Ercilia went on another secret escapade that evening – her only escape from her reality.
Quietly slipping into her shoes, she stole past the sleeping overseers, though she was sure they were only pretending, and went outside to head for one of the trees standing tall and proud on the meadow. There was a bird perched on a branch, regarding her from above. She ignored it and proceeded to sprawl under the leaves and branches.
These night escapades of hers had become almost routine, and no one had stopped her – at least not yet.
Not even a moment after arriving, the leaves rustled, and suddenly, there was someone on the grass beside Ercilia. She hadn't noticed the lanky-looking girl until she got too close. It threw her off a bit – that even after all that training she went through, she still couldn't sense this person.
"You."
Ercilia acknowledged her companion. Shoulder-length, forest-green hair, eyes of the same color but in a lighter shade, and fair skin - she's the one who had been by her side when Iorwerth paid a visit earlier.
"You were pretty brave back then."
The girl complimented her, making herself at home beside her. But her words felt empty to her. Worthless.
"I couldn't do anything."
"You tried, which was more than what any of us could have done."
For a moment after that, they sat in uncomfortable silence. That's until Ercilia spoke again, "Is it true? Is he going to take her in as one of his… women?"
"That's what I heard. Apparently, buying people is a favorite pastime for noble customers like that man. Some rich women do it, too. Mr. Isis in particular probably has to pull a lot of strings to be awarded that privilege, though."
"And you heard this from?"
"The overseers. They're not as slick as they fancy they are. Most of them get bored and crack some time or another. They don't really notice me, so I come to know a lot of stuff."
"Stuff?"
"Like you."
The more her companion talked, the lower her voice became. Now, it's in almost a whisper. She did not even realize that she had scooted closer to her, and she would not notice if she did not stop talking for a moment – the suspenseful pause may have been to put some sort of effect.
"I knew that you would be coming a few days before you set foot here. The overseers were buzzing about it. It was all they'd talk about."
Ercilia pondered over the reason.
She could not deny that she was one of a kind – she was once the mafia's heiress, after all. Aside from that, she's intelligent, competent and talented. Even so, there's something about the way she said those words that gave her the impression that those are not all there are to it.
"I thought you might know why. I've been wanting to ask since you came. All I could gather was that you were supposed to be some sort of a missing piece. That you were indispensable for something."
"But what would-"
"Hush."
Suddenly, the girl hushed her, and in one swift motion, threw a rock at another bird that perched on the tree. The contraption fell down, electric sparks buzzing angrily, and the other bird watched, curious.
"Nice aim," Ercilia said coolly.
"Thanks, though that's about all I can do. By the way, it's Delaney."
Her companion then thrusted her hand out to her. She stared at it, hesitant.
"We're not allowed to speak our names," she reminded her, frowning.
"You're the only one who sticks to that rule," she replied and shrugged.
"For a good reason."
"Let me put it this way. I want to know your name. I plan on being an assassin for the mafia, and so, I want to be on good terms with a person who is basically guaranteed to be a colleague."
Ercilia regarded her contemplatively. Delaney smiled a little, nearly genuine.
"So, not friendship?" she asked.
"I'm not hoping for that much. I propose something mutually beneficial. My association with you, a prime candidate, will bring more attention to myself, and you…" she explained then trailed off, softening her voice before continuing.
"I will tell you everything I hear. Every bit of information that comes my way."
Ercilia considered her options. Guinevere's blind preference towards her had set off alarm bells from the start, and in a place where she didn't know friend from foe, any information would be indispensable. Delaney could come in handy.
"Ercilia…" she introduced herself at last, finally returning the favor and giving Delaney a firm handshake.
"But the moment you lie to me, I'm telling Grandmother about you."
"I never lie."
She hissed, then.
The threat seemed to work. It irked Ercilia that people thought she and Guinevere were close. She had noticed the special treatment awarded to her, so much so that it seemed almost unfair. But to think it was for some sinister reason -
'Of course, it was for a reason,' Ercilia thought, sighing.
Every move was made for a reason in this world. Every one of them had to be selfish to survive.
"Thank you for telling me, Delaney," she told her with a smile, and she shook her head.
"No. You don't have to, Ercilia. To be honest, I was extremely jealous of you. Well, I still am. I feel like it's unfair that you are guaranteed to live."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. That makes it worse."
Delaney sighed yet smiled nonetheless. For once, Ercilia felt at ease with someone in that place.
"I wish I can hate you, Ercilia, but you're a good person."
Their interaction was a small, momentary comfort yet pleasing all the same.