Disclaimer: I do not own Zero no Tsukaima/Familiar of Zero.

Chapter XI – Lies and Knowledge

The thief formerly known as Fouquet, and known to her current employer as Emma, stepped down from the back of the wagon and took her first look at the village. It was nothing special, the same cluster of houses and people that you were likely to see anywhere else. The one thing that truly caught her attention was the grand manor looming in the background, almost like some sort of monolith.

"Here we are," said the driver, as he handed her bag over. "You be alright by yourself from here?"

"Yes," she replied. "Thank you for the ride."

The man chuckled, and waved his hand.

"It was nothing," he said. "This place is on my way anyway. Besides, it was nice to have company on the road."

With that said, he turned around and began to climb back up into the driver's seat of his wagon.

"Just one more thing," Fouquet said. "Could you tell me the way to the nearest inn?"

"That'd be the Cat's Paw," he answered, once he was properly seated. "It's just a little ways down the street, you can't miss it."

"I see, thank you again."

Then he took the reins in his hand, and the wagon began to move away. Fouquet watched him for a moment or two, before turning and walking away, bag in hand.

Nobody gave her a second glance as she passed by, and why would they? She had deliberately chosen her outfit to be as nondescript as possible, common design, muted colours, all designed to blend in. However, she noticed some details about the village and its people as she wandered the main street. Firstly, was how everybody seemed to be quite subdued; people walked with their heads down, vendors did not call their wares quite so loudly, even the children seemed to be muted. For now it was nothing to worry about, but she pushed it to the back of her mind for later thought anyway.

She found the inn the man had mentioned easily enough, and the sight of it made her smile a little. The name may have been a little sombre, but it was also fitting in a way, and the sign was cute; it was a cat playing with a ball of yarn.

The inside was a rather traditional tavern, with a bar off to one side and tables dotted around the room. It was also almost completely empty, with only a handful of people scattered around nursing drinks. Perhaps she should not be so surprised, it was the mid-afternoon, most people would be at work.

There was an older woman standing behind the bar, her greying hair tied back into a bun. The woman looked up as Fouquet made her way over.

"What can I get you?" she asked.

"Actually," Fouquet replied. "I was wondering if you had any rooms available."

It took a little haggling, but eventually she was able to get a room at a reasonable price. Once inside she sighed, dropped her bag to the ground and allowed herself to relax. It was always so nerve-wracking, approaching a new score for the first time, wondering whether her ruse would pass muster. Although there was always also that small little thrill when matching wits with people, and seeing them swallow her lies. Not that she had come very far yet of course, she still had to see whether Viscount Wardes would be fooled; and if what she had found out was true, he was quite the deceiver himself.

The first thing she did was take a quick look over the room, it was nice, if bare-bones. There was a bed, naturally, a table and a small wardrobe, but that was it for furniture. The walls were bare, and there flood was polished wood with a small rug at the end of the bed; not much to look at, but still, it seemed clean and well-kept. Better than some of the places she had slept, certainly.

She slid her bag under the bed for safe-keeping, not that there was anything of particular value in there. All of her tools of the trade, her lock-picks and the like, were hidden somewhere about her person. She would never leave them lying around where someone could conceivable find them, no matter how slight the chance. Then she flopped down on the bed and allowed her mind to wander, as she waited for the time to pass.

She could try to think more on how she was going to dig information out of the Viscount, but decided against it. Until she had more information, it would be pointless to try to plan beyond what she already had. Instead her thoughts drifted towards Tiffania and the children; she had told her sister that she would be gone for a little while, but had not mentioned where. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally involve Tiff if something went wrong.

Eventually she heard the chime for dinner, she rose from her bed and was surprised to find the first orange rays of sunset drifting in through the window. Before leaving the room she made sure to close the curtains. On her way out of the room she wedged a small piece of parchment in between the door and the door frame.

She descended the stairs to find the place just as deserted as when she had arrived, she took a seat at the bar and attempted to strike up a conversation with the landlady. She was an older woman with grey hair, and a friendly enough smile. Fouquet gave a gentle smile of her own, the well-practised expression coming easily to her lips.

"A slow night?" she asked.

"Been that way for a while recently," she replied, turning around. "You're looking a bit down there, lovely,"

"Marie," she replied, as graciously as possible.

"Sophie," she replied. "Well, something wrong Marie?"

"Oh, nothing much," "Marie" answered. "Simply thinking.."

"On what?" the owner asked.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"Nonsense," the older woman replied. "You just tell this old grandma what troubles you. I've got a wealth of experience to offer young'uns like yourself. In fact, it's about the only thing I'm wealthy in."

"It's nothing much," Marie said, shrugging lightly for effect. "I'm just looking for employment right now, and thought to see if the Viscount was in need of any more servants."

"Oh, I can see the trouble already," the older woman said.

"Really?"

"That place has been locked up pretty tight for the last couple of weeks," she answered. "The Viscount's not left since he got back, least nobody's seen him leave. Best forget about finding work there."

Marie sighed, and it was not entirely put-on. However, she had known that actually finding employment within the Viscount's manor was a long-shot, even if it would have made her job much easier. Still, it sounded like there was more going on inside the estate than she had anticipated.

"You could always come work for me. You can have the room for free, but you'd still need to pay for your meals."

Marie looked at the old woman in surprise.

"You're hiring?" she asked.

"I could always use an extra hand during the evenings," she answered. "These old bones aren't getting any younger."

"You don't have anyone else?"

"To tell the truth, I've been a bit short-handed ever since the last girl left."

"Why'd she leave," Maria asked.

"Ran off to the capital to be a dancer or some such," Sophie replied, shaking her head. "So, do you want the job?"

Why not, Marie decided. It gave her a reason as to why she was sticking around if anyone asked, and the Valliére girl never said that she could not earn a little extra money on the side.

"Yes, thank you," she replied, trying not to sound too grateful.

Sophie chuckled again.

"Not a problem, young'un," she said. "So, you alright to start tomorrow evening?"

"Of course."

"Best you go get some rest then. Go on, off with you."

Marie rose to her feet and gave the older woman a small curtsey, before scurrying off to her room. She was going to her need her rest, after all tomorrow was going to be a busy day, even before she started her new job.

Siesta's heart beat heavily in her chest as she pushed open the door to Louise's bed chamber; and no matter how much she told herself she was being foolhardy, unwise or plain stupid, she could not get it to stop. Ever since her little epiphany mere nights ago, she had become more keenly aware of her mistress' presence and every moment was torture. Yet it was a torture she would gladly come back to again and again.

She shook her head as those thoughts crossed her mind, dismissing them as quickly as she could. Surely this was some sort of divine punishment for all her previous lewd thoughts?

She entered to find the object of her desires still abed, drooling into her pillow. The idea that she look cute, even with spit leaking from the corner of her mouth, did not cross Siesta's mind at all.

Scattered on the table were several tomes and pieces of parchment, Siesta could not help but sigh at the sight of them. She lay the breakfast tray down on what little empty space there was and quickly about putting her work in some sort of order. Once she was satisfied with that, she strode over and pulled open the curtains.

The sudden increase in light drifting in through the window roused her master almost instantly. She could hear her groaning in protest and the rustling of sheets as she pulled them up over her head, what was more, Siesta could see it in her mind. She took a deep breath to centre herself, before speaking in as cheerful a voice as she could manage:

"Rise and shine, Miss, you have class today."

There were more groans, but the sound of the rustling this time let her know that Louise was dragging herself out of bed. Siesta very pointedly did not look, she did not want to be struck by the image of a half-asleep Louise dressed in nothing but a negligee. Who knew what foolish thoughts that might inspire? So instead she busied herself setting out the plates and pouring the tea for breakfast.

Unfortunately, there was no way of avoiding sitting at the table with her as she ate, not without arousing suspicion at any rate. Then came the most difficult part of the morning, helping her dress. By the end of it Siesta's cheeks were burning, and she kept her head turned, to avoid alerting Louise. However, it seemed to be in vain, for her mistress asked:

"Siesta, are you feeling well?"

"Of course, Miss," she replied, somehow managing to keep her voice even. "Why do you ask?"

"You just seem a little flushed," Louise replied.

Her mistress was peering at her curiously, and when she took a step forward Siesta instinctively took a step back. She almost winced when Louise's eyes narrowed in suspicion, and her mouth set in a firm line.

"There is something wrong isn't there?"

"Not at all, Miss," she managed to say. "I'm just feeling a little under the weather is all."

For a tense moment Louise just continued to stare at her with accusing eyes, and Siesta could feel them boring into her, reaching closer to the buried truth. Then Louise turned her head to the side, sighed, and said:

"Very well, then take some time to relax until the end of class."

"But Miss," Siesta protested. "My duties - "

"Can wait," Louise interrupted. "Now, my cane?"

The walk to the classroom went by in silence, and Siesta could not help feeling nervous for the entirety of it, it was a relief when the reached the door. However, Siesta was now at a loss as to what to do for the rest of the day, having been more-or-less forbidden from performing her regular duties. It was not like there was much for her to do around the castle. Then she remembered the book lying in wait in her room, the one professor Colbert had given her.

Minutes later she was sitting on her own bed, the heavy tome open on her lap. She could barely make heads or tails of what was written inside, she could read perfectly well, but this book was using a lot of terms she just was not familiar with. Fortunately the book had diagrams, and those helped glean some understanding.

She was not sure just how long she was sat there hunched over and eyes narrowed in concentration, as she carefully examined each page. What she did know was that her eyes were starting to ached, and her back was growing sore.

That was when she saw it, the picture at the top of the next page, it was the same symbol as the one on the back of her hand!

She had leapt to her feet and was halfway to the door, before reason caught-up with her. Louise was still in class, it would be inappropriate for her to just barge in. She would have to wait until class was over. Still, she was too excited now to just sit in her own room twiddling her thumbs and waiting for the time to pass. Due to that, the time spent inside those for walls seemed to stretch on forever.

Finally the bell for dinner rang, and Siesta hurried from the room, tome clutched tightly to her breast.

She managed to find her mistress fairly quickly amongst the gaggle of students seated in the Great Hall. She was sitting alone, picking listlessly at her food. The sight temporarily drove the excitement from Siesta's mind, and she frowned. She strode over and lowered herself into the seat next to her.

"Is something the matter, Miss?" she asked.

"Siesta?" Miss Valliére replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Even if I can't clean, we can still have dinner together can't we," she replied, with a smile.

A faint redness crept into Louise's cheeks, and she turned her head to the side.

"I – I suppose so," she stuttered.

Oh dear, in her excitement Siesta had forgotten just how Louise effected her, but now she remembered. The way she blushed was too cute.

Hastily Siesta cleared her throat and spoke again:

"B-besides I have something important to show you," she said.

Quickly she placed the tome down on the table before them, and flipped it open to the right page. Then she placed her left hand down, right next to the picture of her brand.

She watched as Louise's eyes moved over the page, reading it, and felt excitement twisting in her stomach. Then she saw Louise's eyes go wide and her face grow pale, and the excitement dissipated.

"Is something wrong, Miss?" she asked.

"Siesta," she responded. "Where did you find this book?"

"Professor Colbert had it, Miss," she answered.

However, before she could ask about what had disturbed her mistress so, a new voice entered the conversation.

"My, that certainly seems like interesting reading."

Both of them shrieked and nearly leaped out of their skin. Spinning around Siesta found Miss Kirche standing there, looking over their shoulders. She cursed herself, she had been so excited she had almost forgotten that they were surrounded by other students.

"What do you want Zerbst?" Louise asked.

"My, so cold Zero," Kirche responded. "I would have thought you would think more warmly of me now."

For a second Siesta thought her mistress was going to growl like an animal, but she managed to school her features into something less hostile.

"Fine," she muttered. "Was there something you needed Miss Von Zerbst?"

The way the Germanian grinned at them was not exactly reassuring.

"Well, when I saw the two of you hunched over whispering to each other I couldn't help but grow curious," she answered. "I thoughts perhaps a lover's conversation?"

Siesta immediately felt her face flush red again, and she had to concentrate to keep her gaze forward, away from her shoes. Louise however, only seemed to grow more annoyed.

"And do you make a habit of listening to other people's conversations?" she asked.

"Only the interesting ones," Kirche replied.

This time Louise did growl.

"Come Siesta," she said.

Siesta fell into step behind her mistress as she led the way out of the great hall, wondering where they were going. Miss Kirche chuckle as they passed.

"Have fun girls," she said. "Do not do anything I would not do."

Louise froze for half a second before continuing on her way, cane striking against the tiled floor.

As it turned out there destination was Louise chambers, where once inside the young noble all but threw the tome down on the table.

"Just who does that Germanian harlot think she is," she grumbled. "Just because she … she..." she trailed off.

Siesta however, was distracted by the warm breeze she could feel brushing against her cheek as she walked in. It seemed that one of the windows had been left open, had she opened it this morning? She had been so preoccupied with her fretting over her feelings for Louise that she could not quite remember. Oh well, she would leave it as it was, it was a warm day, and the breeze was nice.

"Don't you have class soon, Miss?" she asked, as she took a seat at the table.

"I have plenty of time," Louise replied.

Just at that moment the bell rang, and Louise cursed as she sprung from her seat, grabbed her cane, and bolted out the door.

It was gone midnight but Louise was still awake, propped up on pillows, with the tome Siesta had brought her open in her lap. She had read the entry three times already, yet she felt compelled to read it again.

It was almost like reading a fairy tail, as though the words on the page were too fanciful to be true. Yet, the picture in the diagram in the top left corner of the page was exactly the same as the rune on the back of Siesta hand. That being the case, that meant...

Louise could barely comprehend what it meant, it was almost too ridiculous to be true. How could what was written here possibly apply to her? How could it be relevant to someone who was a constant disappointment, who was constantly ridiculed, who was a constant failure.

Yet it makes sense, does it not? a voice in the back of her mind whispered. The reason I could never control, never succeed with any of the standard elements is because none of them are my element.

A shiver ran down her spine, and her skin tingle as though she had been struck by lightning.

It was a reasonable line of thought, she concluded. Not to mention that if it was true, it would mean that she was not a failure, that she was not the Zero, and that she could stand at her mother's side without shame.

For a moment she could picture picture it, standing surrounded by her family. Eleanore would be red with envy, Cattleya would hug her close and congratulate her, and mother... Mother would simply stand there, but she would be wearing a look of upmost pride. The image made Louise chest swell, and it was difficult to hold back the tears.

Then the image shattered.

What if it was not true? What if it was just a coincidence? What of she got excited and it blew-up in her face, just like every other time? If she made such a claim and it did not work, she would just look desperate.

And she was desperate. Sitting there, alone in the dark, she could admit that to herself.

Not to mention how the church might react to her making a claim like that, and having it transpire to be false. That might well result in worse than just being humiliated.

Slowly she rose from her bed, and placed the tome carefully on the table. She ran a finger delicately across the cover as she contemplated the possibilities. Despite her doubts she had to try, but she would not tell anyone yet, not until she was sure.

As she slipped back beneath her covers she tried not to dwell on the idea that this might be her last chance. That if this did not work, then she was destined to be a constant disappointment.

She buried her face in the pillow to try and dispel those thoughts, and attempted to force herself to believe. To believe that her magical element was the most powerful element of them all, the element used by the founder himself!

The Void.

It did not look good, Fouquet thought to herself as she walked the streets back towards the Cat's Paw. The air was finally beginning to cool, now that the sun hung low in the sky, but it was not the weather that was weighing on her mind.

She had just spent the last couple of hours attempting to gather intelligence on the Viscount's estate, and it had been somewhat harder than she had been anticipating. Security had been heavier than was usual, even for a noble's estate; the Viscount may not have been hiring more serving staff, but he was definitely hiring extra guards.

Was this part of why Valliére had asked her to investigate him? She sighed, it was something she should have asked back then, she wasn't used to working for someone else.

No matter, her immediate concern was that the heavy security was going to make getting inside extremely difficult, and if security was just as heavy on the inside... Well, this was going to need some extra planning.

Unfortunately, even that was going to prove more difficult than usual. With the extra manpower, trying to identify entry-points was going to be a chore, if she hung around for too long she was much more likely to be spotted.

Regardless, it let her know that something suspicious was definitely happening inside that manor; and there was almost certainly something worth getting her hands on, whether that be treasure or information. She guessed she would just have to find out which it was.

She forced herself to smile slightly as she approached the front of the tavern, as though she had been on a pleasant walk around town. She found it was no more full than it had been the previous day, when she walked inside.

"Oh, you're just in time," Sophie said from behind the bar. "Where have you been all day?"

"Just getting to know the lay of the land," Fouquet replied easily. "I wanted to make sure I could get around town if I needed to." It was not even a lie.

"Fair enough," Sophie said. "Now get back here and put an apron on, your first shift starts soon. Just take orders and bring them to me, then hand them out when I'm done."

As Fouquet was tying the apron about her waist she had a thought, she might be able to gather more information from the guests that visited this place. She cast her gaze about the almost empty tavern and felt her heart sink. If they ever had any guests that was.

She sighed heavily as she took her place besides the bar, she had the sinking feeling that this was going to be a long few hours.