The day of Yen's first death passes like a stream, calming her down from the worries and second thoughts she had received.
Duchess of Ceresé: "You seem more at ease after your death day has passed by."
Aquie sat on her chair, sipping some tea as she continued to browse through her papers on the table. It was at around 9 in the morning as Yen was present in the room as they were assigned in a new mission directly from the Royal Family.
Yen: "Who wouldn't be worried of death?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Quite a few people actually."
Sounds of papers being moved here and there, as well as the scribbling of a pen as it goes on ink for a refill from time to time were noises that echoed in the room
Yen just used a fork to get a piece of sliced cake, popping it into her mouth as she enjoyed the silence for a brief moment.
Yen: "What is this mission, and what am I supposed to do?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "This is a spy mission. In which I trust that you could do?"
Yen: "Who are we spying?"
Aquie frowned at the thought of the target.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Our 'precious' suspect for black magic."
At the realization, Yen's eyes widened. She never knew Bea to be a target for the Royal Family. There was no pointed evidence! This thought alone made her wonder what sins she might have done to even catch the eyes of such high position.
Yen: "What did she do?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "I simply reported our progress in this case so far. In order to be much more safer than danger, they hoped that we could spy on her for a while. Wouldn't you say that as a much safer option is the death of one than waiting for the death of millions?"
Yen: 'Yet taking this action alone would be a risk.. let alone suicide.'
Yen: "I don't think this is all that you'd be telling me, right?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "How keen of you. As expected of my little sister."
Aquie smiled, stopping on her tracks and eyeing Yen with confidence. It made Yen much more wary than she had to be.
Duchess of Ceresé: "I got to convince the family to get you a little sidekick! Although you spying on her is enough as I am really confident in your abilities, we still need to take precautions. Why don't you welcome him with open arms?"
The door of the office opened. It was perfect timing. Yen looked to her right with a serious and a curious look on her face but it all changed with pure shock in seeing the boy with beige hair and the same magnificent wine colored eyes she always saw.
Yen: "Haru?! He's my 'sidekick'?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Of course. Who else would I pick from the Royal guard?"
Haru just bowed down and took a seat opposite to Yen. She tried to be as composed as possible but this still took a large blow to her. She just cleared her throat as she took a sip of tea.
Yen: "Now, please elaborate further. I won't be able to execute this perfectly without the picture in my head."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Use magic so I can see if you pictured it correctly."
With that, a platform with blue outlines was made on the table. It shaped like a blank sheet of paper, and Haru was astonished by the sight.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Beatrice will be heading to the town square to buy some items. You both shall dress up as villagers and will keep a close eye on her from there."
A rough sketch formed on the platform, showing both Haru and Yen dressing up in village wear, watching closely over Beatrice.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Use magic to conceal your identity by changing your eye and hair color."
Yen: "Alright. Anything else?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "Don't forget to have fun on your journey there. You just need to make sure of the people she talks to and the items she buys. Anything that she interacted with or anything suspicious should be reported to me once you head back."
Haru: "I have a question."
Duchess of Ceresé: "What is it?"
Haru: "What exactly do you expect her to do?"
Yen: 'Smart question. We need to figure out their main objective for this too.'
She took a snack and ate it as Aquie took her time to sip some tea.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Signs of Maluminus."
Yen: "That sounds awfully similar to Malum."
Duchess of Ceresé: "As Malum is dark magic, Maluminus is the crystal that enhances the spell and extends the life of the one who uses it. It takes on any form or shape, but I'm sure that its aura is similar to Malum's."
Yen: 'Maluminus.. who'd even create such a thing?'
Duchess of Ceresé: "You can stop the magic and leave now while I continue to work. Just make sure you got your plan worked out."
They stood up and bowed to the Duchess in silence before stepping out.
Yen: "Let's discuss this in the music room. I could use a warm up."
Haru just nodded and followed her like an obedient puppy. The music room was not far from the Duchess's office, as the sound of music could maybe soothe her from her worries.
Yen was exceptionally skilled in music, most especially when playing the Violin. Haru just sat on the couch as Yen sat on one of the chairs after retrieving and preparing the instrument, closing her eyes before playing what in Haru's ears seemed to as a pleasant and heavenly tune.
Haru: "I've known you for years, yet I haven't even seen you play the violin. I must say it is amazing."
Yen: "It's nothing too exceptional. But it's best we talk about the mission."
Haru: 'Right..'
Haru: "Now, could you explain to me what Malum is?"
Her mood dropped with that word alone as the music started to give up a much more sorrowful song.
Yen: "It's an entity of black magic. Most likely the most powerful we have seen yet. With this, it had been given the title of 'Son of Poscanitus' and usually, Malum could posses anyone or anything easily with the influence of negativity, or just negative emotions in particular."
Haru: "So it could possess someone without negativity too?"
Yen: "The theory hasn't been tested, but it may be possible if the possessed being is mentally weak to handle things like that."
A moment of silence was loud. The only noise heard was the music as it slowly turned peaceful, in which Haru guessed was how Yen's mood changed into that of a positive one.
He wished to give her time to finish it because he himself was enjoying this.
Haru: 'I wonder what else do I not know about her..'
It made him frown slightly, but not enough to be noticed by anyone.
With a minute more of silence, the music had been ended gracefully and beautifully for Haru. To Yen, it was nothing more than her practicing to play after what it felt like so long, but to Haru, it was like heaven composed by an angel, or what he would like to mention as a goddess.
Yen finally opened her eyes and smiled at him. It gave him butterflies.
Yen: "Hah, it is quite bright after closing my eyes. I almost fell asleep.."
Haru: "So, the last thing I wish to talk about is our disguise.."
Yen: "No need to worry about that. I got that handled."
When it came to disguises, she had it all under control.
The next thing Haru knew was them wearing village wear, with Haru having Yen's hair and eye color, while Yen had his. They just casually walked around the capital as if they had lived here all their life.
Yen: "Fascinating, isn't it? I can hold this off forever!"
He became lost in her eyes, the same wine color he had once possessed before this disguise. She also now possessed the color of his hair, which made him turn flustered.
For Yen, she was also amazed on how handsome he looked in possessing her hair and eye color. It really was something she wished to see everyday. Something she never knew she wanted until she saw it before her very eyes.
Haru cleared his throat, distracting himself from his thoughts.
Haru: "Now let's try to find Be-"
Yen: "Ah, ah, ah! Do not go revealing such names in public! We should have codenames, including for the suspect!"
Haru: "Is that so.."
Yen: "So uhh, just call me Yooo.. la! Yula! It's quite the common name for a village girl. How about you?"
Haru: "Ren would be alright."
Yen: "And our suspect would be called.. fish balls!"
Haru: 'Fish.. balls?'
Yen: "You don't get it? Fish balls are what every villager wishes to eat daily! So it's best to refer to her and act like she's a pack of fish balls.."
Haru started to laugh at this. Her humor was definitely something he could never grow tired of, even though he knew that what she pulled off was just the bare minimum.
Haru: "How amusing.."
Yen: "Also, don't sound like a noble. Too much already."
Haru: "Alright then.."
Both went silent as they explored the area in hopes to run into the noble lady they were searching for.
Haru: "Where could fish balls be?"
Yen snorted at the name.
Haru: "What? You told me to use that."
Yen: "Sorry.. but she might be wearing something that could conceal herself, but I highly doubt it's village wear."
Haru: "Then what might it be?"
Yen: "Ah, there! I can see her, the one wearing a cloak."
Beatrice was obvious, yet no one payed much attention to it. She was wearing a cloak over what Yen could immediately guess as noble clothes. It was something Yen could obviously expect from her direct disgust to those lower than her. She was heading near the corner of an alley, yet close enough for anyone to eavesdrop on them.
Haru: "That's.. much more obvious than I expected.."
Yen: "She's just disgusted of those of lower status."
Haru: "I see.."
Haru: 'So she's picky.'
Yen: "Let's get closer."
Haru: "But-"
Yen: "Let's just lean on the wall and talk to each other like villagers. It's not that hard."
He hesitated, yet he found no piece of him to reject her.
Leaning on the wall near them, they both started a conversation about food. With the conversation they were holding, they really grasped the act of it, and though they were loud, they were able to hear the conversation of the two people in cloaks.
Beatrice: "Did you get the 'diamonds'? I assume it must have been taxing knowing the laws in the empire."
Yen could sense high levels to enhancing Malum. They found their evidence.
Hooded figure: "I've already commited an amount of crimes for you. Stealing, having connection with black magic with this.. crystal, and even attempted murder of the Young Lady of Ceresé yesterday. If the Duchess of Ceresé hadn't been wary for her, she would've died already."
At the mention of her death alone, she was consumed with fear.
Yen: 'I could have died either way..?'
She still had to continue the conversation to avoid suspicion, but the only difference was her slightly shaky voice.
Haru: "Do you want to get 'fish balls' later?"
Yen: 'He wants me to rest, yet I need to finish the mission.'
Yen: "It's alright. Let's just stay here a little bit longer."
Hooded figure: "Yet all this for just the death of one girl.."
Beatrice: "Vincent Carson! Do not question my intentions."
Vincent: "Yes.. my lady.."
Yen: 'Son of Viscount Carson? Does he really wish to help her?'
Haru: "Let's tell Miss A about the fish balls. I'm sure she'd like it."
Yen: "Let's just follow the fish balls first."
As the two hooded figures walked out, they took off their cloaks, confirming both of their identities.
Meanwhile, Yen and Haru were tailing behind, checking every store they've been to and pretending to check the other stores nearby to hide suspicion.
As Bea was checking a stall with jewels, Yen and Haru were just nearby, checking the animal section.
Yen did try to pretend to check the bird section, having her eye caught on the dove in the cage. Haru was keeping watch for them, ready to tap her on the shoulder once it's time to move.
Yen could feel a light tap on her shoulder, which she looked back expecting Haru.
Yen: "Ren, is it time to-"
She paused, not in confusion, but in shock, because the man who she assumed to be Haru was none other than Sei.
His face was not that close to hers, yet it was enough for her to feel butterflies in her stomach. If it were someone else, she might have slapped them by instinct. She just froze into place, hoping that she would soon have the courage to move. She can't just stand there forever.
Yen: 'Oh god..'
Yen: "H-hi?"
A wave of silence showered both of them as Sei cleared his thoat.
Sei: "Sorry to bother you but miss, you look somewhat familiar.."
She panicked. What would happen if Sei realized her identity? Would their mission sink rock bottom?
Yen: "M-me? I've never met you before though.."
Haru: "Yula-!"
Haru, who came back to inform them it was time to go, was also shocked to see Sei. Amethyst eyes looked at him with a frown. Haru felt like he was getting pierced through the chest with a sword by that look alone.
He avoided his gaze and turned to look at Yen, with a pleading look in her eyes. That was when he realized the situation they were in.
Haru: 'Our mission..!'
Yen rushed to Haru to avoid Sei, was smiling with relief, leaving Sei to watch them. She even held his hand and smiled, trying to keep on the act as long as she could before Sei interrupted. She ignored Sei completely.
Yen: "Ren! Has the fish ball stall have few people in line now?"
Ren: "Yes, now let's hurry before the stall owner closes it. It's getting late."
He was right. It was about 4 in the afternoon already, and they have been following Beatrice ever since it struck 1. Sure, they were able to find useful pieces of information with the conversations she had with Vincent, mostly asking for ideas for her next plan, but there was no mention of Poscanitus.
Yen just assumed that Vincent did not know that the demon she summoned was a high ranking one, which is why he even decided to help her. He was the type of cower in fear when it came to dark magic, but he wouldn't care as much when the one helping the host was a low status demon.
Leaving Sei behind, Yen felt quite sorry, but she knew she shouldn't be obvious with her identity. The only thing she had hoped for was him not questioning her once they meet again. She could never face those amethyst eyes ever again as he smiled at her with pure innocence.
Yet the black haired figure in question couldn't help but smile at assuming he had met her again, eyeing the dove she had been pretending to look at.
Sei: 'She looks exactly like her, but she just has Haru's hair and eye color..'
Haru, after thinking they have walked far enough, still tailing Beatrice, eyed Yen with a concerned look on his face.
Haru: "Were you troubled at all? What exactly did he say?"
Yen: "He just said I was familiar, but he can't confirm his suspicions."
Holding her hand, he squeezed it tight. This action alone made Yen feel quite warm inside, her heart beating fast as if it was about it explode and kill her.
Yen: 'Why am I feeling this again? Have I been swooning over both of them? It sounds too wrong to be true..'
Yen: "I feel much better now that you came. I wouldn't have been able to keep the act much longer if he started to question me."
Haru: "Before we talk about that, fish balls was talking about poisoning your dinner for tonight. Apparently, they have a mole placed in the house, blackmailing them in exchange for their family's safety."
Yen: "Have they mentioned who it was?"
Haru: "An elderly named Imelda. She's Aquie's most trusted, in what I heard?"
Yen: 'Of course she'd target Imelda..'
Yen: "I'll talk about her in the carriage. Let's proceed with the fish balls."
The moment she had said that, they both saw Beatrice and Vincent walking towards the carriage and watched them as they took off.
Yen: "Or not.."
Haru: "Why don't we get actual fish balls? If you don't mind snacks before dinner."
Yen: "Oh, I won't mind."
Yen smiled at him, but little did she know that that action alone was enough for Haru to just burst like a bubble. He couldn't control himself around her, and he could only do his best when it comes to composing himself.
He wasn't going to lie about it, but the moment he saw Yen with Sei, he felt a bit jealous. It seemed quite obvious Sei might have any feelings for Yen, but he could not bring himself to hate his cousin. All of it, in the end, depends on Yen's decision on who she decides to choose.
By the time they both got in the carriage, they were enjoying the food at hand, finishing it all in just a few minutes as the carriage set off.
Haru: "Before I forget, you should tell me about Imelda."
Yen: "Right."
She swallows the fish balls before starting her story.
Yen: "Imelda started working for the Ceresés way back when our father was the Duke of Ceresé. She was Aquie's lady-in-waiting and someone she could find as a friend."
Haru stared at her in awe as she continued to explain. She could tell but was trying so hard to feign ignorance.
Yen: "Imelda has grandchildren she takes care of after the death of their parents. Aquie wished for them a good life, so she lets them stay in Ceresé residence and pays for their tuition fees.."
Haru: "Then that doesn't explain how.."
Then it clicked. They might have used her grandchildren in this, which is why she wishes to follow them.
Haru: "What do you think triggered her to follow them?"
Yen: "Nothing else but holding hostage the lives of the children."
It was a terrible thing, but Yen wasn't surprised at all, knowing how she'd act. She was predictable and obvious, but not too obvious to get caught easily unless a smart person was involved.
Haru: "So, what do you suggest we do?"
Yen: "Hold a meeting with my sisters before dinner time. They'll know how to solve this issue."
Haru: 'I hope you're right..'
____________________
Marione: "Why are you calling for us here? Even before dinner too.."
Marione had been complaining for the lack of food she had for the day. She also had her part of the case to do, and she focused solely on it for the whole day. It explained why she left breakfast earlier, despite being the most talkative one. It was real weird and suspicious for those who didn't know about the black magic case.
Yen: "It's about the black magic case. I'm sure you don't want to miss this, especially right now."
They took a seat, Marione and Aquie beside each other on the couch on the right side of the office, as Yen and Haru were on the left.
Duchess of Ceresé: "So, what have you discovered, my little spies?"
Aquie was smiling with anticipation, while Marione kept a poker face, still having that glimmer of curiosity shine on her eyes.
Haru: "While spying on the suspect, we found another noble helping her achieve Maluminus."
Marione: "And that is?"
Haru: "Vincent Carson, son of a Viscount."
Marione: "Unexpected.. please continue."
Haru: "They had some conversations of Yen's attempted murder last night."
He eyed the Duchess who looked away and coughed meticulously, knowing she got caught in the spot.
Duchess of Ceresé: "I was aware of her well-being. Is that not the job of a sister?"
Yen just giggled from her actions.
Yen: "Thanks. But to the topic at hand, they blackmailed Imelda in trying to poison me with tonight's dinner."
The shock of both Ceresés was obvious enough to show how much they had trusted Imelda.
Marione: "With?"
Yen: "They used the lives of her grandchildren."
Yen took an eye on Aquie, who seemed like she was about to burst into flames, not at Imelda's betrayal, but the cruel acts of Beatrice. She could only guess what she would do next.
Aquie called the butler, asking to bring Imelda to the office. The butler nodded, and in a few minutes, Imelda walked in, bowing before asking why she was called in.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Marione."
Marione: "I removed it, don't worry."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Alright then. Imelda."
From her name alone, she shook in fear. In fear that something bad might happen to her, most especially to her grandchildren.
Duchess of Ceresé: "You don't need to worry about Beatrice. Your grandchildren are safe in my hands."
She still felt uneasy.
Imelda: "But what if.."
Duchess of Ceresé: "We'll keep the three of you in the mansion until this problem is solved. I won't let anything happen to you all."
Imelda just broke in tears as Aquie stood up and ran to hug her. A large burden was placed upon her for such a long time. She wished to be loyal to her master, but the lives of her family members were at stake? What else could she possibly put first after the death of her son and daughter-in-law?
This became of of Yen's motivations into stopping Beatrice. What she had done, even harming others to achieve her goal, it was too far of a sin.
Yen: "She'll pay for what she has done."
Everyone replied with silence, but she knew everyone agreed to what she said.