1 Borrowed Time... (1)

Pitterpatter!! Pitterpatter!! Pitterpatter!!

It was a late summer evening when the sky above DresVen exploded! Casting a blanket of downpour over the mourning nation.

The sound of the steady falling rain reverberated in the otherwise dark, silent halls and corridors of the ancient Blue Wing church.

Somewhere deep inside the church, in a hall covered with a huge stained glass dome, there stood an old man gazing the drenched nation through the huge church window.

The occasional lightening illuminated the man's timeworn face. Wrinkles bore deeply into his skin. His expression was that of calmness and peace. The world was no longer a place for this man. He had already had enough. His tired eyes reflected his wisdom and years worth of life experiences. His tailored black suit trumpeted his wealth while his posture proclaimed his esteemed rank and refinement.

Behind him, in a exquisite coffin made out of delicately craved woodwork, there laid corpses of an elderly couple.

Their faces were calm and composed. There was no sign of pain or regret in them. All they had was their love for each other that they took with them into the other world.

Before the coffin, there stood another elderly man. Clad in a crisp butler suit with the Liesbenian coat of arms hanging down from his collar. The man was lost in his own train of thoughts. His head bowed in front of his now deceased master and mistress. In his moist eyes, floated the fond memories of their time together, bringing a smile on his aged lips even on this day.

Time ticked away in silence but, not for long....

The screeching sound of multiple cars followed by several sets of running footsteps crumbled the mourning silence.

Surprisingly, neither of the elders were least bit offended by the sudden disturbance. In fact, from their looks it seemed that they were actually expecting it.

" He's already here, Jan. " King Leonardo said still gazing outside with a blank expression.

" Yes...so it seems..... " Master Jan, the elder wearing the coat of arms replied calmly.

" Have you thought about how you're going to explain him?? " Pain clouded over the aged features of the elderly king. Although, it was nothing compared to the pain and loss he was hiding in the depths of his heart.

It was clear that he was deeply affected by the demise of the couple. Unfortunately, his rank and their circumstances denied him the luxury of expressing his grief.

Contrary to the old king, Master Jan remained unwavered. " Truth can be harsh, Your Majesty. Yet, all it needs is our acceptance. What needs an explanation can only be a lie. "

Hearing this King Leonardo turned to the old butler only to find him fondly gazing the corpses. He was watching over them like a lioness protecting her cubs.

King Leonardo frowned. " I trust you realise that you're playing with fire. "

" Aren't we all, Sir? " Master Jan replied with an amusing smile.

"..." Master Jan's vague yet, confident response left King Leonardo speechless!

It was a bold statement, especially when coming from someone of Master Jan's position. Because not only did he hold the power to make or break the future of DresVen, but his approach was bound to change the outcome of their sticky present.

Those who don't know Master Jan well might find his words as bragging, yet in reality he was actually being quiet humble by general standards.

His statement silenced not just the former sovereign, but also his further reservations that he might have had. Though Master Jan, himself continued without missing a beat.

" We're all living on borrowed time now. Therefore, I find no reason for holding myself back especially, when I know that I can ensure the safety of both the children. " Not only was Master Jan confident but, was also holding a great deal of conviction and sense of duty. " I, and I alone am responsible for my actions and it's consequences. Neither the crown nor the government can do anything about it. Moreover, I trust that His Excellency hasn't forgotten the fact that he was practically raised by them. "

' Of course not, Jan! I doubt anyone in this world would ever be able to forget that! ' King Leonardo scolded himself in silence as he tried to figure out why Master Jan would use the ' Upbringing ' card on him.

In their lifetime, the deceased couple had created history in more than many occasions. But, shouldering the upbringing of their heir was a history of all history. Because of its uniqueness, eyes of the world was on DresVen, to see what fruit this history was going to bear. Expectations were high as high can get. It was already an understatement to say that they had managed to secure a prosperous future for their country.

' Still, this is nothing but a gamble. You can't control it's outcome. ' It wasn't jealously but, grave concern. King Leonardo was now beginning to get a little suspicious of Master Jan. He had a hunch that the old butler knew something that the rest wasn't aware off.

Because it was just his suspicion and he had nothing solid, he was in no position to refute. Hence, it was best to change the subject altogether. " What about the girl? "

Master Jan chuckled having seen through the old king's tactics. " It seems His Majesty has taken quite the liking of her. " He said pompously. " Though I completely understand why. Sweet as she is, she gives her heart and soul into everything she does. She's someone you can't help but, take notice. It's like she has some kind of a power that draws people to her. "

" Yes! Both good and bad. " King Leonardo remarked. His anger flared up for a split second but, he managed quickly get it under control and returned to his usually detatched self.

" Your resentment is just, Your Majesty. But, even you'll have to admit that our meeting with her was no accident and nothing less than a miracle. " Master Jan tried to reason, though failed.

" A miracle indeed... A cruel and twisted miracle! " King Leonardo scoffed with disgust. As a man of extreme rank, what the little girl in question had to experience was unacceptable for him.

" Only time will tell what significance this chance meeting of ours hold. For now, let's pray that Prince Alain manages to keep her safe. "

" Alain! " King Leonardo parroted, finding himself both confused and curious at the same time. " What in the name of heaven is he upto now? "

" What? " Master Jan asked genuinely surprised. " Haven't the word reached you yet? " Now it was his turn to be confused. " Your sources always seemed to have the latest piece of information regarding Their Majesties and those around them until yesterday. I dare say its your favourite hobby. I can't believe that you're missing out on such an important piece of information. "

" Zip it now, will you Jan? " Anxious to learn about the girl in question smashed his years of practiced demeanor, forcing him to chide without meaning to.

"..." When he realised what he had done, the old king was once again rendered speechless. This was totally out of character for him.

On the other hand, Master Jan simply laughed, seemingly enjoying the barten rather than minding any of it. In reality, it just confirmed his previous words.

Everyone who had met the little girl had the same feeling towards her ; empathy and gentleness. Master Jan and King Leonardo were no exception, therefore Master Jan understood well the concern King Leonardo felt when asking about her and didn't dare to test his patience any further. " Just so your know, she was sent to Oriens under the order of His Majesty last night. She knows nothing about the death of Their Majesties. Also, it's highly said that given her condition, she is likely to remember nothing of time her. "

" Good for her! What else? "

" Well, currently the most pressing matter regarding her is the surgery. "

King Leonardo signed deeply. His aged heart sank. The surgery was indeed a pressing matter. However, what concerned him wasn't the surgery but, something else entirely.

" History is written by winners, Jan. And not losers. "

Master Jan gave an unsettling smile as he replied, well versed with the hidden meaning of the comment. " And yet, it is the definition of winner that truly makes a winner, Sire. "

It seemed nothing was capable wavering Master Jan's convictions. Now King Leonardo was surer the ever that the old butler knew something he wasn't willing let out.

" How will you bring her back, Jan? "

Master Jan chuckled, shaking his head in helplessness. " Our job isn't to worry about the results, Sire. Instead, it is to perform our actions to perfection. Rest lies in the hands of fate. "

" Aren't you a little too over-confident? "

" I don't think so. And besides, if not fate bringing her to our doorstep then do you really think we would have been able to even find someone remotely close to her calibre, Your Majesty? "

" I agree with you, Jan. Still.." King Leonardo trailed off not knowing what to say any further. Master Jan was becoming more and more difficult to deal with. There was no way of coercing out any information from him at this rate.

" Still we have to do our best. " Master Jan continued from where King Leonardo left off. " And Their Majesties hoped that in case of need the Sovereign Union will help her. "

" Is that so? " King Leonardo gave Master Jan a skeptical look then turned back outside with a blank expression.

With so much said, silence once again settled between the two elders. They now turned their focus back on the fast approaching footsteps.

The countdown had began!

A minute or so later....

BANG!!!

The large double door entrance of the hall flew open! Both elders immediately turned their attention to the door.

As expected, a young boy came dashing into the room and instantly froze in his tracks, then collapsed to his knees in sheer shock at the sight of the coffin.

The young boy appeared to be still in his early teens. Blessed with well crafted features, he was best described as elegant and handsome yet sharp and perceptive. His frame conveyed strength and authority.

His iconic violet hair, now damp and messy with droplets of water still dripping down from them because of the rain they now hung down over his mystic eyes. His colourless face expressed his eternal lost and agonising pain as he stared at the coffin with horror. His now soaking wet tailored black suit exhibited his wealth.

In the background, the sound of fast approaching footsteps still echoed through out the church as a group of soaking wet yet, fully armed bodyguards came running after the boy.

" YOUR HIGHNESS!!! " The young boy leading the group of bodyguards yelped in relief. The latter appeared to be around the same age as that of the former except, he too was wearing the butler's uniform as well as the Liesbenain coat of arms same as Master Jan.

For a split second, even he was in shock at the sight of the corpses but, he quickly composed himself to some extent.

" Your Highness..." The boy whispered in grief as he knelt beside his master. His heart broke when he saw the endless stream of tears flowing down the boy's beautiful face. He wanted to console him yet, nothing came out. Mostly because he was well aware that no amount of words would be enough for him at the moment.

Therefore, instead of giving false words of comfort, he chose to be at boy's side gently taking his trembling hands hoping it would somehow comfort him.

After all, the former was not only his master but, also his savior and a friend indeed.

The latter was so absorbed in the moment that he failed to notice what's around him. For now, his only concern was his master.

The care, the understanding and the loyalty displayed by the latter was heart warming. Sadly the former could feel none of it.

He was numb and empty.....

Everything was now meaningless to him...

He was thrusted with the harsh reality of life even before he was ready to understand the true meaning of his life.

Oblivious of his surroundings, the boy simply stared at the coffin in complete despair. His entire world slowly began to shatter before his eyes...

The elders observed the whole exchange. Their hearts bursting with affection and pain for both children.

Master Jan shared a look of disapproval with King Leonardo, then glanced around the room. Following Master Jan's line of sight, King Leonardo's hoarse voice rang out crisp and clear.

" Dismiss!! "