"Marcus, I will be finished in 10 minutes. Wait for me in the salon," I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2EGsfbEKQ
Marcus can be described as a dedicated household assistant, or on a more personal level, my assistant. However, I view him as more than that, considering him something akin to a best friend.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZCtr7os56
Black hair, tanned skin and light blue eyes. He is 23 years old, which means he is 2 years older than me. He's apparently 180cm so I suppose I'm a little taller, standing at 182cm.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWIDQqsAI7
"Yes, your highness," Marcus replied, his voice tinged with a hint of contentment.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m8gsnox36
He sure seems happy.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrfrOx3kKl
The hair has been successfully dyed black, the contact lenses have been put on, and the use of distortion magic is also impeccable. Furthermore, the clothing is of high quality, and a pair of silver glasses serves as a perfect complement for my new identity as Alber.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCGWKBpSht
It is time to exit the room. I proceed to open the door and head towards the salon. As I walk through the hallway, I notice an impressive collection of art displayed in the frames that adorn the walls. Undoubtedly, nobility holds art in high regard and provides a dedicated space for its appreciation.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bwrIqk5kW
Is that Isabella I see next to the salon? Hmm, I believe so.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l1EKXpyf9
It seems that Isabella is in close proximity to the salon but has not yet noticed my presence. I will seize this opportunity to surprise her. I chuckle at the thought of her flustered expression.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OPcjct6zp
She is slightly older than me, but the age gap is not that significant—about five years, I reckon.
Isabella is someone with whom it is enjoyable to engage in conversations, and she has proven to be someone that I value a lot.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxSehpk3bS
I conceal my presence and instantly appear in front of her. It takes less than a second for her to notice me and then...
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGiOIKPGnn
Isabella lets out a small gasp, which quickly escalates into a loud scream. Amidst her frightened sobs, she tries to address me as "you thief." Did I hear that correctly? However, she struggles to pronounce it accurately, resulting in something like "yoouuuu thiiiff" or something along those lines, followed by her screaming "Marcuuuus".
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNXgC5ZH27
What did I do to be called a thief?
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0FHaj6IqD
I am left contemplating my actions, wondering what I could have possibly done to be labeled as a thief but before I could think of what I did, Marcus appears from the salon and focuses his attention on me, as well as Isabella, multiple times before bursting into laughter.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuxvsdiuOL
"Wha...?" I exclaimed, along with Isabella.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePALAYVlRu
Isabella, upon hearing my voice, quickly approaches Marcus with an expression of doubt, embarrassment and a little bit of anger. She demands to know why he is laughing.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTdTRhlr4W
I would like to inquire about the matter as well. Explain yourself, Marcus. This is what I think but do not say it out loud though.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r9jZR3Uo1
Marcus greeted me with laughter in his voice as he respectfully addressed me, "Your highness." In response, Isabella's gaze focused on me, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and lingering anger but softening the more she looked at me. It was at that precise moment that realization struck me, and I found myself uttering, "Oh, shit".
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMKKHm8wY5
I exclaim "surprise" in an attempt to mask my current feeling of embarrassment, as I had inadvertently forgotten that I had concealed my presence.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLapBxmXDNo
This time I use distortion magic to make me look like the real me.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7WmndQzjr
Isabella gazes at me with a genuinely startled expression. It appears evident that she was completely caught off guard by this fun or maybe not so fun, turn of events.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTKrIVqgnR
"Your highness, I was unaware that it was you. I deeply apologize for mistakenly labeling you as a thief." Isabella apologizes sincerely.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SnfJzRpe1
"Everything is alright. I just wanted to play a prank on you, but it seems like I ended up going too far". I say
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPACaaKkMi
"No way, there's no need to apologize, more importantly why are you here, Your Highness?" Isabella inquires, indicating some degree of joy.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz3txg7t9q
"I have come here to discuss certain matters with Marcus. I must leave now, but let's catch up to talk later, Isabella," I said.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx9Zh9fg56
"Of course, Your highness ," Isabella replied happily.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDVwj0KrUu
"Shall we, Marcus?" I asked.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF9cbb5mom
"Yes, Your highness," Marcus answered.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyaBZkV8x6
I bid farewell to Isabella and entered the salon, taking a seat at the table with Marcus facing me.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xT8kZOeLE
"Marcus, you do have an idea of what I am about to do, am I right?" I say nonchalantly.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCxHSSs62J
"I can't say that I don't know, but I also can't say that I know for sure, I have some vague idea," Marcus says.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojTpvUnfXS
"Putting aside small talk, let's get to the point, Marcus. But first, you have to promise me that what I say here stays here," I say with a serious face.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLOP4tFT5I
"I swear, Raphael, what I hear here will be known only by the two of us," Marcus says.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrap0I7IaFr
I smile.
That's what I expected to hear.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeVlOF3f3W
"Blood rose, does it ring any bells?" I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbRFRpGWwk
"Blood rose? Are you perhaps talking about the vampires' strongest empire?" Markus asks somewhat reluctant.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EPu9YyHkr
BloodRose rank's 3rd place in strength between all territories so I guess he's quite shocked to hear me mention it, after all it's not just about me choosing a strong empire but choosing the vampire's strongest empire.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaABVG06YjT
"Yes, that blood rose, my objective is bloodrose's royal family blood". I say determined.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomygHcyqfW
Marcus slams his hands on the table with a good amount of force and...
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaPakzGpG6
"Are you being serious? Don't say something like that again, that's a no. I'm not letting you do something that stupid, do you want every person you love dead?
You don't only want the blood from someone of the bloodrose empire, you want from the royal family too?
You're not thinking straight." Marcus says with anger.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA9BeVfbpi
I open my eyes a bit more than normal in surprise of what I heard, but I guess it's understandable after all, they're the first in line descendants of the progenitor Giure Grando and one that is not his descendant does not have the right to share the same blood as him, at least that's what they preach and they showed it with actions too.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25WRzjEH6V
I look at him directly in the eyes and say "not stupid, not crazy, just tired of being still".
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QP4T71KeY
He looks at me with disbelief and disappointment "I thought you were finally making the first steps towards your future but now...". Marcus says with disappointment.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l3a9SDEIT
"But now what? I thought you were with me on this" I said with a smile that's not really a smile.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NiMgdjSUm
"I never said that, I said that no one would know what was discussed here, not that I would go with with your crazy plan". Marcus says with traces of anger in his voice.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESyR97KzC7
"You didn't even let me tell you my plans, you just heard a part so calm yourself and listen". I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGyZkHVWhZ
"No, I'm not going to help you with this". Marcus says with anger stamped in his voice.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdhEgN6QeB
"Marcus" I say .
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAWaRlT4RL
"No, this conversation is over, I'm leaving". Marcus says.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMXatRQJXw
"Marcus?— Hey Marcus? Are you there? At least answer me. For Cleveland's sake will you answer me?". I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRm35NGInK
"Cle... Cleveland? You kno..." Marcus says
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6gfIzkZv4
"Yes, I know, of course I know, there's no way I wouldn't know don't you think? After all these years together, did you really think I wouldn't know your past trauma?" I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF5gn00vz8
"If you knew then... why? Why did you never bring that up?" Marcus says with a mix of anger and sadness in his voice.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWRLeH1lWi
"Do you really need me to explain it out loud? Traumas are better when they are left to be forgotten, don't you think? Why would I bring your traumatic past up? To satisfy my curiosity? I could, I for sure could, but you should know very well the type of person I am." I start saying all this with a serious face but it seems that it turned into a smile gradually.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWduzLbjry
"So? Have you decided to listen to me now? I ask.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIMj84PJoT
"Apologies, I lost my composure. However, please explain to me why you intend to go to such extremes, even if you haven't experienced their brutality and methods when it comes to their 'pure blood'. I assume you are aware of how ugly things can get when that topic is touched upon." Marcus says uncomfortably.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYrKpqRSxd
"Yes, I know, but allow me to ask you how strong do you think I am?" I say it, curious of what Marcus is going to say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO56fjvqZb0
"Overall or all of your rankings??" Marcus asks.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEzGnqrIxg
"Both" I answer.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcTG5kG6Ol
"In Bragança and Alexandria, you are undoubtedly strong, but in the stronger territories, you are only slightly above average," Marcus says.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKN27LMB8C
"You have reached the 6th rank in the magical ranking and 6th too in the super-human rankings.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXOWK7bDZ9
"You would be absolutely correct if you had said that one year before." I say grinning a little.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxifbWB7dD
"You mean..." Marcus says but pauses and looks at me from head to toe.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSxAcpqdtB
"Bingo, I may have secluded myself from a lot of things, including putting my responsibilities to the side, but still I did not give up everything, not my potential at least", I say while grinning.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRrjeFIDkF
"So you're still getting stronger Raphael, I would expect nothing less from my best friend." Marcus says with a smile that goes from ear to ear.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hqEsbBPT6
"For someone that says all that it seemed as though you did not think I had been putting the effort before I said I got better." I look at Marcus straight in the eyes.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfCi9LAjL6
"Well, I guess I had a tiny bit of a doubt but I still trusted you, you know I'm always here. Changing the subject why did you not tell me before?" Marcus looks at me questioningly.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDaOcwL9oy
"... Surprise" I say after a moment hesitation.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWKAyBssVS
"Ahah, you and your surprises, I guess that's expected coming from you." Marcus says with a smile.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLVuzzwiDF
"Now, let's get to the main event" I say with a malefic grin.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXyBbEWICT
"Can't really take you serious when you make those faces ahah." Marcus says laughing.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2xppfTacD
Ahah, it feels good not being constrained by rules all the time." I say matter of fact.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnVWm22MHk
"I said I wanted bloodrose's royal blood and you became too mad to even listen to me, but did you know there are ways to acquire it that would not cause nothing as close to a war?" I say matter of fact.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiexEhqosc
Marcus gazes at me with a quizzical expression, as if seeking clarity on my words.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4UXcCrkpS
"What I am attempting to convey is that the general population of bloodrose is ranked 6th in the magical system and 7th in the superhuman system, they also use the bloodrose system to fight but even I don't know much about it. Having said that, they are equal to me in the superhuman system, and are only 1 rank below me in the magical system these rankings solely pertain to ordinary individuals." I stated as matter of fact.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7HWl95Klc
"Do you understand the point I am trying to make?". I ask.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPOcxn513j
"I don't your highness " Marcus replies.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtzPrb17eF
"Of course you don't, I did not answer my previous question ahah." I say while chuckling a bit.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cSw6Yam3Q
-_-
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf5UXDpJdY
"Sorry, just messing with you a bit my friend ahah" I say it while grinning.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER4F2QxkC3
"Bloodrose is strong, too strong and I want their blood. Why you ask? Because I need power to reach my objectives and I will not be able to do it if not by such an extreme take.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupdqCg3k3m
"You said there's a way to get the blood without making it all come to war. What's that way you were talking?
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk7d1QjnxO
"Good. So are you finally going to listen?". I question him.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vd3DWURvF
"Yes, Your highness. Sorry again for my outburst and the words I said" Marcus says with a nervous type of voice.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKG33AE7l0
"It does not matter. I understand why you made the statement, but I kindly request that you refrain from interrupting with questions until the end of the discussion. Otherwise, I may not have sufficient time to fully explain everything today."
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwi917C1sm
"Yes, your highness" Marcus says resolutely.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaqwnuc8PL
"For starters I'll get my hands on blood rose's blood, depending on the ways I can be injected with the blood making me a "half blood" or injecting it myself making me a human with vampire blood that is if I survive the second option". I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnYmRnA6F1
But I don't plan to go with the second option, as the first is what I was aiming from the start". I say
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFWzqnrm74
But, would any vampire willingly gi...". Marcus says or at least tries.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqnHG84pGb
I'll answer all your questions in the end so for now just listen" I say.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MGID8xbRM
"Yes, your highness" Marcus says somewhat embarrassed.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSpGmBH4fW
"Do you remember my first love?" I ask.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGJBqoIuIZ
"Your first love? I think her name is Lenore but I don't know who she is you never really talked about her, even when your best friend asked you and asked time and time again you never told him, how sad being bestfriend of someone like this— sob, sob." Marcus says while feigning tears.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDmUEjSq3T
"Huhh, well I was somewhat shy and well this and that happened and then that and well, you do understand me right?" I say somewhat embarrassed.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIItViQq1j
"No."
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaHvXN4q0c
"No need to be so cold I'm at least telling you now." I say sending him a smile while some sweat drops are falling from my forehead.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWqowdAgHz
Stupid sweat
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEL2w7Z3GS
"Ahah tell me then I'm all hears Rapha" Marcus says smiling
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn1aMeUa7y
"You really need to choose what to call me, first it's "Your highness" then "Raphael" and now "Rapha".
You sure are indecisive ahah, not like I mind that much but try using my name Marcus. Rapha or Raphael is good enough." I say and give him a wink.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmDmgGV1d6
"Hum, okay if you prefer. What's the wink for by the way? Marcus says while giving me a wink too.
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3dQpb1lGK
"Ahah, the same as you I guess."
438Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0WcqJ3rua
"Now, hear this with all your attention cause what I'll say now you're not expecting in the least."
ns216.73.216.6da2
