At Unit 2 Daffodil Street.
The streets lights have been turned. Illuminating a small region across each segment. They had a western design, encased in an iron gridded post.
Klein walked over to the front door. He remembered lending Selina his spare keys.
His stomach contracts, however, due to the thought of this day's event. He emotionally lose appetite.
I still need to eat. Perhaps adding a fennel or citrus will get me going... Klein half-lethargically opened and stride to the hall.
He took his top hat off and dragged his coat to the hanging rack. Taking just a few steps suddenly made him stop.
What's that smell? he asked himself.
It sweet, no perhaps a hint of a distinct anise aroma, even a mix of licorice scent and smokiness wafts from the kitchen.
Klein was perplexed. That's not the usual meal Melissa would make... Is she preparing something special?
Heh, maybe because of my full digestion of the Seer potion? How thoughtful...
As his mind reckons this strangeness. He left for the kitchen. Planning to compliment his sister is the most auspicious way he should do.
But when he turned. He was suddenly greeted by a table filled with plates of stir fried mushroom, gourmet clams, seared mutton, glazed meat strips, beef casserole and tenderloin in oyster sauce.
There was also creamy vegetable stew, braised bamboo shoots, and what seems to be mushed soup with egg.
Klein's mouth was drooling. He can't take his eyes away from greatness and temptation of food!
Did Melissa cooked this? She came home early? Man, having a restaurant business would be nice... Amid his questions and lampooning, he realized something wrong.
There's no one eating!
Klein staggered. He immediately clicked his molar and activated his Spirit Vision.
After he went through during every Nighthawk's cases. He learned many things that would endanger what's important to him and one of them was that a tempting scene would likely be the caused of an anomaly!
Morroy, Welch and Ray Bieber. They all had experienced tempting situations such as the meteorite as collection or the Antigonus book... as he said this to himself. He felt a grip in his heart strings.
Where's Selina and my siblings?
He quickly turned and ran toward the living room. Panicking as his nerves in constant chaos.
But when he got there.
"Huh?" Benson with his brown short hair and Melissa holding a pen all turned gazes to him.
The former had a book in his hands while leaning on the sofa. He lightly set it aside and whimsically asked, "Why are you rushing? You just got here, wait are black mambas ought to get you?"
Black mambas are the Northern variant of swamp reptilian snake. Although they're not to be seen around urban regions or cities at that. They're often used as metaphors to gauge someone's nonsensical agency that results in a panic.
Huh... Klein was stunned. Wait black mambas?
His natural fear coiled him and he immediately shook his head in reply, "Wait, where's Selina? Why are there meals in the kitchen?"
"Ms. Selina prepared them." said Melissa. Now tidying up her notes, she added, "They look appetizing right? She said it'll be ready soon once you get here.
"Wait, you didn't saw her in the kitchen?"
"No..." Klein eased down and reflected thoughtfully.
"Have you checked the store roo... I mean the guest room?" Benson quickly corrected himself.
Knowing that their brother has arrived. He hefted himself from the sofa, gently massaging his neck and stomach before telling, "Welp, since you're here, perhaps that means the foods ready?"
"He's gone." said Melissa, now in her night gown, she stood up. "I wonder what's gotten into him... Sigh, you really can't trust work foods easily."
...
Klein tugged his tie and proceeded to went up.
He kept glancing at the hallway upstairs, hoping that Selina will walk out by now. She prepared the food so she has to eat with them.
Arriving in front of the once store room. He gently knocked three times.
"Selina?"
Klein heard taps getting closer to the door. When it opened, he was relieved to see Selina in her white night gown and cascading hair.
"Oh you're back! Great!" Selina was pleasantly surprised.
She walked over to him and out of the room before saying, "Let's head down and call Benson and Melissa to eat."
At that moment. Klein suddenly spoke just after Selina took three steps. "I fully digested my potion today and got to switch my Spirit Vision cue.
"Did you... prepared all of that because of it?"
Selina looked at him directly and chuckled, "I thought I had to explain."
"...Did you use your own wallet?" Klein beginning to show concern.
Seeing her nod. He sighed and quickly told her, "I see... but you don't have to spend so much. Our paycheck can only get us enough to live as a middle-class.
"It will be more than enough if you can help just with the house maintenance, like the bills and ingredients."
Selina listened, after that her lips curled softly. "Alright, thank you. But keep in mind that I'm still allowed to use it however I want."
Ms. Selina, would you perhaps fancy a lecture about finances? Klein's lips twitched as he secretly lampooned.
Noticing his expression. Selina droop her eyes in discontent. "You look like you're criticizing me..."
Klein was stunned.
After a moment, Selina's expression eased. "Sigh, let's go...
"By the way, congratulations. Something that brings you such stability against the madness deserves to be celebrated." she gleamed once more before resuming her steps.
Klein just now felt a profound warmth. Never have he thought of actually making a celebratory feast out of his complete digestion...
Until now.
Entering the kitchen. He saw Melissa and Benson already dining, on their plate was a clam, a piece of every meal that's being served.
Selina clasped her hand happily, "How is it?"
Melissa's eyes lit up. "It's delicious!"
"Yeah ehem..." Benson almost choked. "You're a talent Ms. Selina!"
"It's fine if you call me just Selina." Selina smiled softly while taking a seat. "The honorifics isn't necessary."
Benson and Melissa exchanged looks.
Klein chuckled and took his fork, the plates and utensils they're going to use is also already there. He gazed at the table and marveled.
At that moment, since he took the seat next to Benson. His brother leaned in and whispered, "I was surprised your colleague is a great cook."
"Me neither..." Klein smiled wearily.
Taking a portion of the seared mutton, glazed with creamy sauce. He let his hands dance with the spoon and fork.
Upon taking a bite. He quickly tasted the roasted meat that exudes a juicy smoky and gamey flavor that was coated with creamy sauce dressing.
Having this kind of meal isn't bad at all... Klein praised internally while enjoying the dinner.
And during this. He suddenly noticed the atmosphere. Selina taking small bites while chatting with Melissa, asking how the school is in Tingen. Benson joining in to explain his job around factories and harbor, complaining about inequalities of the working conditions.
His brother would drop jokes when it comes in politics, referring them as lesser than a curly-haired baboon. Then he saw Selina chuckle occasionally, albeit Melissa or Benson, she would share her thoughts.
It was at this moment when he realized, the table became much livelier.
...
Backlund, Empress Borough, Viscount Glaint's residence.
Audrey Hall left the party with her personal maid, Annie. They came to the second floor and entered the bedroom that the Viscount had prepared.
She took off her glamorous dress and her lightweight dancing heels slowly with Annie's assistance. She then put on a black hooded robe that she had prepared ahead of time.
Pulling up the hood, Audrey stood before the full mirror and examined herself.
She saw that more than half her face was covered by the shadow of her hood, and only her beautiful lips were clearly exposed.
Long black robe, face hidden by shadows, a mysterious feeling... This is something I've been dreaming of wearing all this time! Audrey thought to herself happily.
Worried, she added a blue boat-shaped soft hat under her hood. With the fine checkered fishnet drooping down, her facial features became even more indiscernible.
"Not bad, that's it!" Audrey stuffed her feet into leather ankle boots, looked to the side, and told Annie, "Wait for me here. No matter who comes, do not open the door."
Annie looked at her helplessly and said, "But you have to make sure that your trip doesn't take more than an hour."
"You should trust me. I have kept my promise every single time in the past." Audrey smiled and leaned in towards her personal maidservant. She hugged her and kissed her cheek as etiquette demanded.
Then, she walked quickly and pulled up her hood. Turning around, she exited the bedroom through a secret door.
She walked all the way down and came to the side door of the viscount's residence where she saw that there was already a carriage waiting there.
Glaint stood amidst the shadows as he glanced at Audrey and complimented sincerely, "By dressing up like this, you are really, yeah—like the description Emperor Roselle often used—very cool."
"Thank you." Audrey pulled up an imaginary skirt and curtsied elegantly.
The two of them got into the carriage and left the villa. They arrived at a house about ten minutes away.
Outside the house, Audrey saw Apprentice Fors Wall and her friend, Tribunal Xio Derecha, whom she had been seeing recently.
Fors's slightly wavy brown hair and her light blue eyes showed a natural laziness. She pointed at Xio Derecha next to her and said, "She's an excellent persuader, capable of helping you get things that you want."
Xio Derecha was slightly shorter, about 150 cm at most. Her facial features were soft, but she seemed pretty young and immature.
Although her shoulder length blond hair was messy and unkempt, and she was in a traditional knight training suit, she carried an indescribable look of dignity and a convincing charm.
Audrey had met her a few times. She smiled faintly and greeted, "Miss Xio, can I trust you?"
"You don't have to worry at all." Xio Derecha smiled and gestured with her hand.
Just as she walked to follow Audrey and Viscount Glaint, they heard a sudden thud.
Audrey looked towards the source of the sound and saw that a triangular blade coruscating with a cold glimmer had fallen beside Xio Derecha's leg.
Audrey and Xio Derecha exchanged looks, simultaneously at a loss for words.
After nearly twenty seconds, Xio Derecha quickly squatted and picked up the triangular blade and hid it on her body.
"We have to prevent the occurrence of an accident. Some people lack rationality, and they aren't convinced easily," Xio Derecha explained seriously.
Audrey nodded and replied with a clear voice, "I believe you..."
"These are tools to convince those b*stards to talk to us calmly," Fors added, looking sideways at the grass plains.
The quartet didn't continue conversing and walked a few steps forward. They knocked on the wooden door with three long and two short knocks.
The door squeaked and opened. Slowly, using her Spectator state, Audrey looked into the house that had many people sitting around randomly. They employed various methods such as hoods or masks to conceal their looks. Some didn't even bother and exposed their faces openly.
Almost instantly, Audrey noticed a black-robed man on a single seat sofa.
That man wore a hood too, hiding his looks under a shadow.
He looked at all the guests in silence, giving people a feeling that he was somehow in a commanding position.
He is very confident, but his gaze is very disgusting. His gaze moved up and down my body like two slippery tentacles wanting to tear off my clothes... Audrey's senses were sharp. She carefully observed and made a judgment calmly, but she nearly had goosebumps.
Fors introduced him.
"That's Mr. A, a powerful Beyonder, the leader of this secret gathering."
...
A day flew by and in around the morning, melodic songs of birds and gentle coursing light filtered into the windows of 36 Zouteland Street.
Swain, in his leather boots, alighted from the trackless carriage, giving shoulder embrace to the capped and cleaned linen shirt Ademinsaul.
The grunge and paling crease of his jacket reflects a sheen of Swain's youth as part of the navy.
Leonard and Klein could only watched or peek from afar, by strict rule given by Selina, who's ironically also apart of it.
When Kenley and Swain entered with Ademinsaul amidst the gazes of people. Dunn walked up to Leonard, Klein and Selina.
He held his pipe and his gaze swept them.
"Heh, I've taken your suggestion about Ademinsaul." He looked at Leonard. "Luckily, the church gave a positive response.
"From now on, once Ademinsaul is stabilized. We'll be having another civilian staff. Pray that he'll become a Nighthawk in the future."
Following Klein and Leonard's gesture. Selina drew a crimson moon on her chest and said, "Praise the lady!"