Chapter 71: Actors
After the meeting concluded, Desmond and Grimm made their way back to their elegant horse-drawn carriages. The guards and servants in Grimm's entourage were taken aback, their eyes widening with surprise, as they witnessed their master's unusual behavior towards Desmond. They were accustomed to seeing Desmond embody a sense of maturity and poise, acting like a responsible adult.
However, on this particular occasion, Desmond seemed to have regressed, displaying childlike mannerisms that contrasted sharply with Grimm's usual arrogance and grumpiness. Grimm's entourage watched in awe as he defied their expectations, refraining from reacting angrily when Desmond reached out to grab his hand.
It was a spectacle akin to witnessing a bewildering performance unfolding in a bustling town square, leaving them bewildered and intrigued.
...
As the carriage journey stretched on for a mere five minutes, Desmond seized the opportunity to communicate with his diligent servants. "Laura, kindly relay a message to all the maids in the house, notifying them of our impending guests," he conveyed through a magical message, utilizing his inherent powers.
Laura, who happened to be diligently cleaning the bustling kitchen, was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected message. "Eh?! Young master? Understood!" she hastily replied, her surprise quickly transformed into unquestioning obedience. Past experiences had taught her the wisdom of not questioning Desmond's directives, instilling within her an unwavering trust.
Desmond specifically chose Laura as the messenger, recognizing her flair for dramatic storytelling. While Annie possessed a more professional demeanor, Desmond harbored reservations that her cool and composed nature might inadvertently truncate the message, leading to misinterpretation.
"And also, kindly advise the servants against questioning any eccentric behavior they might witness from me later," Desmond added, directing his words particularly towards Laura. He was keen to prevent any potential misinterpretations of his actions among the household staff.
"By the way, I'm nearly at the main entrance. Prepare yourselves," he playfully added before concluding the magical transmission. A mischievous chuckle escaped Desmond's lips as he visualized the bewildered expressions that would adorn the faces of the servants upon receiving this extraordinary news.
...
Meanwhile, within Grimm's carriage, the enigmatic wizard found himself lost in pensive contemplation when an active surge of magical energy caught his attention. With his prowess as a seasoned Master Wizard, Grimm possessed an inherent command over natural energy, allowing him to perceive the ebb and flow of mystical forces.
His discerning eyes focused on the intricate exchange of energy between Desmond's carriage and his own grand residence.
"Hmm... it appears to originate from that child's carriage," Grimm mused to himself, his deep thoughts intermingling with the drifting wind as he leaned out of the carriage window, keenly observing the ethereal patterns of energy at play. "This young one certainly possesses a knack for the theatrical. Yet, upon closer reflection...
Can a child of the same tender age as my own son truly possess such astute espionage skills?" A hint of curiosity tinged with skepticism crept into Grimm's musings, leaving him intrigued by the enigma that Desmond presented.
Grimm pondered the extent of Desmond's abilities, acknowledging the natural superiority the young boy possessed over his own son, Matson. Observing the contours of Desmond's physique, it became evident that he had diligently honed his skills from a tender age.
The thought of Desmond potentially being a spy flickered across Grimm's mind, prompting him to delve deeper into the enigmatic nature of the child's capabilities.
However, the notion of how such a young child could bypass the dimension spell of a master wizard left Grimm astounded. The fact that Desmond's parents were seldom present at home only added to the intrigue. "Hmm..." Grimm contemplated, a mix of curiosity and skepticism coloring his thoughts as he sought to unravel the mystery that lay before him.
...
Simultaneously, Laura swiftly received Desmond's urgent message, propelling her into action. Racing up the stairs to a vantage point, she cleared her throat and projected her voice with a spell, amplifying its reach even to the farthest corners of the expansive residence. Her voice carried a commanding presence, resonating through the very air.
"GUYS!!! I HAVE CRUCIAL NEWS FROM THE YOUNG MASTER!" Laura's resounding proclamation echoed throughout Desmond's grand house, immediately hushing any ongoing conversations and prompting a symphony of bustling sounds from every direction. Servants emerged like eager ants, drawn by the allure of their master's urgent communication.
They emerged from the kitchen, the garden, and their respective chambers, converging upon the central point.
"What is it this time, Laura?" snapped one of the senior servants, who sported signs of a recent encounter with unruly weeds, remnants clinging to their attire. The disheveled appearance and labored breath were clear indications of Laura's expedited journey. Despite Laura's junior status, none dared to trivialize the matter, knowing full well that it pertained to their master's commands.
"SPEAK UP, OR YOU'LL FACE CONSEQUENCES YET AGAIN!" barked another senior servant, their clothing betraying signs of recent bathroom duty, dampened by an unexpected startle caused by Laura's resounding voice, resulting in an unintentional dip into the bath.
The matted hair and irritable countenance made it evident that this servant was in no mood for jesting, glaring daggers at Laura as if poised to strike her down for any hint of levity.
In the face of such threatening remarks, Laura's mind involuntarily harkened back to the punishments she had endured from her senior counterparts in the past. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she donned a grave expression, meeting the gazes of the irate servants with utmost seriousness.
Laura relayed the urgent message from the young master, emphasizing the impending arrival of a "very dangerous" guest and Desmond's peculiar behavior to be expected in dealing with them. The servants absorbed her words, their expressions morphing into a mixture of concern and curiosity. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Laura continued, allowing a brief pause for her words to sink in.
"And the young master is en route to the main door."
The news struck the servants like a bolt of lightning, their sense of urgency ignited. Some hurriedly departed the scene, while others swiftly cast protective spells around the main entrance. As one of the newer members of the household, Laura was unfamiliar with the intricate danger codes employed by Desmond. Noticing Annie's perplexed expression, she decided to clarify matters.
"What are you two doing? Prepare to receive the young master at the front!" Laura exclaimed, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
"Uh...yes," Annie replied, her gaze shifting between Laura and the unfolding events.
Laura's excitement was palpable, a stark departure from her usual stoic demeanor. Locking eyes with Annie, her enthusiasm was infectious. "Let's go!"
Annie returned the gaze, noting the surge of excitement within Laura, and nodded in agreement.
...
At the main door, Desmond opened the carriage door and offered his hand to assist Grimm. "We've arrived, Master Grimm," he announced, a mix of eagerness and curiosity evident in his demeanor.
"Fine, lead the way, kid," Grimm replied, allowing Desmond to guide him.
Desmond's eyes lit up upon spotting Laura and Annie, who had come to extend their welcome. "Welcome back, Young Master," they chimed in unison.
Observing Desmond's markedly different expression—bright eyes brimming with excitement and his hand intertwined with Grimm's—Laura and Annie struggled to contain their amusement. Their perceptions of Desmond began to shift. Once seen as a stern master who issued commands that often frustrated and irritated them, he now appeared childlike, whimsical, and innocent.
Suppressing her laughter, Laura discreetly pinched her thigh, desperate to maintain composure. Annie's cheeks flushed slightly, her lips threatening to curl into a smile.
"Shall we proceed inside?" Annie suggested, taking the lead, while Laura eagerly held the door open for them.
Grimm's servants also attempted to enter the house, only to be thwarted by Annie, inciting a momentary surge of anger within Grimm. However, his ire quickly dissipated when he caught sight of Annie's enchanting figure swaying before him.
"Not bad at all," murmured one of the servants, their hand reaching out to make contact with Annie's enticing form. Yet, as their fingers neared, a sudden blur eclipsed their vision, as if the world around them was dissipating into a haze.
In a bewildered daze, they barely registered Annie's swift and decisive movement, finding themselves sprawled on the ground, their gaze now fixated upon the azure sky above Desmond's abode. As consciousness waned, the servant felt the faint tendrils of oblivion gently beckoning them away.
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