Chapter 52: Ulysses

Isabella and I spent the next nine days at the mansion.

Just as Alice had said, Tyranus never sent for us. We began pouring over as many books as possible to find out about my father in the meantime.

After all, we had quite the case to form against Tyranus.

Several times, we tried to leave the estate to speak with Sir Gordon, but we were told to stay nearby. Within the mansion, to be specific.

Isabella and I might as well have been trapped here.

At the same time, the maids of this mansion continued to try and seduce me. At times using...rather extreme methods. They tried repeatedly to humiliate Isabella.

Threatening them and also covering for her was the most effective tactic that I had.

At times, I could turn a devastating situation into something wonderfully romantic. I used this tactic often as it had a special effect on Isabella.

She was more attached to me than ever now.

If she was cuddly before, now she refused to take her hands off of me.

At the family dinners every night, they decided it would be best if they just let Isabella sit at the table. If they didn't, I would continue to cause a scene.

They tried to poison her, though.

I used 'Enemy Detection' and found that the food itself was highlighted.

Only Isabella's plate, however.

I caused a scene that night and it hadn't happened since.

Tyranus would only occasionally show up to the family dinners and we hadn't spoken since the first one we attended.

Alice would also come by to speak with me at times as well.

Her marriage with Tyranus wasn't a happy one at all. She seduced him as a maid to gain status and it worked. But Tyranus only married her in name only. He had no real love for her.

Instead, he would often allow himself to be surrounded by his personal maids and Alice had to compete with women that had no actual relationship with Tyranus.

She sought love and affection...and she turned to me.

Unfortunately for her, I was already taken. I denied her several times over and the advances had become tiring.

On another subject, Amelia had been going back and forth between Sir Gordon and the two of us.

She told us that they were beginning to suspect that they might be in terrible danger.

Among other things, a communication crystal was brought to maintain frequent contact with Albatross. As nice as they were, they were extremely difficult to make and often only carried by nations leaders. Also, not every country had one.

Kalsa, for example, was one such country.

Amelia told us, however, that for some reason the crystal wasn't working at all when trying to contact Albatross.

Sir Gordon believed that it was being interfered with somehow.

As we dealt with these issues, I maintained relations with Lamarr, one of my cousins.

Lamarr was an idiot and somewhat incompetent. But, he was useful enough for sneaking around because no one suspected him.

Through him, we were able to acquire a few old letters regarding my father.

The letters, unfortunately, contained no real information on why he was sent to Lorelei. They were mostly about the war effort twenty years ago, family finances, and also letters from friends about trivial things.

Apparently, he tried very hard to maintain good relationships with his friends that lived outside of Noir. A real family man.

It was as if all the information on Ulysses that had anything to do with his exile had completely vanished.

We felt like we were at the end of the road.

Isabella and I sat down on the bed in our room in the middle of the day.

"What are we doing wrong here? Why can't we make any progress?" I asked.

Isabella remained silent.

"Maybe we're not reading in between the lines...? Are we missing something?" I asked.

"Do you think that Ulysses knew he was being targeted for something?" Isabella said.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"Well, remember what Amelia said a while ago? Waldo was found dead sometime before Ulysses was assigned to Lorelei. He might have known something," Isabella said.

"Is it possible that he might've made a note about it? Written a journal?" I said.

"Yes, it's possible. Likely, actually. But where would he have kept such a thing? If he had secret notes and a journal with dangerous information in it, where are they?" Isabella asked.

We both thought for a while about it.

"Wait, Mizik, didn't you tell me a long time ago that you found the documents behind the bookcase in your house in Lorelei? Was that all there was back there? I didn't look, myself and I'm not sure if Walter did, either."

"I checked thoroughly and that was it. A small box that had the documents in it," I said.

"Do you think he could have left anything in his satchel? Have you looked through it all the way?" She asked me.

"Of course I...no, actually. Now that I think about it, I never took the time to read through everything and sort through his stuff. It felt too personal. Like I was invading his privacy..." I said.

I felt like an idiot right now.

Isabella must have sensed this and placed a hand on my shoulder. She smiled at me.

"Well, now seems like a perfect time, right?" She said.

I returned her smile and pulled out the satchel. I used the old key to unlock it and dumped the contents onto the bed.

Among things like Aria's nametag, there were several letters, a few documents, some old jewelry, and a small stack of coupons tied together using string. All expired, of course.

Isabella was confused on why he kept such things in his satchel, but ultimately ignored it.

We sorted through everything and began reading the letters and documents.

These were much more recent.

A few of the letters were some very steamy love notes that were addressed to Karia, my mother. And some were notes from her to him.

Isabella was currently reading a letter sent from my mother to Ulysses and...

Her face was bright red.

"M-Mizik...is it just me or was your mother a huge pervert?" She asked.

"Don't ask me. I never got to know her. But from these letters, the two of them must have been very deeply in love," I said.

"That's...from where I'm sitting, a heavy understatement... Perhaps I could learn a thing or two from her..." Isabella said.

"D-don't let her influence you too much..." I stammered.

"Why not? I think you would probably enjoy some of the things written here if I tried them on you!" Isabella said proudly.

Her face was still red, though.

I reached for the letters, but Isabella snatched them away and put them in her inventory.

"Hang on! Those belong in my father's satchel!" I said quickly.

"Don't worry, I'll keep them safe. I'll return them once I memorize them..." Isabella said.

I think I might have corrupted you in some way. And now my mother will, too...

"As long as you give it back later... I never got to know my mother, so I'd like to read those letters."

"Mizik, those were probably the lewdest things I've ever read. I feel sort of dirty after having read them. I don't think you'll get to know her through those..." Isabella said.

"Well put," I said simply.

I didn't need to read those letters, anyway...

Eventually, we began finding some more important letters in the pile.

I opened one up and read it.

Dear Ulysses,

It pains me to learn that your brother Waldo has passed away. He was a good man, even if he was involved with so many women. Although, I can't help but believe he may have passed before his time.

You mentioned your nephew Tyranus being somewhat suspicious, yes?

If possible, I think you should look into this.

I should also mention that the Emperor here is becoming increasingly hard to speak to. He often outright refuses to listen to my advice.

I worry that he is losing himself at this point.

His actions seem to reflect a man that is just doing as he's told.

What is this country becoming?

Sincerely, your faithful friend, Imperial Advisor Jaques.

My father was friends with the advisor to the Emperor of Kalsa?

I found it quite interesting and read another letter.

Dear Ulysses,

It's me again, as you already know.

Your nephew Tyranus is quite the lad, isn't he? Waldo certainly had a talented son before he passed.

I heard that he has been chosen to wield Justice. He will make a fine wielder for that blade. Although, if I were you, I would keep an eye on him.

He was here a short while ago and he seemed very much aware that I was watching him.

For someone so young, he gives me the creeps.

In fact, the Emperor seemed all too eager to receive him. Tyranus even did a fine job at giving the Emperor advice on several political matters.

If I didn't know better, I'd say my use might come to an end, soon.

I'll try to keep in touch with you, Ulysses, but you really must stop asking so many dangerous questions. The corruption in this country runs quite deep, yes, but you can't fix everything.

You're an astounding warrior, Ulysses, and a good man. You have a loving and caring heart. Please just try to relax.

Sincerely, your faithful friend, Imperial Advisor Jaques.

These letters seemed to tell a story.

Both of them mentioned Tyranus as well.

There was one more letter to read in this particular stack. This letter was two pages worth of script.

Dear Ulysses,

I will try my best to be blunt and honest with you. I fully believe that my life is in danger and I'm sure that yours is as well.

That damn nephew of yours, Tyranus, is a monster. Why did such a good boy turn out so badly? How long ago was it that I held him in my arms? Comforted him when he cried?

I'm an old man, but it doesn't feel like long.

The Emperor has accused me of conspiracy and might be planning my execution. I'm writing this letter to urgently warn you.

Tyranus might be planning to have you removed. You ask far too many questions and you won't stop fishing for the underground guild.

I believe that the Emperor is part of that very guild. And I overheard Tyranus speaking to the King about having you sent to Albatross.

What are they thinking!? You could very well die over there! And you're the Duke of Noir! They can't exile you! And that's what it is! Exile!

They want you out of the way so that Tyranus can take the head of the household from you.

The joke's on him, though. His heart is full of darkness. Even if he has adopted the Justice philosophy of his sword, he is an evil man. The sacred skill will never be his.

Truthfully, I believe that the only reason that they can't just kill you is that they are unable to. They might be hoping that you just die down there.

I am running out of time and paper here, so I'll wrap this up.

I believe that this is the last letter I'll ever send to you. Get your things in order. Hide what you can, and take your valuables.

They will be sending you to Albatross soon and it is unlikely that you will ever return.

I recommend that you make a new life for yourself. Maybe you can negotiate with them? Perhaps they'll send you money to cover up their treachery. You know, pretend like they mean for you to return someday? At least you won't have to work to death like a commoner.

And by the gods, get yourself a wife! Have some children! You know I always wanted to see the faces of my best friend's kids, right? And yes, I know about the Iratus breeding process. But honestly, who cares? Go on and have a kid, Ulysses. That'll show 'em!

It's been fun. But I'm out of space. Don't forget about me, okay?

Sincerely, your friend, Jaques.

"It was a conspiracy. They wanted my father out of the way for something."

"But what could it have been? Is there anything indicating what it was?" Isabella asked.

"It mentions the Underground Guild, but I barely know anything about them. Who they are or if they even exist," I said.

"The underground guild is an organization that spans several countries and deals in highly illegal business. Officially, it doesn't exist. They mostly deal in things like human trafficking, prostitution, illegal fighting, political manipulation, and the black market," Isabella explained.

"Wait...the Underground Guild is real? Wasn't there something about..."

"The permanant martial law of Albatross? Yes. They were the reason for that. Several nobles were found to have ties to them and my grandfather did everything he could to free Albatross. He may have been greedy, but he still loved his people."

"I see...but they exist here too. And what do you think about their involvement with my father?"

"Well, the letter says enough, my love. Ulysses might have been trying to expose the guild in Kalsa."

"...I guess that explains the conspiracy. The government of this country is undoubtedly involved..." I said.

"Most definitely. Hmm...did your father keep a journal?" Isabella said.

"I don't know. I never saw him writing in one. There wasn't one in the satchel, either."

We were stumped. We knew what probably happened, but we didn't know the specifics or the real reasons...

Furthermore, it almost seemed like Tyranus was giving the Emperor of Kalsa orders.

Could Tyranus actually be running the entire country through the Emperor?

It made sense...

After a few more minutes, we began to put everything back into the satchel.

As I began picking up the coupons, Isabella stopped me.

"Hey Mizik...these coupons seem weird. They all have words circled on them."

I looked at it and it was just a coupon for a free meal at a local tavern. Although it had the word 'to' circled for some reason.

I looked at the other coupons and found them to be the same.

All coupons for different establishments with certain words circled.

"That's weird...why would that be?" I said.

But she didn't respond immediately. She picked up a few and looked at them.

"I see. They have numbers written on them along with circled words. There might be a message here. Would you mind helping me arrange them in the correct order?"

"Sure. Let's give it a shot."

For the next few minutes, we worked diligently to uncover a message on the coupons.

It was as followed:

"If you are reading this and you know me go to my office and use key for bag on desk"

"Well...now we just need to find his office. Unfortunately, it's possible that Tyranus could be using it. We might have to wait until the right time," Isabella said.

"Should we wait until after dark, or until Tyranus leaves?" I asked.

"If we wait until he leaves, we might be here a while. It might be dangerous, but let's try to go at night," Isabella said.

"Tonight?"

"Let's wait until tomorrow. I have an idea that might involve a few maids..." Isabella said.

Oh great...

We packed up the satchel and I made sure to lock it before placing it back in my inventory.

* * *

Later that night after dinner, Alice came to our room.

"Mizik, I was wondering if I might petition you to...keep me company tonight... Nothing sexual, just...you know...maybe I could sleep next to you?" She said.

"I'm not interested, Alice. I have enough going on already," I said bluntly.

"Tyranus doesn't care about me at all... But you two seem so happy together. I don't mind sharing if it means you'll love me the way you love her..." Alice said.

As a man, it was a tempting proposition.

However, I didn't even want to consider it.

"Mizik belongs to me, Alice. That's final. Why don't you go bother someone like Lamarr?" Isabella said.

"Lamarr is an idiot. He's also only interested in sex just like Tyranus and his father Waldo. I can't live that way anymore... I don't just want to compete for affection for the rest of my life..." She said sadly.

"Won't you be competing with Isabella?" I asked.

"Probably, but if it's just us two, I can live with it. Please, Mizik...I can divorce Tyranus at any moment. I'll run away with you! I love you!" Alice stated.

This woman was about ten years older than me and she was confessing her undying love for me.

"How can I tell you no in the nicest way possible?" I asked. "Isabella will not share me with anyone else. That is her final decision on the matter. And besides that, I love her too much to divert attention away from her. I'm sorry, Alice, but you'll have to find someone else. Either that or convince Tyranus to stop being a degenerate."

Alice looked completely dejected by my words. She turned and left immediately.

After she did, we locked the doors and laid down in bed.

"I thought she'd never leave..." Isabella said. "I'm so tired of all these girls coming after you that it makes me want to scream."

"I know, but I really just feel sorry for her at this point. She realized too late that Tyranus is a garbage heap," I said.

"Understandable...but still, it was her decision," Isabella said.

"Agreed. Now then...let's discuss our plans," I said.

Isabella smiled as she looked at me.