The City of Sameran was shrouded in a strange solemness. The everyday life was as usual, but curiously quiet. Part of the reason behind it was the assassinations of the Top Officials of one of the country's biggest consortiums. And then there was the deadly assassination attempt on the life of the famous Prince of Sameran, Heir of the Demiliore Family, and the Grandson of Deputy Governor-General, Diana Demiliore.
The media all over the country was crazy about what happened last night. Fingers were pointed and allegations were thrown at those who were considered the enemies of the Demiliore Family, and one name stood out tall amongst the list of such Families and organizations; Falken. Somehow, there was no doubt in people's minds that the Falken were behind it.
The Governor of the Province of Arcadia, as well as the Mayors of Sameran and Delvon, had publicly promised to catch the perpetrators, and then there was the Deputy Governor General of Defence, who had himself briefed a press conference in the afternoon, declaring a Military Operation in the city of Delvon to put an end to the lawlessness that had been plaguing the city since its foundation.
In the encounters that took place last night, 53 Civilians lost their lives. And then there were 189 gangsters, 7 Cops, and 3 private Guards of the Demiliore Force that died last night. It was the first time in nearly a century that so many people had lost their lives in an incident. The last time such a thing happened was when the Western Alliance had incited a Civil War in Eastern Netheria, back in 1952, which had been curbed through blood and force, and led to an all-out war between the Netherian Federation and the United States.
Needless to say that the country was in a complete state of shock right now. And the decision to initialize a Military Operation was heartily welcomed all over the country. However, the city of Delvon was in an uproar. It was going to be a few more bloody days, but one thing was certain, the Mafias who had been ruling the city were about to meet their end.
Back in Sameran, the key figure of the last night's incident was going through quite a hectic day dealing with all the worried, curious, and polite looks and greetings of the students in his School.
The exam ended at 5 pm, and Qingyue pulled him out of the Hall before anyone could approach him again.
They both rushed out of the school without waiting for their friends, and the grey-eyed smiled in relief when they made it into the car and Yingying drove off.
"So, how was your exam?" He lightly asked.
"Perfect!" She brightly smiled at him.
Qingyue was in a very good mood ever since Keith had coaxed her into it after nearly making her cry with all his teasing. Of course, she was not really going to break into tears, and she was sure that he too knew it, but it was still sweet of him to listen to her and make some silly promises to make her mood better.
"Don't forget what you promised me!" She narrowed his eyes at him and reminded him again of the promise he had made.
"Of course, I wouldn't." He helplessly chuckled and shook his head.
The promise was not something too excessive. All he had promised her was to teach her horse riding tomorrow morning. And Qingyue had been very clear that no one else could join them. In other others, it was meant to be a date, and she was quite excited about it.
When they arrived home, Qingyue immediately rushed inside, sneaking her way to another section of the Manor, away from the room that she had shared with her mother last night. She was quite fearful that her mother might be waiting for her, and she needed some time to collect herself before finally sitting down with her mother to have the inevitable chat.
Venessa and Amelia were not home, and Keith was not too surprised since his mother needed to take care of their Family Business after everything that transpired last night.
The Key Officials of the Consortium were agitated and scared that they might be targeted next, and Venessa needed to assure them of their safety. There was also a press conference scheduled for 7 pm, and Venessa had left him a message that he could go ahead to the Grayson Manor and she and Amelia would join him there for dinner. However, she was very clear that he must take his Guards with him.
It was just a precaution since it was highly unlikely that Falken would take another rash step. But Keith decided to listen to her for the peace of her mind.
After having a light supper, he left a message for both Celine and Qingyue that they will return late at night. And then he felt the Manor at 7:30 pm with Yingying and Ryou.
Victor was still recovering and needed two more hours to finish the session, and Keith decided to not disturb him.
The Grayson Manor was only 30 Minutes away from the Demiliore Estate, and the Guards at the main gate were already expecting him.
"Keith!" Julian was waiting for him when they reached the drive-through portico.
"Julian." He smiled and lightly hugged the blonde boy.
"You did not even stay after the exam. The boys were quite anxious."
"It was too much of a hassle and you arrived late, otherwise I would have met you before the exam."
"We arrived in Sameran late in the morning. The situation is Delvon is very tense. All the Business Ventures have been put on hold, and Tristan has returned to Rosewich as well.
"Yeah, I checked the news." Keith nodded to him and then followed him inside the Manor. "Rebecca?"
"She's asleep," Julian informed him. "She had not slept last light and was quite tired."
"I see." He smiled and then walked ahead to greet the woman who was waiting for him. "Mrs Grayson. thank you for inviting me over tonight." He politely greeted her and slightly bowed to her.
"It's our pleasure, Heir Demiliore." The middle-aged woman who was in her early fifties, but well-maintained, smiled at him.
Unlike her children, Susana possessed a lighter shade of blonde hair, but her eyes were the same Ocean Blue of the Grayson Family. And it was because her mother was a Grayson by birth. "I talked to Venessa over the call, and she informed me that she will be a little late. We have postponed the dinner to 10 pm."
"I hope you don't mind me coming over so early." He smiled and said, which prompted the woman to affectionately ruffle his hair.
"Don't be silly! It's your home too from now on. You can come over anytime you want." She said to him and then smiled at her son. "Your Father is expecting you in his study."
"Oh." Julian seemed surprised by her words and then excused himself away to see his father.
"Come." Susana grabbed him by the arm and led him upstairs. "I will show you Rebecca's room."
"Julian told me that she's resting..."
"It's fine. She's just too lazy." She cut him off. "And I must thank you for Marianne."
Keith nervously chuckled at those words, knowing well that Susana was not too fond of the idea of Shadows.
"Don't worry. I mean my words." She smiled and assured him. "After all that has happened last night, I am rather glad that Rebecca now always has someone capable by her side. She has always been the rebellious one and never liked being accompanied by Guards, but I can see that she enjoys the company of her Shadow."
Susana gave him a few anecdotes of Rebecca's antics, and he silently listened to her words, occasionally breaking into chuckles whenever she complained about how stubborn and mischievous her daughter was.
"I think I have spoiled her too much..." She sighed.
"She's perfect." Keith shook his head. "It's how she is and even with all the troubles she puts you through, there's never a dull moment with her around you."
"I suppose you are right." His words brought a bright smile to her face, which clearly reflected her happiness. And her hold tightened on his arm as she urged him forward. "You can go inside. I will come and inform you when the Family has gathered in the dining room." She informed him before placing a knock on the door and then opening it up for him.
"Alright." Keith nodded to her words and entered the room, closing the door behind him.
The first thing that he noticed or was rather greeted by was the floral scent of the room. And then there was the pink room, which was as feminine as it could be, and he could not help but chuckle when he found a few life-sized teddy bears placed here and there.
Marianne, who was sitting cross-legged on a couch, meditating, opened her eyes and looked his way when he entered the room. She was about to get up to greet him, but Keith raised his hand and signalled her to stay, telling her that she should not mind his presence.
The girl with the bob-cut still bowed to him, and then closed her eyes again to continue meditating. She was not in the meant worried about his presence in the room, even though her Master was quite vulnerable, fast asleep in a childish manner.
Keith stopped and stared at the enchanting woman who was sound asleep on her bed, cuddling a white Teddy bear with her legs wrapped around it. He did know if he should laugh at her or appreciate how beautiful and harmless she looked right now. It was a side of her that he had never witnessed before, and he found his heart defenceless against it.
After watching her sleep for a few minutes, Keith toured the room before eventually getting into the bed with her and laying down.
Her scent was all over him, engulfing his senses, and then he closed his eyes, deciding to get some rest as well.
