495 Chapter 495: Dance Party (1/2)

”I have half a mind to stop you guys from attending the second night of the Weaver's Festival tomorrow, but considering that the kidnappers have been arrested and public image – I don't want to cause panic or damage morale for other participants – I think it should be fine. Besides, Richard here has proven himself more than capable of watching over you kids.”

”Wait, what? Second night of the Weaver's Festival?” I repeated incredulously from the back of the limousine. Opposite me, Fergus nodded, and then his eyes flickered in understanding.

”Oh, right. You're not from around here. Yeah, the Weaver's Festival takes place over two nights. Today is the booths and fun and games. Tomorrow is the river ceremony, where boys will write love letters, put them in latern boats and sail them down the river. Then the dance takes place after that, followed by fireworks.”

”I see.” Now that I thought about it, I had not seen any fireworks tonight. Okay, I had spent most of the time in the police station after the whole battle against Henry James and the Chaos Chimera, but you would think I would have at least heard the fireworks going off and stuff. Or seen them.

However, there was still something that bothered me.

”Are you sure about this? I appreciate your kind words, but it was my fault that they got abducted right under my nose.”

”That couldn't be helped. And the fact that you were able to find them so quickly and rescue both of them before anything bad happened is proof of your skills and abilities. Not only that, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.” Fergus smiled grimly. ”Not only have we found out a clue regarding the client who ordered the hit on my daughter, you eliminated an expert from the Grimaldus guild as well as took out a chunk of their forces. You brought them out into the open and allowed us to find out who was being involved, and which dark guild was hired. Now that we know who is involved, we know where to look and can launch a counterattack.”

”I see. Thanks.”

”So please…enjoy yourselves tomorrow. Don't mind it.” Fergus steepled his fingers. ”And honestly, tomorrow will probably be the safest day. Even Grimaldus wouldn't be stupid to move out and try again so soon. Now that they have been outed, they will most likely be lying low. Not only that…if they are stupid enough to try again tomorrow, you'll probably just nuke the whole lot of them into oblivion.”

”Ha ha ha…you overestimate me…”

Even though Fergus Franklin left it unspoken, I was certain that he wouldn't accept another blunder under my watch. There would be no second chance if Melina got kidnapped right under my nose again. For the sake of my job security and income, as well as my own moral sense and relationship with her, I had to ensure that it wouldn't happen again.

”What do you plan to do tomorrow, Brother Richie?” Adrian asked. I shrugged, and he continued with a wink. ”Do you have a date tomorrow?”

”Nope.”

”Heh…how boring.”

”Yeah, well…I'm not popular with girls.” I shrugged nonchalantly, not at all bothered with my situation. There were more important things for me to worry about.

”That's a surprise. Then again, you're quite the nice guy, if I may say so myself.” Fergus leaned back in his seat and sighed. ”And from my experience, girls your age prefer guys who are…wilder. More outgoing. You're the…how do I put it, the stable, nice guy, and they find you boring.”

”Father!” Melina stormed. ”That's mean!”

”Ha ha, sorry.” Fergus chuckled and shook his head. ”But don't worry, when it comes to ideas of marriage…when the girls grow up and realize that there's a lot more to life than partying and living on the edge, and they begin seeking financial security and stability…that's when someone as serious and diligent as you would appeal to them.”

”Uh…”

I wasn't sure how to respond, and Fergus continued genially.

”So you're basically playing the longterm game.”

I wouldn't put it that way, but I wasn't going to argue with the dude. Thankfully, I didn't have to. The limousine pulled up next to the manor prepared specifically for Melina, and he let us alight.

”Stay safe, kids,” he told Melina and Adrian. His warning was meant especially for his daughter, whom he gave one last hug before letting her go. He turned to me. ”Take care of them.”

”I will, sir,” I assured him with a salute. ”I will not commit the mistakes of today.”

”See that you won't.” He then smiled. ”I have every confidence that you will not.”

Then the door shut, and the limousine pulled away. I watched the luxurious vehicle leave, and then I turned back to my two charges and herded them back into the manor. Amelia had disembarked before us, and she waited for us to catch up before we entered the house together.

”That was quite the adventure today,” the head maid remarked with a giggle. ”Pity I wasn't there, but I heard that you obliterated a Chaos Chimera.”

”Yeah, well…” I shrugged. ”If I didn't, the damned monster would have tried to eat me.”

”I'm glad it didn't.” she clasped her hands behind her waist and looked up while striding through the interior of the house. ”I hope tomorrow will be all right…”

*

The next day came before I knew it and evening came with a flourish.

”I hope this dress looks good too.”

”Yeah, it does! You look amazing, Melina!”

”Yeah, it really suits you.”