"M'lady, always a pleasure." The voice—silver-laced and smooth—dripped from the transceiver like fine wine, its resonance both charming and calculated. A flicker of static, and the hologram stabilized, revealing a man seated in a high-backed chair, his presence as deliberate as a shadow cast by moonlight.
He sat motionless, an enigma carved from obsidian and bone. His mask, pale and smooth, tilted slightly downward, as if in perpetual contemplation. A single crimson lens glowed where his right eye should have been, its light slicing through the dimness, cold and unblinking. One leg crossed over the other, his arm draped casually over the head of a sleek black umbrella—more an extension of himself than a mere accessory. His coat, tailored to unnatural precision, bore faint neon green veins that pulsed rhythmically, the only sign of life beneath the armor and metal.
"Gray," Eden greeted, her voice a melodic blend of warmth and steel. She lifted a porcelain cup to her lips, the delicate clink echoing softly. "I'm surprised you answered, considering your… less than enthusiastic response to my refusal of Kevin's invitation."
Gray chuckled, a low, velvety sound that hinted at amusement and something darker. He leaned forward, resting his gloved hands atop the umbrella's handle, his gaze piercing. "Circumstances have changed, Lady Gold. My services are once again at your disposal."
"Please, call me Eden," she replied with a soft laugh, though her amber eyes held a glint of offense. "I left that title behind long ago. But tell me, Gray, what prompts you to betray your own?"
The room's temperature seemed to drop as her words hung in the air. Gray's grip on his umbrella tightened, the only indication of tension. Eden's smile remained, serene and knowing, a reflection of her experience navigating treacherous waters.
"Sometimes," Gray began, his voice measured, "to save the head of the snake, one must offer parts of it to the dragon."
Eden set her cup down with a gentle clink, lifting a folder filled with damning evidence. "And what is the price for this delectable morsel?" she inquired, her tone light but her eyes sharp as they scanned the documents proving Raiden Ryoma's innocence.
"Would it be too much to ask you to reconsider joining us?"
She chuckled, the sound like wind chimes in a storm. "Why would a queen ally with a dying serpent when her beloved dragon stands beside her?"
Gray's laughter was soft, almost melancholic. "Then I pray the dragon does not scorch the earth the queen cherishes. Keep him grounded, for both our sakes."
Eden's gaze softened, her voice a whisper. "A queen can only watch as her dragon soars. Whether he brings joy or despair is beyond her control. But she wishes, above all, for his happiness."
Gray inclined his head, his tone respectful. "Your grace is why they called you the Golden Lady. May your wishes endure."
"I wish for happiness—for all who love him, and for those he loves," she murmured as the hologram faded, leaving her alone in the encroaching darkness.
___________________________________
"Mhmm… there's not really anything useful here, is there?" Kiana groaned from the floor, holding a book upside down over her head like it had personally betrayed her. "I don't get any of this…"
"That's because you're holding it upside down," Yuzuki sighed, already lying beside her with his arms folded. He reached out, plucked the book from her fingers, and flipped it the right way.
"Ooh! Thanks, Yuzu!" Kiana beamed, promptly rolling over and laying herself across his lap like a lounging cat, humming a happy little tune as she stared at the page with intense effort.
"…Should we tell her that's one of my dad's mystery novels?" Mei asked, a rare flicker of amusement playing across her lips as she glanced over the edge of the mahogany desk.
"Let her," Victor murmured beside her. "She's quieter this way."
"Mm," Mei chuckled softly. "And you planned to sneak in with her and not get caught… how, exactly?"
"I admit, the plan had some... structural issues."
She shook her head with a sigh, the ghost of a smile tugging at her mouth as she handed him another manila folder from the pile. They sat close—shoulder to shoulder—surrounded by stacks of legal documents, receipts, and company files too dense for even the night air to breathe through.
"You think my father's innocent?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Victor didn't answer right away. He skimmed the document she'd handed him, eyes narrowing slightly. "I think… a lot of people assumed too quickly," he said, his tone careful. "And the trial moved way too fast for anyone to ask the right questions."
"I see." Mei nodded, her lips pressing together thoughtfully. "So you're saying… don't hope too much."
"I'm saying—" Victor paused, "—if you want to hope, do it on your own terms."
Mei was quiet for a moment, only the rustling of paper filling the space between them. Then—
"…Thank you," she whispered, voice barely above a breath. "For everything. Really."
Victor blinked and looked at her—really looked. She was facing the files again, pretending to read. But her hands trembled just slightly. Her cheeks were pink. Her voice was steady, but her lashes were lowered.
"I'm sorry, too," she added. "For being so… stubborn. For pushing all of you away when I didn't even want to be alone. It's just—" her voice caught in her throat for half a second. "—easier to pretend I don't care than to admit I do."
Victor didn't interrupt. He wanted to tell her she didn't have to apologize. That being afraid was never wrong. But the words sat on his tongue, quiet, like the rest of him. So he listened.
"I was scared," she finished, setting another file aside, not meeting his eyes.
Victor gave her a small smile, leaning his elbows on the desk, chin resting against his palm.
"It's okay," he said softly. "You're here now, and you're helping. No one's rushing you to accept anything. We're just glad you're… opening up. On your own."
Mei finally looked at him.
And smiled—small, quiet, but real.
"...I'll do my best," she said.
"I know," Victor replied.
Behind them, Kiana kicked her legs in the air. "Guys, Yuzu said this was a novel and not evidence! I've been decoding a romance plot for twenty minutes!"
Victor sighed.
"...I said let her," he muttered again.
Laughter erupted in the room, the tension dissipating like morning mist.
Mei who slowly went into deep thought, stood up and heaved a sigh, with a smile that showed that she finally decided on something. "What we're looking for might not be here," she said.
Victor turned to her, his curiosity piqued. "Where else should we look?"
She met his gaze, determination in her eyes. "In my father's office. At his company."
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Hundredmasks-chan