The carriage arrived at a mansion with an enormous garden behind the front gate.
Dante and Marcus stepped out of the carriage and approached the front gate, where two guards in red uniforms adorned with golden outlines stood, each armed with a sword.
"Hello there, we have business with Lady Nathalia," Marcus said, standing in front of the guards.
"What is your name, good sir?" one of the guards asked in a stern voice.
"Marcus Daines," he replied. The guard glanced at a document and identified his name.
"Come in, Mr. Daines," the guard said, stepping aside to allow him through. Dante followed, taking in the colorful varieties of flowers in the garden.
They approached the large brown double doors of the mansion, with golden knobs shimmering in the sunlight. Marcus knocked loudly on the right door.
A servant emerged from inside—a tall, well-built old man with white hair tied back, a stern expression etched across the left side of his face.
"Ah, you must be the guests that the Lady hired," he said. Marcus nodded, taking in the servant's appearance.
"Please, follow me," the servant instructed. Marcus and Dante followed him through the mansion, passing several corridors until they reached a library.
The servant opened the library doors, revealing a very large room. Although not as expansive as the Genesis Order's library, it was definitely a close second.
Dante looks to his left and sees a beautiful woman dressed in gold reading silently drinking tea. They both approach her and she looks up at them.
"Ah hello sorcerers" she greets them with a smile her voice rhythmic.
"Hello Lady Nathalia it's an honor to meet you," Marcus says bowing politely. "I know you call for our services quite frequently so to serve such a loyal customer is an honor."
Nathila took a sip of her tea and said, "Please, come sit. I'll have tea brought out." Marcus and Dante settled next to each other.
"Let's discuss my schedule for the next two days and where we'll be," she continued. Marcus and Dante listened intently.
"First, there is a party tonight where a significant business deal will be made, so you two must behave and pay attention. Second, we'll be shopping all day tomorrow in preparation for a political event the day after."
Nathila provided more details, and Dante and Marcus nodded, understanding her schedule. She examined the two of them and smiled.
"For now, you both can explore the mansion as you like, but some rooms are off-limits and are guarded, which will be easy to notice. We'll meet again at seven to leave. See you then!".
…
Some time later, Dante and Marcus are sitting outside in the garden. Marcus is playing with a blue jay.
"Marcus, who is this lady? Why is she so familiar with sorcerers?" Dante asks.
"She is a frequent customer, as I mentioned," Marcus replies. "What I mean is, how did she discover us and become such a loyal customer?"
Marcus nods, understanding Dante's confusion.
"I don't know the details, but I've heard that her father and a captain from the Genesis Order were good friends. They made a contract allowing him to request security from sorcerers."
Dante nods. "I assume she started taking advantage of that arrangement over time?" Marcus nods, confirming Dante's theory.
"What's wrong, Dante? You seem a little tense." Dante stares at the ground for a moment. "I just have a bad feeling about this place."
Marcus nods, understanding why Dante feels that way. "She's an interesting character." Marcus agrees and then stands up to stretch his legs.
"It's almost time to meet up again. We should be ready for when she arrives." Dante stands up and follows Marcus to the door to go back inside.
They enter the main room where Nathalia is waiting, dressed in a lovely blue dress and accompanied by her butler. "Are you two ready to go?" she asks. Marcus and Dante nod in response as she stands up.
They walk outside to a carriage waiting at the front gate. Marcus opens the door for Nathalia, who climbs in, and the two of them follow, sitting across from her.
"What kind of event is this again?" Dante asks.
"It's just a simple party with a friend. We'll discuss a few things and hopefully have a nice time," Nathalia explains.
Dante nods as the carriage starts moving. He looks out the window at the night sky filled with lights and sees people enjoying themselves.
After a while, the carriage stops at a mansion smaller than Nathalia's. They step out, following her to the front gate, and enter.
Everyone is mesmerized by Nathalia's dress, shimmering in the lights, her presence commanding the party's attention.
Dante and Marcus focus on her, especially Dante, since this is officially his first mission.