North Cloud Shipping Company.

A well known organization who provided armed protection for travellers and supply logistics for the right price. Due to their reputation, many major families and business in North Cloud City often formed long term contracts for their services. They employed, if not trained, a series of talented fighters within their ranks or from the chaotic martial arts world. Combat experts in their own right.

This made their service all the more extraordinary, as they can do more than fend off the regular bandits and highwaymen on the streets. They’ve had run in with potential assassins when delivering a charge, with zero failure.

So Martial Kim believed they were perfect for the job in delivering two prisoners of a murder case to the Capital in one piece.

Thus they all travelled to the Capital over the course of a few long days. Other than the regular obstacles of wild beasts and a trot of mountain robbers, so far nothing as extreme as assassination. Either these ‘masked men in black’ were simply a smokescreen to fend off suspicion, or they were smart enough to avoid facing a collection of martial arts masters head on.

Whatever the truth was, everyone was able to arrive in the great Capital safe and sound.

Martial Kim felt proud of his decision, calling upon North Cloud Shipping Company. The trip was more or less smooth, positively uneventful.

However, he barely made two steps past the Capital gate when his expression fell with an “Oh?”

“Huh!? Wh-what is it!? Robbers or assassins!?” Inspector Lee looked around while he commandeered the horse pulling the prison wagon, “Come on, we’re practically five blocks from our station, don’t tell me there’s more bad news we have to take care of!”

“Er. N-no, it’s nothing,” Martial Kim uttered, “Inspector Lee, you and the others continue on. I have to do something.”

The young master in the hanbok would then turn to the leader of the escort group and bow with gratitude, “Thank you, North Cloud Shipping Company. I, Martial Kim, am in your debt.”

“The honour is ours, Moon Tavern,” The agent of the shipping company returned the bow with an energetic chuckle, “We are glad you’ve given us the opportunity to return the favour, especially for what you’ve done for our banner in the past. May we meet again!”

“I look forward to crossing paths once more.” Martial Kim nodded, before he politely excused himself from the convoy.

He ended up walking down a street, a familiar one. It didn’t take long before he came up to a familiar Funeral Parlour. Standing in front of the store talking to the owner, was a certain old man in rich golden robes.

“Mr. Golden,” He called out. “Greetings.”

The rich old man jumped on the spot, “Oh! Martial Kim! What a surprise! What brings you here?”

“I should be asking you sir,” Martial Kim responded as he bowed, “I apologize for not seeing you sooner. I had been helping the Constabulary with the death of Fae Fae... I am sorry, for your loss.”

Mr. Golden’s face soften, like a brick wall melting into clay. “I...I appreciate your kind words. And your efforts in finding out what happened to Fae Fae. I-if I was only a bit younger, I would be glad to volunteer and find out what happened to her... Poor girl. Poor poor girl.”

Martial Kim tried not to frown too hard. Mr. Golden was an elderly man. Although he could walk, talk, and remember things at a drop of a hat, the last thing the young master wanted to see is the rich old man to drop to the ground from a more than a heart break.

One part of him wanted to tell Mr. Golden, Fae Fae was alive. Perhaps his feelings and words could help wake her up... but then again – Martial Kim believed in the principle of suspect everyone.

Even the closest of kin.

So of course Martial Kim shovelled his true feelings aside. In saying that, he couldn’t help but glance at the Funeral Parlour Mr. Golden was visiting. The same place where Fae Fae’s Brother used to rent, before he ‘went up in society’.

Mr. Golden noticed the glance and he could not help a dry chuckle, “Don’t worry young man. The fortune teller once told me I would live to be 101.. But given what happened to Fae Fae... What is the point in living an immortal life?”

Martial Kim bowed his head in solemn silence, “Fae Fae really left more than impression on you, did she?”

“I don’t mean to slander my wives and concubines but...she is the only women I’ve ever met who treated me like a best friend.” Mr. Golden rubbed a hand over his wrinkled forehead, “No screaming about getting things her way, no nagging me to make something fancy, or interrogating me where I’ve been every time I come home late just... Someone you can open up and talk to, without judgment.”

He sighed, thinking back to the good times, “The type of girl who you feel happy just sitting next to, talking. Bed or without bed, y-you know what I mean?”

“I do, sir.” Martial Kim nodded back.

Mr. Golden nodded back himself before looking up at the Funeral Parlour, “I will marry Fae Fae... Yes, I know she’s dead. Don’t worry, Martial Kim, I am not hallucinating.”

Another small chuckle as he continued, “I plan to marry her posthumously. If there is one thing that scares people more than death, it is dying alone without a family shrine to cling onto. I want to have her name to be in my memorial halls back home, to stand amongst the grave tablets of my ancestors. Give her the name of Golden, so even in the afterlife she has prestige and status like a noblewoman.” He shrugged, “It’s the least I can do for her. In spirit, she has a roof over her head.”

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“How admirable of you, Mr. Golden,” bowed Martial Kim. “Does...your family approve of this? If I may ask?”

“Bah.” Mr. Golden slapped the air at the comment, “The only people I fear are my parents and they’re gone and buried up in the mountains with the best Feng Shui in the land! The only people throwing a fit are my wives and concubines. Hah. I will marry Fae Fae into my family regardless of their objections. I am the man of the house gods damn it!”

Martial Kim smiled at the gesture.

He wondered, if Fae Fae heard about this, would Mr. Golden’s notion move her heart so much she would spring out of bed to race into his arms? It would be a lovely sight to see, a miracle they’ve all been waiting for.

Alas the situation cannot make it possible any time soon.

Maybe, when the case was all over. Perhaps, Mr. Golden’s feelings were what Fae Fae needed for a proper recovery. Something sweet in all this tragedy, like candy after consuming bitter medicine.

Mr. Golden felt tired, from the weight of his heart, so he opted to just sit down on the steps of the Funeral Parlour Store. He patted the steps next to him, offering Martial Kim to join him as they continued to chat.

“All the gold in the world,” The rich old man sighed, “with a society ready to receive my golden blessings... Yet there is one thing I could never buy.”

“True love?” wondered Martial Kim.

“HAH!” Mr. Golden slapped his knee with a chortle, “The last time I trusted in ‘True Loves’, I ended up with too many women in the house who won’t stop bleating at me like a flock of mad sheep! I just... want someone who could hold my heart and protect it, treasure it. Fae Fae was a keeper. Not only would she safeguard my feelings, she would mend it with her own heart. It’s thanks to her, I could laugh off my burdens and make me forget why I am bitter in life.”

The rich old man sighed, before he turned to his friend to ask, “Am I being too silly? Too old for such a ridiculous request?”

“Not at all.” Martial Kim patted back, “There are days, where I wish I had a companion who could truly understand the burdens in my heart, without me opening my mouth. Someone who knew how to take my mind off of the sad things and refresh my soul.”

“I have no doubt you’ve seen many things in your line of work. More bitter than sweet. And here I am, all rich...all alone.” Mr. Golden rubbed his palm over his face to wipe off the weariness on his brow, “Call me a crazy old coot all you want – I, love, Fae Fae. Not because of how she services me. Even within raw passion, she gives me something more than pure lust – you know what I am saying!? Like I was young and in romance again with the love of my life in my arms! She made me feel happy, free!”

Mr. Golden stared up at the sky, his face so drained it was like he could die sitting there on the stone steps. “I am an old man. I don’t want to end up on my deathbed with not a warm hand to hold during my final hours.”

Martial Kim didn’t know what to say, or how to react. He truly wanted to tell him the truth, to give Mr. Golden hope, but the principles of the investigation! He suffered in silence, feeling the war between his angels and demons.

The burden, of carrying a secret.

Mr. Golden then spoke, “Martial Kim, my friend. Could I ask you for a favour? Wh-when you’ve caught the killer and bring them to justice. C-could I have ownership of Fae Fae’s body? I-I know the Constabulary have their own rules and what not but... I just want to give Fae Fae a proper funeral. To give her the proper sending, fit for a legend. Fit for a Flower Princess.”

Martial Kim thought it over before responding professionally, “I am in no position to say yes or no. However, I am willing to bring this up to the Judge and ask for his suggestion. I will do what I can to try to convince him, but I can make no promises. Once I have an answer, I will report to you without hesitation.”

Mr. Golden just gave Martial Kim a small hug. Like a father accepting his son’s long awaited thank you. He patted the young master on the back as he sniffed back tears in his weary eyes.

“You are a good man, Martial Kim,” the rich old man chuckled, “I am so glad to have met you.”

Martial Kim just...hugged back. He struggled in finding the best words without leaking any secrets, especially at this time.

.........Actually.

“Um. Mr. Golden,” the young master had an idea, “I may have asked you before, but I hope you could enlighten me. When did you propose to Fae Fae, exactly?”

“Huh? Oh. Well, it was roughly a week before I showed up to Mama-san in Celestial Dreams. At the time it was half spur of the moment, half planned. When Fae Fae accepted my proposal, I thought I would have dropped dead with joy. Hahaha.”

“Did you ever bring this up to Mama-san?”

“Oh I did! Well, I wanted to. When Fae Fae said yes, I was about to scream for Mama-san to come and bring up her contract, so I could buy her out of the brothel right then and there. But Fae Fae stopped me, saying she wanted time to sort things out before bringing it up to the manager lady.”

Martial Kim touched at his chin, pondering, “Did she say exactly what she wanted to sort out?”

“Not specifically but,” Mr. Golden shrugged, “She IS popular. Everyone loved her performances, and she had many other clients who she kept close contacts with. Now that I think about it, I guess she couldn’t just drop everything and walk away without a proper answer. Or at least, without an official send off. Er...” He pulled at the long white ropes of his beard as he added, “Kind of like when a physician retires, he has to hand over patients and stuff to the new replacement, right?”

“Indeed.” Martial Kim nodded at the metaphor.

“So I agreed with Fae Fae and we kept hush hush. Promised we will bring this up a week later, which was perfect because I needed the time to sort things out with my bank, get the funds you know? Lazy arses take a while anyway.”

Martial Kim leaned in to ask, “If not Mama-san, did you mention the marriage to anyone else? Your family? What about Fae Fae’s Handmaiden?”

“No. No one! Not a single word of it escaped my lips except between Fae Fae and I,” swore Mr. Golden. He then pointed out, “As for the Handmaiden well... As much as I trust her, she couldn’t exactly be present when I proposed as... as Fae Fae and I were having a session... It was three rounds in, did I got the courage to ask for her hand in marriage... So uh, a witness at THAT moment would be very awkward... You know?”

“...Right.”

Martial Kim tried not to blush, too hard, and distracted himself with this question, “Did you ever bring gifts for Fae Fae?”

“Why of course! Fae Fae was my favourite girl! Granted, she had a lot of fans bringing her presents but I didn’t want to be second best!”

“What do you give to her?”

“Oh gods.” Mr. Golden slapped a palm to his forehead, “I just grabbed whatever looked good from my shops. I give her so much, I lost track of what I gave her. So if you really have to ask, I can’t remember what exactly to save my life!”

Martial Kim then went, “What about a hairpin?”

“Yes? No? I honestly can’t remember. I give her anything I could carry: bracelets, hair accessories, brooches, necklace, earrings. I-I just love spoiling the silly girl. The way she gasps with shock is a cute and addicting sight. Haha...hah.......”

Mr. Golden suddenly held Martial Kim’s hand in his, a pleading look in his old gaze, “Please, Martial Kim. Find the killer. Bring justice for Fae Fae!”

Martial Kim returned the gesture with a pat of his hand on the old man’s arm, “I swear, I shall.”