Entwined Amore || Twisted Wonderland x Reader

The Merchants from the Depths | 070 |

──❝The Merchants from the Depths❞──

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The atmosphere in the VIP room grew taut with palpable tension, enveloping [Y/n], Yuu, and Jack in anxious anticipation, each holding their breath as Azul poised to reveal the terms of the deal to Yuu. A sense of unease clawed at [Y/n]'s stomach, pondering what Azul might seek in exchange for Yuu to absolve the students ensnared in his schemes. The mere thought of Azul requesting something so intimately personal and precious sent shivers coursing down [Y/n]'s spine. The dread of potential repercussions loomed over her, should Yuu dare to decline Azul's entreaty. She observed the subtle tightening of Azul's lips and the furrowing of his brows, a signal prior to his impending words—a telltale indication that whatever he was on the brink of proposing bore immense weight, a matter of profound importance that resonated deeply within him.

"Here's the deal..." Azul began. "I bid you pilfer a certain photograph from the Atlantica Memorial Museum in the Coral Sea before the sun sets on the third day from now." His words elicited a sudden widening of [Y/n]'s eyes, a swift reaction that conveyed her shock. 'Pilfer? He wanted Yuu to steal from a museum?' she thought, her mind racing with questions. [Y/n] shifted her gaze toward Yuu, their expressions mirroring perplexity, their eyes locking in an unspoken standoff akin to a silent conversation carried out through telepathic means. The air around them crackles with tension as their gazes hold steady, each trying to convey their thoughts and emotions. The tension between them was palpable, as if any wrong move would ignite a powder keg of emotions. Finally breaking the silence, Jack spoke up, his voice angry and accusatory. "You want us to steal a piece of art?!" 

"No, not a piece of art. A photo. One commemorating a visit to the museum from Prince Rielé, taken ten years ago." Azul clarified with an almost wistful smile. "Gonna need more detail than that," sneered Jack, rolling his eyes. "It's a photo panel placed right near the museum entrance. It has no historic value whatsoever. Borrowing it would not cause any particular fuss." Azul explained with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Then..." [Y/n] faltered in her speech, sensing the weight of Azul's gaze fixating on her, causing her heart to momentarily skip a beat in response. "If it has no value, what is the purpose of wanting Yuu to steal it?" "Ah, well, my pearl," Azul began, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Heh. What's the point of a challenge if it's not challenging? If I were to concoct a trifling errand, I would simply be giving away my end of it, wouldn't I? I'm not running a charity here." 

"The Atlantica Memorial Museum is a renowned tourist attraction that houses a good twenty different cultural artifacts. That includes the Silver Hair Comb, a Coral Sea national treasure, and the Mermaid Princess's Prized Cork Openers, among others. We're not asking you to find a speck of gold dust on the seabed here." Jade said with a mischievous grin. As [Y/n] pondered the complexities of the matter, a contemplative expression settled upon her face. 'Are they serious? Are they really expecting them to find something so specific and rare in such a vast museum?' she wondered. "Oh, hey," Floyd drawled out. "Didn't we go there on an elementary school field trip once?" he interjected, his eyes lighting up with a hint of nostalgia. "Hold on. The nation of the Coral Sea is at the bottom of the ocean, right? It's not exactly hospitable to land mammals like us with no fins or gills. I think you're askin' too much here." Jack pointed out, resting his hand on his chin in deep thought. "I mean, even if they do manage to find it, how would they bring it back? They can't breathe underwater like you guys," [Y/n] added, raising a valid concern.