Tedine ; ugh... How long has it been I wonder.... I'm hungry... Should have brought a watch... Had it passed two meals ? Has it been that long. Damn... Mama ~~ save me ~~

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Joy : hi. I'm looking for tedine?

Braidy ; and you are ?

Joy ; his brother.

Braidy laughed " how silly of you to come all the way here. "

" Why ? Because the space you kept him is right at this spot ?" He looked to his wrist where the tattoo is. It was getting darker

Braidy : how did you know ?

Joy ; I have ways. Release him. My brother.

Braidy : and why would I do that ?

" Because I could easily do... " A spark of fire started on the stairs "this. "

Braidy ; you're crazy ?!!! You trying to burn us in it ?!! Someone !!

A servant took the flowers out of the vase and threw the water on the small flame before it could spread further.

Braidy ; if you burn this house , you won't ever get to see him .

Joy : yes. You will die. Your servants will die. Your daughter will die. Just my brother and me wouldn't die.

Braidy : then he'll also starve to death inside !! You idiot !!!

Joy : no worries on that part. I know a way to force the entrance open.

Braidy ; so you're just only here to threaten me !

Joy : so will you ? Release him.

Braidy hesitated a little...

" Enough." A voice called from the second floor.

Joy : there we go. The mastermind. Or should I say Lady of the House ? Wouldn't sound too right... You're not exactly his wife...

Braidy : my wife passed. Refrain from making snide remarks on the deceased. Or are you not capable of manners as well ?!

Joy ; my bad. Your name is... Laverie. Correct ?

Laverie : yes.

Joy : well. Been waiting for your appearance. Miss Braidy. I wouldn't like to force your appearance usually. I'm fine playing chess with an unknown opponent. But not today. My brother is more important.

Laverie ; you knew from the beginning I'm in control ?

Joy : yes. My mother updated me on the situation. She likes her adventures you see. Our family do let her be wilful. So I've told to always keep me updated in case she does something.... Not good. Let's keep it to that word.

Laverie: hmm ? You're saying... Oh. She's a long lifer.

Joy : you catch on fast. Miss Braidy. So yes we do know you exist. But there has been attempts on her life recently and she passed the task on to my brother tedine. A deal is a deal. Gotta complete it.

Laverie: we didn't sent those assassins.

Joy : that, I believe. Minister Braidy here doesn't have the finances. But the capture of my brother. Hard to believe it's just for defense ?

Laverie: ..... You want me to lose my leverage. Give me a price.

Joy sighed " I don't enjoy this but people do make me do this... Can we be honest ? Miss Braidy."

Laverie : do .

Joy ; you're working for Count Hercula. For romantic reasons I suppose , making your father part of that purpose from time to time. A little help and there as the Count needs. Those little deadly suggestions .

Laverie : so what ? Till now that Nana still has no grip on me.

Joy laughed a little " I'll let her play with you instead. " Then he spoke in a serious tone "Release my brother Tedine. Or I'll sell the information that you're the one in decision for this House. "

Laverie: that's all you have ?

Joy : it's easy to create demand as long as I suggest ideas like... That's how you can manipulate him... I imagine your House isn't very strong.

Laverie: Count Hercula will help me.

Joy ; very confident in him ?.

Laverie ; ....

Joy : come on. It's just a release of my brother. No harm done. Just let go of the benefit. That's all.

Laverie thinks for a while more... And sinks the key into the wall. The spot below Joy opens up a big magic circle. It starts to turn anti clockwise and a door emerges and opens up.

Joy looks down " time to go home. Tedine. "

Tedine does a jump and grabs onto the edges of the entrance and climbs up and out " I thought it would be mama. "

Joy ; she noticed. I noticed too.

Tedine: right....

Joy ; so I'm here. Let's go home.

Tedine : heh heh... Thanks.

So they start leaving for the door.

Laverie: wait !! One thing. Is the news about the new owner of the bow true ?

Joy ; my mother doesn't like to spend fake news. They're annoying to deal with and may bite you back in the ass.

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Hercula: hey. Laverie. You came here in a rush.

Laverie: the news. The one about the new owner. Are you sure it isn't real ?

Hercula ; I'm not sure. It could be a shield this Nana is creating to help protect araki.

Laverie : well....