Another Bargain

Auch's opulent villa, North Grovebourne, the capital of commerce–Aedenstile, Kingdom of Regoria.

Inside an equally luxurious hall, Stella Auch was sitting at the huge shining black instrument. Her dainty fingers flew over the keys like swallows darting in the pond for fish. A complex yet enchanting, and serene melody that could enthrall anyone, rippled–A shame, that the only audience she assembled was her maid.

As the tune ended, her maid Lily, passed a thin towel to the lady.

Lily seemed slightly vexed despite hearing such a captivating song, she reminded Stella, "Lady Stella, Madam Auch wishes for you to attend the tea party in the afternoon with the Countess, Countess Mary."

Stella wiped the few droplets of sweat from her face as she listened to the maid. She craned her head with a slight smile,

"Oh, my sweet mother is already planning to sell me away?" She sneered.

Lily lowered her head and didn't answer. It was not her place to comment.

Generally, noble ladies in the Kingdom of Regoria were married off within the age group of 18-22. As such, Stella still had a few years before she was forced to marry and bear children.

Stella gently kneaded her temples.

"Tell my dear mother…" Her voice was laced with mockery, "…that I am on periods and also have stomach cramps. Please, get her to convey my apologies to the countess."

Lily apprehensively reminded, "But miss, the last time Madam Auch invited you for a tea party with Viscountess Bella, you had given the same excuse."

"So?" Stella raised an eyebrow.

"It was just a week ago… How can you... you know for two weeks straight..." Lily's voice trailed off as she blushed.

Stella froze for a moment.

Regaining her composure, she coughed a little to ease the embarrassment.

"No problem. Perhaps my body is undergoing some changes since I am still in my teenage years."

If she still doesn't believe me, I'd just spread some ketchup over my bed sheets… She thought as she tapped her chin.

Lily added: "Miss, you are 19."

Stella gave a stink eye to Lilly, who quickly zipped her mouth and hurried over to convey her lady's message.

Stella stood up and weaved her way back to her bedroom in a slightly annoyed mood. Once she reached her destination, she slouched on the bed and stared at the ceiling blankly.

"Hmph, why did father have to remarry after mom died?" She couldn't help but mumble her dissatisfaction as a deep frown marred her beautiful face.

"I always thought he used to love her… but when she got Polluted… He bared his true nature and discarded her with no remorse... Haah~"

"Not to mention, his liberal beliefs have been distorting ever since, she came into our house…"

Letting out a breath of turbid air, she calmed herself.

I won't let anyone else decide my future! Her sapphire blue eyes shined with an enigmatic glint.

Knock! Knock!

She woke up from her stupor as she stood up and tidied her clothes before opening the door. She saw an ordinary-looking girl in a coffee-colored maid outfit standing with a tray of assortments.

"Madam Auch has sent some of your favorite pastries, Miss Stella." The maid paused as her smile grew more extensive, "She asked me to wish you good health on her behalf!"

Stella was surprised. With surprise, various emotions like bewilderment, perplexity, and puzzlement washed over her face.

Wish me good health? What happened to her? That dear mother of mine who is always planning a wedding for me with a stronger noble house has suddenly started showing affection for me. How is that possible? Is this some trick of hers? That must be it!!

She quickly concluded her thoughts as she forced a smile.

"Please." She feigned happiness as she gestured for the maid to place the snacks in her room.

The maid laid out the few pastries and brewed a cup of iced tea on the small table in the corner of the room.

"Madam Auch said, iced tea helps in digestion." Saying so, the maid bowed respectfully.

"Please, thank her on my behalf."

The maid nodded and walked out with a smile on her face.

As soon as the maid stepped out, number 11 appeared deep in her pupils.

"Three Order 4… Just why does a child of a Viscount have this much protection? Luckily, they seem to have given her some sort of privacy. If not, I would've relegated this mission" Oddly, the maid muttered in a masculine voice.

As long as I touch her or threaten her in any way, they would spring into action and stall for time before Hounds of Tempest arrives… Tch! I have to wait for an opportunity. The maid clicked her tongue and grumbled inwardly.

The maid was none other than Cole.

He Bargained for the identity of a servant of Viscount Auch's manor and so became a maid.

Cole lowered his head as two mounds of flesh appeared in his vision. He blushed furiously.

Dammit! I should've Bargained for the identity of Butler! This was my first time using my newfound powers... If only I knew, I could even Bargain for the identity of a female, I would not have made such a foolish decision! Cole chewed his lips in frustration as he slowly calmed his agitated nerves.

Unless he doesn't overstep his boundaries and break his character, even an Order 5 would have trouble noticing him.

As such, it was very easy for him to infiltrate any establishment unless it held powerhouses with great disparity in their strength or sacred areas where the gaze of Gods beheld.

As 24 mentioned, his powers have evolved into something bizarre ever since he stepped into the realm of Order 3 Sorcerers. And Cole used his abilities to the fullest as he planned to increase his rank further and execute his plans–but for that to happen, he needs to keep honing his skills to perfection and go through his 4th Baptization to reach Order 4 and beyond...

I should take this opportunity to study my target and bid my time. Also, the iced tea here seems to be of much higher quality…Hehe, this is not stealing but compensation from my employee. Cole shook his head and laughed awkwardly while justifying his actions.

He moved throughout the manor as if he owned it, but weirdly nobody seemed to find anything suspicious with the maid in the coffee-colored outfit.

Cole clenched his fist as he felt the power of Deception coursing through his veins. He had to accept it; the feeling of invisibility was something that greatly exhilarated him.

Not to mention, Bargaining an identity that could change his life unless he broke the spell willingly or someone stronger than him forces him to reveal himself, was a power that could break the game. It has its limits and other Sorcerers were equally peculiar once their powers evolved.

Thinking about his invisibleness, a rare wry smile appeared on his lips.

An image of a girl clothed in white with pure white eyes–even her pupils were white, emerged in his mind.

That girl's eyes were unique… He frowned.

Cole didn't know how she was able to see him, or why? But one thing he was sure of–that girl would be dangerous to him if let her live and advance her ranks… His eyes turned cold.

If she breaks through Order 5, I'd be finished since from what I've heard Order 5 is one of the breakthrough realms for Light remnants where the powers of a Light Sorcerer mature exponentially… With these thoughts colliding in his head he stumbled upon a scene of a maid bowing deeply to a woman in an extravagant green dress.

In a lush garden, the middle-aged lady was sitting at the table with a fan in her hand. She had a displeased expression on her face. But Cole could sense what others couldn't.

A deep malice–hidden beneath those brown orbs of hers.

It was an instinct and nothing more. It was similar to how one doesn't dare to put their hand in a heated pan even if it looked harmless.

"Please forgive me, Madam." Lily seemed to have a fearful expression as if she was a twig thrown in the middle of a storm.

"Leave." Helen Auch waved her off as Lily hurriedly left.

"Haha… let's not fret over trivial things, Helen!" Another middle-aged lady, who was dressed even more luxuriously than Helen chuckled lightly.

Helen squeezed out a smile, "No worries, I'll make sure to bring her over to the eco-friendly event that the authorities are organizing. It would be a refreshing event for the children to mingle..."

Eco-friendly? These nobles are really two-faced… Even, I am not such a shameless person! Cole's face cramped a little in embarrassment.

"Sure, sure. By the way, I heard Duke Abraham is one of the main organizers and he'd be arriving…"

Cole froze for a moment.

Then with stiff steps, he vanished into Auch's villa.