"Are you ready to meet the duke?" Nacht asked, adjusting his cloak and securing his mask. He retrieved his sword, fastening it across his back. Alice nodded, having donned the clothes Nacht had given her since her dress was now dirty and torn. Dressed in black, they almost looked identical.
"You seem to favor the color black," Alice remarked, inspecting her new attire.
Nacht nodded. "Indeed, but it serves a practical purpose beyond personal preference. Black is less conspicuous in the dark, making it easier to evade notice and avoid trouble," he explained.
Exiting the dressing room, Alice twirled to display her outfit. Nacht was taken aback, a faint blush tinting his cheeks.
"Are you blushing?" Alice teased with a smile.
Nacht turned away abruptly, offering no response. Alice chuckled and followed after him as they made their way through the city.
Approaching the grand mansion gate, they encountered two guards on watch. One held a rifle, while the other's hand rested on his sword hilt.
"State your business?" one of them inquired. Before Nacht could respond, the other guard gestured towards Alice and murmured to his companion. The guard nodded and signaled for them to enter the mansion. Nacht shot Alice a quizzical glance. "You seem more than just a friend of the bride. Are you withholding something?" he queried. Alice simply smiled in response. "I'm not, it's just difficult to explain," she replied cryptically, following the guard inside. Nacht sighed before trailing after them.
As they crossed the courtyard, the guard addressed Alice. "The duke was expecting you earlier. May I ask what delayed your arrival?" Alice recounted her encounter with bandits and Nacht's subsequent rescue, prompting the guard to scrutinize Nacht skeptically. "This woman managed to save you from bandits?" he asked incredulously. Nacht, clearly annoyed, retorted softly, "I'm not a woman."
"Pardon?" the guard started to say, but their conversation was cut short as they reached the duke's chambers. "Excuse me for a moment. I'll check if the duke is ready to see you now," the guard said before disappearing into the room.
"So, Alice, care to shed some light? Why is the duke so keen to meet a purported friend of the bride, especially one he doesn't know?" Nacht inquired. Alice nodded, crafting a vague response. "He simply wished to... become acquainted, considering my close connection to his bride," she offered. Nacht nodded thoughtfully as the guard returned. "Unfortunately, the duke requests Lady Alice's presence alone. You'll have to wait here," he informed Nacht.
Nacht attempted to voice his objections, but Alice reassured him quickly. "I'll be fine. Just wait here, alright?" she said. Reluctantly, Nacht sighed and settled onto one of the benches outside the room.
As Nacht sat on the bench outside the duke's chambers, his mind churned with questions and doubts. Alice's explanation about her relationship with the duke and his bride seemed too vague, too rehearsed. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her story than she let on.
Glancing around the lavish courtyard, Nacht observed the opulent decorations and the guards stationed at every corner. This was no ordinary meeting. The duke's interest in Alice piqued his curiosity further. Why would a powerful nobleman like the duke be so eager to meet a supposed friend of the bride, especially one he didn't know?
Nacht's thoughts circled back to Alice herself. She appeared innocent enough, with her soft voice and gentle demeanor. But there was a fire in her eyes, a determination that belied her outward appearance. Could someone like her really be as unimportant as she claimed?
As he pondered these questions, Nacht's gaze drifted back to the door of the duke's chambers. Inside, Alice conversed with the duke, her fate hanging in the balance. Nacht couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for her safety. Despite her insistence that she would be fine, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was in over her head.
With a sigh, Nacht leaned back on the bench, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty. He knew he couldn't trust Alice completely, not until he knew the truth about her and her connection to the duke. But for now, all he could do was wait and see what unfolded behind those closed doors.
Duke Sebastien and the Black Blade
Suddenly the door to the Duke's chamber flung open and the guard stepped out. As the guard gestured for Nacht to enter the room, he rose from the bench and stepped inside, his eyes scanning the surroundings. To his surprise, Alice was nowhere to be found. A sense of unease settled over him as he searched the room, but there was no sign of her presence.
His attention was drawn to the figure seated at the table in the center of the room: a young man with black hair and a mustache. Nacht approached cautiously, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. Sitting across from the man, he met his gaze with a steely determination.
"You asked to see me?" Nacht inquired, his voice laced with suspicion. The young man nodded in response.
"I hear that you are the one who rescued Alice," the man remarked, his tone casual. Nacht's grip tightened on his sword as he confirmed his role in Alice's rescue.
"Tell me, Black Blade, what are you doing so far from home?" the man questioned, his words dripping with intrigue. At the mention of his title, Nacht's expression darkened, and without hesitation, he rose from his seat, drawing his blade and pressing it against the man's throat.
"How did you know?" Nacht demanded, his voice low and dangerous, as he pressed the tip of his blade a bit harder against the duke's throat. A droplet of blood trickled down, staining the pristine surface of the cup before them. Despite the threat, the duke remained composed, calmly lifting the cup and taking a sip of tea before meeting Nacht's gaze.
"I have my ways," the duke replied cryptically, his tone unwavering. His eyes bore into Nacht's, betraying no hint of fear or concern.
"Before things escalate," the duke interrupted calmly, gesturing with his teacup, "let's have a civil conversation, shall we?"
Abruptly, a dozen guards stormed into the room, rifles at the ready, encircling Nacht. He assessed his surroundings, weighing his chances against the odds. The duke's smug smile did not escape him.
"You may be skilled, black blade, but you're outnumbered," the duke taunted, his confidence unwavering. "And even if you were to escape this room, there are hundreds more guards waiting outside. But fear not, I have no intention of spilling blood today. I simply wish to talk." He took a leisurely sip from his cup, his demeanor unsettlingly calm.
Nacht's grip on his sword tightened as he assessed the situation. The odds were heavily against him, with a dozen armed guards surrounding him and countless more stationed outside the duke's chambers. Reluctantly, he eased the pressure of his blade against the duke's throat but kept it unsheathed, ready for any sudden movements.
"And what is it that you wish to speak about, Your Grace?" Nacht inquired, his tone laced with skepticism.
The duke set down his cup with a delicate clink and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "I am intrigued by your presence here, Black Blade," he began, his gaze piercing. "You are known as the 'black blade of the empire,' a formidable figure feared by many. Yet, here you are, far from the confines of your homeland. What brings you to our humble city?"
Nacht remained silent, his mind racing as he weighed his options. He knew revealing too much could endanger his mission, but defying the duke could prove equally perilous.
Nacht eased back into his seat, his hand lingering on the hilt of his blade resting on the table. As the guards withdrew at the duke's command, Nacht locked eyes with the duke, his expression unreadable behind his mask.
The duke's lips curled into a wry smile as he leaned back in his chair, studying Nacht with a curious glint in his eye. "Quite the revelation, isn't it?" he mused. "To discover that the infamous black blade is, in fact, a woman."
A sly grin crept beneath Nacht's mask as he seized the moment to keep his identity shrouded in mystery. "Does that pose a challenge for you?" he retorted, his voice laced with a hint of defiance.
"No, of course not," the duke replied smoothly, a sly glint in his eye. He poured tea into Nacht's cup, the liquid cascading gracefully like a gentle waterfall. "Now, tell me, black blade, what brings you to my city, to my mansion? Are you here at the request of your 'master'?" he inquired, his words laced with curiosity and a hint of cunning. Nacht's eyes flickered briefly to the tea filling his cup, a silent reminder of the delicate balance between friend and foe. "Perhaps I am, perhaps I am not," he retorted, his voice a whisper of mystery and intrigue. "But why would I reveal such secrets to you, Duke Sebastien?"
"Because you require something from me, don't you?" remarked the Duke, taking another sip from his cup. He peered at Nacht, seeking any hint of emotion, yet the masked figure remained stoic.
Nacht nodded. "Perhaps. But before we proceed, where is she?" His eyes glinted with a menacing intensity, suggesting he could strike the Duke down at any moment if unsatisfied with the answer. His grip tightened on his sword.
"She is safe, I assure you, but I cannot divulge her whereabouts," replied the Duke calmly.
"Why not?" pressed Nacht.
"Because she wishes to remain here," the Duke explained calmly.
Nacht let out a frustrated sigh. "How do I know you're not simply speaking on her behalf?" he demanded.
In response, the Duke slid what appeared to be a letter across the table toward Nacht. "She left this for you," he stated simply.
Nacht picked up the letter and broke the seal, unfolding it to read its contents.
After reading the letter, Nacht folded it with a sigh, his eyes fixed on the duke with an intense gaze. "You're marrying her?" he asked, his voice steady, masking the turmoil within.
The duke's smile held a knowing edge as he nodded in confirmation, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken truth. Nacht's mind flashed back to Alice's whispered confessions on that moonlit rooftop, her apprehensions about her friend's impending marriage. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
"So, it was meant to be her," Nacht mused, his voice carrying the weight of realization. "But after her disappearance, her father and you agreed to wed her half-sister, Mary. And now, Alice has returned to reclaim her place."
The duke's affirmative response confirmed Nacht's deductions, their shared understanding lingering in the air.
Nacht's frustration simmered beneath his stoic facade as he pressed the duke for answers. "Who is her father? And why is she marrying you?" he demanded, his voice tinged with impatience. The duke's response was guarded. "I cannot disclose that information," he replied evasively.
Exhaling a resigned sigh, Nacht shifted tactics. "Can you refuse the marriage?" he inquired, searching for a loophole in the duke's plans. The duke's smirk belied his amusement at Nacht's suggestion. "And why would I do that? Will you marry me instead, black blade?" he teased, his gaze lingering over Nacht suggestively. "I wouldn't mind that. You look quite beautiful," he added, his tone laced with mockery.
Nacht's hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, a silent warning to the duke's audacious advances. "I'm not interested. Is there another way?" he pressed, his patience wearing thin. The duke's response offered a glimmer of hope. "The gladiator Arena," he proposed, his tone shifting to one of intrigue. "If you win the tournament, I have to fulfill one wish of yours."
Nacht's interest was piqued, but his skepticism lingered. "The gladiator Arena?" he echoed, contemplating the risks involved. The duke confirmed his suspicions, detailing the brutal nature of the competition. As Nacht prepared to depart, the duke's hand caressed his face, a gesture of temptation. In a swift motion, Nacht reacted, pressing his blade against the duke's throat with a steely resolve. "If you touch me again, I will make you regret it," he warned, his threat hanging heavy in the air.
With a chuckle, the duke watched Nacht retreat, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I will make you mine, black blade. After all these years, we meet again" he murmured, his intentions shrouded in secrecy as he returned to his tea, a smile playing upon his lips.
Nacht stormed out of the duke's chamber, his mind racing with thoughts of Alice and the duke's ominous words. As he made his way through the opulent halls, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the duke's intentions than he had revealed. The idea of the gladiator arena lingered in his mind, and despite his disdain for the duke, he knew this might be his best chance to secure Alice's freedom.
As he exited the mansion, Nacht found himself standing in the bustling courtyard. His eyes scanned the area, looking for any signs of Alice, but she was nowhere to be seen. He had to trust the duke's word that she was safe, at least for now. His immediate concern was to prepare for the arena.
He made his way back to the inn where he was staying, deep in thought. The arena was notorious, a place where warriors from across the lands fought to the death for glory and wishes granted by the sovereign powers. It was a dangerous proposition, but Nacht was no stranger to danger. His reputation as the "Black Blade" had been earned through countless battles and a relentless pursuit of his goals.
Once at the inn, Nacht began his preparations. He sharpened his sword, checked his gear, and mentally prepared himself for the trials ahead. The arena would test not only his physical prowess but also his resolve. He knew that the first three matches were solo battles, a grueling test to weed out the unworthy before advancing to the main event.
The next morning, Nacht set out for the arena. The city was already buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming tournament. Merchants hawked their wares, spectators placed bets, and warriors from all corners of the world gathered to test their mettle. The grand coliseum loomed in the distance, a colossal structure that seemed to pulse with the energy of past battles.
As Nacht approached the entrance, he was greeted by a grizzled arena official. "Name?" the official barked.
"Nacht," he replied, his voice steady.
The official scribbled his name down and waved him through. "In the arena, you'll need a nickname or a title. Do you have one?"
Nacht closed his eyes, remembering his past and how he got the title and sighed before answering. "The Black Blade," he replied before walking into the arena's inner sanctum, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The roar of the crowd echoed through the halls, and Nacht felt a surge of determination. He would win this tournament, secure his wish, and uncover the truths that eluded him. The battle for the arena, and for Alice's future, had just begun.
He stood in the waiting area, listening to the distant roar of the crowd and the clashing of steel. Soon, his title would be called, and he would step into the arena to prove himself. The stakes were high, but Nacht had faced worse odds before. This time, failure was not an option.