“… This is…”
“They’ve noticed.”
Liam Moore murmured as he firmly stomped out the spreading fire on the floor. He then guided me out, the cold air sweeping away the dust and musty smell from inside.
“Is that what happens when a secret is revealed?”
“It seems multiple spells were cast simultaneously. But given their crude nature, it wouldn’t have lasted long anyway.”
Despite the commotion inside, no one seemed to pay any attention to us. Even at 11 PM, Londoners are usually curious enough to peek out at the sound of screams. Yet, this street was eerily silent, almost as if…
“You did something, didn’t you, Liam?”
I muttered, and Liam laughed.
“Standing out isn’t always a good thing.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Unable to catch a carriage, we decided to walk home. Fortunately, we only had to cross one bridge over the Thames, so we took a midnight stroll.
As we neared the end of the bridge, I felt a sudden emptiness beside me and turned my head. There stood Liam Moore, staring at me as if rooted to the spot.
“Aren’t you coming?”
I asked.
“I will.”
A familiar conversation. But an unfamiliar man.
“Jane, hold me.”
Just then, a voice echoed.
Liam Moore stood a little distance away, arms open wide, gazing at me. His eyes were kind, focused solely on me. No one in London would ever imagine Liam Moore making such an expression. It made my heart flutter.
Liam Moore stood there like a pitiful creature drenched in rain, despite his large frame, becoming utterly vulnerable before me…
I moved toward him. No, I actually started walking faster. Then, I ran.
As I threw myself into his arms, the bell rang midnight. Liam Moore whispered into my shoulder.
“Merry Christmas, Miss Osmond.”
Though not the typical place to say such words, it didn’t matter. I replied.
“Merry Christmas, Mr. Moore.”
＊ ＊ ＊
I had a date with my brother at 8 o’clock. I chose a purple two-piece dress, pairing it with a similarly coloured striped hat, giving me an old-fashioned lady look. I topped it off with a dark winter coat.
Liam Moore watched as I put on my gloves, seemingly preparing to go out himself. He looked unusually polished, suggesting he was planning to visit Greenwich. Whenever Liam went to Greenwich, he always dressed impeccably.
“I’ll be back, Liam.”
Liam, who had followed me to the stairs, waved lightly.
“Take care, Jane.”
＊ ＊ ＊
The restaurant at the Langham Hotel was filled with gentlemen in evening suits and ladies in dresses, enjoying their Christmas dinner.
“Do you have a reservation under the name Osmond?”
“I’ll show you to your table.”
Following the waiter, I was led to a private section, perfect for an intimate dinner. We couldn’t see the other guests, nor could they see us.
Jonathan was already seated at the table. His eyes widened when he saw me, then he stood up with a bright smile.
“Jane. You really came! You look stunning tonight.”
“Jonathan! And you look so dashing yourself!”
Indeed, Jonathan looked great in his shiny black suit. He fiddled with his black bow tie, looking a bit awkward but charming, his recently shaved face adding to the effect.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a meal together, so I had to dress up.”
“Oh, what a good boy you are….”
Jonathan chuckled, then gallantly pulled out a chair for me. As I sat, the food began arriving as if on cue.
Seeing the two of us smiling, we looked like twins. I started with the usual small talk.
“How’s work?”
Jonathan, spearing a light appetiser with his fork, replied.
“How’s it, you ask?”
“Is it difficult? Stressful? There must be something. Honestly, I was surprised you quit Scotland Yard.”
Jonathan, sipping his wine lightly, rested his chin on his hand and furrowed his brows slightly.
“I’m still adjusting, so it’s not that hard. I’m getting paid well for doing nothing.”
“Well, it’s good they’re paying you….”
“What do you really think of him…?”
I muttered slowly.
“An old man?”
And someone echoed my words.
“An old man…?”
Oh no, this is bad. In English, it starts with F and ends with K…
A man peeked over the partition and looked at me with a bright face.
White hair gleamed under the restaurant’s dazzling lights. White eyelashes, white suit, and eyes that burned blue…
I met the last person I wanted to see.
Why is Grandfather here…?
He was dropping sugar cubes into a small coffee cup, stirring it with a spoon. If it felt like a warning, “I’ll dunk you in like this,” was it an exaggeration?
“… Plurititas?”
“Though I preferred the previous title.”
Ah. He heard everything.
Meanwhile, Jonathan, this guy, was stuffing appetisers into his mouth nonchalantly with his boss at the next table? He’s my brother, but this is still surprising.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, I couldn’t leave him home alone without protection….”
“Why would he need protection at home! Is he afraid of being alone? Is he a pet?”
You’re honestly a homebody. Is the protection detail necessary even for your alone time? Aren’t you always inside, dancing with the automatons?
I was glaring at him silently. Until Jonathan’s expression started to crumple.
“Please.”
There’s only one (maybe two) people who could make this kind and gentle person make such a face, so I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Please tell me it’s not what I think it is.”
“… What face do you have to show up here?”
A natural voice spoke from behind me, betraying my expectations.
“Oh, I’m just here to have dinner with an acquaintance.”
Did something go wrong for me today… Christmas was fine until midnight.
I turned my head in disbelief. There was Liam Moore, smiling slickly. He waved at me.
And why are you here too…
I clutched my head against the impending headache.
Liam Moore must have followed me, unable to let me go alone. Beside him, a familiar redhead was waving his hand.
“Wow, miss. Fancy meeting you again! And you two look so alike, like twins!”
Oh, Owen Cassfire too.
The two immediately shot sharp looks at Plurititas at the next table.
“Let’s not be like that.”
Plurititas said like a kindly old man. His eyes were gentle, as if scolding a young grandson.
“I have no intention of causing trouble. Today, I’m just having a meal alone, which scares me.”
“Is there anything that scares you? That’s surprising!”
Liam replied sarcastically, wrapping his thick cloak slightly around me. Jonathan bared his teeth. Plurititas seemed indifferent.
“Let’s be nice. It’s Christmas dinner, after all. Oh! It might not be a bad idea to invite these noisy fellows to my dinner!”
This is crazy. What are they doing to my dinner?
You don’t know how mentally taxing it is to have three explosive people at the next table. They’re putting poison in my meal, not tea. And that poison is Liam Schofield Moore. What if they start fighting? It’s well-known that people from Greenwich don’t like Plurititas.
“Great!” Owen Cassfire exclaimed, seating himself opposite Plurititas. Oblivious to the tension, he had no sense of the situation. Liam gritted his teeth and spoke to Owen.
“Whose side are you on?”
Owen gestured at the plate and cutlery before him.
“The side of the person who buys me food?”
Unbelievable.