themselves and their relations to Fanny Rivers, the mistress of the house.
The two of them were eating quietly and observed more of the relatives as Conrad asked Helen, "Helen, is your sister going out of her room? She's been there all morning. I did not even see her butler all day."
"No, I do not know, Uncle Conrad. I think she's not feeling well," Helen said.
"Fanny's sick? She might have caught some contagious disease, and then, it'll spread amongst the family... and then we will get sick or worse... we will die!" Catherine said.
"Oh shut up, Catherine! Do not embarrass me in front of our guests," Samuel said.
"Father, get me a new rifle! I want the one in display back in town. The chirping of those damn birds is annoying me when I wake up in the morning..." Harry said.
"Pipe down, Harry! You sound like a spoiled brat!" Samuel said.
"Calm yourself, Samuel. We are in front of the food," Conrad said.
"I am a bit worried with your sister, Helen. Since morning, she hasn't stepped out of her room. She might have not eaten anything," Matthew said.
"Well, Gertrude had already knocked on her door several times but there's no answer. She dared not to anger her; you've known her reputation well, Matthew. Even though she's reserved except in front of her butler, Mr. Blackwood, she is a very selfish, arrogant and has short temper, just like our dear Uncle Samuel here, don't you think, Uncle Conrad?" Helen said with a smile.
"Hmmph! You, too, like things your own way, Helen!" Samuel said.
"Now let's stop arguing and start eating. We might check on Ms. Fanny, herself," Matthew said.
Misaki rose and said to Helen, "May I use your powder room, Ms. Helen?"
"Oh yes. I'll ask Mrs. Johnson to guide you, then," Helen said.
"No, it's fine. I can guide myself here," Misaki smiled, and left. A few minutes later, she came back.
"You're back fast, Misaki," Usui said.
Misaki smiled and said, "I just have a sense of direction, I guess."
"Yes, and a good one," Matthew said.
-0-
All of them had already finished eating, and proceeded to the parlour. They were relaxing in front of the fire; Misaki and Usui kept quiet almost the whole time, and dared not to speak, if not entertained by Helen and Matthew with questions and some random chatting about London. Samuel entertained himself with some books, while Conrad, Harry and Catherine played cards.
Mr. Johnson entered the room and said to Helen, "It seems I cannot find the duplicate key of mistress' room, Ms. Helen. I have checked the butler's room, but it isn't there. The butler himself is even in his room."
"Oh dear," Helen responded. She turned towards to Misaki and Usui and said, "My sister is a bit eccentric; only two keys which opens her door to her room, one is with her, which is now in her room, and the duplicate key is with her butler."
"I see," Misaki said.
"Your brother is such a quiet person, isn't he?" Helen said.
Misaki and Usui only smiled.
Suddenly, they heard a crash, then a spark and a scream of Mrs. Johnson. The men rushed out of the room and in the dining hall, a fire was starting to grow. Catherine became uncontrollable; Helen tried to calm her down. Usui followed Conrad, Samuel and Matthew to the kitchen to get water.
"Ms. Helen, your sister, we must get her!" Mr. Johnson said.
The rest went upstairs in panic to the room towards Fanny's room.
"Fanny! Come out! Your house is burning!" Catherine exclaimed in panic.
"Here! Here's a key... yes! It's open!" Helen said.
But the moment they opened the door, followed by the men rushed towards them to inform them that the fire died out, all of them saw a corpse of a woman fell from the bed, with the head detached from its body.
-0-
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson called the police and the rest gathered at the parlour.
"I never thought I'd lived to see a beheaded corpse..." Matthew said shakily.
"I can't believe Fanny is now..." Samuel said.
"Save your breath, father, you killed her!" Catherine exclaimed.
"Excuse me? Am I accused by my own daughter?" Samuel said.
"Why, you said while going here that you'd kill that woman if she does not agree with your deal in selling this stupid house!" Catherine said, and then she began to point everyone else.
"Harry! You might have shot her while shooting! Uncle Conrad, you might have killed her because you'll benefit her life insurance! Matthew, you might have ulterior motives and killed her! And... and..." turning to Misaki, she said, "You! You have killed her! When you went out of the dining hall... and when you saw the corpse, you have no emotions at all! You are not surprised... that's right... and you!" she said, while pointing to Usui, "You might have covered her... and then..."
Misaki only smiled and said to Catherine, "And you might have killed her out of panic."
Catherine was taken aback with Misaki's words, and then shut her mouth.
"I've been thinking... what if we'd investigate first? I mean... this is pretty exciting. Ten people trapped in the house and a killer lurking in its corners..." Harry said.
"Shut your trap, Harry, this is a serious case! But considering the investigation..." Samuel said.
"We should not meddle with the police's job," Conrad said.
"I'll prove to you woman, I didn't kill her!" Catherine said, pointing at Misaki, "I'll prove that you're the killer... and I'll..."
"Don't you blame my beloved sister, or else," Usui threatened.
"See? He's the killer!" Catherine said.
"Stop it, Catherine and let's just go," Helen said.
"By the way, where is the butler?" Misaki asked.
"Now that you mentioned it, he might have killed her and ran away. He might have been tired serving her," Matthew said.
"For five years? He's already tired now?" Helen said.
"Mr. and Mrs. Johnson might have done it, considering that they aren't with us in dinnertime, and they kept on going back and forth to Fanny's room," he added.
"Well then, we must not just stay here. The first thing we need to know is how she died," Misaki calmly said and the rest followed.
"Who are you to order me around, woman?" Samuel said to Misaki. Usui glared at Samuel, which Samuel, in return, smirked.
As the party walked slowly towards the crime scene, Usui walked by Misaki's side and whispered, "Ayuzawa, have you figured something out?"
"Not at least I figure something out," Misaki whispered back.
They arrived at the scene, and Misaki walked pass the corpse and stood by the bed. "As I thought," she said.
"What? Which is what?" Harry said as he rushed towards Misaki's side.
"Mr. Conrad, would you mind lending me a knife or scissors?" Misaki asked.
"Why? Just shed light with this case, girl," Samuel said.
Misaki pointed out something by the wooden pillars of the bed near the portion where the pillow are, and said, "This is the murder weapon."
"Are you being silly? There isn't anything there..." Catherine said, but interrupted by Usui.
"Look more closely and see what my beloved sister meant," Usui said.
The party went closer and saw the murder weapon. It was a very think string, almost not visible if not looked closely, and it was tied in the pillars near where the head should rest.
"That is...!" Conrad exclaimed.
"Yes. As Ms. Fanny here rose up from here slumber, unfortunately, this happened," Misaki said.
"Then, who did this?" Harry asked.
"We'll find that out later. Let's go to the parlour, then," Misaki said.
"Wait. Misaki, look at this," Usui said, as he knelt beside the corpse's head. He picked out a golden circular thing attached to a chain, which revealed a 12-hour watch.
"9:30... is that the time of death?" Harry asked curiously.
"Perhaps... we do not know... yet..." Misaki smiled.
-0-
Everyone went back to the parlour agitated for the police arrived very late. All was silent, until Catherine broke down.
"Can't we just find the butler? He might be anywhere... or he might kill us all next!" Catherine exclaimed.
"Calm yourself down, Catherine," Helen said.
"Wait, could we check if the butler's belongings are gone? If he killed the mistress and ran away, his things should not be in his room," Harry said.
"I'll go check it out, then," Matthew said.
"Brother, go with him please," Misaki said.
Usui raised a brow, but then again did not question further. As they leave, Misaki added, "And do be careful."
Both of the men left and the room was enveloped with silence. It was clear that everyone is agitated, except Misaki, who was sipping her tea calmly. A few minutes later, the men were back.
"His belongings are still intact," Matthew said.
"Shall we look for him, then?" Conrad said.
"I suppose we should wait for the police," Helen said.
Misaki rose and asked, "Can I use the telephone, Ms. Helen? I need to call someone."
Before Helen could speak, Catherine said, "Do not plan your escape here, missy. We are all suspects here... and so are you..."
Instead of being threatened, Misaki smiled and said, "Do not worry; I am not planning an escape here." Then she left, accompanied by Usui.
-0-
The police arrived not long before Misaki and Usui went back to the parlour. Everyone was there, including Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. They were greeted by them, and Misaki asked, "Did someone found out where the butler is?"
"My men are already searching the premises," the police officer said.
"Arrest that woman, officer! She killed Fanny!" Catherine said.
All looked at Misaki wide-eyed, but Usui pulled her behind him and said, "Misaki, stay behind me. I'll protect you."
Holding his hand, she smiled gently and said, "Trust me, brother, I can handle this." Turning towards the party, she said, "Our arrival in this place does not really coincide with Ms. Fanny's time of death."
"Why did you say so, Ms. Misaki?" the officer said.
"Have you not noticed that the blood already dried?"
"What? I don't comprehend..." Conrad said.
"In what part did you not comprehend?" Misaki asked.
"Well, when both of you arrived, we discovered the corpse. Then when we saw the late Ms. Fanny, you were not surprised at all, then..."
"In any case, shall I reveal to you what happened, after the found the butler's...' Misaki said, but was interrupted by another police officer.
"Sir! We found a man hanged in the barn house outside! Come quick!" and all of them rushed towards the barn house.
-0-
They arrived at the scene, and found a man in black coat hanged by a rope. His face was white and his neck had dried blood.
"The same time of death as the mistress..." Misaki said.
"You! I cannot believe you did this to our family after we received you both!" Samuel exclaimed angrily.
"Like I said, it is impossible for me, or my brother, to kill them both," Misaki said.
"Then... why? Who?" Harry asked.
Misaki turned to the other officer and asked, "What's result of their time of deaths?"
"Ma'am, both of them occurred 3 to 4 in the morning."
Usui played along and said, "But I remembered that we arrived here at the afternoon..."
"And that is why we are not the suspects here," Misaki said.
"Then, who do you think is the suspect, Ms. Misaki?"
"Let's see. Back to Ms. Fanny's murder, when using that murder weapon, the hands of the murderer may injure his or her hands. But if I were the murderer, if they found out the mistress was killed using such weapon and my hands injured, then I would be the number one suspect, isn't it?" Misaki said.
"Then, what's the point! Just spill the beans already?" Samuel said.
"May I ask, who was wearing gloves even when dinner time?" Misaki asked.
"Well, that's..." then all turned towards Helen.
The police officer turned to Helen and said, "Ms. Helen, if you please, remove your gloves."
"Why am I the one suspected? Do you think I killed my own sister?" Helen exclaimed, then turning to Misaki, "You should just be grateful that we accepted you both in our humble home! But why? Why accuse me? Ms. Misaki!"
"Then let me ask you, Ms. Helen, how come you had the butler's key in your possession?" Misaki asked.
"Well, that is... that's right! It's my own duplicate key!" she replied.
"Yet you arrived yesterday, and rarely come home. I doubt even Ms. Fanny or the butler handed their keys for you to duplicate," Misaki said.
Then, Helen fell to her knees, bowed her head and said, "Do you know the feeling of being an adopted child?"
Everyone was wide-opened with what Helen said, with the exception of Misaki and Usui.
"All my life I did was to make Mr. Rivers happy, yet he did not even recognize my deeds. Even when he died, he left nothing for me," Helen said, and looked up to them, crying, "I deserve a share of my sister's inheritance! I need her money! I am automatically her heir now, she isn't even married! That's why... I..."
"No, you're wrong, Ms. Helen," Misaki said, "The truth is, I saw a business card by your sister's side table, and it was from her lawyer. I called him, informing him the death of Ms. Fanny, as well as to summon him to explain your sister's last will. But I will tell you the truth of Ms. Fanny which she hid from you all. Seven years ago, Ms. Fanny met and eventually married Mr. Blackwood and had a daughter. But since your father does not approve Ms. Fanny being married to anyone, when she got home Five years ago, Mr. Blackwood pretended to be her butler so that he could be with her as her husband, even in secret. When your adoptive father died, he gave all of his possessions to her name, and gave a fair amount to you. As the current head of the family, without any children, you, Ms. Helen, would have become the heir, yet that was not the case."
"No! That's not true! My sister never married..."
"Yes, she did. I brought the documents to prove it."
They turned towards the direction of the voice, which was at the entrance of the bar house. A tall middle aged man arrived with a large briefcase. It was Ms. Fanny's lawyer.
"I have informed the Blackwood family where Ms. Fanny's daughter lived that her parents are already dead and she the heir of Ms. Fanny's fortune," the lawyer said, "As what you have told me, Ms. Misaki."
"Thank you, sir. Now then, about Mr. Blackwood's murder... perhaps you did it too?" Misaki said, turning to Helen.
"No! I did not! I did not know..."
"No, she didn't. I did," Matthew said, "The butler saw you that morning and was planning to attack you, that's why I had to stop him... and... this." As he finished speaking, he looked up the hanged corpse.
"Well then, men, arrest those two..."
-0-
Helen and Matthew were led to the police coach and as they were seated, Misaki said, "I am sorry, Ms. Helen..."
Helen smiled, and said, "It's alright. I think my plans are on hold for now."
"Plans?"
"I was planning to get married, with Matthew here."
"Well, at least I'll be with you in prison, although I do not want us to go there," Matthew smiled.
"Well, then, we are leaving already. The dawn's breaking," Helen said, "Ms. Misaki, Mr. Takumi, take care of yourselves."
The coach's door was closed by the police officer, and the coach went away. The other relatives held in question by the police, and now, Misaki and Usui stood and stared as the coach came out of sight.
"At least the mystery was solved overnight, isn't it, Misaki?" Usui said.
"Yes"
Turning to Misaki, Usui asked, "When you sent me to search the butler's belongings and said that I had to be careful, were you warning me of an impending danger?"
Misaki only smiled.
Usui also smiled and said, "I'll take that as a yes."
The continued to be in silence until Usui broke it, ""I was wondering, how come you knew your way in the house? You know, you returned quite fast back at dinner time..."
"You really want to know?" Misaki asked. Usui nodded.
"Follow me, then."
-0-
Usui was led in the field beyond the barn house by Misaki. He did not say a word, until they arrive at a wooden door.
"Where is this place?" Usui asked.
"This place holds a very special people who are still part of my life," Misaki said and opened the door.
The place beyond the door then was revealed. In that place stood a large tree which its branches stretched far and wide. Since it was dawn, the sun's ray hit the branches which gave light to the place, as if making it shine. Beneath the tree lay two tombstones. As Usui and Misaki approached them, the first tombstone read 'Minako Ayuzawa' and the other, 'Suzaku Ayuzawa'.
"Ayuzawa, you lived here, didn't you?" Usui said, who was very astonished.
"That house is where Suzuna and I were born twenty three years ago. Mother died when we were very young, and father decided to return to his hometown, Elmswood, the place where we grew up. Mother was very fond of this place that is why we buried her here, the place where my father proposed to mother. Father's last wish was to be buried beside her," Misaki said as she caressed her parents' tombstones.
"And I never thought I'd live to see you again."
Misaki and Usui turned around and saw Mr. and Mrs. Johnson stood by the door.
"Everyday my husband and I come here to visit Master Ayuzawa and Mrs. Ayuzawa. We owe our lives to them especially when we were in need," Mrs. Johnson said.
"We were accused of stealing money and were eventually jailed for two years. We had nowhere to go. Ironically, someone working with the law helped us," Mr. Johnson said, "When we were welcomed in the same house, his wife was pregnant with his first child. That was you, Misaki. Unfortunately, your mother died, and your father gave us this house, saying we can do whatever we want of it, and we sold it to the Rivers family. We requested that we will continue to take care of it, and here we are now."
"That is why, when I saw you, dear Misaki, my memories with Master Ayuzawa and his family came back; you have your mother's kindly face and you father's detective skills, as expected from you," Mrs. Johnson said in her tears and rushed to embrace Misaki.
"Mrs. Johnson, even though the days we spent together were short-lived, I really missed you. I recognized this very place, this very path we walked on as we go to the house... I... I..." Misaki said while shedding a tear.
Mr. Johnson went by Usui's side and said, "I knew from the beginning that you are not Misaki's brother from the beginning, and I was wondering who you really were in her life. When master died I promised myself to protect her, even though I do not know when and how we will meet. Yet, we met."
Usui turned towards him and said, "I am sorry, Mr. Johnson, I lied to you. I only meant to protect Ayuzawa, and..."
"You, boy, have special feelings for her?" Mr. Johnson asked. Usui only gazed upon Misaki in Mrs. Johnson's embrace and smiled.
"Then promise me this: protect her with your life."
"I promise."
Mrs. Johnson freed Misaki from her embrace and said, "Then, my husband and I shall go back and make you some tea. Let's go, Albert."
The old couple went back to the house and left. Misaki went back to her parents' tombstone, knelt and caressed them and said, "I know, Usui, you have plenty of questions..."
Instead, Usui embrace Misaki tightly behind and pressed her head to his chest and said, "I won't force to tell me. Just tell me if you're ready, Ayuzawa." Then, said in his thoughts, 'I'll protect you. I promise.'
_END_
Once again, I am very sorry for the very late update... a lot of things occurred and I was much occupied with school work. I am really sorry...
I am sorry also because I gave you a long, confusing, chapter with little romance at all and with the grammar and everything... I promise I'll make it up in the next chapter... you'll see...
Thank you for those who read and reviewed and added my stories to their favourites or added me as favourite author... I do not really deserve them all, but still, thank you very much for your support.
If you have questions, please PM me... thanks! Oh, and one more thing... about the gloves thingy, it is because back in Victorian England, you have to remove your gloves when dinner time... according to a website... If you were wondering what happened to Adam as the story goes on, I'll reveal it in the next chapter...
Until next chapter...
~otaku911
