XIV
1403 Words
Hugo was a mage in the imperial court. As someone with the blood of the Aljur Family flowing through his veins, he had powerful magic and easily rose to the ranks within the imperial court mages. In fact, he had his own squad of elite mages at his disposal and they worked side by side with the knight orders to keep the imperial city and the imperial family safe.
However, on one fateful Thursday morning, as he entered his office in the mage’s tower, he noticed the small stack of paper and a black envelope on top of it. Curious at the papers he immediately checked for any curses that might be engraved on it but to his surprise, only an identification spell was present and it was addressed to him.
Hugo gingerly picked up the black envelope and took notice of the lotus scent it was giving off.
‘The scent is familiar, but where have I encountered it before?’
He opened the letter and was met with a neat cursive handwriting.
[Greetings Prince Hugo,
Please read the stack of paper. It’s something that can help with your investigations regarding the illegal activities inside Ylvich City.
P.S.
Jazz Sands Casino, Commercial District at nine in the evening. Try to be discreet. ;)]
There was no sender, but at the part where the name of the sender should be placed was the drawing of a lotus. Hugo couldn’t help but be interested and confused at the same time.
‘What is the meaning of this? And what does the symbol at the end even mean?’
“HUGO!” he heard Anastasia yell and was accompanied by the slamming of his door.
He looked at his twin sister and noticed the identical black envelope in her hands as well as the stack of paper that accompanied it.
“You have to see this! This- Eh? You were sent one too.”
“Yes. Is there anything to do with a lotus on yours?”
“Yes.” she nodded her head. “That’s not important, see the documents that accompanied it!”
Hugo immediately started reading the stack of papers. His eyes went wide as a saucer’s as he scanned the documents.
“This is-“
“A ledger of the illegal activities of Baron Gregalis and Viscount Herlais!” Anastasia supplied excitedly. She was basically buzzing in energy. “This is a huge help for our investigation! Not to mention it’s a clue regarding that illegal slave trade we’ve been following on!”
Hugo did not know what to say, or do if he was being honest. The evidence was too good to be true but it did look detailed and quite reliable.
“Annie, we can’t just-“
“I’m not saying we should focus on it Hugo.” Anastasia cut him off. “We can at least check out the address and time stated in the letter. It’s the biggest clue we’ve got ever since we rescued Eleanor and Edmund from that magician months ago.”
He could only sigh. Their investigation regarding the slave trafficking ring in the Primavera Empire had been on stagnant for the past couple of months since the trail they were following suddenly went cold. With the appearance of the evidence placed on his desk, it was too hard to actually not follow through it.
“Fine. Let’s send someone to scout the place and then let’s see what we can do.”
***
I took a deep breath. I was lounging on the roof of Rose Palace, away from the eyes of people. It was still early in the morning but everyone knew I’d be out of bed by that time and had been doing my morning exercises, which became a habit and routine ever since I started it. But of course, that was a farce which I’m taking for granted.
Just a couple of hours ago, I just returned from delivering the copies of the ledgers and the letters pertaining to the illegal affairs of Baron Gregalis and Viscount Herlais to Hugo’s and Anastasia’s offices.
I needed the right people to bust out the Black Market auction and the people attending it red-handed, and the two just seemed to fit since they had been investigating the slave trafficking ring for the last couple of years. Of course, I was not planning to get myself caught, neither did I plan to let Edmund nor Henrick get arrested for that very same reason.
While I basked in the morning sun, I felt and heard Edmund’s arrival. I sensed him sit next to me. I opened an eye and saw him lie down on the roof as well.
“I guess you’ve delivered the documents successfully?” I only nodded with a hum. “Do you still want me to be there?”
“No. You don’t have to go near the casino. We will need a getaway driver though.” I answered.
“You can use magic to teleport yourselves out.” he replied.
“I’m pretty sure they have countermeasures for that.” I said with a shrug. “And besides, my teleportation is still kinda spotty. I don’t want to lose a limb or something.”
“Fine. I’ll prepare the most non-descript getaway vehicle I can find. Is the young lord Herlais even ready?”
“He will be. It’s either that or he will be executed together with the rest of his family.” I said nonchalantly.
“Hey, will this really be a big help? In changing our future?”
I paused to think for a while.
-Does it? Wait, it does, doesn’t it?
“Yes.” I answered. “ This is just one of the first few steps. Also I’m pretty sure Katherine is buying the drugs she’s using from Dandelion Candy Shop, or at least from a middle man or something. We take Baron Gregalis down we take down her d**g supply, which means she can no longer d**g our father.”
“And Viscount Herlais?”
“The Herlais Viscountdom can be useful when they are on our side. Not to mention Henrick has a bright future ahead of him.”
“Hmm… Well if you’re sure. Is everything even ready?”
“Give it time Eddie-dear. Everything is always about timing.”
***
I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the carriage coming my way. The carriage had no distinctive feature that would let people know who owned it or who was riding inside it, but I knew it was Henrick since he was the only one I told about the meeting place and what kind of carriage he should use on our way to the auction.
Once I was inside, I gave Henrick a smile.
He was wearing a fancy dress befitting of his status as a noble. He looked pretty nervous though so he had to work on that.
Me on the other hand, was sporting the same black hair and green eyes from last time to hide my identity.
“How did you know my parents and siblings would run into problems and they would have no other choice but to send me instead in that stupid auction?”
I only offered him my smile. “I have my ways.”
“So… I guess this is what you really look like?” he asked, staring at me.
-Right, last time we met I was covering my entire head and half of my face.
“Maybe.”
“Great. I’m going to a Black Market auction with a person I don’t even know.” he grumbles, sarcasm dripping on his words.
“Maybe I will tell you who I am once you become the viscount of the Herlais Viscountdom.”
“Ha! I wish.”
“You’ll see.”
***
Meanwhile, Hugo received yet another letter with the same lotus scent and the black envelope.
[Hello Prince Hugo,
Henrick Herlais will be in Jazz Sands Casino attending as his father’s representative for the auction. Try not to arrest him. He is my informant and the one who gave me his father’s ledger. He is also my ticket to the auction so do not arrest him like you will Viscount Herlais in the future. ;)]
Hugo only groaned and massaged his temples in frustration.
‘It’s going to be a long night.’
- Writer
