Bam!
The door burst open and hit the wall with a large slam, the ongoing conversation was interrupted and everyone in the living room turned their attention towards the disruptor.
It was a young noble with amber coloured hair and clear brown eyes dressed in a fancy navy blue suit that had become slightly drench with sweat.
Sweat drops dripped from his chin as he searched the room with his eyes frantically moving all over, while clutching a blue handkerchief in his gloved hand.
It was then his anxious gaze met Rhoda's gaze filled with dissipating anger and relief.
"Rhoda…", he called out softly, as he steadied his heavy breaths, and reflexively looked downwards as he unsteadily approached her.
"Sir!", an androgynous voice called out to the young noble from afar, but quickly arrived at the house.
Immediately they did though, they froze slightly and looked around while adjusting their shifted glasses, they muttered, "This place…"
Two more people followed the young man with glasses in, a young man in casual wear who had a sword hanging by his waist, and another in full armor.
The armoured man frowned but said nothing as he stood by the door.
Behline, the second person to come in uninvited, was a young man with circular gold rimmed glasses dense enough to act as a mirror, and blue emerald hair packed into a low ponytail, watched as his master ignored him and walked towards Rhoda who had snapped out of her surprise.
He contemplated calling out to his master again, but was dissuaded against it by the an unsettling thought.
Thus he kept shut and looked around the house warily, fists clenched and eyes hidden.
Meanwhile, Fernand observed the unexpected visitors and remained silent, but stealthily opened up his briefcase once more and brought out a unique looking bottle, and slowly unbottled it.
…
Once Marlin got to Rhoda, he pulled her into a hug which caused her to be surprised.
"Rhoda, how have you been?", he whispered.
"I've been well Marlin. And you? You came back 2 weeks later than agreed", she said softly, as she stood awkwardly in his embrace.
Sensing her discomfort, he let her go, coughed softly then began to speak.
"And what about the baby?", he asked with a subtle hint of anticipation in his voice.
"I'm standing here patiently waiting for your explanation so of course the baby's alright", She chuckled slightly as she stared at him expectantly.
"Oh I see", Marlin smiled wryly but continued speaking.
"Well, it has to do with Den… He went missing about a month ago, and an investigation was launched by the emperor which required everyone who made contact with him in the last few days, that is, before he disappeared to be present for interrogation."
He said as he gave a deep sigh.
"What…?", She muttered in shock as she stared at his clear brown eyes, "And what about Den!? Have you been able to find him!?", She asked hastily after she had gotten over her initial shock.
"W- we haven't been able to find him yet. In fact we were only dismissed precisely because he couldn't be found", Marlin replied sadly as he patted Rhoda's hand as a gesture of comfort.
"Then… no, could he be d-", Rhoda trembled as she spoke, unwilling to say the possibility that came to mind, but still found it difficult to not ask yet she was interrupted by a cheerless voice that snapped her back to reality.
"Excuse me, do you still want to hear what I have to say? Or are you no longer interested in your son's life?"
Fernand finally spoke up once he could not bear Talos' heavy gaze.
It was not that he did not want to say anything and interrupt them, he just really wanted to see the true colours of this nobility obsessed people, so he'd know if it was worth it to stay in the East or if it were better to go back to the trouble-bound West.
"Oh, you have guests", Marlin announced in a surprised tone and stared at them with wary eyes.
"Good day to you gentlemen, I'm dearly sorry to have interrupted your conversation but who might you both be?"
He asked with a curious smile that did not reach his eyes.
Fernand noticed that and did not care, instead he mused inwardly to himself.
'Could he be the father?', Fernand thought curiously, not at all upset that the unknown noble had ruined his plans, but he felt the anger he had towards them reducing as his curiosity took over.
Fernand moved his gaze from the noble to his entourage, which consisted of three people, and then faced Talos, asking him a question while ignoring Marlin, an Eastern noble and the now calm Rhoda.
"How is it?", he asked nonchalantly.
And Talos who was overwhelmed by the sudden shift of attention, was startled and hurriedly turned to the noble.
He stared at him for a few seconds before turning to his master.
"It- it's not much, just a tier higher than the madam…"
He said with a stutter, obviously surprised by his own words.
'Could the baby's genes have mutated?' He thought to himself and began to get fascinated by the possibility of such an occurrence happening.
Marlin was displeased by the silence and the side conversations taking place between the unknown guests, and finally turned to Rhoda and asked, "Why are they here?"
Rhoda furrowed her eyebrows slightly as she replied, "It's not such a big deal Marlin, but before I continue would you please have a seat?"
She said as she gestured towards the two sitter in between her seat and Fernand's seat.
Marlin remained standing, clearly waiting for her to go ahead but, Rhoda looked away from him and turned to the unsettled butler.
"And Behline, would you please close the door behind you?"
...
"…"
"So these gentlemen are master and disciple who helped you deliver your baby?", Marlin asked softly while keeping eye contact with the leisurely Fernand.
"It is as you said.", Rhoda affirmed coldly.
"I see. Then why are they back here?", He asked Rhoda without turning to her, then adjusted his posture as he faced Fernand and Talos. "Are you two gentlemen perhaps here for more rewards?", Marlin asked curiously, with a slight tinge of sarcasm in his voice.
Fernand chuckled but did not take offense at his words, instead he responded as casually as he usually did.
"Quite the contrary, we're here to finish the good we've started-"
"By making up stories in an attempt to take away my son?", Rhoda asked, her voice chillingly unwelcoming.
Marlin turned to her and squeezed her clenched hands softly.
"We're in this together Rhoda, calm down.", he whispered softly, and Rhoda nodded slightly and faced Fernand once more.
Fernand stared plainly at her, his green eyes carrying a semblance of pity as they made contact with hers.
"You're clipping my words", He said his voice devoid of any emotion.
He's clearly had enough, and began to feel disinclined towards staying here any longer, but this assistant of his…
"Am I? You clearly said that he could currently be in danger right now, but I have my precious student watching over him upstairs. Meaning if anything had gone wrong wouldn't she have come downstairs to alert me?", Rhoda sharp and clear voice interrupted his thoughts.
"She would, but she hasn't which means you still have more time.", He said indifferently.
"Tch", She scoffed at him as her gaze fell on the staircase.
Like she would believe him. She didn't understand what he stood to gain by bothering her like this when she had clearly seen through his tricks.
And if he was expecting her to let him "check" then he might as well come put the child back into her womb, for he would have more chances succeeding than her agreeing to let him up.
Someone who could smuggle alchemy into the Eastern Empire, and suggest putting a promise on a child less than a week old was most certainly not an ordinary person.