The group waited at the entrance of the airport patiently. After a few minutes, a white SUV with the symbol of a Golden eagle imprinted onto its side parked in front of them.
The door swung open and a man wearing a white suit with golden accents stepped out.
"It is a pleasure to meet the lord's friends." He bowed slightly.
"I suppose this is for us?" Krishna guessed.
"Yes." The butler replied, glancing at Missio. "But why does the lord look so…sad?"
Krishna's heart tightened yet his expression remained the same.
'I'm…I'm sorry, Missio. I've got my own reasons. I hope you can understand… no, don't understand. It'll be better that way.'
He took a deep breath, calming himself down. Then, with a heavy voice, he answered the butler.
"Bring us to the manor. I… I need to see Marcus."
The man narrowed his eyes, seemingly suspicious of Krishna. Nevertheless, he still opened the doors to the SUV and let them in. Mary led Missio to the passenger seat as the rest of the squad piled into the back.
The man sat in the driver's seat, slamming the door shut as Mary sat down. The instrument panel shot out a blue ray and scanned his retina and unlocked the vehicle. Mary closed the door and the second she did, the butler drove off.
As they weaved through the city streets, Missio looked out the window, admiring the serene view while silently listening to his music. Eventually, they reached the Augustus household.
The home of Rome's royal family was exquisite to say the least.
Unlike the Ashking's residence, it seemed more like a mansion than a castle.
Pillars that held up the high ceiling, gold and white banners hanging from the ledge and stirring faintly in the wind, small windows spaced equally between each other to let sunlight into the hallways and a lively garden that surrounded the entire manor.
A truly amazing sight.
The butler drove into the front yard and parked the car. Opening the doors, he let the group out and led them into the residence. They entered the lavish living room; the walls covered in intricate designs and decorations. The team sat down on the couch as the butler headed off in another direction.
"I'll fetch Mr. Marcus." He stated.
"Please do." Krishna responded.
The man walked away to another room and after a few minutes, brought the head butler.
Marcus – the head servant of the Augustus manor arrived. A man with heavy wrinkles on his face, grey hair and dark eyes who wore a white suit with golden accents similar to the other butler.
Someone who had been serving the Augustus family for thirty years.
"Tell me…what happened to the lord?" He asked, adjusting the crystal monocle on his left eye.
Krishna took a deep breath, locking eyes with Marcus. The old butler face was stoic but Krishna knew deep down he was worried for Missio. His heart throbbed against his chest, making him exhale heavily. Then, after a seconds, he responded in a deep voice.
"Well..."
He told Marcus everything – the arrest of Dick Quartel, the Prime Minister's assignment, the battle at the old warehouse and more.
He didn't keep anything from the head butler, wanting to be as honest as possible. To show that he too, was in great pain.
After his explanation, the room fell into complete silence. Marcus's old face twisted under the weight of his emotions. His eyes darted towards Missio, assessing his state. Letting out a sigh, he ordered the other butler in restricted tone.
"Call Lilla and… inform her of everything."
The servant nodded and went away, ascending the stairs. The team waited anxiously, all their hearts throbbing as cold sweat rolled down their faces.
After a few minutes, Lilla came rushing down from the flight of stairs, her face was full of worry. She stopped next to Marcus and glanced at Missio.
"Is what you said true?"
Her shaking voice made Krishna bite his lip and lower his head in shame. Marcus nodded with a heavy heart.
Lilla dropped to the ground and covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears flowing from her eyes. Henry dug his nails into his palms, Eira looked away from the scene and Mary closed her eyes, all of them unable to bear her cries.
***
Eventually, Lilla composed herself and sat beside Missio. She unknowingly patted him on the head out of habit. Missio too, lay on her lap impulsively as well. Lilla fingers lingered in his hair, trembling as if afraid to let go.
"I'm sorry...."
Krishna voice cracked. Lilla looked at his twisted face, then she looked at all the others who were nervously meeting her gaze.
'…You've made great friends, Missio.'
She managed a slight smile.
"No, It's okay. It isn't your fault that he was traumatized again… you even took care of him. There is nothing you have to blame yourselves for..."
Henry finally met Lilla's eyes, guilt screaming at him to look down. He opened his mouth and said in a steady tone.
"If there is anything we can help with, please tell us."
"No, you've done enough. Now, I'll take over." Lilla assured.
Hearing this, Mary held the silver cross on her neck and spoke in a light tone.
"May the lord protect him."
"May Pangea be by his side." Lilla said after Mary.
Kirishna then stood up.
"We'll take our leave now."
Lilla didn't reply as she silently watched them stand up and leave the manor. After they had gone their separate ways, she glanced at the Bereft sleeping on her lap and nudged him awake.
"Missi- my lord, it's better you sleep in your bed."
"Huh...?" Missio replied in a tired voice.
He tapped his headphones, activating transparency mode.
"I said...It's better to sleep in your room, My Lord." Lilla repeated.
Missio nodded slowly, sitting straight.
Lilla led him to his room, taking off his weighted vest and jacket. Missio lay on his bed as Lilla covered him with a blanket. Then, she sat beside him, lingering as if he would disappear if she looked away. Moments later, she left his room and returned to Marcus.
"I will inform the patriarch of this." Marcus stated. "Lilla, you take care of him for the time being."
"I will do my utmost to take care of him." Lilla said in a determined tone. "But, I think we should tell his father as well."
Marcus curled his lips at the mention of the former patriarch. Groaning, he adjusted the crystal monocle before saying in an even tone.
"I'll meet him tomorrow."