Chapter 866

Chapter 866: First Blood [4]

The distant sound of Igna’s engine faded beyond the wall – lights gathering from the driveway into the manor faded in order, starting at the gate to the porch. Elvira waited in her dressing gown, the comfy curtain parted mildly, her dark pupils and cynic resting face pressed on the windows. She followed the trail of red leading outside the property, the fingers and hands numb to the touch – on the gates closing, she twirled and hopped onto her large bed, the mattress sunk, “-Yui,” legs underneath fluffy covers, “-stop hiding.” No sound clicked, a gentle elevation in light marked the lady’s entrance, on fully entering the room, the light lowered to darkness – flames caught Yui’s facial features at irregular intervals, the shadows extenuated a glibness, unlike Elvira, had experienced. There laid sternness without her speaking, “-tell me, why allow him access?”

“I tried to stop.”

“Speak when spoken too,” the face, veiled behind a hardcover book, rendered deciphering her emotions difficult.

“...”

“Good. I presume éclair granted him access instead?”

“...”

“That would be a good time to reply,” she shut the book, “-Yui, dearest Yui. As sister system, you work great for logistical support. I was foolish to expect more. Don’t think badly, Yui, for the amount of work fed into thy subconscious each day, you standing here is a feat of praise. When Igna came, you fled instead of standing in his way. Your loyalty remains bound to Igna and éclair. I shouldn’t complain,” she exhaled, “-what’s happened is partly my actions. Phantom’s suffered a great loss,” her composed visage burnt, shadows cast by the lonesome lantern carried passion in the unseen parts of her corners, “-Laura’s death’s affected more people than I realized,” she stopped and took time mauling what had happened and what was to happen going forward. She took breaks, stared at her empty palms, threw her head back, and settled, “-Yui, take care of this mess for me?”

.....

“Pardon?”

“Currently, I’m out of ideas. Nothing I think points to anything drastic. Keep an eye on current events. About the time I delegate tasks. Prove to me you’re capable.”

A sadistic hue sparked the quiet expression, “-lady Elvira, if I’m free to do as I pleased, is it alright if I excuse myself for a while?”

“Absolutely not,” she returned, “-I still require assistance at the office. After hours,” she smiled, “-what is done in thy private time isn’t of my concern.”

“Thank you,” she nodded and locked the door behind. Elvira carried on her the tenseness of frustration. Her actions proved fatal, a good leader must take accountability for her actions, such as the thought running in her mind. Meanwhile, opposite her door, Yui stood with palms clenched. ‘-Finally,’ she breathed, ‘-lady Elvira’s allowing me freedom. Best not waste her time or mine,’ she firmed her gaze across the wall, “-maids, with me,” she stormed followed by a row of servants, “-let’s have ourselves a party.”

Igna’s return wasn’t much to talk about – he found himself at the manor within the noble district, the gates opened, guards nodded, and threw stern salutes. The driveway, curved lines climbing a hill, was met with dark outlines of trees and shakes of foliage. Before long, lights adjacent the pathway guided the journey – and thus, on pulling onto the poach, he threw a pleasing look at the helipad in the distance. Helicopters fitted for battle laid in wait, cautiously waiting for the time duty called. Inky black figures rose yonder, the night escaped into the day – most of those hours were spent on the road, riding from Rotherham.

Held by the hip, he carried Vanesa into the manor, “-young master,” escaped Seiran, “-you’re here?” she stopped from sweeping the interior.

“My word,” he glanced up and down, “-you seem to have gotten a pinch instead of a grip. Progress is progress no matter what,” he shuffled inside, “-the study, is it?”

“The same way it was years before, éclair made sure to upgrade the hardware. I don’t understand,” she watched his back carry inside, “-you own the castle?”

“What can I say,” he shrugged and threw a distant gaze at Lizzie’s memorial, “-this place brings memories. Tell Lizzie we need to speak a few words,” he handed Vanesa, “-find her a bed, she won’t be up until lunch.”

“What’s he doing here?” glared Laurence sidestepping from the common area, blocking the view onto the memorial.

“Laurence,” he headed for the grieving brother, “-I’m sorry for Laura’s death,” hands-on the slumped shoulder, “-I won’t promise much, a lost life isn’t easily repaid. What I can assure is justice,” the gentle pat turned tense grip, “-I have an idea of who’s responsible, all we need is confirmation. Once over, you’ll have a say,” the tense speech broke to fix Seiran and Rile, “-in how the murderer is punished.”

“I’d ask nothing more,” he muffled, “-thank you, young master.”

“Don’t worry,” he cheered, “-if it’s not too much, I’ve taken the liberties of having a spot opened in the family crypt. She’s part of the family, I want her to be there.” The faces lit suddenly, “-what about lady Courtney, the head of the household?”

“A simple matter of phone call,” he nodded, “-please, let Laura be buried alongside the Haggard’s,” he rose a finger to the garden, “-a statue will be placed in her honors. Death is celebrated, tis the true way we move forward.” Seiran had silent tears falling upon the wooden floor, Laurance’s empty expression stumped into silence, Rile knocked himself onto a nearby wall, the wolf-ears slumped.

“Thank you,” they said simultaneously. Vanesa changed hands and Igna moved into the study.

Woe and silent cries, to each their own; loss of a friend, Igna knew all to well how the feeling felt. Coming from a place of understanding, part of him wanted to make sure Laura’s sacrifice amounted to something. A simple tap connected the interface to the holographic display, a vile of unknown properties hovered, glasses off, ‘-time to study,’ reality shattered, lines of meaning pertaining to multiple ancient letters faded. The remainder built upon itself. Minutes turned hours, Igna worked, the shattered puzzle formed a stable layer, the centerpiece, the captured thread, buried itself onto said layer – from there, it spread, the blueish color sank into the distorted foundation. Hours leaped into days, 20th of March displayed, “-alive,” he gasped, raising an arm to the ceiling, a few minutes ago, the very grounds to the manor shook, “-I did it,” he clambered onto the sofa and dropped face-first onto the cushion, “-I recreated the scroll from a single thread,” an uncontrollable smile laid on his face, “-how long was I out?” a glanced at the calendar, ‘-weeks?’ the blinks intensified.

*Knock, knock,*

“-Enter.”

“Morning, master,” said Seiran proudly wearing her gothic-style dress, the gloves held sharp nails, each of which was very prominent, “-been a while,” she said holding a tea set.

“Yeah,” he yawned, the displayed toggled, “-Vanesa, how’s she?”

“Princess Lizzie saw fit to bring her along. There’s a strange bond between them,” she settled next to Igna and poured herself a drink.

“Glad I got to see you drink.”

“Oh?” she stopped her sips and laid the cup on the holder, “-you thought this was for you?” she laughed, “-god forbid that day,” she shrieked. He observed, her foot tapped, the jests felt full of life, “-today’s the funeral, isn’t it?” he commented.

“Yes,” she sipped, “-Laura’s body was cleared to be buried. She’s on her way here – lady Elvira’s took the responsibility personally – the event’s going to take place here, at the manor.”

“Not the castle?”

“No, we rather not,” she refrained, “-bringing attention isn’t wise.”

“I spoke to my mother; she’s said it would be an honor to have Laura rest in the family crypt,” a scroll laid on the table.

“-what’s that?” she inquired.

“The spell used by the disposer. I spend my days in reconstruction, to rebuild a scroll from scratch – a miracle if I say so myself.”

“And?”

“It’ll allow us to track the destination.”

Rage lit the dark pupils, “-can we?”

“No, not now,” he returned, “-rushing headfirst will be foolish. Besides,” he checked the displays, “-if what I think is to be true, the culprit will show himself, there’s no question about it. Aunt was wise in her words – not acting on emotions broadens the mind.”

“Seiran,” whispered Laurence, “-Princess Lizzie’s arrived. We should get ready, the ceremony starts at 11:00. Young master, thee should perhaps change into more fitting attire. The King of Hidros attending my little sister’s funeral, should I cry or punch a wall, I don’t know,” once done, he simply turned and walked away. Igna was left to wonder about Laurence’s sanity, “-don’t worry about him,” said Seiran raising from her comfy station, “-he means no harm, the deadpan way of speech is just him being him. Our little chat grounded reality to where it should be, we had time to grieve – I should let go of the past,” a pocket-sized self-help book escaped her dress and fell, “-I’m an airhead,” she leaned, grabbed the item, winked on reaching the floor then fluttered out.

‘To each their own,’ he remained silent, “-Yui, éclair, anyone there?”

“Good day, master,” returned Yui, “-éclair’s getting the funeral ready. Close family and acquaintances of Phantom will be in attending.”

“Someone sounds cheerful.”

“Well, I was working to fix the mess lady Elvira caused.”

“And?”

“I’m making slow progress. The more I look into the details, the more the fingers point to Leina. Did you know, Laura dealt directly to superstars and their managers – our little friend had contacts in high places.”

“I’d love to hear more about it.”

“But not now?”

“How smart you are,” he chuckled.

“Right, yeah, sure,” she sighed, “-master, would be pleasing for my stories to be vaguely taken seriously...”

“I meant no disrespect. Now isn’t exactly the time to discuss such affairs.”

“Yeah, funeral. I’ve sent an attendant; he should bring your suit. As for the castle, éclair said the ambassador’s got it.”

‘Ambassador?’ he narrowed and sighed, “-understood.”

Funerals were always very tacky, the suit soon arrived, the entourage of Lizzie, Vanesa, Laurence, Seiran, Rile, and Igna were readied. Helicopters chopped yonder; the noise sufficed to the district’s peace.

They watched from the balcony, “-the funeral doesn’t seem real,” added Lizzie.

“I agree,” whispered Laurance, “-my little sister’s already dead. I’ve dealt with the worse of the pain, I can’t...” he grinned, “-this just feels right.”

“Like turning a page,” added Seiran, “-right,” she clapped, “-King Igna, there are a few guests who’ve asked permission to come to pray for the departure of Laura. Some high-ranking, others not so much, I’d advise for thee to keep a strong persona and not entertain much of the guests. The last thing we want is the media catching wind of what’s happened. éclair’s cast a net of surveillance, from the moment the event starts and till it’s over, any connection to the Arcanum and usage of devices will be monitored.”

“Information blackout at its finest,” he sighed. As said, guests arrived in dozens, familiar faces from the organization – godfathers and CEOs of various high-ranking brands. In said fold was Queen of Arda, Courtney, and Leader of Phantom, Elvira, arguably two of the most influential figures second to the king.

Laura’s coffin rested in the common area – the apostle of Athena, Minerva volunteered to perform her rites. A few hours into the ceremony, many paid their visit and humbly respected the departed, Igna kept close to the body, he watched from the veranda, “-marriage and death,” said Julius, “-two events that bring a family together.”

“I know,” he replied, “-feels odd. No one here knew Laura, and still, they looked to her as if she was a friend.”

“Tis the way Phantom pay their respects. I’m impressed, placing her body in the family crypt, it was a great move.”

“Not a move, just my way of saying rest in peace,” he smiled and suddenly fell on a couple, “-it can’t be,” he gritted, “-why’s he here?”