Thread of Fate

Chapter 4

(Chrollo)

"It's very nice to see you again... my dear half-sibling" the female senior greeted Lilianne. I couldn't see Lilianne's reaction but to be called 'half-sibling' in public like that... It's humiliating.

And yet, Lilianne never failed to amuse me and replied with confidence and esteem, "It's very nice to see you again, Sylvia nee-sama"

It was like a professional reunion between half-siblings but you can feel the heavy tension in the air.

"Lunch time will end soon, nee-sama. If you'll please excuse me and Jonah" Lilianne was about to turn away until Sylvia called to her.

"Lilianne dear... Father hasn't given up and neither have I, especially not I." I didn't understand what Sylvia meant but she smiled sweetly yet psychotically at Lilianne. But Lilianne just stared then said, "Don't forget to eat lunch, nee-sama. And I suggest you hurry." And she turned away with Jonah, suddenly facing me.

She merely glanced my way then walked coldly past as though I was never there.


"Danchou" Pakunoda's voice brought me back to the present.

"Oh, sorry, Paku" I rubbed my temples and rested my elbows on my knees, then laced my fingers together.

It was yesterday that Sylvia, Lilianne's elder half-sister, greeted her. I had Shalnark investigate at least her records at our school. It turned out that she transferred very recently and she was another excellent student based on her entrance test, getting herself a spot on the 4-A class which can be a very tight squeeze for transfer students. Seeing Jonathan's troubled expression during our class and the student council meeting with the club presidents was sweet but setting my contempt aside, it means that Sylvia is that much of a trouble for Lilianne so I had Shalnark contact Pakunoda to include Sylvia in her research on Lilianne's background.

"Danchou, please be attentive. It wasn't at all easy getting these pieces of information. Despite my negotiation skills, Uvogin had to use force at some point. After all, classified information about those high class families, even yours, can only be obtained in the underworld." Pakunoda reasoned, the light from the crystal chandelier reflecting on her short blonde hair.

Paku's right. Getting information on the Welthe family was even harder than I thought but the Phantom Troupe can handle anything and if we can't buy it, we definitely steal it. Though stealing could be the last thing on one's mind when they think of the Morningstar family. I live in a grand mansion and now Paku and I are having a meeting in the living room. Nobunaga and Franklin inside with us while Uvogin and Bonolenov guarded outside the door. Like any rich kid, my parents are usually away making the whole place feel empty and yet, my body guards are always with me, Nobunaga, Uvogin, Bonolenov, Franklin and Pakunoda. Mother and Father made sure to hire many bodyguards for me and the house, and those five are at the top of their game. Nobunaga is branded as the 'Lord of Blades' since he is more adept with a sword or dagger than a gun but never to be underestimated as he can cut down the bullets with great speed and the next thing you know, you're lying on your own pool of blood. He wears a black suit like any of the guards but his hair is quite long and dark, and usually it's tied into a high ponytail when he's in a fight or sparring match.

Franklin is Nobunaga's counterpart, the 'King of Firearms'. He can use just about any gun with deadly accuracy though his specialty are rifles and machine guns. Glance away for a mere millisecond and you're Swiss cheese. Franklin is a big man, much bigger than Nobunaga, with long drooping earlobes and his face with scars and usually a stoic expression. His big hands and powerful arms can control even the strongest of firepower.

Pakunoda is my strongest female bodyguard. She has deadly accuracy and average speed but she's amazing at reading her opponents giving her the upperhand in battle. Her best points are her negotiation skills and way of gathering information. Information that are beyond Shalnark's and his computers' reach, she can get, even the very roots of an ancient family's dead bloodline.

Uvogin and Bonolenov are former underground street brawlers who were so good they were practically bored to death. Losing their will to fight since they couldn't find stronger opponents, I hired them as my bodyguards. Though my parents had their doubts, they accepted them anyway because they trust in my brilliant genius. I immediately gained the two fighters' respect and they swore to protect me. They rose in ranks and quickly became on par with the Lord of Blades, the King of Firearms, and Pakunoda, the Duchess of Negotiations and Whispers. As Uvogin wears a black suit, it usually gets ripped apart whenever he fights and his disheveled gray hair is usually tied to a ponytail to look neat but that's only when mother and father are around. In reality, he prefers having his hair down. Bonolenov, his body wrapped in bandages, also wears a black suit for formalities though he's more comfortable wearing loose clothes like he used to, which I allow when my parents are away.

But despite that, just like Machi, Hisoka, Shalnark, Shizuku, Kortopi, Phinks and Feitan, they are legs of the Spider.

"All right. What have you gathered so far, Paku?" I sat back on the couch thoughtfully.

Looking over her notes, Pakunoda started again. "Lilianne Rosette- Welthe, is Ader Welthe's illegitimate child, though Sylvia Marigold- Welthe, and Pierre Gladioli- Welthe also came from different mothers and Ader did not name any of them to be his legal wife though he supports each child financially and has taken the children from each parent the moment they reach the age of ten. Lilianne was the only one who fought back to the point her father had to give up on taking her away but he continues to support her financially."

"Heh" I smiled behind laced fingers, amused at learning about Lilianne's early rebellion.

"Is there anything else?" I urged, wanting to learn more of the Welthes.

"All of Ader Welthe's children are known to be spectacular, geniuses some would call. Each have their own talents but also have their own flaws despite their almost non-human attributes. Such as Pierre Welthe is sickly and frail though handsome as a prince from fairy tales with blonde hair and fair yet somewhat pale skin and the purple eyes which all Welthes share. Because of his frailty, he's always been homeschooled but he's very intelligent. He's won various medals and trophies on chess and many intellectual games.

"Sylvia is musically adept with her long slender fingers playing the piano, violin or cello, also artistically inclined with a pencil or a brush but like many other genius artists, she has a... unique way of thinking."

You mean she's insane.

"As for Lilianne, there's not much information since she rejected her father's adoption so naturally, only hardcore stalkers would probably know every detail there is about her. But I was able to find simple information that Shalnark would have probably told you. She's a well-respected individual."

I nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, the teachers at our school already took a liking to her. If the girls would stop filling her locker with hatemail, they'll probably bend a knee to her and call her 'oujo-sama' like Jonathan. She has this innocent and pure aura around her yet there is also authority in her entity, in her voice, and her amethyst eyes have a glint that tells you how knowledgeable and wise she is even in her early years."

The room was filled with silence as Pakunoda and the other blankly stared at me. And then, she glanced aside and held back a laugh.

"What is it, Paku?" I was puzzled by her reaction to my opinion which is usually a fact.

"Don't get us wrong, danchou" Paku smiled lightly and I glanced at everyone else in the room and they only averted my gaze.

Nobunaga cleared his throat and looked at the ceiling while Franklin just stared at the window. My gaze was back on Pakunoda.

"But you seem to be taking quite the interest in this particular girl, even observing so much as her aura and the glint in her eyes." Paku added, her smile widening a bit.

I was surprised by Paku's words and I jerked my head up and blinked.

What's that supposed to mean?

"Don't worry, danchou. This is only going to be between the six of us, six meaning Uvogin and Bonolenov will know as well." Paku added again.

I know I'm a genius... but what the hell does Paku mean?

I looked at Nobunaga and Franklin for answers but each are averting my gaze like I'm a gorgon.

I stood up. "All right. I guess that would be all."

"Danchou, don't forget about your homework" Nobunaga lifted the hilt of his blade with his thumb. "And your training."

(Lilianne)

I sighed as I went out of another shop.

"So they turned you down?" Jonah jumped off the railings.

I nodded. "They said they would have gladly accepted me but..."

"You're too young" he finished, knowing the answer from the start.

I nodded again and Jonah sighed. It's the weekend and Jonah offered to accompany me as I go around town looking for a job. Of course, mom doesn't know. I needed to earn money for her because she doesn't want me to save father's money just so she can get treated. She wants me to spend it all on myself. And father doesn't even care about what happens to mom.

"Oujo-sama, a fourteen year old girl, a minor wouldn't be allowed to work. It's child labor!"

"I know but..." I looked at the ground in dismay and disgust. I hate it when I'm powerless like this.

"Look" he approached me and placed a warm hand on my shoulder. I looked up and a pair of bright blue eyes stared at me sincerely, giving me support and strength. "Whatever happens, I'll stick with you. Maybe there will be a job that will accept you. As long as it's to help auntie get better and you won't get into any trouble, I'll let you do whatever it takes to get a job."

Jonah's words made me feel a lot lighter, like a heavy burden has been partly lifted off my shoulders.

"Thanks, Jonah" I gently smiled at him and we turned away from the shop and started looking for a job elsewhere.

(Chrollo)

Bang! Bang! Bang!

I took off my shooting glasses as the target came forward.

"Three shots, all bull's eyes and all in one hole." Franklin smiled a little and nodded his approval. "Well done, danchou. Would you like to try the moving targets now?"

I nodded. "Right."

Franklin nodded back and went to operate the targets. Just then, my phone rang. I gave Franklin a sign to wait and upon his nod, I took off my earmuffs and answered my phone.

"Danchou, I found something you might want to know about Lilianne" I can hear the tapping of fingers on the keyboard as Shalnark talked.

"What is it?" I was quite curious on what he could have found that Pakunoda wasn't able to.

"I passed them by earlier, Lilianne and the Council President. I think Lilianne was looking for a job"

"But no one would accept her no matter how talented she is. She's only what? Fourteen?" I was surprised at learning about this and a little pissed at hearing that Lilianne's with Jonathan again.

"Mm-hmm... I doubt any shop would hire her. Do you want me to track them down and see if she's gotten a job, danchou?"

I paused for a while to think. "Hmm... No." I smiled slyly. "I don't think there's a need for that."

"All right."

"Thank you for the info, Shal." and I ended the call and put away my phone.

I put on the protective gear and signaled Franklin to start. Multiple targets started moving and aiming with my handgun, I waited for the right moment.

Lilianne... Perhaps it would be nice if we spend a little more time together.

I smirked and shoot. The bullet went through a line of targets. They automatically stopped and when Franklin had them move apart, every single one was a bull's eye, in the very center. If you align them, you'll see a straight hole.

I smiled sinisterly. "A good sign"