Thread of Fate

Chapter 10

(Chrollo)

"Lilianne!" I just arrived at the corridor when I heard a guy yell that familiar name. He ran over to the silver-blonde haired girl who was looking out of the big window with her white-haired and blue-eyed bodyguard talking to her.

The moment he arrived next to Lilianne, he flinched in terror even though she hasn't done a thing. Intrigued, I approached as well, "Good morning, Lili—!" I was stopped in my tracks by a blow of irritated aura. Lilianne's quiet demeanor, and cool facade seemed very harmless from afar. I never expected her to be so worked up so early in the morning.

Jonathan laughed sheepishly, directed towards the guy who tried to approach her earlier. "Sorry about that. Oujo-sama's not in the highest of spirits today."

"'In the highest of spirits?'" The guy seems to be in the same year level as Lilianne.

"Honestly, those words don't fit you in the slightest, Jonathan." I smirked. "Good morning."

Jonathan just ignored me.

"Chrollo's right on that one." Lilianne finally spoke, and turned to us. "You're better off not saying such classical stuff. It doesn't suit you." Then she turned to me and said, "Morning." Then to the other guy and waited for him to talk. When he just stood there looking at her, she spoke in a calm manner, "Yes?" Though I can sense that her patience is wearing very thin.

"Um... Uh... Well... You see... Nevermind!" He bowed then left hurriedly.

"What was that all about?" I asked, my gaze following the running figure.

"... No idea." Answered Jonathan, staring at the running figure as well, while Lilianne just stood silent.

Before I can ask what's bothering her, the bell rang signifying the start of the first period.

"Oujo-sama, please wait for me to pick you up at lunch time. " Jonathan smiled gently.

Lilianne nodded then left for her room. Jonathan started walking to our room as well and I followed. When I glanced at Lilianne, she had already disappeared behind her classroom's door.

"She's pretty pissed off, isn't she?" I started. Asking won't do anything so I might as well get the answer in a different way.

Jonathan glanced at me suspiciously then answered, "Yeah..."

I can only think of so few things that can actually irritate the Great and Cool Headed Lilianne Rosette. If I guess and ask right, I'll get the answer I need.

"It must be hard to have your hard work go to waste." I looked up at the ceiling, my arms behind my head, I glanced sideways to see Jonathan's eyes widen. Bingo.

"You... Did you stalk her again?!" He was about to burst.

"You get worked up so easily when it comes to Lilianne, huh? Anyway, no. You just fell for it. Thanks for giving me the hints!" Lilianne's knight in shining armor stood frozen while I let down my arms and walked briskly to our classroom, leaving him to deal with his frustration.

Upon entering the room, I was greeted by a sudden and harsh glomp.

"Chrollo!" exclaimed Scarlet Vermeil in glee, hugging me tighter. "I'm so glad you arrived! FINALLY! I've been waiting for, like, forever!"

"Uh-... Ah... "I looked away, far from her face. This is not something I'd want first thing I enter. "Sorry about that. What is it?"

Scarlet let go and jumpily said, "Our company's been saved!"

"Ah, I see." I was about to walk to my seat when a word made me stop. "Wait... 'OUR'?"

"Yes~! Actually, some problems were encountered, like, during the weekend but one of father's friends lent a hand so we owe them a bit."She gestured with her hands, her motions keeping up with her fast -paced speech. "And father's friend also advised that it would be sooo much easier if he can merge two companies so now, daddy has contacted your parents and are talking about the engagement!"

The room buzzed with the news as she went on and I could feel my head spinning for once in my life due to the information.

Is this what they call an information overload?

Then I remembered. The one who caused the problem for their company was me, with the help of Kortopi's superior forging skills. The Vermeils would had to have arranged for Scarlet's transfer to a foreign country if their company here were to be bankrupt or the like but it seems someone had some outside help.

"So so what do you think?" She looked at me with big sparkling eyes.

I have no idea what she's talking about since I ignored her to think but I flashed her a simple smile and said, "I'll think more on it," Whatever that is. "And give you my answer later."

"All right!"She winked at me and skipped to her seat.

I let out only a small sigh, but I feel like all my energy's been drained.

I'll need to talk to the others later.I thought and suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced behind me and saw Jonathan, a pitiful look in his eyes and smile as he shook his head gently, as though amused. And he silently walked back to his seat.


The bell rang indicating that it's lunch time. I stood up and hurriedly left the room while carrying a bento box with every intention of getting to Lilianne before Jonah does (and avoiding Scarlet). Just as I was nearing their classroom, I saw Lilianne just coming out but it was at that moment that a pile of boxes from the cabinet beside the door started falling on her.

"Lilianne!" I exclaimed and just before any box could land on her, she was pulled to the side by a very familiar man with dull yellow hair, wearing a tracksuit, and a stern look on his aging face.

"Watch where you're going, Rosette." It was the track team's demon coach, as well as one of the school's P.E. teachers, Mr. Phinks.

I smirked at the sight. Those guys never fail to follow my commands.

'Feitan, Phinks, things might get rough starting Monday so I want you to keep an eye out for Rosette. Shizuku might not be enough and Scarlet Vermeil is not one to give up either.'

I approached the two. "Good afternoon, Mr. Phinks."

"Yeah, afternoon, Morningstar." He greeted briefly and walked away.

"So, now that that's done, wanna go eat with —"

"Oujo-sama!"Damn.

Jonathan arrived with a very worried expression. "Are you all right?"

"Mm."Lilianne nodded. "Sir Phinks saved me in time."

Jonathan gave out a sigh of relief. "That's good." Then turned to me. "What are you doing here?"

"I was asking Lilianne if she would like to eat with me."

"I won't allow it."

"Jonah... It's fine." Lilianne intervened wearily. And she looked at me and said, "You can eat with us."

With that, she started on her way to the cafeteria with Jonathan following closely behind her. With a small light feeling in my chest, I caught up to them.

"No one will be able to bother us here." I sat on one of the steps leading to the rooftop.

"Last time we ate here, Hisoka seemed to have dropped by to greet oujo-sama." Jonathan said cautiously, like checking if Hisoka would just appear out of thin air.

"I'd say that's better than flying meatballs, macaroni and falling boxes of god-knows-what." I sarcastically retorted, lightening up the atmosphere, but knowing Hisoka took notice of Lilianne put another boulder on my shoulders.

Jonathan contemplated on the options available then turned to Lilianne and asked, "What do you think, oujo-sama?"

"Anywhere's fine." She answered nonchalantly.

"Anywhere's not fine!" Jonathan answered.

"Then we settle here. Lunch break could only last so long." And Lilianne took a seat beside me, unwrapping the bento Jonathan gave her.

The Council President sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright." He took a seat below Lilianne.

"I have to admit," Lilianne said after swallowing an eggroll. "Mr. Phinks and Feitan's timing was perfect." She glanced at me then continued eating.

I swallowed and said, "I suppose, but I'd rather say that it's the kid who threw that meatball who was unlucky. Of all the people, he had to hit Feitan."

Lying is definitely second nature to me but I get this feeling that she knows I'm lying.

(Jonah)

Chrollo was quite lighthearted as he talked about the misfortunes suffered by my oujo-sama today. As if he would ever understand. I decided to shift the topic to something which he will be more uncomfortable with.

"By the way, Chrollo," I started. "congratulations."

His widened for a bit then he regained his composure and said, "Well, I'm not quite sure what to say, Jonathan. Besides, our parents are still talking about it." He waved and laughed a bit.

Oujo-sama didn't pay any mind and just continued eating. But perhaps she was also curious as she soon asked, "What is it?"

"It's nothing, Lili-"

"Chrollo's engaged to Scarlet Vermeil." As if I'll let him slip out of this one. He shot a smirk at me.

"Is that so?" Oujo-sama didn't seem to care but I thought I saw her grip tighten on the spoon. "Congratulations." She nodded to Chrollo.

"Seriously, you two. It's nothing. " I can sense the panic in his voice. Did he want to seem cool and clean to oujo-sama? Well, that's impossible as far as I know.

The conversation ended there and we finished our lunches before the bell could ring. We were dropped off Lilianne oujo-sama in her room, and proceeded to ours.

"You didn't need to mention something so unnecessary." Chrollo said on our way.

"I don't know what you're talking about. " I shrugged. "If you mean the engagement, I was just congratulating you."

"Really? Well, thank you then, Fidelis." He spoke my last name as though it was a bitter poison. Much to my delight.

Chrollo was again greeted and embraced by Vermeil the moment we entered. I gave him a triumphant smirk before leaving them. The teacher arrived so the two also scrambled back to their seats as well as the other students. Before the teacher could speak, the door opened almost abruptly. A student stood worried and panting signifying he ran frantically here.

"Excuse me, sir! But is Mr. Jonathan Fidelis here?" He asked. "He is needed in the infirmary room! It's Ms. Lilianne Rosette!"

I immediately stood up and ran outside the room, forgetting my courtesies and manners, and headed straight for the infirmary or the school's clinic.