Of course it's him. Oh, dear Goddess what kind of friends have you given my sweet Sienna? Of all the good and normal people in this empire that you have helped build, why must you let her associate her with a monster?!
"Hooded bastard...?" The bastard- what did Sienna call him? Len, I think, said with a baffled tone.
"Yeah, hooded bastard." I shook my hand and glared at him. "You can absorb mana."
"And you can use magic." Sienna's friend stated plainly with his arms crossed while leaning on the wall as if he's some hot shit.
We stood there not uttering a word, making a silent agreement to not question each other regarding what we just witnessed the other do and while I am incredibly curious, I'd rather keep my mouth shut. It's not my thing to share backstories with someone I despise. In the first place, I already have some guesses as to how he was able to do it.
"The guild master and his followers are not here."
"Obviously." I began to roam the room and freely use light magic.
"..." Sienna's monster friend paused briefly. "Did you come here after sensing something from earlier too?"
"Anybody with a fucking nose can smell that horrendous smell from a mile away." I said while opening the table drawers that has been cleared out of everything.
"Anybody with holy power, you mean?"
"Did pointing that out make you feel smarter?"
"Were you and Sienna brought up by two different people?"
I smirked, "In fact, no one brought up the two of us."
"..."
That's right, eat your own words.
While he stayed silent, I began to gather up the items that reeked of black magic, openly making a magic circle to transport the items into my room in the Aillard duchy in the hopes of tracking the River's guild master and his lackeys.
I continued to scan the room and remembered about the unconscious stupid men outside. "I'll let you handle the other lackeys for investigation."
He finally got out of his goofy pose and walked towards me who was still scanning the room for more traces.
He opened his mouth, breaking the silent streak that he had, I thought he would ask questions regarding the men or something about black magic, instead he asked me a questioned that left me speechless.
"What does it mean? Fuck. You said it earlier. I have heard Sienna say it along with some other unfamiliar words."
I stared at him blankly, my hand hung in the air.
"Just some slang to..." I tried to find the right words, "express anger and disgust." It has another connotation but its best he doesn't know that about Sienna, wait, why do I care?!
No, it's fine. I'm just protecting Sienna's reputation!
Let their friendship burn!
When my gaze returned to the hooded bastard, he had a notepad in hand and a pen in another. His big body looked funny when he hunched over as he scribbled on the paper. My eyes that looked at his figure with half amusement and half irritation went wide upon the realization of what he was doing.
He wanted to understand Sienna.
After scribbling, he raised his head, " What about bastar-"
I cut him off, "What is your purpose in staying close with my sister?"
"What do you mean?"
I closed my eyes and brushed what I said off. "It's nothing. You handle the rest. Ciao." I snapped my fingers and ended up back to the manor.
***
2 days quickly came, and I have had prepared my luggage which was hidden under the bed. I also instructed Kia to keep it a secret from everyone under the excuse that I was sick. She was apprehensive at first but had no choice to oblige.
After recovering from an almost death a few weeks ago, I wanted to have a change of scenery and had people move the table I frequently used to write my journal on to the balcony where I can overlook the outside scenery while having warm tea which is what I am currently doing.
"Are you still mad at me? Hmm?" Blondie, who sat on the balcony's railing, asked with a pout that did not make him the bit tolerable to the eyes.
Annoying shit.
With a sigh, I put down my cup. Blondie seemed so happy that he was glowing. I pushed an unused teacup to his direction and his glow shone brighter when he smiled with his teeth showing. He stood up and sat on the chair opposite of mine.
"I'm forgiven now, right? You won't give me the cold shoulder anymore?"
This motherfucker... give him an inch and he'll take a mile!
"I just have no one to drink tea with, okay?!"
"Hehe~ Okay, okay." Blondie poured himself tea and eagerly chugged it down. After finishing one, he drank another one.
If I didn't know any better, I would think he hasn't drunk anything in the past week.
I stared at Blondie in front of me while elegantly sipping on my own cup.
"This tea is a bit bland." He stated after finishing 5 cups. "I still prefer you...your..." Blondie began to slur his speech as though he was drunk. "...brew"
"Huh?"
I smiled at his dazed, confused state that's probably wondering why he was suddenly dizzy when he was in tip-top shape just a minute ago.
"Sie...nna." He pronounced my name with difficulty. Blondie clutched onto the table as his last attempt to stay conscious, making the table wobble. It was quite visible how his eyelids are beginning to slowly droop to which he combatted by making his eyes wide which was so funny it made me laugh.
He held on strong at first but like with any drugs, time just makes it worst. Seeing his grip on the table loosen, I stood up and put his cup away.
"Ca....e...ul." He mumbled something I didn't understand before finally succumbing to sleep. His body went limp and I put my hand in front of him to cushion his impact.
One of the biggest benefits in reading is gaining knowledge.
I mean, if I didn't read books, how would I find out that by mixing a dried Nimen leaves and Wilshan grass, you can create a sleeping drug?
Works like a charm every time.
Just then, Kia came in with her spare uniform in hand, uneasiness plastered all over her face. "Milady..." Her gaze went to Blondie– who was knock out cold–before returning to mine.
I removed my hands and began to approach Kia. "This isn't the first time I've done this. Don't be so nervous." I comforted.
Kia began to assist me in getting dressed, her uniform a bit loose on Raina.
"But this time, it will be for a day, milady. Not just a few hours but a whole day."
I rubbed my hand against the fabric before patting Kia, who was on her tip toes to put the bright blonde wig on me, on the shoulder.
"Which is why, I have books for you to read." I pointed to the pile of accountancy books on my bedside table.
Her eyes finally brightened. Seriously, she's like a child.
I reached out for the briefcase underneath the bed and said my goodbyes.
"I'll leave Sorin to you. Follow our plans and enjoy your pseudo day off tomorrow."
To be continued.