Chapter 3

???

"It's poor manners to keep those who've arrived on time waiting."

I knew his voice, which belonged to many countries and none.

Kira

"It's you!"

It was the gentleman who'd found my earring back in the Musée du Louvre. I hurried down the steps, stopping short at the sight of those golden eyes. It's really him! Is he the lord of the manor? I certainly thought he was princely.

Kira

"Pardon. Do you remember me? We met in front of The Coronation of Napoleon. You picked up my earring."

???

"Of course I remember you."

He came here by way of the Louvre, like I did. Good. At this point, I just need to get to an exit, any exit, and call for a ride. Before I could ask the gentleman the way out, my dark-haired savior stepped between Us.

???

"She says she came here through your door. Did you bring her?"

Just as when he'd grabbed my hand, he looked like he was...protecting me.

???

"I did not. I can give you my oath, if you wish." "Her arrival is just as surprising to me."

???

"Then how did she get here?

What are they talking about? "Your door?" "My arrival?" They're not making sense. It was becoming harder to deny that something was very wrong here. I wanted out more than ever. I just need to know where I am first. I tapped my cell phone 2:50 p.m. No signal.

Kira

"You've been very kind, but I really can't stay. I've got an itinerary to keep." "We're still in the 1st arrondissement, yes? Where is the Louvre? That door there, does it lead outside?"

I asked my questions rapid-fire, before anyone else got the idea to interrupt me.

???

"…Hmm." "I'm afraid the answers you seek will only confuse you more." "This isn't the place for a long discussion however. Would you join me for dinner?"

A long discussion? "Does that door lead outside?" The answer is either yes or no! Perhaps he sensed my growing aggravation. He added quickly,

???

"Tonight's banquet is a rare occasion for us. But afterwards, I will answer all your questions. S'il vous plait."

I'd made it my job to help people plan their vacation adventures. As such, had done the digging on any number of fancy hotels. The gentleman from Paris' dining room was that of a palace.Warmly lit with chandeliers and candelabras. High-backed wooden chairs framing the massive table. Four men were already seated. There was the beautiful pianist. He seemed to be holding to his earlier statement-he looked unhappy to be here. There were two men sitting together, some distance from the pianist.

???

"Must've been something pretty important to keep us waiting here." "One second longer and I would've left."

The dark-haired one was drumming his fingers impatiently on the table.

???

"Now, now. Getting angry about dinner is not going to make the food come out any faster.

???

"I have to be angry for two, mijn broer."

"Broer?" So, they're brothers? And Dutch. The pale-haired brother had the opposite attitude of his short-tempered sibling.

???

"Who's that?"

The nice one's gentle eyes stopped on me.

???

"We have a guest? It's nice to meet you.

Kira

"Nice to meet you, too."

There was salvation in his smile. He looked like the paintings of the angels I'd seen in the musée. There he is. There's always that one person who makes everything brighter.

???

"...We have a guest?"

The fourth man, who had a youthful face, raised his head, finally noticing our arrival. He'd been studying the tablecloth, as far as I could see. He got the briefest look at me before returning to thread-counting. Is he shy? He spoke, but I wasn't sure if it was to me, as he wouldn't meet my eyes.

???

"Whoever you are, have you considered sitting down?" "There's a queue behind you waiting to get in, you know."

???

"Newt, old boy, you do care!"

Newt(?)

"Can you desist calling me that wretched-!"

Newt placed his hands on the table as though to push to his feet. I heard a sharp clap behind me.

???

"That will be enough of that, you two. I require good manners at my table"

The gentleman from Paris gave everyone in the room a warning look, cloaked in a smile.

???

"Let's be seated. There's a few empty chairs, but we'll have to start the toast without them." "A votre santé!"

The gentleman raised a glass of golden champagne in a toast to good health. Immediately after, the butler began bringing out the first course. I didn't join the gentleman in his toast. I didn't touch my glass of champagne. It's not that I believed it was poison or drugged, though I was certainly wary. I didn't feel like joining in. Too much didn't make sense. It should be a quarter past three, and I should be at the Louvre. But it's nighttime. And we're seated at dinner. I couldn't solve that puzzle right now.

So I turned my attention to my companions. Who are all these men? I haven't been introduced to anybody. They were all from different countries. Was this an international meeting of some kind? They don't particularly seem to be friends. The gentleman from Paris, sitting at the head of the table, inclined his glass my way.

???

"Let us toast to tonight's most glorious and miraculous encounter. Santé."

Kira

"...À la vôtre."

Unable to refuse such a direct toast, I responded, looking in his eyes as I touched my glass to his. He finished his champagne. Feeling guilty, I took a sip of mine. It tasted wonderful. "Glorious?" "Miraculous?" What is going on? My stomach knew. I'd only eaten a quick breakfast this morning, and I was hungry. I'll be insulting him if I don't eat. And everything looks so good. I tried the terrine. Pheasant with fresh basil. It tasted as exquisite as it looked.

Kira

"My compliments to the chef."

The bisque is delicious too. You can taste the crab. It's thickened just right!

???

"He'll be pleased to hear that."

The gentleman from Paris smiled at me, and suddenly I was feeling my champagne. Maybe he is just a harmless nobleman and I'm taking this all too serious By all appearances, it was a perfectly pleasant evening. Wasn't this just the sort of romantic adventure arranged for people?

???

"That was a wonderful first course."

When the gentleman spoke, everyone stopped their quiet chatter and gave him their attention.

???

"I believe we should take this opportunity to introduce ourselves to our guest."