We had our fill. I drank more than this body can reasonably afford to, still it’s unbefitting for a demon lord to blunder in his drink.

Weird… I don’t seem to be getting affected by alcohol. But I should… More the shame. —Ho well.

Ruth managed to finish her glass. Good girl.

We ended up each paying our own. Me and Ruth paid each half of Maria’s dinner. Now she owed a favour to us both.

We walked out of the tavern listening to her complaining and regretting not to have had taken the money. She learned a lesson it seems, take what you can get.

The place where we ate was empty. Provably due to the exorbitant prices.

Still. I had a goal, gather information. So had to head off somewhere else.

“Where to next?” Maria asked as she patted her belly.

“Already homesick?” I asked as we walked by the side of the road, the place was quite crowded.

“Actually… I’m having fun.” She admitted.

“It sucks to be always stuck in one place, everyday doing the same thing. Bad for your mind you know? Sometimes we have to go and try new things.” I commented.

“Wha…t? That’s actually quite insightful coming from you. But it’s not like that, in our way of life we are meant to always learn new things, always improve I mean. ” She answered.

“Yeah, that’s more of the same. Lets do something different. You know, new?” I pointed to a nearby establishment.

She looked at it. And then at me, then at it again. And then… At me.

“THATS A BROTHEL YOU FU… jUST WHen I thought you had gotten smarter you pull of one like this.” She rolled her eyes.

“Well, it’s not new for me but you know… for you it certainly is, its time to turn into a real mature woman my dear sister!” I teased her.

She pushed me against the wall in fury.

Her face was flushed.

“You know… I’m not a well, I did it before. I’m not a child… That girl and I she…” Her eyes looked rather sad.

“That doesn’t count.” I replied.

“Fuck you.”

“On my way.” I headed off to the brothel.

She placed an hand on my shoulder.

“You are seventeen, and Ruth too. That’s not a place for… well kids. I’m not setting a foot in such a disgusting place.” She spoke with a serious expression.

“Fine then. I can think of somewhere else.”

A brothel was a perfect place to gather information. Well if I happened to fiddle with a tit or two, I wouldn’t argue either. Still, I got these kids with me.

We walked a while and I stepped into a clothing store nearby.

Ruth looked around in awe, Maria too. Woman love this sort of thing. And these too only know dark robes and sandals. Its not like I would be paying; Ruth had money and Maria, well she can owe favours.

“I hate you.” She said.

I looked around. Big store, there was a side for men’s clothing and another for woman. All divided in breeches, shirts, foot-ware. That sort of thing, another place had already made out combinations of suits and dresses. All very chic.

I pointed at a simple black suit, an affordable one and a clerk went and took it off. Giving it to me to try it out.

I went to the dresser and put it on, the girls waited outside. This body was a lot smaller than my original so I had no issue dressing up. Still a lot of buttons were giving me trouble.

I puled my head out.

“Hey Ruth come over here.” I motioned I called out to the girl who was looking at lady’s shoes not far away.

She came.

Of course I didn’t want Maria, she never shuts up.

Ruth is simply, Better.

Maria was somewhere else. Provably gawking at dresses she couldn’t afford.

“Come on in.” I said as she hesitated. “C’mon we bathed together the other day, don’t be shy. I need help with all these buttons.”

She entered and helped me out, even trying to do the tie, I had to teach her. She eventually managed after a few tries.

I bet the other one would spend the entire day trying to tie a tie.

Ruth is a good girl. I patted her head.

“You are a lot smarter that your sister.” She just smiled and nodded.

I combed my hair and tied it up in a ponytail. This fucker had long hair. Like some guitarist, I would too if it wasn’t a pain in the ass to maintain it.

Fuck, a guitar. It’s been a while since I last played. I Need to find a way to get one, no way I will find one in this world.

It was also a pain last time too.

Well just need to reach out to a few of my contacts in hell.

I waited a while for the girls to dress up.

—

Someone poked my forehead; and I woke up…. Must have dozed off.

Of course, Ruth.

She was wearing a simple black and grey dress with stockings and lace up shoes. Her hair was neatly combed and she seemed to have done some make up too.

She did a little spin showing off.

Maria was standing behind her with her arms crossed. She got a neat red dress and a hat. Her ponytails were no more, she had let her wavy long hair go free, she made a fringe too.

What I noticed more was her new make up.

She had it done like some goth chick before, now she looked like more of a mature woman, with red lipstick and all that. She looked five years older.

“Done gawking?” She commented.

“Considering I’m the one paying. Well at least I can say you look good.” I answered.

“Well… You look good too. Not like some cavemen I know.”

I shrugged, and went to the counter to pay. The numbers were the same just like last time.

Maria didn’t look very comfortable about it. Well… The things I will make her do! I can’t help but grin.

We walked out of the store. Now looking like people, the ugly stares stopped too.

Humans are such simple creatures.

We walked a while. And soon we reached our next stop.

The opera.

“Is this… Is this an opera! I…I always wanted to see one!” Maria was all smiles.

“Ladies… We aren’t here on a sunday trip.” I turned serious as I looked at them. “Enjoy the music, watch the show.”

I pulled them to the side of the entrance

“Our goal is to gather information. We live all cloistered up and all, so its important to do this sometimes.” I spoke.

Ruth nodded.

Maria took a newspaper that was on the shelf in the nearby wall and gave it to me.

“Won’t this do?” She had an innocent look on her face.

What can I say… Kids.

I took it and tore it apart. “Don’t read this lass. It’s all propaganda, advertising and lies. That’s media, they don’t provide any kind of information, they are all about entertainment; the only use they have is to manipulate the fools who actually believe this nonsense.” I keenly educated her.

“O… kay” She said, with some new expression on her face.

I continued.

“Real information is gathered by walking, listening and observing.” I motioned with my fingers around showing them the different people around. Nobles, merchants, some soldiers and such. “In places like this.“

“Go in. Mingle with the folks, spin’em a yarn. Make up some story and see what they say. Lean on some corner and listen while they do business and talk. There is much to learn from simple conversations and common encounters.”

Maria and Ruth nodded.

“One more thing. We need an alibi.”

“An what?” She said.

“A background. Make sure they think we are worth their breath.”

“How do you know these things? And how are you so good at this?” She asked.

“I will tell you another time. If I feel like it.” I replied

“Your name is… Dulce, and I am John. We are married, and this is our cute daughter… Abella” I pointed to Ruth. “We came from a rich country far away called… America. We are here in the oil business.”

“What!?” She gasped.

“That’s it. Good luck.” I took her arm and Ruth’s hand and walked in.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“We are siblings! We three look to much alike! They will see that something is off!” Maria whispered complaining.

“My dear, you do know this is normal in our homeland … —Alabama!” I couldn’t say this without grinning.

“What exactly is the issue?” I smirked.

She just face-palmed.

—-

Ruth’s FOV

Adam gave me his hand. He hadn’t done this since we were little, playing hide and seek with the other kids back home.

We walked through this weird place. He is all smiles along with our bitch sister Maria.

She helped protect him from father. I can respect that, but only because I made her do it, by helping her with a spell that she couldn’t get right.

I hate her. She always been an arrogant cow for him, sometimes even joining those dog brothers of ours and other kids, bullying him.

The way she boasts to dad out of envy, because he notices I am better than her, the never-ending complaints.

And now he takes her by the arm, supposed to be his wife in this little game we are playing.

Why not me!?

I’m better! Father knows! He even said so himself.

I glared at her.

She didn’t notice. She never notices anything.

I hate her.

Now he had this huge change. More confident, ruthless just like dad… and always with aces up his sleeves. Everything a dark priest must strive for.

And the bitch is now all smiles! Blablabla here blabla there…! Now you notice how great he is!? Bloody frump.

I wish… I could speak again, tell her this to her face. Fuck her.

Just because she got those… I looked down. Well we are supposed to be sisters why aren’t mine like hers!? Why does she get big and I am five feet tall? I’m seventeen, I should be getting bigger. Brother is almost as tall as her and he is my age. We are twins!

I will prove she is useless and I am better. Even though I don’t need it I will.

“Something the matter little Abella?” He asked me, I think he noticed how uncomfortable I was.

Wait…! Little!?

You… Dork!

I stomped his foot and shook my head.

“Aghh, that was uncalled for.” He poke me on the side. And made an expression.

Ho, right we are playing at spy stuff. I think he might be reading one of my books when he hides in the closet for some reason.

Wait this is my chance! I can prove I am better than her. I just have to gather all the information in this place. Once I do… I can write it down for him. He will pat me in the head again.

We walked a while the opera is about to start. All of these well dressed folks are talking.

He approached a group of them and entered the conversation. I just stood quiet by his side, like the usual. Why can’t I talk… If I only I remembered why suddenly could not do it any more maybe I could do more than just stalk in the shadows like a some… rat.

I was very young when I lost my speech. Every time I try to remember a headache goes over my head, and sometimes I even faint.

What am I supposed to do…

“Greetings sirs, madams.” We joined a group of these… people with dumb wigs. And Adam started talking.

“Why, hello gentle-folks i have never seen you before. What brings you to Doncaster? ” A thin Man in a suit and a top hat with a moustache and a monocle answered.

“Business my friends me and my wife come from America, Oil business. My name is John and this here is Anna, the little one is Abella our sweet daughter.” Adam answered.

He is good at this… wonder how, last week he was too afraid to ask another student for a quill. I had to do it for him and I can’t even— …Well talk.

“Pleasure.” The bitch said with a smile.

I just nodded. I mean what else?

“America!? You must be a really daring individual to actually venture into such dreadful places and even settle!” One of these individuals answered with disbelief.

“Ho hush Antony, clearly this gentleman is a truly remarkable individual!” One of them said as he sized Adam up. Sharp that one…

Then he continued, shaking Adam’s hand.

“It is a pleasure to meet such estimated guests to our little community! My name his Everan and this is…” He introduced his friends, nodding his head and talking... A lot. Self-interested twits.

They were chatting about stock… whatever that is and Maria even started giggling with the other woman. I noticed that some rich teens and soon considered adults; to regular people’s standards were looking at me.

I hated when people looked at me.

I touched Adam to get his attention.

“What is it my sweet?” He said.

I motioned pointing at them with my head.

“I see.” He turned to the men he was talking with.

“The young ones are giving funny looks to my daughter here, why not introduce them?” He asked.

I could not help but cringe at this.

We are the same age you dork! Just because you got a suit and all that… acting, posture whatever doesn’t make a grown up!

But he is really good at this. Maybe our natural silver hair helps, they haven’t even mentioned his age!

Maria had that slutty dress and bosom, and face painted like a clown. No wonder she managed it too.

Well I get to be the daughter. Not like I can have a conversation anyway.

“Of course!” One of the man who he was talking to immediately answered and motioned the younger ones over.

They came. Three boys and two girls, maybe they are sons and daughters or maybe cousins of these fancy folk, who knows.

They are obviously younger than me… —But I am quite short though so… well it works.

“This is Tristan Read, my son.” He tapped one of the boys on the shoulder. He seemed to be the leader. Blonde hair, green eyes. Handsome.

The other men said names and showed off their kids.

I didn’t bother to pay attention. And just nodded.

“Shy little girl yours, is she?” The man from before asked.

“Ho no! She doesn’t have any shyness in her! She just… Well a rare condition, she can’t really talk. We had all kinds of doctors and mystics from all over the world to try and help, but she never got her speech. Poor girl.” Adam looked really dejected as he said it.

Idiot… showing off.

“Ho, I see… Poor lass. Tristan, show the girl around. And be nice to her.” His voice had a weight. It really seems these fancy folks fell for Adam’ story like dumb little ducks.

“Of course father, it will be my honour.” The blonde answered, looking a little spooked at his father’s tone. If only you met my real dad… Idiot.

“Come on, let us let the old folks to their thing.” He motioned for me to follow him.

I guess Adam entertains the men, Maria… Well whatever that she does. And me, I have to babysit the kids; who turn out to be almost our age.

Darn it… I’m used to the short straw by now.

I joined the group.

They made me hear their dumb names again. Not like I will be able to use them.

“This is Abella, she comes from America!” The blond said.

“America? Isn’t that place a hellhole filled with devils?.” A boy with brown curls asked. He had said his name was Otto.

“It is also a truly rich country in natural resources and nearly unlimited riches. My father said that.” The boy tristan pointed out. “To those who had the guts and the wealth to establish there, of course.” He quickly added.

“Our family was meant to move there too! But father decided against it… It is no place to raise a family, he said so we stayed here in Great britain.” A girl with also blonde hair and green eyes spoke. She introduced herself as Tristan’s sister, Elena.

I have heard of this, truly what did Adam take America for?

“Nice dress. You are really pretty.” Another girl random girl said.

Goddammit, I’m used to have many people around due to have grown, well… in a church that took in orphans and trained them to be sorcerers. But I never… well.

Been good with people.

This is awkward. I can’t answer, how am I going to talk with them.

So I just smiled.

“She is mute, a decease she was born with. But no matter! You are twice as pretty than these too unprepossessing maids.” The blonde lad said with a smile, and the girls punched him gently.

My brother would drown you, idiot.

“Look at her! She is blushing! The other girl said.”

Damn it.

We took a seat and I spent twenty minutes answering lies of yes and no questions from these spoiled skunks. Then they went on about shit that their parents bought for them.

Things I never even knew existed.

They talked about some sailor who claimed some country, an Eastern Austra-something for Britain.

And then about the death of some painter.

Maybe Adam wanted to know this so… I tried to pay attention. They were really boring me, interesting talk is about new spells and powerful entities that we came into contact from the beyond. Nothing like this.

They really seem to live in their own little world. Unaware of the darkness underneath.

An announcement was made in a loud voice. I thought it was a spell, but no just some fancy machine they had.

The opera was starting.

The blonde girl took my hand and guided me through the crowd. I wanted to refuse, only my brother could take my hand! But she was nice… So I didn’t mind.

We eventually took a seat all together.

I couldn’t see Adam nor Maria. These kids really were weird, aren’t they supposed to watch an opera close to their parents?

I bet she is rubbing those filthy paws all over him, like the bitch she is. Acting like she is his wife.

No I can’t even imagine it. I would sacrifice her to Ghrexh’itru.

—-

Adam’s FOV

“Maria, you have to play the part, get close to me. We are supposed to be a couple!”I whispered.

She narrowed her eyes.

“You wish.” She whispered too, with that attitude of hers.

The opera started. As the singers began, I took her hand.

I couldn’t have her blow our cover now! People don’t come to an opera to watch the show. They come to show off and gossip. If I am to have business in the future with these fools I need to have a good impression.

She of course resisted. But I managed to put her in place with a sharp glare.

I wonder how Ruth is doing. So far I have learned about the trade flows and some wars that were going on.

I can’t yet place the year we are on. This really is earth’s mirror as far as I have gathered. The story seems to be the exact same for the most part. At least here in england; after the death of Christ I mean, here it his Ahdon.

If I am to study story I am better off in the monastery than chatting up these buffoons.

However that Everan fellow seems to run a mystic shop here in town with records dating back before the death of this Ahdon.

They use the same Gregorian calendar. But instead of BC it is BA, before Ahdon. The AD hasn’t changed, It still stands for Anno Domini- The year of the lord.

I will investigate the monastery about this first. I have a feeling that magic used to be more substantial in the older centuries.

It is not unheard of from what I have gathered when I asked about the rumours of the monastery it seemed.

Why am I so obsessed with magic? Simple, i need to go back home. Sort this mess, and go back to my plots. I can only do an interdimensional travel with magic.

The opera is going well. The singers are good as far as I can tell, i never been one for opera myself. Maria is starting to warm up to the ladies, maybe she can still make herself useful.

It would be unbefitting for me to go about crawling in the shadows now that I have warmed up to these men. They really are set on buttering me up.

Backwater; seemingly rich country folk provably knee deep in debts. Trying to make a buck with the oil tycoon, they are playing it quite well despite the obvious. —most of them can tell that oil is the future, some doubt it but they are fools.

That separates who is worth the time and who isn’t. Clueless and Smart.

Oil business started booming in eighteen hundred. Given their reaction we are somewhat far from that.

Trains in eighteen oh four. Those who were in oil business before that easily turned into millionaires.

Back In my first life i used to be a soldier to some country in the north america. I always had a thing for history. Good to see that it is serving me now, thousands of years later after I was reborn for the first time.

The only thing that you can learn from history is that you cannot learn anything with history. Its always doomed to repeat itself one way or the other.

Unless you travel to the past to get rich that is.

I kept chatting up the ‘gentle folks’, and watching the opera by Maria’s side. Not a worry in mind.

—-

Ruth’ FOV

“Here is the restroom. Do you need anything else?” The blonde girl from before had helped me out finding the place.

I scribbled in paper that I took from a wall with a pen that Otto had lent me. Supposedly it had been imported from a far away country to the east, one much more advanced.

Curious thing, it stored ink instead of the usual quill and ink pot making it much more practical to carry around. He wanted it back though… A very expensive item.

*I’m good. You can go, thank you for the help. I can find my way back.* It read.

“I can wait for you here… I never been much a fan of opera anyway.” She said.

*No need. Please go.*I answered.

Bloody hell. Get out of here, I want to lean in dark corners and listen to mysterious conversations. Just like Adam said.

“Alright then.” She nodded and headed off.

I entered the restroom. It was clean… For monastery standards. Good thing that I had the premium dormitories back home from well, being the boss’s daughter. There I had to clean my own toilet, but only I used it.

I waited a bit to see if the girl was still skulking about. I’m still a little tipsy from the wine, the healing spell didn’t manage to get me rid of the whole hungover, but I can do this!

I sneaked out of the restroom and went to the place I passed by on the way here.

It read *Premium boxes* I noticed some fancy folks seating here and talking from below. I might find out something useful.

There was a guard, but nothing a little blindness jinx couldn’t help with.

I sneaked inside.

The first one had a old couple watching the show. The door was open so I could easily listen to the conversation.

They were celebrating another year of their marriage it seemed. Only giggles and kisses, boring and disgusting. They are too old for that!

I moved. I need to do this before they notice I’m taking too long. The boxes weren’t too far apart so… it wasn’t that difficult

The next one had a middle aged man making out with a woman much younger than him. She looked and was dressed like some prostitute.

The door was closed but I managed to pull a stool and look inside from a little window above the it.

I recognized the man!

It was! Those kids… Elena and Tristan I think their name was. Its their father; he introduced his son to me not long ago!

I don’t think I want to tell them this.

I moved on. Most of the boxes this way were empty but eventually I spotted another occupied one.

It had a guard on the door. Big guy, big hat. Dressed in a really worn black suit. He had a pistol on his hip, held in a holster.

A guard! It must be important. This is it!

I was leaning in a corner. Looking at him when suddenly, a hand on my shoulder!

I jumped up, it scared me!

Looking at who it was, I calmed down. The blonde girl from before!

“What are you doing?” She asked with a serious expression.

I still had the pen and paper in pocket that this new dress had concealed, I took it out and wrote.

*How long have you been following me?*

“Since just now. You didn’t answer my question.”

*You saw it?*

“Saw what?”

Maybe I could use her help.

*You will find it interesting. But I need your help, I’m looking for someone here, see that guard? Distract him for me, I will make it worth your while.*

“What… I’m not! Eeer…” She thought for a while. “Alright. But, I, humm. Never distracted anyone before!” She looked really shy. These fancy ladies… what exactly they do all day!?

I pointed at her chest. She had some big ones there.

Adam is a genius at this, no way his strategies can go wrong.

“What!?” She was flabbergasted. I almost laughed at her.

*You can do it. It will be worth it… And I will owe you one.*

She nodded.

“You better make good on your word.”

She went over to the guard.