Rahey had an inkling that the universe was undoubtedly on his side. About 10 minutes earlier, he had heard someone knocking at his door and jumped to the conclusion that it was Curil. When the person who entered wasn't Curil, Rahey had thought it to be unfortunate but it was the opposite.
The intruder had introduced herself as 'Anice' and then conveyed to him something she overheard pertaining to him. Rahey knew she wasn't doing it out of the generosity of her heart or that at the very least, she wouldn't do it if he wasn't 'Azil'.
By her body language and frequent glances, it was obvious that the two of them used to know each other well in the past. Were they friends? A childhood crush? Was it just deep respect and affection? He wasn't sure but he knew he couldn't let the chance go.
"Thank you, Anice." He decided to look worried instead of being casual about it. Azil wasn't the scheming type so the news would be a shock to him. "I...I just can't believe it."
Anice shifted nervously. "I understand, young master. This may be out of line but I think it's better for you not to go to the auction."
"Not to go?" Rahey winced, "But I promised my father I would change."
His words had the intended effect because Anice hesitated. The two of them were seated facing each other so it was easy for him to notice her actions and expressions. She looked disturbed but it went beyond just hearing about the ministers' plan- there was something else bothering her.
"Did they mention anything else about me?"
"No..."
So they did mention something about him. Whatever she had heard was holding her back from becoming the perfect spy. At this rate, their relationship would also start and end with rumours.
"That's a relief but I'm sure they're still doing it."
"Doing what?"
"Making up rumours about me." Rahey sighed, "Whenever something goes wrong, they find a way to shift the blame onto me even if I have nothing to do with it. I thought this would be my chance to fix my image but..."
Anice's eyes widened and she sat more upright than before. She seemed reassured again and he noticed the quality he had been trying to bring out with his words in her eyes- conviction.
She needed one more push.
"I've failed again. It might have been better for me to have died-"
"What?!" Anice interrupted him for the first time, "Of course not! Don't say that! Those ministers have always been making things difficult for you but you've managed to endure until now so please don't give up..." She trailed off at the end, likely with embarrassment.
"Really?" Rahey smiled. "Thank you, Anice." He paused, letting the atmosphere sink in a bit more, "Actually maybe...no, never mind."
If Anice wasn't curious about what he wanted to say then there was no point in expecting her to act as a spy. From what he had observed so far, she was an impulsive person who liked him a lot and sometimes stepped out of line. She seemed persistent with strong morals.
It made sense if she had been close to Azil in the past. Their personalities were complementary because they shared the same core values and aspirations but one was like still water and the other was like a waterfall. If he had to compare himself to them, especially Azil, then they were total opposites. Rahey was more like a raging fire.
"What is it, young master?"
In the end she asked just as expected. "I don't know if it's okay for me to request this but I was wondering if you could help me at the auction."
"Help? How?" She was perplexed. Rahey smiled upon hearing, accidentally letting his true personality out for a moment with the excitement of making a strategy.
"There's a way."
***
Anice left the room to a darker night. Most of the lamps were out so she walked slowly, relying on her senses. Even the moon and stars were hidden behind a layer of clouds.
Her meeting with Azil had gone well. Azil was still who he was and she didn't regret going to him but something was off. She didn't know why but she felt a slight dislike towards him as he was explained his plan of action.
Azil wanted to turn it back on the ministers. He wanted to scare them away to the point where they wouldn't dare to mess with him again.
Anice wasn't ignorant enough to think his near death was a normal accident. She understood his intentions if he was seeking revenge and there was nothing wrong with taking the auction as a chance to retaliate but it still felt wrong.
The Azil she knew was forgiving. He wasn't risky and he wasn't good at dealing with people but the Azil of the present did both with ease. He adjusted rapidly and went a step further.
However that slight dislike wasn't enough to deter Anice. She still wanted to help him and it wasn't a difficult task either. Moreover, the words from the start of their conversation lingered in her mind. If the ministers had been spreading false information about him then Wren might have ended up as a victim to that. If Anice continued to stay by Azil then she would eventually be able to procure proof that Azil hadn't done anything wrong and she could convince Wren to stop following those sleazy ministers.
Things seemed like they would work out so why couldn't she shake the feeling that something was wrong?
***
He was set to return soon, much sooner than Curil had anticipated.
Curil couldn't help but feel anxious as he paced around his room. His master would arrive towards the end of the auction and although nobody was letting him in on their plans, he knew that some of them were planning on using the auction to spoil Azil's name without his permission.
Speaking of Azil, all his problems seemed to trace back to him. The fact that Curil was now an outcast around the other ministers despite being their leader before, the fact that his master was displeased with him and the fact that he could no longer sleep well at night- it was all Azil's fault.
Azil had been such a good, quiet child but his passive-aggressiveness in dealing with Curil since he woke up after the incident was astounding. It was embarrassing because Azil hadn't done anything outrageous but something about his aura made Curil feel like Azil was as terrifying as his master just in a more immature way.
"Excuse me." There was someone at his door.
"What is it?" Curil snapped. He didn't like being bothered when he was ruminating.
"The Lord's brother has sent you a letter."
The mention of his master was enough for Curil to rush to the door. He snatched the letter out of the messenger's hands and shut the door loudly, his hands shaking as he fumbled to open the letter.
He hadn't read the content yet but he knew for certain was that his peaceful days were over.