The Second Life's

LXIX - Secret Meeting

Hendery turned to me and looked at me straight without blinking. He smiled and pulled me into the barn. I was a little surprised by his actions just now. The lantern, which was hung near the entrance of the warehouse, was lit by Hendery using a spark that he let out of hand.

“Are you scared, Sweetheart?” ask Hendery. “Take it easy. Its me. Just talk through your mind.”

Lucas's?

“True.” Hendery, ah no, Lucas smiled. “You didn't expect, did you?”

I'm nodding.

“Actually I came here without Ava's knowledge. He would definitely be furious if he knew I took his rare form-changing magic potion,” Lucas explained. “But .., all this I do to see your face.”

He approached and stroked my broken hair. I let that thing. There's a bit of a weird feeling because Lucas still uses Hendery. Especially when Lucas was about to kiss me. His face was rather close and I avoided it. This is not the right thing. I don't want to be kissed by Lucas in Hendery's form.

“What's up?” ask Lucas.

I don't want to be kissed in my warrior form. It's like it wasn't kissed by you.

Lucas smiled. “Sorry, I'm overdoing it. How about a hug?”

That's not either.

“Hm.” Lucas pouting. “I have not been able to change back to my original form until the effect of the herb is exhausted.”

In that case, you must not touch me until the potion effect is exhausted. But, I appreciate your coming here, Lucas. At least, my sense of longing became treated when I saw you .... Well, even though it feels like meeting indirectly.

“Hm, you can make me the most happy, Sweetheart.” Lucas rubbed my head and smiled. “Pasti pain.”

Whaties?

“Through the same path as the one in the past.” Now Lucas' face looks grim. “You must sometimes remember things you don't want to remember, right?”

It's just the past. Should we talk about it right now? I just want to talk about something light and fun.

“I know. If I had known you in the past, I would have been interested and liked you, ” Lucas said. “I'm serious.”

I believe you, Lucas.

“Wah, look who escaped while carrying the stolen goods in his hands.”

Lucas and I looked into the inside of the barn. In the right corner of the warehouse, stood a figure slightly shorter than us. Even from her voice, I could tell if it was Ava. I was shocked because Ava had suddenly appeared inside the warehouse where there was only one access way out.

And the way out was the wooden door that was beside us.

Ava approaching. This time she was wearing her favorite dress. Her face was no longer polished by thick makeup. She already had the look of an ordinary teenage girl.

“What are you doing here?” ask Lucas.

Buahgh!

Raw Bogeman is infused by Ava into Lucas' body. I let it go because Lucas was wrong.

“Child s*alan! You think that potion is cheap so you can just as easily take it?!” snapped Ava. “The price is ten thousand gold coins!”

Lucas laughs. “Take it easy, Grandma. I will reply if Charlotte is officially my Empress.”

“Much talk, disgust me only.” Ava pouting. “After all, why are you talking in a place like this?! Why not in the living room or the office? Did His Majesty the King deliberately want to dark-eight with the Queen?”

Not likely.

“Only this is the place I think is the best,” Lucas said.

“Dumb reason,” comments Ava.

“He was being asked by a waiter to help him in the park,” Lucas replied. “So, people will immediately suspect if you disappear too long.”

“Come back to your room,” Ava command. “Tonight, I will stop by the Silver Palace to check Isla's situation there.”

Finally there is a bright spot also about the state of Isla. I was impatient and excited about this.

“I'm also coming,” Lucas said.

“Why should my King be immoral like this?” muttered Ava.

“Did you say I was immoral?” asked Lucas, to be sure again.

“True.” Ava assented.

“Basic Grandma stinks of land,” taunts Lucas.

Bugh!

Ava's heels landed directly on the head of Lucas, his own King. Ava laughed happily as she was able to avenge Lucas' taunts.

*

Lucas has returned to Avnevous with Ava. Lucas was forced to follow Ava because he was dragged by her. After the two left, I came out of the back shed and entered the palace. There, I met Hendery who was also looking for my whereabouts.

I went straight to my new office. The bed inside was removed, replaced with a large work desk made of good quality wood and also a chair of leather that was comfortable when occupied.

On the table, I have been waiting for a lot of work and also a thick book whose cover I know so well. That's the ledger I asked Anna for. He actually gave it to me though indirectly.

“Tadi, Queen from where?” asked Hendery as I sat in front of my desk to rest.

“From the back garden,” I replied lying.

“I'm from there, and the Queen doesn't exist.”

I smile. “I mean, from the back shed. I'm from there.”

“Hanings ... The queen went with me. That's not true, is it?” Hendery made sure things were definitely not true.

“Ya.”

“Emperor had said the same thing that the servants who saw the Queen said,” said Hendery.

“Then, where is the Emperor now?” ask pleasantries.

“Have gone with Miss Hindley,” replied Hendery. “They had a fight, then finally the Emperor relented and went with Miss Hindley away.”

I leaned on the back of the chair to try to relax more. “I'm not surprised by my husband's own actions. I don't care about him. Who to be with and what to do, I'm not interested at all.”

Hendery just kept quiet, listening to me without turning his face away. I grabbed the ledger on the table and opened it one by one. I smiled happily and continued to check on her without missing a single one. My memories started to appear one by one. And all I have to do for the last time is to .. match all this data with the Queen's Palace ledger that's been kept in the palace.

I didn't need Idris to open it, because I memorized the safe code.

“Ask the coachman to prepare the carriage, I want to go to the Imperial Palace right now,” my orders to Hendery.

“Hm, is there anything important the Queen wants to do there?” asked Hendery with a curious face.

I stood while still carrying the ledger. “You will know soon.”

*

Note: The next episode will be up in about three days.