"You know, I could get used to living like this," Romeo said as he dropped a grape into his mouth. "Just relaxing all day, doing nothing. It's pretty great actually."

"Aren't you a noble?" Banksy mumbled through a mouthful of toast. "That's pretty much what you would be doing if you had stayed home, isn't it?"

Romeo snorted. "You think being a noble is so easy."

"Yes."

"You don't just get to sit around. It's lesson after lesson. How to sit, how to talk, how to move, even how the breath correctly. You don't do it right, by the way. You sound like a dying donkey that just ran a marathon. It’s because you hunch over, it restricts the airways. It also makes you look short, not that you aren’t already short. Anyways, then there are all the formal events. It's maddening man. You feel like you never get a break."

Banksy blinked. "I lived on the streets.”

“Well yeah but-”

“And was basically owned by slavers. Trust me, it is not as hard as you think it is.

"Yeah well… alright, you win this round," Romeo said as he flicked a grape at Banksy. It hit him in the forehead and the thief let out a growl.

Unlike Romeo, Banksy was not enjoying his time at the manor. In fact, being trapped inside for so long was starting to make him claustrophobic. Every day he stayed made the feeling that much worse. It didn't feel like he was a guest, but rather a prisoner. Privacy was basically nonexistent. Since day one he had had a personal servant who tended to his every wish and also escorted him to every event. It was impossible to get any investigating down with the bastard following him around.

Plus, it felt somewhat unnatural to order another person around so casually. Not that Romeo seemed to have any trouble with it as he ordered another platter of grapes with a wave of his hand.

"You worry too much. It's only been four days. Everything is fine," Romeo said through a mouthful of food. "Besides, tonight I'm getting some one on one time with the Widow Black. I'm sure I'll learn something important. Maybe she'll even pick me to be her new husband. I'm telling you, Romeo Black, it's a good name."

"You got an invitation?" Banksy sat up straighter. Every morning the suitors would have breakfast together before going off on their separate ways to enjoy the grounds. Lunch was a similar affair. However, every night, the Widow Black would invite one of them to dine with her in private.

The next morning, he would not be in attendance. Deemed unworthy and sent away by the Widow Black during the night.

At least, that is what the assumption was.

With Cross's expulsion from the manor, Lexi and Makina had moved into a closer position and were camping out in the forest that extended into the Widow Black's land. Neither of them had seen a single person leave the manor.

Which meant they were still there. Somewhere.

But Banksy was no closer to figuring out where exactly that was because he hadn't been able to sneak around at all. His servant even managed to stand by the door all night. Banksy had learned this the hard way the first night when he had opened his door and almost had a heart attack to find the man standing there, waiting for him with a pleasant smile and a quick bow.

"Well, you better figure something out before Lexi gets impatient and storms the manor."

Romeo winked. "Don't worry. I got this. Besides, she already kissed me you know."

Banksy's head jerked up. "She what?"

Romeo nodded smugly. "Oh yeah, right here on the cheek. You see Banksy, I have this thing called animal magnetism. It's my curse and I must bear it alone."

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Banksy's mouth twitched but he managed to keep the smile from his face. "I'm sure.”

xXx

"I do not like camping," Makina said. It was not the first time she had said it and it would not be the last. When Lexi ignored her, she let out a huff and sent a blast over cold air to wash over the shadow mage.

"Then return home," Lexi said without turning to look back at Makina. Laid out on her belly and positioned next to a large, ancient tree with her cloak hiding her figure she watched the manor with an unwavering gaze.

"Impudence," Makina muttered. "I was under the impression we would be doing something when you told me we were moving positions."

"We are doing something. Reconnaissance is a vital part of this mission."

"Oh, and what fascinating information have you gleamed from staring at that heinous excuse for a home?" Makina said. “Honestly, money apparently cannot buy taste.”

Lexi finally turned her head to look at Makina. "Perhaps you should consider a nap. You are growing quite fussy, Maki."

Makina's face flushed and she went quiet for almost a full minute before she crawled beside Lexi and propped her head on her hand. "So, what are we looking for."

"Ideally, some sign of movement in or out of the manor. We know that four of the suitors have gone missing. We were not here to observe when the first two reportedly left, but since we have not seen the other two leave, we can assume that no one has left the grounds."

"Is it possible they did not take the main road?" Makina asked.

"It is possible, but unlikely. These are all aristocrats from noble families. I wouldn't expect them to take anything but a personal carriage and none have come or gone. Not even a delivery."

"Then they are inside the manor still," Makina said. "So now we wait for the idiots to determine their location before we strike?"

"That is the plan. Romeo has been invited to dine with the Widow Black tonight. He will be in a good position to gather information."

"Do you really trust that oaf to do anything more than parade himself around like a fool?"

Lexi laughed softly. "Despite himself, Romeo is quite capable, you know.”

“Yes, yes, I am sure. But I still would be wary of giving him too much leeway. The same could be said for all of those under your command.”

“Maki.”

“Yes.”

“You realize that you are under my command, don’t you?”

Makina waved her hand. “Obviously I do not count. While I am part of your team, I am also above it.”

“Obviously.”

“Th-They will be safe, yes?” Makina said suddenly. Her tiny fingers curled against the grass. “Not that I am overly worried, however, after the incident with that horrid succubus I simply… Well, I just do not want them to do anything foolish that might get them injured. If they do, Lara will be forced to work extra and then that will put too large a strain on her and… and…”

Lexi reached out and placed her hand on Makina’s head, stroking her hair gently. She smiled as the diminutive Goddess went silent. “They might not look it, but those two probably have better teamwork than anyone else in the guild. They argue, but they are always watching out for each other. If anything happens, they will be able to handle it.”

Makina nodded, but her brow remained furrowed.

“It’s frustrating, I know.” Lexi said softly. “Watching from the sidelines. You feel helpless. Useless. But this is a team effort, and we all have a part to play. That’s why trust is so important for a team, and I trust every member of my team. That includes you, Makina.”

The pair fell back into silence. A breeze blew through the trees, carrying a few dried leaves on the wind. Makina reached her hand out and directed the current, bringing a particularly crunch leaf to her outstretched hands.

“You can eat these, you know.” Makina said softly as she spun the brightly colored leaf by the stem. “They have quite a sweet taste.”

Lexi glanced at her. “Oh?”

“Aria taught me about it. It’s subtle. You have to wait until just the right moment. Only a few minutes after it breaks free from the trees and glides on the wind. Once it hits the ground, the flavor will be ruined.” Makina held the flower for a moment longer before holding it out towards Lexi. “Cross told me you have a fondness for sweet things. Here.”

“Thank you.” Lexi accepted the treat with a nod of her head. “Is there any particular way I should eat it?”

Makina turned back towards the manor. “Aria said… says, she says that it’s best eaten with someone you care about.”

“I see.” Lexi held the leaf for a moment before carefully splitting it in half. She extended the leaf towards Makina. The young girl hesitated for a moment before taking it.

Smiling, Lexi popped the leaf into her mouth and almost instantly let out a moan of satisfaction. While she had expected to have to chew the leaf, it instead dissolved almost as soon as it met her tongue, filling her mouth with a sweet and tart juice.

“Amazing,” Lexi sighed out as the lingering taste began to fade. “Thank you, Maki.”

“Think nothing of it.” Makina looked up and away, suddenly very interested in the sky. “Also… Well, yes. I feel the same way about… I mean to say that I find you… I trust you. Very much so. So, so let us continue our job and keep a look out for Banksy and Romeo.”

“Yes, let’s do that, then,” Lexi said quietly as she returned her gaze to the manor, a smile growing on her face.