Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS and P&P...
Once again, thank you Vividpixie for helping me :)
And presenting
Chapter 25
...Few hours ago...
Usui was eating his breakfast silently in Lady Everglott's palace in Nottingham; it was too early for someone to wake up and to take the first meal of the day at that particular hour, yet he did, for he could not sleep a wink. He thought of staying there until the end of the party which was to be held there. Then, he was to go back to Kensington and stay there for a couple of months.
The butler arrived at the dining hall and handed Usui a newly- ironed newspaper and then stood a few meters away from his master. Usui was not particularly interested with the news, but an article caught his attention which made him read it. At first he was excited for he was expecting something, yet as he read further, his face turned sour. Then, he rose quickly and, turning towards the butler, commanded, "Prepare my horse immediately." He then grabbed the newspaper, stomped out of the room and, after his ride was prepared by the butler, rode off hurriedly to Elmswood.
...The present time...
Usui demanded an explanation from Misaki, but he could see that Misaki tried to avoid thesubject. She forced a smile and said, "Umm, Usui, perhaps you're hungry, would you like to have some..."
"I had already my breakfast, so thank you," said Usui with a tinge of impatience, "my concern now is your explanation about that article."
"You came here at five in the morning just for that?" Misaki said, "Are you out of your senses?"
Usui did not say a word.
Misaki sighed and said, "As I thought, I cannot shift your attention from that petty subject."
"This is not a petty subject," Usui said, "This is concerning about the truth behind the whole investigation; the people are being deceived with the half of the truth stated in this article, and your name is at stake. The people will think you as the woman who almost married an infamous criminal, and worse, may think of you as a criminal."
"I do not care about what they say as long as I knew that there are certain people who knew the whole truth," said Misaki, "Speaking of which, Usui, do you now think that I amthat woman whom you mentioned?"
After her statement, anger was replaced by guilt; Usui thought that Misaki thought that hedid think about her that way upon reading the article. With a gentler tone, he defended, "I am just concern about you; I cannot stand other people judging you severely knowing the nature of man, especially your neighbors."
Misaki replied, "You shouldn't have concerned yourself with that issue. You probably plan to go to the publishers and correct the article, but I am telling you, those people will never listen to you, no matter what rank you possess."
"That is why, before I go to them, I need to ask you if you knew about this article," Usui said, "and whether this is a form of harassment by the police to you."
"It is not," Misaki said, "In fact, this is all part of my deal with Inspector Norris."
"He's the one behind this deception?"
"All I could say is that he has powers over those publishers."
"But why does he have to do that? Have he always depend on you in solving his cases?"
Instead of answering his question, Misaki asked Usui, "Do you want to learn the whole truth?"
Usui replied, "I came all the way from Nottingham just for that."
"Honestly, I do not know where to begin," Misaki said, "but perhaps it is best if I start my tale when we transferred here. I did tell you before that my father is a detective, didn't I?"
Usui nodded and waited for Misaki to continue. She took the hint and went on. "We transferred here to my father's hometown because he could not bear living in Kensington, for the memories of my mother were too strong for him to forget the pain of losing her. Upon our arrival, Inspector Norris asked him to co-found a police department here in Elmswood though he was reluctant to do so. After two years, the department was established; he was offered by the Inspector a high position, yet he declined because he wanted to spend more time with his daughters but he agreed to work as their private detective to earn money. He raised my sister and I by himself; even though he was busy, he never failed to be a father, and at the same time a mother, and my sister and I loved him dearly. He was also loved by everyone because he was ready to help in times of need. Oh, before I continue, you met the staff of the restaurant where I worked back during my sham engagement party, haven't you?"
"Yes I believe so."
"Ten years ago, my father was investigating a case of human trafficking. They successfully rescued those women from the illegal trade and father helped them further in adjusting here, since they came from the farthest places in the country. Ms. Satsuki and the rest were those victims of the syndicate, and thanks to father, they started anew here. Everything was going well, until that night..."
Misaki paused for a while, as if hesitant to continue. Usui waited silently, still all his attention locked at her. He noticed that Misaki smiled a little, yet her eyes showed sadness; he concluded that Misaki was remembering those times she spent with her father. Now, he wasn't sure if he wanted Misaki to continue, for he realized it caused Misaki pain to recount her past, but the feelings of wanting to learn the truth was greater than his uncertainty. At last, Misaki gathered enough courage to continue her tale.
"One night, my father came home early from work. My sister and I noticed how nervous he looked; he bolted the doors, closed all the windows and covered them with curtains. He then looked at us and said, 'Do not, by any means, go out of the house from now on.' We did not understand a thing of what he said, and from that day onwards, he stayed in his room all day. Since he did not come out of his room to eat, my sister and I brought him food to his room; though he never came out of the house, he was doing paperwork in his room, and we agreed that he returned to his usual happy self. One night when I brought his tea, he looked at me in the eyes and said, 'No matter what happens, take good care of your sister.' I asked him about these sudden changes, but he only replied with 'He's coming for me, I am sure of it.' I only knew what he meant the next day. When I entered his room, the first thing I saw was an open window, and across from it was the corpse of my father lying on his writing desk."
Misaki paused again, then continued, "Another detective investigated the crime scene and concluded that my father committed suicide because of depression..."
"I am sorry to interrupt, but how did that detective conclude your father committed suicide?" Usui asked.
Misaki replied, "I believe it was because of the gun lying beside him. It was the gun used to shoot him at close range and it did look like it was suicide, but I knew better. The gunshot was at the left side of his head, but the investigator overlooked that my father was right-handed. That is why I begged the police to continue the investigation, but the case was closed. I also tried to convince them that it was a homicide, but who would listen to an uneducated thirteen-year-old girl? My father's murder was already a big problem for us sisters, yet I didn't know that there's another one coming."
"What's the other one?"
"There is this law stating that when the father dies, all his possessions are inherited by the first born son. If in case that they didn't have any sons at all, all of the properties will be given to the closest male relative, and the daughters will inherit only a hundred pounds each, and in addition, if the parents only have daughters and eldest daughter is not yet eighteen, given a certain amount of time, a relative should claim the children and become their legal guardian, if not, then they will be left to provide for themselves. Frankly, my grandparents were all dead, most of my relatives didn't care a thing about us, and we were to be forced out of our own house with a little money to use to start our living, and I doubt that it will be enough."
"Did someone claim you two?"
"The deadline was only two months, and I was getting desperate to provide a house for my sister and to solve the case of my father's murder. Also, the police department was at stake of closing that time, since Inspector Norris was in London for a year and the order in Elmswood was disrupted. Benefactors stopped their support because of the performances of the officers and Inspector Norris came back to try to save the department. That is why I took the opportunity to propose a deal with him."
"What was the deal?"
"Actually, he knew my father's death before he came back here. I told him what happened in his absence, and he listened to me as I explained the inaccuracy of the result of the investigation of my father's murder. Then I propose a deal to help him get new benefactors of the department by solving cases behind the scenes and let him take credit, in return, we get to live in the house and he provides Suzuna's education..."
"Wait, you said 'get to live in the house', am I right?" asked Usui, "But the law says..."
"But the law was satisfied," Misaki said.
"But that would mean that Mr. Norris..."
"Inspector Norris is the son of my paternal grandfather's sister. In other words, he is my father's cousin and my uncle."
Usui's face showed great incredulity. "But he never treated you and your sister like family, and he disgraced your name through that article..."
"That is because I broke our deal of secrecy; we also had a deal to hide our true relations as family, and also my identity as a detective," Misaki said then she smiled, "Apparently, someone with no connections found out I am a detective, and that article is kind of my punishment."
Usui was almost shaken when he learned the whole truth. He leaned on the armchair, looked up, closed his eyes and clutched the end of the armrests. Remorse was truly apparent in his face when he realized that that 'someone with no connections' is none other than himself; that he was the one who brought all this trouble to Misaki.
"How did he know about me finding out about you?" Usui said in a low voice.
"All I could say is that someone was eavesdropping during our conversation in the carriage," Misaki said.
"Did you mean Adams?"
"There's no one else, is there?" Misaki said, "Probably he was paid by the inspector to watch over me during my stay in Kensington, but you needed not to meddle with this, for it has been done."
Usui sighed with sadness. "How rude were my manners. I burst in to your house, demanded an explanation, yet all of this was my fault." He said, and then he looked at Misaki and continued, "It is not even enough if I apologize to you a thousand times..."
"It's not your fault," Misaki chuckled, "Just look at the positive side; if ever the underworld will have their revenge, then it will be Inspector Norris in danger."
"You even turned your situation into a joke," Usui said with a serious tone, "I bet even your own sister didn't know you had such a deal."
"Yes, nobody knew about our deal until now," Misaki said, "Inspector Norris became our legal guardian, but when I turned eighteen, we agreed that I continue to work for him and in return he continues to finance Suzuna's education. We also planned to cut our ties with our uncle's family as soon as Suzuna finishes her studies though I doubt Mrs. Norris will agree; she was fond of us sisters after all. As for our living, we can..."
Misaki stopped for Usui pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. Trapped by Usui, she tried to escape, but Usui held her tighter. "What are you doing, you... you... idiot! Let me go... I can't breathe proper..."
Usui interrupted, "You must have been lonely for a very long time."
After those words, Usui noticed Misaki stopped struggling. He then heard her sobbed, and instead of pushing him away, Misaki clasped his coat began to weep. The cold, headstrong woman was actually fragile as a flower.
When Misaki stopped weeping, she freed herself from Usui's arms, sat up and dried her tears. "I'm sorry for crying so suddenly. I didn't know what came over me..."
"Don't worry, Ayuzawa," Usui said as wiped a tear in her cheeks, "even if the world abandons you, rest assured that I will always be by your side."
"How unsophisticated," Misaki said, "Thanks to you, I am wide awake; I plan to save my energy for later."
"Then allow me to make it up to you," Usui said, "Are you hungry, Ayuzawa?"
-0-
"This is delicious!" Misaki exclaimed after she took a bite of the scrambled eggs Usui made, "I never thought an earl like you could cook this good." Usui also made toasted bread, cooked ham and a few sausages and brewed coffee. Upon hearing Misaki's remark, he thanked her and took a sip of his coffee.
"I had learned about you being an earl during my first visit to your house," Misaki said, "I accidentally came into your room when I was wandering, and I saw the letters on your writing desk addressing you as earl."
"But I wrote in reply to those people that that title now belongs to another person," Usui said, "I have no interest gaining such titles. But enough of that; do you also cook, Ayuzawa?"
"I only prepare food which I knew could satisfy my hunger. No more, no less," Misaki replied, "sometimes, when I am solving cases, I only drink tea."
"But that won't be healthy."
"You now know my methods."
"Speaking of methods, still I can't believe Barnes's tactics," Usui said, "as you explained to us before; he tried to steal my family's fortune and severed our connections with the Chevaliers as Emile. You also mentioned that he underwent surgery for that but did he hide those scars?"
"Obviously he used cosmetics to hide those," said Misaki, "He spends little time interacting with people during the day because the maquillage may be erased either by sweat or rain."
"But considering his actions, I suspect that he hasn't carried out his plan fully," Usui said, "If he did wanted our fortune badly, then his actions should be concentrating to us, not the Chevaliers."
"That's true, and that time, as Ms. Chevalier told me, their fortune is already declining," Misaki said, "either that he wanted to severe your connections, or he had discovered something deeper."
"Something...deeper?"
"Well, that hasn't been proven yet," Misaki said, "Thank you for such a wonderful breakfast."
"You're welcome," Usui said, "By the way; I have a favor to ask you. You were already informed of the party to be held in Lady Everglott's palace in Nottingham, weren't you?"
"By Inspector Norris himself, yes."
"Then, would you mind accompanying me as my partner?"
Misaki stared hard at Usui because of what he said. She blushed out of embarrassment and said in an unintelligent manner, "Pa...partner? But... but I..."
Usui laughed at her reaction and said, "I was just joking. But please come with me; I have something important to tell you"
"Wouldn't it be better if you just say it right now?"
"Now is not yet the right time to say it," Usui said, "You'll know soon enough." He then rose from his seated and said, "I shall take my leave, Ayuzawa, and I deeply apologize for causing a ruckus very early in the morning."
"No, not at all," Misaki said, "Thank you for everything."
-0-
Misaki stayed all day inside the house. She thought of Usui's invitation, whether she wouldgo with him or not, and of what important matter he was planning to tell her. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock on her door. 'Another visitor this day? Or perhaps he came back...' she thought as she opened the door. Her visitor was none other than Lady Everglott.
"Good afternoon, milady," Misaki said as she courtsied, "Please, do come in." She led her to the parlor, which Lady Everglott remarked, "Such a small place for a parlor."
Misaki pretended not to hear her, and then she offered Lady Everglott tea, in which was declined by the guest.
"Might I asked what gave me the honor of having you here as my guest, milady?" Misaki asked.
"Honor is not the appropriate word, Ms. Ayuzawa," Lady Everglott said, "but I do believe I have business with you regarding you and my nephew, Takumi."
_END_
I'm really sorry for the delay... school life is now pretty hectic, and my class schedule is... well... I won't say anything about that further... it's been very tiring these past days...
By the way, I'm very busy probably until next week, but I'll try to update faster... :) I still lack sleep... zzzzzz... XD
And Happy Independence Day to my kababayans! :D
~otaku911
