Second Chance

Chapter 11

Morrigan told Jupiter everything she had learned from Elodie. She tried to convey their conversation in great detail, trying not to miss anything. But due to excessive excitement, Morrigan sometimes got confused in words, and to continue the story, she took a deep breath, calming her nerves.

To her deepest surprise, the Prime Minister bothered to listen to her this time, interrupting her several times and asking some clarifying questions. But Morrigan didn't mind. After all, it showed at least some interest of the Prime Minister in their conversation and meant that he was listening to her attentively.

Squall did not take part in the conversation. Morrigan hadn't seen him since they'd all gone around the hall, having finished exchanging pleasantries with the President. As she suggested, he most likely left the reception much earlier than they did.

"Why is he absent at such important moments?" - Morrigan groaned inwardly.

After she finished her telling, silence reigned in the room, which was accompanied only by the measured ticking of the clock. The Prime Minister frowned for a while, clearly considering some decision, but judging by the slight shake of his head after a few seconds, Morrigan knew in advance that she would not like what Steed would say.

"Miss Crow, with all due respect ("What kind of respect is there!" - Morrigan thought, trying not to snort at such a statement), I'm not sure we should trust the words of that woman. What did you say her name was?.. Elodie? You yourself told us that she is in the power of the President, who completely controls her. Besides, she's a Wundersmith, and as everyone knows..."

He didn't have time to finish, because Morrigan wasn't going to let him finish the last sentence.

"How much can you believe in all this nonsense about the Wundersmiths?!" - Morrigan flared up. She was beginning to be infuriated by Steed's stubbornness and the fairy tale about the Wundersmiths hammered into his head. She wasn't going to be silent anymore. - "I'm a Wundersmith too! However, I haven't hurt anyone yet" - Morrigan faltered, remembering about the Museum of Stolen Moments and the uncontrolled exhalation of fire from her mouth directly into Heloise's face. - "Purposefully, I mean. And certainly not killed! How much have you been brainwashed in your the Wundrous Society, that you can't open your eyes and look at the world as it really is, and that the real threat lies not in the Wundersmiths, but in a woman who is the head of an enemy state?!" - Morrigan fumed, but she understood that it was better for her to calm down before she said something else superfluous.

Morrigan's lunge made an impression. Everyone was looking at her with wide-open, puzzled eyes, including Jupiter. But a faint smile appeared on the lips of the latter, which clearly said that he approved of Morrigan's words and that she had said everything to the point.

"Well" - the Prime Minister cleared his throat, adjusting his tie around his neck. - "My decision remains the same. I haven't seen a single sign yet that the President wishes us harm, except for your messages from strangers, Miss Crow, and from Mr. Squall, who, in my opinion, is more untrustworthy than anyone else. And these are not groundless fears, are they? I'm sorry, but I can't take your word for it. I need proof that you, as I can see, are not able to provide to me".

"Well, good" - Morrigan crossed her arms over her chest. - "Let's wait for something to happen to you. Then we will get the necessary evidence. But I'm afraid you won't need them at that time" - Morrigan had never allowed herself to be so openly insolent, but now she didn't care anymore.