Simone had a bright blush across her face during the second encounter in the dining room for the evening. She might have joked that he liked her but Simone had no dating experience outside of Jerome and that had gone bad.

“I’m… Fine… Are you fine?” The tone of the room dramatically changed because now they were in an awkward position having been so close to each other. She could smell his cologne and it wasn’t a smell she disliked at all.

Silva seemed proud of herself but watched as a very shy Simone finished her dinner and practically ran out of the room. For how straightforward she appeared Simone was Silva’s greatest obstacle. The day after next was when she would be leaving the residence and she spent the next day packing up.

Silva knocked on Lewis’s study, “Are you sure you must be in a hurry?”

“Oh…” Simone looked at Lewis with a weak smile. “I need to return to the duchy. I’ve been away for far too long at this point.” Silva grew to really like the girl and how responsible she was.

“Take care of yourself,” Silva gave a stern word and Simone chuckled.

“I’ll be fine.” Llywellyn came to get her and loaded her up in a carriage this time. “Make sure she gets home. I have to go back to Sulwal.” At least she wouldn’t have to deal with his nagging. Simone opened the curtain and waved to everyone. Silva looked sad she was leaving as well as Henry.

Getting things back in order in the duchy didn’t take long at all. A few days of her being home and everything was set right.

–

The night of the gathering came and a black carriage rode up to the large castle. The meeting places changed and the black carriage got the attention of everyone. She stepped out of the carriage in a blue ball gown. Her hair was black as night but her eyes were bright blue. She wore a black feathered mask. Elegant and sophisticated most of the men were eager to get her opinion.

She had been attending these things for the last four years but had been missing recently. “Lady Azure has arrived.” She took her place for the meeting.

This was an information network and she had infiltrated it without her real identity being given away just by how good her suggestions had been at parties. Attending as Lady Azure most assumed she was some nobleman’s wife… but in reality, it was the young unwed duchess to be.

The awkwardness of the dinner never really went away for the rest of the time Simone stayed with them. In the end, nothing of consequence came of it. Despite Sylva’s insistence, Simone gave her farewells, and left without much fuss. The next few days were filled with a lonely sort of atmosphere.

“My lord,” Sylva said with a small sigh. “I do worry that you’ll end up an heirless man…”

“That’s a very eloquent way of putting it,” Lewis replied as he looked up from his desk. “Why bring this up?” He seemed almost oblivious.

“Oh…no reason,” she replied quickly. Sylva wasn’t one to push the notion of love onto someone who couldn’t recognize it. After all, this wasn’t one of her romance novels.

Things just didn’t happen like that in reality.

—

The night of the gathering started off as usual. A boring roll call of those in attendance…and for the first time in a few weeks, the Lady of Azure had arrived to take her place in her usual spot. While she wasn’t the sole source of information, she was perhaps one of the top informants of the group. Second, of course, to a certain king of the shadows.

“Lady Azure….what a pleasure to see you again,” Lewis stated with a smile. Of course, she couldn’t see it underneath the mask of the White Raven. There was something….familiar about her. But, of course, they had met before on several occasions to exchange information…but this felt almost different.

“Perhaps we should catch up over a glass of wine after the meet…”

Simone was fanning herself. Compared to her usual self she looked more like a spoiled princess. Gems, minerals, and anything else to decorate her. Even her eyes had gold flakes. She hid her real identity well. “I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to attend. Business in the south has been rough~” She wasn’t lying about it being rough but Simone herself had no ties to the south but Lady Azure did using Avery’s trade routes as cover.

“A glass of wine with the lovely White Raven? I wouldn’t dare to decline.” He always asked her for a glass of wine so they could share information and stories. “You must have been so lonely without my presence. I know these meetings drag on when you aren’t here.” Of course, now Simone knew what the White Raven actually looked like and she was having a hard time not blushing. Thankfully her mask was keeping her hidden.

She was a strong study and full of resources as she always was fair in her prices. The only time she wasn’t was when it was information that could go sour quickly. If one paid attention, she was quite good at turning attention away from Auclair. Keeping her own status hidden from the world.

Once her and the White Raven caught up he escorted her out with her arm in his. “I’m looking forward to our next meeting White Raven. Maybe bring some of that wine you mentioned? The sweet one.” She was put up into the carriage but it was the driver of the carriage who would look familiar.

She took off the mask and tossed it on the seat. “Head to the area Avery,” she opened the little window and Avery nodded. They got to a remote area and Avery hung up a sheet while handing over a plain dress. Simone was tossing stuff over the sheet. “This is a pain in the ass every time.” She put her jewelry away in a box and Avery was pulling away the magic on the carriage.

“Yeah, but it helps you so…” Avery shrugs.

She washed off the makeup. “I can’t stand dolling myself up for no reason at all…”

“It hides who you are well enough,” Avery handed her a towel. “Any more developments?”

“I’ll write a report and send it but not too much,” she shook her head.

It was a productive meeting, and Lewis exchanged the information he needed, as well as ‘leaked’ certain secrets to another Kingdom. It was always beneficial when everyone was so obsessed with the little gossip they could catch. And the wine afterwards with the Lady Azure was the icing ont he cake. They exchanged a few words at first, but when it came down to business, things weren’t going so well on Lewis’ end. She seemed to already have word on the information he was willing to trade.

As if feeling sorry for him, Lady Azure gave Lewis tidbits of what he had requested anyway. After all, it wasn’t his fault that she already knew most of the secrets he had at the moment.

When she left in the carriage, Lewis thought back to what Sylva had said, about him being so alone. For a moment, he wondered about Lady Azure. He knew that the gaudy look she had was for show. The person she was underneath was a lot different than what she presented…he couldn’t help but wonder who she was.

Following her would be simple. It wasn’t expressly forbidden, but it was also frowned upon…

But Lewis had followed quite a few of them home regardless. Information was power, and that was more important to him than lofty ideals. And he was never caught.

When they pulled into a clearing, Lewis watched with intrigue as Lady Azure slowly changed into none other than Simone Auclair…

He dropped down, interrupting their little exchange for a cheap laugh.

“Well, this explains quite a lot, doesn’t it, Lady Auclair?” Lewis said with a sly smile. “So, Lady Azure…how about that wine?”

Simone was in utter shock, “Fuck…” It wasn’t as elegant as Lady Azure nor something she normally used. “GATE ME HOME PLEASE!” She squealed with her face being bright red. Avery sighed and gated her.

“She told me to do it,” he put her hands up. “She knows things about my kingdom she will use against me if I don’t.” Avery protected himself.

Simone was home now and she quickly changed into her nightgown and put it on before jumping in bed. “Sorry, late night going to bed!”

“Of course my lady,” her maid put some tea by her bed and blew out the candle. Something must have happened because her lady was never flustered like this.

Watching Simone panic was almost completely worth it, even if she did escape the situation. Of course, Avery did not escape. It wouldn’t be too difficult to pry all of Simone's juicy secrets out of the sniveling man.

“Fine,” Lewis said as he dropped Avery. The man was shaking as though he had been beaten within an inch of his life. He, of course, had not been. Lewis had merely picked him up, and he spilled all of his family secrets, hidden caches, and whatever else useless information he had on hand.

Avery had a rather unique defense against Lewis; his stupidity. He was already a blubbering mess, and it would be a waste of time to interrogate him any further. No…the needed a much more direct approach. Lewis snapped his fingers, and two assassins appeared at his heel. They had always been there, waiting for the moment their master demanded their presence.

“We move tonight on the Auclair estate.”

“Auclair? But I thought-” Jack started.

“Change of plan. She knows more than she’s telling,” Lewis stated with a smirk. This was half true. Mostly, he just wanted to talk about what had transpired. But…he knew how elusive Simone could be when she put her mind to it. She would likely avoid all normal advances…

And so, for the third time in her life, Simone was to be kidnapped by the White Raven.

—

Unlike the last few times, Lewis was more gentle. Auclair had amazing defenses in place, but none of them were designed for someone like him. He slipped through the shadows, and found her room with relative ease. A powerful sleeping powder was used to push the woman into a deeper sleep, and he carefully cradled her as he whisked her away into the night.

After all, he had some respect for her.

The collar was easy enough to get on her, but he figured waking up in the dungeon wouldn’t do for her, so he instead left Sylva at the door for Simone’s ‘guest’ room, and let the woman wake up naturally in the comfort of a bed. Sylva would know what to do next…once she awoke, she was to attend a meal so that the two could have an actual conversation.

Now all he had to do was wait.

Simone rolled over in the bed making a grumbling noise. Silva looked in on her and smiled, “My lady it’s time to wake up.”


“Five more minutes Silva…” Simone waved her hand and pulled the blanket over her head. Then her eyes shot open and she bolted up. “SILVA?!” She looked around. “WHY AM I BACK HERE?!” She had been in the comfort of her own home this time.

“Lord Lewis would like to have breakfast with you,” Silva seemed pleased as she helped Simone get ready. She looked a bit more on the noble side thanks to Silva taking her time. It looked like she was going on a date. Simone didn’t understand it but it made the maid happy.

Simone had a look on her pretty little face as she sat down across from Lewis. “So… To what do I owe the pleasure of the White Raven kidnapping me for real this time?” Her gray eyes were watching him but her face was starting to flush as she couldn’t hold the stare. She finally looked away as Silva poured her some tea. “Thanks…”

She tapped her fingers lightly. “I can’t stay here Lewis…” She dropped the title. “It’s dangerous.”

Lewis was pleased that Simone actually took the time to sit down at breakfast with him. He was worried that she might have freaked out a little too much about her predicament, but she seemed more worried than annoyed.

“If you hadn’t made yourself so unapproachable, we could be having this conversation in a different setting. I know how impossible it is to get a meeting in Auclair, and knowing the reason why, it would be impossible for us to meet any other way. This is the direct response to you running…”

But now the playing field was even. They knew each other’s secrets.

“Ah, so you do know my name,” Lewis said with a half smirk. Her face, though, didn’t mirror his amusement. “What is the problem? You seem worried…”

Mone stared at him with little amusement. “Because today I have a land inspection by the royal asshol–” She stopped and the color drained from her face. “How many days was I out?”

“Two,” Lewis said easily. “What’s wrong?”

Simone held her head in her hands for a moment, “This is bad… This is so bad. Jerome has been suspicious of me for a while and he keeps conducting these… I don’t know what to call them other than inspections?” She sighed a bit. “It was yesterday.” She looked slightly defeated for a moment before calling Silva over. “Bring me the black book with my things.”

She took the book and opened it. There was a communication mirror inside. “Avery?” It took a few moments for the mage king to appear.

“Thank gods we found you. I figured he had you but I didn’t want to tell Llywellyn…” Avery made a face.

“It’s bad then?” Simone leaned on one hand and thought about the outcomes.

“Really bad. He’s petitioning the courts for either your land to be given up or for you to be forced into a marriage with Lord Galvin,” Avery made a face.

“He’s like… sixty,” Simone dropped the mirror and held her face again, “This is a fucking nightmare. When is the meeting?”

“Tomorrow,” Avery sounded exhausted. “We got it delayed until tomorrow.”

“I think I have an idea,” Simone looked up at Lewis. “I’m going to show up with a fiancee. We’re really in love and getting married next month. We have had a contract for the last six years but couldn’t talk about it. I have wedding plans to prove it. Make sure you relay this,” Simone was swift in her decision.

“…You have wedding plans?”

“Always have a back up plan,” Simone breathed a bit. “We need to go to the duchy so I can get them. Then we are headed to the meeting spot to deal with Jerome and his lackeys. Luckily, most of the council should be on my side about this.”

“So… Who are you marrying?”

“The White Raven,” Simone smirked a bit.

The fact that Jerome had been doing ‘inspections’ was news to Lewis. He knew that the man was away from his own kingdom for days at a time, but he barely cared for the comings and goings of someone so small. But that had been a gap in Lewis’ information, one that had now cost Simone dearly.

“Could just assassinate and threat-” he was interrupted by Simone, who was already working out her backup plan. Marriage. That made a lot of sense for someone like her. It was likely a puppet that she could use, someone of a low stature who wouldn’t steal her land. It wasn’t the best move, but it was a solid one.

“So… Who are you marrying?”

“The White Raven.”

Lewis paled. “You’re marrying ME!?”

Sylva burst into the kitchen with wide eyes. “I CAN PLAN THE WEDDING! I already have the initial designs ready for review, Lady Auclair! And plenty of venues to choose from.”

“WHY ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THIS!?” Lewis exclaimed, losing his calm and composed state.