Noir Gains Appreciation

Bright and early the next morning, Solis and Noir set off with a couple of reliable bodyguards to visit the mushroom farm.

"My stepmother and at least one of my siblings are likely to be there," Solis told Noir. "You don't have to bear with it if they give you any trouble, just scold them as you please."

Noir was rather taken aback. He had witnessed Solis's conversation with his stepmother the previous day, and to be honest, Noir felt that Solis was quite harsh with her. After all, she was the one who had raised him, and until they had proof that she was involved in harming Solis…shouldn't he be polite to her? But then, Noir wasn't sure if it was in his place to bring up an internal family matter and make comments on Solis's behaviour.

"Shouldn't I try to get along with them?" Noir asked mildly.

Solis laughed bitterly. "I doubt if they have any intention of getting along with you," he murmured. "They'll look at you as if you're a rare beast, willing to tolerate a crippled monster like me."

"Don't deride yourself like that," Noir said sharply. "You're not a monster, and I already promised you that I will heal your legs."

The two bodyguards, one of whom was driving, were startled by that revelation.

"Young Master Noir, is that true? You can really heal the Boss's legs fully? He'll be able to walk again?" one of the bodyguards asked excitedly, looking as thrilled as if his child had won a prestigious award.

"Yes, of course – not just walk, he shall be able to do whatever he used to do before he got injured," Noir said, shooting a confused glance at Solis. Was it supposed to be a secret that Noir was going to heal his legs?

Solis frowned. "This is classified information," he said sternly to the two bodyguards. "Alpha and Delta, do not mention this matter to anyone else, not even my family members or any of the other guards or servants. We still don't know how many traitors are lurking in the shadows around us." He looked at Noir unhappily. "How many people have you told about it?" he demanded irritably.

A flash of hurt flickered across Noir's pretty face. "I didn't tell anyone," he replied. "I don't discuss your condition with other people."

Solis rubbed his temples. "Then why did you just blurt it out right now?" he snapped.

"I'm sorry," Noir said, looking down at his shoes. Indeed, he shouldn't have done that…as Solis mentioned just now, there were traitors around Solis, and there were overt as well as covert enemies seeking to harm Solis all the time. "But I don't think your people are idiots. Everyone knows I've been collecting herbs and brewing concoctions and creams for you, and that I massage your legs thrice a day. Several of your staff members would have noticed by now that you are regaining sensations in your legs already."

"Young Master Noir is right," Alpha, the one who had spoken earlier, piped up. "I noticed it four days ago, when you spilt some tea on your leg and groaned, and Young Master Noir immediately brought an ice-pack and a burn cream for you. A few months ago, when your half-brother Martis threw a pot of hot coffee at you and it splashed all over your legs, you didn't feel anything."

"I, too, have noticed a few things, Boss Solis, just like Young Master Noir said," Delta said quietly. "You sometimes move your legs a little these days – it's a very small movement usually, but it seems voluntary."

Solis sighed; he hadn't expected his people to be so observant…but then, he'd hired them precisely because they were smart and capable, hadn't he? But he didn't want word of his recovery to spread out until he was fully healed; heaven knew how many people would try to stop his treatment if they knew.

"Still, keep it to yourself as much as you can," he murmured. "You are well aware that we don't have too many friends at the moment, and many people have a lot to gain as long as I remain an invalid. If word got out that I had found myself a healer…do you think they would leave either me or Noir alone in peace to recuperate?"

"We won't let anyone know, Boss Solis, not even your family members," Alpha promised. "We know there was something wrong with the mushrooms."

Solis shot Noir an accusing glance.

"I didn't say anything about the mushrooms to anyone except you!" Noir protested.

"This is the first time in years that you didn't eat the mushrooms, Boss Solis," Delta said. "Even an idiot would figure out something was wrong with them."

"Sorry," Solis muttered. "You're right."

Noir reached out and patted Solis's arm. "Are you…anxious about meeting your stepmother?" he asked softly.

"Why would I be anxious?" Solis asked.

"Then…what's worrying you?" Noir asked. "You normally have nerves of steel…you didn't even flinch when Cain arrived with all those mercenaries to kill you. But you've been irritable since last evening, and you're not thinking very clearly, either. So there must be something bothering you greatly. Would you like to talk about it?"

Solis sighed heavily. "I don't know what's wrong," he confessed. "I just…feel strange."

Noir rubbed his arm to comfort him. "We don't have to visit the farm if you don't want to," he said firmly. "We can go back home right away."

Solis shook his head. "No, it is essential that we get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible," he said. "Whether someone is trying to harm me or whether someone is trying to harm my family along with me…I need to know. Unless I know, I won't be able to do anything about it…it is time for me to stop hiding."

Alpha and Delta were thrilled to hear the Boss say these words. They had been with Solis since he was in high school, and they knew how badly the loss of his legs had hit him. The fact that he was willing to step out now and stop hiding…that meant more to them than anything else. Their goodwill towards Noir increased exponentially in this moment. If it hadn't for this strange little ball of sunshine that had somehow appeared in Solis's miserable life from who knows where, Solis may have simply hidden himself away, barely managing the gang as well the business until someone finally killed him or he withered away by himself, whichever came first.