The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 6: Chapter 6: To Bear the Unforgivable Sin

Read chapter 6 of The Distinguished Mr. Rose by QuiteTheSlacker on NovelPedia.

Chapter 6: To Bear the Unforgivable Sin “What?” Jack said, swerving towards Mari’s lifeless, yet peaceful, corpse, as if she was merely slumbering away. “You—how did you? You don’t have an assassination skill.” Marco was overcome with a great rush of emotions: disbelief, anger, sorrow and disgust. This and all he wore without reservation, and for a moment Lucius almost expected the man to rush him right then and there, but instead he merely grit his teeth and lowered his head. “Damnit, Lucius. Was there really no other way?” Even Mili looked at him differently now: distant, uneasy. “No, big guy. There wasn’t, but still…” She hugged her guitar and shuddered, yet beneath her nausea, there was also relief. Relief that she did not have to be a part of the unforgivable. But really, what else was there to do? Although the young Jack was not the wisest of individuals, he did make a very important point: This place should not be their grave. Lucius’s death would come eventually, but not here. Not in this drab room, and most definitely not in such an unsatisfying manner. He still had so much to do: so many people that yet await his guidance to blossom at their most beautiful. It was inevitable. Lucius’s companions were just so unseemly bickering amongst themselves like that in front of a child. In the end, he had to step up and take matters in his own hand. For shame. “I am greatly disappointed in you, Mister Bernardi. Mister Thames,” Lucius began. “Did you not realize the young lady could hear your every word? Imagine how frightened she must have felt: all alone, helpless to act, as complete strangers debated whether to put her down like a mutt.” The two men bowed their heads in silence. It was true after all; the entire time they argued, Mari became increasingly more distraught—more panicked. Only Lucius was aware of it, for the others were too guilty to even spare her a glance. “It is an adult’s duty to comfort a child. Though our circumstances are… unfortunate, it does not give us the excuse to start behaving like scoundrels. That is why I chose to act.” “By killing her?” Marco muttered. There was no energy in his voice, nor any real attempt at laying blame. His words were simply hollow. Lucius tutted. “Yes, Mister Bernardi. Loathe it be to admit it, her fate was doomed from the very start. The least we could do was make it a painless one, without fear, without truly realizing what was to come. Ignorance was the greatest, and only, gift we could give her.” It gave him no joy to fulfill his task. Such a shame. Really, a complete travesty . Lucius saw in Mari a dazzling soul full of potential, of promise and the flair to produce a truly beautiful piece of work, so for him to be forced into such offense before her growth could fully mature… it left a very bitter taste in his mouth. Children should be as children do and play to their hearts’ content. Only after experiencing life in all its ups and downs would they fully bloom. Lucius sighed, and then walked up to the still-pensive Marco. “You do not need to feel guilty, Mister Bernardi. The only one to bear this burden shall be me. I do not expect to be forgiven, nor do I wish to. If hurling curses will make you feel better, then do as you wish: I shall take it all.” Lucius hung his head and put on his best impression of a repentant, pitiful little sinner. He even managed to feign a tear or two! And just like that, the old mobster’s heart practically melted in response. Mister Bernardi was a simple man; such types were ever so easy to influence. “Don’t be like that, Lucius,” Marco said, letting out a deep exhale. “You did your best to make the girl’s passing a peaceful one. I appreciate that. The rest of us… well, we’re just rotten adults too cowardly to come to a decision. You shouldn’t have been forced into doing this by yourself. I’m sorry.” Although his expression was still grim, a newfound resolve blazed fierce in Marco's eyes, one ready to accept the difficulties ahead. “Just say