6. Toward The Vad Clan

[2nd Prince's Palace]

Azazel's grip on the paper tightened as he read the details from Verena, while Verena, who sat across from him, maintained a calm smile.

"...... Are you saying this is the 'entire' plan until the rebellion...?"

Azazel raised his head, his gaze meeting Verena's calm aquamarine eyes.

"Yes, I have already calculated everything. Things that might or might not happen were also put into consideration."

Azazel chuckled, and soon he stifled a laugh, a satisfying laugh.

"That's what I expected! Lady Verena Zielle... You took advantage of my previous plans, merged them together with your own, and came up with this idea! Isn't that right?!"

His enthusiasm was on point as Verena had expected, since Azazel is that kind of person.

She knows well that he wouldn't stay put after reading her whole plan.

(.... This plan... is too perfect that I can't even put it into words.)

He narrowed his eyes at her as he placed the papers on the table.

(She's truly a dangerous individual. But at a time like this, she chose to join hands with me.)

(I also can understand why she chose me. Because she despises the Imperial Family... No, this Empire. Just like I do.)

A smile rose to his lips the more he thought about her deeply. Her gestures, her actions, and none of her words turned pointless or wasted.

(This plan is crazy, but that's what I have signed up for.)

"If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, Your Highness, we can carry out the plan without issue. Do you have the courage, to even kill innocent people?"

Azazel realizes that his response to her question will determine the future. Because, as she put it, sometimes it will take a demon to kill another demon.

Azazel, who had been sent into many wars and had killed a lot of people, found her question to be unbearably difficult to answer.

(Killing the innocent... Huh?)

He crossed his arms as he considered her question, trying to find the right answer as quickly as possible so as not to disappoint her.

"...... I can do that."

Turns out, the question didn't seem so difficult to answer, unlike before. Since, he remembered his true goal and why he was in that position.

"Killing innocent people for my own ends... If that's what it takes, Lady Verena, I'm willing to get my hands dirty."

The room fell silent as Verena kept a close eye on him.

(Of course, he will agree to the terms. He doesn't care what the sacrifice will be as long as he can take the throne... overthrowing the Emperor.)

She thought, and a small smile formed on her lips.

(Sometimes, this is the only way to play it.)

"Then, we'll carry out this plan after Princess Charlotte's birthday celebration."

"Oh? After the proposal?"

"Yes."

Azazel agreed with a nod of his head.

"Also, let's visit the twins the day after tomorrow. Are you free at that time?"

"Oh my... You're already making your own moves, aren't you?"

"Of course. And Lady Verena, I need your help for our next visit. I want you to make something."

-

"... Here."

Azazel gave Verena and Theodore a black robe for them to sneak inside the Vad Clan territory.

When each of them received it, Azazel turned his head toward Verena after putting on his own robe.

"Lady Verena, have you made the thing I asked for two days ago?"

He asked politely, with a friendly smile, as Verena nodded her head and took out three small bottles of potions.

She handed it to Theodore and Azazel, who accepted it casually.

"... Oh, what's that?"

With a raised eyebrow, Olivier, who is in charge of working in Azazel's place while he is away, questioned.

"The Vad Clan is characterized by silver hair and jet black eyes. That's how they appear. So, I asked Lady Verena to try and create a potion that would change the color of our hair and eyes."

Both Theodore and Olivier's eyes widened in surprise as Azazel explained.

"Wait, is that even possible?"

Olivier asked, still unable to believe what he had just heard as he turned his head toward Verena, who had just put on her robe.

"I was also overwhelmed. She, on the other hand, transformed the energy within the body into a variety of potions. If it's her, it's possible."

Olivier still couldn't comprehend the information as he turned his gaze toward Theodore.

"Theo, you believe this?!"

To Theodore, who saw the greatness in the black liquid that Azazel had shown him, also couldn't believe it. But as time passed, he discovered that Verena was even more amazing than he had imagined.

He simply avoids eye contact with Olivier's sharp, questioning gaze.

"If you don't believe it, then look at this."

Azazel drank the white liquid contained within the small bottle and gulped it down.

His dazzling blonde hair had transformed to silver, and his crimson eyes had turned black.

"I-impossible...! How can you create such potions...?!"

Olivier expressed his disbelief as he shifted his gaze toward Verena, who had also consumed the potion.

Her jet black hair transformed to silver, and her aquamarine eyes turned jet black.

The same as Theodore.

"Now, we look like twins, Lady Verena!"

Azazel grinned as he looked at Verena, completely ignoring Theodore's presence.

(He also looked like your twin, Your Highness Azazel...)

Olivier thought, still couldn't believe that the potion actually worked.

"This is also for you, Sir Silas."

Verena gave Olivier another small bottle containing yellow liquid.

"And what exactly is this?"

He raised his brow at the sight as he received it.

Verena smiled.

"Since you'll be substituting in for Azazel while he's away, it's a potion that will turn your hair blonde like his. However, you will be unable to turn your eyes crimson because that is a trait shared by the Imperial family. That's why I predicted it will turn into light magenta."

Verena explained as Olivier listened intently, his gaze fixed on the potion as he sweated and gulped.

(... This two people--) 

He slowly raised his head to see Azazel and Verena, both of whom were smiling at him.

(--are insane.)

He trembled as he holds the bottle.

He is aware that they have indirectly asked him to be Azazel's replacement because Azazel's actions are restricted from the Imperial Family.

Because of that, he needs to sneak out of his own palace without being noticed by anyone. Then, Olivier as the replacement so no one would notice the real one is missing.

(... If I were to found out...)

A single tear rolled down his cheek, making Azazel, Verena, and Theodore raised their brow in confusion. 

(... My head will end up flying.)

-

"This is an excellent plan, Azazel."

Verena smiled as she walked alongside him with Theodore at the back. They made sure to cover up their appearances and reveal them when they arrived at the Vad Clan area so that they can enter the place easily.

They walk through the small forest, which has a refreshing atmosphere and fresh, beautiful trees around them, with the leaves swaying happily.

"I simply do my best to meet your expectations."

Azazel answered shyly while scratching his flushed cheek, averting his gaze from Verena.

"And it won't be successful without your help, Lady Verena."

Verena chuckled at his compliment.

"Oh, my~ thank you for the compliment. Since we're basically partners, I hope you would call me just Verena."

Azazel's eyes widened in surprise the moment she offered that out of nowhere.

(... Just addressing her as Verena in front of her...)

His lips were working hard not to grin too much and make a fool of himself.

He coughed as a way to distract himself and slowly turned his focus toward Verena.

"... Then, you also can call me Azazel, please drop the formalities."

"May I?"

She smiled, turning her head to him as his cheeks became redder because of her, and nodded his head without a second thought.

"Then Azazel, should we also hold hands?"

She questioned, casually extending her arm to him and saying his name for the first time without any formalities, yet he froze on the spot as if hit by lightning.

Verena came to a halt as well, trying to keep up with him, and tilted her head when she realized he was embarrassed by her offer.

"A-are you-"

"I can transfer some of my ice energy to you, making you feel colder. You can also use your fire energy to keep me warm. Isn't that a win-win situation?"

She offered with a casual smile that made Azazel's heart beat faster than normal.

"... Then.."

He shyly took her hand in his and proceeded to put his fire energy into her body, the same as how Verena sends ice energy into his.

They both smiled as they felt one other's cold and warmth.

Meanwhile, Theodore watches at them both with a disinterested gaze, as if expecting them to have forgotten about his existence. 

(... I guess.. I'm being a third wheel.)

He thought, staring at them from behind who is happily holding hands with his embarrassed master and new lady.

(... Well, it's better than nothing.)