Still, the precise number of guests eluded him from such a height, and Jack knew well the folly of underestimating nobles when it came to their participation in social affairs.
This shall take some time, he reflected.
Drawing forth his pocket watch, he consulted the face with practiced care. From its indication, he had ample time to remain on the balcony before he must descend once more to attend to the preparations in the kitchen.
He cast his gaze downward once more, noting that vehicles continued to arrive at a steady pace. Each halted but briefly, depositing its passengers before proceeding to join the ranks of those already stationed.
The line below grew steadily denser with each passing moment.
Jack remained vigilant, tracking the continual procession, until at last he discerned the figures for whom he had been patiently awaiting.
From such a height, the figures might have been naught but anonymous shapes, their features blurred into insignificance. Yet the manner in which they moved distinguished them from the others.
Perhaps it was the comportment of common folk: their posture rigid, alert, and deliberate, their eyes constantly sweeping the surroundings rather than lingering upon the spectacle.
Jack required no further confirmation. These were, without doubt, the detectives—Declan and Nowa. Their quiet presence served only to reaffirm another reason he had consented to serve at this particular gathering.
"That was swifter than I had anticipated—it consumed but seven minutes."
Tick... Tick... Tick...
Jack murmured softly to himself as he studied the pocket watch cradled in his palm. The steady cadence of its ticking seemed to afford him some quiet satisfaction.
The corners of his mouth lifted in the faintest of smiles before he snapped the watch closed with care.
I am finished here… best to depart ere anyone should observe my presence.
He swiveled to depart, yet paused to cast a final glance downward. At that instant, he froze.
Before him were nine immaculate vehicles, each bearing the same crest—a silver heron guarding a key.
"…Is that not—?" he murmured, but checked himself mid-thought, compelling his eyes to verify the sight once more. Such scrutiny was no impossibility; even from a distance that would render most vision indistinct, he observed with perfect clarity. Years spent dwelling in darkness had honed this faculty to near mastery.
Below, the vehicle drew to a halt, and presently two ladies alighted; one in the prime of her forties, the other scarcely in her twenties. Both bore long, flowing black tresses that cascaded past their waists, glinting like polished obsidian beneath the sunlight.
Their bearing bespoke unspoken authority, a grace reserved for those of noble station. Each wore gowns of impeccable craftsmanship, fabrics that shimmered as though woven with crystal threads and studded with jewels. The elder's gentle smile belied the passing years, lending her the semblance of one scarcely past her early thirties, whilst the younger's countenance remained grave, almost inscrutable.
Of course.
These were no ordinary ladies—they were members of the Vikii family. The remaining conveyances brought guards and other distinguished personages, drawn from Fenn and its neighboring towns.
Their poise spoke of unspoken authority, a grace reserved for nobility. Each wore gowns of exquisite craftsmanship, fabrics that shimmered like crystal threads woven with jewels. The elder woman's gentle smile belied her age, giving her the appearance of someone in her early thirties, while the younger's expression was grave, almost unreadable.
Of course.
These were no ordinary ladies—they were members of the Vikii family. And the remaining vehicles brought guards and other distinguished guests, gathered from Fenn and nearby towns.
Their poise spoke of unspoken authority, a grace reserved for nobility. Each wore gowns of exquisite craftsmanship, fabrics that shimmered like crystal threads woven with jewels. The elder woman's gentle smile belied her age, giving her the appearance of someone in her early thirties, while the younger's expression was grave, almost unreadable.
Of course.
These were no ordinary ladies—they were members of the Vikii family. And the remaining vehicles brought guards and other distinguished guests, gathered from Fenn and nearby towns.
The ladies lingered not an instant, gliding directly into the mansion as though it had ever been theirs, where Sil Bernard awaited to attend to their every desire with practiced deference.
That being said, the Vikii family's dominion over the estate was indisputable. From the street below, their crest, proudly mounted upon the mansion's highest floor, declared their authority. Jack, perched upon that very level, could not see it directly from his angle; it hung just beyond his line of sight.
A moment later, a voice interrupted his scrutiny.
"So… that is the Royal family?"
Jack swiveled sharply, his eyes narrowing at the figure beside him. It was the maid who had followed him earlier, or so it appeared, save for the addition of rounded spectacles perched upon her nose.
Somehow, she had managed to place herself at his side without his awareness.
"Good day," she said, a curious expression softening into a most peculiar smile.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "...Pray, how long have you been there?" His voice bore equal parts caution and incredulity.
The maid remained silent for a moment, inclining her head while her green eyes flickered over him, as though gauging his character.
"Fear not," she said at last, her tone calm and even. "I merely grew weary of awaiting you upon the lower floor." She paused, then added with a touch of levity, "I am Melissa, by the by."
Jack's eye twitched involuntarily. He could scarcely believe he had relaxed his vigilance enough to allow her to approach unnoticed. His gaze swept over her from head to toe, searching for some telltale sign, anything that might explain such silent movement, but found none.
"Ah… good day," he replied at last, a faintly awkward smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he endeavored to veil his surprise.
Melissa dispensed with all pleasantries, proceeding at once to the matter at hand. Her posture was rigid, her gaze keen and unyielding. Though she neither named the reason she had followed him nor disclosed on whose behalf she acted, her intent was unmistakable.
"You are the man from two days past, are you not?" Her voice was steady, carrying an edge that bordered on accusation. "What business brings you back here, and why do you present yourself as though you belonged to some noble household?"
Her green eyes flickered with intensity, studying him as though he were a puzzle awaiting solution.
Jack offered no reply at once, meeting her stare without yielding so much as a hint.
Is that all?
He released a quiet breath, scarcely audible, a subtle relief settling in his chest. Melissa's scrutiny, it seemed, was born more of curiosity than true suspicion. Somehow, she had recognized him at once, even as he passed among the others as nothing more than an unfamiliar nobleman.
Melissa had been stationed at the doorway when Jack arrived earlier. Whilst the other maids bowed without a second thought, mistaking him for some highborn guest or visiting dignitary, she and another who looked exactly like her had possessed the presence of mind to see through the illusion. That recognition emboldened her now, granting her the confidence to confront him directly, voicing her thoughts without the slightest hesitation.
As for Jack, he scarcely recognized any of the maids in return, save for Vanessa, whose warmth and attentiveness had distinguished her at once in his memory.
"Why do you remain silent?" Melissa pressed, her expression darkening with gravity.
Jack let out a soft chuckle, offering a faint, apologetic smile. "Oh, sorry. I fear I allowed my thoughts to wander for a moment. You were saying?" As he spoke, he returned his pocket watch to his coat with deliberate nonchalance.
"Hm?" Melissa uttered, blinking in evident surprise.
I must withdraw before this devolves into an unpleasant scene… but how best to persuade her to look the other way?
Oh, with those hands, this might work.
Jack slipped a hand into his pocket and produced six gold coins, pressing them calmly into Melissa's palms. Her green eyes widened at once, surprise flashing across her features as she struggled to comprehend the gesture.
"…W-why are you giving me—?" she began, but Jack inclined himself slightly nearer, lowering his voice to a confidential murmur beside her ear. The distance was negligible; they stood nearly of equal height, though Melissa was perhaps an inch or two shorter.
"Take it," Jack said quietly, his tone low yet resolute. "I can spare no more at present; you are well aware of where we stand." He paused only briefly before continuing. "Once this affair has concluded, seek me out. I shall provide the remainder, enough for you to abandon service altogether, should you wish, and secure more respectable employ… or even leave this city behind."
He spoke thus because he had glimpsed it in her eyes, the strain of someone exerting great effort merely to remain composed. Even a fleeting glance at her hands earlier had told him enough; she had known harsher days long before donning a maid's uniform. Faint scars traced her palms.
Her expression bore the gravity of one who had fought earnestly and relentlessly to endure. And within her green eyes, he discerned a faint reflection of his own bright blue gaze: a shared familiarity with hardship, and the quiet resolve it forged.
With that, he left her standing where she was, the coins cradled in her hands, and turned toward the stairwell. His thoughts had already shifted elsewhere, settling upon the task that yet awaited him.