With my poor knowledge of the village, it took me a while to find the mansion. I had to admit, that mansion was worthy of that name. Rand's house was nothing compared to how the village chief of the Grasshill Village lived. Not only was the base made from stones, it looked at least four time bigger than his house. There was a fence all around the mansion, with a huge garden at the back.

Even my Freemount Village's chief couldn't afford such mansion. Other than guards standing at the entrance, there seem to be another two guards patrolling around the estate. 'This village chief has to be really wealthy, if he can afford at least four guards just to stay outside his mansion. No wonder Senty wants to marry into this family. Who wouldn't with such wealth?', I thought.

Because Rand, Nick and others could be at the mansion during my scouting, I couldn't get too close. Nonetheless, I was able to observe the behaviour of guards, and some of the preparations taking place in the large garden. Servants looked busy arranging seats, tables and decorations. I wasn't sure how easy it would be for me to sneak in with such outdoor arrangements, but that had to wait for the actual day. Then it would be easier for me to decide how to sneak in, and how to administer the poison.

'Judging by the long table at the very back of the garden, this should be the seating area for important people. Including Senty and her new husband', I figured. I couldn't deliver the poison personally, that wouldn't work. Rand or others would immediately recognise me, with or without trying to blend in. My best bet was the kitchen area, where food and perhaps drinks would get prepared.

There was a side door that servants used to enter and leave the mansion. 'These doors must lead to kitchen or area close to it... I'll have to figure out how to get there though', I thought. Simply jumping over the fence, and walking wasn't the option. Besides, if he could afford four guards on a normal day, how many more guards would there be on the wedding day. The solution was simple, yet difficult at the same time. 'I need a disguise'. Not just any disguise, but that of a servant.

'I'll go back and eat something, then catch some sleep', I thought before heading back to my rented room. Once I knocked on the doors, the old woman opened after a while. "Oh, you are back already? I haven't finished the dinner yet, but are you hungry?", she asked. "I'll be fine to wait a bit for the dinner, thank you", I replied while following her inside the kitchen.

"There's loads of people in the village today. Are they all here for the wedding?", I asked just to start the conversation. "I'm sure they are. After all that young boy is getting married. That old chief will throw a big party I'm sure. I'm worried for my little Fiona though. She'll be busy during that time", she replied. "Really? What does your granddaughter do then?", "I didn't tell you? Oh my... She works for that old coot in the mansion. You know, the village chief". Her reply made me surprised, but also worried.

Her granddaughter could be of help while getting inside, but, at the same time a witness. Moreover, even if she didn't help me, she could spot me while there. I was debating myself whether to leave that house, or stay and avoid the granddaughter. 'I'm not able to avoid her though, she lives here, and can simply knock on the door to enter my room'. The thought urged me to leave, but there was another thought that made me stay. She was a good source of information, especially since she knew about the whole mansion.

'I'm not going there to kill people, just administer the poison that's not lethal. So long Rand and others don't spot me, it shouldn't matter whether her granddaughter recognises me or not... She even mentioned how busy the place will be', I thought. Moreover, she could provide me with some information, albeit my questions needed to be casual.

About half an hour later, the old woman's granddaughter came back home. She was confused to see me sitting there with a cup of tea, while her grandma finished up cooking the dinner. "I didn't know you had a guest... Excuse me, but who are you?", she asked. "Oh, I'm just renting a room for the night. The taverns...", she interjected me before I finished. "What? Grandma, why are you inviting strangers to our house?... Can you please leave, it's not nice to take advantage of someone elderly".

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Her grandma told me to stay, and turned to her granddaughter. "This young man needed a place to stay, and he paid for me to provide one. He's a nice boy, don't act like that. How will you ever find a husband with such attitude?". The granddaughter stared at me, "Can we talk for a minute alone?". "Fiona, stop acting...", I stopped the old woman. "Please, no need to get angry. I can have a talk with your granddaughter", I said and followed after her.

"Do you think it's funny? How can you take advantage of an elder like that?", she asked me furious. "It's true that your grandma is too kind hearted, but I'm not here with ill intentions. She offered me to stay here, and I paid for that stay", I replied. "We don't need your money. We can take care of ourselves. Why don't you just leave us alone?", she said, which felt like a bad husband came back home unwanted. "I'm not saying you need me, but I'm not willing to sleep on the street either. I'll stay only one night", I explained.

She took a while to calm herself down, but then replied, "Fine, just one night. Only because it's late now, and there aren't any options for you. I want you gone from this house tomorrow. Do you understand?". "Sure, no need for the flare by the way. I'll speak with your grandma about this too", I replied and we returned to the kitchen.

I explained to the old woman her granddaughter concerns, and doubled down on them myself. Though her kindness was appreciated, not everyone was like me. "I'd like to ask you that in the future, you talk more about such things with your granddaughter. I know I'm just an outsider for you, but I believe a family is the most important", I said. The old woman looked at me for a minute, then came over, and patted me on the head.

"I know that look. You don't have family, right?", she asked. "Not anymore... We always have that deep wish to turn back time, but... It's just a wish", I replied while the memories of my parents resurfaced in my mind. She returned to finishing up the dinner, and served it in silence. Her granddaughter didn't say anything else to me either. Perhaps she felt guilty about the words she said, or perhaps she simply didn't want to talk with me.

After dinner, I headed straight into my room, and laid down on the bed. I wondered how my life would look like, if my parents were still around. Perhaps I'd be married already, or work with them as a family business. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. People like Rand or Senty, rotten people who led a happy life. Yet, people who worked hard and remained humble suffered. Perhaps my anger was directed at the unfairness of the world, or perhaps at the people themselves.

*Knock*, *Knock*. The sudden knocking on the doors interrupted my thoughts. "Come in", I invited. There was no surprise on my face when Fiona entered the room. That told me she felt a bit guilty, after hearing about my circumstances. "You don't have to feel guilty, or apologise. I'd probably act the same. This just shows how much you care for your grandma", I said before she opened her mouth.

"Nonetheless, I was a bit agressive... Anyway, have a good rest. I'll be busy from tomorrow, so... If I don't see you, then good luck on your journey", she said, but before she left, I asked, "Your grandma told me you work at the mansion. Must be tough, especially with the wedding and whatnot". "Yea, these few days were hectic. I hope it goes back to normal after that wedding though", she replied. "Seems to me you need an ear to pour out some of your frustration. We can talk if you want, I've nothing to do now anyway", I proposed.

She looked at me for a while, perhaps a bit surprised. "Yea, I'm young, but been through a few things. I can tell you'd like to talk to someone. Who better to talk to than a stranger? It's not like they'll ever find out. I'm not from this village after all", I added. She laughed a bit, and took me up on that offer.

Fiona talked for about an hour. She poured out her frustrations about some guards, other servants and such. I'd ask her questions once in a while. Sometimes those which might help me, while other times just random questions concerning her frustrations and experiences working there.

I learned more about the area of the kitchen, mansion and the garden as well as how the service would be carried out. She sighed at the end and said, "Wow, I didn't know I could talk for so long. I feel much better now". "I told you, sometimes it's a good idea to get such stuff off your chest", I replied with a smile. "Yea... It's a shame I'm not going to have that opportunity again. Anyway, I'll let you rest. Oh, and perhaps we will meet again if there's a chance", "Perhaps", I replied before she left the room.

There was one vital piece of information I managed to learn. One of the servants liked to drink quite a bit. He frequented one of the taverns, and usually would smell like booze the next day. This was important, because it would solve my disguise issues. I sat there for a few minutes, before leaving the room. "You are going out so late, young man?", the old woman asked me once I walked down the stairs.

"Hehe, I'd like some exercise before going to sleep", I replied. "You don't have to lie, if you want to go for a drink, you know?", she said with a smile. "Hehe, I don't drink. I'll be back soon, no need to worry", I replied before leaving the house. 'Fiona was kind enough to say which tavern he frequented. I just need to make sure he's dead drunk', I thought on my way there.