Normal POV
The next morning.....
The sound of a man's cries resonated the halls. He ran as fast as he can, no matter how exhausted he was. Traveling from Tokyo to Leonez in one night didn't stop his breathing to go down slowly. Balton never stopped. He kept on running. He had to see his daughter. He couldn't believe it. Was it a joke made by the girls to get him out of the office? Or was it real? But hearing Gil call him in that state of pain, he had to believe it.
Gil had informed him of which room Margarett's corpse was in. When he reached the top floor, he still didn't stop to gasp for air. This was a father who would stop at nothing to keep his children safe. Balton immediately opened the last door to the room. He deeply inhaled and exhaled. He observed the area around him. the atmosphere felt drained. This room was lifeless.
Evidences of it's grey depressive mode are the three children sobbing in the room. Balton saw Elizabeth on a chair, sleeping right next to Margarett's body covered in a white cloth. Veronica also sitting beside her, intertwining her hand with Elizabeth to soothe her. Gil on the other hand was on the other side of the table, he held on to Margarett's hand, kissing the back of it. Showing how much he wants her back. Balton can see how cold and blue Margarett had become. She was sleeping beauty. But unfortunately, this is one sleeping spell that cannot be broken by a kiss. Eternal slumber.
"F...F..Father" Veronica cried. The sound of her cries woke Elizabeth. She was only napping, how can anyone sleep in a time like this? Balton immediately ran to his two daughters and hugged them.
"Father.....I....Onee-san....she........" Elizabeth couldn't properly make a sentence. Balton shushed her. He watched Margarett's body, part of him wished that this was just a practical joke, that in a minute, Margarett would make a move and spoil the whole plan. Seconds turned into Minutes. Ten minutes to be exact and the body hasn't moved at all. This confirms it, she was indeed gone.
Balton didn't hesitate to hug Margarett so tight. He cried, can you imagine a grown man crying? "First your mother...and now you Margarett....." they all had pained expressions. Veronica remembered her mother, she cried. Elizabeth has never met her, yet she feels sad because she has never gotten the chance to get to know her.
"Father..w..what do we do now?" Veronica questioned. He then turned to Gil, they stared at each other's eyes. "who did this Gil?" rage was evident in his voice.
"I'm sorry Sir.....but we have no idea, the driver sped off without even stopping......." Gil clenched his fists. Balton wiped the tears from his eyes. He was determined to find the person who did this. "we're leaving...." he said. Something in Balton clicked. More like, something in him snapped. It made him stop thinking of anything else, except finding Margarett's killer.
"Veronica, Elizabeth.....you two are moving back to Tokyo." Balton's decision was final. No questions asked. Veronica agreed instantly. As for Elizabeth, That somehow pained her because if she moves away, she won't get to see Elaina or Jersey. She'll miss her school, home. And to be honest, Elizabeth will miss the Ire brothers very much. But as Elizabeth stared at Margarett, she decided to go. Margarett is more important than anything else in the world. It has been decided. Gil also second the motion.
*****
Elizabeth's POV
Four days later.....
I finally did it. I finally had the courage to tell my Father of what has been happening excluding anything related to Zeldris. I don't have to tell him too much about Zeldris. I told my father that they day Margarett passed away, I was about to get kidnapped by strange men. He was furious. Not only was one daughter killed, but another daughter of his was about to get kidnapped. Father didn't take it lightly. He forced Veronica and I to move back to the mansion with him.
This was father right now, His over-protective instincts kicked in. When I spilled everything, he made no false effort to secure the mansion with security cameras running on 24/7. Everywhere I looked, guards were stationed in every direction. I can't leave the house unless I have 10 body guards with me.
I also told him about who those kidnappers were working with. Father hired the top investigators out there to find Lancelot Clancy and the mysterious road runner that killed Margarett. He spared no time at all to finding them. Lancelot, when my Father finds you, you'll wish that you took my sister's place in that coffin.
Father made me stop going to school for a while, I agreed to him on that...Margarett's funeral was more important than this. And so I am now back to my old life. Where I, Elizabeth Lio Prinzesse now lived as a Princess all over again. I didn't properly say goodbye to Elaina and Jersey. I just packed up my belongings and left. But it's a good thing technology is here, the three of us can text and call. And with a laptop, the three of us video chatted. Elaina and Jersey comforted me the whole time I've been in the mansion for the past four days. They all said their condolences and promised to come to Tokyo to attend Margarett's funeral. I'm happy that they're coming. Margarett was like our 4th musketeer. A proper farewell is needed.
All through out those four days, my mind drifted to Meliodas. I haven't seen him after he dropped me off in the hospital. I kept texting and calling him, but he never answered. I asked Gil about his whereabouts and Gil told me that he was going to find Margarett's killer. My heart skipped a beat. Meliodas was doing this for me. To me, he's the best undercover spy I've ever met, hope ran to my heart, Gil didn't look sad since he sticked around with us. He KNEW that Meliodas is gonna succeed n finding the killer. That's why he isn't crying to much. Justice will prevail. Right now, I'm in the private garden with Veronica and Gil. Like I mentioned, guards were stationed at least 1 kilometer away from where we stood. It annoyed Veronica but it was for our protection.
"Ne....so when is Meliodas coming back?..Gil, has he contacted you yet?" I questioned. Veronica and I have been very desperate to know the truth. Meliodas was gone for five days now. We have no knowledge on whatever he is doing. Worst case scenario is that he might have been taken captive. I began to worry. Gil saw my worried expression and told me,
"Don't worry. I know that look on your face. I know Meliodas. And being captured?...not gonna happen..." Gil assured me.
"well whatever it is that's keeping him tardy, he better get here..." Veronica glared at the ground. This past few days, I've noticed Veronica has changed. She's been crancky all this time. She gets mad at the smallest things and just shows her mean side. I don't like this part of her at all. Margarett's death, changed her.
"Veronica, you try and find the killer. I bet it will take you months to figure it out. On top of that, i bet in two days, you're just gonna give up like all the other times you were given difficult tasks. " Gil spat. He too has turned a bit crancky..okay too much cranky. How can they both not be affected? Gil was gonna asked Margarett to marry him. It hurt him to know that his fiance is gone. But Gil's anger right now didn't reflect his depression from Margarett. He was defending Meliodas-sama's ability to work.
"what did you say Pinky?....I may be a girl but I can kick your ass anytime of the day.." Veronica countered. Both were now standing with their eyes glaring at each other, while I stayed sitting down, not getting in the middle of this.
"you heard me bitch..." I'm surprised. Gil had the will to ever call a woman a bitch. He's always a well-mannered guy.
"honestly, why would Margarett choose you as her husband? What did she ever see in you? You're weak! You couldn't even protect her!"
"oh yeah? How could Margarett love a bitchy sister like you? Obviously you didn't save her in time. After all, you were the one walking behind her..." these two were now playing the Blame Game. I hung my head low. Seeing them fight like this, it's not right.
"please stop you two.....Margarett doesn't want to see you guys fight like this..." i begged with tears threatening to fall down my eyes.
Out of everyone in this family, I was the only one who stayed the same. I didn't change my lifestyle, my attitude or my personality. I stayed as me. I admit I'm hurting but I'm gonna stay strong...for Margarett. Just when Gil and Veronica were gonna start beating each other up, one of our guards came running to us.
"Lady Elizabeth, Lady Veronica, Sir Gil...........Margarett's killer has been captured." The guard said while trying to catch his breath. Just five simple words turned this brawl into a party. Hope flashed in our eyes.
*****
When we arrived at Father's office, he was happily calling someone on the other line.
"Thank you...thank you so much for capturing the killer. I am in debt to you..." Father noticed that we have came in. "Again, I thank you so much for what you did. You will be rewarded...........huh? you don't want the reward?.....but.............................." Father heavily sighed. "alright............again, a million thanks to you........okay, good day to you too..." Father ended the call.
"Father!.....is it true?......has Margarett's killer been captured?" Veronica wanted to scream in joy.
"Yes Veronica..." he smiled lightly then turned it into a blank expression. Veronica and Gil didn't notice father's expression, but I did.
"Father, we're you talking to Meliodas-sama just now?" I had to know. He hasn't answered my calls for the last few days. At the mention of Meliodas' name, Veronica and Gil stopped celebrating.
"No........."
"Huh?...I...I thought he called you. He promised.....he told Gil that he'd find Margarett's killer ...." it didn't sound like I was telling my Father, more like i was telling myself.
"Sir Balton, who was that you were in contact with?" Gil stepped in.
"I don't know who this person is but he only told me his name........................Zeldris was it?"
Veronica, Gil and I froze. "Z..Zeldris?....he found the killer?"
"do you know this man?"
"He's Meliodas' brother." Gil answered. "did he say anything else Sir Balton?"
"Yes. Zeldris told me that Meliodas had more important matters to attend to. So he told Zeldris to take over the mission." I'm happy that Margarett's killer has been found but disappointed because Meliodas abandoned his mission. Though I never asked him to do it, it still hurts because he left without a warning. I believe Veronica felt what I feel too . " I told the boy that I'd give him a reward but he declined...."
"typical Zeldris....." Gil smiled to himself. "but he's one of the best." I think so too.
"Tomorrow is the trial. This woman, VIVIAN HOOD, will receive justice. The punishment for murder is a life-time in prison." Father's expression turned cold.
"A woman huh? she can rot in prison for all I care..." Veronica said.
"I know her."Gil said.
"what? You do Gil? Who is she!" Veronica demanded.
"Vivian Hood. A retired investigator. She is indeed one of the best recruits, the only problem is her attitude. Anyways, Vivian has had a long time obsession over me. She even tried to harm Margarett once before, but I stopped her. Looks like she just got her revenge." Gil clenched his fists. " well, looks like I've got a lot to say about her in tomorrow's trial. The woman has psychological issues, that I can say to the judge." From Gil's words, Father looked sadistic for a second there.
"with your back story and Zeldris' retrieved evidence, Vivian will never see daylight ever again." The three of them changed. It's disappointing for me.