NOTE - The next two chapters start and end in the same period. It's from two different POVs.
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The break of dawn came near, and Mizuki woke up from his sleep. The carriage was drawing close to a large mansion, which looked more like a castle. He stretched his arms then heard Mesh talking to a nee voice inside the carriage.
"Young lord, your mother is expecting you to come to her room at once. Your father is...out for a bit."
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Also, about Lilith..."
"I'll tell mother about it as well. If I get banished, then she's coming with me. On that note, he's here, isn't he? The peasant?"
"Yes he is, young lord."
"Good. We need to have a long chat."
Mizuki pulled out his notepad and jotted some things down.
{Father away. Mesh might be banished? Peasant in the house.}
He stuffed the book in his pocket as they pulled up to the front of the building. Mesh, Lilith and a servant exited the carriage. The group were invited to enter by another servant at the door. Mizuki took this chance to slip into the house through an open window.
The main room was grand. With two curved staircases to the second floor, it had royal red carpet and multiple doors leading to who knows where. Mesh, grumbling, trudged up the staircase while Lilith, smiling, talked to some servants. It was rare to see Lilith smiling. A bit too rare. Mizuki made his way to the ceiling to hang on the rafters. He shuffled in the direction that Mesh went off to, and then watched him enter a room with large doors. Subsequently, Mizuki saw a small balcony to that room outside, and so he leaped onto it, to eavesdrop on the conversation inside.
"Good morning mother."
"Nagi, why did Lilith fail?"
"My apologies, mother."
"I asked you a question."
"She lost because she wasn't strong enough."
"Who's fault is that?"
"Mine, mother."
"Look at me when i'm speaking to you."
"Sorry, mother."
"What about the elixir? Did she drink it?"
"Yes, mother. But it wasn't enough to beat her opponent."
"What about the self destruct mechanism?"
"Her opponent trapped her in the mechanism. Lilith still managed to survive."
"Who is this opponent?"
Mesh gritted his teeth.
"Astrid Atsuko. Duel Mage."
"Oh? Is she stronger than you?"
Mesh kissed his teeth.
"Why would you think that indecent rat be bett-"
Mesh's mother stood up. The room became more serious than before. Even Mizuki who was outside felt a chill go down his spine.
"Watch your tone."
Mesh quickly shut up.
"Answer my question. Is she stronger than you?"
"Y-yes, mother."
His mother sat back down.
"Bring Lilith here."
A few minutes later, Mesh came back into the room with his sister.
"Nagi, leave."
"Yes, mother."
Mesh made a quick exit.
As soon as he left, the whole atmosphere changed.
"Lilith dear, how are you? Is Nagi treating you harsh?"
"He is...still quite violent."
"I understand, I'll knock some sense into him later. Anyways, how are you feeling? The elixir did have a chance of going corrupt. I didn't think it would. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine mother."
"Are you sure?"
Lilith nodded.
"You getting along fine in the trials?"
She nodded again. "I met a person. I don't know if we're friends yet."
"Do tell me their name."
"A-Astrid Atsuko."
Her mother narrowed her eyes. "Isn't she the one you fought?"
"Yes, but we don't hate each other, i think."
They shared a laugh. Mizuki began taking notes again.
"Alright, off you go now. Enjoy the stay here. You'll head back to the academy tomorrow. Okay?"
"Yes, mother. I'll see you later."
When Mizuki put his notepad back in his pocket, he peeked back into the room. Mesh's mother was staring right at him.
"Show yourself."
He had no other choice but to follow her orders. He entered the room, and knelt in front of her.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Mizuki Matsuno. A companion of the Astrid you've heard much about."
"Your reason for being here?"
"Astrid wanted me to see the cause of Me-Nagi's violent behaviour."
"I understand. I would kill you right here and now..." She looked at him with curiosity. "...but I want you to keep an eye on him."
She threw him a pen-like stick.
"This is a notifier, made by my family ancestors. Hold the button on the end and speak into it to send a message to me. Press the button to receive a reply."
Mizuki picked up the pen. He was surprised he got off easy.
"I'll be taking my leave now."
"Mm. Contact me soon."
Mizuki exited through the balcony. He heard Mesh's voice again, behind the building.
"So, you'll do it?"
"Of course, for a price."
"One at a time, each kill is 5 platinum coins."
"Fine."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mesh."
"Yeah, yeah. Go away now."
The boy talking to Mesh disappeared and Mesh walked back into the mansion.
{Targets?}
It reached dinner time, but Mizu was still hiding in the rafters, waiting for something to happen. He nearly fell off when he got a message from Mesh's mother. Mizuki pressed the button.
-You're hungry, aren't you? Come to my bedroom.-
Mizuki did as she commanded, which resulted in him getting food from her.
"Mizuki, was it? Now that I think about it, your surname is familiar."
The boy froze. "R-really?"
"Yes, I recall meeting your father, i presume?"
"You don't mean..."
"Yes, I worked with him. A greedy pig, he was. 20 platinum coins for an assassination! To be fair, his work was always executed perfectly. Josuke Matsuno, The Black Leper. I will never forget that name to this day."
She grinned and looked at Mizuki.
"You look exactly like him."
He finished his food quickly and exited through the window one last time.
"We'll have a conversation about him another time. There's a lot to discuss."
Mizuki waved goodbye before hiding in a nearby tree.
"So my father met her...What a coincidence."
He laid down on a sturdy branch. He decided to look into information about his father. Maybe he could get some information on his mother...