A Wolf in sheep’s clothing

  The heat from the sun caressed my skin as I briskly walked around the garden, admiring the beautiful botanicals that were dispyed.

  The green leaves brushed lightly against my hands, and the trickles of water from the fountain whispered softly.

  I halted in front of a rge tree, adorned with sea-green leaves, white wisterias, and small magnolia flowers.

  The tree was big enough to shade me from the bzing sun.

  I slipped my hands into my pleated pockets and gazed at the tree, appreciating the view.

  “Young Master. Please refrain from running off.” A chilly voice behind me said.

  I gnced back at the man.

  His dark, medium mullet hair swayed in the gentle breeze and his figure was somewhat a bit thin.

  “I’m sure you’d still catch up to me, Hero.” I bantered, knowing I chose him to be my personal butler for a cause.

  His gray-brown eyes stared back at me, and he half-smiled.

  “Halt! State your business!” Shouted one of the castle-guards.

  I gandered at the massive, heavy metallic portcullis.

  There were two guards on duty, both wearing silver armor.

  Behind the metal portcullis stood a luxurious carriage, pulled by pure brown horses whose neighs echoed loudly.

  The carriage looked like it was made purely out of gold, adorned with swirling silver-white patterns that resembled the shape of a wind.

  As the white carriage door swung open, a man emerged.

  His dark brown, flowing hair, resembling a curtain, cascading in waves akin to a small snake.

  He has a lean body, presumably from the extensive training that he had received.

  He wore a crisp white colr with buttons of precious gold, paired with bck wide scks.

  His cape, reaching halfway down his legs, bore a deep blue hue with golden linings along the colr, while also featuring additional golden buttons.

  I frowned as I recognized him.

  Aedeide—My sole rival, a nuisance, the successor of the Imperial Order, A troublesome insect, and also, a pgue in my mind.

  “What is his Royal Highness doing here?” I asked in a graved tone.

  Hero gnced at the man and then back at me, still wearing his poker face.

  “Perhaps it's best we go inside.” He said. I smiled at his response.

  “You’re right. We wouldn’t want to experience bad weather, would we?” I replied, before turning and walking back inside the castellum.

  . . .

  The clock continued to talk. Tick Tock. It chimed. I closed the book I was reading, feeling my throat grow dry and my stomach grumbled.

  “Hero!” I called out. The butler hurriedly entered the room.

  “What is it, Young Master?”

  “I need a few snacks and a cup of tea.” Hero nodded and softly closed the door.

  I stood up from my king-sized bed and walked to my window.

  I jumped up and sat on the windowsill.

  Leaning against the jamb of my white window, I reopened the book and continued to study its contents.

  The room fell silent, with only the ticking from the clock breaking the silence.

  The silence was disturbed as I heard a knock from my door.

  That was. Quick, I thought. Not even five minutes have passed.

  Thinking it was nothing, I spoke.

  “You may enter.” Keeping my eyes on the book.

  The door creaked open and each step grew closer and louder.

  “You can just leave it by my study table.” I said. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm, causing me to drop the book.

  “Who?” I paused, my eyes shot daggers as I saw who it was.

  “Who told you to come in?” I asked, my tone serious.

  “You did.” He replied. Moments ter, he added.

  “Did you tell him to come here?” He said with an angered tone. I frowned.

  “What?” I responded. His dark teal eyes gred at me, but then his expression rexed as he let out a deep breath.

  “It looks like you didn’t.” He said as he released my hand.

  I gnced at my hand where he gripped it tightly; It formed a light bruise.

  I let out a breath.

  “Don’t you have work, Mephisto?” I asked, my voice tinged with anger, as I picked up the book from the floor and dusted it off.

  He tilted his head, making some of his brown hair strands fall.

  His other hand remained in his bck pocket.

  “I finished them.” He answered. I rolled my eyes and scoffed at him.

  “Then find something useful to do.” I responded back with sarcasm.

  Mephisto's attention turned to the book I was holding. "What is that?" He asked, pointing at the book.

  "It's just another book I'm reading." I replied.

  "If you say so.." He shrugged.

  He gnced at my bruised hand and rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Sorry about that..” He softly said as he looked down with guilt.

  I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms, staring at him for a moment before replying.

  “Just call Hero and tell him to hurry up.” He looked at me sheepishly and smiled. “Got it.” He replied before turning his back to me and left.

  I let out another breath and looked down at the book in my hand.

  I need to be more cautious. If he took interest in the book, I could become a ughing stock. I shaked my head before I ran my fingers through my dark, messy hair.

  I might need to make my move sooner than expected, I thought to myself.

  I walked over to my study table and gnced around the room to see if anyone was watching.

  Seeing that the coast was clear, my hand reached for the cabinet and opened it.

  The inside appeared empty but there's a secret to it.

  A small nail was protruding subtly from the side.

  As I pressed it, it caused a soft pop, and as I pulled, it revealed a secret compartment.

  Deciding it was a perfect spot to hide the book, I pced it inside, ensuring it was well concealed.

  Not even the souls of the dead.

  . . .

  I continued walking through the dark forest until I stopped as I noticed a huge, vish pace across me.

  Taking a closer look, the pace was around one-hundred twenty-five square metres.

  It was circled with white fence. It had been two years since I saw this pce.

  The pace appeared even more magnificent and grand.

  Painted in pearl white with golden linings on each side of the tall castle walls.

  The famous Grand Duke Lesivio’s pace.

  I couldn’t help but be amazed, just as I had been the first time I id eyes on it.

  It was rger than ours and I grew quite jealous.

  But then again, only those who are greedy would care so much for these things.

  I stood on the outskirts of that very pace, further south, y nothing but vast pin of grassy fields.

  But why was I here exactly? To collect a debt, of course. But not that kind of debt. Repaying? I don't do that. Then is it, exchanging? Neither.

  As far as I recall, a devil must settle their debts. And we all know who that little devil is.

  A coward as far as I know, I muttered under my breath.

  The sounds of heavy hoofbeats drew nearer.

  I hid under the thick shrubs, draped in a hooded bck long robe.

  My hood partially poked out, allowing my eyes to peered at what seemed to be a grand carriage being hauled by four white horses.

  Each corner of the carriage was heavily guarded by four knights in silver chainmail, their long scabbards hanging from their brown belts.

  Among them, a knight in golden armor seemed to be in command, evident from the others by his attire.

  There was a sudden rustle nearby. My eyes fixed on the bush across from me, and a small grin formed on my lips.

  It seems like I don’t have to do work today.

  Three men, cd in bck robes, suddenly popped out of the bush, targeting the knights as the neighs from the horse started to bellow loudly in response.

  “Assassins!” Shouted one of the knights.

  Some knights were thrown from their horses, some were able to manage to regain their bance.

  The knights swiftly dismounted and those who fell quickly rose to their feet, drawing their sharp weapons.

  The first assassin to reveal themself aimed for the carriage, while the other two attacked the knights.

  The second assassin brandished their short daggers.

  They may be small but they are quite deadly. Poisons huh? I like it.

  Short daggers are commonly known as ‘Poison daggers’ as they are one of the weapons that are easy to coat with poison due to its small size and can easily pierce a human’s body, making it even deadlier.

  “Watch out!” The knight in command shouted.

  The assassin swiftly hurled his daggers like flying arrows at the knights.

  But knights are not to be underestimated.

  They dodged the daggers like it was nothing, one rolled away while the others evaded them as if they were pying dodgeball.

  My attention to the action that was happening was abruptly interrupted by another rustle, This time, it was from behind me.

  Was there a fourth assassin? My heart began to race.

  Suddenly, I flinched and froze.

  “Don’t move.” He whispered in warning.

  A sharp, thin, long sword gleamed, as if it were glowing like a diamond was touching my neck, ready to slit my throat at any moment.

  I slowly turned my head to look behind, but I halted as he threatened me.

  “Don’t look, or I’ll ssh your throat,” He jabbed me lightly.

  “Argh! Fine! Just don’t kill me.” I whispered back, half-raising my hands.

  I could feel his gaze fixed on me.

  “Who are you to just be watching this? Are you with them?” He asked, demanding an answer.

  I remained quiet, hinting that I didn't want to answer his questions.

  “What’s in it for me? Will you let me go if I answer them?” I asked in return.

  He didn’t reply, making me think that he was weighing my intentions.

  I heard him exhale slowly.

  “How can I trust you?”

  “That’s up to you.”

  There was a brief silence on his end.

  “Fine. Let’s do it then.” He finally replied.