Katrina gazed at the item in front of her, before glancing sideways once more to observe the expression on her mistress's face. Beatrice had, well quite a Pleasant expression on her face, which Katrina couldn't quite decide if it was joy or something else. She just stared at the crib that stood before her, her arms crossed. It's color was of a golden brown, and although it appeared quite simple, the design pattern was also complex also, and it was certain to charge for quite the hefty sum. There was even a side of the crib which slid upwards and downwards, which made it all the more convenient. "Well, my lady, what do you think? Although it is quite early to be making preparations for this." Katrina said awkwardly, breaking the silence, as she slid the door of the crib downwards. Dorothy sighed. "I don't really understand the essence of it all. She really wasn't joking when she said she had something to give to her grandchild." Beatrice began, but she paused mid-sentence, as she glanced at the coachman. He had his head lowered all the time, and fidgeted with the cap in his hands. It was quite clear that he intended to depart immediately, although he dared not to say that out loud. "You may leave." Beatrice told him curtly, as she slightly waved her left hand. "Kindly inform my mother that the item was received duly and without damage, and her daughter appreciates her gift." She added. "Of course, my lady. I will be sure to convey your gratitude towards the mistress." The coachman replied, as he bowed down low, almost to the earth, before climbing unto the carraige without the slightest hesitation. Both women watched as the carraige clattered away into the distance. "Manners quite befitting of a coachman." Katrina spoke immediately, as soon as he was out of earshot. "Such An insidious attitude as well! If it were certain nobles, they might gouge his eyes out. It was good that he glanced downwards, if not, I.." "It's not like you are capable of doing anything, Katrina." Beatrice told her off without mercy. "So just be quiet. Your voice is so loud it could pull down this manor." She added, as she impatiently tugged at her dress. "Forgive me, my lady." Katrina muttered in a much softer voice, her head lowered. "Anyway, it is not the fault of the coachman. He has always been an oaf when it comes to interacting with others, and so great Is his inferiority complex that it is gruesome for him to speak with nobles the proper way, without stumbling over his words." Katrina flinched slightly when she heard that. "My lady, are you alright?" She inquired, the agitation clear in her voice. Beatrice only threw her maid an incredulous gaze. "What is the reason for that statement? I look alright, or don't I?" Beatrice said, as she ran her fingers over the wooden edges of the crib. "Well, the the pattern of your speech, as well as the articulation of your words, it sounded uncannily similar to my lord's." Beatrice's hand suddenly halted in their occupations. She stood erect, as she glanced casually at the female that stood Behind her. "Do you really believe so?" She interrogated, a playful smirk on her lips, as she placed her hand on her chin. "Honestly, I didn't notice. Well they say the more you spend time with someone, the more likely you are to become like them. I haven't really interacted with anyone else as of late, except for you and Dennis." She said, as she tilted her head. "Were he here, he would have found that comment of yours to be quite amusing." She muttered to herself. "Sebastian." She called out suddenly, to the middle aged man behind her. "Please do ensure that the carraige is taken up to my room. I am quite in the mood to stroll about the garden." She daintily instructed. "As you request, my lady." Sebastian replied promptly, as he gave a humble bow. Beatrice nodded in satisfaction. "Aren't you going to tag along?" She asked Katrina, who seemed to have sprouted roots in the region of which she stood. "I am right behind you, my lady." She said, as she reluctantly moved her feet. As she gazed at her lady's back, she couldn't help but feel Slightly shaken. She didn't know if the drastic change Beatrice had begun to undergo, could yield positive results. Although deep down within her, she doubted the veracity of that thought.
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A group of people proceeded down a mine. Although the Viscount was absent, there was a new development, and the entity responsible for that was none other than.. The leader of the black pythons. "For how long do you intend to to exploring this mine? Can't we find a solution to that problem so we can begin to harvest resources straight away?" Sylvester begrudgingly inquired. Just like the previous time, he could not comprehend the reason why Dennis insisted he should come with. He did ask, but he ended up getting a reply he deemed nonsensical. And as for the man with black hair which led them forward, he didn't know why, but he wanted to stay away from him as much as possible. And given the manner in which Cornelia interacted with him, Sylvester understood without a doubt that he had a connection with the black python guild. "I hope you are satisfied, Jamien?" Dennis called out, when he saw the man In front come to a halt. "It is worth it, I believe." Jamien said, as he turned to acknowledge Dennis with a smile. "I don't understand why you had to verify its authenticity once more, even though you sent Fox to accompany us the previous time." Cornelia said, as she glanced at the taller man. "It is absolutely necessary." Jamien said, as he softly placed his hand on her head, although the latter shook it off with much vexation. "We don't want out client to run at a loss, do we?" He added with a smile. "Alright then, let us inspect the river behind."
The sun shines brightly overhead, causing the small river to seem enchanted. Although it was small, and its water, shallow, its current was nothing to joke about. An unfortunate field mouse had hopped in out of sheer curiosity, and within the blink of an eye, it was carried off with immediate effect to goodness knew where. "It is quite incredible that such a small river could be capable of causing such a misfortune." Dennis pondered out loud, as he gazed at the river with a perplexed gaze. "It is indeed impossible to believe, but It is what it is." Jamien, who had one foot on a rock and another on his waist Boldly declared, as he gave off a heroic sort of demanor. Cornelia, who had taken the privilege to seat upon the face of the earth, rolled her eyes at him. With the degree of which he acted superciliously, it would take a lot of grace to believe that such a man could become a blood thirsty murderer at night time. "Look beyond younder." Jamien said, as he used a dried broken twig to point towards an angle, a point in which two rivers seemed to diverge, further down the steam. Cornelia pratically exhaled at this point, exhausted of her brother's whims. Where did he even find that twig for goodness sake? They were no trees around! "It does seem like this river Is nothing more of a tributary of an even larger river." Sylvester analysed from the sidelines. His hair was slightly wet, causing some stray stands to stick unremarkably to his face, as the summer was uneventfully hot. He just had to splash some water on his face, in order to cool off. "Lewis, you have quite an observant younger brother." Jamien said with a smile, as he turned from Sylvester to Dennis. "I can tell that he is going to be quite an intellectual once he gets older." "I am not interested in becoming one of those, thank you very much." Sylvester mumbled through the large handkerchief he used to clean his face. "Oh? Then what would you like to become?" Jamien inquired; surprisingly enough he genuinely seemed to have been intrigued by Sylvester. The latter frowned at him, not even bothering to conceal the distrust which laid In his eyes. Jamien smiled; a dangerous sort of smile. "You are absolutely correct, child, this is of no concern to me." He said, trying to sound as calm as possible. Although the stick which he held uselessly in his hand suddenly broke Into two, with a loud snapping sound. "All I asked for Is to not let that talent waste away, kid." He said, as he jumped off the rock in an elegant manner. "Dennis, there is something I want you to see." He said, his hand in his pockets, as he walked casually to the exterior walls of the mine. Dennis did not say anything in response but simply complied; as though he was Jamien's subordinate. Jamien touched the walls of the mine gently, just as Sylvester and Cornelia arrived before them. As Jamien withdrew his hand, some loose particles in the walls also accompanied his palm. It was both sticky and wet. "It seems like this one is on the brink of collapse, as well." He muttered to himself. Dennis who stood beside him, did not fail to notice His partner's observation. "What is It that you wanted to show me?" Dennis inquired, when the man remained silent for too long. "Oh, don't mind me, it seems like I let my mind wander for a bit." He explained, as he used pushed his hair backwards with his other hand. "Do you see those lines?" He interrogated, pointing towards the cave walls. The three individuals peered at the subject of discourse, and show enough, as Jamien had mentioned earlier, were some lines, forming a sort of grotesque artwork against the body of the mine. "It's so faint, we could have missed it if you haven't pointed it out." Cornelia quipped in. "Although it seems like a small river, it will surely tend to overflow its bank during the monsoon period." Jamien explained himself. "The gravitational pull of the sun and moon also has an effect on it as well. But for now, we should be preparing against the hunter's moon. I doubt this mine will still be standing if such a phenomenon occurs." Jamien critically analyzed. "I am of the impression that a dam will have to be constructed if your analysis proves to be true." Dennis uttered, going along with Jamien's train of thought. "Not just any dam, Lewis, but one which Is sturdy and durable. It.. You know what, just inform me when you are about to construct the dam." Jamien uttered, as he felt his head throb. Cornelia glanced upwards, while using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. "The day is still young." She said, as she glanced towards Jamien and Dennis. "I believe we should still be able to achieve our goal." She added, with a smirk.
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"I think we will stop here." Jamien said, as he looked put from the curtains. The carraige momentarily came to a halt, and although he expected Jamien and Cornelia to step out, he was not expecting Dennis to make a move as well. "What do you think you are doing?" Dennis turned to look at him, when he noticed that Sylvester tugged him by the arm. "Where are you going?" Sylvester inquired, his eyes demanding an answer. "I have unfinished business to attend to." Dennis told him promptly, as he shrugged Sylvester off. "Wait!" Sylvester hurriedly called out from the window. Both Jamien and Cornelia paused, seemingly waiting for the latter. "What is it this time?" Dennis had to ask. "You are not doing anything illegal are you?" Sylvester inquired. Dennis sighed. "You are wasting my time.." He said, as he intended to turn away. But Sylvester called out to him. "You haven't given me an appropriate reply, Dennis." "Could you just let me be?!" Dennis exclaimed suddenly. "You are so impossible." He muttered, as he placed his palm on his face. "Listen up." He began, in a much softer tone. "Whatever it is I have done, and whatever it is I will ever do, is none of your concern. I will be the one to bare the consequences, alright? And if it is about tarnishing the family's reputation, then I have already got that settled." He said, as he put on a dark cloak that Cornelia gave him earlier. "You are not listening to me.." Sylvester began, but Dennis tapped the side of the carraige twice, a signal normally used to inform the coachman to start moving. Sylvester went closed his eyes and leant back on his seat. He could only hope that his brother wouldn't make a stupid decision especially with the people he moved with nowadays.
"Your brother seems to be terribly fond of you. Although you both don't seem that close on the surface." Jamien observed, as he nudged Dennis with his elbow. "He gets like that at times." Dennis replied curtly, not wanting to speak further. "As tight lipped as ever." Jamien said, with a slight smile. "Are you sure we are not going way too early? It's still around noon time, If I should guess." Cornelia said, as she tugged at her dress. Jamien sighed In exasperation. "Alright, fine, we will take a branch at the tavern. Fortunately, it's not too far from here." Jamien noted, as he adjusted the hood of his cloak.
As usual, the three figures entered the tavern through the backdoor. The whole place was deserted, as though they weren't any customers since the advent of that day. "I guess he didn't open up today, just as I requested." Jamien said, after taking his cloak off, cracking his neck. "Don't you believe that will make us run at a loss?" Cornelia inquired, placing her cloak on a chair. "It is annoying for me to be around normal people, having to keep my mask on and all of that.."Jamien complained instantly. "Alright, I get it." Cornelia damned her brother, without a shred of mercy, Before turning to Dennis, who just seated himself on the chair idly. "What Is the matter with you, young Master? You have been awfully quiet today." Cornelia said. "Is it wrong for me to stay silent?" Dennis told her, as he looked at her through those emotionless eyes of his. "Here, permit me to assist you." Cornelia said, as she stretched her hands towards him, offering to help him take off his cloak. "I am perfectly capable of doing such a task myself." Dennis told her, with a slight frown on his face. "Cornelia, you shouldn't be making advances towards a married man." Jamien called out from the sidelines. "Just shut up." Cornelia snapped at him. "I just got overly used to babysitting him, that's all." She defended herself. "Babysitting, huh?" Jamien muttered, as he tapped his fingers against the table. Just then, the front Door opened, and white fang walked in. "I hope no one saw you walking in, Ulcan." Jamien said, as he recognize the intruder. "None that I know of." Ulcan replied. "Oh. Mister Dennis is here as well." He said, as he nodded at the latter, who also nodded in return. Not too long after, a little girl trailed in, with dark green hair and red eyes. Her eyes lit up as soon as She saw the persona that was seated, and she flew to him hurriedly. " Big Brother Jamien!" She cried out In delight, as she engaged him into a breath- stopping hug. Jamien in turn, patted the child's head, a slight smile on his face. "I trust that you have been well, Eunedy." "Um!" The child replied, as she rubbed her head against his chest affectionately. "Alright, that is enough, too much skinship." Jamien complained, as he pulled the child away from him. "You recalled her from the Viscount's home, Lewis?" Jamien said, as he glanced at Dennis. The latter only shrugged his shoulders. "There wasn't much left for her to do- It would place me In quite a disadvantage if the Viscount werr to discover a spy in his household." Eunedy, On the other hand, blinked at Jamien innocently- she couldn't care less what it was that both adults discussed about with such serious faces. "My birthday is coming up.." She reminded him, trying to act coquettish, which really did not fit her. "The hunters moon hasn't arrived yet.." Jamien interrupted, as he told her in a sing-song way. Eunedy harrumphed, as she walked over to Dennis instead. "Brother Jamien is so selfish." She began. "I trust you have something for me, Don't you, Mister lewis?" She said, stretching forth her right hand. "Indeed I do." Dennis replied with a smile, as he put some lemon drops in her hand. "Thank you mister!" Eunedy called out delightfully. However, she stuck her tongue out at Cornelia. "You.. You have really sprouted wings!" Cornelia cried out In surprise, as she glanced at the child, who strode arrogantly to the back of the shop. Not long after, another person stepped in through the back door, a woman. "Why does it seem as though someone shoved a boiling hot cauldron in here ?" The woman asked no one in particular. "Oh... You are here." Previta said, as she glanced at Jamien. "You seem surprised to see me, though." Jamien told her, as he waved his hand lazily at her. "What happened to you? Your countenance is worrisome." Ulcan, who stood behind the counter, suddenly quipped In. "Nothing eventful, just lost my job, that is all" Previta said, as she Sat close to the counter. "Ulcan, my usual serving, please" She said, as she rested her head against the table. "Sure." Ulcan replied, while tying up his apron. "I will be careful with how I spend money, at the moment, If I be you." Jamien informed her, before slightly tilting his head. "That girl is still with you, am I wrong?" He asked. "What does it matter; I still earn money by doing this as A sidehassle do I not?"Previta winked at him. "Suit yourself." Jamien told her frankly, before standing up. "We better get moving." "Already?" Cornelia who was seated, complained. "We have had sufficient rest, I believe. It will be disadvantageous if we fail to arrive on time." He added. Dennis did not say a word, he had long wrapped his cloak around himself once more. "Ulcan, you can open the tavern now." Jamien said as he walked towards the front door, Cornelia and Dennis trailing behind him. "What is the point of opening a shop at mid day?" Ulcan grumbled, causing Jamien to turn to him. "People will still arrive here on their home, won't they?"
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As day transformed into night, three cloaked figures continued on their path. They had been walking on foot for quite some time but fortunately enough, their destination was no longer a great distance away. One would tend to believe that as night befell, the traders will store their wares and head home. But this was when the real trading began. Products and goods that could not, or rather were not to be seen during the day, gradually made their appearance at night. Illicit drugs, some even worth the sum of an entire estate, if one were to purchase it in bulk, were viewed as normal for those that dared to indulge in such a business. Certain ingredients for meals, as well as other exotic products also feautured here. As to why this was still on continuation after the empire had banned them? The answer is simple- the crown could not have their eyes everywhere. So what If it possessed magic power? To begin with, only a select few were aware of such a fact In the first place. Human beings had the tendency to behave like dubious animals, they could make a product that seemed illegal, appear legal. Where was the right place to put up an item that was illegal yet exquisite? There existed only a single answer for this, and that was the black market.
"It is quite crowded tonight, I have to say." Cornelia commented, as she saw the number of people that had gathered around. "Of what value is the item that is being auctioned tonight?" She inquired. "Very valuable." Jamien told her. "And that is the item our beloved client over Here wants to get his hands on." He informed her. Cornelia glanced at the man beside her. Wasn't his appetite becoming insatiable?
"Jamien!" A burly voice called out from amongst the crowd. Jamien sighed, halting in his footsteps, as he glanced at the older man that was a head taller than him. "What is it you want this time, Vendazl?" The latter replied, with a tinge of nonchalance in his voice. "Look at him, acting all innocent." The man with a bow cut said, while his lackeys behind him laughed. "You haven't come here to oppress us with your numbers, have you? Why did you bring so many of your dogs with you?"Jamien inquired, a mocking smirk on his lips. Some of Vendazl's men literally growled when they heard that. But they knew to stay on a safe side, if they did not want to die miserably In this lifetime. "It is no affair of yours." Vendazl said, as he cracked his knuckles. "But you really did announce your arrival In a splendid way." Jamien cursed this big oaf in his head, wishing he had pulled his hood Lower. This was the situation he was trying to avoid. "You know that I love bloodshed." Jamien began, as he looked at the man directly in the eye. "And some of those useless goons of yours went ahead and bruised My scales. Most definitely, I had to display my fangs." "Not only did you display your fangs, you made use of them in the most ruthless way possible." Vendazl informed him. "The least you could have done was to ask what actually occured." "Whatever it is that occurred, for the fact that your lackeys struck when I was away, shows how weak you are. Also, I don't care what happened." Jamien did not accord even the slightest bit of respect as he said that. "Weak, huh?" Vendazl repeated, a vein popping on his forehead. "Yes, weak." Jamiem reemphasized, as he gazed upwards with those blood red eyes of his. Vendazl glanced at the people who stood behind his rival, the woman that had a feminine physique was bound to be his sister, no doubt about that. But what about the man? Unfortunately not only was the man's hood let down so low, but he was also looking down, as If whatever occurred between both guilds was of no concern to him. "I already made it clear, to not touch a single one of my members." Jamien said, snapping Vendazl back to reality. "Indeed you did. I believe you are here for the auction as well?" Jamien nodded. "Well then, after this is all over, I will repay you handsomely. And In seven fold." Vendazl added, as he walked away. "I will be looking forward to it." Jamien could feel his heart pulsating with excitement.