Chapter 53 - Watchdog

It was very easy to make Leonardo sleep, even more so when he was already tired and needed a mere push to make him sleep deeply. Benjin had to give him some of his vitality so that the young master wouldn't have nightmares, but by now he knew he wouldn't wake up so soon.

Even so, Benjin stayed by Leonardo's side, watching over his sleep for hours on end. He stroked his face as listened to his snoring, pulled the thin strands of his fringes away to see his face straight and then cracked a silly smile. He could feel his heart beating fast just watching him sleep.

Wouldn't it be Benjin who was trapped in a sweet dream after all?

Wrapping his arms around Leonardo, the trapeze artist pressed him against his chest and felt him nestle into his warmth. He had shrugged and fit so perfectly that Benjin had to restrain himself from screaming with joy.

When he had found out that Leonardo had found the train, Benjin had already imagined that the situation would get a little out of hand. He knew very well that it would trigger unwanted memories for his young master.

All because of those two.

After letting Leonardo sleep in bed, the trapeze artist went to the kitchen where the others had already gathered for breakfast. As always, Aslan and Ray were the protagonists of the first arguments of the day, one provoking the other while they received insults from Vicente, and the poor man could barely contain them. The new girl kept watching them completely amused, and the detective...

Well, he had got used to her glances full of anger and suspicion.

— Oh, Ben... Where is the young master?

— Thanks to a certain someone... — Benjin looked at Vincent, who was pouring his coffee into a cup — Leo hasn't had much time to rest, and now he's sleeping like a log.

— I just carry out his orders, I can't do anything if the young master himself wants to solve all administrative problems at once.

— You are very careful with the boy.

— It is extremely urgent that the young master establish himself as the owner of Dreamland — Vincent sat down facing the detective, opening a simple smile — I can take care of the administrative affairs, but I also have my limits.

— Like what?

— It's easy to think — Aslan pointed out after stealing a piece of cake from Ray's plate — Vicente has already announced that the heir has been located and that he is already being prepared to take his position. But no one knows who this heir is and if he is really here. The sponsors might think that we are laundering money under their noses, and then withdraw their sponsorship.

Giovani nodded and then agreed.

— That makes sense. That boy has a burden on his shoulders apparently.

— And why not add another burden by making him remember things he shouldn't, right?

Benjin did not miss the opportunity to pin the detective. He grimaced from behind his coffee cup, then sighed.

— I'm aware that you guys met him a few months ago, right?

— Well... Yes, since Leo ran away from home. — Aslan agreed.

— So doesn't that mean that until then neither of you have helped him deal with this trauma? — Getting up from the table, Giovani turned directly to the trapeze artist — In the end you are only trying to keep him in a glass dome against his will.

The girl who had remained quiet until then let go of the piece of toast and held the detective's arm when he measured to get out of there. With her round eyes, she stared at Giovani with great regret.

Sighing, he just stroked his head.

— Don't worry, I'll be back at lunch. I need to stop by the police station to pick up some reports.

The girl nodded and then let go of the detective's arm. Since when were they so close? Benjin shrugged, taking a piece of chocolate cake and placing it on his plate.

— Will it take the young master long to get up? We have to set things up for the opening of the food court.

— Vinnie will get a terrible wrinkle on his face if he keeps talking about work — Ray joked, leaning over the table — unless you enjoy receiving the deadly stares of our puppet.

— It's going to take him a while to wake up.

Vincent glanced at Benjin.

— Oh yeah?

— Let him sleep as long as he wants. When he's ready, he'll wake up — Stuffing a piece of cake in his mouth, the trapeze artist raised his green eyes to the girl at the other side of the table — Until then we have something else to take care of.

The girl became the target of all eyes. Shrugging at the table, she lowered her shoulders and continued eating the salty pie from her plate. Okay, Vincent had brought her to the mansion for a reason. And she needed to take care of it before it became a big problem for Leonardo.

— How can we make her a big attraction? She seems too shy for that.

— My piece of cloud is right. It's going to be a lot of work.

Vicente left the cup on the saucer and walked up to the girl to sit at her side. Opening a gentle smile, the administrator seemed to be the most patient person in the world in dealing with the girl.

— Remember what we talked about at the hospital?

The girl nodded silently.

— Very well. Then today I will show you the place where you will work from tomorrow. Our mission is to help the young master to be susceptible in his debut, all right?

Again she had agreed with her head.

Rising from his chair, Vincent held the girl's hand and then turned to the others.

— Have breakfast and go back to your posts. Benjin will be the only one who will stay here to look after the young master. I will return ... — Vincent took his pocket watch and checked the time — At half past eleven to keep up appearances for Mr. Monteccello.

— Wow, he's talking about it so shamelessly... — Groaned Aslan with a grimace.

— Since the circus is closed for the time being, should I take some artists to perform in the park?

— Take advantage of the fact that there is no fog.

The administrator's enigmatic smile had been answered enough for the magician. Benjin leaned on the table, watching him attentively until he left the kitchen with the girl.

A new attraction... Surely that would be a problem if the public didn't like it, especially considering that Leonardo was taking care of the preparations left behind by his father.

But she didn't even speak properly.

And she wouldn't let go of the detective or Vicente.

— This is worrying — murmured the trapeze artist trapped in thoughts.

— I'm going then, see you in the afternoon.

— Aah, my piece of cloud is running away from me! I will feel empty and cry until I see its shadow again.

Benjin grimaced and went back to eating his cake. Despite the detective's constant presence, things at the mansion didn't seem to have changed superficially. Of course that early morning was an event out of the curve, Leonardo shouldn't have seen the train. However, the trapeze artist was relieved that his plans didn't seem to be affected as he imagined.

All he needed to do was stay and look after his young master until he woke up. And so, Benjin took as much care as he could over the days that passed.

Two days.

Four days.

And then 8 days.

Leonardo continued to sleep in a deep sleep in his room undisturbed by anyone. Not that anyone had noticed his absence, however his watchdog knew how to do a great job. Even when they asked how he was, if he was sick, if he needed something to eat, Benjin interceded, rejecting them.

He did not let anyone approach the second floor of the mansion where Leonardo's room was.

Vincent always watched Benjin with his golden eyes without saying a word. Not that it was necessary, the trapeze artist just smiled sweetly as if he was in full control of everything.

Turns out not everyone there was a patient.

— I need to talk to him about the progress of the investigation, and you're telling me I can't see him?

— You can just continue the investigation, find the culprit and get out of here. Why do you need to bother my Leo?

Giovani took a deep breath covering his face with his hands. Benjin in no way hid his hostility against that detective, who dared to continue looking for his young master. Looking like a chewing gum that was stuck under the table, not wanting to let go for anything in this world.

Benjin simply hated the closeness the detective had with Leonardo.

— I'm not here to play games, kid. My team is ready to do a sweep of every lot that belongs to this place, and I just need to show him the warrant.

— Just get out there and do it! I'm not stopping you from doing your job.

Taking a deep breath, the detective looked around before grabbing Benjin's wrist and pinning him against the wall. So swift was his movement that the trapeze artist was stunned, as well as groaning in pain from those thick hands holding his wrist tight.

— That could be considered obstruction of justice, you know that, right?

— I'm not even going over my dead body...

— Honestly, what are you doing?

Vicente and the girl were standing in the second floor corridor, facing the scene of those two. Tidying the glasses on his face, Vicente approached them, showing his routine calmness.

— Looks like they're trying to make things harder for you. I need to show the warrant to the boy now.

Vincent squinted his eyes at Benjin, who completely ignored him. Sighing, the administrator took the reins of the situation right away.

— The young master is going through psychological difficulties because of the train. That is my fault, since I made him work incessantly in this park even though I know that he still has not overcome the death of young master Lucas. I apologise that it is getting in the way of his work.

For the first time Benjin saw the clown bow respectfully in apology. Giovani stared at the administrator coldly, until he decided to let go of the trapeze artist and pulled an envelope from his trouser pocket and handed it to Vicente.

— Then I had better discuss with you what I have discovered, haven't I?

— Until the young master feels able to take care of it. I hope that doesn't bother you.

Giovani looked at Benjin and then passed by Vincent.

— I am going to start investigating that train, I will come back tonight.

— As you wish.

As soon as the sound of the detective's footsteps disappeared down the stairs, Vincent turned to the trapeze artist, already without his former gentle countenance. Benjin stroked his wrists, pursing his lips in pain.

— What's all the fuss, Benjin?

— I'm just keeping everyone away until he's ready. You should know that better than anyone.

— Giovani is holding the rope that could hang all of Dreamland, we can't be rude to him.

— You know I don't like him, always looking for Leo... As if he was the only one who needed to see the young master.

— You better hurry up then, because that person is already too impatient.

Turning in the corridor and taking away the girl who kept quiet, Vincent left behind an agonised trapeze artist. Benjin knew very well that Vicente was not talking about the detective, but about another fellow who had always longed for Leonardo's return to Dreamland.

Benjin clenched his fists as he turned his back and entered the room again. Even as he pulled the door open and approached the bed where his young master slept looking like a child, he still felt his chest burning with anger.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Benjin leaned close enough to caress Leonardo's face. Feeling his soft skin under his fingertips made him miss touching him even more.

— I hope you are having sweet dreams, Leo.

Little by little, somewhat lazily, Leonardo opened his eyes at last.