(Lara’s POV)
I changed into a more presentable dress as soon as I got to the fortress, taking off the makeshift dress made by Shadow, as I have nicknamed him, although I already know his name, Akatsuki Yozora. He is an assassin of great ability and craftiness. I was testimony of his abilities.
I’m right now preparing to meet him, who is on the other room, waiting for me. My daughter is with me, helping me to dress.
(Mary): “Mother, why trust that assassin?”
(Laura): “He saved us Mary, and not only that, he did it without being hired or with knowledge of who we were. Also, assassins live by their word, and if he is loyal to his original hirer, there’s nothing to lose by hiring him.”
She nodded, helping me to tie the strings on my back. I look at myself in the mirror. Pale skin, with beautiful face with delicate features. Green emerald eyes filled with vitality and rosy lips. I’m taller than Shadow, being around 1,80 meters tall.
I breath in deeply, thinking about what just happened in last few hours. The bandits, the rescue and now a conspiration against me from own soldiers. After my husband fell ill, he was unable to manage this city, and since I’m not as good as he is, it ran out of my control quickly.
I managed to patch things up with the help of the adventurer’s guild, as well some of my childhood friends, and now, although the law in the territory isn’t perfect, is enough to give safety to the citizens. I’ve been looking for allies, but although I have enough political power, I’m low on powerful swords.
And not only that, Shadow is great at sneaking, and he also managed to infiltrate on the bandit’s fort seemingly effortlessly, and even set traps for the enemies. Assassins of his caliber are rare, and almost never come to an isolated city such as Faye.
His help would be welcome. Breathing in, I go to his room, kissing the head of my daughter and asking her to wait here. Opening the door, a maid is serving tea to him. He thanks her but doesn’t take off his mask neither takes the tea cup. Noticing me, he gets up and kneels on one knee, saying:
(Yozora): “Your Majesty.”
(Laura): “Please, get up! You saved me from the bandit’s clutches! You don’t need to humble yourself in front of me.”
I said, touching his shoulder. He gets up and look me in the eyes, discarding the curtesy. Making a hand gesture for the maid, who just poured a cup of tea for me, to leave. She bowed and left the room. I indicated for him to sit, and said:
(Laura): “Please, feel at ease. After what we went through, I do not feel comfortable with formalities.”
(Yozora): “If you wish so.”
He says, now taking off his mask and hood, revealing his pale and very handsome face, with characteristics that I never saw before. He takes the cup of tea, drinking a sip. Noticing my stare, he says with a devious smile.
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(Yozora): “Yes, Milady? Found something you like?”
His provocation makes my face heat up a little, so I clear my throat, saying:
(Laura): “N-no, it’s just that you are younger than I imagined.”
I answered. He chuckled, taking another sip. Ignoring my cup of tea, I say:
(Laura): “Mister Yozora-“
(Yozora): “You may call me Shadow, Your Majesty, if you feel more comfortable. Also, for an assassin, being nicknamed as Shadow is a sign of good work.”
He said. Indeed, on the way here, I tried to call him, but just “you” would be too rude, so I ended up calling up as Shadow. He seemed to smile under the mask and didn’t seem offended.
(Laura): “Than, Shadow.”
Ne nodded, smiling slightly. I smiled back too.
(Laura): “What is your opinion on the reason for the treason?”
His face turned serious, and he laid down the cup, saying:
(Yozora): “If the information was leaked to the lower echelons of the military, this operation wasn’t small. The bandits didn’t seem to know who they kidnaped when I was doing some reconnaissance only the most influent bandits seemed to know about who you were. Your kidnapping was planned.”
(Laura): “Indeed. However, who was behind it is the most important now. Whatever they were planning was foiled by your rescue.”
(Yozora): “So what we must think is that what they would win by having you out of the way. But first, Lady Laura, are you fine by telling this to me?”
He asked, with genuine concern on his face. I smiled to him, saying:
(Laura): “You don’t have much option, Shadow. Not only you told me to consider you hired, I also pretend to work you hard, as you are the only one that I have on my side that can work as spy and infiltrator.”
He smiles, saying:
(Yozora): “Fine then, Your Majesty. The ones that captured you would have something to win from this if they kept the information only o the leaders. If they were aiming for your husband…”
I shook my head, denying his theory.
(Laura): “It’s impossible, I’m the one managing the territory. My husband is ill and can’t even stay conscious most of the time. Not only it couldn’t have come from him, but it’s also useless to try to affect him.”
(Yozora): “So the target is indeed you. However, why not assassinate you on the spot?”
(Laura): “What do you mean? Having me out of the way wouldn’t benefit a lot of my enemies?”
(Yozora): “in that case they would just need to kill you and hide your body. You would be treated as missing and one of your children would have to assume, and they would be easy to manipulate. Somebody was most likely trying to use you while you were still alive.”
(Laura): “So the enemy would benefit from my absence, but not from my death. As a hostage, maybe? Use me to blackmail someone?”
(Yozora): “Most likely. In that case, at least a noble is involved.”
I crossed my arms, thinking. I can already think about some of the nobles that could be at fault. I have to be careful. But for now, things are stable, and since their plan failed earlier than expected, they won’t be moving so soon.
(Laura): “Well, at least they won’t be acting for now, which gives me time to act as well. I will take care of rooting out the weed ins my guard for now, and plan my next step. I need you to gather information for me, wherever you can find it.”
He nods, saying:
(Yozora): “I’ll then look around the dark corners of the town and find anything related to this. I’m certain that there is someone in the crime that knows what is happening right now.”
I nodded. This city has an infestation of crime organizations, minor and greater. The reason is, unbelievably, the architecture of this city. The Fortress City of Faye was founded almost one thousand years ago, by a legendary military leader of the previous kingdom.
With the cramped buildings, bridges between them and secret alleys, there is a whole “city” under the surface where the worst kind dwells. There’s also the sewer system, a wonder of the Sage Kingdom, the previous owner of the city, that disappeared in the war against the demons.
The sewers also have a lot of secret passages, and although I all of the ones from the middle district to the noble, the ones in the outer district are under the control of the of criminal organizations, and I blocked all routes from their passages to deeper parts of the city.
(Laura): “Well then, let’s discuss your payment.”
Shadow nodded, saying:
(Yozora): “Instead of money, I would like to have some advantages…”