195 Trichia Manor

Mary was currently seated upon Asai's personal desk. In front of her were the many documents and reports that detailed the many acts, interests and suspicions from her agents. Before joining the orphanage as a sister caretaker. The young woman was originally a thief, mastering the art of stealth. Although her actions were unarguably unlawful, she practiced and honed her skills in stealth to survive. 

In fact, the young woman was thinking of forming her own thieves guild within the capital. Spending months observing the local ruffians, bumpkins and street urchins. She saw many with the potential for her art. One particular boy stood out, appearing to be extremely skilled. However, before she could recruit the boy, he had dipped his hands in gold too heavy for him. The enchanted cape instantly capturing him. 

All hope was lost from that moment, as she was prepared to leave she watched as the nobles actually pardoned his crimes and later found that he was sent to an orphanage north of Einhoren. When the young Mary followed him north, continuing to observe him. She learned that he didn't abuse his talents in stealth to steal out of greed or hate for the rich. He was just like her, simply doing so out of survival.

Whilst all the other potential recruits all felt privileged and entitled to the coffers of others. Some even ganging up and beating down on their own weaker members just to feel strong.

Compared to them, Asai felt like a kindred soul to her. She instantly volunteered at the orphanage to continue watching the boy. She watched from the darkness as he was bullied, beaten and abused by the others. He certainly had the strength to fight back, but he never did abuse his powers. And for that, Mary respected him. 

For she had seen far too many men and women abuse their strength or powers at every given chance to feel a rush of authority. The dopamine hit of placing yourself above others. 

When her curiosity got the better of her, she started to approach him. Teasing him and provoking him in all ways possible, to see how he would react or respond. As she did so, she became addicted to his expressions. His eyes were strangely mature for his age, sometimes lingering on her bosom. Recognizing this as his nature to desire the warmth of his lost mother, Mary's clinginess began to escalate, shoving his face into her embrace at every opportunity.

...

After so many years, she had fulfilled her original goal. However, rather than her own thieves guild, she was now head of intelligence for Asai's territory. She personally trained those suitable for the role in the art of stealth. 

Currently, Mary was relaying orders to her agents. Viscounts and Counts from the surrounding territories were unhappy with Asai's unprecedented rise to power. To those ancient households, who would spend multiple generations to garner enough merits to rise. Asai's rise was simply corrupt and unfair.

As much as they desired to simply accuse the man of false-atrocities to declare war on the still relatively new budding duchy. After Queen Victoria Del Lagos' publicity stunt with her kiss in public. The noble households felt as if their territories were now under constant watch. This greatly restricted their means and choices. Having to relegate themselves to sending their own spies and agents into Trichia Duchy, in hopes of digging up any critical evidence to use against the man.

The nobility found themselves to be fighting an unseen war against Mary's agents.

Although Mary had been mostly successful in intercepting and stealing information. She found herself to rely heavily on Annie, who was still far more experienced in the ways of nobility. Her understanding on how best to act upon the given situation helped the territory flourish.

There were even times when the information stolen by their opponents were false, but the greed within the Counts and Viscounts were so great, they'd forget about their collective goal of bringing Duke Asai down, and instead furthered their own private agenda by investing into businesses that were falsely reported as being incredibly successful. This only further enhanced Trichia Duchy's prosperity.

Needless to say, even the spies and agents they sent in, disguised as workers also contributed to the rising population. As humans naturally required food and sustenance. Thus, increasing the lands wealth.

Thus, whilst Mary handled the night, Annie administrated the day. Perhaps without these two pivotal women in his life. Asai's Duchy would've failed horrendously. Even if he kept throwing coins at the fire.

Once her agents had left her. She pulled out Asai's favourite whiskey, pouring herself a glass to slowly enjoy. The glass she was using was also Asai's personal drinking glass.

She took a sip as she pondered upon her progress. Originally a thief that poisoned the kingdom, and perhaps also one that was on the brink of becoming a plague, if she had been successful in creating her own guild. Now an expert and leader of her own agency that defended the good of the people. 

Unbeknownst to the young woman. Her destiny was to become the greatest calamity the world would've seen. Inflicting her poison upon both human and elven kingdoms. However, thanks to the whims of a goddess and that of a boy, her path in life changed.