Gillian Lyriss, a scion of a Magister House that ruled over Featherburgs with 2 other Magister Houses. She had blonde hair, reddish yellow eyes and fair almost pale skin. Her feminine figure would draw the eyes of men, the more lecherous type, and she walked with the grace of a noble lady. The assassins took guard at the door after locking in and Gillian Lyriss walked over to the bar with a light smile.
"Hello, Mr. William. I recently learned that my cousin has stopped by in your tavern. Is she still here?" She greeted and asked, standing at the counter of the bar.
"Miss Lyriss, understand that there will not be blood spilt at my tavern. I don't care if your a noble, as long as they are still here they are under my protection." I told her dryly.
"You misunderstand me. These three are spies for my House and were ordered to bring my cousin to us under the disguise of collecting a bounty, if they were forced to explain their presence." She explained with a light smile.
"So? Why should I believe you?" I asked her.
"Because Magister House Loyniil wishes to kill her and prevent her safe refuge under my family." She informed while sitting down finally.
"Well, she had already left with her escort but I'm sure she will arrive safely into House Lyriss' care." I shrugged to her with a stoney expression.
"That is problematic..." She grimaced.
"How so?" I asked with a raised brow.
"Lord Lyriss, my father, is the only one able to ensure her safety and it so happens that he has been away for a month now. My siblings would be more than willing to kill our 'distant cousin' to gain House Loyniil's backing." She said with a troubled expression.
" Miss Lyriss, I will trust your words only because of my own personal interest. However, if you lie to me then I will have no qualm killing your men and capturing you. Aerial! Go find Hannah and bring them back. Quickly." I threatened the noble before hollering for my new addition and giving her a task.
Aerial quickly came out and silently curtsied to me. Her body was covered in darkness and she sunk into my shadow before disappearing completely. At the same time, Gillian squinted her eyes at me with a small frown.
"Just because you know Null Magic doesn't mean your invisible Mr. William. If you had threatened me in any other situation, I'd have your head." Her voiced dripped with held back anger.
"You don't understand Miss Lyriss, if not for this situation, I would have killed you the moment you walked into my tavern. I do not like the Lyriss and Gerdan Houses for personal reasons. I'm only holding back because Lady Veronica would not like me killing those she calls her family. She trust your family enough to take a chance for her safety, even knowing that it could end badly. Do. Not. Test. Me." I leaned forward and snarled to the woman. The more I spoke, the more pale she became and the more fear that began to show in her eyes.
"Duely noted, Mr William." She nodded in submission.
"Good. Now get your men away from my door and order a drink. Kitchens closed for the moment." I nodded and instructed her before pulling a strong liquor off the shelves behind me.
She signaled for them to follow my command and the trio ordered a mug of mead. Gillian resorted to a mug of water and I took a shot to calm my nerves. An hour later, the bell rang again as the door opened. Migard, the archer, mage, Veronica, Aerial and Hannah walked in. Veronica sprinted over to Gillian before hugging her.
"Little Gil! What are you doing here?" She asked in confusion after separating the hug.
"To tell you that it isn't safe in the Lyriss Manor. Father isn't home and his wives are with him except for Filia. My siblings and step-mother would surely kill you to get into Loyniil's good grace. You need to find somewhere else to stay." Gillian informed her with genuine worry.
"I feared this would happen. Thank you, Gil. You have probably just saved my life. However, staying at the Lyriss Manor was a last resort... well, Mr. William, I'll have to trouble you." Veronica spoke with a complicated look before turning to me with a hopeful look.
"No! I mean, I don't think staying here is the best idea." Gillian nearly jumped off the stool but calmed down and gave me guarded glances.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but Lady Veronica's safety can be guaranteed within My Lord's presence." Hannah stepped forward and answered.
"..... I won't mind only if you tell me what your problem is with House Lyriss and House Gerdan." Gillian stared at Hannah for a moment before turning to me.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked with a raised brow.
"Yes. I need to be sure your personal quarrels won't come over Veronica's safety." She said without hesitation.
"Haaah~ Very well. Lu, drop the illusion please." I sighed in reluctance.
With a yip, the illusion fell. Gillian's eyes opened wide as she instantly recognized me. She faltered and took a step back in shock. Veronica was left confused by her mute shock and my knowing smile. The others had ordered food and kept to themselves as Aerial entered the kitchen. Hannah moved to my side and watched the 3 assassins warily, judging by their stiff posture, they knew who I was as well.
"N-N-Nero!!??" Gillian stuttered out in shock and confusion.
I simply smiled at her.
"Nero? What is going on?" Veronica asked Gillian after looking between us both.
"About a week ago ago, a sex scandal came out. At first, it was about Gillian Lyriss and Dorian Gerdan. Gillian has already been engaged with a family in the capital so this was a rather big deal. Imagine the gossip when it was found to be mostly true, just that it wasn't confirmed if Dorian was the partner in crime. So, before it got even worse, the Lyriss and Gerdan Houses needed an escape goat. An unlucky commoner that happened to be hated by Dorian all because his ideas were better and worked better than the noble scions ideas. The name of this commoner was Nero.
After falsifying evidence and leaking it to the public, I was forced to take the fall and got fired. This very event had eliminated the possibility for a new job. Thus, I was left in a town that hated me and bound to die soon. Luckily, my situation since then has change dramatically." I answered her while staring into Gillians panicked eyes.
"Veronica, you can't stay here." Gillian spoke with urgency but her eyes never left me.
"Hold on." I said as I softly raise my hand. " I am aware that the evidence was made by House Gerdan and I plan to only take revenge on them. Yes, my relationship with House Lyriss is sour and that's putting it lightly. However, It is in both our best interest to not make the relationship worse. Especially mine, as I am a commoner and unregistered Magister. I'm more than open to make a deal that turns my list of enemies from 2 to 1." I continued with a light smile.
"I don't trust you. Just knowing you can use Null Magic makes you a threat to House Lyriss." Gillian growled.
"Then let's become allies for the time being. I'll promise Veronica's safety until your father returns and you keep the information you learned about me today to yourself. If I fail in my task, surely you could report me to the Mage's association in the capital. After all, it is a serious crime to not get registered as a mage as soon as you become aware of your abilities." I shrugged to her as I suggested a deal.
"If so much as a scratch appears on her, I'll report you immediately." She threatened.
"That would mean I failed my task and thus, rightfully your next course of action." I nodded.
"Fine! When this is over, we will see if you are still a threat. Come on Veronica, show me the room your staying in. It better not be a dump!" Gilliam agreed in reluctance before pulling her cousin away.
"Oi! There is no need to drag me!" Veronica verbally retaliated but her words fell on deaf ears as they went upstairs.
Migard chuckled as he walked over to the bar. Sitting down he gave me a wry smile.
"So, you can use Null Magic and your actual name is Nero. Quite the set of surprises if I say so myself." He quipped.
"Yeah... I had my secrets because I want a quiet life. Unfortunately, even changing your identity doesn't save you from your old problems." I grumbled while grabbing another shot glass and pouring us both a drink, tossing 9 Copper Coins into the til for these two shots and my first one.
"As strange as it might be, sometimes the best fortune is misfortune. A little bad luck opens the doors for more lucky opportunities." He chuckled while taking the glass.
"With words like that, I'd call you an opportunist." I said dryly while pointedly looking at the shot glass in his hands.
"I don't know. What I do know is that it would be rude to turn down a free drink." He gave a cheeky smile before gulping down the shot and placing 6 more Copper Coins on the counter.
"Don't mind if I do." I smirk while taking the payment and pouring two more shots.
*****
Veronica led Gillian to her room and let her inspect her current living conditions. Moments ago, Gillian couldn't enter the third floor, let alone turn the doors know. When Veronica tried, the door opened with great ease. So, she took the lead and now they were inside her room.
"What in the 7 hells! The bedding is better than what I have at home, you have your own kitchen, there's even a space to sharpen weapons or repair your own armor and it comes with high grade consumables to ensure a perfect job! Even your shower is better! What is that even??!!" Gillian complained to her when she returned.
"Mr. Wil- I mean Mr. Nero called it a Rain Style shower. It is... actually really nice." Veronica explained sheepishly.
"Are all the rooms in this hallway the same?" Gillian asked incredulously.
"As far as we know, yes. Max has his own room and it is the same. Migard and Ashley share a similar room. So, as far as we know, all the rooms are the same." Veronica shrugged as she explained.
"Hmmm..." Gillian suddenly became thoughtful.
"What are you thinking?" Veronica squinted her eyes in suspicion.
"I'm think about renting a room for a full year here, just for the luxuries of course." Gillian admitted.
"Won't that make your family suspicious?" Veronica asked worriedly.
"Not if I say I'm going on vacation in the central region. I'll bring only a handful of Servants that are well trusted and sneak out during the night before I 'leave for vacation'." Gillian shrugged with a light smile.
"Why? I thought you didn't trust Nero?" Veronica was mildly confused at her actions.
"That is exactly why. If I am here, I can personally make sure he doesn't let someone hurt you or that he doesn't hurt you either." Gillian looked at her as if it was obvious.
"Oh..." Veronica said in realization as she cocked her head back.
"Exactly." Gillian nodded to herself several times.
"You must really want to try out the luxuries." Veronica teased her.
"Hey! The main reason is to make sure your okay and to spend time with you!" Gillian defended herself.
"Suuuuure! Keep telling yourself that." Veronica continued to tease her with a roll of her eyes.
"Grrrrr! Fine, I'm going back down there to buy a years worth of time for both of us! Your stuck with me no matter what for the next year!" Gillian growled in defiance before storming out of the room.
*Slam!* The door was slammed behind her and Veronica bursted out into laughter.
"She is still as gullible as she was 12 years ago." Veronica chuckled to herself while wiping the tears of laughter away.