2157年9月12日,下午五點,切斯特郡431Please respect copyright.PENANAEZMMHQKZam
431Please respect copyright.PENANAAuDDepFsKM
431Please respect copyright.PENANAMd3yPxtpal
薇奧拉的葬禮結束了。431Please respect copyright.PENANAYO6ItQoLF3
431Please respect copyright.PENANAMDttnrNlGA
雷蒙一家脫下浮誇的穿著,換上黑色的喪服齊聚一堂、弔唁他們偉大的家長。薇奧拉的面容如睡著般,留給世人的始終只有美。431Please respect copyright.PENANAnMSZnvk0Sz
431Please respect copyright.PENANA1OJzVRM4Tx
葬禮規模低調,因為薇奧拉生前叮囑過,葬禮只准真正認識她的人前來,想湊熱鬧的十大家族一律婉拒。真正親臨現場的除了自家人,還有高宇維的神與畜,幾乎全員到齊。431Please respect copyright.PENANA5SJMhHrGh9
431Please respect copyright.PENANAPHZRHDARaG
「看到這麼多水果塔站在一起,實在有點噁心。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA8hl13JXHpK
431Please respect copyright.PENANAdcg9oHONZl
葬禮結束,高宇維、艾莉絲、凱薩、里奧、葛蕾絲、尼可拉斯六人,均被安排在接待室。因為全是敵人,尼可拉斯體內的叔叔不太高興。431Please respect copyright.PENANAu8w6xO1g1e
431Please respect copyright.PENANAZEY31CDJHs
但對尼可拉斯來說,比起高不高興,更確切的形容詞是尷尬。離家出走這麼多天,什麼秘密都被他知道,尼可拉斯思考該怎麼面對家人。431Please respect copyright.PENANALXBLWEvJoM
431Please respect copyright.PENANAm2eQfBIzNJ
「嘿!媽、里奧大哥,好久不見!」太詭異,「怎樣!都怪你們不告訴我!」會被打,「對不起,我不該擅自調查你們的秘密」又太孬,整個接待室陷入恐怖的沉默。尼可拉斯祈禱:隨便一個人說話都好,他快窒息了。431Please respect copyright.PENANAE1eR6X8NXH
431Please respect copyright.PENANA9bwb92xAEk
「兒子,聽說你的醫師執照被吊銷了?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAjqFBqdmMwm
431Please respect copyright.PENANAU5pSBvEXxO
結果打破沉默的是凱薩。尼可拉斯想過各種話題,就是沒想到這個。431Please respect copyright.PENANAIZZfJmAO3K
431Please respect copyright.PENANAXapi0LRAFP
凱薩大叫:「Jesus!我堂堂希波克拉底創始人,自己兒子的醫師執照被吊銷?簡直笑話!」431Please respect copyright.PENANAyfFTOxF733
431Please respect copyright.PENANA8z6HhfhSqk
尼可拉斯反瞪他,「希波克拉底腐敗成什麼德性,你這創辦人最需要檢討,輪不到你對我說教!」431Please respect copyright.PENANAY7wW6kdUnA
431Please respect copyright.PENANAOygDu2z9c3
衝突一觸即發,葛蕾絲到父子倆中間喊「卡!」,拉開兩人。431Please respect copyright.PENANAhJqEwy3HJP
431Please respect copyright.PENANAf9OTo24PXH
「難得所有人都在,」穿著黑色西裝的里奧不理他們,靠著牆提議:「宇維,開會。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAOCcs9npy2n
431Please respect copyright.PENANAAu58lf1yph
高宇維挑最大張的沙發坐下,「也好,難得艾莉絲和書蟲在。」他拍拍旁邊,示意艾莉絲也過來坐,卻被她搖頭拒絕,選擇站在原本的位子。431Please respect copyright.PENANAcxHBJjiZda
431Please respect copyright.PENANArsNqK891I4
高宇維問葛蕾絲:「今天誰缺席?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA92sdAoWjrG
431Please respect copyright.PENANAhbo44uk6xT
「五號幹部李晴煬在謝氏,三號幹部李博洋前往支援,十二號幹部赫密士顧家;四號幹部MIO,您昨天吩咐,不要帶她過來切斯特郡。」葛蕾絲說:「扣掉這些人,今天全員到齊,還多了兩位顧問。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAYx3Fm5A5UG
431Please respect copyright.PENANACn2wFsotDS
高宇維的食指在拐杖輕點兩下。431Please respect copyright.PENANAFXvbOA2OoK
431Please respect copyright.PENANAQkhqMKvjiR
「會議開始,進入正題──」高宇維不廢話,銳利的視線掃向尼可拉斯,「尼可,你知道了多少?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAoFWd7kTDly
431Please respect copyright.PENANATbsnv4Zkks
體內的尤里烏斯不怕高宇維,連帶地,尼可拉斯的膽子變大許多。他吸氣,不慌不忙地凝視高宇維的眼睛。431Please respect copyright.PENANALzyXkNyymU
431Please respect copyright.PENANAD8PsQu9y47
「回宇維少爺:我想應該是全部。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAedI2EXEWqp
431Please respect copyright.PENANA1vQgIWZmlm
「消息來源?」431Please respect copyright.PENANASHlc9nDNQ6
431Please respect copyright.PENANA3fLmp9dP2j
「艾莉絲、紅鶴、我體內的三月兔──」尼可拉斯停頓,「還有派翠克。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8lMuSxi0z
431Please respect copyright.PENANAWCVDz5AmD4
「派翠克……唉,我差點忘了。」高宇維扶著額頭,無奈地說:「派翠克.雷蒙,薇奧拉留給我的大麻煩。」431Please respect copyright.PENANATgqTeJ54W7
431Please respect copyright.PENANAAo3tO0cWrr
旁邊的葛蕾絲補充:「如果消息來源沒錯,現在的派翠克從裡到外,全是出於獅鷲之手,也是公爵夫人的唯一繼承者。」431Please respect copyright.PENANALwBb97aS62
431Please respect copyright.PENANAwIAmYBNl3I
「獅鷲……」里奧琉璃色的眼睛掃向葛蕾絲,「為什麼第一時間沒通知我,是告訴書蟲?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAovU1VSbcx7
431Please respect copyright.PENANAHINhEVidWc
被里奧冰冷的眼睛注視,身為妹妹的葛蕾絲也忍不住打寒顫,最後是凱薩站到妻子面前,護著說:「因為尼可是我們的兒子。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAfFRzLduszG
431Please respect copyright.PENANAgSieKIEeJq
看來,早在葛蕾絲去咆哮飯店時、就已經發現派翠克的存在,但她選擇隱瞞里奧。尼可拉斯很愧疚,在心裡和媽媽說了無數次對不起。431Please respect copyright.PENANAnI4xhoY0aO
431Please respect copyright.PENANAncGGqjE1Zh
「沒事的,里奧。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAyB69aLHDcO
431Please respect copyright.PENANAMYgZV93aMp
倒是高宇維無所謂,只警告葛蕾絲母子:「因為是懷特,我才睜一隻眼閉一隻眼,下不為例。」431Please respect copyright.PENANATCz5BNq9qB
431Please respect copyright.PENANAhvIaK80L1n
「是。」431Please respect copyright.PENANABFY4xHPjx2
431Please respect copyright.PENANAKcJzlIcnEF
「尼可,你的立場是什麼?」高宇維說:「我們的過去,坦白說,一點也不高尚,艾莉絲體系從來不是好東西。你要留在不完美的體制為我效勞,還是無法忍受同流合汙,帶你的孔雀遠走高飛?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA3iSxpOdm2G
431Please respect copyright.PENANAPhP6kTbxYk
沒想到高宇維問得這麼乾脆。多虧與薇奧拉的談話,加上這幾天的沉思,尼可拉斯早就有答案,他不怕這個問題。431Please respect copyright.PENANA7OACVagbVA
431Please respect copyright.PENANAMbzetefzfo
431Please respect copyright.PENANAjnLsDvVchC
「『一日神與畜,終身神與畜』。我選擇留下,與您一同守護秘密。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAOiXEbaBXkg
431Please respect copyright.PENANAbnpZHAA9De
431Please respect copyright.PENANAIu2PdVVz20
尼可拉斯開口,眼神篤定,「但有兩個條件。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAALad8wnvy0
431Please respect copyright.PENANA1RDi55USiG
高宇維勾唇,知道事情沒那麼簡單。431Please respect copyright.PENANAn6RHX614HU
431Please respect copyright.PENANARnURfBY9uM
「第一,派翠克必須成為神與畜,享有和我同等的待遇。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAE20vdlonXH
431Please respect copyright.PENANAoCS3Y7t4G2
「可以,他是公爵夫人的繼承者,我本有此意。」高宇維撐著頭、翹起腳,「第二個?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA3VWQ7EZvx4
431Please respect copyright.PENANA0jgw5n0e03
「我要知道每個成員對於過去了解多少。」尼可拉斯瞇眼,「大家都不笨,大家都不好騙。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAaw1J34D1fs
431Please respect copyright.PENANAOItQnj6av8
「哈!」高宇維被逗樂了,命令里奧:「告訴他。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAI7BC0dp2Ev
431Please respect copyright.PENANAjrpm05uERb
里奧不怎麼情願,因為要講好多話。431Please respect copyright.PENANAokC8iE0FDc
431Please respect copyright.PENANAoB6XZTvWS6
「我、葛蕾絲、赫密士、你、派翠克,知道全部。」里奧解釋:「李博洋對第一代只有初步認識;MIO記憶混亂,對母親假海龜的印象模糊,知道的也不多。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAViawebipwc
431Please respect copyright.PENANAwg5qjGUNKG
MIO像顆不定時炸彈,要不是李博洋這個安全插梢,她隨時都可能引爆,尼可拉斯總算明白他們不信任MIO的原因。431Please respect copyright.PENANAyYvUk7f4st
431Please respect copyright.PENANANJScM5nOOO
「那,」431Please respect copyright.PENANAp4G58vPbQM
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因為知道尼可拉斯下一個要說誰,葛蕾絲、里奧和高宇維,眼中都閃過異樣的光。431Please respect copyright.PENANAWM3kNn3jY7
431Please respect copyright.PENANAbsC0mUQ42G
「李晴煬呢?他怎麼樣?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAYk9RxyE2EF
431Please respect copyright.PENANAklb9hG5OfU
「他很重要……」431Please respect copyright.PENANAoSM62NskcL
431Please respect copyright.PENANAA8OpYMBPjN
回答的不是里奧,而是坐在沙發的高宇維。431Please respect copyright.PENANAsDCswzpIfv
431Please respect copyright.PENANAssTYhrQ2DO
「晴煬很關鍵,也很危險……所以我不准他拔耳機。」高宇維轉換話題:「他還建議找獅鷲合作,一起對抗紅鶴。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA3CdYWgMLRC
431Please respect copyright.PENANAj2WZmTteyU
「初生之犢不畏虎。」尼可拉斯體內的三月兔說。431Please respect copyright.PENANALxtbvsTS6J
431Please respect copyright.PENANAasnttvD5Pa
「我自首,是我給他的靈感。」艾莉絲舉手承認。431Please respect copyright.PENANAJUCWgaBOTy
431Please respect copyright.PENANAxznBkRIsWf
話題被成功轉移,尼可拉斯忽略了「晴煬很關鍵」,注意力全被引導到獅鷲。在場只有他沒見過獅鷲,不知道李晴煬的提議在其他人耳裡有多瘋狂。431Please respect copyright.PENANAy8DowqlYCK
431Please respect copyright.PENANA3DjD8b89YT
「這是關鍵,艾莉絲,我召開會議的目的就在此。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8pGvb57us
431Please respect copyright.PENANA5IyhTW8aDO
高宇維起身,腳步緩慢地、緩慢地,走向他的主人。431Please respect copyright.PENANAKDydzSzd4l
431Please respect copyright.PENANAmidunVfMmN
「艾莉絲,我敬愛的艾莉絲。」431Please respect copyright.PENANApsabY2USaE
431Please respect copyright.PENANADUx1ZvW8RK
高宇維的手放在胸前,深深鞠躬,高高的帽子竟然不會掉。431Please respect copyright.PENANAQFpwl0BJ1D
431Please respect copyright.PENANA2iRZfWuFIi
431Please respect copyright.PENANATGNJmEYK3t
「我無意冒犯您,請容許我向您發問──」431Please respect copyright.PENANAol3C6ZwEPq
431Please respect copyright.PENANAiRDPxTc8h0
「您對《羅琳娜條約(Treaty of Lorina)》的立場究竟為何?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAaNRu7qbFOG
431Please respect copyright.PENANA3xiaaS5B3f
431Please respect copyright.PENANASjf1jKqeYa
高宇維眼中閃過狡黠的光,這讓尼可拉斯忍不住懷疑,高宇維不是單純發問。431Please respect copyright.PENANAedhOT6AiPo
431Please respect copyright.PENANA19hzgXPl8q
「……。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAD5LNvOhaT0
431Please respect copyright.PENANAvYaoEgmm7W
艾莉絲的表情沒有半點波瀾。趁雙方沉默,尼可拉斯小聲問旁邊的媽媽:「《羅琳娜條約》是什麼?」431Please respect copyright.PENANApNIATY6w7W
431Please respect copyright.PENANAQfwTdaregd
「咦?你不是什麼都知道?」葛蕾絲挑眉,解釋:「一百年前,獅鷲強迫艾莉絲和宇維少爺簽下《羅琳娜條約》。條約削弱艾莉絲的權力,讓她成為有名無實的虛位元首,並由宇維少爺擔任代理人。《羅琳娜條約》規定成立十大家族,在艾莉絲體系內創造內部制衡,以免悲劇再次發生。」431Please respect copyright.PENANApLZr9yCJlF
431Please respect copyright.PENANACi0shaULPA
「……!?」431Please respect copyright.PENANADOoyRVE10A
431Please respect copyright.PENANAeryggXhtXC
尼可拉斯瞪大眼睛,同時,他體內的尤里烏斯冷笑,「原來如此,瘋帽成立神與畜,保護水果塔的後代不被蜘蛛殺掉,順便除掉十大家族、破壞獅鷲創造的內部制衡,這才是他的真正目的。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAiUhWMi81sv
431Please respect copyright.PENANACHRVlAHJC5
高宇維要打破《羅琳娜條約》、恢復以前的艾莉絲體系。他今天問艾莉絲,是想試探她的立場,也是凱薩面色凝重的原因。431Please respect copyright.PENANAei8qXib6OZ
431Please respect copyright.PENANAyhPNY7keqF
未來局勢,就看這一問與一答。431Please respect copyright.PENANA3lJwtxu9kp
431Please respect copyright.PENANAH9DkZLPo06
「『艾莉絲呼喚水果塔,水果塔回應艾莉絲,這是艾莉絲的意義。』」431Please respect copyright.PENANACfgtePcKht
431Please respect copyright.PENANAclUIrMOKAI
艾莉絲閉上眼睛,再緩緩張開。431Please respect copyright.PENANAhbobHaKnmg
431Please respect copyright.PENANA4NrbCPm6ZV
431Please respect copyright.PENANArcEUH6XJbf
「艾莉絲必須確保水果塔世世代代傳承。只要不牴觸艾莉絲的立場,《羅琳娜條約》之於我,只是一張白紙。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA40iVHEJeAU
431Please respect copyright.PENANAlkxYGBiPez
431Please respect copyright.PENANACsb0pzoU1h
高宇維沒有反應。他對艾莉絲的答案稱不上滿意,也稱不上敵意。431Please respect copyright.PENANAAOUuPvcYws
431Please respect copyright.PENANAao4l3XA2gj
「紅鶴呢?」高宇維換一種問法:「妳想殺他嗎?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA7uhVdNyElv
431Please respect copyright.PENANAcXEoBvhssG
艾莉絲聲明:「紅鶴與蜘蛛糖合為一體,是威脅到水果塔傳承的存在。」431Please respect copyright.PENANASHLhHEOrT0
431Please respect copyright.PENANAwGbQYI3IpW
「所以,妳贊成晴煬的建議:聯合獅鷲,殺死紅鶴?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAyhxKNbTpS4
431Please respect copyright.PENANAEVWxegWPEN
「那是我給他的靈感,此事由我而起。要反對,我早就有所行動。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAtmUXa7hGfU
431Please respect copyright.PENANAhBD64g77my
「哈!」431Please respect copyright.PENANAfNDrkcMo4C
431Please respect copyright.PENANAF1iKUdGPwf
高宇維大笑,轉身,跨步走回沙發,白色披風隨步伐揚起。431Please respect copyright.PENANAgQe8GFsO1J
431Please respect copyright.PENANA7s2TdEG5Df
431Please respect copyright.PENANAUjt0m441e0
「我的立場,是打破《羅琳娜條約》;獅鷲的立場,是維持《羅琳娜條約》;艾莉絲的立場,是確保水果塔傳承,與《羅琳娜條約》無關。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAiHnIB2excB
431Please respect copyright.PENANAz5EvDtprff
431Please respect copyright.PENANAdl6qj8EHJD
高宇維坐回沙發,撐著頭、翹著腳。他有時對艾莉絲用敬語、有時不是,讓人摸不著頭緒。431Please respect copyright.PENANAIwIDJZ95oh
431Please respect copyright.PENANACmTCy2wrqm
「合作愉快,艾莉絲。」高宇維為這場會議總結:「能與您並肩作戰,瘋帽深感榮幸。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA3iX4uO02XH
431Please respect copyright.PENANAluw1MbHlJl
「……。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAgkGrXKebCj
431Please respect copyright.PENANAU7Unx1RZdf
艾莉絲退到一旁。凱薩知道她不想再說話,換他站到前面,問高宇維:「你們下一步?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA3eJ2ULjtqy
431Please respect copyright.PENANAniDJmQ7gEZ
里奧也站出來,代替回答:「休息。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAH3V4Gxe4Ag
431Please respect copyright.PENANA7XEjP4TOvt
凱薩傻在原地。431Please respect copyright.PENANAN8lV7C9Gml
431Please respect copyright.PENANAe8UDJa7C8a
「神與畜的新成員很多。」里奧解釋:「晴煬和尼可剛來,我女兒剛出生,派翠克新加入,還有黛娜的後代──一隻有人類外型的貓,謝氏的謝綠也會進來。我們必須暫停對十大家族的侵略,否則會出現斷層。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0JvzLPwZZ
431Please respect copyright.PENANAjTre40rkfz
聽起來會休息很長一段時間。凱薩抓了抓頭,表示:「我不知道沒有水果塔的我,現在還有多少話語權,你們不聽也罷。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAOQmE1frpD3
431Please respect copyright.PENANAkghWyKIZov
凱薩嚴肅地說:「小心Platinum和薩拉凱爾,白絃的大兒子不好對付,薩拉凱爾那群神經病,絕對不會放過雪檸的女兒。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA4eK1KEfZCx
431Please respect copyright.PENANAcPFjhjCB0S
凱薩再說:「還有,白絃不會坐以待斃,紅鶴也潛伏在暗處。這對姊弟都不笨,一個沒弄好,你們都會死。」431Please respect copyright.PENANA2Wn7hNTNXb
431Please respect copyright.PENANAAFolRXTsGi
言下之意,好好休息根本是天方夜譚,但高宇維不擔心。431Please respect copyright.PENANA62Vagoav7V
431Please respect copyright.PENANAwkOwtaJy1c
「現在的紅鶴無法追蹤。」凱薩看了眼艾莉絲,無奈說:「至於白絃,很遺憾,現在的艾莉絲無法和她共鳴,根本不知道人在哪。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAhmzWFmHiSg
431Please respect copyright.PENANA8oxQvjmFVp
尼可拉斯訝異,竟然有艾莉絲找不到的水果塔,白絃到底強到什麼程度?431Please respect copyright.PENANAdTDbvAdlVF
431Please respect copyright.PENANAxcZOgHoUPR
「如果找到獅鷲,」里奧突然開口,問艾莉絲:「殿下,您有把握說服她嗎?」431Please respect copyright.PENANAfNvOk0Rrmk
431Please respect copyright.PENANASPQkf8FNau
艾莉絲沉默五秒,「可以。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAaavLbTfEOj
431Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZCQWblmVB
「恕我直言。」里奧問:「您為什麼如此篤定?」431Please respect copyright.PENANA4gGubEGVJq
431Please respect copyright.PENANA3L25By7kI8
「因為,她是夏悠的系兒。」431Please respect copyright.PENANAWQN15yQtf8
431Please respect copyright.PENANAEKOITb56hs
深黑色的眼眸泛起異樣的漣漪。明明體內都是棉花,明明是不需要呼吸眨眼,艾莉絲的胸口卻隱隱作痛。431Please respect copyright.PENANA9t3tf8yeUO
431Please respect copyright.PENANAcLmSIkdp9Z
431Please respect copyright.PENANADXrRZBzXdy
「『系兒絕對不會扔下小悠。』」431Please respect copyright.PENANAhX0GERsSrG
431Please respect copyright.PENANAKDdanP2vOi
「這是,她們兩人的約定。」