Those darn outlaws! All I did was borrow couple of pennies!

I ran and ran,trying to escape from the grasp of those Idiotic backstabbers.

I returned all the promised money yet they lust for more..greedy pigs!

Hell..did they manage to tatter me..

Slowing down my pace,I turned back and reveled in merry,hopping around like a rabbit.

Those bastards wanted my money? Dream on! I giggled to myself.

Ha-! I paused.

footsteps..? I quickly hid behind a narrow alley.

“Your grace!..we- have failed in searching for the replacement!” a panicked voice yelled.

“You..failed..?” a sigh was let out, “What did I even expect from that..man..” a feminine voice spoke annoyance and regret evident in her tone.

“My lady..we are lacking in time..” a gentle voice informed.

“I know- I know..”

A noble..?

I palmed my mouth shut.

Had they come to search for me-? No,no that’s illogical,they don’t have that much time on their hands..

But..what was a replacement..? Curiosity poked at me.

Just a sneak peek! That’s all! Nothing could go wrong..right..?

I tilted my head just enough to see a luxurious carriage parked on the road,blue and white in color,golden lines that carved its outline and some fancy looking decoration spread all over the carriage.

If I ever get my hands on such a treasure..I’ll be sure to cherish it..

I grinned like an idiot while drooling.

Instantly the lady in the carriage shot a glare at me.

Swiftly moving back to the wall,I dashed as quickly as I could.

I really am an idiot!

“Where do you think you're heading?” it was the gentle voice,but now with fury on top of it.

I halted my steps,a shining light reflected on my neck,a blade that threatened to slit if I moved even an inch.

I gulped down my saliva,sweat dripping down my face.

“Th-this lowly one merely stumbled upon your lordship's carriage..!” trying to hide my trembling.

“In this dark covered time?” he inched his blade nearer to my fragile skin.

In panic I reached for my dagger,holstered at my waist.

“I was..playing with some friends..” lying my way out..at least..I attempted to.

“Games,huh? Are we not playing one now?” he giggled and pushed the side of his blade into my skin,blood dripping down onto my shirt.

“Please..forgive me!” My hands trembled immensely, “I-I truly had by chance came upon your lordship’s nightly activity!”

A laugh echoed from a distance.

“Hans,enough,enough..release him.” It was a familiar voice..ah! It's the lady in the carriage! I hoped that she had come to save me like a saint.

“But-” the presumed knight,Hans,tried to protest.

“Hans.” the lady said with a flat tone.

“As..you wish..” Hans reluctantly released me from his harshness.

“Please accept my apologies,my dear knight is on guard due to circumstances” I turned back slowly,holding onto my bleeding neck.

“May I know how to address one such as you?”

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“This peasant's worthless name is Crowley.” I tumbled over to the wall beside me,using it as support.

“Crowley..?” the lady stared intently at me,as if trying to remember a forgotten memory.

“That infamous Crowley? Hm..your famed title..thief of the slums?” She laughed.

Hans glanced at me with disdain.

Ouch..that sure hurts..I may be shameless but I still have pride..

“Sorry- It’s just too..!” the lady couldn't help but continue her laughter at my..gifted title..

‘At least I have a title!’ I thought to myself trying to patch up my pride.

“My lady..we don’t have time for this jokester!” the knight,Hans yelled out.

“Pardon me,how unsightly that was.” the lady under the darkness ceased her laughter,her piercing sharp silver eyes stared into mine.

“Are you acquainted with the noble’s etiquette?” she questioned.

“Absolutely not! How could I,a mere peasant,have knowledge on such..” I panicked.

“Daring are you now?” Hans glared at me.

“M-my apologies,your grace!” I frantically grovelled.

“You ought to have some pride,thief.” Hans struck my foot with his.

“It’s of no worries,one last question,I assume you are quick to integrate into your surroundings?” she tilted her head,waiting for an answer.

“You’re correct,your grace..” I hesitantly said,confused.

“Excellent! Thief of the slums,I shall propose a deal that you could not even consider to decline,serve as the missing replacement and be my partner for the banquet of the hidden. Shall thou dare decline,you will be sentenced to imprisonment in the dungeons to atone for your wrongful acts” She pointed at me.

“I reckon there's not much room for my opinion,let alone a choice..right? Your grace?” I let out a nervous laugh.

All the lady did was..smile..she was no saint,she was a devil..

How humiliating..I shuddered at the mere thought of the lady’s capabilities.

How unlucky of me to be chosen as the prey.

Just why did it have to be me! Answer me Lady Luck! Well..if Lady Luck did answer me,I'm sure it would be humiliating..

“Crowley,thief of the slums! I believe our deal has been declared as settled?”

All I could do was stare at her,baffled at this situation.

“Silence is defined as agreement. We are short on time,hurry now.” She hurried me.

“Hol-hold on! Before we depart..isn't it common courtesy among noble’s to..well,introduce themselves? And..just where exactly are we headed to..your grace?”

“Oh my! Pardon me,” She cleared her throat, “name is Arlen Baskerville,duchess of Baskerville to be exact and Where else could we be headed to if not the banquet of the hidden?”

Arlen..Baskerville…oh god’s above..have you planned my death ahead?

My eyes felt heavy,my consciousness flickering.

Ah..this is it…

“Crowley!” a faint call was heard before I blacked out.

Ugh..my head..

Where am I..?

I rubbed my eyes open.

The first thing that greeted me was..Arlen?

I looked down at my clothes and they were changed?

Wait-how-

“You look rather dumbfounded,lessen your worries! As I had my men over here help dress you” Arlen smiled as she pointed out in front of the moving carriage.

Instinctively I flew back,knocking my head at the door.

“My,you truly are entertaining.” she giggled.

“Uh- thank you..your grace?” I said,the edges of my mouth twitched,barely able to form a smile.

I had never been complimented before..it was an unfamiliar territory I had not yet uncovered.

But..ahem..I must say- It’s quite..nice..

I sat up straight and stared out the window.

Was that even a compliment? Not sure..but it sure was one to me!I grinned slightly.

I was unsure of how to act around a noble,a duchess of all..

And so I sat there in silence,like a hostage.

It felt as if I had been trapped in time.

Should I speak..? No..no..I quickly shrug off that idea.

“It seems that there is still a tad bit of time before arrival,rest up for the time being.”

“Appreciate it,your grace.” my thoughts played all kinds of scenarios,one where I die,one where I suffer the fate of a slave..one where I..

I shook my head,thinking so much will only lead to worse.

I turned my head,my gaze on Arlen,she sat across from me,her head tilted to the side,looking at the window with her ashen eyes that reflected moonlight,her smooth pale skin complimenting her shining eyes,her face sculpted in the shape of a diamond,her nose with a high bridge and wide tip,her lengthy dark layered hair shined slightly as moonlight dawned on her being.

She..was beautiful..

“Captivated?” She smirked.

I snapped out of my daze,flustered.

“So-sorry! .” I looked out the window,

“I’ve seen plentiful men like you,seemingly ‘admiring’ my beauty.” she said coldly.

I shuddered..just how many had lusted?

“Crowley once we enter,be sure to only address me as milady and none other. You are not to interact with the rest,do not leave me and stay close at all times.” her tone,commanding,her gaze sharp.

“Ah. Un-understood..your grace..” she sure was scary..

“Excellent!” she smiled brightly at me.

Arlen laughed and sat beside me,extending her hand out to my head.

I sat frozen like a statue.

“What are you-” cut off before I could finish my sentence.

“I’m fixing up your shaggy hair,gosh how could you enter with such disrespectful hair..”

“Oh..” embarrassed by my thoughts.

“Alright,that much is better!” she said after ruffling and styling my hair.

I glanced out the front window,catching the knight staring daggers at me.

Giving him a slightly nervous smile back,I turned away in speed.

“My lady,we have arrived.”

“Alright then,shall we head in,Crowley?” Arlen looked out and back at me.

“We shall,milady.” I sighed.