The Fall Of House Farouk

Chapter 15 : Too Little, Too Late

Bruce stood on the steps of Blenheim Palace, watching as his wife departed in a vehicle convoy as President of the United States. As much as he discouraged killing, Bruce couldn't influence Isabella's decision to avoid it without risking his secret double life. Isabella is just like Kate, only killing when it is deemed necessary, as they have been in the military and trained to kill, no matter their feelings. Once the convoy disappears within his range of vision Bruce turns to greet both Dick and Barbara. "Still getting used to taking a break away from Gotham?" Dick says, in a teasing manner. 

"I'm still reeling from the realization that Isabella had let you two intern in her office." Bruce retorted, in a cool and calm demeanour. "But then again... it was her chief of staff who handled the internship." 

"Hey Bruce." Barbara greeted in a casual fashion. "Haven't seen you in a week." 

"Five days. Not even one week." Bruce countered. Before he could say anything he heard the sound of thundering hooves from afar. Isabella's cousins are on horseback, glancing at the trio with cold gazes. They have been members of the South Korean version of the US Navy SEALs, having graduated from the Navy SEAL school in California two years ago. They have been stationed in South Korea as members of the elite team, and somehow Isabella's grandfather can call them in to look after Isabella when it is clear that her life is in danger. A falcon landed on one of the two men's shoulder, its piercing glance fixed on the three of them. Bruce recognized the falcon called Oakey, which was jointly cared for by Isabella and her cousin Christian. The falcon remained on the shoulder as the two men dismounted from their mounts and approached them. 

"Who are you?" the one with the falcon on his shoulder demanded. 

"I'm HIS girlfriend. It's the both of you that I should ask you that question." Barbara replies, all while gesturing in Dick's direction. 

"Ok." the man replied. A black taxi enters the compound of Blenheim Palace and stops in front of the two men. Steps were heard and Arthur was making his way down the staircase. 

"Master Park, Master Kim." he greeted. Isabella's grandfather Uriah, stepped out of the taxi, alongside a young man, dressed in military camo-style clothing and carrying a backpack in a similar camo pattern. Bruce's eyebrows narrowed upon the sight, but he recalled the phone call Isabella had with her grandfather, about the resurrection of his long-dead brother, having been found wandering the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery after being exhumed from his grave. 

"Grandfather." the man Arthur called Master Park, greeted. 

"So this is where our sister is living now? In her golden years?" the young man said. 

"It wasn't any real estate Damian." Uriah said with a chuckle. "It was her husband's." The two men did not respond, because they have known about their grandfather's dead sibling, while Dick and Barbara... their expression is beyond priceless. "Have you two been riding?" he asked. 

"Have been grandfather." Oakey leapt from his shoulder and landed on Uriah's arm, demonstrating his own capability as a trained falconer. "We'll take our leave for now grandfather." 

"Morning to you Bruce." Uriah greeted him after the two men went off riding once again. "Where is Isabella?"

"She's off doing her responsibility as President of the United States." Bruce replies, a hand in the pocket of his pants. Hearing this Uriah nodded but then turned to Dick and Barbara, who were standing to one side. 

"You must be Richard, Bruce's eldest ward." Uriah said, his voice calm and cool. "And you must be his girlfriend, Barbara Gordon." 

"Yes." Dick replies. "You must be Isabella's grandfather."

"In the flesh." Uriah replied. "What brings you here to England?"

"Two reasons actually. Mostly we came for a break, but I need to reconcile things with your granddaughter." However, Uriah lets out a cold laughter, demonstrating his coldness towards Bruce's adopted son for the first time. 

"My granddaughter would not waste her time on trivial matters like this anymore." Uriah said, his voice turning icy and distant. "Since you are still in contact with the woman responsible for my granddaughter's injury, we are done on this matter." Bruce did not respond, because he had long known about this fact, and he and Isabella had discussed this, with her wishing to keep this a secret. But Uriah was respectful enough to talk to Bruce once again in a formal and accepting tone, as Uriah had long recognized that Bruce was true to his words in looking after Isabella, giving her his blessings to marry him, despite his checkered romantic past. 

"I didn't tell him that." Bruce said. 

"You can't very well control your ward's social affairs Bruce." Uriah said. "But he can control his." 

"Of course." Bruce said. "And this is-?"

"This is my older brother, Damian Kim." Uriah said. "He was the news focus I have informed Elizabeth about." 

"Hold up, so you're a grandfather now?" the young man, Damian Kim, spoke for the first time. He clearly spoke with a slight American accent, as the four Kim siblings were born and raised in the United States. 

"Great-grandfather." Uriah replied. "I've mellowed so much am I?" 

"Hope that we can still go for another baseball game in New York." hearing this, Uriah chuckled and threw his arm over his older brother's shoulder. 

"Maybe." Uriah said. "I haven't made the introductions yet. This is my granddaughter's husband."

"Bruce Wayne." Bruce said, outstretching a hand to perform a handshake. 

"Nice to meet you Mr Wayne." Damian said, in a formal approach. "I normally would have introduced myself but since you had asked my brother already." 

"I have heard of you from Isabella." Bruce said, both men shaking hands. 

"Well... good for you." he said. Uriah now cuts in, leading his brother up the stairs and behind Authur's lead. Bruce followed from behind, the winter wind blowing the overcoat as he climbed the stairs. Dick and Barbara followed in silence, realizing that the elderly Marine Corps Soldier had known about the issue, but had kept quiet about it until he was told about the attempt to reconcile the already strained relationship between his granddaughter and her husband's adopted children.