The Tale of Astro

Chapter 10: Kingsley's Masquerade III

August 16

Sigrid's P.O.V.

   I'm pacing back and forth beside the bed of our suit thinking about how everything's going on outside. Everyone's a suspect here.

   Mr. Arthur Keens is now holding an investigation with Master. Yes, our Levi Moon is his partner on this case. I glanced at my wristwatch only to learn that it's almost four in the morning. So they're investigating for almost four hours already.

   Everyone must've the same question in mind, 'who killed him?' But for these past four hours, I'm looking at a different angle, 'why is he killed?' Oo na, weird ang unang tanong na pumasok sa isip ko at halatang hindi na gaanong mahalaga sa 'kin kung sino ba talaga ang pumatay sa kanya but I can't help it.

   If I were to investigate the reason of his death, then maybe, just maybe, I'll get closer to the truth. Got it? Paniguradong sasakit lang kasi ang ulo ko sa paghahanap sa variable na walang given na solution kaya tiningnan ko ang angle kung saan ang hinahanap ko ay kung bakit kailangang hanapin ang variable na 'yon.

   Given the circumstances, Kingsley's murder is a great favor on our side. I mean, I'm not saying that I am rejoicing over his death but it's kinda suspicious don't you think? Ayaw ko sanang pagbintangan si Master pero siya ang itinuturo ng nag-iisang brain cell na natitira sa utak ko.

   If Master really is the perpetrator, how did he manage to perform the trick? I'm not an expert when it comes to things like these but hey, a scheme like that would obviously need two people for it to be executed. I am Master's assistant so I should've been tasked to do something earlier. Pero hindi. Walang sinabi si Master.

"Miss Canary," someone said after knocking three times on the door.

   Inihanda ko ang sarili ko sa possible attack at dahan-dahang binuksan ang pinto. "Good morning, Ms. Clairè."

"I am ordained by Lord Kingsley to present this to you, Ms. Von Scottz." She left after handing me a small case.

   Papaano niya nalaman na isa akong Von Scottz?? Sa pagkakatanda ko kasi, Canary Lee ang ipinakilalang pangalan sa 'kin ni Master sa lahat ng tao dito.

   Ikinandado ko na ang pinto at humilata sa sofa. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay sasabog na ulo ko sa dami ng iniisip. May paraan pa ba para lumala ang sitwasyon namin ngayon?

   I gazed upon my trembling hands to regain my composure. This box is creepy but at the same time, I need to freaking know what's inside of this thing.

"Fear only brings destruction. Right. Let me keep that in mind." I took a deep breath and started to loosen the crimson lace of the box. Good luck to me.

   Ipinagpatuloy ko ang pagbubukas ng box kahit na sa ibang direksiyon nakatingin. Ito na ba ang paraan ni Kingsley para mag-hello from the other side?

   Inihanda ko muna ang sarili ko bago naglakas-loob na silipin ang laman ng case. Wait, what? A note?

Protect my wife, Sigrid.
-Markus

   He's telling me to protect his wife? Is he serious? Wae? Is Mrs. Macy in trouble? Aish! Akala ko pa naman masasagot na kahit papaano ang isa sa mga tanong na nasa isip ko.

   Bakit niya ipinagkakatiwala sa 'kin ang safety ng asawa niya? Akala ko ba ay kami ang pinaghihinalaan niya sa threat daw na natatanggap ni Mrs. Macy? Disclaimer, we had nothing to do with those threats. Our only goal is to protect Mr. Keens.