Machinist of Mana Chapter 113 Big Reveal

Time seemed to slow to a crawl. We had nothing we could do, nowhere to go, and other than comforting each other there was no action we could take that would accomplish anything at all. My grandfathers were too old to join in the fighting, myself too young for me to volunteer. The ladies of course weren't expected to join, so we just stayed here.

Mother had settled upon a couch and was deep in her grief. In time I knew she'd get past it, but for now she needed time to heal. I spent a few moments with her, but my grandmothers had taken up that better than I could, and there were other things I needed to discuss anyway.

Moving over to grandfather's side I found him a bit down, his pointed ears peaking out as he scowled. He might not have been my father's best friend, but he could tell that the death had caused pain. Near him my grandpa Shadestone sat, the two of them discussing what resources each could bring if and when they were called.

“I've still a few contacts with the military, so we might be able to...” the baron explained as I joined.

“We might need to deploy the plane for reconnaissance,” I told them as I poked in, knowing they'd not discussed that before.

“It would be useful, but I'm unsure where Lionel is, and without him...” Grandpa Darksky had apparently thought of that already, but it seemed our test pilot was somewhere unknown to him.

“Without him we'll have to fly it, which we're both perfectly capable of,” I retorted. “We both know how and it would be no problem at all for either of us.”

“How long would it take to get it?” asked my other grandfather.

“Twenty minutes on fast steeds, assuming we don't run into any snags along the way. If Percival ran or I flew perhaps fifteen to get out of the city and to the storehouse where it is kept.”

“And to bring it back here?”

“Fifteen tops,” I answered, knowing how fast that thing could travel if needed.

“I didn't know your could fly,” I told grandpa Darksky.

“Haven't in years, the experience is... unpleasant and extremely mana intensive. There are a few who've mastered it, but for me it's more like hurling yourself through the sky.”

As we began to get into the issue a sound reached my ears I could not and would not ignore.

“I know you've been through much, and if you leave the room you may, but get up this instant. I will not tolerate such rudeness,” the low voice of our housekeeper Mrs. Rider said, almost an angry hiss.

Kaylee had settled on a small couch in the corner of the room, well away from anyone else. Still in her maid uniform, and looking almost absently into the ether. I should've said something before, but at first I'd not wanted to bring it up, and then I'd forgotten with all the drama.

Now the housekeeper loomed over her, clearly angry at the sitting girl. Maids, and staff in general weren't permitted to sit when their employers were around, and so her seated position could be taken as a severe insult. The family of course had been too deep in our own problems to even look that way, but Mrs. Rider had, and it seemed she'd taken deep offense.

Interestingly I was taking deep offense too, but for someone else.

“My sister may sit wherever she pleases,” I said before her bottom could so much as leave the couch, loud enough that all here could hear it, and with steel in my words.

This might not have been the best way to put this forward, but there wasn't another time. I couldn't have her disrespected now that she'd been acknowledged, and wouldn't. The room went dead silent, enough to hear a pin drop. As for Mrs. Rider, she froze almost in place looking like someone had hit her with a cattle prod for a solid two seconds before turning to me and finding my eyes locked on hers.

“Percival, what nonsense are you saying?” mother asked from her own couch, pushing the other women off and moving to stand.

I sighed. “The last thing father did was embrace the both of us and give me the paperwork acknowledging her. It has already been handed over to his Grace.”

To say that that comment caused a bit of an uproar might have been an understatement.

“I can't believe you would lie!”

“Calm down!”

“Of all the things!”

“SILENCE!” Grandpa Shadestone eventually roared, loud enough that all other conversation died. “Percival, is that true?”

“It is,” I confirmed.

“I see.”

“Percival, you, you don't look surprised in the least,” mother observed.

“No, I'm not.”

“You knew... how long have you known?”

“Basically since I was born,” I admitted.

“Did others know?” Her eyes flicked towards the baron, who didn't move, but was clearly keeping his face straight. Then she looked toward her mother in law, who didn't even bother to meet her eyes. “Am I the only one who didn't know my husband had an affair!?”

“Not everyone,” I assured her, but that didn't make her seem any happier.

“Well then,” her eyes went to Kaylee, who tried to disappear into her seat. “We'll have to change some things I suppose.”

“Mother,” I warned narrowing my eyes.

“Enough son, I'm not going to hurt the girl. Would've liked to beat your father though.”

“If it helps I did end up coming to conflict with him about it awhile back; I nearly stabbed him.”

“It does not. As for the moment, I don't know.”

“Well, I'll take things then,” the baroness declared, rising and going over to the still scared looking Kaylee. “Come dear, we can't well have you around in that outfit, imagine the confusion.”

With a kind but firm hand my grandmother took Kaylee from the room. I imagined they'd be having a very long conversation, and that there'd definitely be fallout for Mrs. Lutte, would need to send her a letter later, but she seemed to have things well in hand for the moment.

Before we could fully settle back down Ignus knocked on the door. It opened to show me the man stressed and clearly worried.

“Ah there you are, just the fellows I need. Percival, I'd like to consult with you and your grandfather if that's alright.”