The trip back to the Hall mansion was quiet. Klein and Audrey decided to take a carriage back home instead of using Travel to return. They sat close together in the carriage, the diamond on Audrey's finger shining under the streetlights of Backlund. The lie that had started as an improvisation at a party had, through some miracle he still couldn't quite comprehend, turned into the most beautiful truth of his life.
Audrey leaned on Klein's shoulder as she caressed his hand. They both happily smiled as the carriage entered the area of Empress Borough.
They got off the carriage and walked their way to Audrey's room.
"So," she began, slightly fidgety. "My father thinks we've been engaged for weeks. What do we tell him now? That you just proposed five minutes ago?"
Klein chuckled, shaking his head. "When your father pulled me aside, he asked me when our 'wedding' would be. I told him we would get married once I find a home for us."
"Really? But you can live in our mansion. Isn't that good enough?"
Klein shook his head. "Your father wouldn't approve if your future-to-be husband ended up being a bum that leeched off of your family." He chuckled. "I'll find a house. One just for us where we can start a family."
A family... Audrey blushed.
"T-then let's find one," she said. "And as for the wedding date... how does three months sound? It gives us time, but not too much time."
"Three months?..." Klein breathed. "Yeah, that sounds perfect."
Three months... Should I postpone my advancement ritual? Or should I do it before the wedding?
The threats of Amon, Adam, and Zaratul were precisely the reasons he needed to advance to Sequence 1. His current power was not enough to guarantee the safety of the ones he cared about, not enough to secure the future he now so desperately wanted to build with Audrey. The urgency to grow stronger had never been greater.
However, the ritual for Attendant of Mysteries was a trial that demanded a mind clear of all distractions. Building a city of marionettes required a mental state free from the powerful currents of emotion. A single distraction could lead to loss of control.
And his mind, at this moment, was anything but still.
It was filled with Audrey—of her radiant smile, the diamond on her finger, the plans for their home, and the reality of their upcoming wedding. To attempt the ritual now, with his heart so full and his thoughts so scattered with happiness, would not be brave. It would be reckless. It would be suicide.
He realized he had to see this through first. He had to marry her, settle into their new life, and allow that happiness to become a stable, unshakeable anchor for his humanity. Only then, with a clear and settled heart, could he attempt his ritual for Sequence 1 Attendant of Mysteries.
"What do you think of a house in the countryside?" Klein asked tentatively.
Audrey tilted her head, a teasing smile touching her lips. "The countryside? Are you planning on hiding me away from the bright lights of Backlund? Just what are you planning on doing to me?" she teased with a sexual innuendo.
"I was just thinking of a place where we can be ourselves," he replied, his eyes conveying shy sincerity. "And... also a place for... us to raise a family. For our children to run around and play." He blushed.
A family... R-right, that's what getting married entails... Audrey also blushed. She had considered a similar future in the past, and she realized it was very close to coming true.
"T-the countryside sounds good..." Her voice became lower and lower as she turned away from embarrassment.
"H-how about we take a look at the houses for listing tomorrow?" Klein suggested.
"Oh! I'd love that!" she said. "I can arrange for one of my maids to find a list of all of the available homes in the countryside of Backlund. I want to be close to home just in case I want to visit my family... would that be alright with you, Klein?"
"I don't mind as long as you're happy." He smiled.
...
Their search began the next day.
The first estate they visited was remote and imposing, a stone manor that looked more like a fortress. It was secure and incredibly private, but Audrey found it cold.
"It's a beautiful stronghold, Klein," she'd said gently, "but I want a home."
The second estate was a charming but small cottage nestled by a river. It was undeniably romantic, but comically impractical. "It's adorable," Audrey had laughed, "but where would we host a tea party? Or a ball? It only has one bedroom."
Finally, after several days of searching the scenic countryside of Backlund, they found it.
It was a breathtaking manor made out of refined, white stone. It was situated in a valley. It had green hills surrounding it and a private woods with a stream running through it. The front of the house had a sprawling rose garden that would look amazing in spring.
The house itself was the perfect home that fit all of their criteria: it had the privacy and space Klein wanted, but also the elegance of a noble estate, complete with a modern ballroom and a grand library overlooking the serene landscape. It had more than enough rooms for a large family and a couple of guests.
Searching for a home reminds me of the time Benson, Melissa, and I searched for one... How far I've come...
"This is it," Audrey said, standing at the entrance. "This feels like a home."
"Our home," Klein replied, grinning ear to ear.
...
Audrey had offered to buy the house with her savings, but Klein denied her, saying he wanted to be the one responsible for it.
With his decision made, Klein acted swiftly. He claimed countless pirate bounties and discreetly channeled the rewards through totally real bank accounts managed by different marionettes.
It didn't take long before the money reached the bank account of Sherlock Holmes.
He purchased the property under the name of the detective Sherlock, and then 'bought it' from himself as Klein Moretti. The fewer traces of Klein Moretti, the better.
That evening, they stood before Audrey's parents in the living room.
"My Lord, Countess," Klein announced, taking Audrey's hand, his voice filled with pride and happiness. "We have found our home in the countryside. And we have set a date. We would be honored if you would celebrate our wedding with us on the first Saturday of the new year." His palms were sweating.
Earl Hall let out a booming laugh, his expression filled with joy. "Excellent! Absolutely excellent!" he declared. "Ah! A country estate! A wedding date! You are a man of action, Mr. Moretti! I'm surprised it only took a few days! We must begin preparations at once. My daughter's wedding will be the event of the season!"
The Countess had a radiant smile as she pulled Audrey into a hug. She immediately got her into a discussion of dresses and invitations.
It's really happening... Klein smiled.
Later, Klein stood with Audrey in the empty master bedroom of their new home. The crimson moon cast long shadows through the bare windows.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder as they looked out their balcony.
"Hey, Audrey... Can I ask for a favor?"
...
"Melissa, you're going to be late!"
"I told you I'm almost done!" Seconds later, she walked out of her bedroom and sat down at the dinner table. Breakfast was served. "Those cooking classes you've been taking are starting to show their results," she said as she took a bite of the fluffy omelet.
Benson managed a small, tired smile. "I'm glad."
They finished their breakfast in silence. "We should get going," Benson said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I got business near your university, so I'll take a carriage with you."
The carriage passed through the streets of Backlund. Melissa stared out the window, her mind replaying the impossible moment at the opera house over and over again. It had to be her mind playing tricks on her, but the image of the man who looked so much like Klein, healthy and with a beautiful woman by his side, was burned into her memory. It had been a few weeks since that night, yet she couldn't forget that scene.
"Pardon me," a woman said, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "You are Melissa and Benson Moretti, correct?"
Benson immediately took a defensive stance. "Who is asking?"
Since when was there a woman on this carriage? It was only Melissa and me inside this carriage, wasn't it? Benson thought.
"My name is Audrey Hall," she replied with a disarming smile. "I've come at the request of a special someone."
Audrey Hall? She's the noble lady who sometimes visits my university. I heard she even has a charity... Melissa's heart leaped into her throat. The scene of her brother with a gorgeous blonde woman next to him played once again in her mind. She looked strikingly familiar.
"A f-friend?" Melissa asked.
"Yes," Audrey continued. "He has arranged a small, private 'party' for this evening. He was very insistent that I personally invite you both. He said it was of the utmost importance."
Benson's suspicion didn't waver. "Why would a friend of yours, a noble lady, want to meet with us?"
Audrey's smile held a hint of mystery. "He believes you have something in common. He prefers to explain it himself." She held out a small, elegant card to Benson. "The address and time are on here. He will be waiting."
Benson looked down at the card, then at his sister's face. Finally, he looked back up at the woman in front of him, only to find her missing. She disappeared just as fast as she had appeared.
...
5 pm, West Borough.
"The address is... here?" Benson looked at the address on the card in his hand and looked up at the building in front of him.
"Isn't this just a hotel?" said Melissa.
"Well, it is a high-end hotel."
"Let's just go inside."
They walked inside the building through the revolving doors. The lobby had shiny stone floors and a huge, beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was quiet, and rich guests were walking around. Benson felt nervous and thought his suit wasn't good enough. Melissa fixed her dress, feeling the same as her brother.
After talking to the receptionist, a worker in a clean uniform showed them to an elevator, which took them to the fourth floor. The hallway had a thick, soft carpet, so their steps were silent. They walked until they found the right room number.
Benson stopped at the wooden door and took a deep breath. He looked at Melissa one last time, then knocked three times.
Knock Knock Knock.
The sound felt loud in the quiet hall as they waited.
"It's open," a familiar female voice answered.
As soon as they entered, Benson and Melissa felt as though they were separated, or rather isolated, from the outside world. The room itself was dark, and it felt as though it was being covered by a 'black-velvet curtain.'
The door behind them closed by itself. The siblings kept on walking into the dark apartment. They were only able to see thanks to a faint candlelight in the middle of the room. When they got closer, they saw a standing feminine figure being outlined by the thick shadows made by the candle. It was Audrey Hall.
"Miss Hall, what's all of this about?" Benson asked cautiously.
"It's a reunion." A voice from a dark corner of the room answered.
T-that voice! It c-cant be, right?! Melissa instantly turned her attention to the mysterious, yet familiar voice.
The small fire of the candlelight flickered for a few seconds before extinguishing. The gaslamps of the apartment suddenly came to life and illuminated the dark room.
Sitting on a chair in the corner was a young man in his twenties. Dark brown hair and brown eyes. He wore casual clothes, just a white linen shirt and black pants.
Benson and Melissa were both stunned. Is this their minds playing tricks on them? Have they finally lost it and gone crazy? No, the man before them was definitely real.
He was real. He was alive. The man before them was Klein.
Melissa's hand went to her mouth. Her body started to shake. "Klein?" she whispered. The name felt strange on her tongue. It was a name she had only said in her prayers for a long time.
Benson stepped in front of Melissa. He put his arm out to protect her. "Who are you?" he demanded. His voice was rough with anger and fear. "This is a cruel trick."
Klein stood up slowly. His own eyes were wet with tears. "It's no trick," he said. His voice was soft—it was the same voice they remembered.
"Do you remember that winter?" he asked. "The roof leaked in our old apartment on Iron Cross Street. We put a bucket on the floor. We shared one blanket to stay warm because we could not afford more coal. You told me you would become a great engineer and build a house with no leaks." Klein said as he fought against his quivering lips. Something got stuck in his throat.
Benson's arm trembled before he slowly lowered it. No one else could know that. That was a memory only they shared.
Melissa let out a sob. The sound was full of pain and relief. She ran forward. She crashed into Klein's chest. Her arms wrapped around him tightly. He was real. He was warm. He was not a ghost.
"You're alive," she cried into his shirt. "You're really alive."
Klein hugged her back. He buried his face in her hair. "I'm here, Melissa. I'm here." The dam of emotions Klein had held back for so long finally broke. Tears flowed uncontrollably.
Benson's face crumbled. The strong older brother finally broke. He walked forward slowly and put his hand on Klein's shoulder. He felt the solid bone and muscle beneath the shirt.
Then he hugged his brother, too.
The three of them stood in the middle of the room. They held onto each other like they were afraid one of them would disappear.
Audrey watched from the side. Tears were in her own eyes. She pulled a clean handkerchief from her purse and quietly offered it to Benson when they finally pulled away.
They all sat down. Benson and Melissa sat on a sofa alongside Klein. They never let go of Klein's hands. They had so many questions. Their eyes were red and full of confusion.
"But... we saw your body," Benson said. His voice was shaky. "We buried you." Just the memory was painful.
Klein looked at his siblings. He could not tell them the truth. He could not tell them about gods and Beyonders. He gave them a simple story. A story that hurt him to tell.
"I had to fake my death," Klein said. "It was for a secret mission. It was to protect you both. If the enemy knew I was alive, they would have come after you."
Benson and Melissa listened. They did not understand everything. But it did not matter. Klein was here. That was all that mattered.
"So the lady... at the opera..." Melissa said quietly as she looked at Audrey. "That was you."
Klein nodded. "She is. I'm sorry. I wanted to run to you. I wanted to tell you everything. But I couldn't. It wasn't safe."
He looked at Audrey. She smiled back at him. It was a smile full of love.
He then looked at his family. They were all together again. His heart felt full for the first time in a very long time.