Free Web NovelChapter 126: Chapter 126
Gisèle immediately hurried over to Dio and Louis, "Are you both alright? Constable Pierce told us everything."
"We are," Louis answered for them both. "Do you need help cleaning Colette?" He offered to the cook.
Cook Colette looked scandalized by this, "I can not ask of the Master’s friends to do the chores, I would not be able to show my face to him again." She resolutely refused, clutching her rolling pin protectively.
Louis scratched his head nervously at this, quickly backtracking on his offer.
"I’ll guide Master Dio and his guests to the second-floor receiving room, it’s more presentable." Colette smiled easily when it was clear that Louis wouldn’t press it, easing her grip on the rolling pin.
Her suggestion wasn’t a request, it was something that she would have them fulfill no matter what, and in a few minutes, she had all three of them seated in a lavish room, drinking tea and eating scones.
"The cleaning won’t take us but a moment, I’ll also make sure to clean out three master bedrooms and make arrangements for a feast to welcome you back to the manor." She barged right on after she had gotten her way on the first matter.
Louis and his mother shared glances and then looked to Dio in concern.
Dio just calmly sipped his tea, "The tea is very nice, Colette." He said with a straight face, making the cook literally glow with pleasure at the compliments. "And make that two master bedrooms."
"Dio?" Both mother and son mimicked each other, they were both stunned, Louis sporting a red face as well.
Colette didn’t wait to give them a chance to disagree, "Certainly Master Dio, if you’ll excuse me." She bowed and practically skipped out the door.
"You plan to move back into the manor?" Louis asked in a small voice, his eyes down. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"Me? Why would I want to do that... all alone, we’re all moving in." He announced easily, picking up a scone this time to admire.
"What?" Gisèle and Louis said again in perfect unison.
"We’re all moving in?" Gisèle parroted in disbelief.
Louis had to fight the urge to smack Dio, "Stop admiring the bloody scone and say something."
Dio dropped the scone and looked at them, anxiety filled his beautiful mismatched eyes, something that he hid very well but was unable to keep out of his eyes. "I mean, do you really want to leave this big mansion empty?"
Louis was already on board with the idea, he was fine with wherever they lived as long as he was with Dio.
Gisèle hesitated a bit, "But my store..."
"I’ll have a fast carriage built for you, although I don’t see the reason why you should work at all." He added with a grumble.
Louis immediately chimed in, "I’ve been telling you that Mom, the store could practically run itself."
"Hush now," She quieted them with a smile in her voice. "I know I don’t have to but I like to keep busy... But..." She trailed off, glancing down at her fingers before looking up again. "I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to do a little moving, although it’s a little odd you know," She chuckled softly, tears filling her eyes.
"Ever since Raphael left, I’ve been working hard to pay off the debt on the house and eventually buy it, it was the reason I worked so hard every day..." She trailed off.
Louis didn’t even realize he was doing it, it was something he had gotten used to, relying on Dio.
"Mom, you can keep the house if you want," Dio said in a soft voice, closing his fingers around Louis’ hand.
Gisèle laughed again, pulling out a handkerchief from thin air to wipe at her eyes. "No, No, I don’t want the house. It’s a burden in itself, I’ll be happy and relieved to see it go..." She looked up to find them watching her with worry, "Oh come on, can’t an old woman cry a little? You both don’t have to look so panicked."
"You’re not old." Louis frowned, "Stop saying that."
"Oh you’re so fussy, come on we have lots of packing to do." She said, getting to her feet.
Louis and Dio shared a look,
"We’re moving in today?" Dio asked in a fragile voice.
"No better time than the present, don’t you think?" She placed her hands on her waist, a confident smile on her face.
"You just want us to move today because you already took the day off." Louis accused her, only getting up because Dio urged him to, using their joined hands.
Gisèle certainly noticed that they held hands more often now but she made no comments on it, the same way she kept quiet although she had caught a glimpse of them sneaking kisses in the kitchen. She was of the opinion that whenever they were ready and comfortable enough to tell her, they would but till then she would pretend to be blind.
"Don’t say cruel things to your mother, Louis." Gisèle faked being hurt.
"Won’t you take tomorrow off as well?" Louis asked, refusing to back down. "In no time now we’ll be back at college again, tell her Dio, she’s also your mom." He turned on Dio when it looked like he wouldn’t be able to convince her all by himself.
Dio turned nervously to Gisèle, "I’ll have Colette drug your drink if you don’t stay, Mom."
"Fine, you’ve convinced me." Gisèle agreed in a split second.
Louis gaped, "That convinced you?"
Dio just shrugged when Louis looked at him, "I pulled that out of my as... out of thin air..." He quickly corrected.
"Let’s get going," Gisèle took the lead, "You two go ahead while I inform Colette of the new changes." She was certain that the huge cook would literally combust from happiness.
Louis was still grouchy but he let Dio lead him out of the receiving room, he was disgruntled but his mother would be resting tomorrow as well so he would take the win.
Dio helped Louis up the carriage that had brought them and then sat beside him, ruffling his hair. "Are you still mad?"
Louis caught Dio’s wrist and brought his hand to his face, leaning slightly on it. "No," He sighed. "Are you alright?"
Dio used both of his hands to hold Louis’ face, leaning in to press their foreheads together. "Yeah," He said softly.
