The Marquis moves

Was I too late, I wonder? Meh, enjoy!

***The morning before the kidnapping***

(It should be obvious that she won't come under me unless I force her. They wouldn't have to suffer if only she did. But that doesn't matter, though this is pretty much a gamble since I don't know much about her, it is one that I'm willing to take a shot.) Is what the Marquis thought as he brought the wine near his nose and enjoyed it's scent.

The Marquis may seem like he's a greedy fool, but he didn't win many wars for nothing.

"Lesley, it's your and your group's turn." He said to no one before drinking his wine in one go.

"Understood, we shall make our preparations and move tonight." A woman's voice echoed in the room from nowhere.

"No, we move now. It is true that it may seem better to move in night as your shadow skills will be more useful, however my target is not to be underestimated. I've already given you the details, move when you see fit, I give you until today's dusk." He replied.

"Understood, but may I ask something, milord?" The voice asked.

"Speak, you're already my left hand, you're free to speak your mind." He replied. "Understood" the voice said with a slight raise on voice.

"You said that our target is not to be underestimated, so shouldn't we just build up friendly relationships and slowly make them trusts us instead of forcing them to join us? And I also doubt that Marco's failed restriction cuffs will work against someone you're so cautious with." The voice explained.

"Trust and friendly relationships seemed impossible since she didn't look interested in my offers at all, I learned that when I personally offered her my favor. I also don't think that those cuffs will work against her, but we can use it to other people, no?" He stated as his voice got naughtier noticeably.

"I understand, but please make sure that we have another mean to bind her. I don't want my squad ending up dead. I'll be reviewing the details of the plan in my room now." The voice disappeared along with a shadow next to the curtains.

"Hmmm, I wonder how is that experiment going…" He muttered to himself before turning around to gaze upon the sky through his window.

*****

"I've come to report, my King." A masculine voice reverberated through the quiet office of the king.

"It's you, Orto. Is it about that celestial vampire?" King Alphore immediately recognized this voice. How could he forget the voice of the man who saved his son's life twice?

"It is as you expected, my King. It is about her. May I proceed?" The man came out of nowhere, from under the curtains and respectfully asked for permission from his liege, in which he allowed. So he continued, "Proceeding. She, Celeste Crourem, got Lord Marquis Galroe's attention. It won't be long until something big happens."

"That's to be expected. Ever since that man fell into despair, the only thing that gave him joy is others' suffering and grief. He will not let anything escape his grasp once he decided, I'm probably the only he is scared to offend by now. Is there anything else?" King Alphore stroked his foot long beard as he talked.

"That is all for my report, my King." Orton replied.

""My report" you say, is there anything you need?" King Alphore opened one of his squinted eyes to take a better look at Orto.

Orto, knowing that his liege is now serious, talked immediately of his thoughts, "May I be allowed to help her when the time comes?…"

"Hmmm, I shall depending on your reason, now tell me. Why do you wish to help her?" He asked as he smiled. He knows Orto splendidly well as he was served by him for the last 10 years, and this man have never offered his help except his master, knowing that, Alphore's curiosity peaked and he couldn't help but grin at the thought.

"That…" Orto responded to the question presented to him.

***Present***

Celes pondered hard on what to do. The thought of them acting so quickly was too unexpected. If they managed to do this in the daytime, then they must be highly skilled and experienced.

(No, now is not the time to praise the enemy.)

She plundered the thoughts, and pondered harder. Of course they will use them to lure her into the mansion, that would be the most probable. But how will she break in? She knows next to nothing about their strength except for the Marquis, which is unlikely to appear. The letter only told her to get there before midnight with a slave's vow in exchange for the girls.

(But there's no way they will give them back now, that's just how it is. Only a fool will allow that. Should I go earlier and see if they'll actually be there with the girls?)

Soon came the 9th bell of the night, Celes then snuck into their promised location with her Stealth on.

Two more bells passed by, at that moment she saw two figures appear from the shadows of the woods just a few meters away from the gate. They're barely visible to the eye.

(Appraisal, and Magic Eye…) The moment she used her Magic Eyes, her surroundings brightened, revealing the identical feminine silhouette of the two. They wore black suits and black hoods reaching to their thighs. Their faces, can't see.

:Name: Rosenthal

:Race:Human

:Age: 21

:Level:38

:Stats:

STR:65

AGI:120

DEX:75

INT:52

LUK:--

VIT:48

Total stats:360

:SKILLS:

Active:

Stealth 7, Facial Disruption 5, Hidden Weapon Release 6, Shadow Step 5

Passive:

Magic control 4, Hand-to-Hand Combat 7, Hidden Weapon Mastery 6, Twin Tandem

Attributes:

Earth:55/100

:Titles:

---

:Name: Rose

:Race:Human

:Age: 21

:Level:38

:Stats:

STR:65

AGI:120

DEX:75

INT:52

LUK:3

VIT:48

Total stats:363

:SKILLS:

Active:

Stealth 7, Facial Disruption 5, Hidden Weapon Release 6, Shadow Step 5

Passive:

Magic control 4, Hand-to-Hand Combat 7, Hidden Weapon Mastery 6, Twin Tandem

Attributes:

Fire: 60/100

:Titles:

---

*****

I've decided to use Magic Eye for when she uses Magic Manipulation for the magic vision.