As they stepped off the plane, the group was greeted by the sleek, freshly purchased black cars waiting for them on the airstrip. They quickly loaded their luggage and settled into the vehicles, ready to begin their journey to the Noe family compound.
As they drove away from the airport, the group was immediately immersed in the vibrant energy of Seoul. The city was alive and pulsing, even in the dead of night. Neon lights and giant video screens illuminated the streets, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the sidewalks and buildings.
As they made their way through the city, the weary group looked at the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets of Seoul. They passed by iconic landmarks and unique architecture, a testament to man's ignorance.
As they entered the affluent neighborhood of Gangnam, the group was blasted with the area's opulence and luxury. It was an affront to the goddess. The streets were lined with high-end fashion boutiques, upscale restaurants, and sleek, modern buildings. The air was thick with the scent of capitalism, hyper-consumerism, and privilege.
"Awful," Amelia said as she watched a man reach back and backhand slap what appeared to be a younger mistress as they stopped at a traffic light. The driver sped past the tacky nouveau riche businessman and the poor woman he was assaulting. Amelia shook her head.
As they drove through Gangnam, the group caught glimpses of the area's still busy nightlife, the loud clubs and bars filled with drunken men and women poisoning their bodies with cheap alcohol. Their patrons were still spilling out onto the sidewalks. The black cars rushed towards their destination. But they were headed for a more secluded destination, the Noe family compound, nestled in the heart of Gangnam's most exclusive neighborhood.
The cars glided smoothly through the streets, their tires humming on the pavement. They turned down the access road. As they approached the compound gate, the car slowed. The group could feel the weight of the Noe family's security team bearing down upon them, their AR-15 pointing at the convoy of town cars in surprise.
"Perfect, we were an absolute surprise to them. I could have arranged this." Arthur said as the flurry of activity increased outside of the vehicle. Claire laughed at the old man's wit.
A guard tapped the car window with the butt of his gun angrily. It made sense since they arrived without anyone other than one person knowing they would be showing up.
Jonah rolled down his window and handed his identification to the nightguard. "Please call Madam Noe directly," he instructed. "Grandmother is aware of our visit. She's waiting at extension 740."
The guard dialed the main house, and Noe Jin-ae picked up the phone in the office. She was, of course, right on time. The Scottish Seer had a different kind of sight than hers. It was outputting and made the lively woman very eccentric. Though she was one of the very few true friends she had, it could be odd to talk to her. She was amusingly cryptic or very accurate in her messages, depending on her mood.
"Lim Taeyang, the arrangements are in the orange envelope in the guard station. Close the gates. No one enters or leaves one. I do not care if there is a fire." Noe Jin-ae was exhausted. She has been unable to sleep since she received the call from Amelia on the plane.
The guard Lim's expression turned serious as he took the ID and stepped away to make the call. After a brief moment, he returned and nodded. "Young Master Noe Dal-Su, you and your family will be staying at the Begonia Courtyard." Lim Taeyang looked in the car and saw Claire Gregory holding the young Princess Rose in her arms. He pulled out a piece of candy and handed it to Jonah. "For Princess Baek-Jangmi."
Amelia's eyes sparkled with amusement as she listened to the guard's instructions and saw him hand off the piece of candy. She had stayed at the Begonia Courtyard before, and she knew that it was one of the most luxurious and private areas of the estate. Noe Jin-ae favored her young great-granddaughter. She should. She was a gift, someone that was never supposed to exist. She was a sign of hope that destiny was changing.
"Amelia and Arthur, you will be staying at the Moon's Cradle," the guard continued. "And Edward, you will be in the Maple Courtyard."
"Stay out of the walk-in closet of the master bedroom," Jonah warned. This Maple Courtyard is where his parents stayed. He had made the mistake of snooping in the closet and happened upon all the bondage stuff his mother used on his father. "
Amelia smirked to herself, hearing Jonah warn Edward. She touched her son's wrist. The curious bugger was in for the surprise of a lifetime. She knew about Jonathan's proclivity and fondness of being punished.
She had raised him to be an obedient boy using a very soft hand. As it was in his nature to love attention, and you got that when you were naughty or nice.
She chose a nice and gentle, nurturing approach, so the domineering by nature Eun Ho would be able to tame the restless Jonathan.
Amelia also encouraged Edward to travel so he would meet Elham and make her little Monty. Her secret favorite grandchild. She smiled, that boy never disappointed her in the multiple timelines. This one and the one she saw 11 years ago through her granddaughter, who suffered so tragically in both timelines. She was suspicious, if not furious, when she saw him screaming at her granddaughter in that first vision.
When she met Selena, the goddess whispered so furiously to her, the urge to untangle and cut the cord was so strong she wanted to do it immediately after reaching in. When the cord was cut and the haze of the maternal veil lifted, she understood the power her granddaughter possessed.
To say she was accurate was an understatement. Amelia could only see the future in hazy details, the past was crystal clear but still very murky. So it required a lot of energy for her to see details.
Selena saw every detail in perfect detail. She had not tried it, but she was curious: if she stood barefoot on the very earth itself, would she be able to draw energy like the fables? There would never be a seer as great as her, unless the goddess herself created her from the very mud itself, like in lore.
As the cars began to move again, Amelia gazed out the window at the sprawling estate. The Noe family's wealth and power were evident in every detail, from the perfectly manicured lawns to the stunning architecture of the main manor.
She loved staying at the Noe estate, surrounded by opulence and luxury. The car drove to the Moon Cradle Courtyard. The Begonia was her favorite, with its beautifully manicured gardens and private pool. She couldn't wait to try the new courtyard and make herself at home. There was a huge bathhouse and spa that was Noe Jin-ae's pride and joy just a 2-minute walk from it. She had such gorgeous skin and took great care of it.
Amelia wanted to get the job done quickly and get inside with Jin-ae. Truth to be told, she had a feeling Selena was on to something and that she would be spending most of her time visiting with Jin-ae.
As the servants finished unpacking their belongings, Amelia gathered her companions, Edward and Jonah, to discuss their plan of action. Claire and Rose went to the bedroom to lie down and sleep. Amelia grinned at the two as they left.
"We'll be conducting a thorough investigation, starting from the top," Amelia explained. "But we won't just be relying on our unique abilities to gain insight into the loyalty and intentions of the Noe family members and staff, we'll need to research their connections."
Edward and Jonah nodded, their faces set with exhaustion and Jonah's wracked with stress. The element of surprise was taxing, but it was nice not to get shot at. Edward was at the wedding in which Selena was almost murdered and got pieces of glass in his arms and legs protecting Elham. He was furious and glad to be of use.
"I'll be focusing on the Noe family members," Amelia continued. "Starting with Park Jun Pyo and Park Gulduk. I should be able to uncover any secrets or deceit quickly. I'll need pictures, especially of anyone that you sense has met with them and well compare. Noe Jin-ae will lock them up after my reading so we don't spook the staff."
Edward and Jonah would be assisting Amelia by conducting touch-based loyalty tests, which would allow them to see into the person's future and gauge their loyalty to the Noe family.
"Let's get started," Amelia said, her eyes gleaming with determination. "We have a lot of work to do, and not a lot of time to waste." Amelia picked up a book and laughed. Like mother, like daughter, Eun Ho definitely took after her mother.
Noe Jin-ae's book of candidates revealed a testament to her foresight and caution. She had quietly prepared in advance, identifying and marking the names of loyal family members and staff who could be trusted.
Funnily, she herself doubted her husband and nephew as well. The staff's birthdates with symbols and dates beside them laid on the paper. Jin-ae could see predestined events and Amelia guessed these were best before dates.
Without drawing attention to herself, Jin-ae had carefully gathered intelligence and assessed the loyalty of those around her. Her actions were a subtle yet powerful move, ensuring that she had a network of reliable allies in place, ready to support her in this dire time.
Amelia's eyes sparkled with admiration as she realized the extent of Jin-ae's preparation. "She's been busy.," Amelia thought to herself. "No wonder she's been so calm and composed, despite the turmoil surrounding the family."
As the sun rose, the fire building in Amelia's heart reached a blazing heat. She was ready and full of cakes and pissed off about it. Things like this took the pleasure out of chocolate cake. She and Arthur set off, accompanied by the guards, and travelled to the main manor. The element of surprise was key.