บท 5: Ch5
David hugged James and lifted him up from the ground like a little baby as revenge from all the poking when he was little. "Whoa! Whoa! Ohoho oh my! You are huge! Please put me down."
"It's been what? Thirteen years more or less? Come, let us celebrate your return! Creed, you come too." David placed the still reeling James and enthusiastically led the two 'visitors' inside the manor while giving instructions to the maids to prepare.
At the dinner table, David sat with Mr. Green, Green's 18 year old daughter Vivian, James, and Victor. "Tell us about your adventures, please James."
"We've been drifting here and there. Looking for our true calling. Something we can be passionate about. Something heart racing, thrilling, fun,... exciting." Victor scratched the dining table with each word before teasingly looking at Vivian who sat across him before he was kicked by James from under the table.
"First we wandered for a bit. Stealing like rats, hiding from the elements. We became vagabonds without a home and sometimes hunters-"
"We've been participating in conflicts all over the British Columbia and the Americas. In fact, a small scale war just ended not long ago and James missed his little brother too much he insisted that we go for a look. And now that we've seen you, I think we'd better get a move on now before things get interesting. What say you Jimmy?" Victor interjected.
"And go where? You two are lost and you clearly have no direction. I'd bet that the two of you are used as hounds by those who employ your services. Believe me when I say that you will only face more of that if you are to leave again. James. Victor." He looked at the two before continuing. "We are family. Just stay here this time and let me show you around for a bit."
"Rose, be a dear and lead my brothers to where they will be staying. Use this time to think about what you really want to do. We all have a very long future to unfold. Please excuse me, something urgent just came up." David stood up and walked out of the dining area, he was followed by a man wearing a coat who seemed to be the bearer of the 'urgent matter' that David has to deal with.
"Gentlemen we'll also excuse ourselves. Vivian." Greene smiled as he spoke but did not speak more than necessary. "Please excuse us." She cleaned her hand and politely excused herself in front of the two 'masters'. James and Victor just smiled and nodded in the process.
"What do you think?" James asked looking at Victor who seemed to be lost in thought.
"I really like her- ow!" Victor had this silly grin when James kicked his shin. "You know what I'm talking about. Spit it out"
"Well, I really can't get a read on David but the old man and her daughter are pretty strong if I do say so myself. And she's definitely my type so that's a plus. We can take them. Probably." James rolled his eyes at Victor's antics.
"I meant David's offer. In all honesty, what he said wasn't wrong. I do feel like settling down for at least a little while after all that shit-show." James spoke without pause and Victor just shrugged. "It's really up to you Jimmy. I'm not sure about David but you and me are basically immortals so yeah. We can probably spend a few years or decades here to tide things through and see how it goes."
James placed his fists together like one would in a prayer, his thumbs rubbing his lips as he thought deeply.
"Did you find them?" David asked the man who sat on the opposite chair.
"Well, finding them proved to be troublesome since they are in hiding. I was going to ask you to pay extra for all that trouble." The man answered.
"I will double the compensation when they are found and brought in front of me. Now tell me. How are my grandfather and eldest brother doing?" David inquired.
"After the incident with the madam Howlett, the young master was taken away by your grandfather into hiding. We tracked them to the sparsely populated Russian-America. Your grandfather highly appreciates your initiative but he hopes that you would move on with your life and forget about your older brother." The man reached out into an inner pocket in his coat and took out a letter and gave it to David.
"He penned this especially for you." David quickly opened the letter and read its contents before smiling thoughtfully. "Rose, are you there?" He called towards the door which slightly opened and a young woman entered. "You called for me sir?"
"Escort Mr. Smith out of the estate." David pulled a drawer and handed a pouch to the detective. "You'll get the other half when we find them. I'll look for you first thing in the morning. Have a good evening." Mr. Smith shook the pouch and smiled before following the maid out of the mansion where a carriage is already waiting.
"Look at him go. Do you really think they would make a move this time?" Mr. Greene watched as the carriage disappear from sight. "The spirits are not telling me anything, they grew quiet for some reason these days."
David diluted his whiskey with water until he was satisfied before swirling it and taking a whiff. His brows raised in appreciation to his 'masterpiece'. "What else can these old snakes do except for exploiting others and be a pain the ass. I have encroached on their territories for long enough and they are starting to get anxious. We'll use this chance to whittle their numbers."
'And gather potential points.' David thought before taking a sip of his mix.
"Well I can't say I don't miss the days when I partook in such activities but being able to retire in my current age is good enough already. I can only wait for Vivian to get married and give me a bunch of grandchildren. That would be something..." Greene laughed as he walked back to his room.
'Something indeed.' David glanced at the the ability that is exclusive to Vivian.
[Fertility Boost B]
The original ability ensured that when a bullet is fired at an existing target then nine months later, the critical damage will proc. This enhanced version that David is pondering upon will wait for the target for eight whole days if no target is found. 'Fine... beggars can't be choosers anyway. Integrate.'
David took a deep breath and exhaled, feeling the subtle surge of new power weaving into his veins, filling him with a sense of profound 'capability'. As he raised the glass to his lips again, he noticed the door to his study opening a crack. Rose peeked in before stepping fully into the room, her steps graceful but purposefully audible.
"Sir, the masters are settling in," she informed him. "Though I must say, the younger Mr. Logan has a look of uncertainty. Mr. Creed, on the other hand…" She trailed off, a faint smile tugging at her lips as though amused by Victor's lack of restraint.
David chuckled. "I'm certain he's already smitten with Vivian. He's a bold one, that Victor, we can only hope for a positive outcome." he muttered, swirling the whiskey before taking another contemplative sip. "Let them grow accustomed to the estate. Perhaps a taste of stability will dull their impulsive edges."
Rose nodded, shifting her weight slightly as she lingered. "Sir, there's also a matter of... another guest. One unannounced."
David's eyes sharpened, though he kept his voice calm. "Who?"
"A woman. She arrived with a letter of introduction. A certain 'Lady Wright.' She claims to be here on behalf of a... mutual acquaintance," Rose added carefully, her voice hinting at unease. "She waits for you in the main parlor."
David took a final swig, finishing his drink with a deep sigh before setting the glass down. He glanced at Rose with an almost imperceptible nod. "Thank you, Rose. I'll handle it."
As he strode down the corridor toward the parlor, his mind raced with the implications of Lady Wright's arrival. It was rare for anyone outside his immediate circle to set foot in the estate uninvited. Whoever had sent her was either well-connected or overly confident in his influence.
He entered the parlor to find Lady Wright seated elegantly on a chaise, her dark curls framing an alluring yet calculating expression. She rose smoothly as he approached, offering a polite curtsy.
"Lord Howlett," she greeted, her tone dripping with a mixture of deference and challenge. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the fabled head of the Howlett estate."
David's eyes narrowed, though he maintained a cordial smile. "What pleasure brings you to my humble abode, Lady Wright? I don't recall inviting such an esteemed guest."
Lady Wright chuckled, unfazed by his guardedness. "I come bearing news from an old friend of your family. He thought you might appreciate a… friendly warning."
David arched an eyebrow, folding his arms as he leaned against the grand fireplace. "Warning me of what, exactly?"
She walked closer, extending a gloved hand to place a folded letter into his own. "There are whispers that your influence here is beginning to cause ripples in circles much larger than your current holdings. Some of your rivals have taken offense and may be inclined to… respond."
David opened the letter and scanned its contents, his face revealing nothing as he took in the warnings and implied threats. His gaze shifted back to Lady Wright, unreadable.
"And does this 'friend' of mine have any advice on how I should respond to such 'ripples'?" he asked, his tone edged with a hint of sarcasm.
Lady Wright met his gaze, her expression hardening. "My benefactor suggests you tread carefully. But then again, he knows that you're not one to back down."
David's smile was cold, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. "Your benefactor seems to know me well. Send him my regards. I'll keep his warning in mind."
She inclined her head, the faintest glimmer of respect flickering in her eyes. "I shall relay your message."
With that, she took her leave, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she disappeared down the hall. Once she was gone, David stood in silence, his mind whirring with possibilities. The Howlett estate had always been a sanctuary, but it seemed his ambitions had not gone unnoticed by those who lurked beyond his walls.
After a moment, he turned back toward the study, his eyes glinting with newfound determination. "Rose," he called out softly, summoning her from the shadows as he strode past. "How are the preparations for tomorrow's endeavor?."
"Everything is going according to your arrangements Sir." Rose bowed to excuse herself while David returned to his study, his thoughts drifted to James and Victor, and then to the world beyond the estate.
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