Chapter 42: Mr. Stark
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The Tamar was a warship, not a luxury cruise ship. Its design was utilitarian—a white, ironclad vessel with a semi-open deck at the bow. The area allowed a glimpse of the surroundings but offered no view of the sky above.
The deck was busy, transformed into a lively venue filled with tables, chairs, drinks, and food. Men and women mingled, their laughter echoing through the air. Courtesans danced energetically, reveling in the music as though it was their natural stage.
At the entrance to the deck, a group of intimidating bodyguards dressed in sharp black suits blocked access. As Ryuji approached with Diana and Samir, the bodyguards raised their hands to stop them.
Samir quickly handed over an invitation. After a brief glance, one of the bodyguards stepped aside, granting them entry.
"Who's hosting this event? They seem pretty influential," Diana whispered, her curiosity piqued.
Her sharp senses caught something unusual—the bodyguards weren't ordinary men. They exuded an aura of immense physical power, something she hadn't often encountered outside of her own people on Themyscira.
Ryuji led them to a quiet corner away from the dance floor. He wasn't interested in dancing and wanted to remain inconspicuous. Diana, too, refrained, as she had no gown suitable for such an occasion.
At the center of the gathering, a man in his forties was the center of attention. He was dressed in a sharp suit with suspenders and danced with a carefree energy that stood out among the crowd. His moves were wild and modern, out of sync with the formal atmosphere of the early 20th century.
After finishing his impromptu performance, the man wiped the sweat off his forehead and noticed the trio in the corner. A bodyguard whispered something to him, and he began to make his way over.
"Good evening," the man said with a charismatic smile. "Robert Stark."
Ryuji shook his hand, already wary of the man's intentions. "Ryuji. This is my wife, Diana."
Robert's sharp eyes briefly flicked to Diana, and he extended his hand respectfully for a quick handshake, keeping it professional. It was a small gesture, but one Ryuji appreciated—it showed consideration for his background.
"I must admit, I'm quite envious of you, Ryuji," Robert said with a chuckle. "It's rare to see such a stunning woman."
Ryuji laughed lightly, appreciating the compliment but remaining cautious. "Please, have a seat."
The two men exchanged pleasantries before Robert leaned in with a knowing grin. "You must be wondering why I invited you here."
"I was curious, yes," Ryuji replied, his tone guarded.
"Pure curiosity, I assure you," Robert said, pouring them both glasses of Martell. "I couldn't help but notice you among the crowd. You stood out—an Eastern man traveling with such... unique company."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "You've done your research."
"Only a little," Robert admitted with a shrug. "Let's just say I have a habit of noticing people who aren't what they seem."
Ryuji smiled faintly, choosing not to confirm or deny Robert's implication. Instead, he changed the subject. "What about you? You seem like someone with a story of your own. American, I assume?"
"New Yorker," Robert replied with a smirk. "I've been in Europe consulting on government projects since the war started. Let's just say I have a knack for innovation."
Their conversation continued, shifting between light banter and deeper topics. Ryuji found himself impressed by Robert's sharp wit and unorthodox way of thinking. However, the more they spoke, the more Ryuji began to suspect there was more to Robert than met the eye.
As the evening wore on, Robert finally stood to leave. "This has been an enlightening conversation, Ryuji. I hope we can speak again soon."
"Likewise, Mr. Stark," Ryuji said with a nod. "Before you go, I have one last question."
Robert paused, looking intrigued. "Go ahead."
"By any chance... do you have a son named Howard Stark?"
For the first time that evening, Robert's confident demeanor faltered, if only for a split second. His smile returned, but his eyes carried a hint of curiosity—and something else.
"You're an interesting man, Ryuji. I hope we meet again."
And with that, Robert Stark disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ryuji to ponder the implications of their encounter.
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Hm... I have a suspicion that I'm making some mistakes here... Leave your thoughts and if there really is, then correct me.
Also, guys! Let's pray together... That the new fic that I have put in schedual for power stone reset time will go viral 😭.
And hopefully, this time, this shadowbanned thing that I'm suspecuous of don't come my way, making the visibility of my new translation down to zero😭 fingers crossed 🤞