When Vinegario entered, he did not even knock, just one sharp bang against the door. The sound echoed through the room, abrupt and unwelcome. It was one of the things Berry hated most about him, the way he never announced his arrival or his departure, as if doors and boundaries did not apply to him.
Berryanna did not look up immediately. She already knew who it was. The moment Vinegario stepped inside, Applegario flinched. His shoulders tensed, and for a split second he shifted in his seat, half rising as though ready to hide. His eyes darted toward the door, his heart jumping at the thought that it might be Straw. When he realized it was only his uncle, he relaxed and sank back down, smoothing his clothes and adjusting the seat beside him so Vinegario could sit.
Vinegario walked in like he moved with practiced familiarity. He had not even fully settled down when Berryanna spoke, her voice sharp and controlled.
"I thought I said not to come here?"
"Relax, Princess. Let me sit first," Vinegario replied casually.
He lowered himself onto the couch and leaned back, crossing his legs with deliberate ease. Only then did he reach up and pull back the hood of his hoodie. A mask still covered him from his nose down to his mouth and neck, hiding most of his face. What it did not hide was his hair. Silver strands fell free, longer than Berryanna remembered. He had tied it back neatly into a ponytail, something she had never seen him do before. The change stood out immediately, almost jarring.
"You grew your hair," Berryanna said without thinking.
"Oops, you noticed," Vinegario replied with a faint chuckle. "I decided to look more presentable. It's what a prince should look like."
"The last time you looked like this was when someone called you a mad dog," Berryanna said. The words landed cleanly.
For a moment, Vinegario did not respond. His fingers stilled, and though the mask hid his mouth, his eyes told enough. The comment had struck deeper than she intended. He straightened slightly, composing himself, but the displeasure lingered in the tension of his posture.
"What do you want?" Berryanna asked, already done with pleasantries. "Is your vacation not over? You should leave."
"I won't, even if you command me to," Vinegario said calmly. His tone was smooth, almost mocking. "Applegario is the king, and he wants me to stay. Right, Apple?"
"Yes," Applegario answered without hesitation.
"Well then," Vinegario continued, turning his attention back to Berryanna, "while your niece has been busy playing housewife, I was investigating the whereabouts of the missing ladies. And I found a lead. Do you want me to tell you?"
Berryanna did not miss the deliberate wording.
"No. Please go," she replied flatly.
Vinegario smiled beneath his mask.
"Okay, fine. I'll give you the details."
He rose from the couch and walked toward her desk, his steps unhurried. Berryanna stayed where she was, her gaze fixed on the documents spread in front of her. He stopped on the opposite side of the desk, placing his hands against the surface as he leaned forward slightly.
"Tonight, the Lord of War is hosting a party for his son and daughter in law's wedding anniversary," Vinegario said. "The daughter in law was the late lady's friend. If we manage to question her about her dead friend's whereabouts, we might get a clue."
Berryanna lifted her eyes slowly.
"So you do not actually have a lead," she said.
"Nope," Vinegario replied without shame. "But if we attend the party, we might get one."
"Okay then. Good luck," Berryanna said.
She returned her attention to the papers in front of her, already dismissing the conversation. Ink stained the edge of her fingers. The room felt heavy, quiet except for the faint rustle of parchment. But Vinegario did not move.
Berryanna knew him too well. He was not done. He wanted something else, and she could already feel it pressing against her patience. He wanted her to go with him. He always did. And she had already decided she would not.
"I'm not going with you," she said without looking up.
"Come on," Vinegario said, leaning back and spreading his hands. "Do you know how pleased the Lord will be when the royals surprise him? He will love it. Just dress up in one of those fancy dresses and let's go."
Berryanna turned a page deliberately, pretending to read, even though she was no longer processing the words. Vinegario did not stop.
"Or maybe you put on a disguise and blend in," he added. "The way you usually do things."
That was enough.
"Vinegario, I am not going with you," Berryanna said firmly.
She stood up, the chair scraping softly against the floor. Her posture was straight, her expression cold and final.
"I know what you're planning, and I am not going to be a part of it," she continued. "When you are done playing around, you should leave. And when I say leave, I mean outside this nation."
For a brief moment, Vinegario did not speak. Then he laughed lightly.
"Come on," he said. "Are you still mad about what happened last time? Can't you just forget it ever happened and let's go back to the way we were? Come on, Berry. Like you said, let's finish what we started."
Berryanna did not answer. She walked past him without another word, her steps steady as she left the room. The door closed behind her, leaving Vinegario standing there with Applegario. The silence stretched. Applegario scoffed.
"What?"
"Well," Applegario said, leaning back in his chair, "I am open to accompanying you. I will be the one asking the questions."
"Oh, nephew, that's so lovely," Vinegario replied. "But I need a woman to do the job."
"Fine. I'll go," Applegario said. "But I have a new friend who happens to be a lady and my sister in law."
Vinegario exhaled slowly. He did not like where this was heading, but he had no choice but to agree.