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MDNI
Pronouns: She/Her
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š Multi-POV
š CW: Violence,MDNI
Zane: Eat this.
Kate: No, thanks.
I turned my face away from the bread and stew arranged on the silver tray.
Still holding the silver tray out toward me, Zane clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Kate: Where am I?
Zane: Shut your mouth.
Kate: Why - Am - I - Here?
Zane: Shit, your annoying. I said to shut your mouth.
Kate: Whereās William Rex?
Zane: Hah? The hell should I know?
(Iām not getting anywhere with him.)
If I remember correctly, Zane is a member of Libra.
And a highly skilled assassin, so skilled that Victor tried to recruit him into Crown.
(I donāt remember anything after waiting for Will while looking at the shop window.)
(If I lost my memory againā¦.did he take advantage of that lapse and abduct me?)
But the idea of being abducted while I was with Will is unthinkable, unless something truly extraordinary happened.
Iāve been through countless missions by Will's side, and just as he swore he would, he has always protected me using every means at his disposal.
(Has Will been harmedā¦.?)
Zane: ā¦..Listen, I donāt give damn if you starve and drop dead.
Zane: But my bossās a pain in the ass. So eat.
He thrust the silver tray at me again, but I refused it by remaining silent as I sat on the bed.
Just then, the door to the room opened...
Kate: I-It's youā¦..
[Flashback]
Kate: If you plan to harm Will, youāll have to get through me first.
Lucien: ā¦ā¦ā¦.
Lucien: I see. A useful pawn, then.
[Flashback Ends]
Lucien: Has she eaten?
Zane: Are you blind? Clearly she hasnāt.
After that brief exchange with Zane, a pair of cold, icy-blue eyes turned toward me.
Kate: Whereās William? Why am I here?
Lucien: Youāre here because youāve fulfilled your function.
(My functionā¦.)
Lucien: William Rex took the blame for your crime of slashing Bryan Bennett with a knife, and heās been arrested.
Kate: ā¦ā¦ā¦.What?
Lucien: Heās being investigated for other offenses as well, and is slated to be executed soon for the high treason against the country.
(Iā¦harmed Bryan? ā¦Execution?)
Kate: Th-that's a lie... I have no memory of any such thing...
Lucien: ā¦ā¦
Lucien: If that man meets his ruin, I will set you free unharmed. Until then, behave yourself.
(His ruinā¦?)
At that remark, a bolt of red surged through my vision, and I found myself closing in on Lucien.
Kate: What do you plan to do to Will...!
Lucien: Itās already over. Thereās nothing to be done.
(Over?)
The blood drained from my face. I felt dizzy and nearly stumbled, barely managing to steady myself.
(Does that mean he had already orchestrated a situation that would lead to Will's downfall?)
A sickening premonition made my breathing shallow, and the more I thought about it, the louder the ringing in my ears became.
(Is my presence here also part of the plan?)
(Is it true that I attacked Bryan with a knife?)
(Damn it... every time I try to remember what happened back then, my head...!)
The high-pitched ringing in my ears reached a crescendo, and my head throbbed as if it were splitting apart.
SNAP!
My vision went black, like an overheated filament burning out.
Kate: Nghā¦.
Immediately, a deluge of memories suddenly drowned me.
[Flashback]
(Thatās rightā¦back then.)
(Just as I was going to check on Bryan and Will, I noticed something.)
I realised that Lucien was standing right beside me.
Kate: Do you need something from me?
Lucien: Itās time to use my pawn.
Kate: Pawnā¦?
Lucien: Yes. The groundworkās already been laid.
Lucien: All thatās left.ā¦is for you to dance.
(And the second he whisperedĀ thoseĀ words to meā¦.my consciousness was swallowed up.)
[Flashback Ends]
Kate: Ughā¦!!
I clutch my hair tightly, trying to withstand the splitting headache.
Kate: Youā¦.were you manipulating meā¦all along!!?
Lucien: ā¦ā¦ā¦
Lucien: ā¦.Now this is a rarity.
Lucien: There aren't many people who can retain their sense of self while under the influence of my ability.
Lucien: It makes sense now why my ability wasn't affecting you properly at the start.
Kate: ā¦At the start?
(Of course. If heās the reason I lost my memories...)
(Then this isnāt the first time.)
[Flashback ]
William: I'll go ask an attendant to get us a tea basket.
Kate: Thank you!
(The first timeā¦right.)
(In the compartment. It happened when I heard the door openā¦.)
Kate: Huhā¦?
[Flashback Ends]
Kate: ā¦..Lucien.
Kate: From the beginningā¦it was you, not the symptoms from my head injury.
Lucien: I had anticipated you would assume that.
Kate: Youā¦!
[Flashback]
Bryan: Are you feeling all rā Aghk!?
Passerby: KYAAAAH!!!
William: Kate!
Kate: ā¦.Let go of me.
Kate: Why are you stopping me?
Kate: This is the knife you gave to meā¦isnāt it, Will?
[Flashback Ends]
Kate: You...did something like that to me!?
In the fragments of memory returning to me, Will wore an expression I had never seen before.
My heart felt like it would burst at the sight of his face twisted in anguish, and driven by a surge of turbulent emotion, I lunged at Lucien.
Kate: Mm!
But the words of reproach were anchored in my throat.
Even though I understood there was nothing I could have done, and even though I knew the cause was the very person standing before me; an overwhelming wave of guilt coiled around my throat, leaving me unable to speak.
(I was the one who drove Will into this desperate situation.)
(With the very knife meant to protect him.)
Tears dripped down my cheeks.
Without a change in expression, Lucien easily pried my hand away.
Lucien: All escape points are blocked. Donāt waste your time.
Lucien: Zane, weāre leaving.
Zane: Tchā¦.
Kate: W-waitā¦.wait!!
[Answer: Let me save Will - +10]
Kate: Let me out! Let me save Will!
Kate: I have to go! I have toā¦!
(Even if the whole world turned against Will, I would be the one to stand by his sideā¦.)
(To be the knight who saves himā¦)
(To protect him from his doomed destiny, even if it cost me my life... that was the oath I made.)
No matter how many times my fistsĀ pounded the door, it wouldn't budge. So I slumped to the floor, defeated.
What if... the harder I try to protect him, the closer I bring Will to his ruin?
The anxiety I had tried to ignore came crashing down on me all at once, threatening to swallow me whole along with the darkness.
The sound of my heart creaking as if about to crack mingled with the heavy rain lashing against the window, playing a terrible, discordant melody.
[Transitions to Prison - Neu POV]
William Rex was held captive in a detention center in London.
His eyes were covered with a black cloth, and his hands were handcuffed behind his back.
Just as the faint sound of rain began to echo from beyond the thick walls, a man appeared on the other side of the iron bars enclosing him.
William: Itās a pleasure to meet you Deputy Commissioner Harrow.
DC Harrow: ā¦.Urk!?
Harrow was momentarily unsettled to be addressed by name, when he hadnāt introduced himself to someone who isnāt supposed to be able to see.
Yet, he quickly regained his composure, twisting his mouth that was obscured by a thick beard, into a smile.
DC Harrow: Hmphā¦to think you'd maintain such a nonchalant attitude while in custody.
DC Harrow: I suppose thatās to be expected of a shameless monster who deceives the world.
DC Harrow: Though, even a monster like you is rendered helpless once your abilities are sealed.
William: Was it you who ordered this measure?
DC Harrow: Yes, it was. Take awayĀ your sight or your voice, and you pose no threat.
DC Harrow: After all, I was the one who reported the facts we uncovered at the Tower of London to Lord Grimsley. Surprised? Hmm?
William: ā¦ā¦
Harrow clicked his tongue softly, then raised his ebony cane that was topped with a silver head, and struck the iron bars. The clanging echoed much like a judge delivering a verdict.
DC Harrow: The time has finally come to put you on trial.
DC Harrow: Once your conviction for high treason is finalized, both Her Majesty and the public will surely acknowledge my reinstatement.
William slowly rose from the chair where he had been seated.
Mistaking this for a sign of agitation, a look of glee appeared in Harrow's eyes.
DC Harrow: Haha! So even a monstrous freak fears being slayed does it?
As William slowly walked toward the iron bars, Harrow stepped forward as if drawn in.
DC Harrow: My conscience as an official recoils at the thought of framing someone...
DC Harrow: But to pass judgment on evil, sometimes one must dirty one's hands.
William: Does that include imprisoning innocent citizens in the Tower of London and torturing them until their bones snapped?
DC Harrow: Hahahaha!!
Stepping in until he was mere inches away, Harrow unleashed a dry, raucous laugh.
DC Harrow: Iāll grant you that the methods were heavy-handed and disregarded the rights of the citizenry.
DC Harrow: But it was a necessary measure to exterminate a noxious monster like you.
DC Harrow: It was.ā¦unavoidable.
[Screen Jolts]
The moment he whispered those goading words, William slammed his head against the bars of the cell.
DC Harrow: Hah, have you lost your bloody mind? Whaā
He thought the bizarre behavior was merely induced by agitation, but Harrowās sneer instantly froze over.
The blindfold, having been scraped off violently by the iron bars, slid down.
Revealing a pair blood red eyes staring straight at him.
William:Ā Shut your mouth.
DC Harrow: Gnnā¦
William: Unlock the cell and remove the handcuffs.
DC Harrow:Ā Mmm... Mmmph!
With his mouth gagged, Harrow unlocked the cell and twisted the key into the keyhole of the cuffs.
His face, previously flushed a dark, angry red from the forced compliance, had turned deathly pale with fear by the time the restraints clattered to the floor.
William:Ā Kneel.
William strolled out of the cell and drew a longsword from the rack where confiscated weapons were stored.
With the elegant echoing of his shoes, he sat back down in the chair at the center of the room, and slowly drew the blade from its scabbard.
William: I have some questions for you, Deputy Commissioner.
William:Ā You will answer all of my questions.
DC Harrow:Ā Ā Gah! Hah... haahā¦W-what are you...
William: Did you instigate the serial assassinations and the Avarusā familyās plot to overthrow the country, just to frame me and exact revenge?
DC Harrow: Nnnn d-damn it, my mouth is moving on its ownā¦!
DC Harrow: The plan to incite a war by capitalizing on the mass assassination incident was something Avarus had concocted from the very beginning!
DC Harrow: I merely struck a deal with Avarus to exploit that situation.
DC Harrow: I promised to turn a blind eye to the plot if he stayed quiet and let you be convicted of Avarus' crimes...!
William: So, if it meant getting revenge on me and regaining your own standing, you were willing to let someone who wished for Britain's collapse go free?
William: And you didn't care if Avarus actually started a war once you were back in power?
DC Harrow: T-that's right. Some of the House of Lords and the military brass actually welcomed it...!
William: You, and those who let you run wild for their own selfish gain without keeping you in checkā¦
William: ā¦Have quite the remarkable sense of justice.
William rose from his chair, and used the tip of his sword to lift the chin of the kneeling Harrow.
William: Now for the next question.
William: A woman was used as a pawn to capture meā¦.Did you know about that?
The freezing point of murderous bloodlust was pressed against his throat.
Only then did Harrow realize.
That the man, who had appeared so composed and unbothered...had been seething with rage from the very beginning.
DC Harrow: I... I didn't know... about that part...! B-but...
DC Harrow: A letter had arrived stating, 'We will create the opportunity to hold William Rex to accountable'!
DC Harrow: It bore the same seal of as the letter that tipped me off about Avarus' plot...a seal with scales!
William: ā¦ā¦.
Having confessed everything, Harrowās throat rasped with ragged, shallow breaths.
William: Iām afraid, Deputy Commissioner, that Iām the one who will be handing down the verdict.
William: You were complicit in the trampling of my Kateās freedom.
William: Therefore, in accordance with my own law...
William: I sentence you to death.
DC Harrow: KEUGH!!!
A blade slashed through the artery in his neck, and a scream pierced the darkness of the night.
DC Harrow: I-if you kill me... you'll never be able to prove... your innocence...!
William: I couldnāt give a damn.
A tad creative liberty on my part. He doesn't curse.
William: Not if it means I can punish the man who violated the one I love.
William: I would gladly accept the punishment.
As a crimson stained the night, William plunged his sword into Harrowās abdomen and savagely tore it open.
DC Harrow: GUAARRRGH!
Hearing the scream, an officer rushed to the scene and gasped at the gruesome spectacle.
Officer: Whatās going on?! Whatās thisā
William withdrew his blade and stood up, ignoring Harrow as he collapsed onto the floor.
He fixed his gaze upon the officers and issued a command.
William:Ā Everyone kneel where you stand and clear a path.
The officers parted to the left and right, dropping to their knees.
Officer: Youā¦.where do you think youāre going..?!
William: Naturallyā¦to rescue my beloved that I must protect my any means necessary.
[Transitions to Victorās office - Victor POV]
William escaped after brutally killing theĀ Ā Deputy Commissioner.
News of this reached me swiftly, secretly.
Victor: ā¦.Brutally slayed with a sword, hm?
(Oh, that William.)
No matter how consumed by rage he might be, there is no way he failed to view his own situation objectively.
He committed the crime knowing full well that the circumstantial evidence would cast suspicion upon him.
He did it to mete out punishment to the person who had harmed his one and only beloved.
To put it bluntly, heās snapped. Will has completely lost it.
Itās the first time I have ever seen him like this.
And, however out of place it might have been, I found myself trembling.
(I suppose Iām a pretty twisted soul myself.)
Victor: For a king who stood so aloof, finding someone irreplaceableā¦.
Victor: I canāt help but feel incredibly happy for you.
Violent rain lashed against the windows, and lightning flashed white across the storm clouds.
As if blessing a king who was sinking ever deeper into darkness.
[Transitions to Kateās POV]
From the depths of the darkness, where raindrops dripped, a voice called out to me.
Singing in an elegant melody.
'Come here, come here.'
āWhy are you huddled there?ā
āQuickly, Quickly.ā
āBefore the final bar line severs his head!ā
Premium Story: Ardito
I wonder which night it was.
Kate: La-la-la-la-la-la
Snuggled together in bed beneath the same sheet, we made our fingers dance, treating our thighs pressed against one another through the fabric as if they were piano keys.
Languid fingers played LiebestrƤume upon skin still lingering with the afterglow of our lovemaking.
William: Und sorge, daĆ dein Herze glĆ¼htā¦
William: Und Liebe hegt und Liebe trƤgtā¦.
William: ..There aren't enough keys, are there?
Kate: This will do.
As I let my fingertips trail all the way up onto Willās thigh, a low chuckle rumbled deep in his throat.
And his fingers, too, began to dance lightly across my thigh.
These playful moments with Will, amidst our intense time together, are my absolute favorite things.
Kate: So lang ihm noch ein ander Herz.
Kate: In Liebe warm entgegenschlƤgtā¦.
William: Und wer dir seine Brust erschlieĆt, O tu ihm, was u kannst, zulieb....
William: Und mach ihm jede Stunde froh, Und mach ihm keine Stunde trĆ¼bā¦.
As we playfully mingled our hushed laughter with gentle singing, Will suddenly stopped his fingers and murmured softly.
William: ā¦I wonder if Iām filling your time with happiness.
His voice held a rare, faint note of uncertainty, so I stopped tapping the keys on my thigh and gently interlaced my fingers with his.
Kate: Of course you are, Will.
Kate: Iām happy.ā¦.I feel so fulfilled...to the point where I find myself wishing for this to last forever.
Kate: ā¦How about you? Am I truly fulfilling you?
William: ā¦. What do you think?
Kate: Oh, come on...Will?
William: Haha, Iām only kidding.
William: ā¦Of course, Kate. You fill my heart completely.
William: To the point where, if you were gone, I wouldn't be myself anymore.
Our lips met, and the kiss quickly deepened.
Kate: Hahā¦Willā¦
Rubbing my thighs together, I grew wet with anticipation.
With a sheer look of pleasure, Will loomed over me once more.
William: ā¦Again?
Kate: Mmā¦yes, please.
Just as I nodded, he took my nipple into his mouth, and sank his fingers between my bare thighs.
Kate: Ahā¦.Will..
William: Hmm?
When I held back his hand, Will looked up at me from my chest, his gaze meeting mine.
I could feel my face heating up as I stared into his eyes.
Kate: I'm still soft inside, so... um... I think it'll go in now.
William: ā¦ā¦..
Kate: So...ah!
Will froze for a split second, then firmly lifted my hips and positioned his heated tip against my slick, yielding heat.
Slowly, almost as if making a show of it, yet mercilessly, he thrust all the way inside.
William: Haahā¦..
Kate: Mmā¦ahā¦.ahhā¦.
William: You certainly know how to beg to be filled up, don't you?
His whisper, filled with affection for my uninhibited desire, stoked the fire spreading through my body.
Kate: Itās becauseā¦you look so happy when I do itā¦
William: Yes, I suppose so... It's all my fault.
William: That you're so good at begging... and that you're craving it this much.
Kate: Ahhhh!
William: It excites me, knowing that itās all my fault.
My body, sensitized by our lovemaking, sends out sweet, tingling shivers with every electrifying stroke.
But far more than that pleasure, the sound of Willās ragged breathing and sweet voice filling my ears stirs something deep within my heart.
And wanting him to feel just as fulfilled, I find myself rocking my hips against him of my own accord.
Kate: Will, Willā¦Iāmā¦.
William: I know, Kateā¦me tooā¦.
Violently shaken, the pleasure swells and bursts, and in that same moment, his heat floods into me.
I feel so much love, happiness, and fulfillment.
Every time we make love, I canāt help but make this wish.
(May this golden, shimmering moment last forever.)
(May it not vanish like a fleeting dream.)
William: Kateā¦..
Answering the voice that calls my name, I hold him tight.
And without warning, my body is instantly plunged into darkness.
(Huhā¦?)
Before I knew it, I was alone, playing the piano in a gloomy darkness.
(Wait... Is this a dream...?)
(Or was what I was experiencing before the dream...?)
I feel like I was sharing a loving bond with someone just moments ago, yet it also feels like a memory from the distant past.
Despite my mind feeling clouded with fog, my fingers are quickly playing Mozartās āAh, vous dirai-je, mamanā, K. 265.
Suddenly, I felt a light tap. When I looked down, I saw a young girl clinging to my knee.
(Who could this beā¦?)
Little Girl: You know how to play the piano?
Kate: Yes, I started practicing when I met someone special.
Little Girl: Ohh.
Kate: Do you want to play, too?
Little Girl: ....I don't think I can.
She looked down, her expression lacking confidence, and for some reason, I couldn't just sit idly by.
Kate: Want to give it a try?
Little Girl: Is that okay?
I stopped playing and lifted her up onto my lap.
Her small fingertips tentatively touched the keys, and when she pressed down, a clear note rang out.
Little Girl: Wowā¦!
Her eyes sparkled with delight. When I taught her a simple melody, she memorized it instantly and began to play happily.
(Hehe, I'm so glad.)
I reached out to play an accompaniment for herā
Kate: Huh.ā¦.the tone is different from before.
(It's out of tune.)
Arenāt you interested in hearing LiebestrƤume on a dissonant piano?
[Screen flashes white then back to black]
A whispered voice suddenly came back to me causing the fog in my mind to lift, and my thoughts to instantly clear.
(Will.)
My heart went cold, and my fingers stopped moving.
Little Girl: Whatās wrong, Miss?
[Flashback]
Lucien: William Rex took the blame for your crime of slashing Bryan Bennett with a knife, and heās been arrested
Lucien: Heās being investigated for other offenses as well, and is slated to be executed soon for the high treason against the country.
Lucien: If that man meets his ruin, I will set you free unharmed. Until then, behave yourself.
[Flashback Ends]
Kate: ā¦. Someone precious to me is in serious trouble.
Little Girl: Then you have to go save them!
(That's rightāI have to go save him.)
(Butā¦)
Kate: But what if trying to protect him just ends up causing Will even more suffering?
Kate: Or what if the situation was already beyond repair before I even got involved...?
Kate: What if I was the one who triggered Will's downfall...?
Kate: The thought of it makes me freeze with fear.
Tears come spilling down
Little Girl: You really are a crybaby, Miss.
The girl smiled and wrapped her small hands around mine.
Little Girl: Just like me.
That was when I finally got a good look at the girl's face. Such a familiar face...
(Meā¦.when I was little?)
Little Girl: You know, if you have the will, there's nothing you can't do.
Little Girl: After all, I couldn't even touch a piano before, but now I can play so beautifully.
She squeezed my hand tightly.
(This is...)
(The voice of my own heart.)
Little Girl: So, let's stop cowering like this. It's not like you at all.
(It's my own will.)
Kate: ā¦. Before the final bar line closes in around his neck.
Little Girl: That's rightā¦.Itās time to wake up!
Before I knew it, the small girl's hand holding mine transformed into a large palm and a gaze as gentle as a spring rain was fixed upon me.
William: Your heart will tell you what you wish to do.
[Screen Jolts]
I startled awake to find myself huddled in front of the door.
It seemed I had fallen asleep, exhausted from crying.
Outside the window, the storm was gathering strength, and lightning occasionally bathed the clouds in white.
Glancing around the room, I saw the meal that had gone completely cold.
Kate: ...I need to eat.
I took a bite of the bread, which had already gone stale.
It threatened to stick in my parched throat, but I managed to wash it down with the cold soup.
Kate: [Sniffle]ā¦hicā¦hmnā¦
I made no attempt to hold back the tears welling up inside me.
After all, Will would never tell me not to cry.
(These tears are proof that my heart is crying out, telling me itās hurting.)
(The fact that Iām hurting...is proof that I know what truly matters to me.)
Kate: Eat up. Pull yourself together, Kate.
So that when the final moment comesāthe moment the final bar line threatens to sever his headā¦
I can be standing right there beside him.
So that I can protect the one I love.
(After all, I am Will's knight.)
[Sequel Master] [Chapter X]
Sorry, but I imagine a bloodied William after he bangs his head into the cell. Hot asf! But also, the fact that he killed the DC himself sent me! No ability. Just plain old fashion murd3r.
You know, I was just thinking how awfully bold it was of Victor to try and
poach Zane from Libra. Like, itās not a secret that Zane is affiliated with them. And yet, he still tried to recruit him more than once because Zane is such a skilled assassin. I mean, thatās not like switching a day job. Youāre switching loyalties as well since youāre privy to confidential information. If I were Victor, and Zane did leave Libra for Crown, Iād personally never trust Zane.
What would keep him from staying with Crown, gathering intel and secrets and then going to Libra and turning them over.
Tbh, I donāt think it would be a wise move on Victorās part to recruit him, regardless of his skill set. But thatās just me.
To add, because I was thinking about what Vivi said in chapter 8 of Willās sequelā¦
If you have NO idea of who youāre dealing with, and scarcely have any knowledge about a Cursed oneās ability. Not to mention, that they are the head of another cursed organization. Why would you try to poke the tiger by trying to recruit one of his own to your organization?
Not only is that unwise, but thatās putting the other Crown members at risk. I mean, I donāt know who much Lucien values Zaneās skills, or if he cares about them switching to other organization.
But if he did, whoās to say he wouldnāt retaliate. Because, if I were the head of Libra, Iād take that action as a challenge.
You know, I was just thinking how awfully bold it was of Victor to try and
poach Zane from Libra. Like, itās not a secret that Zane is affiliated with them. And yet, he still tried to recruit him more than once because Zane is such a skilled assassin. I mean, thatās not like switching a day job. Youāre switching loyalties as well since youāre privy to confidential information. If I were Victor, and Zane did leave Libra for Crown, Iād personally never trust Zane.
What would keep him from staying with Crown, gathering intel and secrets and then going to Libra and turning them over.
Tbh, I donāt think it would be a wise move on Victorās part to recruit him, regardless of his skill set. But thatās just me.
All intellectual property belongs to Cybird. I fan translate for fun. I am not fluent in Japanese, so translations are not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Creative liberties are taken. Re-blogs are appreciated, but please do not post my translation elsewhere, claim them as your own, or use them without my permission. Thank you for your support!
š Multi-POV
š CW: Violence
[Kate POV]
If life were a fairy tale, what lies beyond the āAnd they lived happily ever afterā?
Everyone knows that such a thing exists only in fiction.
Good and evil, life and death, love and hate, happiness and sorrowā
The balance between them can crumble in the blink of an eye.
With our impending meeting with Lesli Avarus only three days away, Will and I made our way to the Mad Tea Party.
Will had suggested we use the gathering to seek out potential benefactors for the childrenās home.
London was in the midst of the social season, and the streets were teeming with people clad in glamorous gowns.
(Gosh, Iām starting to get nervous...!)
Every time I passed a shop window, I found myself checking my reflection.
That was when I caught Will's eye in the glass.
(...He looks as handsome as always.)
Kate: Willā¦.
William: Hm?
Kate: You have this certain magnetism about you.
William: Oh?ā¦.I think Iād like to hear more, please continue.
Kate: Your perfect posture, your elegant and refined movements, the way you stand so confidentlyā¦.
Kate: Itās like you have this magnetic aura that makes you seem unapproachable, yet you canāt look away.
Kate: I mean, just by standing there, you capture people's hearts, making them want to confide their secrets in you.
Kate: And at the same time, you possess a charm that makes others want to unravel your secrets.
Kate: Thatās why your words always resonate so deeply within me.
William: Thank you. It feels wonderful being wooed by you.
William: Butā¦.arenāt those are the things you feelĀ youĀ lack?
Kate: What?!
William: Youāre that worried no one will listen to you when you try to gain supporters.
(H-How did he know?!)
William: Itās written right here.
Willās fingertip lightly taps the tip of my nose as my eyes go wide.
He smiles, his eyes crinkling softly, and I mentally wave a white flag of surrender.
Kate: ā¦.You see right through me, Will.
I glance at my appearance once more, from my chest to my toes, take a deep breath and then lift my gaze.
Kate: How do I look?
William: ā¦.Well now, letās see.
Held fast by his crimson gaze, my heart begins to races nervously.
(Wait, come to think of itā¦)
(I donāt think Iāve ever asked Will what he thinks of my appearance.)
The realisation makes me nervous in a whole new way, and my heartbeat grows louder and faster.
Just as Iām feeling the suspense of awaiting a verdict, Will slowly tilts his head and smiles.
William: You look like the most adorable girlfriend imaginable.
Kate: Oh seriously, Will?
William: Haha, sorry. Of course, I meant that sincerely, butā¦.
William: Itās going to be fine, Kate.
Stepping around behind me, Will wraps his arms around me in an embrace, then gently touches my chin, guiding me to look at our reflections in the shop window.
William: Those thoughtful eyes convey sincerity and nobility.
William: That voice, honest about its desires, speaks of firm will and intelligence.
William: And those limbs that move without fear of pain, make the observer feel both kindness and strength...
Tracing my reflection in the glass, his blood red stare moves from my eyes to my lips and then all over my body as Will whispers in my ear.
William: Above all.ā¦in all my life, Kate, there has never been anyone who captivated me quite like you.
William: Even setting aside a boyfriendās bias, I think you have every right to be proud of yourself.
Every word he pours out seems to set my whole body ablaze.
William: Kateā¦?
Kate: ā¦I'm sorry, umā¦
Kate: I'm so happy I feel like screaming... so... please, just give me a moment.
William: ā¦ā¦.
William: ā¦.Oh?
When I reflexively press the back of my hand to my lips and look away, his hand follows, almost reproachfully, and interlaces its fingers with mine.
William: I see that bad habit of yours of trying to hide your true feelings is still alive and well.
William: Would appear Iāve got to keep a tight grip on you... so you can't hide them.
Kate: Thatāsā¦.
William: You were the one who asked for it, you know. Don't you remember?
Kate: O-oh, of course, I rememberā¦ā¦
(After all, it was the morning after I first shared my body with Will.)
Back then, even when we held hands, Will felt somehow distant.
I remember it so well. The bewilderment I felt as I changed, and the desperate impatience born of wanting to be special to him, wanting so badly to love him.
(Itās different now.)
(Iām standing right here beside him.)
The words of praise and encouragement directed at me made me stand tall.
Kate: ā¦.Thank you, Will.
William: Youāre welcomeā¦But words of gratitude would suffice only for others.
Kate: ?
William: But since itās youā¦I think Iāll ask for a kiss instead.
(ā¦!)
Kate: Ohā¦yes, of course, Iād love to.
Thrilled by yet another moment of feeling special to him, I pressed my lips against his.
We shared a light kiss before pulling away. When our gazes locked, Willās eyes held an incredibly sweet warmth.
Just thenā
???: Iām surprised to see you doing somethingĀ so bold, Kate.
Hearing a familiar, rugged voice, I spun around instantly.
Kate: Bryan!
Bryan: Sorry to interrupt.
Bryan Bennett, the former freelance reporter who now served as editor-in-chief of a rising paper, shrugged casually toward Will.
William: Thatās fine. Kate acting boldly in public isnāt exactly surprising these days.
Kate: W-Will...!
Bryan: I see. So, Lord Rex has turned you into quite the naughty girl, then.
Kate: Come on. Not you too , Bryanā¦!
Bryan had once written an article that, unbeknownst to him at the time, aided a plot to frame Will.
That article had triggered the Tower of London incident, dragging innocent civilians into the scheme.
But after the affair was over, he wrote a piece clearing Willās name.
Heās a passionate journalist who strives to uphold his own sense of justice.
I haven't told Bryan about the existence of Crown, but since he witnessed Will kill Marquis Avarus, he surely has some idea of what Will is doing.
When I once asked him why he kept quiet instead of leaking the information, his answer was simply, āBecause thatās what justice means to me.ā
(Iām so glad the two of them can laugh and talk together like this again.)
Bryan: Actually, I didnāt interrupt just to get in the way.
Bryan: Thereās something I wanted to mention to Lord Rex before the tea party begins.
He cast a concerned glance my way, and I was struck with realisation.
(I guess this isnāt something he wants me to hear.)
Kate: I'll just be looking at the shop window over there.
Bryan: Ah, sorryā¦.and thanks.
[Williamās POV]
I watch her back as she walks away, her long hair swaying.
After seeing her stop in front of a nearby shop bustling with people, I turn back to Bryan.
William: So, what did you want to discuss?
Bryan: Right. Iāll keep it brief. Do you know Benedict Harrow?
William: ā¦.Ah, of course. The former Deputy Commissioner who was in league with Grimsley, right?
[Flashback]
William: Now, Inspector.
Police Inspector: N-no! I donāt care which of you does it, someone seize that man!
William: Ahaha! There's no need to be so frightened! I just want to have a little chat. Tell me who gave you the orders to do this.
In the past, innocent citizens had been imprisoned and tortured at the Tower of London.
It was Deputy Commissioner Harrow who had orchestrated that operation.
William:Ā He fell from grace and is living in retirement now, but I hear he still wields considerable influence within the police force.
Bryan: Yeah, but word has it that former DC Harrow has returned to London from his retirement home in Hertfordshire.
Bryan: Someone reportedly saw him entering the mansion in Bloomsbury.
Bryan: It may not necessarily be connected to you, Lord Rex, but I thought it was worth letting you know.
William: ā¦.Thank you. Iāll keep that in mind.
Bryan: Thatās all from me. Well then.ā¦see you at the tea party later.
Just as Bryan was about to leave, he stopped and looked behind me.
Bryan: Kate?
(Kate?)
As I turned around, her hair fluttered past my field of vision, and a glint of gold caught my eye.
Bryan: Are you feeling all rā Aghk!?
Brian groaned and clutched his arm, fresh blood oozed between his fingers.
A golden knife, stained in that same red, was gripped in Kateās hand.
Passerby: KYAAAAH!!!
With the screams of passersby behind us, Kate raised the knife once more.
William: Kate!
Instantly, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an embrace to restrain her.
Kate: ā¦.Let go of me.
Kate: Why are you stopping me?
Kate: This is the knife you gave to meā¦isnāt it, Will?
Vacant eyes, a cold tone, rigid limbs.
Each tells me the same thing.
(This isnāt of her own volition.)
Amidst the screams of citizens, I hear police officers shouting for a path to be cleared.
William: Kate, drop the knifeā¦.!
I interlaced my fingers with hers, clenched as tightly as they were, and pried them loose.
The moment the knife clattered to the ground, police officers who had drawn their guns surrounded us.
Armed Policeman: We got a report of a woman slashing someone! Was it you?!
(Donāt you dare point your guns at Kate.)
Seeing their weapons aimed at her made the blood rush to my head.
I covered Kateās mouth to silence her and, keeping a firm grip on her wrist, turned to face the officers.
William: I did it, she has nothing to do with this.
Bryan: Lord Rex!
I glanced at Bryan, who had gasped in shock.
(Iām sorry, but donāt say a word.)
I could never allow Kate to be judged for a crime committed against her will.
Bryanās eyes widened, but he kept silent.
Armed Policeman: Release the woman and put your hands up!
The moment I released Kate as ordered, another officer restrained me from behind
That was when I spottedĀ himĀ in the crowd gathering around the commotion.
(Soā¦it was you, after all.)
(Lucien Mortcendre.)
I had a bad feeling about thisā
A feeling that her condition wasn't merely some aftereffect, that memory loss and abnormal behavior she wasnāt even aware of.
What if, those symptoms which so closely resemble an illness, were caused by a cursed ability?
[Offscreen Flashback]
Victor: About his ability. Ever since we first detected his and his householdās presence...
Take this line about his household with a grain of salt. å½¼ć®å®¶: It could be rendered his house/household/family. I chose household to keep it broader in meaning.
Victor: ā¦We have been investigating continuously, yet we haven't obtained any concrete information.
Victor: This lack of information is.ā¦..well, it's highly unusual.
Victor: It goes far beyond mere proficiency in covering things up.
Victor: There is undoubtedly something going on behind the scenes of Libra.
Victor: Something that been ceaselessly unfolding in the shadows of history, without anyone noticing.
[Transitions to Convo with Ethan]
Ethan: It seems that Lord Lucien Mortcendre is rarely present at headquarters.
Ethan: We checked the passenger records for the train that you and Lady Kate took, as well as the guest logs for the hotels where you stayed...
Ethan: But his name didnāt appear anywhere, and weāve been unable to confirm his whereabouts.
[Flashbacks End]
Armed Policeman: Seize the weapon and protect the victims!
Young Policeman: Hey! Miss! Wait, we haven't taken your statement yet!
Kate shook off the officer rushing to take her into protective custody and plunged into the crowd.
Thatās when I saw Lucien shield her with his coat, blocking the pursuing officer's line of sight.
With my presentiment turned into certainty, my vision stained red.
A searing murderous urge welled up from deep within my throat.
It was a sensation I hadn't felt since that night, amidst roaring flames and screams, when my father murdered my friend.
(Bravo, Lucien.)
(As an old friend.ā¦and as a fellow villain.)
(For driving me to harbor such murderous rage.)
(Her will belongs to her alone. To violate or trample upon itā)
Is something Iāll never forgive.
[Transitions to Crown - Neu POV]
Jude: So Rexās been thrown into the clink, and Kateās missinā?
Jude: Heh, thatās a riot. Even a guy like āim can screw up, huh?
Ellis: You shouldn't take pleasure in others' misfortune, Jude.
Yeah, so shuddup, Jude. ( ā¢Ģ - ā¢Ģ ) /bonk
Harrison: Still, itās shocking.
The morning after the incident, the newspapers were all in an uproar about the affair.
āEARL REX - PREVIOUS MURDER SUSPECT COMMITS ASSAULT IN BROAD DAY LIGHT!ā
Elbert: Whatās strange is how quickly the police announced that William faced charges for other offenses.
Elbert: For additional charges to come to light the very day the incident happened.ā¦thatās highly unusual.
The additional charges William faced were for attempting subversion of the state.
āEvidence was discovered linking him to the import and export of illegal drugs.ā
āAll the perpetrators behind the string of high-profile assassinations had close ties to Lord Rex. He orchestrated it all.ā
Roger: Looks like theyāve piled on every charge possible, from Lesli Avarusā crimes to the Queen of Heartās Copycat.
Alfons: Public opinion is split down the middle too. Those in support of him are crying out that itās āanother conspiracy born from corrupt power!ā
Alfons: And those who revile him are shouting that āheās a devil!ā
Alfons: Heās really starting to look the part of a villain headed for a spectacular downfall, isn't he?
Roger: Is that really the sort of thing to say when a colleagueās in trouble?
Alfons: Oh, come now. That is exactly what he wanted, after all.
Harrison: Even so, itās better than the situation right after the coordinated assassinations, where paranoia was spreading between the authorities and the public.
Harrison: The troubling bit is the implication of having those additional charges announced so rapidly.
Harrison: It almost certainly means the police were in league with Avarus' son.
All the members of Crown nodded at Harrison's observation.
None of them had ever imagined that the police were colluding with a disgraced noble plotting to overthrow the British government.
Victor: I can't help but feel that the entire series of incidents was orchestrated solely to drive Will into this situation.
Ellis: So a recluse like Lesli exploited the copycatās plan, and the police took advantage of that?
Victor: ā¦.Though, there might be a mastermind pulling the strings behind all three of them.
Liam: But... is it really true that Will slashed someone with a knife?
Alfons: Allow me to shed some light on that.
Alfons: Apparently, it was Kate who wielded the knife.
Roger & Elbert: Whatā¦?
Liam & Harrison: Youāre kidding?/That canāt be right.
Alfons: I assure you this is no mistake.Ā You see, I personally received a confidential note from the victim who was slashed.
Alfons held up the telegram, letting it flutter slightly as the corners of his mouth curled upward.
Elbert: I see. The victim is that reporterā¦.heās the one whom you met that night at the Tower of London, isnāt he Al?
Alfons: It appears William was taken into custody after covering for Kateās crime.
Alfons:Ā āAt the time of her slashing me, she was acting very unusual.ā
Alfons:Ā āI hope that sharing this with you will help lead to a resolution."
Alfons: āPlease don't worry about the injuryāāand so on.
Elbert: He really is an incredibly good person, isn't he?
Victor: Since he didnāt use a command, and surrendered without resistance. Iām certain Will has a plan.
Jude: You sure put a lotta faith in āim.
Ellis: So, are we going to search for Kate?
Victor: Yes, something is definitely wrong with her.
Victor: Finding Kate is our top priorityā¦.I'm counting on you all.
[Kate POV - Transitions from Crown to Unknown Location]
In the distance, I hear the sound of rain.
First, the sound of a single raindrop. Then, nine.
Nine raindrops? If that's not symbolic for our OG villains, then I don't know what it is.
It accelerates instantly. The silence crumbles, and my consciousness begins to sink.
Down, down, down into a deep, unfathomable darkness...
I jolt awake to find myself in bed in an unfamiliar room.
(Where am Iā¦?)
Itās raining outside, and the room is dim, steeped in gray as if all color has drained away.
I instinctively reach into my pocket, ready to draw my golden knife, but it isn't there.
Kate: Whatā¦?
As I stand there, bewildered, the door opens.
Zane: Oh, you're awake?
A Letter Received Two Days Before the Tea Party,
About the request you made to me this morning about coming up with a name for the childrenās homeā¦You already know that I had already been thinking of one, don't you?
I noticed your eyes silently asking to hear the candidates, but Iāve decided to keep them a secret for now. After all, you surprised me by keeping Ethanās visit a little secret. Surely, a little payback is fair. Once Iāve settled on a name, I plan to share it with you. We can see then whether or not itās to your liking.
Oh, and I have a suggestion as well. How about using the upcoming Mad Tea Party to recruit supporters for your childrenās home?
You mentioned that you intend to keep the founder anonymous to avoid the stigma of it being a facility built by the lover of a grave sinner. So, you should look for people who can keep a secret, people who can become your accomplices. Youāre sure to find them at that tea party.
Taking any step forward inevitably brings fear and anxiety. Whenever you feel like stopping, just listen to the voice within your own heart.
And remember thisā¦.Iām always on your side.
Yours devotedly,
š¦š²šµšµš²šŖš¶ š”š®š
All intellectual property belongs to Cybird. I fan translate for fun. I am not fluent in Japanese, so translations are not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Creative liberties are taken. Re-blogs are appreciated, but please do not post my translation elsewhere, claim them as your own, or use them without my permission. Thank you for your support!
ā¤ CW: Brief mention of strangulation
ā¤ Short audio clip is at the bottom.
Lucien: A question? ā¦.Fine, ask.
Option: What kind of organization is Libra?
Lucien: Itās an organization dealing with curses that span multiple nations. Knowing anything beyond that would do you no good.
Lucien: Iāve no interest in idle chatter. This conversation is over.
All intellectual property belongs to Cybird. I fan translate for fun. I am not fluent in Japanese, so translations are not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Creative liberties are taken. Re-blogs are appreciated, but please do not post my translation elsewhere, claim them as your own, or use them without my permission. Thank you for your support!
ā¤ CW: Brief mention of strangulation
ā¤ Short audio clip is at the bottom.
Lucien: A question? ā¦.Fine, ask.
Option: What kind of organization is Libra?
Lucien: Itās an organization dealing with curses that span multiple nations. Knowing anything beyond that would do you no good.
Lucien: Iāve no interest in idle chatter. This conversation is over.
All intellectual property belongs to Cybird. I fan translate for fun. I am not fluent in Japanese, so translations are not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Creative liberties are taken. Re-blogs are appreciated, but please do not post my translation elsewhere, claim them as your own, or use them without my permission. Thank you for your support!
š Multi-POV
[Williamās POV]
It was Ethan who told me that the first command I ever gave was, āRead, book!ā
The innocent phrase āThe Endā, which I repeated after my mother, became a command.
And while the tragedy of forcing my mother to keep reading to me until the day she died never came to pass...ā¦..my parents kept their distance from me after that.
Ethan: Looking back, it was like that from the very beginning.
Ethan: Even when you were isolated in the annex and treated as if you were something to be shunned, you remained steadfast.
Ethan: You were simply too intelligent, I suppose.
Ethan: Young as you were, it seemed as though you accepted the suffering, reasoning that it was because you had done something wrong.
William: I wasn't thinking about things like that. I was just a child.
Ethan: Yes, you were... a child who had only just begun to speak.
Ethan: It would have been impossible not to feel lonely. I worried about you so much back then.
William: I remember how you used to come to my room at night and keep me company.
And then one night, the words simply slipped out.
Donāt sleep, keep talking.
William: And that was when I nearly killed you.
I fell asleep partway through that night, but...Ethan kept talking, without a moment's rest.
William: When I woke up in the morning, the blood drained from my face.
William: Because there you wereāhaving gone without food, drink, or sleepāspeaking in a hoarse, voice with dark circles under your eyes.
Itās a story we can laugh about now, but back then, I panicked.
Do something!
Help him!
I barked orders at the servants one after another, throwing the entire estate into chaos.
It wasnāt until after I had spoken those words that I realized all I had to do was tell Ethan, āStop it!ā
Ethan: It was certainly a trying time, but I was happy.
Ethan: I felt that you were finally letting me stay by your side.
Ethan: ā¦. But from that moment on, you became cautious about expressing yourself and emotions.
Ethan: Especially when it came to asking others for something.
Ethan: Hmmā¦.Though, I suppose getting a stomachache from eating too many strawberries was an exception.
William: That was a moment when the concept of ātoo much of a good thing is bad for youā, really hit home.
Ethan: Or when you burned your tongue on hot tea.
William: Iā¦.donāt remember that.
Ethan: The sight of the Young Master sticking out his little tongue while crying was cuteness on an unprecedented scale.
William: Oh? Iām sure Iām still cute, though.
Ethan: In any case, your emotions became increasingly difficult to read.
Ethan: Like when you found evidence of your predecessorās misdeeds, or witnessed that gruesome scene at the Butterflyās facilityā¦
Ethan: You still showed signs of anguish even then.
Ethan: But that lasted only untilā¦..the passing of that friend of yours.
(Yesā¦.)
[Flashback]
Williamās Father: If you get in my way, youāll die as a martyr, just like him.
Williamās Father: You're scared of dying, aren't you? I don't want to kill you either...Do you understand?
[Flashback Ends]
Every time I recall that moment, the metallic taste of the iron gag hits the root of my tongue.
Ethan: You must have been consumed by rage, sorrow, and suffering...
Ethan: Yet you swallowed it all and made a weighty decision entirely on your own.
Ethan: To take matters into your own hands, and pass judgement upon the Butterfly and your predecessor.
Ethan: The day you returned, stained with your predecessorās blood... you were smiling.
Ethan: Without betraying even the slightest hint of the pain that came with choosing to stain yourself with the very evil you loathed.
Ethan: Ever since then, I have remained at a loss.
Ethan: ā¦Wondering how I might heal the pain you accept with a smile.
(Yes, I know.)
(Because, ever since I was young, you have loved me simply asā¦..a person.)
However, I have no intention of dragging the Rex servantsāEthan includedāinto this destined path.
I have made all the necessary arrangements to ensure that no harm befalls them, even if I am imprisoned, executed, or killed.
Nor do I intend to let of them step so deeply into my heart that they would choose to die alongside me.
Will uses ę®ę» Junshi āto follow oneās lord into deathā. So he is specifically speaking about the servants, not Kate.
William: ā¦.I'm sorry I couldn't properly accept your love.
Ethan: I have grown used to it by now. Itās just... I deeply regret that I have no way to convey this to Lady Kate.
(To Kateā¦.?)
I recall how Kate confessed a desire to heal me when I was suffering.
(When I heard that wish...)
(I couldn't think of a way to grant it.)
For far too long, I have accepted suffering as something to be endured.
I do not know how to be healed.
And I had no desire to be healed of the pain she brought, either.
Ethan: Sins are met with punishment. Punishment is painful. Thatās the simple truth, and yetā¦
Ethan: I find myself wishing that, just for you, there might be a moment when punishment ceases to be punishment.
(For punishment to cease being punishmentā¦?)
A punishment without pain.
Is something like that even possible?
(If such a moment ever comesā¦)
(Would I be able to grant Kateās wish too?)
Ethan: This is... a selfish wish of mineā¦that your life holds more joy than suffering.
Ethan gave a soft smile, his eyes narrowing as he thought of Kate.
Ethan: Thatās why, for Lady Kateās sake, making the trip here is no trouble at all.
Ethan: After all, she is the rare soul who brought you the joy of being loved.
William: ā¦.Yes, she has.
Honestly, there are times when I feel like I might go mad. Simply for the fact that...
William: ā¦Iām very happy right now.
Ethan: ā¦.I never thought Iād see the day Iād hear those words from you.
Ethan: Love truly changes a person.
William: ā¦It certainly does.
William: Well then, letās put sentimentality aside and get to the main subject.
William: Whatās the status of the investigation I asked for?
[Kate POV - Leadenhall Market]
(Good thing I managed to get them all.)
Leaving the bookstore with the reference books Ethan recommended, I cradled in my arms.
(I did say I wanted to heal Will when he was suffering...)
(Even though I was the one who caused him pain by getting hurt myself.)
(Is it selfish of me to want to heal him after being the cause of his pain?)
For that matter, Will almost certainly doesn't want to be healed.
He will likely keep smiling right up until the moment I die in his arms, even as pain courses through his entire body.
(But stillā¦.)
My steps grow heavier, and I find myself coming to a halt when all of a sudden:
Childās Voice: WAAAAAAAHH!!!!
Kate: !!!
Childās Voice: Iām sorryā¦Iāmā¦oh no! Thereās bloodā¦what do I doā¦?
(He got hurt.)
The child has a deep gash on their forehead, and bright red blood is dripping down.
It looks like they hit their head against an iron fence.
The mother, cradling the bleeding child and weeping, is in a complete panic.
Kate: It's going to be okay. Please, calm down. Let's use this handkerchief to stop the bleeding.
Childās Mother: Y-yes... I'm so sorry... Thank you.
Kate: Dr. Barelās clinic is nearby, Iāll take you there.
[Transitions to a Neighborhood]
Childās Mother: Iām so, so sorry ā¦..
The child had already stopped crying and seemed perfectly fine by the time we got there.
But the mother kept clutching the child in her trembling arms, her face pale, right up until she disappeared through the clinic doors.
(ā¦.Itās as if she were the one in pain.)
As I stood there, unable to tear my eyes away from the closed doorā
Liam: They stopped crying, so they seem to be okay. That's a relief.
Kate: Eek, Liam?! What are you doing here?
Liam: It's my lunch break from rehearsal. I happened to spot you helping someone out.
Liam: I thought about lending a hand, but it turned out I didn't need to.
Liam shrugged with a friendly smile, then glanced toward the door just as I had been doing a moment before.
Liam: ā¦.Seeing someone you care about get hurt... it's more painful than getting hurt yourself, isn't it?
Liam: Will had a look on his face I'd never seen before, tooā¦.the night you got struck in the head.
Startled, I looked up at him.
Liam: I was curious if thatās what you were thinking about. I'm sorry if it's a topic you'd rather not touch on.
Kate: No! ā¦. I was actually just in the mood to talk to someone.
Liam: I see, well thatās good.
Then, Liam broke into a glittering smile and spread his arms wide, just as he would on stage.
Liam: Love really does change people, doesn't it!
Liam: Youāve becomeā¦.so beautiful, Kate.
Liam: Whether itās recording sins as a fairytale keeper, your work with the childrenās home, or even the piano...
Liam: Youāre reaching out for what you want without fear, and spreading your wings freely.
Liam: Loving someone isnāt always as picturesque as a fairytale is though, is it?
Liam: Thereās plenty of messiness, pain, and heartache... but, you know...
Liam: When two people love each other, they shine so much brighter than before.ā¦itās dazzling.
Liam: Kateā¦are you glad you fell in love with Will?
I felt tears welling up, so I lifted my chin firmly.
[Answer: Iām not just glad. - +10]
Kate: Iām not just gladā¦.
Kate: [Sniffle] Of all the choices Iāve ever made, this loveā¦.is the best decision of them all!
Liam: Ahaha, thatās terrific!
(But thatās exactly whyā¦.)
Kate: ā¦.I just hope Will feels the same way.
I want him to be as happy as I am right now - so happy that injuries and their after effects, or even a future farewell wouldn't matter at all.
I want to fill Will with a joy so profound that it wouldn't be clouded, even if Iāve caused him pain or suffering.
(I want his joy to outweigh the suffering he experiences.)
(I want him to wish for that, too.)
Then, Liam narrowed his eyes like a mischievous cat and leaned in close to my ear.
Liam: Hey... Iāll tell you something you don't know.
Kate: ā¦What is it?
Liam: When Will talks about you while you aren't around... he absolutely brags about you.
(Bragsā¦?)
Liam: Heās sooo casual about it too. Does it as natural as breathing.
Liam: Actually, the other day, he was so deep in thought that when I called out to him he started boasting.
Liam: āOh, I was just reflecting on the childrenās home that Kate is going to found.ā
Liam:Ā āKate will probably ask me to coin its nameā¦ā
Liam: Is what he said, anyway. But you havenāt asked him about it yet, right? Isnāt he a bitĀ too confident that you love him?
Kate: Hehe... Liam, you're really good... at imitating Will.
Liam: Thanks. And you know...
Liam: The happy look Will has on his face when he talks like thatā¦.
Liam: ā¦Iād never seen it before he met you.
Kate: ā¦..
āI'm sure Will feels the same wayāthat he's so happy he fell in love with you.ā
He didn't say it aloud, but the look in Liam's eyes seemed to convey exactly that.
I gently wiped away the tiny bit of moisture welling in my eyes and smiled.
Kate: I actually was thinking of asking Will to name the childrenās home.
Liam: Haha, I knew it!
Kate: Yeah, wonder how you always seem to know things like that.
Liam: Wellā¦.
Liam: Isnāt it easy to tell because William loves you so muchā¦?
That night, Ethan headed back to Willās townhouse.
As he was leaving, by way of apology for not having had the chance to reminisce, he whispered a secret to me.
Will tends to play the cello when heās angry.
A few days laterā¦..
[Transitions to an Alley Way]
Kate: This is the place..?
William: Yes, this is it.
The odd trio of Will, Jude, and Alfons had arrived atā¦a hookah bar tucked away in a back alley.
Jude: Weird ass joint as always.
Alfons: Youāre not here to collect a debt today, so please do play nice.
Kate: Does today mean youāve come to collect before?
Jude: Heās got the money to pay me back, he just wonāt.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Jude swung his leg up and kicked the door open.
Jude: Feckinā perv gets off on beinā cornered anā havinā the money rang outta him.
Euren: Welcomeā¦.What?
Euren: Judeee, you came all the way here to see me~? Oh, and Al and the wittle wobin too!
Euren: Ahh, Iām sooooo happy right now~! Though Iād be even happier if you were here because youĀ missedĀ me ā¤ļø, rather than for work~?
Jude: Ugh, shut it.
Euren: Al, want the usual?
Alfons: Yes, please. Well, I just tagged along to smoke a bit, so I'll leave the rest to you.
As Alfons sprawled out, stretching his legs across the floor in a rather undignified manner, Euren deftly prepared the hookah and handed him the mouthpiece.
Euren: Be sure to bring Liam along next time, too.
Through the curling smoke, his friendly, upturned eyes crinkled into a narrow smile.
(According to the information Iād received beforehand from Victor and Will...)
(Euren is a member of Libra, but also a broker who trades information with the Crown.)
āHe can't be trusted, but the accuracy of the information he provides in exchange for a deal is guaranteed.ā
That was how Crown regarded Euren.
(Heās not someone to let my guard down around.ā¦.so Iāll just stay close to Will.)
William: I heard thereās been progress on the matter we discussed. Could you give me a report?
Euren: Absolutely. Letās seeā¦ah, right! The movements of Lesli Avaraus.
It turned out Lesli Avarus was surprisingly good at staying hidden, making his whereabouts difficult to pin down.
So Victor had enlisted the help of Euren, who was known for being well-informed.
Euren: I couldnāt pin down Lesliās precise location as of now.
Euren: But it looks like he's scheduled to move to a townhouse in Bloomsbury in one week.
Kate: ā¦!
Jude: How can ya know where he's movinā to if ya don't know where he is right now, hm?
Euren: My source is confidential to protect them~ you'll have to forgive me for that.
Euren: But the intelās solid. Hereās the address.
Will took the slip of paper, gave it a quick glance, and handed it back to Euren.
William: Iāve never doubted the accuracy of your information. Thank you.
Euren: Iām honored.
Euren tossed the paper into a lantern, reducing it to ash, then spun around to face me.
Euren: As for payment... a kiss from littleĀ robin will do just fine ā„
Kate: ā¦.Will, whatās he talking about?
Euren: Oh, that's meeean! You've hurt my feelings.
William: Hahaha!
As I instinctively leaned closer to Will, he gently drew me in by the shoulder.
William: The reward isnāt fitting compensation.
William: Itās priceless.
Euren:Ā Well, I suppose itās worth more than the entire world to you, Earl Rex...Haah.
Euren: [Sniffle, sniffle]ā¦.Ugh, my hearts been broken Al~~comfort meā¦.
Bro was really pretending to sniffle here, this was not a creative liberty lmao
Alfons: There, there you poor thing. Onto the next one.
Euren: Thatās a lousy way to comfort someone~!
Jude: Did whatācha came here for, yeah? I wanna get outta here already.
Jude: And you. The useless bum who's been smokinā the whole time, get yer ass home too.
Euren: Youāre so cold! But thatās exactly what I love about you~ā„
Alfons: That's harsh, considering I only just started smoking.
Jude: Tchā¦. Maybe I should just bury the pair of ya.
William: Kate, go ahead and step outside with them.
Kate: Oh, sure?
(Does he need to discuss something complicated with him?)
Reluctantly, I followed Jude and Alfons out of the shop.
[Neutral POV]
Euren: Waitā¦are you angry about the bill?! I was only joking~!
William: No, thereās just something I wanted to ask you.
William: I had someone keep an eye on Libra's British headquarters in Belgravia.
Euren: Huh! You actually did that? You should've told me~!
William: On the surface, they appear to be a perfectly ordinary charity, there were no suspicious activities.
Euren: Mhmm Mhmmā¦
William: However... it seems that Lucien, who came from the French headquarters, is frequently absent from the branch.
Euren: Oh?
William: Interestingly, it looks like he leaves London sometimes.
William: Does he travel byĀ train?
Euren: ā¦ā¦..
Euren: Sorry, but I donāt keep track of my bossās every move~
Euren: He's so elusive, it gives me a headache too!
William stared for a moment at Euren, who was waving his hands airily... then let out a soft sigh.
William: In that case, I'd like you to pass on a message.
William: I once said āyou could do as you pleased if you were targeting meāā¦Iām taking that back.
William: If you harm Kate, Iāll show no mercy.
Euren: ā¦..Right, Iāll get that message to himā¦.
William: Iām counting on you. Have a lovely evening.
The shop's doorbell chimed, and silence soon returned.
Euren narrowed his eyes against the curling smoke and murmured quietly.
Euren: But if anyoneās going to cause harmā¦..
Euren: ā¦Itās the little robin, isnāt it?
[Sequel Master] [Chapter VIII + Letter ]
Love how Ethan calls Will's father "predecessor," and not father. And how their relationship is further touched on here.
Oh...and you all might want to buckle up for chapter eight.
