[Before the fall of Az'Talon...]
Location: Ma'at (Immortal City)
Rio sat with his legs crossed while looking at Evelyn. She sat across from him, her head bowed and hands on her lap.
When Rio arrived, he spoke to the lord of the manor about the barbarian woman who worked for him.
The Marquis trembled wondering if she had offended the young master but Rio brushed that aside and merely stated that he was curious.
The woman before Rio had actually been hired from one of the lower class districts after answering an ad for a housekeeper in the manor.
She had been one of the six people hired and worked really hard to maintain and go beyond the Marquis' expectations.
Noticing that her talents were being wasted on housekeeping and that she had earned a lot of trust from his own family with her work ethic and charming nature, he pushed for her to get a job at the Imperial library.
This was normal in vampire society. The accomplishments of one's household were respected but the accomplishments of those who served under them were marvelled at.
Merely having competent servants was not enough. Bragging rights would go to those who were able to scout and nurture talent.
"You were more talkative when we first me."
"I apologise again for that, Lord Rio. I did not know that..."
"That I was a Pureblood high-noble?" Rio sighed while interrupting her.
"Yes, my Lord. Rank and status matter in the Empire." She stated.
This fact was proven when the lord of the manor, Marquis Gilford was told, by the relative of a higher noble with purer blood, to leave his own garden so that Rio could talk to a being of lower standing than the Marquis.
Instead of being surprised or even offended the Marquis bowed and left, almost thankful that the matter had nothing to do with himself.
"You say that as if you have a disdain for the way things are." Rio said.
"I do not understand..."
"Look at me while we speak, please. It is much more polite considering this is a friendly conversation."
The vampire then looked off into the distance and then turned his head back to see the girl's defiant eyes staring back at him.
He was slightly taken aback. He could not remember the last time someone even looked at him weirdly let alone with so much contempt. He smiled.
"I do not understand why you are here, Lord Rio." She said with more firmness.
"I told you that I am here to see you." Rio replied casually.
"Yes, I have been seen. Is there anything else?" She asked.
"Why are you so jaded, Evelyn?" Rio asked.
It was now the girl's turn to smile. "Forgive me, my Lord. I simply cannot understand your intentions. I made the mistake of not confirming your identity and your right to be in the Imperial library. I understand that but you say that, that is not the reason you are here yet I cannot fathom why else you would be here with a friendlier attitude and I am unable to grasp what has caused this absolute turn around."
Rio smiled again, this time showing perfect with teeth. "May I ask, why would I not be in the Imperial Library. We are in the capital city. Some knowledge is free and this is the Ma'at district. This district has the largest number of high-nobles than any other in the empire. Why would you not try to confirm my identity?"
"It is as you say, my Lord, in theory but the truth is that only those above the rank of Marquis can be in the library at that time and the nobles above them are, dukes, archdukes and the Dark Radiance Himself.
"However, I have never seen, and neither have my predecessors seen someone as high blooded as you in the Imperial Library in nearly millenium. I have been in the Crimson Empire for half a decade, not one year, as you assumed, but I carry the wisdom of those who trained me.
"We often get barons, viscounts and even the odd count here and there but not even a Marquis has set foot in the Imperial library in this district for a very long time. I assumed, and I assumed wrongly, that the situation was the same. I will be more careful in future."
Rio kept a straightface while she spoke then nodded when she finished. She was not wrong.
Many nobles had their own private libraries, they had no need to go to the Imperial Libraries, anything they wanted they could get.
"And the books you were reading that night?" Rio asked. Evelyn's defiant eyes were replaced by fear but only for a second but Rio's sharp eyes saw it. Her heartbeat seemed normal but Rio could tell Evelyn was slowing it down on purpose. "Why are you interested in the First Patriarch?" Rio's eyes narrowed.
"That is my business. I like to read, especially history about the Crimson Empire. It is my right as a citizen." Rio could not tell if she was lying or not.
"I could [compel] you to tell me." Rio said. His eyes glowing for a moment.
Vampires had high charisma. Their ability to charm people bordered from light suggestion to outright slavery depending on how powerful the vampire was.
"You could, my Lord, but that would be against the laws set by the Emperor."
The laws stated that no one could be charmed or compelled into something illegal or immoral.
Compelling any citiizen for one's own gain was heavily frowned upon unless one had reasonable cause to do so.
There were ways to tell if someone was compelled and detect the person who did it.
The punishment would be death. This was a law set by the Dark Radiance, breaking it was akin to treason.
Rio's eyes stopped glowing. He smiled. "Yes, you are right. I was only joking. I do have to go though. A carriage will pick you up from the Library tomorrow. I have spoken to the Marquis. You will come to my castle and we will have another chat."
Rio rose from his seat, gave another smile but his eyes were more interested than before.
He walked away, thanked the Marquis, passed him a bottle of wine then left.
Evelyn saw the Marquis look at her. He bit his lip then walked off into his study. Evelyn had attempted to be as simple, direct and docile as she could be.
She wanted the Pureblood noble to lose whatever small curiosity he had for her but it seemingly did not work.
Now, a high noble's attention was on her and their operation. It was a terrible outcome.