Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.

Broken Glass (Part 13)

"Very well said, Raskreia!" The lord's laughter echoed through the room, and pride brimmed his voice as he gently set his hand on her head, sliding his fingers down the length of her hair only to tug on the ends.

"Father!" She shouted as she stepped back and smoothed the strands into place. The harshness of her tone concealed her delight, but the faintest of smiles still painted her lips. "You mustn't do that!"

"You are never too old to be shown affection." He withdrew his hand. "Let me dote on you a little. At least when you answer well."

"You always say I answer well." Her voice softened, dissolving into uncertainty. "I never know when to believe you."

"That is because you always answer well, my dear." The lord placed his hand on the top of her head again, patting it tenderly, and this time she did not pull away. "I mean it, Raskreia. You answered very well. I was impressed."

"Father, I-"

"Cadis Etrama di Raizel!" The lord's hand fell to his side as he walked away from his daughter. "You've come to see me? What do I owe this pleasure?"

"We are taking a walk." Frankenstein answered without waiting for the master's silence to prompt him, but his focus lay on the girl behind the lord.

Her face was downcast as one hand touched the tips of her hair. Then, her eyes flashed to the lord, staring at his back as she silently pleaded for him to remember her, and when he didn't, she turned toward the master. Her gaze hardened as her lips pressed into a thin line.

Frankenstein stepped between them, blocking the master from her sight and taking her glare upon himself. Confusion crossed her face, both from the unfamiliarity of a stranger and unexpectedness on his actions. It would seem that the lord had not explained the situation to his daughter.

"I will take my leave." She said, hoping to be stopped, but no one took notice. The lord prattled loudly to the master, oblivious to anything else.

Frankenstein watched her head sink in defeat. She walked down the aisle and, pushing open the throne room door, stormed out without another word. Two of the clan leaders lingering outside looked up from their conversation to scowl at her flight. Gejutel called after her just as the door swung closed, cutting off the scene. Frankenstein turned forward again. The lord had climbed the steps to the platform and now reclined in his throne, unaware of everything.

"I was just having a lesson with my daughter." The lord sighed, leaning against the arm of his chair and planting his chin in the palm of his hand. "She never believes me no matter how much I encourage her."

"I can understand why."

His head tilted inquisitively to the side. "That is strangely lacking in sarcasm for you."

"I had heard," Frankenstein glanced at the door and back to the throne. "During my time in confinement, I had heard that you are an exceptional man. Capable far beyond what your character would lead one to believe. Your perception is unparalleled. You are astute in your decisions. Eminent in all aspects."

"Finally, a little flattery!" The lord chuckled although unmoved by the words.

"Obviously, what I had heard is untrue."

"Hmm, there is the derision I expect of you."

"And flattery without basis is the mark of a liar."

"Then you must be the most trustworthy of men." He smirked with amusement, but his tone quickly sobered and softened. "Tell me, Frankenstein, is that how the humans see you?"

"How the humans see me?" Frankenstein kept his voice cool and calm. The question wasn't asked to aggravate him, but neither was it sincere. The lord was searching for something. "Whatever could you mean?"

"Did humanity react favorably to your gain in power?"

"Many did." He answered firmly, and many humans had… at first.

When they had first learned of his power, it had been during the height of their fears. Strange creatures prowled the woods, and countless humans had already disappeared. Rumors spread. Superstitious tales told to frighten children came to life. Then the first of the corpses were discovered. Bodies so unnatural that the humans had sought out his advice, and by the time he had realized the truth behind the rumors, entire villages had been laid to waste.

So many humans killed, and the self proclaimed protectors of humanity did nothing to intervene. Frankenstein felt his power course through his body in a constant stream of whispers. No, it was not enough that they failed to intervene. They imprisoned the one that took up their cause. And just like the nobles, the humans had turned against him as well.

Frankenstein peeked to the side. Worry plagued the master's eyes.

"Interesting." The lord murmured and waved his hand toward the door. "Regardless, wait outside while I speak to Cadis Etrama di Raizel."

Frankenstein looked to the master for permission.

"You may go."

"Excuse me, then." He bowed to the master, showing respect that he withheld from the lord, and followed the same path the girl had taken moments ago.

"He certainly is the embodiment of what humans will accomplish in the future." The lord's voice trailed after him although the words were meant for the master. The door closed, blocking whatever the master may have said.

Clan leaders still conversed in the hallway outside although they did not acknowledge his arrival. A few knights dotted the corridor, relaying messages or talking amongst themselves. None of them paid any attention to him. Other than the Merges clan leader who was immersed in a book, he recognized no one. The girl was gone as was Gejutel. Whether she had stopped to speak to him or whether he had pursued after her remained unclear. In all likelihood, it was the latter.

Frankenstein leaned against the wall a few paces from the clan leaders and waited. He would have to pry whatever information he could from the master once they were home. There must be a reason that the lord had sent him away.

The Merges clan leader closed the book, and with a short farewell to the other clan leaders, walked down the corridor and disappeared through a different hallway. That left two clan leaders that had scowled at the girl.

"Are you alone?"

A breath of wind. Frankenstein turned toward the voice. "Ragar Kertia."

The man stood next to him with his back against the wall and one hand adjusting his black mask. He inclined his head in greeting but didn't speak again.

One of the knights stopped next to the clan leaders on his other side and offered them a scroll. The two immediately left for an undisclosed purpose.

Frankenstein waited until they were out of hearing to answer. "The master is with the lord."

"You did not stay with Cadis Etrama di Raizel-nim?"

"The lord wished to speak to him alone."

"The lord truly is wise."

Wise for excluding him? Was that a poor attempt at an insult or blind adoration? The Kertia clan leader closed his eyes in quiet reflection. The man actually believed those words.

His eyes opened again as he stared at the door to the throne room. "The reason the lord asked to speak to him alone was to give you something to discuss later."

It was to benefit the master? Why was the lord so interested in the master? He bestowed upon that man a servant as a companion. Now he was giving them a reason to communicate? Did he want to mend the divide between the master and the clan leaders? And the Kertia clan leader. He had made sure the opportunity was not wasted. They were both allies in this.

"You place high expectations on the lord." Frankenstein said softly although the corridor had emptied. There was no one to overhear their words now. "I suppose I could ask the master about it later."

"Yes, the lord is impressive."

"The master is impressive as well." He snapped his mouth shut with alarm. The master was an unusual man, yes, but impressive? He had no grounds to say anything reverent about the man. The master did nothing but fill the window, and the clan leader must be aware of that. It would be simple to destroy his defense.

"Yes, he is."

The Kertia clan leader agreed? Frankenstein glance over at him, but the man only pulled his mask a little higher. Then the door creaked open, halting anything else the man may have said.

"Have you finished?" Frankenstein asked as the master emerged from the throne room.

"Cadis Etrama di Raizel-nim." Ragar spoke much more deferentially. "It is good to see you. I was just keeping Frankenstein company."

The master's eyes shifted between them, but no concern swept over his face. The discomfort between him and the other clan leaders did not seem to apply this man. Ragar Kertia. He was a decent guy.

"Shall we continue our walk?" Frankenstein fell in line beside the master. "We could see the market."

"Market?" The Kertia clan leader's hand rose to his mask, this time using the gesture to hide a smile. "I remember seeing one of those in the human realm once. We do not have such things here. Each clan sustains itself."

No wonder the master's house was so poorly supplied. Frankenstein sighed. He would have to sneak out of Lukedonia after all. It may be difficult to explain the situation if he were caught, but he would manage. Perhaps the master would like to see the human market? He glanced to the side. The man was staring at him with curiosity.

A/N: (As always, be caught up with Noblesse before reading any of my stuff.)

To answer your question, this isn't a romance. Family/broramnce all the way! I don't like yaoi or romance in general. And there seems to be a lot of either of those in fanfiction already so I don't think my absence from it will effect things much. I even dislike the few romances I have written. (If you can even call them that.) Like "Summer Love." That one just bothers me. I wrote it upon pain of death for a contest that I really didn't want to do. On the other hand, "Further Revelation" is one of my favorites. Back to topic-The song's not actually a love song, either. TFK only has one love song which is "Anyone Else."

Haha! And I love their awkwardness, too! It's really fun to write. There's not really anything awkward in this chapter, though. *Sad* But I was setting myself up to give it a little bit of a plot. It's kind of a funny story, actually, because the plot takes a backseat to character development. And then there's a lot of symbolism, too. Most of it is planned, but some of it is accidental or coincidental. Someone will mention it, and I'll think, "I wish I had though of that!" Oh, wait, I did. I just didn't realize it. But that's only happened once or twice. "Broken Glass" is my favorite story to write, but I need to finish my other stories, too, so I might slow down a bit. When was the last time I updated "I Am Tao?" I should get around to that.

And I am so disappointed! The flash back in the real story ended! I really wanted to have more characters to play with! I still have two that I haven't used yet. (Can anyone guess who they are?) I'll have to make use of them later. But that being said, I really liked the way that the flashback ended. You know how Frankenstein delegates all of the chores to everyone else? Apparently he learned that from Rai. Hehehe.

So, the reason you should get an account? So that you can get emails for PMs and updates. Unless you rather enjoy waiting until I write the next chapter for my reply. Then again, it might be better this way. I don't mind if everyone sees my rambles. I can be quite chatty.