Having Fun

"I guess that works. Kid, come over here. I wanna show you something."

***

Lu popped his head out of the carriage flaps again.

"We there yet?"

Smuggler Jim pushed Lu's head back inside.

"Yeah. Hide."

Lu pouted but obeyed and hid inside his box again with a pile of blankets over him. After a while, the carriage slowed down, and its wooden wheels clunked against the flat stone road.

"'Jim Smith?'"

"Yeah."

"Doesn't look like you're carting a smith."

"Family name."

"What's your cargo?"

"A few sewing supplies and blankets that no one wants. I'm here to restock."

"Uhu."

A moment later, someone in enough armor to make slight clanking noises climbed into the carriage and rifled through the few things that remained of the smuggler's cargo.

Lu felt the lid to his box rise into the air. He stayed completely still. He didn't even breathe.

A few moments later, the lid came back on, turning the box completely dark. Lu did not exhale in relief. Taking out an early victory was something you only did once.

Another set of moments later, the guard left the carriage.

"Clear? Okay. You're free to enter."

Lu smiled. First step complete. He had entered the capital of the Yennet County, Yina.

Now, Lu just had to lay the groundwork, possibly meet up with Mencer. Or Baryt. And then, it was a waiting game. The party had to start before he could get moving.

Fortunately, he only needed to wait a week before it was showtime. And when he kept himself busy, that week didn't pass in a flash, unfortunately. The excitement of stealing from a true blue count of the Imra Kingdom made everything else, including playing around with his Blessing and pranking children, seem dull.

Lu couldn't stop looking with dreamy eyes toward the palatial mansion that rivaled even Feltor's royal castle. He couldn't help but wonder if the Litos also had something similar. He knew Mencer. He might find a way in.

Lu walked around to the backside of the estate in his disguise.

"Heyo!"

He waved to the guard stationed at the kitchen's back entrance.

"Who are you?"

The guard grabbed the handle of his sword and glared at Lu.

"Will's replacement. Like, I know it's a grand party right now and all, but I was asleep, and they sent a message I have to come in—You know what? If you're not letting me, you're taking the blame. What's your name? I need to know it when—"

The guard interrupted Ackster by holding up his hand and pushing open the door.

"In with you. In case Worthams asks, my name's Leo."

"You're not Leo."

"I know. Hurry. The ones inside have been wondering where Will is for a while now."

"Great. Thanks. Have a nice evening. I'll bring you a bun if I can."

"Yeah, yeah."

Lu flashed a friendly smile before darting in through the door. He went around a corner as soon as he was inside and dumped his kitchen staff outfit, revealing a server one beneath it.

Lu entered the kitchen and snagged one of the drink trays before leaving before anyone could notice his arrival and subsequent disappearance.

He carried the tray in one hand, keeping the drinks stable, as he checked out his hair in a nearby silver goblet the size of an owl. 

'Dye's looking good. I'm looking invisible, and these drinks…Expensive. Nice.'

Lu walked around the mansion, following the sound of chatter, music, and the clinking of glasses and utensils. He found the grand hall before long. He sighed. It would have been so much easier if those rude noble brats weren't so stuck up.

Lu sharpened his suit and tie before entering the hall, offering the sparkling drink to anyone who cared. He walked around the floor, not meeting anyone's eye but keeping an eye out.

Eventually, he found what he was looking for. Lu made eye contact with Baryt, who stood in a corner, sipping on a drink. Lu conveniently let a nice-looking young lady pick up the last drink-filled glass. After that, he left the hall.

A few moments later, Baryt did the same.

"You having fun in there?"

"Hyup!"

Lu walked out from the corner where he waited for Baryt, scaring the shit out of him. He wore the dress that servants of the County wore when working inside the estate.

Baryt looked at Lu with a frown, displeased at the jumpscare.

"No. Since I'm Mencer's attendant, I'm allowed inside. But since my family is of fallen nobility, I'm nothing better than a bug. But that's also why I can leave the ballroom without anyone caring."

"Sucks to be you, I guess. Anyway, be quiet now. People up ahead."

Lu pushed Baryt behind a corner and held him close to the wall with one hand as they hid from the patrol's eyes. Since it was inside the estate, the patrol fortunately wasn't very diligent. They were just there to keep up appearances and make sure no couples snuck out of the party to get up to funny business in the corridors.

"Alright. Follow me."

Lu led the way through the winding corridors before arriving at a reception hall for the Count's personal guests without anyone seeing them. Lu put his ear to the door to listen for people.

He heard someone. However, it wasn't from inside the room. It was from behind them, and they were coming closer.

Lu glanced back at the short stretch of corridor that had no other hiding spots.

'No choice, I guess.'

Lu opened the door and dragged Baryt inside, gently closing the door right when a young man and a young woman came around the corner. They continued toward the very same door Lu and Baryt had just entered.

"Brother, have you heard about the Moonlight Spirit going around the County and playing with children?"

"I might have."

"Do you think we can invite it to come here?"

"...Miva, it's about time you start growing up and stop entertaining these childish daydreams."

"It's not childish!"

"A Moon Spirit is not childish?"

"Of course not! It's intriguing!"

"So you want it for research purposes?"

"No, I want to play with it."

Menyt Yennet sighed. He dropped the topic as he opened the door to his father's reception room.

"Hey, brother, why did I have to tag along, anyway?"

"Dear father asked for his favorite wine."

"Yeah?"

"I don't know which one that is. I would think all wine is his favorite."

"Huhum, I see. You needed Dad's favorite child to help you fetch his favorite wine, of course!"

Miva Yennet proudly tapped her chest as she spoke.

'Well, shit.'

Lu frowned. Maybe hiding on top of and under the huge liquor cabinet wasn't the best idea.