I walked to the Red light district with Millie and Bertram following behind me. I led them to an alley where I waited for my contact to arrive.

Millie glanced at me, "So just what exactly are we doing here?"

I answered casually, "I had to ask my birdies about a personal vendetta."

Millie tilted her head, "A personal vendetta?"

I was about to explain when someone snuck out of the shadows wearing all black. Bertram had experienced these alley meetings with the birdies before, but he still tensed up at the mans sudden appearance. The man in black silently nodded at me and I nodded back. He handed me a thick file and I exchanged it with a large bag of gold. The man felt the purse of money, nodded, then disappeared into the shadows once more.

Millie glanced down at the file, "What was that about?"

I looked down at the file with an eerie smile. I turned back to look at the clueless Bertram and Millie. I smiled, "I think we ought to go shopping for a new attire. My treat of course."

________

We traveled in the carriage as I held my head out the window trying to breathe in the crisp cold air. Millie sat beside me with a serene expression in a light blue floral dress with a dark blue shawl. The fabric was clearly expensive and the dress itself was hand tailored specifically for the wearer.

Next to her, I wore a dark black dress with red lace. It had a high collar with long sleeves to hide my many scars. On top of my dress was the expensive pearl necklace I was given years ago. However, the pearls had yet to lose their splendor. My dress was also obviously expensive and frivolous like Millie's, but unlike hers, mine was far darker and gave me the appearance of a mysterious countess.

Bertram, who sat across from us, had an equally expensive tuxedo and a top hat. He looked like an upstanding individual. Unlike Millie and I, he looked entirely uncomfortable in it. He fiddled with his collar while making a disagreeable face.

Millie tugged on my sleeve gently, "Seri. You should not stick your head out of the window. You will mess up the hair Lona worked so hard on."

I sat back in my seat and pursed my lips, "But fresh air makes me feel less queasy."

Millie giggled while fixing the curls that were worked so hard on so that they wouldn't flip up at the end. I closed my eyes as I tried to ignore the bumps on the road.

Bertram cleared his throat, "So why am I in this intolerable outfit? Couldn't I have just worn what I usually do?"

I sighed, "No Bertram. You must look the part."

"And what part is that?"

Millie nodded, "I am also confused Seri. What exactly are we doing dressed like this?"

I pulled out a black fan with red flowers embroidered on it. I fanned myself trying feel fresh air on my face. I spoke, "Well I am meeting with a very important individual. He believes that we are a rich donor who wishes to speak with him about a coal mine he would like to open up. So, we have to play the part. You two will pose as my servants and follow me closely."

I paused as I saw the magnificent house ten times the size as the one I grew up in. As we pulled up to the mansion, we stopped in front of the gate for the servants to open them. Millie's eyes widened in surprise, "Marquis Blythe?"

Bertram was also surprised to find himself pulling up to a house belonging to such an high profile person in society. He managed to mutter out, "Why are we here?"

I stuffed the file under the seat as I continued, "We are here because I have other intentions."

Millie looked at me, "Such as?"

I went to explain, but the driver cut me off. "We are here ma'am."

I nodded and looked at the two, "You will understand shortly." I paused and looked at Millie carefully, "Are you carrying those weapons from Charles?"

Millie's smile faltered as she glanced at me in surprise, "Oh, I-"

I nodded, "Good. Keep them close."

Millie surveyed me closely to make sure I was serious. Then, when she determined I was, a chilling smile crossed her face. She gave a nod and unconsciously touched her sleeve. Under it was thin needles laced with sedatives ready to be thrown.

The servant came to the carriage door and opened it. He held out his hand, "Madam Winea."

I nodded at him and held on to his hand as he helped me out of the carriage. As I walked, I remembered to hold myself properly even though it irritated me greatly. I hated acting like a rich snob. Millie and Bertram soon followed after me. As I walked to the front door, the servants all stood to the side bowing in a theatrical fashion.

Wow. He is really going all out for this, isn't he?

I was brought into the house and led to an exquisite room. Paintings from well known artists lined to walls. There were dark red rugs and furniture that had golden trim that looked far too expensive to even sit on, let alone look at. I tried not to show my awe while I silently added up just how much everything in this room would cost.

The servant leading me motioned to a seat, "Please sit here ma'am. I will bring you some tea. The Marquis will be with you shortly."

I nodded at him, "Please do so. Thank you."

Millie and Bertram stood behind me protectively. Soon, the Marquis entered. He was an elderly man who still held himself like he was young. He had grey short hair that was slicked back, a mustache that only a person of his era could love, and he wore a grey suit fully displaying his wealth. He was a distinguished man who reminded me too much of my mother.

I stood up as he beamed at me, "Madam Winea. Pleased to meet you."

I smiled back at him and curtsied appropriately, "Marquis Blythe. It's an honor to finally meet you."

He motioned to my seat, "Please sit." I nodded and respectfully sat. He sat down across from me, "I hope you find everything to your expectation."

I gave him an elegant nod, "Of course. Your house is simply lovely. Now I know your excellent reputation is well founded."

He chuckled and waved his hand, "Oh, please. My home is just a humble place. If there is anything you would like, please let me know. I will do my best to serve you."

I refrained from smirking. Humble? This is anything but humble.

The servant knocked on the door and the Marquis called them in. The servant entered carrying a tray. They placed it on a table and began to prepare the tea for me. I nodded at her as I politely as I took the cup from her hands. I sipped on it politely.

The Marquis began speaking, "Now if you do not mind, perhaps we can start with the business of the evening."

I nodded, "We shall. I was just looking over the documents you gave to me before I arrived. Quite impressive, I do believe."

He chuckled arrogantly, "Yes. My coal mine will undoubtedly bring in large amounts of money. I purchased the land sometime back and found it was teeming with coal just waiting to be exploited."

A thin smile crossed my face, "I am surprised that no one had found it sooner."

He nodded, "Yes, well. I have always been a lucky person. So finding such a thing was not that surprising."

I swirled my tea as I continued to look into his eyes. I spoke in a level voice, "Yes, well this location seems to have many benefits. I noticed that it just so happened to be situated on the Lufane Kingdom's border. I have a feeling that you would be bringing back much more than coal."

His casual appearance quickly disappeared when he heard this last line. His expression turned dark, "And just what are you insinuating?"

I smiled softly, "Insinuating? No. I am not insinuating anything. I am merely stating the facts. The border is usually well protected along the Lufane territory because of the sensitive feelings our nations have for each other. People with malintent would pay large amounts of money in order to sneak across the border. A coal mine in this location would provide the perfect cover for smuggling said people across. I wonder... Just what kind of punishment there would be for smuggling people like that over... Bertram?"

"Death due to high treason." Bertram answered. His ominous voice echoed off the walls.

The Marquis jumped to his feet feeling incredibly insulted. "How dare you! How dare you accuse me of such a thing! I am a Marquis! You dare threaten me?"

I continued to smile, "Threaten you? Oh. It is less of a threat as it is a promise."

His face turned red from anger. Feeling like he had been backed into a corner and his plans revealed; he shouted, "Guards!"

I looked down at the black tea which reflected my calm expression. I clicked my tongue and shook my head, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The guards burst in and he pointed, "Kill them! They dared threaten a Marquis!"

They pulled out their swords and I sighed, "Millie? Be a doll and take care of this for me."

Millie giggled and suddenly produced small needles between her fingers. A chilling smile mixed with insanity and exhilaration crossed her face, "My pleasure."

Before the guards could charge at us, Millie flicked her wrists as she maintained her chilling smile. Small needles pierced their clothes and stuck into their skin. Hitting right above the heart. They took a few steps and immediately felt their legs grow numb. They suddenly collapsed without ever having taken more than a few steps.

The Marquis froze as he looked down at his collapsed guards who were hired due to their impeccable skills. Millie giggled as she explained to the confused Marquis, "It is my personal creation. It's a sedative so strong that injection close to the heart will cause a person to collapse within taking two steps. Lovely, isn't it?"

I nodded at Millie and then turned back to the Marquis, "If you please, Marquis."

I motioned to the seat across from me. Shocked by the sudden scene, he stumbled back to his seat. He was so horrified that he had never even seen the needles fly through the air. Bertram went to the door and shut it. He stood in front with a terrifying expression.

The Marquis managed to gain control of his fear. He looked at me with eyes full of hatred. He spat out, "What do you want."

I put the tea down and spoke softly, "I am surprised you do not recognize me. Granted, you have never visited me before during my entire life, so I suppose that is to be expected. However, I do feel as though I share enough resemblance to my mother that you should have recognized me immediately."

Hearing this, he looked at me closely. His face paled, "No... It can't be..."

I bowed slightly, "It is nice to finally meet you."

A sinister grin spread across my face.

"Grandfather."