The Resident Eviloves : Connections (Lady Dimitrescu - Resident Evil)

Chapter 4 - The Game of War

In the castle lounge, Mathias was equally confused and bewildered by what had just happened. Her eyes, as well as those of Bela and Cassandra, were fixed on the cold metallic carcasses of these two strange black drones that Lady Dimitrescu had destroyed. The Countess, still fuming after the desecration of the chapel and the theft of Daniela's pendant, paced the room, obviously trying to contain her anger before it got too much.

Bela and Cassandra were still in shock that their sister's pendant had been stolen. Mathias, sharing this same feeling, nevertheless approached one of the destroyed drones to better examine it in detail, noticing the strange logo painted on it but having no idea what it meant or who it belonged to.

_"I had never seen such sophisticated drones before. Whoever made them knows how to handle high technology, which already greatly reduces the possibilities about identity of the culprits." Mathias said.

_"But who? Who would want to steal Daniela's pendant? And what to do with it?" Cassandra asked.

_"That's the big question..." replied Mathias thoughtfully. "But given this stuff, this time we're not just dealing with ordinary criminals. It's really serious this time."

Lady Dimitrescu lost her temper, grabbing a chair in the living room and sending it smashing into pieces against a wall, startling the others in the move.

_ "Whoever they may be, they will regret attacking my family like this!" growled Dimitrescu. "And it's not their technology that can stop me!"

Mathias understood his wife's anger, but could sense the distress in that angry tone. Indeed, the countess seemed to blame herself for not having been able to prevent this theft, she who, as mistress of the castle, was the first responsible for its safety.

Mathias came to her, delicately taking her hand in his.

_ "I understand you, my love." he said, more temperate. "But it's still far too risky. This theft had a purpose, and not just to take the pendant, it's far too simple."

_"If Lord Heisenberg had been there, he could have tried to hack this stuff to get something out of it." Bella said.

_"We don't need him..." answered Dimitrescu darkly. "He doesn't have to meddle in this. This is a personal matter."

Mathias sighed softly, knowing Alcina's pride which could make her stubborn, but which was part of the character he loved about her. But, he had an idea that might turn out to be promising with luck.

_"What if we showed this logo to the Duke? He knows a lot of things, maybe even too much to be normal, but if he could allow us to lift the veil a little on this mystery, it would be a first not towards the culprits."

Bela and Cassandra seemed to share this opinion with the young man. Alcina didn't say anything at first, looking Mathias in the eye and seeing that he sincerely believed it might work. This determination and this willingness to help in the look... It was a part of his character that had made her fall in love with him... She sighed, smiling softly at him and nodding her head.

_ "Very well. We'll go see the Duke." she agreed.

Mathias smiled back, silently thanking her for her approval.

Through one of her flying messengers, Lady Dimitrescu let the merchant know that he was summoned to the castle for a meeting. It only took a few hours for the Duke to finally arrive, installed in the small adjoining room that was usually assigned to him when he came to do business at the castle. Mathias and Alcina then entered to meet him. Sitting behind his desk, the obese merchant, who was lighting a cigar to wait, surrounded by all his treasures and items he was selling, raised his head and sported that same characteristic jovial smile between his puffy cheeks and raised his hands as if he greeted old friends not seen for a long time.