The Puppet Master [Noblesse]

Chapter 5: The Muddled Head

"When did such a blessing turn into a burden?" | Kyo Sohma |

1997

"Papa?" Celine crept through the corridor slowly. She knew her father had been working hard on his project, but since her mother had left, no one had read to her. She hoped that tonight maybe Papa would change his mind and do some reading for her as her mother had.

"Celly? What are you doing in here?" Her father, Colten swept the glasses off his face, but held them tightly in his grip. "I tucked you in bed hours ago."

Celine tightened her fists around the book. "I ... I was wondering if you would read me this book I've been wanting to hear for a while...Mama didn't get a chance to read it to me. I'm sorry if I've disturbed you, Papa."

Colten pondered about whether or not he should conclude his work for the night. "What book is it, my dear?"

She held it high for her beloved father to see. The title read: Primeval Lukedonian Kouros Lineage of Apolinar by X Valacari. The single father chuckled to himself. "She read our historic lineage to you?"

"Non-fiction? Mama told me what happened in these didn't actually occur. She said these were all lies created by my grandpa, Papa." Celine claimed. She instantly regretted it. The look on her fathers face told everything. Maybe it wasn't all lies. "Can you still...read it to me, Papa?"

He chuckled. "Yes, of course, honey." The man swung his chair around and pat his leg as in motioning for her to climb aboard in which she did. 

Colten cleared his throat and re-positioned his glasses on his nose. "No table of contents. As usual." He was highly angered by now that many authors and editors had stopped using tables of contents besides textbooks.

"Are you ready, Celine?" Colten scratched at his hip with an open elbow and shifted in his swirly chair.

Celine said fussily, "Papa, just start reading already, pleaseeeee?"

He chuckled. Then he began.

Colten read the adventures, the intrusive memoirs and the tragedies of the Lucan ancestors. They told tales of a detective in the 1960s, a Pope, and some that were legendary heroes of the 'before our lord' wars. From Egyptian Pharaohs, court women who built King Henry's flirtatious lifestyle and those who founded the first language. Even kings of a yet to be discovered island: Lukedonia.

While all had led successful and prospering lives, they ended in a forlorn death. The detective had undergone trauma, went insane and in turn then murdered his wife and children. The Pope had been found guilty on charges of molestation that he did not commit. The heroes were murdered by their king even if they returned victorious. The Pharaoh was betrayed by his brethren and strangled in sleep. The court women that pledged to serve their countries were hanged for witchery. 

Everyone but one was condemned for their framed crimes. That one was to live the rest of their life living with the pain of the sins they committed.

Celine stayed woke the whole time. "Papa..."

Colten had a gut feeling and it was right. "Yes, my dear?"

"Will...something bad happen to us?"

"Oh, baby." Colten kissed his little girls forehead. "Not while he's watching over us."

Celine thought he meant god. But he didn't.

***

Present

"Sir, what do we do?" M-21 paced back and forth between the counter and lounge chair.

Frankenstein cupped his hands together and laid his head on top. "I'm not entirely sure. We would have to ask Master. As long as I have been with him, I have never heard of that boy."

Raizel soon popped out from behind the wall. It seemed like he had just left Appollo in the bedroom to the left.

"Speak of the devil..." Takeo stopped leaning against the wall. Now he was acting serious.

Raizel did as usual and sat at the head in the living room.

"Ah!" Tao snapped is fingers. "Maybe we could use him against the Union."

Then M-21 laughed. "But isn't he with the Union?"

"We can't know for sure," Tao said.

"I think we can. He attacked you all and nonetheless, he is very suspicious. It would be preposterous to have an enemy helping us out. Besides, we can do this on our own." Regis jumped in on the conversation.

"Defeat the union on your own?" A voice loomed behind. The person leaned against the wall. It was Appollo. "Are you fucking dumb?"

Frankenstein didn't take kindly to the tone of the immortal. "I assume we are then. If not defeated in battle, how else will they be stopped?"

Appollo wasn't in the mood to argue, but he was in the mood to start throwing hits. "Must you talk to me like that?"

"Treat others how you want to be treated."

Appollo laughed at Frankenstein. "Sure, human science project."

Now he was furious. "You little..."

"Whatever." The brown-haired boy slowly waddled to Raizel. Every step grew louder. Something in the room made Frankenstein shut up. Everyone watched the male beast closely. Then Raizel got up. And Appollo sat at the head where Raizel usually sat.

Now...

There was a new leader of this godforsaken house.