Her Mission

"Nicolette Lyiora has graduated at the top of her class and will be presenting the speech tonight when we hold our final ceremony!" The room was filled with applause as Nicolette sat in the back row unimpressed. She had been away from her father for eight years to be trained at this school.

"Would Nicolette like to say anything?" Nicolette waved her hand, dismissing them.

"No thanks, I don't do speeches" she was focused on the new mission that would be given to her tonight. She had been on many practice missions, but this was the first mission that would determine if she was cut out to be an assassin at all. But, of course, nobody knows what their first real mission will be. She listened to the rest of the plans for that evening, almost falling asleep out of boredom.

"Nicolette"

"Zach"

"I was hoping I would find you asleep back here makes you an easy target for my daggers," Nicolette smiled.

"You wish, Zach, but unfortunately, this wasn't boring enough."

"You'd think them announcing it at each dorm would be enough, but nope had to have a big ass boring assembly, and they are making you do a speech which is another bad idea."

"I didn't even ask to do a speech, and these idiots think it's fine to just assign that to me."

"That's our school for ya," Zach sighed. "Are you excited to be going home soon?"

"I have a week before my mission starts, whatever it is."

"You were top of the class despite being blindfolded. I don't think they'll give you an easy mission like assassinating a political figure."

"I've done that way too many times. If they give me that as my mission, I'm assassinating myself" they both laughed.

"Nicolette Lyiora?" The principal stood to the side, fixing her glasses. Nicolette and Zach both stood up and bowed.

"Principal"

"You need to come to my office" Nicolette was confused.

"Your office? Did I do something wrong?" The principal shook her head.

"Not at all, just a change of plans" Nicolette looked back at Zach before following the principal out of the auditorium.

"You wanna tell me what's going on?" Nicolette sat in one of the chairs.

"Well, originally, your mission would've started tomorrow after your graduation, but something occurred which needs you to go tonight."

"Will I still graduate?" The principal nodded.

"We'll send your diploma, records, and mission note to your father, so you don't have to worry about any of that."

"Alright then, what exactly is my mission?"

"This might come as a shock to you, Nicolette, but we need you to marry someone."

"Marry someone? Shouldn't they at least buy me dinner first?" The principal laughed.

"Unfortunately, there's no time for dating. His information is in this file" Nicolette picked up the file skimming through it, feeling each letter on the page and taking in the information.

"You want me to marry a mafia king!? I mean, I hoped for a big mission, but this is an SSS-level mission! His security will be far stronger than a lousy politicians!"

"I can understand your worry, but luckily for you, it seems you already know this man."

"I do?" Nicolette cocked her head.

"Indeed, Ein Wolfier, he's just a year older than you" Nicolette tapped her nails on the desk, trying to think. The day she went to see her father in prison came to mind.

"You mean that little boy who ran off screaming?"

"Well, I suppose that's one way to remember him, but yes," she sighed. "I know it's something you're being told last minute, but we hope you'll put that fact aside and accept this mission. He's likely to be more trusting of you than some random bride sent to him."

"Fine, fine! I'll do it, but if things go south, I'm haunting you as a fucking ghost," they both chuckled.

"Fair enough"

"You guys have been accommodating me for so long, adjusting weapons and training to make it easier for me because I'm blind. So the least I could do is handle this Ein kid."

"We'll send you the details once you arrive" Nicolette left the house and found Zach waiting outside.

"Did everything go ok?"

"Funny thing is... I'm getting married."

"Married!? To who?!" She closed his jaw.

"Hang it any lower, and you might as well be touching the floor and to someone I met once, which is gonna be awkward as hell."

"I can't believe that's what they're making you do. I kind of wish you were killing a politician."

"Yeah, well, we can't all win, and they trust me with this task, and I don't want to seem like a wuss who can't do anything."

"Nicolette, what are you going to do about the wedding night? You know... consummation? Sex?" Nicolette froze. 'How could I forget about that!?' She thought to herself. What would she do? she couldn't possibly have sex with him... could she? 'It might be fun to do before I end him or whatever they want me to do.

"Earth to Nicolette" Zach snapped his fingers in front of her face catching her attention.

"Oh uh, well, to be honest, I have no idea what I'm gonna do," Zach pitied her.

"Maybe I could go with you? Some kind of bodyguard or backup?" She shook her head.

"Unless the situation becomes dire, I don't think they'll send another person with me in order not to arouse suspicion," he sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah you're probably right"

"I'm gonna go pack my things."

"Alright, and if you need help, don't hesitate to ask, ok?" She smiled.

"Thanks, Zach"

"Stay safe, Nicolette..."

Nicolette sat in the car, imagining each tree that went by. She had no idea what was going to happen during her mission. Would he figure out who she is? What if he actually falls in love with her? Nicolette shook her head, trying to get the annoying thoughts to go away, when her phone rang.

"Hello, Nicolette speaking?"

"Nicolette, it's me."

"Dad?"

"Yup! I heard about what's going on, and it's never shameful to back down, you know."

"I know, dad, but I can't back down even if I wanted to. This is my first big mission, a chance to prove myself and be somebody; I just can't give up" the call went silent for a moment.

"Just do me a favor and try to avoid arousing Tom's suspicions."

"Tom? Who's Tom?"

"A big asshole, and by the looks of it, your father in law"

"Oh well, that's just great" Nicolette rolled her eyes.

"Our families haven't exactly gotten along for the past few generations, so I won't guarantee he'll be all welcoming."

"Dad, I'm sure I'll be fine scared but fine."

"I'm just worried for you. This is a dangerous situation."

"You know, if you're so worried, you can join me at my wedding and walk me down the aisle. How does that sound?"

"Nicolette, don't ever say wedding again. I don't want to think about it," she chuckled.

"What can't stand your baby girl getting married? Don't worry, dad. I'll still be the little girl you raised," she hung up as the driver announced they were approaching the airport.

Richard looked at his brother, watching him get ready for another event.

"What do you think? It doesn't feel quite right."

"Well, you are there to look perfect, after all, so why does my opinion matter?" Ein rolled his eyes.

"Very funny, Richard. Go make out with your wife or something."

"Are you getting a wife very soon?" Richard leaned against the open doorway.

"I've never really thought about having a wife at the age of 21; it's nervewracking, not to mention I'm just taking over. There's no booklet that says how to perfect your job in less than 24 hours."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. It's not that hard to run this whole thing dad's got"

"See? That Richard is how I know you have no idea what I should be expecting."

"Just relax. It's a wife and a sweet one at that. From what I hear, dad picked her out himself"

"That just adds to my concern Richard."

"Oh my god, what I'm trying to say is cheer up. Dad and I have got you covered" Ein made sure to touch himself up in front of the mirror before leaving for the ballroom.

"And there he is! Bout time you showed up."

"Hey, dad"

"I know you're nervous," Tom placed his hand on Ein's shoulder, "but you've got this. Don't be so nervous."

"I've just been so worried about what she'll think of me more than anything else. I'm not exactly mafia type, according to my trainer" Ein rested his hand on the railing, peering down into the crowd.

"You may be a little softer than any traditional mafia king, but that's not a had thing. It means you have more patience. You see things differently from others. You're not so quick to pull out your gun," he sighed. "I wish I could be as soft as you. Maybe my siblings wouldn't try to avoid me as much."

"Who did you pick anyways?"

"I'm glad you are interested. Her name is Nicolette Lyiora Atlas's daughter. Their family used to be the second biggest before a problem with William occurred"

"What kind of problem?"

"Well, the most I can tell you is that William is a very selfish individual without a care in the world for anyone. He poisoned his own wife and harmed his granddaughter. That's why they've been in hiding, and while this event is big, we'll be keeping your wife's name a secret to prevent William from knowing her whereabouts."

"Gonna be hard to keep it concealed, especially with our family."

"Your grandfather already set up a sniper and a large amount of security outside and in."

"Somebody's spending money"

"If you've got it, flaunt it, but with a different context" they both smiled.

"She'll be arriving soon, but I don't know exactly when she'll be wearing a black and gold embroidered dress, according to her father. Until then, go talk to some of the guests. Maybe you can grow some connections," Ein nodded, watching Tom greet someone.

"Make some connections... alright, this shouldn't be too hard" Ein went down the stairs to the first level of the ballroom. The crowd seemed to be growing as more people entered the room. A sudden quick tug on his wrist startled him as he looked over to see his sister Jennette pulling him aside.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Ein fixed his clothes.

"No, not yet, anyway. Thanks for getting me out of that"

"Your lucky I was here. This place is swarmed cause dad just has to invite everyone. Mom already yelled at him for it."

"Are you just hiding in the back eating the snacks?"

"You don't get to judge me k? I was hungry, and I'm not the party type."

"Charles isn't with you?" Jennette took a bite out of her cookie.

"His dad said he couldn't come despite his pregnant girlfriend being RIGHT HERE, that dumb motherfucker" Ein chuckled.

"Still can't believe you got pregnant fucking in the school bathroom," Jennette slapped him on the shoulder.

"For your information, it was good sex, and I would do it one hundred times more!" Ein smiled

"I'll make sure to tell dad."

"Don't you dare! So help me if you tell him I'll make your life a living hell. You're my twin. I know how to!" She glared daggers at him "besides the fact that you're an annoying piece of shit, what else are you waiting for?"

"My future wife, I don't know when she's arriving, so I have to keep my eye on the door."

"Listen, I knew Nicolette back when we were kids. I don't think you have anything to worry about. She was smart and sweet, too sweet for her own good tho"

"Really?"

"Now announcing the arrival of Nyx!" Ein looked up at the announcer and turned his attention to the ballroom doorway. Nicolette stood there holding onto a chaperone's arm.

"There's no way... it's her"