Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or P&P... the characters here were either borrowed of fictitious... many thanks for my friend Vividpixie... :)

And presenting...

Chapter 24


The room fell into quietness after Emile's revelation.

Usui's eyes widened for a few seconds, and then he reverted to his calm countenance. Emile, noticing Usu's reaction, looked at his master and asked, "Do you have no doubts of what I had just said? A normal person would have expressed great astonishment."

"Frankly, Emile," said Misaki, "Your master is not a normal person."

"In my opinion, there is nothing wrong to react abnormally in some occasions such as this," said Usui, "but considering what had happened these past days, nothing surprises me now."

"If you were a friend of Misa for so long, you might call this situation as 'ordinary'" Emile said, "Last time, Misa faked her death just to catch a drug lord who was disguising as an undertaker."

"Setting that aside," Misaki said, "Emile, since Usui is here, why don't you tell him everything that happened to you four years ago?"

"Four years ago?" Usui said, "You must be mistaken, Ms. Ayuzawa; I was with Emile three years ago in the Château, though only for a short while."

"I must say that the 'Emile' you were with was Barnes himself." Misaki said, "Hadn't you notice any sudden change in 'Emile's' nature?"

"What had happened in the Château during those years, master? I believe I do not follow you," Emile said.

"I spent most of my time with Lady Everglott in Nottingham to help manage the family business," Usui started, "Three years ago, while at work, I got a letter from Mrs. Wilkins saying that Emile has returned from London and that he had quit studying medicine. Gerard and I were perturbed by the news, and we decided to return to Kensington, only to find out that Emile went away again. He did return the week after; he was there when Gerard broke his engagement with Ms. Scarlet..."

"Gerard broke up with Ms. Scarlet? Why?" Emile asked.

"Let's just say it was an advantageous marriage," Misaki said, "Pray, Usui, continue."

"Surprisingly, though, in the same year, Gerard married Eloise..."

Emile interrupted again, "Oh, dear Ellie, eh? Finally Ellie's feelings reached Master Gerard..."

"Shall we avoid any further interruptions and let Usui tell his tale?" Misaki rebuked Emile.

"Oh, my apologies, master. Please continue," Emile said sheepishly.

"Thank you," Usui said, then he continued, "I spent only a few minutes with 'Emile', since he was frequently out in town and I was busy working; he only returned when Uncle Jiro was on the brink of his death, in which he turned down Uncle's inheritance in exchange for some money for law school, until Gerard and I found out that he was gambling the money, and we cut off our relations with him, and that's it. I had no suspicions against him since I was too busy with work, especially after uncle introduced me as his heir. People from his circle always talk about how to expand their business and try to create a connection with me, and you know the rest."

"Must have been tough, eh?" Emile said, "By the by, Lady Everglott still insists on your engagement with Ms. Angelique?"

"Well, yes, but both Ms. Angelique and I oppose the marriage," Usui said. "Which reminds me; Misaki, you told me that someone will explain Ms. Angelique's reaction to Barnes' account of the true Emile."

"What did he say about me?" Emile asked.

"That you were thrown in the river Thames."

"And what about Ms. Angelique?"

"She was very upset."

"I see."

Usui waited for Emile's answer, but in vain. He looked at Misaki, and she took the hint and told Emile, "Emile, it's for the best if you tell him your story."

"I thought you've explained it to him."

"It's better if it's coming from you."

Emile sighed. Then after a few seconds, he started, "I really do not want to remember it again. My dreams, hopes, and future were crushed because of Barnes, and that it took years to gather my courage to face you, Master Takumi, for I committed a grave sin against you. After my father died, Master Jiro sent me to a school in London. I returned five years later to celebrate Master Takumi's fifteenth birthday, and at the party I accidentally heard Lady Everglott promising a union between you and her friend's daughter without your knowledge. There, I met your betrothed, a beautiful young lady of fifteen. I knew it would be a mistake if I developed an affection for her, and I tried to forget them, but in an assembly, I declared my love for her so that I could forget all about the affair when I return to London, but the feelings inside me were uncontrollable for she had the same feelings as I have for her all along. Five years ago, we were secretly married, and I am determined to prove myself to her mother by becoming a doctor, that's why I left the Usui household and lived on my own. But it seemed that the heavens punished me for my grave sin, for I was attacked and indeed I was thrown in the river Thames one stormy night, and was carried far away from London. Since I had not any money in my wallet, I worked in a village as a clerk. When I had earned sufficient money to return to Kensington two years after, I heard that 'Emile' had returned a month before my arrival, and I believedthat no one would believe in me if I will introduce myself as the real Emile, that's why I went to Elmswood to find Misaki and told her my circumstances. She helped me find my perpetrator by disguising myself as a thief in order to become a member of The Ring of Thieves in the underworld and learned about the infamous The Society and their recent activities..."

"But considering your nature, my friend," Usui interrupted, "You will never hurt a fly in order to gain what you want."

"Ah, I understood perfectly what you meant, Master Takumi," Emile answered, "Misa helped me to gain the leader's favour. She could easily fake a thievery."

"I see," said Usui as he looked at Misaki, who was smiling.

"While I was disguised as a member of that wretched organization at night to help Misa gain information about The Society, by day I was assisting an apothecary. One day I saved the life of Baron Percival Patel, an old bachelor. He adopted me as his son, and when he knew of my circumstance, he sent me to a medical school, and it was through him that I learned about Master Takumi's current condition," said Emile, "and it was through my underworld 'friends' that I learned about my wife's circumstance. That's why I followed Raven, and paid Mr. Charles Brown so that I could take his place in his pawnshop..."

"So all the while you were also disguised as Mr. Brown?" Usui asked, then, turning towards Misaki, "And you knew this all along?"

"Of course I knew," Misaki said, "Emile himself informed me about this, and the day I left the Château I knew you were following me, and I knew you were wondering why I referred the shopkeeper there as 'Charles Brown', for you knew that the real shopkeeper there was actually an old man. It was all part of the plan."

"Yet you acted as though you had submitted to Barnes's plan..."

"It was necessary," Misaki said, "I first saw Barnes that night when you gave me a horse, and the very night I learned about your, erm, family condition, if I may call it, which led to an 'unforgettable confrontation.' You were actually the prime suspect of the murder, and I was determined to prove you innocent so that you would get out of my way."

"That's a harsh way to say it, Ms. Ayuzawa," Usui remarked.

"That's the same Misa to me," Emile said, "You'll learn her ways someday."

"I am already learning."

"And apart from it," Misaki said as if not hearing Usui and Emile's little conversation, "That meeting of Barnes had its own advantages, though I had put myself in a grave danger, for I learned his true nature, and of course, his real intentions."

"And that is?" interrupted Emile.

"He's a man brimming with pride and confidence," said Misaki, "Submitting to his plan was a perfect way to capture him."

"What do you mean Misa? Isn't it just a way of telling him that he is winning this game?" Emile asked.

"Yes, it is," Misaki said as she opened the sugar bowl and began piling sugar cubes in a saucer, "think of it this way; in order to build a very high pillar using these cubes, you ought to be very careful in piling them up so that it will not topple." After that, she produced a pillar with around fifteen cubes piled up which was wobbling a little.

Misaki continued, "But a very high one is very unstable and vulnerable. So if I gave it a little push..." and, with her index finger she touched the pillar and the pile collapse instantly. She then looked at the two gentlemen, smiled and said, "You get the whole picture."

After speaking, Misaki looked at her watch. It is already half past ten. "I believe I have to go home right now. I have to answer Sakura's letter and finish a little work."

"I'll escort you home, Ms. Ayuzawa," Usui said.

"Then please allow me to go with you as well," Emile said, and then turning to the attendant, "Simon, please take care of The Fort and fetch my carriage."

-0-

The carriage stopped by Misaki's house. Usui opened the door, descended the carriage and assisted Misaki. They walked towards the front door, and before Misaki entered, she said, "I do hope that you really meant what you said about surprises, Usui."

"What do you mean, Ayuzawa?"

Misaki only smiled and answered, "Well, leave it as it is. I bid you good night." Then, she entered the house.

Usui returned to the carriage and rode off. As he sat down, Emile spoke, "I guess you are getting friendlier with Misa, Master Takumi."

"Please, just call me by me by my name."

"You like her, do you?" said Emile. Usui could only smile.

"I used to tease Misaki a sadist" Emile said, "For me, her methods were too cruel, even when rejecting men courting her. I tried changing that side of her, but even until now, the shrew couldn't be tamed."

"I guess a pervert and a sadist might be a great combination," Usui said in an inaudible voice.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing in particular," said Usui.

"And I thought all the girls in the world would like someone like you."

"Except your wife, of course," Usui said, "Since this whole affair has ended, you will go back to being Emile Garner, right? I can explain to Gerard and Eloise about you, though this may be a problem with Lady Everglott..."

"No can do."

"Why?"

"Before, I had thought of clearing my name, but even from the start, that is not even possible. The 'Emile Garner' the world now knows is a dead gambler who ran away from all his debts and leeched money from his kind master," Emile said, "When I agreed helping Misaki, she tried to stop me; she warned me something like this would happen. I'm afraid no one will be happy to see me now."

"Don't you want to see your wife? Is it alright with you that she'll think of you as dead?"

Emile was silent. Then Usui asked a similar question,

"What are you going to do about it?"

-0-

It was still five in the morning when Misaki heard a knock at her door. She was still sleepy, and she struggled to wake herself when she was about to open the door. Her visitor was none other than Usui himself, except an angry one. Misaki let him in the parlour.

"Ah, Usui, don't you think it is too early for a visit?"

"Ayuzawa, would you mind telling me the meaning of this?" Usui said in a heightened tone. He showed Misaki a newspaper which was newly published.

"You are bothering me early in the morning just for a newspaper?"

"Read it and you'll see what I mean."

Then Misaki read the headline:

"...Scotland Yard holds The Society in custody..."

Misaki looked at Usui, "Why, it's good news..."

"Read it here," Usui said, pointing at a particular portion.

"hmmm... Inspector Norris apprehended the leader of The Society, Vernon Barnes, at a church in Elmswood where he was to be wedded to a young woman named Misaki Ayuzawa..."

"There," Usui interrupted, "Ayuzawa, please explain."

"Well I was to be married to Barnes, so the article is correct," Misaki said.

"But the article did not say anything about your contribution to that damn case!" Usui exclaimed, "You were the one who discovered The Society, and all that they say is that you're the woman who was to be married to that criminal, Inspector Norris was praised for a 'brilliant investigation' and..."

"Well, is this always the fate of the detectives in the stories, am I right?"Misaki said lightheartedly.

"Is this some kind of a joke to you?"

"And I thought nothing surprises you now..."

"Is this what you meant last night?"

Misaki sighed. "Perhaps, I owe you an explanation."

_END_


And chapter 24 ends...

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading my fic... for reviewing, adding it to one of your favourites... and I am very sorry for a very late update; my parents are away for a seminar somewhere in Luzon and I need to help take care of the house and my siblings...now that school will start next week,I'll try my best to update every week...

Still, thank you everyone! You're my inspiration 3

Fin-chan : I know, right? XDDD

~otaku911/Fan-chan