The morning sun pierced through the windows, heralding to him the start of a new day. Waking up at the capital city’s finest inn was an experience like no other.
Meals made by chefs blessed with Talents greeted him every day, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Attendants who nearly rivaled him in looks served him every second of the hour. The rooms gave the illusion of a portable manor, with its velvet curtains, hanging chandelier, and intricate golden trims.
And yet, it still wasn’t grand enough to be considered truly upper class. Not in Sergio’s eyes, at least.
Having chosen the most expensive option of rooms, he wasn’t all that impressed. Compared to other countries he had visited, Setus was relatively smaller in scale, only by a slight margin.
Getting off the side of the bed, he stretched slightly to start his personal morning routine. It was a simple and short schedule.
Still shirtless, he walked to the full-length mirror placed beside his wardrobe. Meeting his gaze on the other side of that piece of glass was a gentle, caring gaze that could soothe and calm the hearts of thousands.
Beyond those eyes, his jet black hair was as lustrous as ever. A small smile crept on his face as he held his chin. He turned his head from side to side, eyeing every single detail of his skin.
And just like yesterday, and the hundreds of days before, he was relieved to find nothing had changed. It had never changed, he had worked hard to made sure of that, but he still checked.
“Perfect as ever,” he said, rubbing a thumb along his jawline.
He spent a couple more minutes in front of the mirror, making sure every surface of his skin, every pore, every hair follicle, all of them were perfect.
He reluctantly turned away from the mirror, instead focusing his gaze on the expansive wardrobe next to it.
Opening it, he was greeted with dozens of options. From black suits meant for upper class gatherings, to casual clothes that would fit a small-time town merchant. Each piece of clothing inside had been chosen with care.
Today, however, he decided to wear something in between. A comfortable suit with neutral tones all around, the type of clothing popular with upper-to-middle-class citizens of the capital. Sharp enough to look immaculate, but soft enough to melt into the background.
It didn’t take long for him to get used to the feel of the fabric on his skin. Cleaning up any imperfections in front of the mirror, he was ready to set out in a few minutes flat. Updates are released by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚑𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚑𝙣𝙚𝙩
After wearing his stylish yet functional footwear, he stepped outside into the decorated halls of the inn. Walking down the carpeted corridor, he passed by an attendant wearing a maid outfit designed more for appeal than functionality.
The attendant, like so many before her, lit up the moment she saw him. “Good morning, Sir Nicholas.” She bowed.
“Morning to you, as well,” Sergio said with a warm smile.
“Are you heading out, Sir Nicholas?” she asked.
“Of course!” he said, his voice seemingly filled with excitement. “It may have been a week, but I haven’t found myself bored of the sights in the city.”
“I am very glad to hear that,” she said, giving a small nod. “Are you sure you wouldn’t reconsider our carriage offer? Our staff are more than prepared to give you a tour around the capital.” There was a small pause before she continued. “Perhaps if not by carriage, I could be your guide?”
A small blush was forming on her cheeks. It didn’t escape Sergio’s notice.
His smile widened slightly. Not from her smile, not from her blush, but from knowing that his looks were still as reliable as ever.
“Oh, no, no, no. That’s alright.” Sergio waved his hands, rejecting her offer as warmly as possible. “That’s mighty kind of you, but… I prefer taking things at my own pace.”
“I see…” Her words trailed off, almost disappointed. But then her smile returned. “Very well, please enjoy your walk, Sir Nicholas.”
The maid bowed one last time before she reluctantly shifted her gaze to the corridor before her.
Walking past her, Sergio adjusted his suit’s collar before descending the stairs, past the lobby, and into the streets.
He thought about what to do. What places should he visit next?
There was no need to rush. The game was already in motion. He just had to wait for it to play itself out.
Walking aimlessly, Sergio eventually came across a modest cafe tucked between buildings. It looked relatively empty, either it was because of its quality or the time of day, he didn’t care. It looked relaxing enough.
He stepped in. The bell chimed politely overhead.
A waiter noticed him at once. “Welcome, sir,” he said, offering a menu with both hands.
Sergio returned the smile with his own and took the menu with a nod. “Why, thank you.”
He made his way to a window seat, brushing off the chair quietly of its dust before settling in.
He held the menu in front of him, arms resting on the table. He didn’t look at the menu. Instead, his mind began to wander. The sunlight was warm and calming, giving him a good moment to think.
His progress so far had been uninterrupted. Everything was going according to plan. Others would probably gain suspicion if things went this well without any hiccups, but not Sergio. This was a recurring thing for him.
He closed his eyes, focusing his mind on the goal of this operation.
The sole future heir of the Sareid dukedom. A prodigy with swords, dance, and literature.
He had seen himself how she carried herself, how she attended her rigid and packed schedule of lessons. He saw her as a professional, elegant, no-nonsense girl who would do everything to live up to her role as the one and only heir of her family.
And that was a blessing in disguise… for him.
Those words followed her like a shadow, fitting her like a second name. All it needed was a little twist, and it all could easily be… misunderstood.
Now all he needed to do was to wait for him to strike.
This plan hinges on whether or not he would have the guts to turn on his own master. But Sergio was sure that he would. After all, resentment was an emotion that flared so easily. But even if it didn’t, there were still many options available to him.
When the waiter returned, Sergio offered a warm smile, flipping the menu open with a hint of hesitation.
“I’ll have the herb-butter toast,” he said, voice gentle, almost sheepish. “And… a glass of your house wine, please.”
The waiter gave a pleased nod. “Excellent choice, sir.” He jotted down his notes before walking off.
Sergio settled into his seat once more, placing his hands over his lap, interlacing his fingers.
The cafe itself was plain, but it was cozy and quiet. The food would be forgettable at best. But at least Sergio could anticipate the wine.
The wine was the only thing that ever stood out in Setus, to him at least.
No doubt, he’d be celebrating with a bottle or two once this job was over.
And it will be over pretty soon.