Eleanor of the Shadow Palace

X

“I’m sorry mother.” I said.

“But we can’t tell you.” Ed added. “We-“

“It’s something we have to do-“

“-for ourselves.”

Mother just looked at us, as if studying if we were serious or something. We were twelve, or at least looked twelve so I did not even think they’d believe us, but…

“Very well. I will not pry.” we were able to breathe a sigh of relief. “Whatever it is, is it dangerous?”

“”Yes.””

She shook her head. Meanwhile Anastasia and Hugo looked rather horrified.

“Will you get hurt?” Hugo asked in which we nodded in return. “Possibly maimed and or injured?”

I stared at Hugo with a skeptical look then looked over at Ed who just gave me a shrug and motioned for me us answer.

““Definitely.””

“Is there a possibility you’d get killed?” mother asked this time, her tone wary.

“”Probably?””

“Ugh, twins, you even talk in sync.” she sighed, again. “You know, if you need assistance with whatever you’re doing, we could offer such assistance.”

I looked at Ed whose eyes locked on to me. He gave me a knowing look that basically said ‘we-could-you-know?’. I just returned it with a shrug.

“Thank you mother, we appreciate it.” I replied and flashed a smile.

For two days, Ed and I observed the candy shop but unfortunately, other than the storekeeper, the guy who made the deliveries and the customers (who were mostly kids), there was nothing else that was suspicious regarding the store.

-No wonder nobody found anything that seemed off about the store. It seems really normal.

“We’re going nowhere with this.” I heard Ed mumble beside me. “If this was earth, we would’ve been able to dig anything about this place! Now I’m missing internet and the manpower we possessed then.”

An idea suddenly popped up into my head.

-That’s it!

“That’s what we need Eddie!” I exclaimed.

“Internet? I’m pretty sure there are no cellular networks here much less phones or computers.”

“No! Information!”

“Uhh… You might’ve noticed it, but we barely found information regarding the store and the one who manages it.”

“Not that.” I pointed out. “I meant people who could provide us with information!”

Edmund gave me a confused look. “Let’s go look for the Shadow Palace!”

Not much was known about the Shadow Palace, other than it was an organization that gathers information and sells them to whoever pays for it at the right price. Of course, their existence was nothing but an urban legend to the common folk as well as to those that did not know they’re real. The nobles and those who became their customers knew of them but the Shadow Palace remained to be shrouded in mystery.

In my first life, I actually employed their services that one time in a mere coincidence. I asked them to gather every illegal deed my husband and the Aftesde Family ever did, as well as the Vimi Family. They were swift and were able to gather the information I needed in less than a month. I used it to blackmail them so they would stop abusing me. I even used it as leverage once when they wouldn’t let me give Edmund a proper burial.

It didn’t work for long though.

The information I kept dearly was stolen, the existence of the Shadow Palace was brought to light and I was executed as the wife of a traitor to the throne and the supposedly mastermind behind the rebellion.

It was a mess.

-But not in this life.

Back then I was naïve and stupid. I knew almost nothing of the world around me (not by choice obviously). But it’s different now, and I’m going to relish in it.

I led Edmund to a café in the Commercial District. It was a high-end café where many ladies from nobility would gather and buy teas and cakes. What most people did not know, was that it was one of the places where Shadow Dragon operates.

-If one knows the right key phrases, then they are considered valuable customers.

“Did you really have to make my hair brown?" Edmund suddenly asked which pulled me out of my thoughts. “I’m kinda digging the whole silver-hair thing.”

“I also changed your eyes to green just like when we met Richard.” I responded, not even glancing his way.

As a cover, I altered mine and Ed’s appearances a bit with the use if magic. Silver-white hair was rare in Primavera and red eyes were only possessed by the imperial family. At the moment we had dark brown hair and a pair of green eyes.

Magic is awesome!

Ahem!

We entered the café and were immediately greeted by an attendant.

“Big sis, can we see the pastry chef? We would like to give our compliments regarding the strawberry tart from last time.” I said with a big smile. Ed was smiling beside me as well.

The attendant, a petite lady with light brown hair, looked at us with a confused expression but she probably already knew the meaning behind my words.

“I see. Please follow me dear customers.”

We were then led to a private salon and offered tea.

“Is there anything else you would like?”

“I would like seven slices of apple pies, three slices of chocolate tarts and a pot of chamomile tea blended with lemon and honey.” I answered.

Her eyes actually widened. My order basically meant I want information and I’m willing to pay a high price for it. She was probably surprised why kids like us knew of such phrases, but she managed to collect herself and be her professional self.

“I understand. Please wait for a moment.”

She finally left.

“You know, I still think the keywords are absurd. Did you use such phrases back on earth?” Edmund asked and took a sip of his tea.

“No. I usually don’t meet the clients, remember?”

“I’m still impressed though. Running an information network and keeping it a secret. The master is a very capable and amazing man.”

“He is.” was the only thing I said.

“I guess I’ll leave negotiations up to you.”

“Sure. You can insert whenever though.”

“Whatever. This tea is amazing.”

Moments later, a man in fancy clothes entered. He had this sort of professional smile on his face, the kind salesman would use to get customers, or maybe the one scammers would use so they could trick people.

I was leaning on the former.

“When Katia told me we had young customers I told her she was exaggerating, but I guess she wasn’t.” he said and stopped a few steps from us. He then curtsied and flashed a smile. “My name is Fido, I will be handling your commission.”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Fido, please take a seat.”

“You seem to know how to handle business kid. Is this your first time in our shop?”

“Maybe.” I answered with a shrug.

“O…kay? Twins?”

“You’re an organization that deals with information, figure it out yourself.” Edmund responded in a monotone voice.

“I… suppose.” Mr. Fido then cleared his throat. “Before we go into business I would like to remind you that once the commission is done, as per what is stated in the contract, all of our dealings will be erased in your mind via magic. The only remaining trace of your business with us is the information we provided you with, the location of this shop as well as the keywords needed to have a transaction with us. Is that clear?”

“”Crystal.””

“Good. Man, I wish my younger siblings were like you.” he shook his head in disbelief. “They’re older than you but they still need to work on their manners.”

“Well, we were not exactly… brought up in the average way.”

He looked at us with a face full of questions but I decided to take no notice of it. Edmund seemed to had done the same since he was too focused on the tea and the pastries.”

“Right, now then! Let’s get to business. What are you commissioning us for?”

“I need information on Dandelion Candy Treats.”

“If my memory serves me right, that’s a candy shop in the Commoner’s District.” I nodded my head in response. “Uhm, why do you need information on it?”

“I want information regarding who owns it, who’s the one managing it and what products they’re selling. I’ll be paying upfront.” Edmund placed a bag of gold coins on the table. “I need the information in three days, the amount inside should be enough.”

“Err… no offense but what will kids like you even do with such information?”

“None of your business.”

"O...kay then. You can return here in three days."

“O…kay then. You can return here in three days.”