Krishna took a deep breath and looked at Henry. Henry looked back and nodded. Krishna faced Marcus again and said in a deep voice.
"Well…"
He explained the incident that occurred at the warehouse, about how they had tracked down a drug lord who was in acquaintance with the recently imprisoned politician – Dick Quartel. The hardest part was telling them about how he had relived his trauma through the fight with the drug lord. After his explanation, Marcus tightened his grip around his cane, knuckles turning white. His old face twisted under his emotions and his eyes darted towards Missio. He let out a sigh and ordered in a calm but restricted tone.
"…Call Lilla and…inform her of the lord's situation."
The servant nodded and went away. After a few minutes, Lilla came rushing down from the flight of stairs. She slipped once in a rush but quickly composed herself, her face was full of worry. She stopped next to Marcus and glanced at Missio.
"I-Is what you said true?"
Her shaking voice made Krishna bite his lip. Marcus nodded. Lilla dropped to the ground and covered her mouth with trembling hands, tears flowing from her eyes. Henry dug his nails into his palms, Eira lowered her head and Mary couldn't meet her eyes.
***
Eventually, Lilla composed herself and sat beside Missio. She unknowingly patted him on the head out of habit. Her fingers lingered in his hair, trembling as if afraid to let go.
"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have let him deal with the drug lord…"
Krishna spoke with a heavy voice as if he was about to cry. Lilla looked at Krishna's face which was twisted with emotions, then she looked at all the others who were nervously looking at her.
'There just kids…but I'm glad they took care of him…you've made great friends, Missio.'
She managed a slight smile.
"No…It's okay. It isn't your fault that he was traumatized again…you even took care of him while being pressured by the AEOC. It's nothing to blame for really…you've done your part and now, I'll do mine."
Henry finally met Lilla's eyes, guilt screaming at him to look down in shame. He opened his mouth and said in a steady tone.
"If there is anything we can help with, please tell us."
"No, you've done enough. Now, we will take care of the rest." Lilla replied in a reassuring voice.
Henry nodded and then Mary spoke in a light tone.
"May the lord protect him."
"May the lord be by his side." Lilla said after Mary.
Then, the group left and went their separate ways. Lilla looked outside, sunlight was seeping inside but the sky looked…darker. She shook her head and nudged Missio awake.
"Missi- my lord, it's better you sleep in your bed."
"Huh…What did you say?" Missio replied in a tired voice.
He tapped his headphones, activating transparency mode. Soft music was playing through the music box at a low volume and he was finally able to hear Lilla.
"I said…It's better to sleep in your room, My Lord." Lilla repeated.
Missio nodded slowly. "Oh…Okay."
Lilla led Missio to his room and helped his sleep. She lingered on him for a few moments too long as if he would disappear if she looked away. Silent whimpers began to come from Missio. Lilla patted his head which put him at ease, stopping his cries. She left his room and returned to the living room. She stood near Marcus as he pondered something.
"We have to inform the Elder." Marcus stated sternly after a while. "I will go personally to inform the Elder about the lord's situation. Lilla, you take care of him for the time being."
"I will do my utmost to take care of him." Lilla said in a determined tone.
Then, they both went their separate ways.
***
Later that afternoon, Marcus took a car to the countryside. The former patriarch had said he wanted to live a peaceful life in the countryside away from all the drama of the political world. Marcus looked ahead at the fields of growing crops. The car thumped across the rough plain but kept steady. Farmland stretched beyond his vision, seemingly being infinite and growing many types of vegetables.
After a few minutes, he reached a house with a brown and white color pattern. Beside it was a barn filled with many chickens, cows, and goats. Marcus parked the car and grabbed his cane, getting out of the car. He walked towards the farmland and saw a man wearing blue suspender pants, a yellow shirt, blue leather jacket and a summer hat which were covered in dust and dirt. Marcus coughed and opened his mouth.
"Greetings, Elder Alaric."
Alaric looked back to see Marcus standing idly with his cane. The elder had grey hair, black eyes with a light beard and nice mustache.
"Oh! Marcus, what are you doing here? Come one, let's go inside. Let me treat you to some tea."
Alaric spoke in an excited voice.
"No need, Elder. I've come to inform you of an important matter."
Marcus relented while he entered the house alongside Alaric. He sat down in the small living room and set his cane aside.
"So…You said you need to talk to me for an important matter?"
Alaric asked Marcus while bringing two cups of tea from the kitchen. He placed them on the table and sat down across the head butler. The old sofa creaked under his weight.
"Didn't I tell you not to bring tea, Elder?"
"Am I your master or are you master, Marcus?"
"…Fine." Marcus chuckled and sipped the tea.
Marcus put his tea down and lingered on it for a moment.
'This old body isn't made to this much guilt…'
He drew a deep breath and locked eyes with the elder.
"About the important matter…"
"Yeah? What about it? I see no matter involving me other than my children."
"…Exactly, It's about your son."
As Marcus spoke, Alaric sipped his tea and asked in puzzlement.
"Dante? What about him? I thought he was doing quite good?"
Marcus shook his before saying with a cold face.
"It's Missio."
Suddenly, Alaric stopped…then, he put his cup on the table and looked at Marcus with a serious face. Marcus's face reflected on his dark eyes as his lips parted.
"What about him? I suppose it's something good..."
Marcus didn't speak immediately. He contemplated how to tell the elder about Missio's condition. At last, he made his decision. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He closed his mouth and opened it again.
"Please do forgive me for being direct, lord Alaric. I know you can handle this well enough now that time has passed but…you may still be subjected to it."
Alaric did not interrupt Marcus, looking at him with a pair of cold eyes. A chill ran down the butler's spine, feeling a sense of immense pressure. After a few moments, Marcus looked at the former patriarch in the eyes and said in a cracked voice.
"He was given orders by the prime minister to capture a drug lord who was in coalition with the recently arrested politician – Dick Quartel…During their fight…"
He took a sharp breath before saying in a shameful tone. "He relived his…trauma…"