Operation: Black Fang Impostor- Case Closed

by the Serenity

Entry 1

Some people call it sham and callous. Others use it for their own benefit. I believe it as an art form- the art of disguise. Controversial if you must, but a skill in itself. My life is sort of like my trade, a game of charades.

I am many people. I am an underdog for the marquess, one of Elimine's followers, a skilled assassin, a lover, an Ostian citizen, and lastly, a human being. What am I?

I am Leila. And I am not happy as of the moment.

I'd just returned to my living quarters inside a crumbling collection of apartments that consumed the entire block. I sighed and threw myself onto my straw-filled mattress, ignoring the throbbing pain in my head. I wondered how I could work myself out of this predicament.

I'd just returned from the Ostia's capital palace, and I should've been in a fine mood. Some people work their entire lives just to stand in the great hall. However, my lord, the head of the Ostian castle, Lord Uther, had assigned me on an undertaking. Although it would surely reap a great deal of gold, it was a yearly mission. I did not want to be absent from Ostia for a whole twelve months.

My assignment you ask? To puncture through their defenses, to become one of them. The Black Fang.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples. How would he react? How could I tell him? Yes, oh how he added a whole new façade of complication to this situation.

Said complication just opened the door without even knocking, although I have become accustomed to it.

"Matthew?" I opened one eye and looked at him quizzically. The young blonde man smiled a habit he had adopted, and flopped next to me. I sighed. "Matthew, I just made the bed."

"I figured. You are too concerned about such small matters like bed-making." Matthew teased, poking me playfully.

"So when general hygiene a small matter?" I countered, whacking him with a pillow. He covered his head and retaliated with wallop on my head with another pillow. It continued on for another five minutes or so until we finally tired. Matthew sat back up and looked at me.

"You know, you'd make a fine wife. Not very docile though." Matthew laughed, but I knew he was serious behind the laughter. After all, we'd been dating on and off again for a year.

Marriage. It seemed to sneak its way into every conversation we had nowadays. The idea of tying the knot with Matthew was thrilling, but also downright frightening at the same time.

I laughed with him, and dug my fingernails into my palm until I summoned up the courage to face him.

"Matthew, I just returned from the castle..." I began, but Matthew seized my hand.

"You're leaving again? But I just returned!" Matthew pleaded, having returned from his mission to accompany Lady Lyndis to Caelin. I shook my head in remorse.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow." I informed the brown-eyed thief. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head.

"I'll see you out tomorrow. Are you sure there's no one else to do this?" Matthew inquired. I sighed.

"Lord Uther specifically assigned me this. It pays big. We'll be able to buy a villa with the gold." I assured him.

"And a veil for you my dear." Matthew murmured back. Cold sweat sprung up on my palms.

"Of course." I purred back and showed him to the door. As soon as he left, I was left feeling empty. I went to my closet and starting packing things for my trip. I wouldn't have a ring on my finger for at least another year.

Somehow, in some way, that was a relief.