Chapter 4

Rin muttered angrily under her breath as she drew the magic circle on the floor of her borrowed workshop. She should have been thrilled at the quality of the powered silver mixed with the blood that served as her ink, but knowing it came from her took all pleasure out of it. But with all her own tools and materials confiscated, she had little choice.

She let herself imagine she was preparing a curse rather than the calibration that her assignment actually required. It was petty, but her determination to one day claim vengeance against the blonde devil was the only string binding her sanity these days. Everything else was being slowly but mercilessly ground to dust under Luvia's expensive heel.

Starting with all sense of dignity, Rin thought angrily as she remembered the maid uniform that now hung in her designated room. She slapped a gem down inside the circle with rather more force than necessary as she internally raged. She'd just had to mention serving as a maid on that fateful day of the duel, hadn't she? Luvia had certainly taken a shine to the idea, enough that Rin was now being trained as her personal attendant under the strict guidance of the head butler, Crown.

Fortunately it was only for a few hours a day, but those hours were intolerable. Rin was forced into all sorts of menial tasks – serving tea, setting out changes of clothing, carrying and organizing books – while the butler corrected her at every turn. And all the whole, Luvia watched her with that infuriating smirk, interrupting every so often to point out all her errors and shortcomings. Between the two of them and her own perfectionist streak, she was swiftly mastering the work. It meant little while her her temper sparked and snapped under her skin, her resentment turning even achievement into acid in her mouth. So for all that Rin knew it would only end in punishment, her first instict was always to rebel.

At first, she tried open defiance.

Rin stood stiffly at attention a few paces from Luvia's desk, where the blonde was idly pawing through a box full of gleaming gemstones. Rin's gemstones, and it was no coincidence that the devil had timed this inspection for exactly when her new maid would be serving tea. The salt stung in Rin's emotional wounds, exactly as intended.

Luvia hummed thoughtfully to herself as she turned a blood-red ruby over in her hand. Her fingers carressed the facet in a manner that seemed almost intimate. It made Rin's cheeks flush in equal parts anger and embarrassment. Really, did the woman have no shame?

"Most of these stones are dismal in quality," said the blonde, waving dismissively at a lifetime of carefully collected treasures. "However did you manage, with stock like this? But I can sense the salamander living in this ruby. So at least this one holds something worthwhile inside." She glanced over at Rin, locking their gazes together before smiling. "It just needs proper handling."

Rin didn't need to see the brief play of tongue over lips to understand the analogy and resent it. So much so that when Luvia lightly tapped her saucer, the signal to refill her tea, Rin couldn't resist temptation. She smiled serenely as she raised the teapot. Then without the merest hesitation, she spilled a generous amount directly into the blonde's lap.

Luvia's startled cry was honey poured directly into Rin's ears. The blonde stared down at her soaked dress, then glared at her servant.

"Oops. My bad," said Rin blandly, not even trying to hide the smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"A slow study, I see," said the blonde, each word a glass shard from her lips. "You will inform Crown that a new dress will be needed." Rin turned towards the door when the other continued. "And you will fetch the whip as well."

As satisfying as it had felt at the time, defiance had not been worth the twenty lashes that followed. Nor had it been worth the hours she had spent hand-cleaning that dress in ice cold water, over and over, until the devil finally declared herself satisfied.

The she tried malicious compliance.

Rin's knees ached from the hard wooden floor of the dining room, where she had been forced to kneel for what was probably minutes but felt like hours. Luvia scowled down at her from the chair in front of her, close enough that she could have grabbed the other magus' hair if she had cared to. Instead she simply tapped her fingers against the armrest.

"Explain to me, Rin," she said eventually. "What possessed you to disturb my rest at three in the morning?"

"You left instructions to be woken up early," said Rin sweetly, then winced as one of her leg muscles knotted from the awkward position. "You never specified how early."

"I see. And you expect me to believe your judgment is that poor."

"You've said it yourself. Miss Gorilla, remember?"

Luvia stared at her a moment longer, then her frown eased into a soft smile as she tilted her head thoughtfully to one side. Rin braced herself. That expression never meant anything but trouble.

"I seem to remember that the melanosis practicum is scheduled for next week. But that would be of no interest to a barbarian, would it?"

"Oh come on," groaned Rin. That examination was a strict requirement before any student could gain access to the higher level research laboratories of the Minerology Department. If she failed, she might as well pack up her bags and go home. "That's a low blow and you know it."

"Then you admit that you purposefully inconvenienced your mistress." Luvia's expression was serene, if not for the flash of fire in those amber eyes.

"Yes, fine! But you can't say you didn't deserve it after that business with the bath."

The blonde ignored that in favour of considering her. After a moment, she smiled. "Mmm, that was a trying day, wasn't it? I suppose I can be lenient. I will settle for a heartfelt apology."

Rin couldn't quite hide her grimace, but she could force the words out well enough. She'd had a lot of practice in the last week. She made to rise, but a firm hand grabbed her shoulder to keep her in place. Then Luvia leaned back and daintily extended her foot.

"Show your contrition. Kiss it."

Rin found herself staring at graceful curve of the sole, the elegant toes, all wrapped up in elegant shoes of midnight blue. The top of the foot was left open, displaying flawless creamy skin.

Rin swallowed heavily, unable to look away. "You can't be serious," she muttered, but she already know that the blonde was. And indeed, Luvia only wriggled her foot in playful insistence.

Your education, Rin repeated to herself. If you give up here, everything you've already done has been for nothing.

So she pressed her lips to that silky skin, and felt something break a little more inside her. Having Crown wake her up at precisely three in the morning for the rest of the week, which Rin otherwise would have considered cruel and unusual punishment, barely held a candle in comparison.

Finally, desperation drove Rin to try submission. Luvia had devised a thousand punishments and humliations, and seemed only too pleased to have an excuse to apply them. Surely the ultimate rebellion then was to deprive her of the opportunity, until she finally grew bored and sent Rin away. It made the Japanese magus' skin crawl and teeth gnash, but anything seemed worth a try.

So when Rin received instructions from Crown, she followed them to the letter no matter how menial the task. When Luvia criticized the way she carried herself, or pointed out the coarseness of some turn of phrase, she grit her teeth and corrected it. When the heiress sneered at a dress improperly folded or wine clumsily poured, Rin growled to herself but made a mental note for next time. All the while she waited for Luvia to lose interest.

But no. Impossibly, infuriatingly, the opposite seemed to be happening. Luvia was requesting her presence with increasing frequency, until Rin felt like her second shadow whenever she was home at the manor. And to her own confusion, she wasn't always called upon to serve during such occasions. Sometimes quite the opposite.

Rin felt her mouth water as delicate smells of citrus and herbs floated from the hallway into the dining room. She really was hungry after an afternoon in the training halls, and the first course of soup had done nothing but sharpen her appetite, but manners demanded she wait until the bowls had been entirely cleared away.

She held back a sigh and let her hands fall to her lap, fiddling with the napkin placed there.

"Rin."

She snapped up her hand to see Luvia looking at her reproachfully.

"Do try to behave yourself," said the heiress as she set down her wine glass in a fluid motion. "You are not a child. It should not be a tall order to keep your composure throughout the meal."

Rin's cheeks flushed red with her anger and embarrassment, but she forced herself to nod. Remember the plan, she thought, and made her hands relax. The blonde watched her for a few moments more, then finally sat back as Crown busied himself refilling the glasses. Rin found herself watching him with an unexpected amount of envy. As much as she had detested being made to stand by his side, waiting on the heiress during her meals, she had at least understood that game. Eating across from Luvia, as if they were somehow on an equal level, felt disconcertingly like some kind of trap. And that feeling was enraging in its own right, for scarce weeks ago she would have thought it only natural.

Eventually Luvia nodded towards Crown. Shortly after, plates of a crayfish dish settled on a bed of angel's hair pasta was set before each of them. Although not an expert in Western cooking, Rin could recognize the loving care that had been taken by the cook. Her hands twitched from sheer desire to dig in as quickly as possible, but instead she found herself warily watching Luvia. Only once the blonde had reached for her own fork did Rin eagerly pick up her own. Even then, she forced herself to slowly and carefully twirl the long strands around the utensil before neatly sliding it into her mouth. Hours of waspish comments had impressed the expected poise upon her.

Rin carefully set the fork back down as she chewed, glancing over to her dinner companion. She was startled to see Luvia smiling at her in satisfaction. Instantly the food turned to ash in her mouth as she realized the plan wasn't working at all.

Rin almost snapped the inking brush in her hand as she reflected on the spiral her life was steadily taking. Shared dinners had become a regular event in Rin's life at the manor, but it wasn't the only occasion during which she found herself suddenly recast from servant to something else, something she was having trouble putting a name to. Luvia made her spend hours studying with her in the manor's library, only occasionally sending her for pots of tea as a token reminder of her role as the maid. She dragged Rin down to the training hall for sparring practice, during which Crown would correct her stances while Luvia relentlessly put her through her paces. And with each passing day, she saw more of that proud, possessive look on Luvia's face whenever she set her eyes roam over her.

That look, and the heat it conjured up in Rin's belly each time it was turned her way, was rapidly becoming a problem. She was a healthy girl, and that came with its share of hormones. It was intensely unfair to have Luvia look that damn gorgeous when Rin was forced to interact with her all the time. Without a flat of her own to retreat to, what could she do but linger on those glorious breasts, which the blonde's dresses had been so cunningly cut to emphasize? Those stunning curves and winning smiles?

It was sheer cruelty, that's what. Especially when Rin had so little opportunity to engage in, ah, stress relief now that she was living in the manor. And even when she could manage a hurried moment when everyone was occupied, she found that all her old fantasies had bled away. Now all her mind would conjure up were images of a certain blonde devil, no matter how wide Rin tried to cast her mental net. Bad enough that she surrendered and touched herself to thoughts of her rival, it was even more embarrassing when the harpy was only a few doors away.

That Luvia occupied such a place in her mind, even after everything the woman had done to her, was perhaps the biggest insult of all – all the worse for being self-inflicted. But no, it had to be due to the stupid brand on her chest, some malignant Edefelt magic at work. Yes, it was all Luvia's fault, and Rin would absolutely add it to the long list of indignities for which the devil would pay.

Another jerk of her brush, a botched rune, dragged her fully back to the present. Rin looked down at the mangled circle and sighed. No, she was too distracted to keep going with this tonight. Fortunately the potency of the ingredients would keep, at least until tomorrow. She could clean up then and try re-inscribing the symbols.

She retreated to her desk instead and let her head fall against its surface, letting herself indulge in a rare bit of brooding. It served no purpose in extracting herself from this mess, but she was only human. Sometimes even she needed a moment just to unwind and stare despair in the face.

Rin wasn't sure how long she had been sitting there when there was a knock at the door. Now what? she thought peevishly as she got up and answered. The blonde maid that had first greeted her to the house – Franchesca, now that Rin had gotten to know her better – gave her a warm smile. She was carrying a small ornate box in her arms.

"Here are the things you asked for, Miss Rin. Her ladyship has approved them."

Gemstone scales and calipper clamps. All equipment that Rin owned herself, before it had been snatched away to prove a demented point. And while all of the replacements were undeniably of higher quality, they also screamed of Luvia.

Rin inwardly grumbled, but made herself nod politely anyway. "Thanks, Franchesca. This is a big help."

As tempting as it was to snap and rage, it was best to stay polite with the servants, even if their strong loyalty to the mistress meant there was no point trying to wheedle them either. Rin's predicament wasn't their fault Even if she did wish they would be a little less cheerful about the whole situation.

Rin was setting up the scales when Franchesca gave a delicate cough behind her.

"Lady Luvia has asked that I assist you in preparing for the party tonight."

"Of course she did," growled Rin. "I am perfectly capable of dressing myself, thank you."

Rin knew she was being unfair. Luvia rarely interfered with Rin's personal grooming unless there was good cause, and tonight was a special occasion. But that didn't take away the bitter taste of resentment, nor the anxiety fluttering in her chest.

Franchesca smiled appeasingly. "Im sure her ladyship only wants to ensure everything is in place."

Rin scoffed. "All this over Barlow's new title. As if there was any doubt he'd made Pride regardless of his talents."

Or lack thereof, she thought to herself, but with his bloodline and connections, it was as good as done. She'd had aspirations of making it there someday herself, clawing up through the Clocktower's barriers through the sheer strength of her research. Now... well, she didn't know anymore. And that made the prospect of watching Maximilien Barlow puff himself up for hours on end that much less appealing.

She offered Franchesca a wry smile. "I'd rather be dragged away by wild horses, you know."

Franchesca nodded sympathetically, but her voice broke no argument as she said, "Her ladyship was very insistent that you accompany her."

"Yes. Believe me, I know."

Rin placed her crystals back on the high shelves, her hands moving automatically as her mind worked. Her attendance wasn't a matter of social obligation; if anything, magi of Rin's dubious pedigree were not ordinarily welcome at such events. She had no place in the complex dance of shifting alliances and political posturing that lurked just under the formal pretense of celebration. But Luvia had every intention of putting her on display tonight, and Rin knew damn well why. After tonight, it would be impossible to every fully extract herself from the Edelfelt's shadow.

Franchesca stood by patiently as Rin finished clearing the room. A lifelong retainer of the Edelfelt clan, she knew better than to touch anything relating to magecraft wihtout permission. Rin had almost entirely forgotten she was there when the maid gave a happy little sigh. "I'm glad the two of you are getting along so well."

Rin almost dropped the book she was carrying. "Excuse me?" she said incredulously. "You think we''ve getting along? What part of being Luvia's chew-toy seems like fun to you?"

The maid hid a polite giggle behind her sleeve. "You don't really feel that way."

"I most certainly do." Rin frowned in annoyance. "I can't wait until she finally loses interest."

Franchesca looked at her with wide eyes. "Why do you think she ever would?" Then something seemed to dawn in her eyes. "Unless you don't know?"

Rin huffed as she slid the book back on the shelf, even as her mind processed this new bit of information. But before she could ask further, the maid suddenly bowed.

"I apologize, Miss Rin. I have forgotten my place. Please come to the upstairs bedroom when you are ready."

The maid left without further ado, leaving Rin to stare at the closed door. What on earth was all that about? She clicked her tongue impatiently. She had come to know the staff well enough to know she wouldn't be getting anything more from Franchesca now that her guard was up. Still, she'd gleaned enough to know that Luvia wasn't taking her claws out of her anytime soon. And Rin was damned if she let that slide by without an explanation, mistress or not.

Riding on a wave of indignation, she stalked through the hallways not towards the bedroom, but towards Luvia's office. If the blonde thought she had cowed her into complacency, she had another thing coming.

She huffed into the hallway only to find Crown standing guard in front of the door, accompanied by a strange maid. Although Rin didn't recognize her, she could identify her as an Edelfelt retainer from the blue trimming on her livery. She glanced at the closed door. Perhaps a visitor?

Rin was burning with curiosity, but it would be the height of bad manners to linger here in hopes of catching a glimpse. She would have better luck immersing herself in some trivial task downstairs so that she could see them on their way out. She was about to retreat when the door suddenly swung open, forcing both servants to step to the side and make way for the man emerging from the room. He was tall and dark-haired, dressed in a finely tailored suit that emphasized his broad shoulders. Rin didn't need an introduction or his attendant maid to identify him as a member of the Edelfelts. He looked only too similar to Luvia, from the imperious glint in his amber eyes to the absolute confidence of his gait.

"I ask you one last time," he called back into the room in a deep throaty rumble, ""p consider the consequences of this whim.' His tone was level despite the the clenching of his fist.

"Your concern is noted," said Luvia's voice from inside. An outsider would have called it serene, but Rin had well-earned her former place as the heiress' rival, and she could hear the irritation underneath. "But this is not a whim. My mind is quite made up."

'Fortin -"

"Will accept my decision, or suffer the consequences. I will not have her dictate to me, Ajatar."

"Of course not," said the man with a shake of his head. "Still, I hope you know what you're doing."

He snapped his fingers as he came down the hall, and the maid immediately followed in his wake. Then he looked around and spotted Rin. He frowned as he approached, then stopped directly in front of her. She could feel his cold eyes roaming her face, silently appraising her.

"Eavesdropping is most unbecoming," he said at last.

Rin was sorely tempted to snipe back, but she managed to wrestle her tongue into place. This was a deliberate provocation, and there was no need to fall head-first into it. Instead she nodded politely at him. "Very true. How fortunate, then, that I've only just arrived."

And it's your own fault that you didn't finish up your rant before stepping outside the room. She didn't voice it, but from the way Ajatar huffed, she was sure he read it in her eyes. Then suddenly he was reaching towards her, his fingers stretching for her chin. Rin had already taken a step back, instincts hard-won in the War moving her backwards before waiting on her conscious mind. Her fingers were already reaching into the seams of her shirt, digging for gems that were no longer there.

He paused, then nodded at her. For a moment, she thought she spotted a flash of grudging approval in his eyes. Then he passed by her towards the stairs, his tread heavy on the steps. The maid followed, not even glancing at Rin before she vanished after her master.

Rin took a deep breath, then turned back towards the office. Crown was still standing at his post. Their eyes met, and he subtly shook his head. Rin hesitated, then straightened her shoulders and strode forward anyway. She had more questions than ever.

"Luvia?" she asked, poking her head in the doorway. "Who was that -?"

She blinked as she watched Luvia removing a particularly brilliant sapphire from a compartment in her desk before slipping in her sleeve. Even from this distance, Rin could feel the magical energy pulsing from the stone.

"Hey, is that-?"

Luvia shot her a glare. "What are you doing here, Rin? You should be with Franchesca by now."

"Y-yeah," she said, flinching in front of that withering look. For all of Luvia's infuriating smirks, Rin had rarely been the recipient of this cold anger. She swallowed thickly. "I just had a question about -"

"I am certain it is nothing that cannot wait until tomorrow," said Luvia with a dismissive wave. "March along now. I expect you to be ready within the hour."

Rin opened her mouth to protest, then huffed and turned away. The warning was clear enough, not just in relation to the party, but the scene she had just witnessed. If she wanted to pull any information from the blonde, now was not the time.

She sighed and trudged down the hallway towards the bedroom, wondering how this evening could possibly get any worse.

"You're a sadist," muttered Rin under her breath, fully aware that Luvia could hear her over the rumble of the Mercedes.

"As you have informed me on more than five occasions this evening. Five times this evening already. Really, Rin, you must refresh your repertoire. You are growing quite dull."

Rin sighed as she leaned back against the leather seat. "You say that, but the fact remains. This is absolutely unnecessary." She swept a hand over the black evening gown she had been forced into for the evening. It was well-tailored and of finer velvet than she could ever hope to afford, but it had also been deliberately cut to show off the Edelfelt brand glowing softly on her breast.

"On the contrary," said Luvia, "It features heavily in my goals for this evening." She let her proud gaze settle over it, drawing a prickling heat over Rin's skin. "You are mine, and this is the proof of it. I intend for everyone to see it."

Hands clenched in her lap, RIn tried to keep her eyes fixed ahead at the driver, on the passing streetlights, anywhere but the magnificent blonde seated next to her, their knees so close they were practically touching. Even in the shadows at the back of the car, her dress carefully tucked around her, she was a gorgeous sight in midnight blue and silver thread. The dress' bodice was artfully cut to display her generous cleavage to best advantage. Unfair, thought the magus to herself. And only made worse by her carefully pinned-up hair, which allowed Rin both the opportunity to linger over the curve of her bare shoulders, and also the chance to curse herself for it.

"Pay attention, Rin."

Rin snapped up her head, then flushed when she realized where her gaze at been resting. Luvia's amber eyes held a glint of amusement, but it was largely buried in the tense set of her brows.

"I do not need to remind you that we walk among some of the most prominent members of the Association's London Branch. You cannot simply barrel into their presence as a bull in a china shop."

"Give me a little bit of credit, m - Luvia," she hurriedly corrected herself. "I'm not Flat. I do have some sense of self-preservation."

For all the snideness in her reply, Rin had to acknowledge that Luvia had a solid point. For all the talents in politicking and subterfuge she had developed in her tenure as the idol of Homurahara Academy, she was not prepared for the ruthless games played by the Association elite. "I remember what you said. Stay as close to your side as possible without being awkward, strive for bland politeness, and don't poke the Istaris no matter how much they deserve it."

Luvia's lips briefly curled upwards before returning to their grim line. "Let me reiterate before we set foot in that campus." She locked eyes with Rin, and the Japanese magus shivered at the ice she found there. "This is a serious affair, and I will not tolerate any of your little provocations tonight. If you embarrass me, then expect your circuits not only blocked, but pulled out inch by inch. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal," said Rin, holding back a shiver.

"Excellent. Then let's do try and have ourselves a pleasant evening, shall we?" She clapped her hands, and just like that all of the tension in Luvia's face and shoulders disappeared. The mask of the Edelfelt heir slid into place, elegance and charm and, above all, supreme confidence.

Rin had very little time to ponder the change before the car came to a halt. Peering out the window, the soft yellow glow of the hall's windows seemed like beacons in the cold night.

Lies, Rin thought to herself bitterly as she stepped out of the car and into the dragon's maw.

The ballroom was packed with predators in formal dress, magi pretending to enjoy themselves like normal people while they silently assessed each other, for weaknesses and opportunities alike. She had already spotted several members of the Trambelio faction and heard the dry hacking cough of Melvin Weins, and whispered rumours held that even proud Lorelei Bartholemoi would be deigning to make an appearance later in the evening.

Damn that Barlow. A promotion to the rank of Pride was certainly noteworthy, but it hardly merited this level of pomp and celebration. If she had achieved twice what that smirking man had, she could have expected nothing more than a quiet ceremony in the courtyard, attended by a few professors and a half-dozen friends. Once again Rin was painfully reminded of just how little pull her name had among the wolves of the Association.

And damn that Luvia for taking full advantage of this! Because now the Edelfelt had truly cemented her claim. If this had just been a small gathering of students and faculty, perhaps her temporary status as Luvia's pet would have faded away with the span of years. But Luvia was showing her off to some other most prominent acquaintances, men and women with sharp eyes and even sharper memories. None of them would ever forget the brand that glowed brightly on Rin's chest, the mark of the Tohsaka's defeat and humiliation at the hands of her rival. She would forever be associated with the blonde now, and not at all in the way she would have wished.

With each set of greetings and introductions, Rin could feel eyes immediately flick to the brand. Most were gracious enough not to say anything, but she did see more than a few raised eyebrows. But curiously enough, she saw none of the sneering contempt she had expected. Instead her fellow magi seemed surprised and somewhat intrigued, and the questioning glances were thrown towards Luvia rather than Rin herself. She could herself pulled back to the duel that had gotten her into this mess in the first place - here again there were rules in operation that she was not privy to, but that were definitely going to have heavy consequences for her.

"And congratulations, Miss Edefelt." Rin was pulled from her thoughts at the sound of a deep feminine voice. An older woman in a peacock dress nodded towards her before turning back to Luvia. "I see you have recently come into possession of new territory."

Luvia smiled brightly. "A new acquisition is always so exciting, isn't it?"

Acquisition, growled RIn internally. You're talking about my birthright, not some painting you went and purchased on a whim! Only weeks of hard-taught self-control kept her from flinging her wine in their arrogant faces. Instead she kept her smile pleasant and her glass in her hands, even if the glass might have trembled from the force of her grip.

"Shame it's so far out east. Well, the Edelfelt have always been a resourceful bunch. I'm sure you'll find the best way to make use of it."

"How kind of you to say so, Melusine. But yes. I've had my eye on it for quite some time now, you know."

"Mmm," smiled the woman. "Understandable. There was that nasty business all those years ago. That barbaric ritual that people will insist on."

"Excuse me," said Rin as she stepped to Luvia's side, unable to bear more. I can't sit here and listen to them talk about the War. The people who fought in them, died for them. Not while they sit and drink their damn cocktails and sneer at things they will never understand. By some miracle, she managed to keep her voice steady as she nodded towards the blonde. "Your glass is almost empty, Luvia. Shall I bring you a fresh one?" She pleaded silently at her. Let me escape, just for a few minutes.

Luia hesitated for a mere second before nodding. "Yes, please. The sauvignon blanc, if you will."

Fetching drinks for the Edelfelt heir felt far too servile, a confirmation of what everyone had already gathered from the glowing brand. But as much as Rin hated playing the part of the submissive conquest, it was still better than having her emotional wounds torn open one by one. She still had nightmares about her last years in Fuyuki, dreams soaked in blood and tears and regret.

She snagged a fresh glass of white wine from one of the serving trays, looking wistfully at the rest of the contents. But no, as tempting as it was to drown her sorrow and humiliation in spirits, that would be inviting disaster. She was on a one-drink limit for a reason.

Rin sighed and moved to return to the conversational cluster, hoping the uncomfortable subject had run its course, when she spotted a familiar scowl in the surrounding crowd. His red coat had been exchanged for a black suit, his trademark scarf nowhere to be found, but that was unmistakably El-Melloi II.

Of course. As a Lord of the Clocktower, however poorly regarded by the older families, he would be required to attend Barlow's little spectacle. Too many feathers ruffled and doors slammed if he did not. And even if the man himself had been willing to risk it, Lady Reines would have forced him to come, if only for a good laugh at his expense.

His eyes were flat with boredom as he pulled on his cigarette, heedless of the disapproving looks shot his way by some of the bolder servants. To Rin's regret, it did not seem as if Gray was accompanying him tonight. But perhaps that was for the best. As much as she liked the younger girl, it was good to know she at least was being spared this social hell.

El-Melloi nodded sourly as she approached and handed him the glass. She could always get another one for Luvia later.

"Tohsaka," he acknowledged, blowing out a small puff of smoke.

"Professor. Fancy seeing you here."

"Entirely to be expected. Which is more than I can say for you." Rin's cheeks burned with shame. However rudely he might have tossed the recommendation at her, the fact is that he had endorsed her studies when few others would have cared to. And now she had failed that trust in the most public way imaginable. She braced herself for the sarcasm that would inevitably follow, once he had his lungs satisfactorily full of life-saving nicotine.

Then he shrugged. "I need to talk to you about your geomancy essay. Entirely too many flaws, but there is something worthwhile if you dig a little deeper. Monday, my office, two in the afternoon."

"I see. Thank you." They stood together for a while, watching as Lorelei Bartholemoi reduced an unfortunate servant to a quivering mess on the floor. The remains of a bloody caesar lay split across the floor, red on white marble, which only seemed to enrage her further. I guess Istari finally found a servant naive enough to fall for that prank, thought Rin with a sigh.

When the disaster cleared and still nothing seemed forthcoming, she huffed at her companion. "Don't you have anything to say?"

"I'm not going to lecture you when you already know you fucked up." His scowl deepened as he took another drag.

"I did," she reluctantly acknowledged.

"Thank you for not involving Svin or Gray. They couldn't have helped you, and it would have made Miss Edelfelt very sore at them, friends or not. I'm sure you've noticed that she can be a touch irrational when it comes to you."

"You mean she's lost her mind," groused Rin. "But I did too, when I was stupid enough to agree to her terms."

El-Melloi II offered her a smile that might have passed for sympathetic in the right light. "You weren't careful enough," he said. "Involving yourself with the old families is just asking to be drawn into their webs."

"Like yourself and Lady Reines," she said, giving him a small smile.

His mouth twitched upwards in response. "Quite. I incurred quite a responsibility towards that family with my reckless actions. Now I will spend the rest of my life fulfilling it."

She bit her lip. "I just didn't want her to keep looking down on me," she admitted quietly. "I never meant for things to go this far."

"Yet they did." His eyes were bright as he considered her. "So the question is, Miss Tohsaka. What do you intend to do about it now?"

Her heart sank under that frank gaze. "I don't know." She frowned as she watched Luvia in the distance, weaving her way with the confidence and poise of true nobility. It made her heart ache with too many things at once. "I know what you're trying to say, but the price is too high."

"Price is never in a vaccum," he said. "You cannot compare to what might have happened if the mistake had never been made. Only the prices of the alternatives you have available now."

"I'll think about it," she promised, then sighed. "I'd better get back to Luvia. I've already pushed manners to the limit being gone this long, especially since I'll need to get another glass.

"Take this one back. I haven't touched it anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't like white anyway." A lie, she had seen him drink it during the holiday party, but she was grateful for his consideration.

She melded back into the crowd, thinking over what El-Melloi II's words. For all his gruff demeanour, his advice was generally solid. Accept responsibility, she thought to herself. What does that even mean here? Become Luvia's toy for the rest of my life? She scowled as she picked her away through packed bodies and the low rumble of multiple conversations overlapping each other. I know some people say that's what he did for Lady Reines, but there's something else there. Some equilibrium. There's no way I could ever do reach that with the blonde devil -

Rin was so deep in thought that she almost missed the woman in white. She appeared like a glacier to block her path, the cut of her white gown as sheer as the expression on her face. Cold brown eyes looked her up and down, then narrowed as they found her wanting. Rin had never met her, but her appearance matched up precisely with the description she'd been given of Isabelle Fortin. One of the top names on the list of people she was not supposed to approach tonight.

She could immediately see why. If Ajatar's resentment had been a gust of wind across her face, this woman's contempt was a blizzard. It froze the polite smiles on their faces even as their gazes exchanged withering fire.

Isabelle broke the standoff, her lips curling just a little higher. "I see. So you're dear Luvia's latest project." Her eyes twinkled maliciously. "Well, she does have a bad habit of picking up strays."

"I see," said Rin, her fingers tightening around the stem of the wine glass. "You speak from experience?"

"Mmm," said the other. "Every once in a while, she finds herself enamoured of some peasant or other. That coarse man she found trying to burgle her stores, did you know he's her butler now?"

Crown? She thought of the butler's stoic face, the precise control he put into each of his movements. Almost, come to think of it, as though to compensate for a lack of natural grace. She might have found amusement in the knowledge had Isabelle's nose not crinkled. As it were, she found herself suddenly defensive of a man she had spent recent weeks resenting with all her heart.

"Crown is superb in his role," she said, pressing a hint of steel into her voice. "Luvia has an excellent eye for talent."

"Generally so. Which is why for the life of me, I cannot imagine what she sees in you." She lightly tilted her head to one side, as if considering an amusing puzzle. "Forgettable blood. What little value it holds was stolen from the Edelfelt in the first place."

Rin scowled. She did not enjoy having that family connection brought up, and especially not in such an infuriating manner. But Isabelle was not close to done. She slowly paced around the Japanese magus, considering her from every angle in an effort to pick out every myriad flaw.

"If not magical talent, then surely a delicious morsel? But no. Scrawny build, flat chest." She smiled in malicious delight as she pointed to each feature, or lack thereof. "A malnourished little thing."

Rin's fingers ached with the urge to throw her wine into that arrogant face, propriety be damned. It was only weeks of hard-won self-control that kept the glass level in her hand, even if the glass trembled under the sudden pressure. Washboard. Monkey. Urchin. She'd had all of them, and worse, launched at her by Luvia in their past squabbles. But while those jabs had infuriated her, they had always come in the context of their rivalry, part of the game. She had never hated Luvia for them.

But there was a deeper malice behind Isabelle's cruelty. A desire not just to provoke, but to genuinely wound. And Rin found herself hating Isabelle Fortin very much indeed.

Fortin. Come to think of it, wasn't that the name Ajatar had reproached Luvia with back in her office? The pieces slid into place. The woman had been denied something by the Edelfelt heir, and now she was determined to take it out on her trophy. Or even better, have the trophy cause a scene and embarrass its owner.

"I would have expected a bedwarmer to have a little more padding," said Isabelle with a flip of snow-gray hair. "But I suppose there is no accounting for taste."

Rin couldn't help but flinch. Because although she had not yet filled that particular role in the Edelfelt household, she had no illusions about Luvia's intentions on that front.

Isabelle saw it, and her eyes sparked with cruel joy. "A whore then, just as I thought. How disappointing, that she would parade you here instead of keeping you chained to her bed, as any self-respecting -"

"Am I to understand, Isabelle, that this is within your habits?" interrupted a familiar voice. Rin had never been so relieved to hear its rich rolling tones.

"Luvia!" she smiled, then hated herself for it.

The blonde didn't notice, her stare fixed upon Isabelle. Her warm amber eyes had frozen into chips of ice. "Isabelle," she said. "I had expected to see you earlier this evening."

Isabelle smiled apologetically. "Good evening, Luvia. Please do forgive my lapse. I was caught up in unexpected business."

"I will forgive that far more readily than what you are trying to do here," said the blonde coldly. "But I shall overlook it, provided it does not repeat itself."

Isabelle swallowed hard, but to her credit she did not look away. "Then our arrangement?"

"Shall be maintained," nodded Luvia. "But as for your other offer, I must decline. There has been a material change in circumstances, as you have observed."

"So I see." Isabelle did not even bother to hide her frown. "Then I shall have to consider myself satisfied with that. "

"Quite," said Luvia with a smile that was all teeth. "Now, please do excuse us. I need to properly greet Lord El-Melloi II, before he slips away again."

She walked away, sweeping Rin up in her wake. But just as Isabelle was about to disappear into the crowd, Rin found her mouth running away from her. "It was interesting to meet you, Miss Fortin," she called. "I wish you an evening as pleasant as you are."

The dark look she received send a lance of vengeful joy coursing through her before a gentle touch at her wrist grounded her. She winced and looked back at Luvia, whose disapproving shake of blonde curls did nothing to hide the amusement in her eyes.

Rin managed to hold her peace until they were seated in back in the Mercedes. She might even have made it to the manor and buried her rage safely into a pillow, had Luvia not turned and grinned at her.

"What did you think of the evening, Rin?"

"Luvia," she hissed, "That was the worst three hours of my life. I have been gawked at, talked over, insulted, and my feet are killing me." Her voice rose as she warmed to her grievances, until she was practically shouting. "I have been subjected to the most loathsome sycophants and harpies known to magecraft. If you must parade me around like a showhorse, could you do it somewhere more interesting next time?"

She took a deep breath, ready to launch fully into her tirade, when she saw Luvia's gaze settle fully on her. Rin's eyes widened in horror. Weeks of discipline and punishments to prevent exactly this kind of outburst against her mistress. And it had all fallen away in a moment of temper.

Pride in her own resilience clashed with sudden terror. What if this convinced Luvia that more dire measures were needed to bring her to heel? She closed her eyes and awaited the blonde's verdict.

But after a tense moment, Luvia burst into laughter. "They are quite trying, aren't they? Alas, appearances must be upkept and obligations fulfilled." She smiled warmly at Rin, who to her horror felt heat pooling in her face. "I am pleased you were able to keep your composure despite the circumstances.

Rin was annoyed by how much the praise lifted her heart. She scowled at the blonde. "I'm not stupid, Luvia. I can keep a public mask on."

"Ohoho! I had fair reason to doubt, with all the fights you openly instigated with me in the past."

"That's different," growled Rin, "Those were -" Then she caught sight of the blonde's keen gaze watching her face for every nuance. She decided to change the subject before she fell into whatever verbal trap the devil had laid.

"What's with this crash course in etiquette anyway? Cocktail party, it's practically out of a handbook." She had been chalking up all the little lessons in manners to Luvia's general joy in humiliating her. She was forced to concede, however, that many of those same lessons had been actually useful in holding her own among the Clocktower elite. A sudden misgiving assailed her. "Crown's rather young to be retiring, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand," said Luvia in what appeared to be genuine confusion.

"That's what this is about, isn't it?" asked Rin. "You're training me to replace him as your butler, or your bodyguard or something. That's why you keep drilling all these lessons in."

Luvia looked at her for a long moment, her amber eyes unreadable." Is that what you think, Tohsaka Rin?"

"What else am I supposed to think?" Rin countered. But even as she said it, she knew she was being foolish. She wasn't Shirou, and she could recognize hungry in someone's. She didn't need the innuendos and the kisses and the possessive touches to know exactly what more Luvia had in mind for her.

That doesn't change anything, she told herself. It's not like nobility doesn't gave a long tradition of getting frisky with the help.

Luvia just hummed thoughtfully to herself instead of answering Rin's question. Somehow that was worse than anything she might have said.

"You shall find out soon enough," she said at least. And nothing more was said on the subject.

Later that night, as she was massaging her feet on her borrowed bed in her borrowed room, Rin found herself thinking over what El-Melloi II had said. Accept responsibility for the situation you landed yourself in. In other words, make the best of what you have, not what you wish you did.

She looked at the brand on her chest and thought of command seals, not for the first time. But unlike during the War, she was the one being bound. What must it have been like to be a Servant? Helpless to resist your master's orders? How did Saber feel when Shirou forced her to spare Archer and I? How - she swallowed hard - how hard did Archer struggle against my orders when I forbade him from attacking Shirou? How lonely was Assassin, forced into being the guarddog of someone he hated?

She groaned as she let her head fall on the pillow. Another sleepless night.