The flickering light of a dancing candle illuminates a darkened room with only the opulent moon from outside seeping in, to increase the luminosity of the seemingly pitch-black room. The light emanates from a small desk in the corner of the room, to the left of the bed. The desk is made of wood yet exquisitely designed by a professional carpenter who only caters to high society. Upon the desk are a single lit candle, an unrolled parchment and a feather quill with ink. Seated at the desk is a medium height dark-haired woman, with a slender build, blue eyes, fair skin and wearing a silver laced nightgown. Her eyes faced intently at the parchment placed on the desk, her eyes moving up and down as she quickly memorises every word on the page.
With her steely gaze upon the paper, her mouth forms words under her breath with each word she identifies. A few minutes later she lifts her head and rests her chin upon her right palm, supporting the weight upon the table, her gaze cast to the window. Her eyes are aglitter with the shining of the moonlight as she looks in awe at the majesty of the celestial body in the night sky. Her face protrudes a small smile as she continues to gaze and the flickering lights outside, along with the incoherent sounds of the kingdom's nightlife. Thoughts begin to encircle her mind as the image of Orpheus's face appears before her. "I wonder when he will return, he didn't seem like himself." Puckering her lips in annoyance at the thoughts she experiences, she then continues her thought.
"Wait what am I thinking, I'm not his keeper, who cares what he's been up to all night." Embarrassment begins to expose on her face as she begins regretting her own thoughts. "Damn why did I have to act like a stupid innocent girl." Her annoyance rises as her face hardens at her thoughts. "No stop that, we have a purpose here and Orpheus has his role to play, stop it... let the past die, innocence is an encumbrance, we can't let it distract us, he doesn't let such emotions way him down, neither should I." With a slight nod, she internally agrees with her own statement as if forcefully ripping her forehead forward.
A soft rattling sound can be heard from behind her, turning back she realises that it is the rattle of the door handle. It rattle's for a moment then followed by a loud clicking sound, the door swings open revealing Orpheus with a lowered hood and his usual dark cloak and sword at his waist. Stepping into the room, he closes the door behind him with a soft thud and a swift influx of air. His gaze casts upon Susanna seated at the desk with her head turned behind her and returning his gaze. His expression portraying a gloomy aura as if a dark cloud hangs over his head, pouring rain on a sunny day.
Stumbling forward he reaches for the sword at his hip, unfastens the sheath and places it against the right elbow rest of the sofa. Turning his back to the sofa he falls back into its comfort and slumps his weight, his right arm resting on the side as he stares off into the distance. Prompted by Orpheus's sudden and abrupt entrance, Susanna grasps the parchment in her left hand and moves to the sofa. She seats herself to his left with her legs clenched together situated across with her toes touching the left elbow rest.
Turning her gaze to Orpheus, she sighs loudly prompting him to slightly turn his head acknowledging her as she begins to speak. "Are you okay?" She asks with a thick undertone of concern and a sincere expression of sympathy.
He pauses for a moment in order to get his bearings, his gaze firmly locked to the floor, after a few moments he lifts his gaze towards her and answers her question. "It's nothing, I'm fine... how are we progressing?" Speaking in a monotone voice almost portraying no clear and identifiable emotions, he quickly answers her question whilst prompting his own.
With his sudden change of topic, Susanna stared back at him with a hard gaze as if dissatisfied with his swift answer, lowering her gaze to the parchment she hands it over to him. Grasping it carefully from her hand, he opens the parchment and inspects the large list of various names. "I've studied all the names carefully and also learnt a few things from several of the maids regarding a few on the list." She speaks with an air of a professional delivering a report as she gestures with her right hand.
Orpheus looks down the list of names and then turns his gaze back to her. "Maid's?" With an air of confusion, he states a singular word as his eyebrows furrow and begins to squint.
Returning his gaze, she begins to detail the previous night hours that occurred. "Yes, a few maids came by the room asking if I needed assistance since they possible could have useful information, I struck up a conversation with several of them." Her words cease at the end as if waiting for Orpheus's acknowledgement of her statement.
His mind quickly moves to a pondering state as he thinks about what she just spoke off, a moment passes and he replies. "Really, what kind of information can be gained from the palace maids." Casting his gaze to his left in a squinting fashion, portraying disbelief towards the person next to him.
Susanna turns her gaze forward and ponders her memories for a few seconds before answering. "From a single maid not but cheap gossip, but when you speak with several sequentially one after another a great deal can be gained." Ending her sentence with a slight satisfied smirk, Orpheus's eyebrows rise in surprise as she continues. "The first maid I spoke too, Eloise a lovely girl, so helpful but start gearing the conversation towards the nobility and she begins to pour like a fountain, it's the same with the others." Her grin increases with a smug face as the stream of information continue with Orpheus listening intently. "But mediocre gossip is probably not to your liking, so I'll stick to the useful parts." In response Orpheus nods in agreement, prompting her to explain further.
Sighing a little but in exhaustion, Susanna begins to explain her discoveries. "One of the names on the list came up, a Lord Henry Furton, It seems he had an odd request for his daughter Jasmine, who was a close friend with Eloise... she confided in Eloise that her father Lord Furton asked her to report to him about the movements of a certain... royal knight." Pausing at the end of her sentence, she shifts her body in the seat as if moving closer.
Orpheus leans forward with his head turned to the left and asks a question. "A noble want to spy on a Royal Knight and is using his daughter to do it, a bold move, did you get the name of the knight?" Gesturing his right-hand outwards with his palm facing the ceiling.
A swift memory of the name flashes within her mind as she conveys said information. "Sir Issabella I believe, Royal Knight directly under the command of the queen." Leaning to the left she peers into his eyes to better convey her words.
Gazing back at her for a moment he turns his gaze to the floor, bringing his right hand to his mouth as he ponders this recent development. "Hmm an interesting development, I know very little of this person, so it will be best to keep an eye on her when she resurfaces... what else?" He speaks as if talking to himself and then turns to Susanna to request further details.
Immediately and without hesitation, she continues dispensing more information she has learned. "I spoke with the three other maids but have yet to gain their trust, but there was a name that came up frequently with all three..." Pausing for a moment as Orpheus flashes an expression obviously portraying his desire to know more. "Lord Winthrope, it seems he has made a number of sexual advances upon them every time he has arrived in the palace." With disdain hidden in the undertones of her almost emotionless voice she explains.
Orpheus's eyes sparkle with recognition of the name she just spoke of as he begins to speak. "Well done, I never thought maids would have access to such information, shows what I know." In acknowledgement of her efforts, he smiles in satisfaction, creating a warm atmosphere in the room. "Lord Furton is a man we should keep an eye on and the Royal Knight Issabella as well, but Lord Winthrope... now there's a familiar name, a lust-filled fiend as well as a traitor." Tilting his head to the left with a now smirking face.
Susanna gazing at him flashes a confused expression as she immediately requests clarification. "Familiar how so?" Tilting her head in a similar fashion she asks a question in a monotone voice.
Turning to meet her gaze as he folds his right leg onto his left thigh and relaxes backwards, he answers with a jovial expression. "He was in bed with Lord Kencus and is most likely in opposition to the crown... this man could be advantageous and since his name is on the list, I can say with certainty we have found the first candidate." Pointing his right index finger at the parchment he speaks with a writhing desire hidden behind his grinning face.
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Flashing a dumbfounded expression towards the odd statement she just heard, Susanna looks down to the parchment clutched in her hand and back to Orpheus. "So, Lord Winthrope aided in the failed coup and what do you mean by a candidate?" She asks with a still confused expression upon her face, whilst her mind runs through various scenarios.
Pausing for a moment as his satisfied and jovial expression fades into seriousness. "He's a candidate for a little... demonstration." Speaking with a cold and calculated tone he responds with limited information causing Susanna to furrow her eyebrows.
With a wave of confusion at his statement begins to take hold of her senses, her still cycling mind finally edges its way to a conclusion. Her face then perks up from this sudden realisation as she flashes a smile. "Oh, I see..." Comprehending her expression Orpheus faces her as she continues. "The Royal Gala?" Sparks of enlightenment emanate from her gaze as Orpheus nods in acknowledgement before speaking once more.
"Exactly, the King thinks he will be able to mend the wounded pride of his subjects, I think we should educate our little king that some wounds can't be healed but fester in the dark, waiting to rear its ugly head."
Wide eyes of curiosity begin to encompass Susanna's expression as she listens to the man seated next to her. Listening to his words as her thoughts furiously spiral-like lightning with multitudes of ideas and concepts simultaneously take shape in her mind. Keeping those thoughts close to her chest she shifts in her seat with her right side slightly brushing against Orpheus as he speaks. "Lord Winthrope, I believe he will be the perfect candidate." His voice exudes confidence all too familiar to Susanna's gaze, with his statement coming to an abrupt end he gazes forward as if some interesting fact appeared on the wall.
Going into deep thought Susanna pauses and then enters deep contemplation for a few seconds before an idea rises forth from her mind. "Orpheus may I ask, why this particularly noble, he doesn't seem like he would be the best person to target, wouldn't it be better to target someone in the royal family?" Her inquisitive desires directed towards Orpheus's intentions begin to radiate outwards catching his attention, with his gaze she continues explaining. "You can control the minds of others as you displayed with the goblins, wouldn't it be best to bring someone in the circle of the royal family under your control and influence the realm that way?" Making an astute and obvious point, Susanna awaits an answer from him patiently.
Orpheus pauses for a moment before smiling sincerely and gives his reply. "A good question, but the spells I possess to influence a person's mind, possess two fundamental flaws in the kingdom." Gesturing his right hand with his palm and fingertips pointing towards the ceiling, Orpheus pauses for a moment and continues. "The first flaw is a man named Arnas Ekron, the court mage and representative of the Atrasal Society, all though the man Is a fool he is still a high-ranking member of the society and would be aware of such spells and how to counter them." With new information flowing from his very words in waves, Susanna continues to listen, absorbing every detail and categorising it within her ever-expanding mind. "So, the royal family and those surrounding them would be protected from such spells, the second flaw is that the spell is not infallible and not just anyone can be controlled, it depends on the person's mental fortitude and strength of will." Speaking these words Orpheus appears akin to a teacher lecturing a student gazing at him in fascination and eagerness to learn.
Witnessing her still widened and curious gaze, Orpheus pauses for a slight smile before continuing further. "That is how we come to Lord Winthrope, it's already established that he is involved in the conflict between the crown and the nobles and when it comes to internal conflicts, if you can't influence one side, you can influence the other." Tilting his head to the right and then to the left to illustrate his words, he then witnesses Susanna nod and begins to interject.
Breathing in a small gasp of air she contemplates her response, then immediately speaks. "So, you wish to influence the conflict within the kingdom, do you wish to fan it's flames or end it swiftly?" Asking her question causes Orpheus to ponder a moment as he lowers his gaze to the ground as his eyes sharpen in thought.
Returning his gaze to her, he replies with no hesitation. "It depends on the objective of the conflict but either way it would be a useful tool regardless." Speaking with confidence and vigour as his gaze sharpens even further almost to point of displaying a malevolent expression, befitting of a devil.
Thinking more on the subject, Susanna ponders even further as the information on the mysterious man she has chosen to aid all circulate within her mind, after her contemplation she speaks once more. "So why do you think that noble is a candidate for your influence?" Asking a simple question, she already had several answers deep within her mind that she simply wishes to verify.
Hearing her question Orpheus replies immediately as if he already had the answer in the back of his mind. "Two reasons... one, since he is just a noble, I doubt he is protected by Arnas and the Society, two, from the simple piece of information you gleaned from the maids, it has been determined he gets a bit handsy with them, such behaviour is indicative of someone with limited impulse control... from my experiment's such minds are easier to manipulate." Speaking in a calm and collected voice he gazes directly at Susanna as her eyes gleam with surprise at the vast array of knowledge she just consumed.
Nodding in acknowledgement as her eyebrows furrow close together with a singular thought forming in her mind. "What about your staff, it was a staple of your heroic deeds, without it isn't your plan to establish yourself publicly, halted?" Inquisitively asking her question Orpheus sighs in response as if the words drew upon some dormant annoyance dwelling within.
With her words reaching him, he continues to sigh slightly louder before replying with confidence. "I have already taken steps to deal with that setback... also, a useful piece of information has just surfaced that may help." Speaking with a slight smirk as if hiding something, Susanna with her keen sense immediately spots something amiss.
With several potential answers flowing in her mind she immediately asks to verify the correct one. "And what information would that be?" She asks with her cold expression forming upon her recently scarred face, she raises her left hand to her left cheek and begins scratching faintly. The faint marks indenting in her pale skin from the rigid nails on her fingers leaving reddish flushed marks on her cheek.
Noticing her actions, Orpheus immediately adjusts the current topic as he reaches towards her with his right hand and begins caressing her left cheek. Mildly shocked at the uncommonly tender action she slightly retracts her left hand for a moment before placing it upon his. Orpheus sighs for a few seconds before asking his question. "Does it hurt?" Speaking in a strangely caring tone of voice and considerate eyes, portraying tenderness.
Being taken aback by his actions, Susanna caresses his hands softly in a reassuring manner and then grips it within her fingers. Moving his hand away from her scar she places his hand upon his lap and smiles genuinely. "It's fine, you needn't worry, I'm more concerned with you, is something bothering you?" She asks her question as she places her right-hand upon his shoulder.
With her hand placed on his shoulder, he feels an odd sensation of comfort as his eyes widen at her heartfelt actions. Gazing back at her his thoughts begin to spin at her intentions as he thinks to himself. "She is being awfully comforting suddenly, have we gained a relationship like this, is she suspicious of me or perhaps she is deflecting." Several theories begin to emerge in his mind as to the motivation of her actions, with a moment passing by he speaks up. "You don't need to worry about me, I'm just tired, and... and it's been a long night." Speaking in a soft voice, his eyes obviously displaying fatigue as if his actions before were hiding that very fact.
Susanna immediately gazes and acknowledges Orpheus's façade dropping away and revealing the fatigue he had been holding back. She immediately moves her right hand to his right shoulder and places her slender arm around his back, with a minimal amount of force she pulls down his upper body and lightly places his head upon her lap. Orpheus's expression widens in surprise at her action before experiencing the comforting and warm sensation of her lap. His eyes grow heavy as if being cradled in the arms of a soothing soporific effect, with the newfound comfort he listens to Susanna's voice from above. "I know you're being strong for me and your hiding your pain in place of my own, but we need to trust each other and that means bearing each other's burdens." Caressing and intertwining her fingers in his jet-black hair, Orpheus faintly listens to her words.
Peering down from high with a caring expression like a mother tending to her child she continues speaking in a strangely angelic tone. "But for now, rest and when the sun rises once more... perhaps a new day can give us time open up to each other." With a slight smile upon her face she peers down to see a sleeping Orpheus faintly whistling his nose in slumber, her smile widens at this sight she can only label as uncommonly cute. A strange girlish sensation begins to arise within her, causing her face to blush for a moment before she squashes that sensation with a cold exterior. With a sudden change in her expression, her thoughts start barrelling forward as she contemplates within. "Stop that, you must never let your guard down... the man here is not an adorable figure that I can inflate in fantasy... this man is not a dashing hero... he is a killer and there is no guarantee that he cares for me, his prior actions of saving me can be seen as pity, even compassion or possibly... opportunity." Leaning back on the couch as Orpheus sleeps just below her chin her mind spins with ever-evolving possibilities that have yet to come to fruition.