The Grand and The Petitions

I slowly opened my eyes while feeling the pain and weakness of my body. I suddenly got up when I remembered the last thing that happened before I lost consciousness. The room that I am in is cozy and spacious. This time I can see the door. The curtain was slowly moving due to the gentle breeze as the big window was opened and because of the light from the moon, I can see the forest outside.

"Am I not dead, yet?" I murmured.

"Obviously," came a reply from behind, "and congrats, you passed."

I turned around to check who spoke and was shocked when I saw a familiar face. Behind him is a beautiful woman that is leaning at the door while crossing her arms on her chest.

"You?" I uttered in surprise, "what are you doing here?"

"We met two times already but we haven't been introduced formally, though I know who you are. Chase Scamper son of the business tycoon, Rayn Scamper," he said, not really answering me.

"You've already met?" the girl frowned. "How come?"

"I first met him more than two years ago, I picked up Shandra in CAU. And the second time was the time Shandra lose control again. Right, Chase?" the guy replied.

"Yeah, I was wondering then of your relationship to Shandra and until now. I can't believe Shandra knows someone from this DC Org, that I bet you belong with," I scoffed.

He laughs heartily, "All these years you don't really know who Shandra is. But you are about to unveil that truth later. Shandra's biggest secret wherein you are part of."

"What do you mean by that?" I'm not sure why but I suddenly become nervous about what might he mean. "Who are, really?" I ask impatiently.

"You're right, I am part of DC Org.," he answered. "My real name is Krazer Hart Fyndell but I am known and called as Aries. I am one of the Keys, the Elite Team of the Org. and I am part of Stella Dept. This beauty here," he motions for the girl, "is Novienne Saunders known and called as November. Also a Keys, but she's from Monath Dept."

"This is the second time I heard about Keys, Stella, and Monath, an Elite Team, but I don't understand it one bit," I grumbled.

"We'll explain it on your way to the Grand's Office. He's waiting there along with the Head of the Huddle." November said and started to walk. I follow their lead, wondering who is this Grand and Head of the Huddle they are talking about.

"The Keys is like I said the Elite Team of DC Organization," Aries started. "It was divided into two departments or groups, Stella and Monath."

"Stella is specializing in assassination or execution while Monath is specializing in infiltration and spying." November continued.

"So, I was right all along. DC Org is an underground organization like Mafia's," I growled in disagreement. How do I end up in this place? " What do you want from me? Also, you haven't answered my question yet if what is your relationship with Shandra," I said giving Aries a deadly look.

"Jealous, aren't you Scamper?" he sighs. "You don't have to, you know. We all know Shandra loves you," he smiled. "We were friends since she was ten when the palace decided to let her live outside with her parents and siblings. I am the first one to know when she has created the Black Angels."

"Does she know that you are working with this organization?" I snapped, giving him a glare. I know that his kind of work is dangerous and he is putting Shandra's life in danger at the same time. What his enemies will know about his connection with Shandra? It's a good thing that Shandra is now safe inside the Imperial Palace.

He looked at me and grinned, "Of course she knows from the start. Shandra is not oblivious of the existence of DC Org, Chase. She knows since she was able to understand what it is."

"How?" I ask quietly. What he said made me more nervous. "Is that related to what you said? About Shandra's biggest secret wherein I am part of?"

"Yes it is, but I'm not telling you," he said, tapping my should. "But don't worry, you are about to discover it." Our conversation is interrupted by November stopping in front of a closed door.

"We're here," she said.

She looks at me before saying something that makes me more curious and confused at the same time. "Shandra is addressed in this place as Lady Bethany," she started. "Behind this door is the Grand and the Huddle Head waiting for you." She motions me to come in after knocking.

"Welcome to The Mansion, the official headquarters of Dark Circle Organization here Megacity, Chase. Welcome to DC Org. as one of the official members. And, welcome to the Dark World, ahead," Aries said before turning his back together with November.

Welcoming me as an official member of an organization that I don't know. And welcoming me to the dark world waiting makes me shudder. The nervousness that I feel a while ago is becoming stronger. The mystery of this creepy mansion is becoming clearer by the passing minute. And behind this door is a secret about to unfold.

I heave a deep sigh before opening the door, readying myself for anything. I entered with my head down as I guess that this Grand and Huddle Head that they are talking about is the highest person behind this Organization. But what I'm seeing the moment I look up is beyond what I am expecting. And it makes me hold my breath when the realization hit me.

"Daddy? Tito Ethan? Don't tell me ---?" I was not able to finish what I wanted to say.

"Welcome home, son," my father, Rayn Scamper sitting in front of the table, said.

"Welcome to DC Org., Chase," Tito Ethan, Shandra's father sitting behind the table and looking at my shocked face, said.

"I, Ethan Arshone Davies, the Grand and the boss together with the Huddle Head, Rayn Scamper, officially acknowledge you Chase Scamper as a member of DC Org.," Tito Ethan continued and Dad nodded his head in approval.

This is shit! So, this is Shandra's biggest secret that Aries is talking about. Being the daughter of the boss of DC Org and me, being the son of the Huddle Head.

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Every time I go out for a stroll in the palace garden or any place in the palace, the servants, staff, and court ladies that I meet will give a stealthy look. Since the day when we are introduced, I become the topic of their talks. A lot of words that are not good to listen to can be heard in every corner of the palace. People started to avoid me as they are disgusted, even some of those people that were assigned to me. There are still a few that decided to stay with me though they were also avoided by their fellows.

Instead of feeling sad, I am triumphant with the outcome because people are no longer trying to get close to me. Except for Kisana Sachi, despite what she witnessed, she still approach me and tried to make friends with me. I am still investigating her and her family. I have to be sure as I am not aware of her true goal.

But it's not just Kisana that I'm investigating, all of the candidates and the imperial officials. I need to have the documents of all their connection inside and outside the palace. Especially the Wakamoto family, I am most suspicious of them.

"Shuji, did you acquire some worth it information?" I immediately ask when he entered the receiving area of my house.

"Next Sunday, the Crown Prince will go be going to the city, Your Highness," he answered after securing that no one untrustworthy around. "He will attend an awarding ceremony for the sports events hosted by the school of nobles. He will be one of the presenters."

Hmm, I need to make a move and convince the Crown Prince to let me accompany him. "This is our chance to get information from my Dad."

"How will convince the prince, Your Highness," Yoshie hesitantly asks. "I don't think your small interaction with him is enough for him to agree, especially with our situation at the moment." I look at her questioningly and she continued, "Aren't you worried, Princess? What if the Crown Prince is also disgusted by you? Do you think he will allow you to be with him after what happened?"

"That's the only thing that we need to pay attention to as of now, Princess Yuki," Shuji said before I can answer Yoshie. "I've heard from the staff in the great hall that a lot of petition was sent to the Emperor's office. A petition to remove you as a candidate and representative of our kingdom. The content said that you are not appropriate to be part of the selection for the crown prince bride. Based on what I've learned, some of the petitions came from the farthest part of the Empire," he explained.

A mysterious smile came out from my lips. "This is beyond what I've expected. I never thought that they will work this fast." I am challenged by the fast proceedings of this thing.

"How can you smile at a time like this, Princess?" Yoshie asked with an unbelievable look on her face.

"I know that smile," Shuji said. "What are you planning to do, Princess Yuki," he asked.

I did answer him instead, I stood up from my seat. I signaled them to follow me to my sleeping room to continue our conversation there. I can't be complacent event inside my house. I just want to be careful and mindful for might happen. What if there's someone who can hear us and report it to the enemies? I don't want my sacrifice and what I am fighting for to go to waste.

Yoshie helps me to remove the cover on my face. She carefully hangs it in its place before taking a seat in front of me and beside Shuji.

"Like what I've expected," I started, "everything still within what I wanted it to be. When I decided to show everyone an ugly and disgusting face, I knew that it is the right time to start this game. As expected, the petitions pour in, though I was taken aback that even the far-off part of Empire are sending them too, this is what I needed."

"I can't still understand what you want to happen, Your Highness," Yoshie admits.

"It's big favor for me that the enemies filed a petition to remove me, Yoshie. With this, we can determine who the enemies are, who we seek an alliance with, or who is neutral," I explained to her.

"You mean that your aim is to divide the officials so that in our view, everything will be clear?" Shuji verified.

"You got it, Shuji," I nodded my head. "The opinion of the people will be divided too at we can have enough time to get those people that did send a petition to our side." I look at the both of them intently, "now, your tasks will start."

"Just say your orders, Princess, and we will abide it," both bowed their head.

I continued when they lifted their heads, "Shuji, find out who sent the petitions and if possible, their leader too. The other might just follow whoever above them." He nodded his head. I turned to Yoshie, "Find out what was happening in the houses of the candidates, Yoshie. I want to know everything they are working on and every visitor that comes and goes into their houses. I have a hunch that some of the officials that sent the petition will be visiting some of the candidates." She nodded too with a serious look. "I will expect a result before the crown prince left for the city."

"We will do our best, Princess," Shuji assured.

"Will you still continue with your plan to go with the crown prince to the city, Your Highness?" Yoshie asked.

"I can't miss the chance, Yoshie. I am sure that my father is done with the document and information that I needed," I explained.

Yoshie nodded but with knotted forehead, she asked again, "but how can we inform the Prince Consort that he may now send the documents? How can they know that we will be attending an awarding ceremony in the city?"

"Yoshie is right, Princess," Shuji agreed, "how can we let them know? We don't have communication outside. Someone might discover if we will send a message in a normal way."

I grinned, "You don't know yet what my father can do, even my siblings. We will do the easiest way to let them know." I reached out for clean paper and a brush. I wrote a message to my brother, Prince Yuuji. A message that even if it is discovered by enemies, will not be deciphered. A message that only we, siblings, will be able to read. It's our secret way to that we only knew. We studied hard for it to use in time like this.