(sighs) okay... took all day to write, it seems... I began at around 4-5pm and now its 2am... and I just finished. BUT, I had to break for about 2 hours to eat dinner and relax... so yeah.

32 PAGES! Wahoo! Okay... enjoy... the title is 'The Perfect Assassin', Uno's OTHER nickname... and this is why. (winks) Can ya see why? In due time--actually, it's coming up quite quickly--you will get explained on why she has two nicknames, what they mean, and why she claims each one goes to each of her two names.

And incase you are lost regarding the high society stats:
--- viscount, count/baron/duke/lord, emperor/king/kaiser/tsar
------- kaiser is the ruler of germany
------- tsar is the ruler of russia
I hope you can understand that.
Viscount is the lowest, then count and baron and duke and lord are next in line (all of those are the same--that is why it is slashed), then emperor and kind and kaiser and tsar are the highest (again, they are all the same, which is why it is slashed between each term). Each term between slashes are different places they are called.

To those who have read DC1 will notice a certain person in here, by the end of the chapter (won't say who) that has returned as somebody else. And to those that know of him will know why the action Uno deals with this guy is so hard for her to bare with.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T REPORT ME FOR THIS CHAPTER! YOU HAVE TO BE MATURE ABOUT THIS UPDATE, PLEASE!

- Chapter Twenty One -

"Here you are Mademoiselle Maxwell. These are your lines for the play in three weeks—are you certain you will not be needing any help?" Monsieur Reyer frowned in concern at his new Diva.

Uno gulped back her lodged fear and glanced down at the script in her hands. "No Monsieur," she muttered aloud, "I believe I can handle this."

He nodded and turned away. Uno raised her head and stared out over the audience seating before turning around. La Carlotta was standing on the side, brimming in anger at her new partner. Earlier in that hour she had tried to question Uno's motives but the ex-ballerina answered truthfully with, "I really don't wish to do this, either."

La Carlotta only sneered her even more then ranted off at the conductor.

Uno tucked the script beneath her arms and headed back towards the dorms. Her old ballerina partners glanced in her direction and smiled faintly, giving Uno the hint that they were hoping she wouldn't disrespect them for moving up on the ladder. Uno frowned but continued heading towards the dormitory. On the way up the steps, one of La Marcella's friends stopped before her and frowned.

"Uno," she trailed off. Uno stopped on the fifth step and knitted her brows together.

"What?" She bit back sharply.

The girl bowed her head. "Marcella hasn't returned."

"Not my fault." Uno shoved the girl to the side and finished accending the stairs. "Do you think I had anything to do with it?"

The girl frowned up at her. "What do you mean?"

Uno spun around and snarled at her. "Oh well, after all, I am a witch! It's only necessary for her circle of whores to think such a thing of me!"

The girl winced against Uno's harsh choice of words and sighed. She followed Uno back up the stairs and into the room. "I never believed what the other girls insisted about you," she shot back. "I was the quiet one of the group. When I heard Marcella was planning on poisoning you I tried to stop them but they warned me to stay back."

Uno snorted and tossed the script onto her cot. "Right," she retorted. "You really tried to stop that bitch from killing Charline—oh let me tell you about it."

"I did!"

"You did not!" Uno spun and roared out at the top of her lungs. "You did not attempt to try and save Charline's life! If I hadn't known the experience in medical treatment as I had, Charline would have been dead and you whores would be walking freely!"

"Uno—"

"So don't you dare tell me you tried to stop La Marcella from pouring ground glass into Charline's cup of tea because the more lies you say the worst your fate will be when you meet Shinigami!" She breathed heavy and turned away. With the back of her hand, Uno wiped the dripping saliva from off her lips. "You had better be warned—lying to me digs you an even deeper hole in the ground."

The girl lowered her gaze to the floor and locked her worrying fingers together. "Who is… Shinigami?"

Uno turned her back to the ballerina. "My father," she murmured. "He was a man of right and no wrong. Truth and no lies." She turned back to her and hardened her gaze. "So you see… the more you lie, the deeper the grave he digs for you."

The color drained from the girl's face. "You really are the devil's child."

Uno closed her eyes and hung her head. "Go away, Mercedes."

Mercedes bit her lower lip and fled. Uno sighed, the stress within her chest aching to the point where she would scream out in pain. Her breathing became jagged and harsh but Uno kept her control in check. If she lost herself now she would be forever sent to the asylum.

God I wish I could resurrect the dead and kill Marcella once again, just for the agrivation her name brings to me.

But she knew that if she could resurrect the dead she would have done so before the vortext sent her spiraling through time.

-

Closing her eyes, Uno could still see the words in her mind. She frowned and tried to blur her vision beneath her closed lids but to no avail. She could still see the music notes and the words for which to sing. Groaning, she closed the book and laid it on her chest. After heaving a sigh, Uno felt a little bit better.

But only a little bit.

"My goodness, Uno!" Meg's voice blurred out. Uno grunted and listened to the footsteps hammering her way. Meg collapsed on the side of the bed and began tapping Uno's shoulders.

"I'm awake," Uno groaned out. "What do you want, Meg?" She opened her eyes for proof.

"You have been invited to the Prime Ball in three weeks!"

She frowned. "Three weeks?" Opening her eyes she found Meg's face radiant with glee. "That's when Halloween is."

Meg sat back on her haunches. "Yes but the Prime Ball is two days before Halloween." She suddenly grabbed the closest of Uno's wrists. "But since you became a Diva you are available to go—and you are required!"

Uno sat up and laid the script on the bed. She turned and hung her legs off the side of the bed then faced Meg's cheery smile. After taking a deep breath, she prepared her speech.

"I have to go, you say?" Meg nodded. "On who's word?"

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped. "Uno you do not understand… the Masquerade Ball you are able to ignore but should you ignore the Prime Ball, it will lower your auction of being on stage," she explained. "You will allow La Carlotta to carry on as she does, label yourself a recluse who will not bother to greet her fans, and you will put in a bad image for the Owner. Also if you do not go, you will lower your status and you will not sing often, thus not giving you enough pay in return."

Uno hung her head. "I have no choice then," she murmured. "Damnit."

Meg flushed but held her tongue. She released the diva's wrist and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face. "Uno—you shan't miss this moment."

Uno turned to her suddenly with wonder in her violet-blue eyes. "When is the Masquerade Ball?"

If I can miss any of them I'm going to miss as much as I can.

Meg smiled calmly. "It's the New Years Eve Ball."

"I'll miss that ball and attend the Prime Ball—happy now?" She pushed off the bed and put her back to the petite blonde. "Then I can get some of my own needed privacy."

Meg stood up and turned to face her. "But Uno… what will you wear to the Prime Ball? You cannot hide behind a masquerade mask."

Uno turned around and frowned over at Meg. "I'll think of something."

"You can't just choose any ordinary dress, Uno," Meg explained. "This has to be the most elegant attire that you may own. It's as if the King and Queen of England will be attending—as if the Lordships of every land will be there."

Uno smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Then I'll dress as Queen Uno."

Meg giggled behind a hand. "I doubt you can come up with a dress to fit that title."

Uno's eyes twinkled with the daring challenge and her smirk formed into an all out, meschevious grin. "Oh believe me… I can."

-

After the rehearsals released Charline came bounding up the stairs into the dorms and skidded to a halt when she found Uno sitting on the floor with parchment scattered around her. A bottle of ink sat just off to the right and the quill stood out in her hands. There were splotches of ink on Uno's fingertips, telling Charline that the braided woman had been working hard at whatever it was she was planning, for hours.

"No matter how much I redraw this thing it never turns out the way I want it," Uno murmured. She sensed Charline's presence but didn't look up. Charline took slow steps as she closed the gap between the two of them. "I've tried to catch the essence in my head but still, it doesn't work, correctly."

"Uno," Charline purred out in weary, "what are you doing?"

"Creating a dress for the Prime Ball."

Charline stiffened. "You are attending?" She gasped out.

"I have no choice," Uno raised her head and frowned up at her friend. "Meg said I will lower my rating if I don't go."

"Well," Charline breathed out before taking a seat on the edge of her bed, "I wish you luck then." Uno glanced back down at the drawings.

"The only ones needing luck will be everyone other than me who attend," Uno scoffed out. She frowned and glanced over at the other designs. "And the drawings I've come up with."

"Well whatever you choose I'm certain you will look exquisite."

"That's the problem," She muttered in return, "I can't choose."

Charline raised her hands to the bun on her head and wiggled the tight hairclasp until she felt the tension pulling no more. She released a heavy breath and turned to watch the other ballerinas step into the dorms. Mercedes paused when she noticed Charline and Uno together and bit her lower lip. Charline frowned but shrugged it off and turned back to her friend.

"Are you writing more letters to the devil?" One of the other girls questioned casually.

"Nah," Uno replied, "I'm just sketching out designs for a dress."

Another girl snorted. "Probably something to wear on Halloween so you can impress the devil and hope he takes your body."

"No actually this is for the Prime Ball," Uno replied. She frowned and picked up an earlier designed sketch. The girl gasped and took two steps closer to the braided wonder sitting on the floor.

"You are kidding me!"

"No—actually I'm being forced to go."

"But you are only a mere whore of the night! A witch! And you have to go?"

"That's what I said," Uno choked out on her next breath. She chuckled and faced the alarmed girl. "I mean—I don't care about meeting all the faces of high society but I'll do it because it holds off on my ratings."

"Pray you bump into the devil," she scoffed back. "Mind him to carry you off into Hell."

Uno glanced back down at her papers. "Eh," she shrugged her shoulders, "I'll be glad to get away from whores like you for a change."

The girl's gasped but Mercedes only turned away and retreated into the washroom. "Whores?" One of them shouted. "We are no such things!"

"Fooled me."

"Witch!"

Uno frowned and shook her head. "You'd think they would stop once Marcella disappeared." She raised her head to the girls and leant back agains the side of the bed. "Speaking of which—have you found her yet?"

"I… no," she admitted shyly. "We have not."

Uno smirked. "Have you even gone to the police yet?"

The girl sighed. "They have been informed but are not placing Marcella's disappearance on their top priority."

Uno shrugged and blew it off. She turned back to the papers. "Not my fault."

Though actually it is.

"I'm certain it is," she returned. The blood in Uno's body ran cold for a brief moment. She turned and faced the girl, her brows knitting together in weary.

"Come again?"

"I'm certain you had put a spell on her."

"A spell?" She felt her breath return into her lungs. "That's it?"

"You did something else?"

Uno chuckled darkly. "If that's all your creative minds can come up with—I'll be damned when you find her roaming the streets as the whore she is."

"Marcella is not a whore!" The girl shouted in return.

Uno snorted. "Oh please."

"She has stopped her prostitution when she became a ballerina—everyone knows that!"

Uno's brows shot to her head and Charline stared in shock at the outrageous ballet girl. "So she was working for the devil?" Uno mimicked. "And all this time I thought she was a saint."

"Don't play coy with me!" The girl's eyes narrowed. "I will be keeping an eye on you—all of us will be."

Uno smirked. "Good. I have a larger fan club than I even intended to have."

"You've been warned." The girl turned away from Uno and began digging out her night gown from her dresser.

"Funny," Uno raised her voice and turned back to the girl with a humored smirk. "The last time somebody warned me it shot back at them even worse."

The girl turned around and sneered her. "I will be watching you, closely."

Uno's grin remained and her eyes became glued to the hazel orbs upon the other woman's face. Excellent, she thought to herself. Because that gives me a way to mess with your mind.

-

The following day Uno woke as early as she normally does and dressed herself. She stepped into the kitchen for her breakfast and sat down with her usual three pastries and glass oc tea, then began eating. By the time the theater started to come to life she had already finished her meal. Charline passed her on the way back to the dorms and stopped. Meg arrived shortly afterwards.

"Where are you going, Uno?" Meg asked sweetly.

"I've practically read the script a thousand times since I had it. I'm going to go out for a walk on the town before I come back later and try memorizing the notes."

Charline smiled. "Are you going to seek out a conductor who can help train your voice to sing opera?"

Uno felt taken aback and cringed at her. "Definitely not—I sing just fine. I wasn't born with the gift to sing opera—just to sing anything else."

Meg frowned. "But you will not be raised in the status of being a diva and that means La Carlotta will still be the leading star of the opera house."

Uno shrugged her shoulders. "Fine by me—saves me the hassal of becoming a famous star. I'm not into all that posh atmosphere."

Charline frowned then turned back to Meg. "Well… shall we?"

Meg smiled and waved Uno off. "See you later, Uno."

"Have fun, Uno," Charline added in.

Uno nodded and watched them disappear into the café. She sighed and felt dread pile up in her chest. After no longer sitting and eating with her friends and having the ability to work with them, she found she was starting to miss them. Her brows knitted together, recalling the last time she had a friend she could feel remorse on leaving behind.

It wasn't since Theresa had died and that was well over eight years ago.

Or has it not even happened yet?

Shaking her head of the depressing thoughts, Uno turned and retreated to the dormitory to gather her sheets. She didn't know where her sudden gathering of human emotion came from; it wasn't in her nature to feel sad for people. She had been locked in a closet for too long. If her mentors found out she was starting to feel sad for the past she would be locked in the closet again.

Uno gathered her papers and folded them up. She stuffed them into her riticule and prepared to go. After glancing at her reflection and approving her deep red dress, she turned and left the room. The bustle of life was loud and ambitious as they began creating the props for the new act. The halls were crowded and littered with people and as Uno pushed her way through she had a sense of being watched.

She reached a corner and turned to examine her surrounding but instead of catching the eyes making her feel nauseaus, she found a crazy back of the theater. No body was staring at her but she still felt the cold chill of being watched, running down her spine.

It's nothing, she told herself. You're imagining things.

Uno turned and headed for the exit of the building.

-

Erik smirked, knowing she could sense him watching her but she couldn't pinpoint where. She stared down the halls but he wasn't standing in her line of vision. She stared at the people filing in around her, but he wasn't one of them. She narrowed her eyes and raised her gaze up to the rafters above but she still has yet to find him.

If only she were to turn around and stare at herself through the floorlength mirror, she would be closer to finding him.

"I wonder how long you plan to hide, Mademoiselle Maxwell," Erik said bemused. He crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head to the side. "How many weeks will pass before you give up this façade of false personas? How many months until you give into the truth that lurks within your mind?"

Erik knew she wasn't who she claimed to be on the outside. She wouldn't hibernate in the dark on the rooftop and cry. She wouldn't shelter away her voice and talent of singing. He was preparing a day for when he would go to her and offer to teach her Opera, but until then he needed to remain a mystery to her cobalt blue and violet eyes.

-

The bell rang when the door to the boutique shop opened. Madam Wilma stepped into the show room, alarmed from her dressmaking, and smiled when she noticed the young girl. Uno glanced around at the frilly dresses displayed and frowned when she noticed one that looked vaguely familiar to her.

Only she has seen it in her past—also known as, the future.

"May I help you, my dear?" The woman said kindly. Uno glanced up and saw a woman with curly gray hair piled around her head. She smiled upon sensing the woman's true nature and felt a sense of relief wash through her.

"I want a dress made."

The woman smiled brightly and clasped her hands together. "What for—therefore I know the extent to design it."

"Well I already have a couple of designs I seem to like," Uno explained. She opened her riticule and took out the folded sheets of parchment. "I just don't know how to sew."

The woman nodded her head and took the offered parchment. "You shouldn't have need to worry about sewing, my dear. If men knew their women sewed it would be the end of that happy marriage."

Uno frowned. "Why?"

Madam Wilma gazed up at her solemnly. "Why… no woman should sew unless she is a seamstress—and even then, those women struggle in vain to marry. The only reason Alfred appreciates my talents is because I sew for him."

"I don't make a notion to care for the world anymore," Uno scoffed back. "I've had enough of pleasing everyone for my life."

"Nonesense," the woman waved her hand in the air and turned towards the back of the room. "In this day and age a woman should be blessed to have the opportunity to have both dreams together."

Uno followed her to the back and smirked when she heard the expected gasp. "This is a magnificent design!"

"Which one?"

The woman stepped up to the counter and raised her head to see Uno staring back at her commonly. She glanced back down at the designs sketched out in her gasp then placed the multitude of papers on the countertop. Uno stepped up to the glass countertops and peered into the displays below. There were a few tiaras she had to stiffle a smile at.

"All of these are extremely elegant," Wilma murmured. "Forwhatever reason are you wishing for one of these to be made?"

Uno raised her head and noticed the woman's eyes were glazed in a sparkling brown. Her face was wrinkled, showing her age, and her hair was styled just perfectly. The calloused fingertips Uno felt brush against her knuckles when the woman took the parchment told the new diva that the older woman has worked many long and hard days.

"I'm the new diva for the Opera Populaire," she explained. "I have to attend the Prime Ball."

The woman's mouth dropped a little bit more and she stared at Uno in complete shock. "B-but what you hand me are designs of a queen, not a diva."

Uno smirked, knowing where this was leading. "What do you mean? The last I recall, the diva is the queen of song."

"But this is too elegant," the woman fought back.

The old phrase Relena once shared with Uno returned and in just the same context it was originally spoken, Uno said, "There is never too much elegance when it comes to looking your best. You want to enlighten the masses at the same time you envision your dream as a fairytale princess. The choice of elegance is nothing short of personal opinion, thought out by one who so delusionly thinks upon it."

The woman closed her lips and swallowed. "I-I suppose so," she stammered out. Uno smiled and glanced back down at the tiaras. "But it will cost many a franc note."

"Not a problem," Uno waved her hand at the comment and turned away.

"By the looks of it, about fifty thousand."

That got her attention!

Uno's head snapped back to the woman and gawked. "Fifty thousand francs!"

"Well you have an abundant amount of fabric here, not to mention a wide assortment of jewls, and the color tones are definitely not an easy thing to find in this town—even though we are on the highrise of society," she explained with an air of whimsical. "But you do recall that the Prime Ball is in three weeks and you have be build you this exquisite gown in such little time." She turned to Uno's gawking face. "Don't you?"

"I… um… yeah," she spat. Uno tore her stunned gaze away and down at the tiaras once more.

"And you can't just expect to waltz into the ballroom wearing only this gown, either," she added in with a breeze. Uno turned back to see her scanning each design. "I mean, you need to wear some jewelry that will match the outfit and by the way this looks, perhaps even a tiara." Uno swallowed. "But with all this elegance, you will look like a queen."

Uno lowered her head as the woman stared a there. "Do you wish for that?"

She took a deep breath to steady her racing heart. With a swift nod of her head, she realized her statement to Count Verafaunte will have to continue being her scapegoat. At least it was partially true.

"I can handle it and where I come from, it's only less than what I am accustomed to."

Madam Wilma frowned and lowered the papers to the countertop. "I beg your pardon, Mademoiselle?"

Uno remained stoic in her regal fashion as she returned the stare back at the older woman. "I am to be Empress in Japan."

The color drained from the woman's face as she gasped. "Empress!"

Uno nodded her head and turned to stare at a brightly shaded dress off to the side of the room. "My family felt it best that I learn about the many nations around the wold. I have lived in San Deigo, in Texas, in the American Colonies, and a single year in England," Uno slipped in. She turned back to the woman and stifled a small smile. "I was a ballerina here by my vocal talent had delivered me to an even broader side."

The woman relaxed and nodded in acceptance. "I can see your family will be proud of you."

Uno nodded in return. "When I turn twenty and one, I will return to Japan and marry the Emperor, who is awaiting me as we speak."

She beamed at the braided wonder. "And how old are you now, my dear?"

"I will be eighteen in three weeks," Uno replied, careful to keep her true birthdate out of the statement. "At the end of this year, I will most likely move to Spain and live my life there, then perhaps another country before making my return to Japan."

"Well," Wilma glanced down at the papers, "I can always alter these designs, for you." Uno frowned. "To make it more of an oriental look, for you." She smiled up at Uno with charm laced in her eyes. Uno frowned but shook her head. "No?"

"I'm sorry Madam Wilma but if I dress as elaborate as I really am, I will alarm the many who will attend the ball. Very few know who I really am," Uno explained. "Besides… I will be wearing enough of my kimono when I return home."

Wilma nodded in understanding. "I see. I shall keep your secret safe, Empress."

Uno faked a blush and turned away. "Please…"

"So," the woman breathed out. She turned back to the designs at hand. "What colors would you prefer?"

"Regal," Uno replied. "But," she paused to allow a shudder pass through, "close to white."

The woman nodded and lifted out a pen and parchment. She dipped the pentip into the ink bottle near by then began scribbling down the replies to her questions.

"The jewls?"

"Just dress me up in anything elegantly white and regal," Uno returned. The woman nodded then began jotting down different things Uno couldn't read right away. She lowered the pen and picked up a tape measure from the shelf behind her.

"I need you to hold out your arms, Mademoiselle…?"

"Uno," Uno replied before smiling sheepishly. "Just Uno."

The woman nodded then stepped up to her. "Uno."

She began measuring Uno's body and writing down the measurements as she took them. Uno closed her eyes and waited until she finished measuring her waist, her shoulders widths, her arms, legs, torso, and even full height. When she finished she stepped in front of Uno again and wrapped the tape measure around her bust.

"Good Heaven's Uno," Wilma gasped. "You are to be eighteen soon and already you have filled out completely!"

Uno frowned. "That isn't normal?"

"No!" The woman scribbled down the measurements then turned back to the young girl in alarm. "Women do not usually quit growing until after they reach their mid twenties and even then they still grow more for when they become with children."

Uno glanced off to the side in wonder. "I wonder why I'm so different."

I could give you a list of reasons, Zero shot back. Uno rolled her eyes and snorted.

"Right—whatever." She turned back to the woman and smirked. "I don't mind—perhaps I'll grow larger than most ordinary girls."

Wilma frowned. "I should be a bit worried, if I were you, though."

Which is why you are not, Zero shot back.

Uno bit her tongue to give herself some pain, something Zero can take to thought over the insults prying at the back of her mind. She stifled a smirk. "You think it'll take long to make?"

"Well," Wilma turned around and returned to her previous spot behind the counter. She glanced down at the designs. "I can mix and match these designs but it may take some time."

"What if I pay you more than fifty thousand francs?" Uno negotiated.

What! Zero shouted in her mind.

"What?" Madam Wilma raised her head and stared at Uno in complete shock. "More?"

"Persay… a hundred thousand," Uno stated.

One hundred thousand francs! Are you fucking nuts—wait… of course you are…

"One hundred thousand," Wilma breathed out in a whisper. "Sure you aren't serious!"

Uno shrugged and glanced down at the tiaras. "I was delivered enough money to last me a life time," Uno explained to her. "I did not bring my elegance ball gown because I can not always look myself when I am at just any ball. I can gather the amount of payment you require and perhaps more—for the accessories."

Wilma felt the breath stick in her lungs and she had to swallow hard to get it to go down. She gasped when she gathered more air. "Well I suppose," she murmured, glancing down at the sheets in her hands, "a hundred thousand francs will be enough."

"It is sufficient enough to give you for a gown you are not entirely creating on your own. I gave you three weeks, one hundred thousand francs, and all the designs I would like for you to use up," Uno expressed through the air of demands and regal authority. Wilma felt her limbs go numb at the directness Uno showed. "You will have it complete by the time I have to attend the Prime Ball or I will deliver my family's Cage Master here and he will deliver you to Japan to await your execution for mistreating the Empress. You will be paid when I come to pick up the dress in exactly three weeks." The color drained from the woman's body. Uno raised her chin and squared her shoulders back.

"Until then," she turned and left the building in the way she was once taught. Behind, when the bell rang out to sound her exit, Madam Wilma remained motionless and terrified.

She would definitely not disappoint Empress Uno!

-

Now how do you expect to come up with one hundred thousand francs? Zero berated. You don't have that type of money and you're not ruler of the Earth Sphere Unified Nations in this era, Uno!

"I'll think of a way," Uno said softly. She ducked her head to ignore passerbys on the street and keep to herself. The last thing she needed was for people to hear her talking to herself. What would she say when she doesn't lie? The truth would get her thrown into the asylum quicker than ever!

'Oh yes, I hear voices in my head—well, just one but it sometimes sounds like two or three!'

She closed her eyes and groaned. "Trust me. I'll come up with a way. I am Shinimegami, after all."

No—you are The Perfect Assassin, Zero returned. Uno opened her eyes and frowned. Shinimegami rarely comes out—she's who killed La Marcella.

Uno shrugged her shoulders. "None-the-less I will think of something."

You better think of something soon because you are running out of time. Three weeks may give a woman a long time to make a dress but by the look we both recall seeing on her face, she will have it ready sooner than planned to not disappoint her majesty. Zero spoke in a mimick of sarcasm.

"Trust me… I know what I'm doing."

Then do it quick, Maxwell. Sell yourself if you must—because it will take you three weeks to save up if you become a whore.

Uno paused and turned to glance out at the street where people were passing by on carriages. She never thought about the possibilities of prostitution. She wouldn't actually let the man do anything to her other than foreplay—and where she comes from, foreplay was every base leading to home. But she has done similary things in the past when she needed money.

She's done it before so she can definitely do it again.

You don't have the clothing to do such a thing, Zero reminded her. You don't look like a wench and you're covered in scars.

"But nobody sees the scars and my clothes won't matter to a count," Uno murmured. She narrowed her eyes when she noticed the symbol of a duke on the side of a carriage. "Or a duke."

-

When Uno returned to the dorms she didn't realize how much time had passed since she left. Apparenlt she spent a good several hours on the streets and a good hour or two in the boutique shop because the rehearsals had just ended. She ignored the faces of all who glanced her way and made her way up to her dorms. She was amazed to find it filled with people.

"Why hello there, Witch," the same girl, Priscella, said when she saw Uno enter the room. Charline turned and smiled when she saw her friend. "Did you have a terrific day in the town?"

"I did," Uno smiled at the girl, "thanks."

The girl's eyes narrowed. "I will carry on Marcella's legend if she is never found, and it will be your fault she is missing."

Uno shrugged her shoulders, knowing they won't have any proof on her of the true whereabouts of the Italian girl. "Fine by me—I'll be sure to write you daily when I'm helping the good doctor out."

"Helping?" Priscella scoffed. "Hah! The only help you'll do is by kneeling down before him—like the whore that you are."

Uno frowned and turned back to see the girl sneering her. She shook her head and returned to the dresser. Priscella left the room and the rest of the girls followed behind. Charline sat down on the side of the bed and sighed when she watched Uno lift up her diary.

"Marcella disappears and somebody else takes up her role as wenching, it seems," Charline explained. "I only wonder who will be next should Priscella vanish as well."

"I don't know," Uno murmured. She flipped through the pages until she reached the back of the book where there were only a couple blank slots left. "But I know she has to stop before she does disappear like Marcella had."

And this time, Maxwell… do what you forgot to do to Marcella, Zero insisted. Show her what you had to do to women in our time.

"Madam Giry had invited me to join her and Meg for dinner tonight," Charline smiled. Uno nodded. "And you are invited, as well."

"Sorry—busy."

Charline frowned. "But you will be dining with the Viscount and his wife. You know how Christine loves to gossip with us—and I'm certain she will have lots to discuss with you, following in her footsteps. Don't forget, she was a ballerina to start with, as well."

"I know," Uno murmured. She jotted down the date of her new entry then began scribbling her entry in binary. "But I'm busy. Give them my regards."

"What are you busy with?"

"I'm supposed to be meeting a duke about the payment of my dress," she stated. "He said he will pay me the one hundred thousand francs it takes to build my Prime Ball dress."

Charline gasped. "One hundred thousand! Uno, that is far expensive for this ball!"

Uno shrugged it off. "It's nothing compared to home."

"Of course it is! Texas is nothing compared to the high society of Paris but you are spending far too much for this gown." Charline shot out. Uno raised her head and stared at her friend. "Do you not understand, Uno? Even seventyfive thousand francs is a lot."

"The original amount was to be fifty thousand," Uno explained. Charline sagged her shoulders. "But I raised the price to demand the dress be built sooner."

"So you will be meeting a duke—how do you know of this said duke?"

"I don't," Uno shrugged and returned to her entry. "He heard me talking to myself about it and offered to help. However, his wife—or mistress, I suppose—was not to know and that's why he said he could make the meeting with me tonight. We can make it appear to be an outing for wenching."

Charline frowned. "So what shall I tell the Viscount? That you are to meet a duke for a wenching meeting?"

Uno shot a glare to her friend. "You do and you won't have eyes for the rest of your life," she snarled. Charline's brows furrowed and she squared her shoulders back, indicating to Uno that she wasn't intimated in the least.

"Just tell them that I have a lot of stress going on through my mind from this diva business," Uno brushed off. "It's the truth, anyways. So much to do all at once and I haven't sung a note since I was nine."

"Nine?"

Uno frowned and glanced off to the side in deep thought. "Or was it later than that?" She rolled her eyes and shrugged it off. "Oh well—just tell them that."

Charline sighed. "You will owe me a lot, Uno."

"Fine," Uno breathed out. "If he gives more I will pay you the difference."

Charline gasped. "Pay me the difference—Uno! I am not to be bought in such a way."

Uno shrugged again as she turned to the next page and dipped the quill. "Then I'll buy you something with it—either way, I'll pay you back."

"Not throughout cash but should I need something in return you will help," Charline demanded.

"Duh," Uno scoffed out. "What are friend's for?"

Charline sighed and stood up. "I need to prepare for tonight—I wish you would join but your dress is important… and so is your needed peace."

Uno nodded. "Yep—ain't that for sure?"

Charline rolled her eyes and gathered a pale pink, satin dress from the armoir and left. Uno eyed her as she stepped into the washroom then snickered and shook her head.

"Poor thing," she mumbled softly. "Doesn't know when to give up."

Charline stuck her head out of the washroom and growled out at her, "And one of these days I will shun down your stubborn personality, Mademoiselle Uno Maxwell!"

She slammed the door closed again and Uno cracked up laughing.

-

Uno peeked down through the knook in the floorboards before she made her descent. She needed to sneek past the people's eyes without letting them catch her up and about in a flimsy evening gown. What Uno had planned would put her entire current life's work into jeapordy and if Priscella—the apparently new threat—found out, she would be in even deeper shit than ever before.

No body was around so she quickly bundled up her skirts and fled the room. Wrapped securely around her body was her black cloak and making haste, Uno made certain it didn't flow out behind her as she rushed towards the nearest exit. A gathering of people were coming her way and Uno quickly ducked into the shadows. She watched and waited until the staggerers passed by before make another run for it. Finally when she was outside the Opera Populaire, she could relax her pacing heart.

She stole a glance around her surroundings and found herself alone. Part of her was thinking of taking Hercules but if she was going to play the part of a whore, she wouldn't be able to get away with having a horse. Instead, she gathered her wits and released her skirts to allow the flow to swirl around her legs. Taking long strides, Uno rushed towards the town. If anybody were to catch her out late at night they wouldn't be able to notice it was her. She had made certain her braid was tucked into the back of her cloak, hidden from any onlookers.

Just as the reached the town a carriage pulled up in front of the theater. She narrowed her eyes when she noticed it was the Viscounts ride. Madam Giry, Meg, and Charline each stepped out of the carriage. Christine gave Madam Giry a hug and bid her goodnights to both her friends before returning to the carriage. Uno covered her head with the cloak so she could hide her face in the shadows. Raoul's carriage pulled around and passed by her and on the way he nodded down at her.

Uno narrowed her eyes and watched him with a smirk on her lips. The stupid idiot didn't even notice the outlines of the girl's face. He disappeared in the distance and stealing a glimpse of the theater for one final time—and seeing her friends were inside the building—Uno continued her way into town. The street lights were starting to dim, indicating the late hour. The streets began to get lower in population and when she noticed Madam Wilma's shop not far up ahead she had to stiffle a smirk. The old woman's interior light was on, indicating that she was working to get her orders complete.

She sighed and stepped down the street side a little bit. A few staggering bums flirted with other prostitues, a very glancing her way, but none of them made any notion to ask her price. Uno took a deep breath and curled in her fingers.

Are you certain about this? Zero asked.

"I have to be," Uno murmured back. "I need the money."

Do you think Duo would have done something like this to get money?

Uno narrowed her eyes and leant against a brick wall of a restaurant. "He's a pick-pocket," she returned. "But I'm sure if the need arose, he would."

I see… well then… let us hope you know what you're doing.

Uno sighed. "I do."

And will you let him fuck you?

She narrowed her eyes in response.

Will you let him take what he wants or will you kill him?

"Depends," she seethed out. "If he actually means to do this then yes—I will do what I need to do."

I see… then it looks as if you have more of him in you than I have expected you to have. The laughter that followed was her own voice deep within her mind.

Uno's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" She growled. "Duo wouldn't kill to get money."

No… but your grandfather would.

The blood in her veins ran cold. "What are you talking about?" Nothing replied and Uno growled. "Bakayarou! Answer me," she seethed. "What are you talking about—I never even knew my grandfather, let alone my mother." (Translation from Japanese: "Asshole!")

"Mademoiselle—how much ye be?" Uno turned to her right to see a dirty drunk fishing money out of his pockets. His shirt tail was untucked and his suspenders were dropped. It looked as if he had already bought a whore and didn't spend enough.

Uno snorted. "Too much for the likes of you."

He narrowed his eyes. "I have ten francs—you be fine for ten francs."

"I'm worth at least fifty!" Uno growled back. "Now pay fifty or leave."

"Bah—ye wench are pitiful!" He turned away and left.

Uno sighed and laid her head back, her eyes closing. She heaved a deep breath and let it out in a long, loud sigh. Eventually some rich folk will go to her but until then, she'd stay away from everyone else.

"Pardon me, Mademoiselle, but are you a prostitute?" Uno frowned and opened her eyes to see a well dressed man standing to her left. He was dressed in expensive clothing, a top hat included, with a cane in his right hand.

Perfect.

"I have never done such a thing before and…"

"Monsieur…?" Uno smiled, fluttering her eye lids. She stood up and clasps her hands before her.

"Baron Von Clarion," he replied. "I am new in town and I have never called upon a prostitute before."

She nodded slowly. "I understand."

"How much are you for a single night?"

"Well," Uno paused to fake a frown, "I'm an expensive one."

He smirked. "I had a feeling."

She did frown at that. "Pardon me, Monsieur?"

"You don't look like the rest I have seen when I traveled the streets," he explained. "I have been searching each night of the past several weeks for a mistress of class and I haven't found one." Uno's mouth slowly parted in thought. "Perhaps I may call on you often and eventually marry you."

"Um… heh," she smirked, "perhaps."

Uno glanced down in an attempt to appear flattered. It worked as he lifted her chin with his finger and kissed her. Uno's heart hammered to a halt but she knew what he was doing. On the job already, Uno opened her lips and bid him entry. His tongue tasted of brandy and she swivvled hers around in, letting him get a taste of her heated mouth in return.

After a minute he broke the kiss and gasped for air. He stared deep into her eyes and felt the world falling apart.

"Mademoiselle… please, how much for this lonely night?"

"One hundred thousand francs," she breathed out. "But for you, I'll make it fifteen thousand."

He chuckled. "If you desire one hundred thousand I can afford you to stay with me for a week."

Uno felt a grin tug at the corners of her lips. "Well then, Clarion… one week it shall be."

He smiled and bowed gracefully, holding his hat in his hand as he did so. "You won't be disappointed, Mademoiselle…?"

"Uno," she answered. She knew she wouldn't be disappointed. "And perhaps I may eventually stay longer than one little week." He stood back up and frowned at her but she returned his puzzled expression with a wink of her own. "After all, I'm costly for the knowledge I possess."

-

The Baron Von Clarion had his coach deliver him and his new mistress to his mansion just outside Paris, opposite the side of town from the opera house. Uno had never been so far away but she didn't let it affect her. Instead, she pushed herself to the limits. The second the door shut and the carriage was pulling away from the corner she recently stood at, she sat on his lap and began teaching him in the art of mouth-to-mouth.

The man wrapped his arms around her waist and held her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck in return and kissed him with all the fiery passion she held from deep within herself. Uno allowed a few grunts and moans to escape her throat and in return, she received several groans from him.

Uno shoved off his top hat and began pushing apart his coat to try and get to the bare skin beneath. He grunted when her fingertips managed to dig beneath his third layer of his suit and groaned out loud when her fingertips brushed across a flattened nipple. Uno smirked and broke the kiss to rain heavy kisses along his sweating neck. His hands stroked up her back and pulled around to the front. He cupped the bottom of her breasts and noticed she wasn't wearing a corset.

Immediately he broke the kiss and gawked at her.

"Heavens Uno—you are wearing nothing beneath this dresss!"

Uno smirked and leaned forward to take his ear lobe between her teeth. She felt him stiffen beneath her grasp. Her hot breath singed his ears when she purred, "What an easier way to please my customers, good sir."

"Uno," Clarion growled out.

His hands wrapped around her waist and shoved her down onto his lap. Uno gasped, releasing his lobe from between her teeth, when she felt his stiffened manhood press against her dress and poke the entrance to her body. She gulped and glanced down at him in slight fear but Clarion registered her expression as seduction instead.

Are you sure you can go through with this again? Zero questioned. This isn't like the past, Uno.

"I-I have to," she breathed out in response.

Clarion smirked and leaned in to kiss her collar bone. "I need to, too." He remarked, thinking she was talking to him. Uno closed her eyes and tilted her head backward, exposing the arch of her neck.

By the time they reached the mansion they were both covered in sweat. Clarion stepped out and extended his hand for his mistress and elegantly, Uno accepted it. He helped her down and into his mansion, then closed the door behind them. She watched as he hung her cloak on the stand near a large swivvle mirror in the hallway entrance then hang his own. He removed his tophat and stuck it on the top of the stand then turned back to see Uno gazing around at his magnificent home.

"Beautiful, is it not?"

"It's… lovely," Uno replied truthfully.

The interior would normally not be to her liking for the color was bright and airy, but it reminded her of the Classical Wing back at the Winner Mansion, back home. The floors were marble, the columns marble, and the stairs were marble. The walls were another stone and the ceiling was ingroved into designs. The furnature was a topic on its own. She turned back to face him and noticed he was smiling at her with a twinkle in her eyes.

"You look beautiful in the dimmed candle light," he muttered softly. "Utterly exquisite."

Uno smiled, feeling herself blush and the blush wasn't faked, either. "Clarion—"

"Richard," he cut her off. "Call me Richard, please, Uno." He held out a hand and Uno took it graciously.

"Richard," she purred. He wrapped an arm around her and delicately raised her chin with his other hand. Passionately, they kissed and Uno felt as if she could forget everything in her past and stay in his arms, forever.

"Come," he said after breaking the kiss, "let me show you to the magical chamber."

She blushed and giggled. Richard led her down another elaborate hallway to her right—left of the entrance to the mansion—and towards another staircase. Up the stairs, the then led her down a richly decorated hall where paintings of arts were posted all over the place and sculptors were shined, radiating the moonlight in return.

"You're quit the artist," she murmured, glancing around. His thumb stroked the back of her hand as he led her towards his chambers.

"Oh yes—it is a hobby of mine. But I am more of a poet." Uno smiled then entered past the dark, mahogany door he opened for her. She stepped out of beauty and into Heaven.

"Oh—wow!" Uno gazed around at his selected furniture. A four-post bed with deep green bedding and canopy top, a large, jade fireplace, and huge floor length windows showing out to the gardens below.

"Beautiful." She stepped up to the windows and gazed out at the horizon of the treelines and the moon. Behind, Richard smiled as the moonlight illuminated the girl's full body.

"You are beautiful," he corrected her. "Standing in the moonlight, radienting the way you are." She turned and fanned her lashes at him. "I think I have fallen in love with an angel."

"Richard…"

"Uno," he quickly closed the gap between the two and grasped her hands in his. "Please—"

She silenced him with a kiss. Upon instinct, Richard wrapped his arms around her body and encased her in a deep, desperate hug. Uno allowed herself to be swept off the ground. He carried her to the bed and laid her down gently, as if a sudden jerk could break her in two. He tore away and began kissing all around her face and down her neck. Uno closed her eyes and arched her neck back as he feasted on her body.

He crawled up on top of him and lay between her legs. Uno breathed a sigh of relief when she felt his mandhood poke against the thin fabric of her dress. The cotton pantilones she wore were hardly anything and he was so hard that it felt as if he had taken himself out of his pants already. Her arms stroked his back and grabbed his shoulders. His hands stroked her belly and cupped the bottom of her breasts.

"Richard," she breathed out.

"My dear?" He murmured out. His fingers rose to her shoulders and he began slipping the sleeves down off her arms. To his surprise, it came off quit simply.

"Dear Uno," he gasped up at her. She stifled a smile and shrugged her shoulders. "You are truly one of a kind."

"As are you," she returned sweetly, "Baron Richard Von Clarion."

He grinned and lowered himself to kiss her. Uno raised her hands to stroke her fingers through his dark locks. His strong body pressed itself into her thin frame and she bent her knees to stimulate more of the pleasure. Richard gasped and tore away from her neck. He began lowering the dress down her arms then slid his hands to the front of her chest to unlace the rest of her dress. She didn't know he could remove her dress as quickly as he had but she found out when she felt warm lips surround a rosey nipple.

Uno gasped and gripped his shoulders. She never knew sex could feel so sweet. She's always had it rough and wild, always jumping at the springs of the mattresses or being slammed into the walls of her cell. But Richard was sweet to her and taking things slow.

"Richard," she gasped. She felt his fingers kneeding at her other breast and soon the feelings switched. "Uh—God." Uno swallowed hard. "Richard…"

A muffled response was his reply but he didn't dare pull up, knowing he was pleasing her all the way. He pressed himself into her body and Uno worked frantically to remove his jacket. She threw it to the side and began working on his vest. Richard broke free to help her attempts. He shed off his vest and shirt them tossed them to the side of the room. Uno stroked her fingers through the dark curls on his chest while he sat back on his haunches and worked at removing her dress. When she was entirely free of any clothing, save for her pantilones, he devoured in the essence of her beautiful figure.

"My God, dear Uno—you are exquisite."

Uno blushed and turned away to hide her rose tinted cheeks. He lowered himself to her body and kissed her neck, her collar bone, and her breasts, then down her belly. Uno closed her eyes and relaxed upon the soft mattress. He pressed himself against her once more and Uno gasped aloud.

You don't want this, Zero told her.

"Yes," she moaned out softly.

No you don't.

"Yes Richard," Uno breathed out. Richard began digging his fingers into the elastic lining of her pantilones. "Richard…"

This isn't you.

"Richard…"

"Uno," he raised himself up on his arms and neared her. She opened her eyes and saw him above her. Smiling, she leaned up and kissed him passionately. When he broke away, she looked even more radient than ever.

"I can't let you go," he murmured. "You are too much to lose—even after one week. I have never seen a woman like you before."

Uno smiled, clearly flattered. "Richard," she stroked his cheak. "What are you saying?"

"Stay with me?" He frowned. "I shall forever more shower you with gifts, my dear. I will make you glow like a rose in the light of the moon. I will make you happier than a seagull flying with the wind that washes to shore the tides of the sea. I will make you into a dream that no child has ever dreamt before."

She turned away to hide the blush that crept into her cheeks. "Richard—stop, you're flattering me," she said kindly.

"Marry me, Uno." She turned to him just then and saw pain etched in his eyes. "For all thirty-two years of my life have never once found a woman like you before. I can't bear to lose you."

Her eyes twinkled in fear. "Richard," she breathed out.

"I will pay for everything you shall ever need so you will no longer have a need to work the streets, Uno." He swallowed and lowered himself to her body. Uno stared up at the green canopy that hung above her and contemplated her choices. Richard continued to fan her body with kisses as he ground himself into her body.

"I will make you the happiest bride ever to walk the face of the Earth. You will become a Baroness—Baroness Uno Von Clarion," he continued. "You will shine with every jewl mankind has ever known. You will become one of the most famous faces of high society."

"Richard," her voice squeaked as she called his name. Tears began to swell in her eyes and when he saw them, he wiped them away, smiling as he did.

"I see it makes you happy." She had to clench her jaw to keep it from shaking—she was so terrified. "I can handle anything and everything—please."

He lowered himself to her once again and began to shower her with kisses. Uno let her arms fall to the bed as she felt her body growing weaker by the second. She stared up at the green canopy and tried to predict her future. She would marry and become Baroness, anther title of high society that she still didn't want. She would have kids—wait… what would he do when he found out she couldn't have kids?

When he found out about all of her scars—for he will see her in broad daylight, as well.

What will he do when he finds out her birthday is on Halloween?

Uno closed her eyes and covered her face as the tears fell once more. You have no choice, Zero insisted. You can't accept his proposal. You have an obligation to run—you are the diva for the Opera Populaire, you have to gain money for your Prime Ball gown, and you cannot abbondon your friends. What will he do when he finds out you were a diva for the opera and you have friends who are ballerinas? He will not allow this friendship to remain—and like Theresa, you will lose your friendship to your bestfriend because of a jerk. Sure, Viscountess Christine will be there—if you can even be friends with one who is lower in status than you.

"Richard," she breathed out. He moved her hands away from her face and licked up her tears. Uno swallowed hard and forced a smile.

"I love you," he spoke before she could reply.

Uno felt her heart cramp and she gasped, feeling her chest contract in pain. Richard kissed her and with new found strength, Uno rolled the two of them over. She knew she had to work hard, to stop this before it got worse. He grinned when he noticed she took charge.

"You temptress of the night," he grunted. "Taking charge of the situation in your own ways, I see."

Uno smirked and sniffled. She straddled his hips and striked her fingers through his manly chest hairs. Uno leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a forcing kiss, bruising him in a matter that told him she only knew sex through a rough act. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pressed her down on his hardon. She gasped and slid her hands up his chest until they grasped his shoulders.

"Richard," she gasped aloud.

Richard smirked. "Uno—you villain of the dark that which plays my body and mind as one."

"Richard," she purred suddenly, seductively. She smiled down at him with an iviting challenge laced in her eyes. Lust tinged her voice as she stroked his neck with her fingertips.

Richard shut his eyes and reveled in the passion of the massage she gave him. "You are gorgeous."

"I'd love to marry you," she said. Richard smiled and laid his head back. "But I can't." Uno pressed her fingertips on the pressure point in just enough time to stun his next words. His eyes snapped opened and he gripped her waist but Uno's grip was tighter. She cringed as his fingertips dug into her flesh but she did not let go of his neck.

You have no choice, Zero explained, feeling Uno's heart break. Tears continued to roll down her face as Baron Richard Von Clarion writhed beneath her, struggling for air.

If you do not stop him now he will not take no for an answer and just like Ricky, he will not allow you to stay friends with Charline.

"I'm sorry," she cried out. His struggles ceased his his mouth relaxed into a common 'aw' form. His arms collapsed back onto the bed. "I really am, Richard." Uno released his neck and choked out on her sobs. "But you would never forgive me if you knew of who I really am." She leant forward and kissed him as she closed his mouth. When she pulled back, she closed his eyes. Uno pried herself away from from the bed and backed up a few steps to stare at what she had just done.

"But I couldn't let the lie go on the way it was heading," she said softly. Uno curled her fingers together and covered her mouth with them. "Please forgive me—but I can't marry you." Uno turned away, unable to stare at him anymore.

"Why Zero?" She cried out. Uno felt her legs collapsed from beneath her weight and she fell to the floor in a heap of tears. She wrapped her arms around her body and rocked hersekf. "Why is this happening to me?"

Because this is what you get for trying to regain your humanity, it shot back. You can't be human, Uno! You haven't been human in over ten years! You're not yet ready to be human and until you are I will not allow you to hurt yourself. You are a warrior—this was a mission.

"No it wasn't,"she breathed out.

Think on the objective and say that again.

She cried even harder, knowing Zero was right. "Damn you," she breathed out. "Damn you!"

Hurry up and get what you came for. You're not made to live a happy life like a normal girl, Uno.

"But I want one," she whispered.

Look at him and think about this… he acts like Ricky.

Uno gasped and the tears froze in her eyes. "What?"

He acts like Ricky! He hides the truth—he wasn't looking for cheap sex—he was probably looking for a wife for some high and mighty purpose. Just as Ricky was trying to get into your mind to kill you.

"No…"

And think of their names… Ricky is a shortened version of Richard, is it not?

"No!" Uno clenched her eyes.

Yes… now you see why I told you it couldn't happen. You and Ricky were enemies—Richard would become your enemy and if you married him, you would be stuck with him… forever.

Uno growled and glared up at the body. By now, the veins in his neck would have opened back up. When the authorities opened him up to look for the reason of his death, they will find absolutely nothing. Uno pushed up to her feet and gathered her dress. She felt mildly dirty for playing him like that but Zero was correct.

She came here form one reason and she wasn't about to leave until that reasons was finished.

After readying herself, Uno fled the room quietly and shut the door behind herself. She flew through the halls and randomly opened doors, looking for the study. When she found it, she shut the door behind herself and neared the desk. Behind the desk hung a huge painting of an Equestian Match. If there was one thing Uno knew it was how large paintings behind desks usually held safes.

She was greeted by a safe when she opened the painting up like a door.

The safe was a typical dial lock. It was simple to pick. Uno placed her ear on the door and listened closely for the three clicks to indicate the unlocking. When it opened, she stole inside and found what she was in search of.

The entire stash of the man's allowance.

She grabbed a bag from inside the safe and stuffed it up with all of the money she could gather. She had grabbed well over a hundred thousand francs but it wouldn't hurt to have more than what's required. Never know when she may need even more and if she didn't have it then, she highly doubted she would find anybody from her past to replay a part in her future—or vice versa.

Either way, she highly doubted she would have this opportunity again.

She closed the safe when she was finished and fled the room silently. On her way down the large staircase she first noticed upon entering the room, the butler rounded the corner and spotted her. Uno immediately dropped the satchel and ran to him.

"Mademoiselle?"

"Forgive me," she murmured. She slid to a halt and wrapped her fingers around his neck, soon sending him into eternal rest just like his master. The butler began descending in his fall and Uno worked quickly to silently lower him to the floor. After that was completed, she picked up the satchel once more and fled outside, grabbing her reticule and cloak on the way. A brown horse was easy enough to steal out of the stables and after saddeling up, she leapt him out of the stables and rode into town, making sure she kept herself covered by her back cloak.

Just before she neard the opera house she slid down off his back and slapped the steed's rare to keep him going at high pace. Uno watched the horse vanish into the darkness before turning and fleeing inside. The clocks inside the grand entrance read one on the morning.

She had to hurry up to bed.

She had to get enough sleep to wake before everyone else did.

She had to hide the money while she stored it and delivered it to Madam Wilma.

A repeat from earlier:
And incase you are lost regarding the high society stats:
--- viscount, count/baron/duke/lord, emperor/king/kaiser/tsar
------- kaiser is the ruler of germany
------- tsar is the ruler of russia
I hope you can understand that.
Viscount is the lowest, then count and baron and duke and lord are next in line (all of those are the same--that is why it is slashed), then emperor and kind and kaiser and tsar are the highest (again, they are all the same, which is why it is slashed between each term). Each term between slashes are different places they are called. And incase you are lost regarding the high society stats:

As you all could see... he was just like Ricky... which if you don't know, you will learn probably within the next 2-3 chapters! (winks) But to those who DO know of Ricky will notice how and WHY she fell head-over-heels for him so suddenly. Just like Ricky, he had a way to get into her heart within a split second (or is it just like Richard, Ricky had the way... man, this time change messes even me up!) BUT, it was only Ricky who knew how to get Uno flattered... Richard knew how too (winks too all the old Uno fans out there).

-- -- -- I found out we have a new hurricane alert, called Wilma... now THIS is freaky! This is the 21st hurrican/tropical storm of 2005's Hurricane season and it's called Wilma... and this is the 21st chapter of DC3 and the seamstress is named Madam Wilma. (shivers) Freaky, eh?

Okay... so... what y'all think? (grins) Please tell me!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T REPORT ME FOR THIS CHAPTER! YOU HAVE TO BE MATURE ABOUT THIS UPDATE, PLEASE!