Project Schemer: A Pure and Twisted Thought

Chapter 11: Harlot in Dusk

"That woman, I know who she is. But why are you not affected by her charm?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"That woman has the special ability that allows her to charm and make any creature follow her command. Why are you immune to that power?"

"I can't tell you, this is not the end of our journey. When everything is over, I will dispel this sigil of shifting on myself and reveal to you everything. But I can give you a hint, her power can't work on me because I am special."

"I won't dwell on that if you don't want to mention it."

What is the end of their journey? But Thomas knew it was an important detail. What is the end of an immortal that transcends time? Will that be the moment when he finds his zenith of fulfillment, finally, a rest after the storm is over? Thomas can't think much but, going over his choices even when everything isn't over, his initial plan is to go to the north, disappear from the world with his father and now, Gradnare enter the equation. The boy is too young to be held in a place where he can't be free to do anything he wants. Thomas may have protected him, but what is more than that, nothing different from a canary in the cage for the pleasure of his eyes. But letting Gradnare go in this world is far too dangerous.

Right when Thomas and Gradnare were still deep in their thoughts, a knock on the door and Cynthia was the one who was knocking on the door. Thomas was irritated with this woman for trying to break into his mind and interrupt his thoughts. He would decimate this woman the moment he saw her annoying gesture, but Thomas was bored and why not play with this linear-purpose toy? Thomas always had malevolence toward women because of what his mother did in the past. The only exception to this hatred is Charlotte, and Charlotte is a special exception in his mind, because the girl is more than just his sister.

"What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Actually, we are looking for your aide."

"What do you need? I am not sure I can be free, but if it is a few errands, then I think the professor could allow me to help you."

"It is just lunch. I and every member of the faculty think we should have lunch together."

"Yes, but why not, professor? I am just an aide."

And that is the moment Thomas found out her scheme. Cynthia is a scheming person and that is the most respected way Thomas can say about her, but this is Gradnare's choice and Thomas will not force anything on the child. Cynthia can't use her power against them and now she is trying to learn more about her weakness or what she is lacking, but Thomas has another plan because he knows what Cynthia is, he knows what is behind that disguise, a withered flower, a rotten apple and nothing more than that. A harlot tricking humans into the fall of their own humiliation, and nothing more than that, for her name is not Cynthia Thyranis. The Thyranis is the only way for her to escape the eyes of the public because her real name is Cynthia Clovis - the wife of Killian Clovis, mother of Charlotte Clovis and Thomas Clovis, the traitor of the Clovis clan.

The Thyranis are one of the wealthiest families in the west. That is the reason why D'artenge wants to siphon the wealth of that family, but Cynthia Clovis is a different story. Both D'artenge and Thomas want nothing more than to make this woman's life an abyss of pain and suffering. The evil woman insulted their mentor and now, what is a better way than to push her down from the top of the hill she is standing on?

"I believe what you are doing right now is intentional?"

"It depends on how you think, but I prepared everything if that is what you want to know. Sit back, prepare a glass of champagne and enjoy the show."

"Remember, do not hold back this time, she is not Thyranis, she is a harlot who doesn't deserve a family name."

"I know."

"Killian may be merciful, but I am not. Don't fail or she will suffer something much more physical."

"I am actually looking forward to that."

Gradnare accepted the lunch invitation from Cynthia and they left the moment Thomas arrived at his living quarter. There is only a small chance that Gradnare is in actual danger because of Thomas's training, and now, it's time for Thomas to prepare and enjoy what D'artenge prepared for him. There was a handprint on his suitcase and Thomas could only shake his head slightly. That woman thinks she can try to open his suitcase, but that is not something strangers can try to touch, not even mention opening it.

Thomas went through his tablet and the news started to appear on the front page of a few newspapers, Cynthia Thyranis is nothing more than a harlot that betrayed her past husband is one of the titles. And some of the titles are even much more slanderous. They call Cynthia a murderer, a harlot, a traitor and even consider her something worse than the old centre. And because of what Cynthia Clovis went into hiding in the past, that doesn't mean the world forgot what she did and now, this will be wildfire. In a few days, there will be news everywhere, there will be a storm that sweeps through the academy, but right now, Thomas is in his imagination, thinking in his own mind as his father appears there. His gentle smile was almost soothing to Thomas and the hands brushing through his hair, everything was quiet and perfect at the same time.

"I'm sorry my child, but chasing me is nothing different from chasing the stars."

"Don't worry father, I know you are still with me."

"Then what is your goal? What is the end of your journey?"

"It's simple, settle the score, find an heir, then live a peaceful life in the North. With you is a bonus."

"Then you got your target. I will go with you."

"Until the end?"

"Even further than the end."

Killian's form slowly shifted into Gradnare, but Thomas didn't mind that. Gradnare or Killian were no longer an important issue because, in this moment, both of them were those he would sacrifice himself for. Gradnare and Killian are both important to him, and as a greedy person, Thomas will end this and leave with both of them. But first Thomas needed to get rid of that woman first, the harlot that broke his family, the same woman that he had to call his mother. That is the fact he needs to embrace, embracing the fact that his birth mother is the one who ruined the life of his father and, after that, there is almost a scream of agony, the same scream happened when he had to kill Charlotte, the same scream after his father's death as memories flooded his mind.

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"Cynthia, is this you?"

And that was the moment Cynthia's face turned white. This can't be the work of D'artenge because the lily cycle is still the sponsor of the academy and there is one person she can think about, the one filled with hatred for her. Thomas is still alive and now the boy wants to ruin her, and this is the first time in Cynthia's life she knows what fear is. The only thing that can hurt her reputation is her secret from the past. The Thyranis use countless methods to erase the information and now, it is in front of her face, spread like wildfire.

With not even a trace, Cynthia failed the mission. Returning to Thyranis is not even a choice for her. Her new husband is not going to cover her traces and now, she is nothing different from the harlot she was when Killian saved her, but this time, there is no Killian to save her. Cynthia left the academy cafeteria and ran away from the academy but she couldn't even adapt to the surrounding environment. Nearly thirty years of living on riches turned her into something else. The woman keeps running into the woods, she may return or maybe not.

After three hours of constant running drained her stamina and left her exhausted, Cynthia reached a stream. The moment she stood up again, in front of her eyes was a strange yet familiar figure, the person standing in front of her having white hair and beard with an imposing physique. She doesn't know who that mysterious man is, but she knows the man is dangerous.

"Who are you? Stand back."

"I know you have lived in Thyranis for twenty years but I didn't expect you to forget the eyes of your late husband."

"Is that you Thomas? It's your mother."

"No, I don't remember I have a mother. I remember I was an orphan. That father picked me up from the street and you ruined his life. Now, pick your weapon up and fight."