A certain group of elders gathered for a second night in a row, this time in a dimly lit study within their estate grounds. The room's heavy wooden panels seemed to absorb their hushed voices, lending the usual air of conspiracy to the proceedings. It was here they discussed the plan to steal the holdings from the Goltbred family.
It was also here that the surgery to implant the masking tool was performed… as well as the flesh sculpting imposed upon an unluckily naive merchant's apprentice. The body double part of their plan had apparently been a wasteful precaution. However, it now seemed like taking many more such insurances and safeguards would have been wiser.
"The Goltbred girl has been making waves quicker than we anticipated. Her performance at the bridal test was... unprecedented."
The eldest of them began in a voice gravelly with age. He sat in an ornate chair while the others stood in a semi-circle in front of him.
