Solis Goes to Work

It didn't take Noir long to return to his cheerful self. Now that Solis was back on his feet, there was a mountain of work he needed to deal with, and he was spending a lot of time in his office. However, since he was also reluctant to leave Noir at home.

The first day Solis went to his office, he took Noir with him. Noir was very impressed with the warm welcome given to both of them by the employees of Rosea International – that was the name of Solis's company.

Noir was quite surprised. Solis had not mentioned it to him. Noir had caught up on the current affairs of this world from the TV and newspapers and internet articles, so he knew the name Rosea and its significance in the world of business. To think that this man was the owner of such a thing and never bothered to tell him!

However, any dissatisfaction Noir felt over the matter disappeared soon enough. He was very impressed with Solis, and watched with great fascination as the man worked. Teacher Artemis, who had come along on the pretext of looking after Noir, was greatly amused.

"You really didn't know that he was the owner of Rosea?" she whispered to Noir.

Noir shook his head.

"Under what rock have you been living, dear child?" Teacher Artemis lamented. "Solis is very famous, and although his popularity took a dive when he was injured in that car crash and lost all hope for the future, it is still rather surprising that you never heard of him!"

"I was brought up by my master in seclusion," Noir said. "I didn't have much contact with the outside world. It is only in these months with Solis that I learnt how things work." That much was true, at least. The important details in the middle…there was no need to broadcast those. That was between him and Solis.

Teacher Artemis sighed. She had heard from the staff at home that Noir hadn't even known about electricity or machines or anything in the modern world that even two year olds knew these days. However, it was astonishing that he had managed to pick up so many things in a matter of months.

"What about your parents? They let your master take you?" she enquired.

Noir sighed. "My mother died soon after I was born," he said sadly. "My father gave me away to my master, so that I wouldn't interfere with the inheritance of his other children." A self-deprecating smile appeared on his face. "I'm just the bastard child of a lowly maid, after all. It was only the greatest fortune that allowed me to be with my Master and learn from him…"

Teacher Artemis was astonished and saddened. To think that this child was hiding such sorrow behind his cheerful façade…but this master of his, he really seemed to care for him. Earlier, at home, Noir had mentioned that he had learnt his skills from his master – be it swordsmanship or the lost healing arts. But then, if such a master existed in this world, why had Teacher Artemis never heard of him? Was he one of those secret masters who appear and disappear at will and can never be found except by coincidence? How wonderful it would be if she could have a chance to meet him! Perhaps, as Solis's teacher, she could even talk to him about the details of Solis and Noir's engagement and wedding plans. "Where is your master now?" she asked curiously.

Noir's face fell. "I don't know," he murmured. "He sent me away…and I haven't been able to find him since."

Looking at the gloomy expression of the normally cheerful young man, Teacher Artemis felt her heart soften. In an effort to distract him, she asked, "What do you think of Solis?"

Noir brightened immediately, as expected. "He is magnificent," he replied, sneaking a glance at the man working seriously at his desk. "He's brilliant and capable and strong and amazing and…"

Teacher Artemis stopped his gushing quickly before he started listing every positive adjective he knew. "Do you like him?" she asked instead.

"Very much so," Noir said shyly.

"And what do you like about him?" Teacher Artemis pressed. She had a feeling that Noir's feelings for Solis weren't as deep as Solis's – whether this disparity arose because Solis truly fell in love with Noir while Noir was simply infatuated with him…or whether the underlying cause was something else – she wanted to find it, and if possible, fix it. She had known Solis since he was in his diapers, and she knew that once he set his heart on something or someone, he wouldn't budge. Now that Solis's heart had been moved by this unusual young man, Teacher Artemis was determined to do her best to support Solis in his romantic crusade.

Noir fell silent. What did he like about Solis? Initially, it was his face and demeanour – because they were so similar to his Master's…but then, as he got to know Solis more and more, he also recognised Solis for himself, and not as a substitute for his Master.

"I don't know," he murmured finally. "I think I like everything about him…"

Teacher Artemis raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing you dislike about him…?!" she asked incredulously. "How is that even possible?"

Noir laughed. "Well, maybe not everything," he said. "He nags a bit too much at times. Do you know, some time ago, he lectured me about the benefits of green vegetables and told me to eat them properly instead of just eating meat for every meal, and then I found him picking out all the beans from his own plate?!"

Teacher Artemis chuckled. "He never did like beans," she said.

Noir smirked. "I ground up the beans, mixed them with other vegetables, and made them into small patties," he said proudly. "He ate them happily and even complimented me on the new dish – without realising that he was eating green beans!"

Teacher Artemis roared with laughter.