Chapter 567

567 Overreactions(Part Two)

Mei and Hana had been enjoying a cup of tea with Peggy while Skye, Kari, and Ronnie played with Rukia. Klaus stood by the main door leading into the room from the hallway, smiling the same as the others as the four acted out an old Saianese story.

Skye pretended to be an old demon chasing a young princess. Rukia, of course, played the princess, and the other two were playing ancient heroes. Skye was ‘chasing the princess along on her journey’ when Tidas had nearly taken her out with the courtyard door.

The wood used wasn’t very heavy, but it was solid, and the perfectly-distributed force that Tidas had hit it with had sent the thing flying off of it’s hinges. If Skye wouldn’t have heard his fast-approaching, heavy footsteps: she might’ve actually died from the blunt force of it.

The marks on the floor, and the small hole in the wall from a corner catching it was proof enough for Skye.. The chances of her surviving the blow were far too slim for her to take his overreaction lightly. Hence, their bickering.

It annoyed her slightly that Tidas hadn’t been giving her his full attention, but she’d been partially listening to Mei and Genie as well. When Mei had said that she thought Ahriman was after Skye, they both had perked up..

“Why do you think that, Mei?” Tidas asked, pausing his argument with his wife.

Mei scrunched up like she was under a microscope for a moment, then spoke her honest opinion; “I think that he is watching her. Waiting for a chance to take her. It would benefit Senator Tokuga greatly to get his hands on the Guardian of the Last Dragon, and I don’t think that fact should be underestimated.”

Tidas and Skye glanced at each other, thinking in unison that Mei may be partially right. They both had a feeling that it wasn’t Senator Tokuga giving him orders, but Marco, and that was an even worse scenario to imagine..

“If Skye was ever taken, Chen would be the first person that we’d interrogate,” Genie commented.

.....

Mei nodded, but hesitantly added; “I do not think he would be foolish enough to keep her at his estate. He would likely have someone else hide her away until an appropriate time came. Most likely after Tidas had returned to Alcon.”

“Like I’d ever leave if Skye was missing,” Tidas grumbled, but knew that his Father would understand his refusal.

Skye grinned at him warmly for a moment, then remembered that she was supposed to be mad at him. The smile instantly vanished, and was replaced with barely covered irritation. Tidas still found it better than the outright anger she’d displayed before, so he decided to keep his mouth shut for the time being.

“Why does he think I could even be caught?” Skye commented, her face still scrunched with annoyance as she’d spoken.

“His opinion of women is rather low. He probably assumes that you’d be easier to catch and deal with, versus your husband,” Mei paused a moment when Tidas barked a sharp laugh at her words before she continued; “Plus Tidas is the Third Prince of Alcon. If he tries to kidnap Him, then King Magnus would be forced to declare war.”

“Your deduction and political skills have grown, Mei. I’m quite proud,” Bai Lei stated as he entered the room; “That’s exactly what would happen if Prince Tidas turned up missing. But Skye is also considered a Princess, as well as being Lucas Moonstone’s daughter, and a General enlisted in their RMC. Due to her titles: King Magnus would have to go to war over Skye as well.”

“Senator Lei is correct,” Hang commented as he poked his head around from behind him.

Bai Lei stepped forward and off to the side, allowing Hang Zhao and Richard Yaris into the room. Yaris grinned cheekily at Skye as he waved, then abruptly stopped when he caught a death glare from the Prince. While the three situated themselves within the shrinking room, Peggy walked over to Skye and Tidas..

“I ken things are about ta turn serious, so I’ll be headin’ off ta the kitchen wit the bairn, fer some snacks. Give you adults a wee bit of privacy. I’ll tell the other servants ta steer clear of here, too.”

“I thank ye, Peg. Why don’t ya make some rice balls wit Rukia? She’s fairly good at shapin’em herself. I bet everyone here could use a wee nibble. Some more tea, too, please. Is that alright?” Skye asked as the others started to swarm Yaris.

Tidas had simply nodded and gone to join the growing group. Peggy told Skye that tea would be fine, then cleared taking Rukia with her parents. Much to Bai Lei’s dismay. He’d just shown up, and wished to spend time with her; even if they were talking.

Mei, Hana, and Hang all jumped on Bai Lei for his suggestion of Rukia staying, despite what they were going to be discussing. Tidas and Genie were still pressuring Yaris to talk before they showed Skye his ledger. While Skye and Peggy hammered out their options for the rice ball fillings, the Alconian guards watched and listened with small smiles.

The overlapping voices and dramatic scenes unfolding before them was par the course whenever the Prince and Princess were involved. Klaus, Kari, and Ronnie never had a dull moment since they’d started working for the two Alconian royals. As Peggy took Rukia out the door, the little lass stopped to hug them each.

Kari in particular was becoming extremely attached to the child, and gushed over her with anyone who would listen. As she and Rukia gave each other especially long hugs, Ronnie smirked as he whispered to Klaus; “Looks like someone’s ready fer a few bairns of their own..”

He’d made the comment to frustrate Klaus, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. A soft smile crept onto his face as he watch his love bid the small girl farewell, and he said; “I don’t think I’d mind that...as long as Kari’s the mother.”

Ronnie’s jaw swung low as he stared at Klaus; “I Never woulda thought I’d hear You sayin’ somethin’ that.. Ya must really love her.”

Klaus glanced at Skye, then at Kari. At first, he’d thought that he was in love with the princess, but the feeling turned out to be extreme admiration and respect. He’d confused it with affection because he’d never experienced having genuine respect for a woman before. But that had all changed when Skye’d nearly killed him, then saved him.

“She’s my partner, and we both have the same goal,” Klaus replied with a small smile.

“Support the Princess.. Do ya really think that Skye can change things?” Ronnie asked as the two groups converged.

Klaus pushed off of the wall he was leaning against, and replied; “You’re around her as much as I am. And if you think about how I used to treat you-”

“Dinna go startin’ up wit that pity show of yers. I forgave you a long time ago fer that,” Ronnie said as he patted Klaus’ shoulder; “But if yer in need of a way ta soothe yer guilt: I prefer whiskey.”

Klaus pushed at his friend playfully as Tidas called them over. He wanted them to be aware of everything that was happening, and relay it to Ralph and Kari later. He was currently volunteering at the training area that Genie’s guards used to practice, and wouldn’t be back until the evening.

After everyone was settled, Peggy came back with three pots of tea, and several cups to serve with. She’d temporarily left Rukia in the care of the kitchen staff, so she’d hurriedly poured the tea, then left the room in a whirlwind. Once everyone had taken a few sips of the steaming beverage, Tidas handed his wife a sheet of paper as he spoke..

“Can you read this, love? Apparently, Richard here uses this dead language to encode his records. It’ll be very difficult to confirm what he says if we don’t know what’s written ourselves.”

After a quick glance had Skye nodding in the positive, which made Yaris grow fidgety. A light sheen of sweat was beginning to show on his forehead as she walked over to Richard, and tried to take the ledger and files from him. When she reached out for them, he pressed them against his chest, and turned away..

“You may see pages one through one-hundred and forty-six, but you do Not have my permission to go further than that. These are my Private records, after all. And those are the only ones pertaining to Sai.”

Skye quirked an eyebrow; “How am I ta ken that if I dinna see the others? Ye may have stuffed somethin’ pertinent into another file.. Somethin’ ya dinna want me seein’?”

Yaris clutched his papers tighter; “How do I know that You won’t report back to your father about what you read?! He’s my biggest rival! And you’re his Daughter! Yet everyone just Expects me to hand it all over to you!? If that is the case..”

Straightening out his posture, Richard added proudly; “I refuse, Madam!”

Richard Yaris was usually a very regal, handsome man. But after experiencing the passed few hours, his appearance was disheveled. Hang had questioned and basically harassed him the entire coach ride, with the creepy ninja sitting next to him.

They’d taken a shortcut to reach Genie’s home quicker, and the road had been terribly bumpy. So much so that Yaris had been shocked that they didn’t break a wheel along the way. It made his attempt to take on his usual presence hilarious, and Skye chuckled lightly as he puffed out his chest.

Richard had instantly deflated upon hearing the princess snicker, which prompted Tidas to say; “Skye would never do something like that. And besides: I seriously doubt that Lucas doesn’t already know who you deal with and through.. There isn’t much that Lucas Moonstone doesn’t have a hand in at home.”

Yaris glanced at Tidas with a suppressed smirk; “For now, aye, but I’m getting up there.. Which is why I refuse to allow Her to go through my books. If you don’t like that, then....do whatever. I don’t care. But you’re not seeing All of my records.”

“Oy, the wails of a bairn! Calm down! I dinna need ta see the others, just ones pertainin’ ta Sai. Like ya said, me Da is a businessman. I ken where yer comin’ from, so unbunch yer panties! I willna look at’em.”

Sighing heavily, Yaris hesitantly handed over his records. Outwardly, his concern had abated, but he was a nervous wreck on the inside..

‘If Skye sees my other order sheets, I am So fucked! They’ll kill me here and now.. Damn that Prince Marco! I Never wanted to be involved in any of this! If he didn’t dangle Moonstone’s status in front of me, I never would’ve been foolish enough to accept being one of his errand lads!’

As Yaris inwardly freaked out, he nearly jumped out of his own skin when he heard Skye pipe up, and say; “Well, well.. This be an interestin’ find..”