34 – Do Not Introduce a Chinese (10)
Sue Robinson headed to a fancy restaurant in the city of London with a fluttering heart, where she had a date waiting for her.
Half of it was intended to check the place in advance, but that was a lie. She had finished almost all preparations with him a long time ago, and the only thing left was her foolish brother’s rebellion.
And she knew that day was not far off.
James Moriarty had asked Fu Manchu for a response to his proposal, and her older brother said he would mediate the meeting.
At first, her skeptical father approved the procedure completely when Sue herself expressed an intention to participate.
Her stupid, greedy brother was undoubtedly under the illusion that Moriarty was trying to buy him over.
Her father was definitely half-fooled as well. Sue had not hidden her private letters with James Moriarty or their occasional shared meals recently.
Reflecting on it, her brother’s delusion wasn’t entirely false. Sue had to admit that half of it was true. It was not just because he was handsome. Of course, he was handsome, a point that Sue couldn’t deny even though she viewed him negatively.
He was a man who could survive anywhere with just his face. If he hadn’t been born intelligent, maybe he would be living as a gigolo, supported by rich ladies in the city of London.
But it wasn’t just because of his face that she was attracted. Of course, his intellectual aspect played a part too. His background as a young, promising professor from a prestigious university, a stark contrast from people like her father, was a special aspect that attracted anyone’s attention.
Above all, the man affirmed Sue Robinson’s ambition. His attitude towards women was gentlemanly, unanimously recognized. Yet Sue knew that Moriarty was more than just an English gentleman.
Sue boasted a certain beauty, no less than Moriarty. So, she was aware of the boorish people who chased after her for appearances alone. She had no choice but to be skeptical of anyone who approached her on such grounds.
But James, that man, focused his attention solely on Sue Robinson, so much so that it could be doubted whether he knew women at all. He empathized with and understood her inner ambition and anguish, not her outward appearance.
It was clear he was not just enticing her with smooth talk.
Perhaps she had concluded that the man in front of her was trustworthy when he seemingly cared for his student.
Yes, Sue held the belief that she, too, deserved a chance. A dumb older brother, younger brothers who didn’t even bother to compete for succession, and even the youngster – all were disqualified or clearly flawed.
Understanding this, her father was still deliberating over the succession, creating room for conflict.
Then who could say that Sue couldn’t take the mantle? She could do it; no, it may be initially difficult, but she could do as well if not better than her father.
Of course, Sue Robinson was not a woman blinded by mere personal preference. Thus Moriarty’s transparent proposition to form a temporary alliance was trustworthy.
Yes, a temporary alliance for the time being.
Once she secured her position, it was clear that there would inevitably be a showdown between the man and herself. She needed to prepare for it carefully and thoroughly.
But not now. For now, they could trust each other. Even if they were James Moriarty and the West End Gang, they wouldn’t make a big sacrifice.
It might be a risky gamble. However, Sue Robinson had never been allowed to step onto the gamble table. There was worth in taking this gamble for her.
Above all, she indulged in a little pleasant fantasy.
Did she necessarily need to fight that man? Although at first glance she might be seen as following, if she pursued an alliance through engagement and marriage as her father originally wanted, wouldn’t it rather be beneficial for both?
He was a rational man. Rather than paying the price to gain everything, he would choose to share completely.
He was the most intellectual, rational, and knowledgeable man.
For Sue Robinson, who knew her fate to be the subject of a strategic marriage, it felt as if a man straight out of a fairy tale or novel had come to redeem her life. Of course, she wasn’t planning to be simply redeemed.
She was going to walk with him.
However, while she hoped to enjoy a pleasant dinner at the restaurant, she was taken aback upon seeing a wolf cub guarding the man’s side. Sue’s mood soured.
“Why did you bring that monster to such an occasion, James?”
“….I brought him along for teaching purposes since I’m raising him as my assistant. I apologize if it upsets you, Sue.”
Despite now referring to each other on a first name basis, Sue couldn’t help but express disapproval of that fluffy monster guarding Moriarty’s side.
Moriarty could only observe her for a while.
She sat before him, attracting attention with her radiant beauty, dressed as if for a date.
Her Chinese attire reminiscent of a cheongsam, plentiful jewelry, necklaces, earrings, and rings, everything looked inherent to her nature and unquestionably beautiful.
She was slightly displeased trying to manage him as though already his betrothed and mistress, but Moriarty concealed this while placating her.
Fortunately, Sue seemed to relax with his words and didn’t mention Moran anymore. Precisely, she ignored him.
Several conversations and casual talks, getting to know each other, and the dining commenced.
Moran, who guarded his master’s side, didn’t like the cold glares of that woman.
The young girl didn’t yet know this was possessiveness, unwilling to share. But it was a fact she felt bad.
While she didn’t openly express her dissatisfaction with the woman anymore, the woman continued to subtly provoke her, looking down on being subjected to her half-penny existence by her master’s side.
During his time on the streets, Moran had faced such looks, those glares from those who clung to the strong and wielded everything as if it was their own power.
And he knew that woman aspired to snatch away his place, his happiness someday.
After dinner ended, just before parting, the suppressed anger exploded. It was a move he wouldn’t have done if he was fighting for survival in East End.
But the happiness he had tasted for a few weeks changed him, and he unintentionally growled at the woman who had been mocking him till the last moment.
“Grrr!”
“…you…you cheeky creature!”
In an instant, he saw the woman’s hand going up to hit his cheek. He didn’t care. It wouldn’t hurt like when Bezzle hit him.
But Sue Robinson’s hand was stopped in mid-air before hitting Moran. To his surprise, Moriarty had blocked her.
“Ja…James?”
Caught off guard, Robinson received a heartfelt smile from Moriarty. He gently lowered her reaching hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it.
From noble mtl dot com
For Moriarty, who seldom engaged in even playful hugs, it was an unprecedented act. Robinson was understandably taken aback, forgetting to get angry or question his intentions.
However, the lingering sensation of his lips on her hand was not entirely unpleasant. She found herself wishing it didn’t end so quickly.
And then Moriarty spoke to Robinson.
“Getting too excited isn’t good, Robinson. Let’s meet here again in three days, when East End will have a new leader.”
“Ah… okay, I suppose it’d be nice to share a private toast then, James. Just the two of us. Call me in the evening, got it?”
“Yes, that sounds great. Take care; your carriage has arrived.”
With that, they parted ways, looking forward to meeting again soon. Only Moriarty and Moran were left.
Without a word, Moriarty climbed into the carriage with an expressionless face. Moran, who had a moment of regret, scrambled after him.
Moran realized she had made a mistake. The training she had undergone in the mansion to qualify as a maid was quite effective.
No matter how deeply she refused to accept her boss as her master, she couldn’t deny her current employment under him.
Moran was still an awkward entity, incapable of performing any tasks properly. Her cleaning was never up to par, and she often received complaints about leaving dust on windows, making clumsy mistakes like breaking plates, and even misaligning letters when organizing documents.
Above all, the continuous silence of the boss, her master, after the carriage set off, was terrifying. It was not his usual behaviour.
She had no choice. After all, she had rudely acted out in front of her employer’s guest, behaving improperly as a maid. What would become of her now?
Moran, who had feared the end of everything she had if her boss died, belatedly realized that her happiness could also vanish in another way.
What if her master, frustrated with her incompetence and her defective nature from birth, decided to abandon her? Would it all come to an end?
She didn’t want to go back to those cold alleys, living a life devoid of death was no longer acceptable.
Could it be because of that?
Unconsciously, Moran’s voice started to tremble, gradually becoming choked up.
“Bi…Boss……”
There was no response.
“Ma…Master…”
The silence continued. Despite this, Moran didn’t stop pleading.
“I…I made… a mistake……. It was my fault…… Master. I’m sorry, I made a mistake…… Please…don’t abandon me…… I will…do everything…it could be cleaning…… I won’t call you boss anymore…… don’t leave me, Master…… Please!”
Once again, the silence lingered.
In that brief pause, Moran felt as if she was sinking to the depths of Hell. But, her salvation came after that short silence.
She felt a large hand gently caressing her head and ears. She couldn’t lift her head, fearing it would make her cry.
The Master began speaking compassionately.
“It’s okay, Moran. I won’t abandon you. That won’t happen, as long as you’re useful, I’d never abandon you.”
The Master’s added words didn’t matter. The only significant thing for Moran was him needing her, his promise not to abandon her.
Yes, that’s it, the Master won’t leave me, the Master needs me. I am needed by the Master.
Unknowingly, the Wolf began pawing the man’s hand.
Three days later, the funeral of Fu Manchu began.
