Finding You, Again
Us 19 - Dinner and Trial

Another shameful act I added to the list.

Damn stomach!

It was a shame when suddenly my stomach rang, as we chatted.

I can give you a good reason, but it's still----- aaah.

But fortunately the Duke responded casually. He instead offered her a dinner that would be cooked by herself now.

I followed Duke down from the 2nd floor. The situation below is very chaotic. Some workers were busy cleaning up the mess. They fix the furniture, and some get it out.

As the Duke passed by, they stopped and bowed in salute. The Duke only nodded at a glance and walked again.

While me?

I'm trying to be invisible.

It's like the first time I entered the Delmor tower with Oscar. All eyes are on us.

The Duke suddenly stopped and looked at me. He gestured for me to walk beside him, I was walking behind him..

Other than wanting to hide, our much different height made me awkwardly stand beside him.

I still remember how the scene was when Duke and I were standing in line, reflected off the elevator wall first. I don't want to remember it, because I look like a dwarf. He is taller and has a bigger body than Oscar.

Stop it right there!!!!

My wild thoughts go back to when Duke just came out of the bathroom using only a towel. I had to try hard to forget it, because the other side of my brain really liked that scene.

Ah. But I remembered something.

"Duke, that room I'm in, is that your room?"

"Yes, that's my room" he replied. While walking into the room I felt was a very spacious kitchen, even wider than Charlie's kitchen.

I wanted to ask you more about the room, but the incredible view of the kitchen saddled me.

This kitchen is also nuanced wood like other rooms in this house, but modern equipment such as electric ovens and electric stoves with 6 shiny furnaces, neatly bent in one corner.

A large table for concocting spices with various equipment is located in the middle of the room.

It's massive, you can feed 3 football clubs with kitchen sizes like this.

"You're gonna cook here?" ask me while gawking.

"Ah.no, I just want to take some groceries in the refrigerator, I'll cook in the kitchen next to the smaller one. This kitchen is used by the chef to prepare food for all residents of Manor" he explained, while pointing to another door next to the refrigerator.

And the so-called refrigerator by Duke is a cooling room with a standard restaurant. He pulled the iron door and entered it. The scenery inside was no less incredible and made me back agape.

Various sizes of meat from various parts, hanging neatly there. Various vegetables arranged in another plot separated by a bulkhead, to keep the temperature of the meat and vegetables in accordance with the need to preserve it.

The duke walked to the meat section and picked up the chunks that had spiced up with agile movements. He also filled one of the baskets with potatoes, peppers and more.

He looked at his Innate once more and smiled in satisfaction. I barely blinked to see him. What kind of house is this?

The Delmore Mansion is also spacious and well-equipped, but we don't have this kind of cooling room.

"Come!!" The Duke made me aware of the astonishment, which I could not hide.

"We have many workers in Manor. What was inside was a food supply for them as well. This kitchen is never empty. But the incident this morning took them off for a while" explained Duke without me asking, maybe he saw my astonished face from earlier.

I nodded in understanding.

Duke walked ahead of me into the other kitchen he mentioned earlier.

The kitchen is as normal as in a normal home. The atmosphere was also more familiar, the counter table was also of ordinary size. This kitchen becomes one with a dining room with a normal dining table for four people

The Duke pulled back one of the chairs, to let me sit down.

"Wait here for a second!" he said, smiling sweetly.

My heart obviously can't accept it. They seem to jump banging on my breast bone because of that smile.

Stop Lui!! my mind is tired.

"Where's Roanna?" ask me intentionally, so that my heart beats more slowly.

And it worked, soon my mood turned somber and unpleasant.

"And Myra?" I added, to normalize my mood which is now too somber.

"Oh, they're still in the hospital. You know Roan?" he asked, turning to look at me.

Oh God, please stop looking at me like that, I groaned inwardly. His handsome face did not support my desire to calm down.

"Yes-we met at breakfast. Were they seriously injured?" I stammered a little, but finally managed to gain control of myself and behave normally.

"Don't worry, they're fine now. Maybe it'll be home tomorrow" the Duke replied, putting a gripped skillet and a pot on the stove.

For a few minutes, I enjoyed the enchanting scenery and ignored common sense. The Duke's hand skillfully stirred and cut through the materials he had brought earlier.

It's the first time, I've seen men cook, so my judgment may not be valid.

Duke looks tantalizing. The Duke's back, as he turned to face the stove also looked admirable in my eyes.

I was sicker than I thought. Hold yourself Lui!

The delicious aroma of steak began to fill the kitchen room. The Duke smiled in satisfaction as he tasted the sauce in the furnace. He picked up two dishes and began to arrange our meals there.

Boiled potatoes and some vegetables that have been sliced neatly, watered the same sauce with steak that has also been cut on the plate.

Those brownish-colored slices of meat look delicious. My saliva came out looking at all that.

"Done!!!" exclaimed Duke in a satisfied tone. He put a plate in front of me. Impatiently, I poked the sauce and groaned.

"It's delicious Duke, not inferior to Dey's cooking" I tasted with a satisfied smile.

"Of course, I may not be a certified chef, but my cooking won't lose to him" the waist-rigged Duke in an arrogant tone. We both laughed at the same time because of the ridiculous action.

He grabbed the knife fork in the drawer and handed it to me. "Happy eating!"

For a few minutes we ate in silence. I feel it would be very rude if I spoke while enjoying this delicious meal. Undoubtedly, this steak is perfect, with my favorite level of maturity.

I glanced at Duke for a moment and found him looking at me.

"These dishes are really delicious" I sincerely praised. Maybe he's waiting for my assessment.

"Eh. thank you" Her face flushed instantly.

That is so cute!! How could a figure who usually looked extraordinarily handsome and intimidating could look so cute? My heart is not ready to accept this.

"Scion!!" someone exclaimed in surprise behind me.

I turned my head and saw the middle-aged woman walking into the kitchen in a frenzy. His body was slightly thick with black hair.

He looked anxious as well as nervous to see Duke. "You should have called me earlier. There's no need to cook yourself like this" she said.

"No, Nora, I'm just cooking something simple. There's no need to bother you" The Duke sounded a little irritated.

"But Scion...."

"I don't mind Nora, go back to your job" he said, firmly.

The woman finally gave up, but still with an unwilling face and turned away.

"Ah. a minute. This is Eluira Delmora. And Lui, this is Nora, she's the chef who controls the big kitchen we just walked through" Duke said, introducing us.

"Oh. that's amazing. Nice to meet you" my praise is sincere, managing such a big kitchen takes extra skill.

I got up from the chair, about to walk up to him. But the woman exclaimed forbidly, while walking quickly towards me.

"No need to bother Ms. Delmoras. I'm also very happy to get to know you" he said kindly.

Her warm hand held my hand tightly.

"I'm so glad you found something amazing out there, Scion!" He looked back at Duke with a big smile with his hand still holding me.

Found what? my mind is confused.

The Duke just nodded hearing that. Nora said goodbye again before leaving. The Duke took the empty plate in front of me and put it next to the stove.

"Why did he call you Scion?" my many.

I remember Tita once mentioned that word. It turns out that what he meant was Duke.

"Scion is the title in this pack. That means I'm the son of Alpha and the future Alpha" he explained, offering a glass of water.

"Oh.." I remembered Oscar's explanation, Duke is the master of this pack.

They should have been very respectful towards him. I see now, Duke is more or less the prince in this pack.

And I stupidly made him cook for me. Nora looked worried just now.

I'm sure Duke has never done this before. And now I think back to something that bothered me earlier.

"Duke, did you say the room I was in was yours?" ask me in horror. He nodded while frowning.

"I think I should move out of there!" saying, firmly. I occupy the prince's room in this pack?!

"Why? I chose in that room, because it was the most comfortable room in Manor" he protested, astonished.

"But that's your room!"

I can understand why Roanna was acting so sour on me. He was of course upset I occupied the Duke's room.

"And you're my guest, Lui. No need to think about something like that, okay? You're here because of me. Don't feel guilty about it!" he concluded, turning around and put the empty glass that we had used near the stove.

I recognize the tone and look of a face like that. It is similar to the look on Oscar's face when he does not want to be denied. I took a deep breath, to hold myself back from debating it anymore.

---------- *0o0*----------------

Am I being too hard on Bee?

He looked a little annoyed, but his face was resigned. I'm still getting carried away by the aggravation of Nora's arrival. He interrupts the perfect dinner with Bee.

The joy in my heart, no longer measurable, because I was finally able to have a casual chat with Bee. If I could, I'd love to jump for joy.

"You call me Lui again!" said Bee suddenly. It's a statement, not a question.

"Of course, that's your name" I said amusedly. Maybe Bee wants to joke about something.

"But before you called me Bee. In the basement this morning, you called me Bee, also a few days ago when Oscar was here" he said, looking at me, asking for an explanation.

Me and my cursed mouth! I swear in my heart.

"That-----uh" What am I supposed to say? If I lie then Bee will catch him easily.

"Because I think your hair color looks like honey, that's why I call you Bee, bee!" I am obviously honest.

That's why I call him Bee. He used to mind it and find it funny. But now.....

"Oh..... I didn't expect it at all" Bee pulled the end of her hair and looked at her in detail. "I think you're right, my hair is indeed golden honey blonde" she said with a smile.

Thank goodness, I breathed a sigh of relief to hear it.

"Aren't you angry?" ask me timidly.

Bee shook her head beautifully "No, I think it's very creative"

I laughed with relief.

"The Duke.." El appeared in the hallway, and approached me doubtfully.

"The Elders want to meet you in the Assembly Room. Where's your phone?" his tone turned upset, after seeing me not spraying it, for it had disturbed us.

I actually wanted to throw it with the glass behind me. But the news that El brought showed the gravity of the situation I was about to face.

"My phone's in the room" I left it in the bathroom earlier.

"I'll be there after dropping off Bee, just wait a minute" I said lazily. An encounter with an Elder never meant good news.

"You're there now, I'll take Lui to the room" he said, with a tense face.

"They've been looking for you since this afternoon" he added quickly, when he saw me glaring furiously.

"All right!! Bee introduce, this is Eldred Halcynon, commonly called El. He was my friend since childhood. And he'll take you back to the room"

Bee's eyes rolled alternately looking at me and El.

"It's nice to meet you in a conscious state. Just call me El, like Duke" El said smoothly and casually as he reached out to Bee. I need to learn to socialize with El.

"Eluira Delmora, nice to meet you" Bee welcomed El's hand without hesitation. "What do you mean by being conscious?" ask Bee full of probes.

"Don't be too official Lui, we've met before today" she said, lightly, barely making my heart stop.

What does El mean by saying they've met before? Does he want to destroy all my hard work keeping secrets all this time?

"We were in the same plane when we came here" El explained as he glanced at me with satisfied eyes at seeing me panic for a moment.

He took revenge, because I said I was leaving him. For the sake of my claws and curly fur!!! I almost died of shock.

"Oh. You saw me at a very bad time!" Bee said with a reddened face in embarrassment.

"You never look bad in my eyes" El answered automatically.

OK!... this is outrageous. Bee looks blushed at the compliment El .

Didn't care about my eyes that had glared in anger. El showed me the way to my room with a smile. Bee took a quick goodbye and followed him obediently.

The revenge was very unpleasant.

The Assembly Room is located next to the living room of Manor opposite the workspace. A large square table surrounded by five Elders was located right in the middle of the room. Error, four Elders. Elder Victor is in the hospital.

Uncle Rex stood with an unreadable face on the right of the table. I sat in one of the empty seats, then Uncle Rex followed me.

"You need to explain things to us, Scion" Elder Camille opened our warm conversation, in a sharply accusatory tone.

Elder Camille was the only woman in the Elder ranks. He was 115 years old with a well-built body, several thin wrinkles visible on his face.

"Of course, any question I will answer" I replied, politely.

"What really happened this morning?" This time Elder Algio asked. He was the most generous Elder of all in this room.

"Elder Victor didn't explain anything to you?"  They must have met him at the hospital.

"No, he just said to ask you" Elder Durant said.

B*ngk* old shit!!

He purposely said that to make me troubled. I took a deep breath in annoyance. Tonight will be long.

I told him briefly what Amon and Quinton were doing.

Elder Camille hissed in annoyance when Amon's name was called. Amon was one of his family.

"You better be sure about this Scion, I won't tolerate any wrongdoing if it concerns Amon". Elder Camille charged ferociously.

"Don't worry Elder Camille, I'll hold Brawl two more days after the wound heals. At that time you can also turn into a wolf, and can clearly listen to what is on his mind" I replied casually.

Elder Camille's face turned pale.

"Brawl?" He repeated with trembling lips. I nodded steadily.

"Does that also apply to Quinton?" Elder Durant asked with a face no less pale. Quinton is a member of the Elder Durant family.

Once again I nodded.

"But he was only incited by Amon's words!" his protest.

"Yes, but he attacked Manor with the desire to finish off the Zhena I chose. That's more than enough reason" I replied in his his hiss, with my mouth almost clenched.

I'm trying not to yell.

"Amon and Quinton attacked Manor with the same goal, but with different intentions. Amon wants to kill Zhena's candidate for Scion to become weak. Quinton attacked Manor because he disagreed that Zhena was from the human class" Uncle Rex explained better.

"Is that girl really the partner you chose? She's your mate?" Elder Firmo who had been silent since then finally raised his voice.

He's the wisest elder of all. I used to argue with him a lot, he'd give you a fair judgment if you asked him about something.

"really. She is the Zhena I chose" I firmly set out, staring them right in the face.

"And she's like Zhena Myra?" Elder Algio asked as he advanced his body towards me with interest.

I'm nodding. "The only reason Egon is still alive today is because when he and the crazy vampire attacked the pack, I was losing the ability to transform" I explained, reluctantly.

I don't know what else to convince them. They need proof.

Elder Camille frowned. "You can transform again, right?" tanyakanya.

"Don't worry, my situation is back to normal after bringing Lui here" This is also true, although I didn't convey the whole complicated process.

"I never thought a werewolf could have the mate of a human, this is a very unique fact" Elder Algio said.

"Unique and also new Elders. But I assure you all this is true. Scion was able to transform normally after being reunited with Ms. Delmora" Uncle Rex once again explained better, than I did.

"Who's the girl's name?" Elder Firmo looked at me kindly, while recalling. I've mentioned Bee's name before, but maybe he forgot.

"Eluira Ignes Delmora" Uncle Rex precedes answering.

"I want to meet him sometime" Elder Firmo smiled faintly at me.

For him, my explanation is enough. But the other Elder was not that easy to convince. Elder Camille continued to look at me skeptically, Elder Durant was the same, his face shriveled thinking, Elder Algio showed no reaction whatsoever.

"This mate question is starting to get weird" Finally Elder Algio voiced his doubts. The two Elders who had hesitated at my decision, as if getting a breath of fresh air, started to follow nodded in agreement.

I smiled blandly, as I predicted, this will not be easy.

"Before we discuss Mate further, I have other news for you" This is my last attempt to get them to surrender.

"It's about Egon and Crispin. Crispin was a crazy vampire who killed my father" I explained, seeing them frowning simultaneously when I heard Crispin's words.

I told you everything Abel said, except the inhumane interracial rendezvous. They were not ready to accept the abnormal fact.

An extremely shocked face appeared after they heard my story. At least they still think the same as me, Crispin's goal is disgusting.

"Is that why your father's heart is gone?" elder Camille asked, even with an even paler face. I nodded quickly.

"By eating it, he could increase the strength of his inhumane more than ordinary ones. I can't imagine how powerful he is right now, having managed to get the heart of Alpha Owen" Uncle Rex brought up the most formidable problem right now.

"Worse news, he has managed to destroy the Elven sanctum in the Black Forest after that" I added. The power of Elves is not to be ignored. I'm sure that's why he's after Elven sanctum.

"The elf? He killed an elf?" Repeated Elder Firmo, in a tone of disbelief.

"Yes, that means it's been two elven sanctums that he destroyed" I insisted, to make them understand more about what we're going to face.

"But they are the most powerful inhumane. If he could destroy the elven sanctum easily, this pack would only be his toy!!' exclaimed Elder Algio, beginning to panic.

I smiled inwardly, it would be easier to convince them of Abel's plan when they were in a state of fear.

"Now Crispin not only has more ability than any inhumane, he also managed to recruit many inhumane who have the same goal as him. They consist of different types. What is currently known is the witch and of course the werewolf, because Egon is there" I added.

"Oh my God..!!" Elder Algio exclaimed in horror. "I can't believe Egon is capable of doing something like this!".

Egon is a member of his family. I can understand if now he's upset.

"But you have a plan, right? to fight it"

Elder Firmo can read the direction of my conversation appropriately.

"First we already have an edge, because Duke has above average werewolf power and with Ms. Delmora, Scion will have even more power" Uncle Rex brings up the facts I love first.

"Is it reliable? we don't know if the mate union this time will be the same, while the mate is human"

I hate it because Elder Camille is so sharp at this kind of thing.

"Well--I won't be able to prove it before we do the Alpha coronation. Because I won't do anything to him before that, including 'mark it'" I said.

Actually, I can't do anything to Bee right now. But they don't need to know that.

"So what are you waiting for? Immediately perform the coronation and mark him!!" Elder Algio said loudly.

Yess!!! I cried, in my heart of course. I tried so hard to show a cold face.

"Are you sure Algio?" again, Elder Camille still doubted Bee.

"We have no other choice Camille. If we force Duke to marry another siewolf, he will most likely have the same fate as Owen who lost his wolf first. You want to repeat it? We don't have time to correct such a mistake" Elder Firmo.

Uncle Rex nodded excitedly.

"For Ms.'s business. Delmora you, no need to worry Elder Camille, we've thought about it carefully. Scion will not do anything stupid by fabricating all this" he said, looking at Elder Camille.

Elder Camille clucked in annoyance, but under the sharp gaze of Elder Firmo and Elder Algio she was speechless anymore. Elder Durant only nodded thinly at Uncle Rex's words. I'll take it as a word of agreement.

"Now what are your plans?" Elder Firmo looked at me with glittering eyes. As if he also knew I still had another wedge.

"Right now, no one knows how Crispin's forces are a mixture of several inhumane, so I'm working with several Hunters, contacting other packs to join us"

About that civilized vampire I'll call later.

Elder Firmo looked at me doubtfully. "We've always had a good relationship with Hunter. I like that idea. But is there another pack of werewolves who want to work with us?"

"There's Elder Firmo, we've managed to contact some werewolf packs who are willing to work with us. They were in the same position as Blackmoon. Over time, Crispin will also target their pack. Nor will they be able to fight without our help" I replied.

I'll ask Abel for a list of those packs as soon as I get out of here.

Elder Durant nodded. "I agree. Right now we need anyone's help to deal with this crisis"

"One more time, there's a vampire clan that's willing to help in this war" I dropped a bomb that hung from my neck, in a flat tone.

Elder Camille instantly stood pounding the table, while Elder Durant growled furiously. Elder Algio surged in surprise. Only Elder Firmo reacted not too excessively. He simply raised both of his eyebrows in shock.

"You're crazy Duke!" Elder Camille is really angry, for no longer calling me Scion.

"Give him time to explain Camille, calm down" Elder Firmo pulled him back to his seat. I nodded thankfully to Elder Firmo.

I explained as clearly as possible according to what Abel said. Elder Camille shriveled in disdain, while the other Elder covered his face with his hands as he no longer wanted to imagine how the vampires were eating.

Once again only Elder Firmo survived, looking at me intently.

"You sure about this? You can't believe the news so easily Scion" she said, her face thinking hard about digesting the news.

"Of course not Elder. Therefore in a few days, I will have a meeting with our new allies. Including the vampires. I want to make sure we're all on the same agenda"

If Oscar was here, he would have felt as much doubt in my voice, but the Elders didn't have that ability. I really hope that the civilized vampire has the same agenda as me.

"It's a crazy thing, but we're also dealing with something crazy. There's never been an inhumane who did anything like Crispin. Duke's move to forge cooperation was also insane. But it might work" Uncle Rex tried even more convincingly.

"I hope you think about the consequences if it turns out that the vampire you invited here has other intentions" Elder Algio's heavy voice warned.

"Of course Elder. All we invite is a representative of them. Inviting an entire clan of vampires into a pack is a stupid deed" I said, a little irritated.

I'm not gonna act that stupid. If I had only invited 3 or 4 vampires here, I was pretty sure I could still face them alone, if they had betrayed me.

I haven't coordinated with Abel about how many vampires are coming, but this is my condition. He should be able to arrange it.

"What about the pack citizen? They'd be so freaked out if there was a vampire that suddenly came?" Once again, Elder Camille looked for the flaws of the plan.

"I'll deliver all these plans when Brawl comes" The perfect idea just came to mind.

In this way I can give an early warning about the war we will face, more or less in the near future.

A few moments later the room was quiet. They are busy thinking in their own minds.

I glanced at Uncle Rex who gave me a blink while raising his thumb, as if a sign of victory had been on our side.

"I'll approve all of Scion's steps. But I hope you have done the coronation ceremony before you invite another pack here. It would be a great shame for Blackmoon if we didn't have Alpha" Elder Firmo said, in an official tone.

Whuuut?? Why would he have the same idea as Abel?

"Don't worry Elders, Scion will announce the date soon. And we still have until next week before the meeting time" Uncle Rex said lightly.

I want to stuff Uncle Rex's mouth with my hands right now. I was even able to speak normally with Bee just a moment ago.

But I did not dare to refute him, as now all the Elders nodded in agreement to hear Uncle Rex's remark.

I couldn't hear any more of the things they discussed after that. I'm busy thinking about how I can get married to Bee before next week.

I know there are only two possibilities for that. Yes and no. It's just that Bee's decision will decide my fate after this.

And also maybe the fate of the entire pack and also the war I will face afterwards. Thinking about it made my mouth bitter.