Possessing No Visible Flaws.

Cornelia yawned loudly, while using her dainty hands to cover her mouth. She was of course, seated In her most favorite position, while swinging her legs. She glanced briefly at her master, whose hands moved rhythmically. "Do you not feel fatigued after yesterday's ordeal?" She inquired, wondering how he still appeared so vibrant. "Even if I am indeed exhausted, does it appear to you like I have an option?" Dennis posed that question as a way of reply. He was going to be the future master of this household afterall, if he didn't live up to his responsibilities, who would? Will it be his father, 'The Old patriarch' whose only problem seemed to be how to entice a woman to his bed; or Sylvester, his younger brother, who was an inexperienced novice in regards to such affairs?

 "Pardon me for making such a delirious enquiry." Cornelia stated, although her mannerisms did not deem her to be so sorry at all. "By the way, your father-in-law seemed awfully pleased with you the day before." Cornelia quipped, as she began her reverie. "His eyes were filled with such admiration and gratitude that I was of the impression that he would eventually Grovel at your feet." At this point, an almost sarcastic smile could be seen on her lips. "Say, I wonder how his opinion of you would have a dramatic change, were he to realize that you procured it from the black market?" Cornelia pressed on, when she saw that the man showed no reaction from the comments she made earlier. Dennis exhaled slowly. "It seems that you are so determined to cause me to engage in a discussion with you." He uttered, as he gazed at her with nearly irritated eyes. "As for what you aforementioned earlier, it please me greatly to bring to your shallow mind that 'It' shall be the very last thing that he will think of." Dennis explained to her, his demaonour obviously that of one filled with pride. "I always had the belief that my brother was a prodigy at manipulating others-I never thought that a day would come when I would meet another even more proficient than he." Cornelia admitted, while casting a peculiar gaze at her master. 'For him to say so with such confidence, it implies that he had planted the seed ages ago.' Cornlia thought, as she casually adjusted her clothing. 'All he needs to do at the moment, is to water it and watch it grow. The deeper its roots Penetrate into the ground, the more unshakable their faith in him will be.' "What is it that you are thinking of now?" Dennis's inquiry shattered her mental analysis. Both servant and master locked eyes with each other. Cornelia could sense, albeit indistintively, the suspicion in those light blue eyes of her master's. "Whatever do you imply, my lord?" She questioned while showing a superfluous smile, accompanied with that coquettish voice of hers. "Whatever do you imply indeed." Dennis scoffed at her. "Well, as long as it doesn't involve me; nor anything pertaining to me, I should accord it no attention." He muttered to himself. "My lord, can I not have the privilege of warranting your trust for once?" Cornelia continued to keep on her act. This time, she did even beamed more brightly. "My trust?" Dennis rephrased, as he shot her a gaze full of incredulity. "Tell me, Cornelia.. if you come into contact with a predator which portrays itself harmless, will you foolishly turn your back on it, and expect it not to strike?" Dennis asked. Cornelia just gazed at her master. "They say a foolish man meets a foolish demise. But you, my master, art very wise." She admitted with a smile. That statement Dennis made to her simply reflected his cautious nature. Why on earth would he seek to maintain a friendly relationship with them? His bond he shared with that organization was only based on mutual benefits. And as for trust? How comical. Competence was the only thing that mattered. By the time he has utilized them to their full potential, he will dispose of them, eventually.

 "By the way, you are going to participate of the hunt, or will you not?" Cornelia interrogated casually. "Of course I am. Of what reason do you suspect that I would not?" Dennis also refuted. "It is obligatory for every aristocrat to participate- you do not have a choice, lest you find yourself at the mercy of the crown." He added.

 The hunter's moon- it was a night when the moon was at its fullest, unlike other regular nights. Contradictory to its name, the actual hunting occurred during the day- it was almost ludicrous to hunt at night, regardless of how bright the moon shone. It was more of a competition- organized by the crown for each aristocratic home. And in order to further legalize the process, each noble home was to send to the crown, a letter of participation. It was also, an opportunity for the aristocrats to demonstrate how much power they actually possessed- more of a commission of Valor and might. Being an aristocrat did not simply imply talents and an abundance of material wealth, it also demanded the wisdom and knowledge to cope during the times of crisis. The aristocrats are pitted against each other, and the household which yields the most return is given a grand prize by his majesty himself, which could either be In cash or In kind, a honor which every noble household strove to attain every year, for they not only will they remain in history, but it would boost their capital accumulation through the formation of diplomatic ties with the other families. It was more of a clarium call for the noble families across the empire, as those from the other three regions all Converged at the south- the empire's capital. Only there and then, will the most powerful aristocratic family for that period be determined, and they alone will bear the honor for the following ten years. As for those of whom fail to be present at such an important event, are answerable only to the crown, of which, such a family Is unable to provide a plausible answer which satisfies the crown, are severely penalized, and the worst case scenario- stripped of their title, as well as all privileges and rights accorded to It.

"I dare say that you are In quite the pickle, my master." Cornelia began, as she smiled warmly. "Are you certain that your numbers are more than sufficient to guarantee you victory in this competition, or would you want 'us' to join you?" Dennis just gazed at her with a stoic face. "I am not quite sure if you just realized the magnitude of foolishness that you let slip from that mouth of yours." He mocked her, without so much as blinking. "Do you fail to realize that this suggestion of yours could cause a potential danger to your organization?" He began. "Secondly." He continued, as he flipped the pages of his document. "This action alone will make people to connect you, the organization, with me. You will have to show up uncloaked- it will raise too much suspicions if you were to parade with mask, moreover, in Broad daylight. And In case a misfortune falls upon you all, which is bound to occur at some point in time- I will be liable to answer for it. And I can bodly assure you, that I shall not be willing to accompany you to that abyss." He explained exhaustively. "It seems like the initial fear that you had towards us has Long faltered." Cornelia told him, her tone cold and dangerous. "You do realise that I am capable of slitting your throat at this very moment, no?" She questioned, no longer maintaining her coquettish demeanor, but gave her master a look good enough to chill one to the spine. "Ay, proceed." Dennis simply told her. He simply ignored the stare- it was not as though he could see it anyway, he was too preoccupied with his work. "You do recall certainly that You and I are the only ones present in this office?" Dennis interrogated, as he glanced upwards. "So if anything were to happen to me, you will be held accountable for it." He simply told her. Cornelia moved suddenly, which caused the ink to spill all over the documents of which Dennis was scrutinizing. "Oh, dearie me.." She muttered to herself. She did not intend for that to occur. Dennis On the other hand, had leant his head backwards, with his eyes closed. "Your Pay for this week Is halved as well." He whispered slowly. "Eh?" Cornelia exclaimed in shock. "But my lord, was it not I who aided you to come up with a corresponding solution to the problem of yesternight?" She inquired. "Ought I not to be the one receiving the highest pay amongst the Hierarchy of members?" She complained as she jumped down from the table. The Hierarchy of members obviously referred to her organization, and it reflected the degree of importance from highest, to the lowest. Although Cornelia was not too high up the rank- she did receive respect from the other members alike, her brother was the one who had establish such a guild, in the first place. "Does it seem to you as though I regard that petty contribution of yours?" Dennis inquired, as he gazed at her with those chilly Blue eyes of his. A serpent had no authority In the domain of an eagle, which was in the air. The same held true In Cornelia's case. She may be a murderer, a seductress, but while she yet stood underneath roof of the Lewis' manor, she dare not to act recklessly, unless she was willing to invite complications for her organization. "But my lord.." She began, with a pitiful look on her face. "Perharps you are beginning to become too fond of me." Dennis commented, as he leant casually, placing the ink drenched documents at a corner of his desk. "What causes you to say so, my lord?" Cornelia who stood at his right hand asked. "Well. You went ahead and informed the baron that the article was worth three thousand gold coins." Dennis informed her. "And it was not as though I gave you the consent to do so." He added as he frowned, glancing at her out from the corner of his eye. "Pardon my curiosity my lord-but may I investigate as to why you did not want the old baron to attain that knowledge?" She said, as with her head bowed. "Do you really ask that, Cornelia?" Dennis Nearly exclaimed, with widened eyes. "Why the reason is quite simple- they will never be able to repay the debt, so of what use is such knowledge? It will only serve to burrow a hole in their hearts." He explained. "My lord.. Is not wrong in his analysis." Cornelai uttered. Her head was still bowed, and her hair concealed most of her facial features. If not, Dennis would have been amazed at the expression on her face. 'Someone else might have sliced off that insolent tongue of his, but I choose not to.' She thought, as she slowly glanced upwards. 'Afterall, this person is quite.. a rare gem.'

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 "Hah." Erastiel sighed inwardly, as he briefly glanced at the woman before him. 'Is he all that she could ever talk about?' He thought. At this point, he had long ceased to listen- but rather continued to focus more on his task at hand. He had been seated in the office since the advent of dawn, and 'He' was the least pleasant topic he was willing to hear at the moment. "Eras, Are you paying attention dear?" His aunt, Beatrice's mother, who was seated in front of him asked. "You may continue your speech aunt; I had long gotten accustomed to multi-tasking ages ago." Erastiel explained, although his tone sounded a bit sour. "Three thousand gold coins.." His aunt repeated, a look of admiration upon her face. "I still find it rather astonishing that Dennis was able to procure something so Rare." Erastiel admitted. "I will not deem it that much of a wonder; Dennis been so miraculous in his actions." She told him. 'Well, aunt, I must say that you are not wrong at that; he has always been a scheming and conniving serpent. He always has a layer of skin to shed on a daily basis, that even I am beginning to question myself If I know him for who he truly is.' He thought in his head. If he ever voiced out his current thoughts, he would have been damned as though he were a heretic. "Try not to trust him to a fault, aunt." Erastiel said, as he looked up. "I would rather focus more on Beatrice, if given the choice." He admitted. His aunt just shot an unsightly stare at his direction. "What ever are you trying to signify?" She interrogated. Erastiel sighed, as he gazed at the woman. "You may be free to shower as much praise and affection on your son-in-law as you please, but do not also forget that you have a daughter as well." He explained to her. "You often tend to utter a load of nonsense from that mouth of yours, Eras." The Baroness had a furious expression on her face, but yet there was still a tinge of concern in her voice. "How do you possibly expect a parent to forget about their child so easily?" Erastiel couldn't help but to think about his own parents as he heard that. He understood the fact that they both were busy with the situation of things in the north, but that did not prevent them from writing him letters, or at most- bothering themselves to read the ones he he had sent in the initial stance. "I hope you will Pardon my imprudent nature, aunt." Eras began, as he lightly tapped his fingers against the table. "Perharps, It will be of my best interest, If I learn to restrain myself from now henceforth." He added. For a brief moment, there was a stilling silence in the room, which made Erastiel to ponder if his last statement was too sour for her to handle- she was indeed soft hearted, afterall. "Ahem." Erastiel cleared his throat, mainly out of awkwardness than of anything else. "So, I believe that uncle would eventually head towards the north, In the company of that plant?" "Indeed. Dennis did advice that he should be the one to nurse it personally." She informed him, attributing more praise to her son-in-law, so much so that the other began to ponder if she would not hesitate to be his mother, If given the opportunity. "Are you certain that you wouldn't want to go with him? It is going to be quite lonely in this household, given how it is going to be just us both." Erastiel explained, while the Baroness gave him a smile. "You certainly are quite eager to see me leave, Eras." Querrin began, as she hummed in a steady tone. "But, contrary to your expectations, I shall willingly bid my time with you; how could I possibly permit a situation where by you will be on your own?" She inquired, as she made eye contact with him. "I will not be on my own aunt." Erastiel began, with a slight smile. "I am already a matured adult, and as it is, capable of managing my own affairs." "And, I have made up my mind to be your companion regardless of whatever it is you say." The Baroness refuted automatically, before her eyes sharpened instantly. "By the way, I do hope that you have long sent out letter of participation to the crown for this year's hunt?" She asked, her face nearly attracting wrinkles from her worry. "I had Done that a great deal ago, so do not agitate yourself, aunt." Erastiel humbly replied, as he leaned back on his chair. But a slight scowl came to his face automatically. It was within his intentions to actually emerge the winner of this competition, but his resource were quite meager. Even the calvary that the Adriel household were in possession of, could as might well be taken for an overly small, petite squadron of knights. And even the elites among them could be counted with the digits of one's hand. "What is it that so occupies your mind, my dear?" Querrin inquired, after making her own observations. "You are must probably be anticipating the arrival of your parents; perharps they may come along with your uncle the instance the hunt begins officially." She told him, in a gentle manner. Eras nearly scoffed outwardly at that, ironically enough, his parents would be the last thing that would enter the mind of the young man at the moment. "Perharps they shall." Eras agreed, as he sat upright. "And consequently, they might not. It is not absolute necessary for them to be in attendance anyways- afterall, the one who should represent the family's name is already in the south." Eras informed, with a bitter smile on his face. "I shall not blame you for the manner in which you have conceptualized your parents." She informed him, as though she read his mind. "But if I were to be in your shoes, I would rather prefer not to be so cold towards them. Your mother is a notherner, is she not? She is probably bidding her time with your father at the moment, having not been in her homeland for so long." Querrin pressed on, trying to convince Eras to see reason. But Erastiel remained damp and quiet- he rather chose not to speak of anything that May be connected to his parents. "Well, have It your way then- but remember not to do anything that may hurt them." She told him, having admitted defeat in regards to this particular matter. "And I have also gotten some Intel from a trusted source that 'she' has arrived." His aunt promptly said, swiftly changing the topic. "If possible, do remember to keep your distance from her- you do know that I do not take a facny to her."

 As Eras sat alone in the silence of his office, only One thought repeatedly came to his head. Most of the things of the things in his life were merely provisional- you do not choose Destiny, Destiny picks you. Above all odds, if Beatrice had a younger or elder brother, He would have been the one seated in this chair, Not Eras. And that, the young male knew quite well.

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 "You called for me, father?" Dennis inquired, as he stood idly around his father's office. "Stop dithering around lad- and kindly shut the door." His father told him. Dennis sighed, wondering what it could possibly be that made this man to call upon him all of a sudden. "Take a seat, son." George simply told him. Dennis did as his father bid him to- albeit with a sickly feeling In his stomach- a foreboding of a bad omen. "You have arrived at the realisation that you and your sister have both come of age, is that not?" His father began. Dennis tightened his hand to a fist underneath the desk, his face nearly ashen. "You are right, father." He replied in a nearly inaudible voice, although his head was lowered, that his father may not behold his face. "It pleases me to know that you are not as ignorant as I believed." George continued, with a slight nod of the head. "Now, there are two prestigious families which I have chosen for you both. Although they are not very prominent, yet they were my choices." His father simply told him, as he displayed the envelopes of both families to his son to see. Now, the letters addressed to them were not within; But just the names of the families which had taken interest of both siblings. In a strange turn of events, his eyes automatically wandered to the envelope on his left- the family his sister was to be wedded into. "Kant?" He muttered the name, as he glanced up to his father. More precisely, Cole Kant, the third youngest master of the Kant family, of whom was dubious by nature. "But father, this.. Are you absolutely certain that you want Diane to get wedded into this family?" He inquired, as he glanced upward at his father in alarm. "The third young Master of the kant family.. The rumors of which I've heard about him are quite unsavory." He stated, a slight frown on his face. "There is no need for you to agitate yourself too much over this matter." The Marquis pressed on. "I believe that if Diane has an issue about it all, she will not hesitate to inform me herself. He uttered, with all confidence from his voice. "But if you insist that Diane must be wedded into this family father, I am of the opinion that the second young Master would be a more appropriate option..." "The second young Master has unfortunately been engaged to someone else." His father interrupted impatiently. "I know the rumors about him are quite nasty, but the Lad will be bout to change; all human beings are." He argued, when he saw the manner of which His son just stared at him. Dennis momentarily exhaled, before glancing to the one on the right, the family that supposedly chose him. "Adriel? The Baron's family?" Dennis stated in surprise. "Father, permit me If I may ask, but an arranged marriage between aristocratic families is to be based on mutual benefits, is it not?" He interrogated, as he looked at his father in surprise. His father nodded. "I know you are curious as to why I accepted the request of one such a low caliber." George began. "But the Baron has been quite insistent on this cause, meeting with me non-stop- his daughter has taken quite the liking to you, you see." He explained. Dennis was visibly confused. He had always literally been in his father's shadow, accompanying him nearly everywhere as the heir to this household, and as much as he could recall, was never truly opportuned to speak to a maiden. Could this damsel possibly be mistaking him for someone else, a Gross misgiving in her part? "So much so to the extent that they were willing to trade off their mine, for this cause." The latter statement chilled Dennis to his bones. "And where is the honor in that?" Dennis began, a wry smile on his face. "His father shrugged his shoulders. "They must really possess quite the affection for their daughter, given that they concurred so easily to My conditions." George said, before an almost diabolical smile came to his face. "Anyway, it is their loss at the end of the day. I will ensure to put this little 'gift of theirs into good use." Ah. So it all resulted in a political scramble at the end of the day. "I see." He muttered to himself. "And take note, not a single word in this office should be uttered to your sister. I shall send for her in the same manner I sent for you." George told his son. Dennis only glanced at his father, the light In his eyes somewhat dimmed. "I will take note of that."

 That night, Dennis could not sleep. His sister, on the other hand, who was almost nearly the exact polar opposite of him, had probably placed the affair at the back of her mind. And there was yet another thing that bothered him- it was the affinity which his late mother likely bore with the Raymonds. He had found an old letter, which was addressed from them to her. Of what the issue discussed, he had no idea, because the handwriting had faded and turned completely illegible due to old Age and excess exposure to external elements. Even the letters freshly written in a book was bound to fade, if it was exposed in the sun from dawn till dusk. And as for the Raymonds, he would regard them with caution In the meantime. But suddenly the young man bolted up from his bed, as though he had a sudden epiphany. A stroke of realisation dawned upon him. He would have to write to the Duke of the eastern region.