In the two days that had passed, Missio's condition had gotten better. Henry and Krishna had been called over to the AEOC HQ multiple times over the past few days for them to understand what had caused the chaos fragment to open and why they had entered Ashlandian airspace without permission of the government. Mary was the one who would take care of him.
Mary had always liked helping people, but nursing Missio felt like trying to hold sunlight in her hands. Missio himself had completely changed. He was quiet, didn't talk much and would often have recurring PTSD. He would also look out the window as it was safer than people.
"Alright, guys. I got in contact with the pilot, and he says he can fly us out this afternoon."
Krishna spoke in a tiresome manner. Mary, Henry and Eira who were gathered around Missio nodded.
"That's great and did you get anything from the doctor?"
Eira asked in delight.
"The doctor said to protect him from loud noises and strangers and not to show him anything related to family. So, no reality shows I'm afraid."
Krishna joked again in an unserious manner. Henry sighed as he heard that and turned to look at his captain. Missio was eating breakfast with big bites like a child but with the movements of an old man. He would eat – stall and then eat again. Henry's eyes dampened but he was snapped out of his depression by Mary's question.
"That's great. When are we leaving?"
"At 11o'clock. Let's pack our bags."
"What bags do we have to pack?" Henry scoffed.
Krishna paused and looked at his friend. Then, he thought for a few moments before facepalming.
"Right…we don't have shit."
"Krishna! Language" Mary reprimanded him.
"Okay – okay, Saintess¬"
***
After a few hours…
They swiftly made their way to the airport which was swarming with people. The group immediately went to the receptionist.
"Hi¬, Miss. We're here for the private jet with captain john." Krishna said in a flirtatious tone.
The receptionist looked up and smiled. "Okay, honey¬. Let me check it out for you."
The woman tapped away on her computer. A few minutes later, she looked at Krishna with a smirk.
"Captain john will be ready in a few minutes. You can wait in the VIP lounge."
The receptionist winked at him and Krishna winked back. He headed to the VIP lounge with his team.
"I'm surprised girls fall for you with that kind of face." Henry said.
"That's why you had to get engaged." Krishna chuckled.
"Can you two stop this passive-aggressive war of yours? I'm insulted too y'know." Eira sneered at them
"Sure, baby." Henry replied with a sweet smile.
They sat down in the VIP lounge. Krishna didn't sit with them and instead explored the place. After a few minutes, he brought back snacks.
"Oh! Snacks, nice!" Mary exclaimed.
"Where did you get snacks?" Henry leaned forward – dumbfounded.
"Try exploring the place sometimes, idiot. This place is full of treasure!" Krishna mocked.
"Well…usually, I would've been brought my food." Henry rubbed his chin.
"You rich folks are so privileged."
"Alright – Alright, Let's just eat the snacks and give Missio one."
The group turned towards Missio who was dosing off. His headphones had been turned to noise-canceling mode. Mary poked at him and Missio jumped awake, looking at the group in bewilderment. She handed him a bag of chips. He stared at them for a few moments before snatching them away and eating them.
Mary heaved a sigh. "He's such a kid…"
"Yeah…been like that since I met him." Krishna said in a dreamy voice.
Then, the comms buzzed.
"For the passengers boarding captain john's plane, please be boarded in a few minutes."
The comms cut and the team looked at each other.
"Time to go." Henry stepped forward.
The others nodded and Mary led Missio with them who was still eating chips. After a few minutes, they boarded john's plane and flew off to Rome.
***
A few hours later…
They landed in the capital of Rome - Romulus. They exited the jet and bid the pilot farewell. The airport here was also bustling with many people. They squeezed through the crowd and barely made it outside. Missio trailed behind Krishna like a quiet shadow. Henry would glance back at him every few moments and the girls walked at the same pace as him. They arrived outside and then Krishna made a call.
"Uh…yes, Marcus. We're at the airport and we need you to pick us and Missio up."
He went quiet for a few moments and then said in an excited tone.
"Nice, we'll wait here."
He put his phone back and looked back at group.
"Our ride will be here in a few minutes, fellas."
"It's quite amazing how you can talk so casually with the Augustus family." Henry retorted.
"Dude, they're doing this for Missio not me, okay?"
"Really? Okay."
The group waited in their place for a few minutes. Many families and tourists walked out of the airport, glancing at them with curious eyes. After a few minutes, a black car SUV rolled up in front of them. A man wearing a white suit with golden accents stepped out, standing at attention.
"I suppose this is for us?" Krishna asked.
"Yes, but why does the young lord look so…saddened?"
Krishna's heart tightened as the man spoke. He then glanced at Missio.
'I'm…I'm guilty of this but…I can't say it…I-I'm sorry, man…I've got my own circumstances…I-I hope you can understand…no, don't understand…It'll be better that way…'
"Bring us to the manor. I… need to explain the situation to Marcus."
The man nodded and opened the passenger seat. Krishna led Missio to the passenger seat and then the rest of them sat in the back. The man sat in the driver's seat, slamming the door shut and drove off. Missio looked out the window, admiring the serene view while listening to his music. Eventually, they reached the household. The white and gold banners stirred faintly in the breeze as if the house itself was watching their return.
He parked the car and led them inside, passing by the guards who were eyeing them. Then, they entered the large living room. The man sat them down and then said in a serious voice.
"I'll bring the head butler."
"Please do." Krishna barely held back his tears, his voice cracking.
The man took note of his behavior but didn't say anything. He walked away to another room. The group had to wait a few minutes. Missio lay on the couch and stared at the ceiling as if he was in his own world. After a few minutes, Marcus, the head butler with heavy wrinkles and grey hair, wearing a white suit with golden accents and a crystal monocle, arrived.
"Tell me…what happened to the lord?" He asked as the tension grew thicker.