Chapter 206 - Note for the Present

Overall, the operation was a success. They had finally got some information which gave them a picture of the time and allowed them to provide Mary with something tangible from that time.

It was also a great success for Rose’s first proper debut. It would’ve been better if Syrus hadn’t used any of her strength before, but to counter that, they would just have Rose use an even greater absurdity of power. They had left people alive to tell the tale of Rose and create an identity of Rose’s personality. This was their first attempt at creating a character not actively based on any of them individually that was also meant to be used on multiple occasions.

[The prince… Jacob seemed like a nice person based on those letters.] Eva felt that, based on how he presented his findings and how he spoke of Mary, the prince Jacob Valus Scope was a good person.

[I wouldn’t say letters are the best method to judge a person’s character.] (Luna)

[I mean, probably true, but these were the final rambles of a man dying while still trying to find a cure for his people.] Syrus replied. [Pretty sure he had completely given up on saving himself.]

[I was just speaking generally.] (Luna)

[I know you were.] Syrus snickered.

[You meanie.] (Luna)

Syrus felt a shot through the heart. Mostly because of the sheer shock of Luna’s choice of words. Even Eva was stunned.

Luna… didn’t know if her response was worth it. She felt quite embarrassed saying such true childish language.

Returning to the manor with the prize in hand took a slightly roundabout method. They needed to make sure no one was tracking Rose, and then tracking them as they returned. Part of the reason why they needed the whole break-in and out to be under an hour was to create as little disappearance time for Syrus.

Anlesa used the secret tunnels to leave the house in the first place and used them to return. There were certainly many factors in their favour for this heist. Whoever their enemy was, they clearly weren’t prepared for a conflict today. The lack of other intruders in the house kind of proved that, which meant no information leaked beforehand. This meant at the very least, the house–or at minimum, Anlesa’s room–wasn’t rigged in some way so that spies could listen to their conversations.

The information Mary purposely spread wouldn’t really have an impact until later. That information was part of their ploy to cement the idea of Rose. An unaffiliated individual who at least cared about the royal family, but from this incident was also very powerful and hostile.

There wasn’t zero risk with people trying to associate Syrus with Rose, but after discussing it amongst themselves, they were likely worrying a bit too much. Disguise abilities like Morph were extremely rare, and the fact that their disguises used different Attributes made their credibility even higher.

They had concluded that they had been so used to the ability now that it had dulled their sense of what was normal. Of course, they were still going to do everything in their power not to be caught having disguises, but Syrus having a connection to Rose and Syrus being Rose were two very different conclusions.

[I hope… Mary likes these letters…] (Eva)

[She would, Lilly, she would.] (Luna)

Even if they were the words of a dying man. They were the last words of her brother that she lost thirty years ago.

Syrus knocked on Mary’s door, and she was welcomed in. Immediately, she passed the letters to Mary who straight away noticed her brother’s handwriting. She was honestly shocked to see anything like this. Mary had no idea what could possibly be in that room, but for her, this was likely the best thing she could’ve asked for.

“They have already been opened?” Mary noticed.

“I think my associate did that, but I am unsure.” Syrus shrugged. “But I don’t know too much about them.”

Mary decided to follow up, “Then why do you think they did?”

“Because they also wanted the information from the royal family’s house. The letters of the prince fall perfectly within that goal.” Syrus ‘guessed,’ but her expression showed she was entirely sure.

“Do you know… if they kept any letters?”

“I asked if there was anything else, and they said no.” Syrus winced. “That’s all I can say on the matter, sorry.”

“No, it's fine. It is the risk of having someone else do the job, but it also means you were safe.” Mary nodded. Honestly, she far preferred the outcome of these letters being spied on by someone who could possibly be on their side, than never seeing these letters. Besides being open, the letters didn’t look damaged in any way.

Anlesa watched as Mary’s eyes were glued to the letters. “I should give you some privacy.”

Mary asked as she watched Syrus stand up. “Can you stay here with me?”

“Are you sure?” Anlesa would assume Mary would like privacy for such a possibly vulnerable moment.

“Yes. Being with someone keeps me stable, and I don’t want to be crying over these.”

“Do you want me to bring Maca?”

“That’s a good idea, and go ahead if you want to bring everyone else along.”

“I think it will just be Maca then.” Eva smiled. “Last time I checked, Lavender, Ethan, and Max were too invested in training to even notice me returning."

Mary chuckled, “Then just Maca then.”

Anlesa brought Maca into the room after giving him the situation update on the way. He was concerned about what could have happened, but felt a little more trusting when Syrus said she thinks the other party had an Exotic Attribute. Still, he was glad that nothing dangerous happened to Syrus again and that Mary could finally get some closure.

Mary sat on the bed, while Anlesa and Maca sat on the two chairs that were in the room. Their presence did help Mary, as she was already nearly in tears after reading the first letter. Mary continued to mumble under her breath the words ‘brother’ and ‘how stupid’ as he processed her emotions.

For the ten year old within her, she wondered so much about what any of her family was thinking at the time.

She picked up the next letter and began reading. “Wait…” Her demeanour suddenly shifted as her back straightened and a look of confusion filled her face.

“What is it?” Luna looked over and saw the romance letter in Mary’s hand. “A love letter?”

Maca asked, “Your brother had a girlfriend?"

“No… that’s the problem… He hated the idea of romantic attachments. He understood it in principle, but the idea of touching someone always freaked him out. He always wore clothes that covered most of his skin because of that. Mother used to ask him if he would ever get with someone, but he always looked back with disgust.”

“Then this letter.” Syrus eyes re-read the whole thing. Perhaps he found a relationship, but based on the wording in the letter, how it mentioned ‘loving the taste of her lips’, Mary was convinced this wasn’t real.

Luna asked, “Can you confirm this is his handwriting?” It was similar enough to the other letters.

“It certainly is,” Mary confirmed.

[Then…] (Eva)

If the letter was written by Jacob, and the contents weren't true, but were clearly written around the same time as the other letters, then there had to be something about it.

“Thank you to Abe for introducing me to you.” The only proper name mentioned in the letter.

[Then… the Prime Minster…] (Eva)

[He could have been involved in the royal family’s death.] (Luna)

“This does not leave this room,” Mary warned everyone.

Maca asked, “Are you sure?” The information seemed important.

“Yes, it is not the right time.”

Everyone chose to respect Mary’s wish for the moment, but Anlesa began plotting. They understood why Mary wanted to keep this a secret, but that didn’t mean they were going to do nothing about this information.

However, before Anlesa could act upon this information. Soon, they were informed by Lord Hall that they were ordered to stay in the manor for the foreseeable future. A lockdown for their safety, apparently.