Ch 24: Controlling the City - Part 1

At last, she found herself outside a grand parlor. The door was slightly ajar, revealing Mary Ann seated near the hearth, her hands folded neatly in her lap. Fenrir stood behind her, his expression unreadable.

The sight of him sent a shiver down Rui's spine. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to step inside.

Mary Ann looked up, her eyes red-rimmed but composed. "Who are you?" she asked, her tone polite but wary.

Rui pulled back her hood, revealing her face. "My name is Rui. I came to warn you. About him." She pointed toward Fenrir, who tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Mary Ann's expression darkened. "I don't understand. Fenrir is my loyal servant."

"He's not human," Rui said, her voice urgent. "He's the one behind all of this—your sister's death, the vampire rumors, everything."

Mary Ann rose slowly from her seat, her graceful movements betraying none of the darkness that lurked within her. "You've come so far, Rui," she said softly, her voice tinged with mock sympathy. "I almost admire your persistence."

Rui stiffened, her instincts screaming at her to flee, yet her legs remained rooted in place. "This... this was your plan all along?"

Fenrir chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Indeed. Lady Mary Ann and I have been working toward this outcome from the moment we arrived in this city."

Mary Ann approached Rui, her eyes gleaming with a malevolent light. "My dear sister's death was regrettable, of course, but necessary. She was a weak link, easily manipulated by her greed. But you..." She paused, tilting her head. "You're far more interesting."

Rui's breath caught in her throat. "You killed her. Framed her death as the work of a vampire. And now you're just... taking over everything?"

Fenrir folded his hands calmly. "Correct. The pieces have fallen into place beautifully. Lady Fourie's assets are ours now. The temple officials who might have meddled are either dead or sufficiently misled. And the city?" He smirked. "The city whispers of vampires and devils, creating the perfect veil for us to operate under."

Mary Ann leaned closer, her voice a silken whisper. "Why fight us, Rui? You've seen the world for what it is. Humans fear us. The temple hunts us. Alone, you'll never survive. But with us? You could have power. Freedom. A purpose."

Rui shook her head, backing away. "I'd rather die than become like you."

Fenrir sighed, the air around him growing heavy with unspoken menace. "You've already chosen death, then. We merely accelerated the process."

Mary Ann glanced at Fenrir, her expression unreadable. "Let her go for now," she said. "She'll return. They always do."

Rui's heart pounded as she turned and fled the room, the sound of Fenrir's laughter following her like a shadow.

The mansion was alive with activity. Servants bustled about under Mary Ann's watchful eye, transforming the grieving estate into a hub of power. Drapes were replaced with banners bearing the Fourie family crest, and the estate grounds were restructured to accommodate gatherings with the city's elite.

Fenrir, ever the strategist, observed from his wheelchair, issuing quiet commands to the staff who dared approach him. Each action was meticulous, designed to solidify their hold on New Portland and elevate Mary Ann's influence.

Mary Ann sat at the head of the estate's grand table, her posture regal, her aura commanding. Across from her sat influential merchants and minor nobles, all of whom had come to pay their respects after Lady Fourie's untimely death.

"My sister," Mary Ann began, her voice steady but tinged with sadness, "dedicated herself to this city. It is only fitting that I continue her work. Her vision will not die with her."

The guests murmured their approval, raising glasses in solemn agreement.

Fenrir added, his tone as smooth as silk, "The Lady has a bold plan to revitalize the city's economy, ensuring prosperity for all under her guidance."

Though some faces showed skepticism, none dared voice it. Fenrir's reputation as a mysterious yet capable servant had grown in tandem with Mary Ann's rise, and the rumors of his unnatural presence only added to the pair's mystique.

Behind closed doors, Fenrir and Mary Ann worked tirelessly to manipulate the city's movers and shakers. Letters sealed with the Fourie crest were dispatched to neighboring barons, proposing strategic alliances and trade agreements.

Fenrir's influence extended beyond the mansion walls. Using his infernal charm, he began to sway the city's underbelly—smugglers, thieves, and assassins. Their loyalties shifted, aligning with the Fourie estate, though none fully understood the forces they were now serving.

Mary Ann took a more subtle approach with the clergy, attending masses and donating generously to the temple's charitable efforts. Her public image as a grieving sister and dutiful leader masked the demonic power simmering just beneath the surface.

The whispers of vampires and devils grew louder in New Portland. Fenrir and Mary Ann encouraged these tales, using them to sow fear and dependency among the populace. Guards patrolled the streets in greater numbers, funded by Mary Ann's "generosity."

"Safety comes at a cost," Fenrir had told her one evening, his voice low but firm. "Let them believe you're the only one who can protect them."

The strategy worked. Merchants paid higher taxes without protest, and even the city's magistrate deferred to Mary Ann's authority.

By the time the month was over, Mary Ann was no longer seen as the grieving sister of Lady Fourie. She was a force to be reckoned with, her influence reaching every corner of New Portland.

Fenrir watched her with quiet satisfaction. "The city is ours," he murmured one evening as they stood on the balcony overlooking the bustling streets.

Mary Ann smiled, her eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "This is only the beginning."

Fenrir nodded. "Indeed. The foundation is laid. Now, we must turn our attention to the temple and its meddling."

A week was all it took.

Under Fenrir's meticulous scheming and Mary Ann's deft public presence, the city of New Portland had bent to their will. The once-bustling political debates and opposition movements were silenced by calculated alliances, whispered threats, and the kind of quiet coercion that left no tangible trace.

New Portland's five-year election cycle was a cherished tradition—a symbol of the people's voice. Yet this year's election was different. No one spoke openly of it, but the streets buzzed with resignation. Every citizen knew that no matter how many ballots were cast, the outcome was already decided.

Mary Ann sat in her study, reviewing the final draft of her acceptance speech. Fenrir stood by the window, his wheelchair momentarily abandoned, his sharp eyes scanning the city below.

"Everything is in place," he said, his tone laced with satisfaction. "Even the opposition leaders have folded. Their campaigns are but a shadow of what they once were."

Mary Ann smiled. "I trust you dealt with their reluctance appropriately?"

Fenrir's smirk deepened. "A few well-placed rumors, some veiled threats, and a handful of promises they couldn't refuse. They've come to understand that resistance is futile."

The day arrived with the usual fanfare. Streets were decorated with banners, and polling stations were alive with activity. Yet, the atmosphere was muted. Most citizens treated the event as a formality, knowing that Mary Ann's victory was inevitable.

In the mansion's grand hall, Fenrir and Mary Ann watched the proceedings with detached amusement. The votes were counted, the results announced, and the city erupted in lackluster applause.

Mary Ann, now officially the elected leader of New Portland, stepped onto the balcony to address the crowd. Her voice carried the perfect blend of authority and empathy.

The city square was alive with forced celebration. Banners waved in the wind, and music filled the air as Mary Ann prepared to deliver her victory speech from the grand balcony of the Fourie estate. Fenrir sat behind her in his wheelchair, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd below for any signs of disturbance.

Mary Ann's voice rang out with practiced grace. "Citizens of New Portland, it is with the deepest humility that I accept your trust. Together, we shall—"

A deafening explosion cut her words short, the shockwave shaking the square and sending people screaming in all directions.

Fenrir's eyes narrowed, and his head snapped toward the source of the explosion: a row of market stalls near the edge of the square. Smoke billowed upward, mingling with the cries of panic-stricken citizens. Another explosion erupted closer, sending debris raining down on the crowd.

Mary Ann stepped back, her composure unbroken despite the chaos. "It seems we have a guest," she murmured to Fenrir.

Fenrir tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "A bold one, at that. Shall we see who's so eager to disrupt our plans? I have a feeling it will be a familiar face."

From an alleyway, Rui emerged, her face hidden beneath a tattered hood. Her chest heaved with exertion, but her eyes burned with defiance. "You won't fool them forever," she muttered to herself.

______

Chapters will be smaller from this point on so that I can post more in the future. Also, Power Stones, Golden Tickets and Reviews will make me update faster along with gifts. if we ever cross 1000 win-win unlocks or 1000 PS, I will give you extra 5 chapters release instantly.