At Chen Ancestral Mansion
"Look at you, still awake till this late at night," Carlos commented at his grandson Dion.
Dion grinned and muttered, "It’s because you’re not allowing me to take these files away from me. I really pity Gavin. I mean, endorsing these files?" he commented while shaking his head. His father followed the old ways despite everything being much more organized if they used the latest technology these days.
"Well, it’ll be his problem anyway," Carlos answered with a laugh as he walked towards a shelf and pulled something out. A new Mirage Historian would replace him soon and his name was Gavin Wu.
"Here, I’ve made a family tree of the three clans. You should see this one, and remember each member from this. So if you meet any of them, you’ll be more careful with your actions. It’s not updated though, so some of the people in these photos might be the same age as your mother’s. The young generations’ pics are also not in here yet, but I do have their names written. So maybe you can remember those names and be careful not to offend any of them in case you come across any of them," Carlos explained as he handed his grandson the albums.
These files were very confidential and not all were allowed to know about it except for his family, who he had the discretion to decide on whether or not to disclose the nature of his work to them. Still, it was much better not to give them too much information.
"Why don’t you get some rest now and continue tomorrow?" Carlos suggested, sensing someone else’s presence inside the room.
Dion sighed but smiled at him. "Grandpa, you go to bed first. I’ll follow you shortly. I just have to make a few calls and send a few important emails first."
"Alright then. I’ll leave you for now..." Dion’s grandfather said as he stood up.
"Grandpa," Dion muttered, stopping his grandfather from walking out of his private room. "Do you think it’ll be possible for me to meet uncle Lucas tomorrow?" he asked, which made his grandfather sigh.
"I’ll check, but you see... that Lucas... How should I put it... There’s no way for me to contact him. He was always the one who ended up reaching me for anything. Well, let’s try approaching his secretary, though I had never tried doing this before..."
Carlos went back inside his bedroom where he had a secret room.
"Come inside. Let’s talk there," Carlos suddenly spoke.
"Did you somehow see me coming?" Raine, who suddenly appeared, spoke from behind.
Carlos chuckled, "Oh no, I can’t absolutely see the future Princess Raine. Only current and most important situations happening in the Mirage are needed to be written in the diary."
"Hmm, I see. I guess you have the power just to have additional powers like sensing my arrival," Raine assumed. She heard that every Historian also had some unique gifts aside from seeing and witnessing important events happening in the Mirage.
Carlos didn’t comment as he led the way inside his secret room, where they had to go downstairs. And after walking in the hallway, there’s still another door that led them inside a spacious area.
"Ah, keeping all these files here could be handy," Raine murmured. However, she creased her forehead upon seeing that there were some animals inside, like a monkey arranging some books.
"Ah, I get help from friends," Carlos commented.
"I see... So this room is also connected outside so that animals could easily access it," Raine murmured. She was aware of how Mirage Historians could talk to animals. They sometimes gathered information about any critical event at Mirage Group from animals to be recorded.
"Would you like some tea or coffee?" Carlos asked while staring at the wolf beside Raine.
"I prefer coffee, Carlos. I need to stay awake," Raine said with a smile. "And oh, sorry. I have to bring some company with me," Raine added, referring to Aire beside her.
Carlos chuckled, "Ah, I’m so honored to meet her. She just saved me from shortening the description of mythical creatures and supernatural beings. Now, I also use the word mutant in recordings. Hello there, little Aire."
"I guess I don’t even need to do introductions. Anyway, I see you’re giving out some confidential information to your grandson. Although, you didn’t mention mutants. Isn’t it still forbidden to disclose such details about the Mirage History? I heard Mirage Historians were getting punished for it too..."
Carlos signaled her to sit on the couch so Raine did.
"Yes, indeed. But if it does greater good for history, then we are usually spared. Princess Raine, I know you are helping Xander in the shadows, and I am grateful to see how you’re doing good things." Carlos replied while he prepared coffee for Raine.
Raine only gave Carlos a half-smile while she stroked Aire’s back as she sat beside her.
"The Almighty already chose someone to replace me, and I’m sure you already heard it a while ago with my conversation to my grandson."
Yes, Raine had heard it. Carlos used the word ’King’ referring to a particular person instead of the Almighty when talking to his grandson. It was a facade since he couldn’t disclose his gifts to his grandson and how some supernatural powers and beings existed. She honestly couldn’t understand how Mirage Historians were chosen. They didn’t reveal such information, but they would just know it was them since they had been given the gift to see things, just like how Carlos saw the new Mirage Historian that would replace him.
"I hope Gavin Wu will do a good job like you. I came here to inquire more about the missing pages of the diary. Does the Mirage Council already know about it?"
Carlos creased his forehead as he gasped, "The missing pages of the diaries?"
"Yeah. Aire here saw the pages and she said that those rogue wolves who attacked the secretary of defense took those pages together with the Voyager’s watch," Raine explained with a frown. Carlos seemed unaware of it.
"But there’s no-"
Carlos was unable to finish his sentence as Aire suddenly howled. Carlos looked at the wolf and Raine frowned when the two just stared at each other as if they were talking with just their eyes.
"What’s going on here?!" Raine, with a suspicious look, interrupted.
Carlos cleared his throat, then looked at Raine, "Oh right... Those missing pages would turn into ash soon since they weren’t in the right hands, so you don’t have to worry about it, Princess Raine. Whoever took any Mirage Diaries by force would face the consequences. You see, a curse would befall them so we actually do not need to do a thing. That’s why I didn’t report it to the Mirage Council."
"But the information in there could be dangerous... Whoever managed to read it..."
It was more about the eradication years ago. How her father took the throne by force...
"Yes, you’re right. But it’s destiny, Princess Raine. Things happened for a reason, so please be assured that those missing pages wouldn’t do you or any of your family any harm."