Chapter 31 - Sly Smile

--Serlin POV--

Lord Dustin? What business does he have here now?.

"Madam Ilin, bring him to your office before he gets wary, also hand me a paper and pen."

She nodded and handed it to me from her desk and went to greet him.

Till she is busy with him…

[ CROSS VOID ]

I should take care of him, writing the spell on the paper will be a hassle but I have to hurry.

Now open this note boy, I threw the note Into the Void that was opened in  the Space of the Crate Aaris had, 

I hope he finds it…

[ CLOSE ]

"Please take a seat first" Miss Ilin returned with Dustin following him, she took her seat and sat on her chair facing this fox in deer hiding.

"Hmm...my, my Miss. Ilin told me, Sir. Serlin is here too but I never expected you'll actually be here."

His smile was as sly as ever.

She intertwined her fingers and rested her elbows on her desk,

"So you thought I was lying?", 

Her glare was piercing through him, 

" Momo!"

"Ah...YES!! MA'AM!!" She was startled.

"Please bring Tea for our guests here." Said Ilin.

Dustin was looking around, 

"Um- I would prefer a cup of black coffee instead-" he said.

"Hm- What?" Ilin knows how to piss him off huh?

"Nevermind Tea it is." well he would also avoid doing anything reckless here.

Ho… I never thought I would see her again so I worked up again.

The ominous silence spread in the room, I was worried that Dustin would look through our anxious mind concerning Aaris.

"So what brings you here, Lord Dustin?" She continued.

"Well I was just worried about the pitiful children that went through such hardships, so I came to check up on them!" 

An obvious lie, instead he would smirk upon their misery.

"Don't joke around, you came to see them?-"

Ilin smacked her desk.

"Haha… everyone in this room knows that ain't true, well to be honest I just came to collect Mr. Ralkier belongings, maybe he still has some evidence or anything else that could lead us to the outlaws."

"I'll be blunt here, 

No, since we have already burnt his belongings there is nothing left for you I am afraid." 

She is doing her best, I hope that kid found the note… even I can't do anything right now instead of just standing, looking at them.

"Pardon me." Momo returned with tea, she was nervous, her trembling hand made the tray rattle.

But we can't blame her. We are talking about hiding a criminal and serving an officer under the same roof.

"Put the tray on the desk, and get back on your chores." Ilin must be worried about her too.

"Um- where were we? Ah yes, so I can't get his belongings? well, that's a bummer,

If that's the case I should be on my way then, I can't let my subordinates wait much longer, 

You should've let them inside." 

"As I said before, drop your weapons before coming inside, refuse and I don't like to ask twice." She took a sigh and stood up.

Dustin pouted like a kid and looked at her.

"That's why you're single anyway I'll be on my way."

Dustin left his chair and went to the door,

"But before that, I apologize for calling you a liar."

"Hmph… you should! Why would I lie about

Sir. Serlin coming-" she said.

"Not that part madam….about the persons currently residing here."

Both of our throats went dry.

This cunning bastard, he was already aware of an extra person?

"I didn't lie-" before she could finish he interrupted her.

"Your monthly report tells us,

There are 140 kids, 30 workers including you, but today excluding Sir. Serlin, 

There was one more, but his presence vanished soon as I walked in,

So I had a few doubts but don't worry-"

As expected of this fox...where are you brat!.

"What are you trying to say here? We are hiding someone?"

Even in this dilemma, she was calm and composed but it will be worthless if he gets pushy.

"Yes maybe Aaris," he said,

Well,l thought at first but that person had mana unlike the runt- I mean that kid so….

"I see them get out- oops I mean, please get your ass out of here," she said.

"Ilin isn't holding back today huh?"

I thought.

"Ahaha if only you hadn't been the Captain,

Alright, I'll take my leave then."

The moment we heard the carriage move, our heartbeat relaxed a bit.

"Momo!!" She yelled and looked very anxious. 

"Yes ma'am!" She came running.

"Where is Aaris?"

Ilin asked.

"I checked his room but he wasn't there and so his belongings," Momo said, 

Thank God it worked!!

"Well that's good but where is he?" Ilin looked confused.

"Relax!"

"How can I relax he isn't in his room and-"

She is really worried about him, 

[ OPEN CROSS GATE ]

The brat kissed the floor the moment I opened the gate, a good thing he found the note and went inside the Crate.

She hugged him the moment he stood up.

"I am glad you're okay."

"Thank you!" 

I think he was happy to see her too, 

I went close to the window to light up my cigar again and looked outside.

"Well, thanks for everything Madam Ilin but I am afraid we don't have much time!"

"Why?" She looked at me.

"He saw him."

"Who?"

"Dustin"

He was standing in front of me.

"Brat!!" Dustin yelled.