As of late, I was in good mood. Nay, excellent mood. I caressed the token of my devotion on my neckline.
-"As if I would let any hussy take you, my beloved."
The Executor stayed behind, his involvement in our project was meant to be kept secret, lest the Clocktower get the scent of the Vatican. My sister was by my side, both attentive to the rumour mill.
She curled a lock of hair and pouted.
-"I envy you, sister of mine."
Taking a nail file, not the poisoned one, the other one, I started to work on my nails.
-"Why my dear Luvia, it should be the other way. After all, you are now an established woman."
She looked around and spoke to me in hand signs. You never know in these hallowed halls who may be listening, but you can not listen to what remains unspoken.
That ponce is barely fit to be considered a man. Why, on our wedding night I had to take matters into my own hands.
Placing a hand on her shoulder, I could feel her vibrating with rage.
So bad?
She cursed without words, her hands being crude enough to convey her rancour.
While he is wealthy beyond reason, from a noble lineage indeed, I can not stop comparing him with a pure breed dog. Fancy, well trained and makes me sick.
Here she dipped her hand into my dress and took my most treasured memento into her fingers.
Smooth skin which never tasted sun, unblemished without proof of hard earnt skill.
My mind's eye conjured the skin of my beloved. Ripe with tales of claw, blades and fire. My foolish heart skipped a beat and my sister winked at me.
You blasted that pretender clean of her feet. Next time you see him, seize that prize.
I took out my fan and covered my burning cheeks.
Edelfelts and Emiyas. The Mercenary Hyenas and the Dogs of War. Truly, I pity the fool who would ...
And there Mr. Tohsaka passed greeting peers. He must have left the Assembly early and started gathering support for his cause. Mayhaps some candidate for his second daughter.
Luvia elbowed me.
Go, gain support with your future-in-law.
I strained to see, to hear, not even our legendary nose could pick the traces. Until someone bumped into a shadow. Instead of clean-shaven, his was unruly. Disposable clothes that no self-respecting Clan Head would even think to use even at home. He saw us, angling his duster to conceal his armoury. Our eyes met and we nodded.
I left my fan to Luvia and made a wide line to my target. He stuck to shadows, avoiding the windows, giving time for Tohsaka to walk away.
-"Please, pass along my condolences to him."
His reply had no heat, only fools and babes cry over the realities of conflict.
-"Nice shot."
My heart swelled with pride. Few could appreciate the amount of care involved. A moving platform, cold barrel, 300 meters, turbulence due to the engines. From another bootlicker, that would have been empty drivel. But he knew.
-"If I may be far bolder than a lady of my station should, please do forgive me."
I courtesied low, exposing my neck to the side, giving him the opportunity to strike me down.
-"I am no Tohsaka. Speak plainly, Mercenary Hyena."
My grin betrayed my joy. This was it. No beating around the bush, not fancy wordcraft. Not with them.
-"I, Fiia, do intend to marry the Pup of War."
He looked over me, double-checking for any tail skulking on us. He took out a notepad and wrote down, his own way of avoiding stray ears.
His wife lives.
The cold hand of despair sunk its unforgiving claws into my heart. I closed my eyes, recalling in my mind's eye the shot. The body flying...ah. Armour. Otherwise, the bullet would have cleaved her clean in twine.
Fool, fool, thrice-damned fool!
I was about to excuse myself when I saw there was more below.
His finger was pointing to a tiny scrawl.
Remember that several countries allow for more than 1 wife.
With that, he closed the notebook.
-"Good afternoon, Miss Fiia."
He departed, in silence, a spectre that did not smell nor leave any evidence behind.
