Intentions (4)

Ana organized her thoughts before answering. The casino owner tested Kali. Why? He offered membership and was willing to convert and compute currency for her. 'He is a 'Card' holder.' The card was destroyed after attempting to use it for the second time. Perks of VIPs? Did he report it? Can be. The monthly payment is too high, he can't let someone else use it. . . . but then how did he treat the master again?

"..!" Ana feels the hair in her nape and arms rise up.

Kali, who met Ana's gaze, laid her back at the seat and waited for Ana to open her mouth.

The casino owner welcomed them, like he was already expecting them. He almost looks like he is waiting for her. It can be that to make sure she comes back The Casino Owner takes away the thing Kali needs. The Card.

"He is from the Black Society."

"Finally, we are on the same page." Kali clapped her hands once and smiled.

Ana grimaced at Kali's smile like she was seeing something distasteful.

The reason why Feyawi, the Casino Owner, keeps testing Kali is to profile her. If he is not from the Black Society, there is no need to test Kali over and over again. He could just tell the ways to get in.

"He is our pass." Ana and Ingrid swallow their dry saliva as Kali's smile turns into something sinister.

". . . Because that man is a 'Card' holder."

Ana replayed past events in her head over and over again before arriving at her conclusion but the girl in front of her, her master, figured it all out in terrifying speed.

". . . observe her well and tell me what you think." Vico's words rang inside Ana's head. Vico left those words before going back with their Lord to the south.

Her heart started pounding like she finished miles of running.

'Did she figure it out after a while or while having a conversation with the casino owner?' Cold crept at Ana's spine seeing Kali smile and can't shake the uncomfortable feeling in her insides.

While Ana and Ingrid are in a dilemma, Kali remembers playing pick up hints with Konrad almost everyday. She refuses to give anything disadvantageous to her and so is Konrad. She honed her observation skills from that on and picked it as a habit. She picked small pieces together and like a jigsaw puzzle she put it together in her head.

Just like how Ana came up with her conclusion, Kali also came up with hers in the same reasoning but at a different pace.

"Master! Are we going back to the auction?" Luna's small voice broke the silence.

Kali ruffled the black wolf's head.

"Not now."

'If only I don't have to bring them.' Kali thought and looked away.

"When I see that human I'll tear him apart."

Kali looks at the fox who is slightly trembling in anger.

She pulled out the sleeping bag. She opens the sleeping bag in the air and places it neatly on the floor.

"It's late. Go to sleep." The beasts positioned themselves at one side of the sleeping bag.

"Good night Master," Luna said.

"Hmp." The fox turn his head away from Kali

The beast's settled down then Kali observed the stiff sisters. They are obviously drowning in their thoughts. Their neutral expressions were not maintained.

"Ana, Ingrid." Her low voice brought the sisters back to the present.

"Yes Master?!"

"Shh. Lower your voice." Kali points her thumb behind him and two beasts are curled into a ball, one pitch black and one snow white.

"Apologies."

"Yeah. Tomorrow be ready."

"Yes Master." Ana and Ingrid return to their old self and bow slightly.

Ana glanced back, seeing Kali squeeze her body on one side, placing herself beside the beasts that occupied more space than her.

'What will you do next?'

****

Ingrid appeared on the second floor wearing a hood and a mask.

"Master."

Kali stopped sweeping the floor. She looks at newly arrived Ingrid from the information guild she sent her to fetch the documents she requested days ago using Vico.

'Vico is really competent. Too bad, he hates me.' Kali thought as she received the envelope from Ingrid.

"Let's go downstairs."

Kali put the broom on the side and exited the room. They descended the creaking stairs slowly. They've been cleaning the second floor since yesterday but it was too messed up. The moldy walls and rotten floor boards are hopeless in Kali's eyes.

Ana is finishing the lunch meal when Kali and Ingrid go down. Kali removed her gloves, face mask and apron before settling down to the table.

"Luna, Fox, To the table now. " Kali directed her head to the table slightly after getting Luna and the Fox's attention.

"Yes, Master." Luna enthusiastically answered while the fox stared at Kali while frowning.

"What? You're not gonna eat?"

"Hmp." The fox ignored Kali and jumped up to the table.

'What is his problem?'

Kali only had a few bites on her bread and her meat stew was not even halved when she started reviewing the documents Ingrid gave to her.

"Master, what is that?" Luna asked. His muzzles are dripping wet from the soup. Kali grabs a napkin and drys it off gently because it may wet the documents.

"Way into the Palace."

"Wow! Are we visiting the Palace?"

'You are not coming with me.' Kali thought and missed the chance to break to Luna who is currently jumping in glee.

Kali was waiting for Ana and Ingrid to finish their meal but instead the ambiance became awkward. Nobody else beside the wolf and fox were eating.

"Why aren't you eating?" Kali asked and saw the siblings' meals almost untouched.

"Master was finished eating, It is not---"

"I am not your master" Kali cut off Ana's words.

". . . Both of you are sent here to watch me and to protect your real master's code." Kali continued.

Ana and Ingrid didn't refute or acknowledge Kali's words. After a few seconds Ana reached for her spoon again and continued to eat her stew. Ingrid followed as she bit off her bread.

'Troublesome.' Kali thought as she went back to reading her documents. The wolf and fox silently stare at Kali's straight face and they look at each other.

After a while, Kali, Ana and Ingrid were sitting on the cleaned dining table after the meal.

"I will be explaining the job we will be doing." Kali waved the paper in the air before putting it down to the table.

On the First sheet, there was information about a certain man.

"The Goal is to enter the Palace quietly."

Ana picks up the first sheet and silently reads it.

"Our target is Duke Ricardo Tevio Cartisson, the Current Head of Dukedom in the North and the one of the people who can freely come in and out of the Palace Grounds. He will help us get inside the Palace."

"He is in the Imperial Family faction. Will he let an unknown person roam around the Palace?"

"It will not be easy but not impossible. That's why we will be using his son."

Ingrid who picked up a different paper had the information about the Duke's eldest son but there only half the paper was filled.

"Ren Iason Cartisson. First born of the Duke. I am 20 years old. Rumored to be in poor health since childhood. He made an appearance for the first time 4 years ago and had been active since then but earlier this year he disappeared from society. There are rumours that say his old unknown disease returned and suffered since then. . . "

"The Duke has three children, Why the sickly first born?"

"Because he is the favorite son."

Ana and Ingrid didn't exactly get the meaning of Kali's statement.

"According to information the guild provided, Ren, the first son, is the son the Duke had with his first love. He was sickly since birth but the Duke spared no wealth on different healers and potions to make him better. "

"Are we going to abduct the first son?" Ingrid is staring at the paper with Ren's details.

"You lack imagination, Ingrid." Kali answered.

"Then what will we do?"

"First, we will need a plan on how to approach the Ducal Family naturally without arousing suspicion. After that everything will be easier. Since I still don't have access in Black Society, there is only a limit I can gather intel especially on someone as high ranking aristocrat and I cannot wait until Feyawi makes his decision so tell me if you have any idea, I'll be happy to listen. '' Kali went up from her seat and reached for her mask and gloves.

"Hey! Luna, Fox. What did I say?" Kali frowned at the beasts resting by the screenless window. The curtain was on the floor. It must've been knocked down by the wind again.

"No going out!" Luna answered as if he answered on recitation day.

"No, I said If somebody snatched you, I won't be rescuing you."

Luna and Fox lightly gasped before jumping down from the window frame.

"Master, Can I come up with you?" Luna put his paw in Kali's shoes.

"No." Kali coldly answered as she put her mask on and gloves and went up.

"Master. . ." Luna looked up dejectedly.

Ana and Ingrid were dumbfounded.

"Is she nice or not?" Ingrid asked in a low voice.

"I am also confused."