[IRP] Power Begets Power

[Lavi]

"They do, though I would prefer you keep your fantasies to yourself," Cecily quipped as she stepped aside for the others to come through from the trap door that led to the passage they just took. Once everyone had come through, she closed the door and replaced the rug that covered it.

"I see you were followed," she observed as Satsume fashioned his rope.

She stepped over to take a look at the unconscious soldier, but Cecily could not recognize his face. Although she trusted Satsume to do a reasonable job of bonding and gagging him, the soldier could still potentially create a commotion and raise the alarm before the party could locate the marquess. As she pondered this conundrum, a knock sounded at the door.

"Umm, sir. If you need help with an armoire, I can arrange proper assistance. The marquess doesn't like unnecessary commotion," the maid from before said.

Cecily immediately recognized the maid's voice. When she lived here, Cecily would sometimes be served her meals by her. Though she was not one of Cecily's maidservants, the two had an amicable relationship. What was her name again? Cecily stepped to the door, furrowing her brow as she racked her brains for the name. Thankfully, it finally surfaced.

"Violet," Cecily said softly as she turned the door knob.

With the other hand, the noble pressed a finger to her lips as she revealed herself to the maid. Violet was unsurprisingly shocked, but kept her composure quickly. Cecily turned her finger from pursing her lips to gesturing the maid to come inside, to which Violet did.

"Can you tell us where the Marquess and my cousin are?" she asked the maid.

Violet, flustered by the turn of events, hesitated for a moment before giving a bow of apology. "My apologies, the marquess is in his quarters, but I am not certain of Lord Lucian's whereabouts. I can have our staff locate him if you would like."

"Please do, though I am certain he remains as impulsive as ever," Cecily nodded.

She turned to Shad and the others. "Our time is limited, so I recommend we divide ourselves in order to capture them both before the castle forces return. Satsume and I will be heading straight for the marquess while the rest of you go with Violet to find Lucian. He is unlikely to cooperate peacefully, so you may use whatever means necessary to prevent him from escaping. We cannot allow either to flee."

"In case the worst comes to pass, I am grateful to all of you for your willingness to come this far," Cecily pressed a hand over her heart as she spoke. "And I will ensure that once I take the throne, each of you will be honored and compensated for your contributions here. Now go!"

As the others worked out their plan for Lucian, Cecily turned back to Satsume. "I would imagine that Marquess Hannes is not wont to comply either. Are you ready to get to work?"