Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Twenty-Three: Everything at Once

Clorinde and Wriothesley were preparing for very different evenings.

Clorinde's mind was sharp, her focus unwavering as she went over her plan again and again in her mind. Tonight was the night. She was certain that if she played her cards right, she would finally get the answers she had been seeking. The fortress had been full of secrets, but tonight, Clorinde was determined to uncover them all. She checked her gear, making sure everything was in place. There was no room for error.

In another part of the fortress, Wriothesley was having a decidedly more personal evening.

Standing before the mirror in his quarters, the Duke adjusted his tie, ensuring it was perfectly centered. He ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it down as he considered his reflection. Tonight wasn't just another dinner; it was a date, and he couldn't wait for the evening that he knew awaited him.

He had decided to wear his usual uniform but without the heavy coat. The outfit was comfortable and still formal enough for the restaurant they had chosen. The uniform, even in its more relaxed form, was still a reminder of his position, but tonight, he wanted to find a balance between duty and something more personal. Satisfied with his appearance, he gave himself a final nod in the mirror and turned to leave.

Wriothesley made his way through the fortress, his steps unhurried. The thought of the evening ahead brought a small smile to his face. They had decided to meet at the large windows overlooking the underwater landscape, a fitting backdrop for what promised to be an interesting night.

Clorinde moved with purpose through the dim corridors of the lower levels, her footsteps echoing softly off the cold stone walls. Every step was calculated, every turn deliberate. She was heading to a small area that had been blocked off for general use—a section of the fortress where most people believed a stability and safety issue had necessitated its closure. In reality, the surveillance system in that area had failed, leaving it vulnerable and unsupervised. The guards knew the truth, as did Clorinde.

She knew exactly where to go, the path etched into her memory from the last time she had been here. It was the same place where she had saved Vire not long ago. The broken cameras, the blind spots—it was the perfect place for the clandestine meeting Vire had insisted on. Despite the unease simmering in her gut, Clorinde knew she had to take the chance. Too much was at stake to hesitate now.

At the windows, Wriothesley arrived first, his eyes drawn to the breathtaking view of the underwater world.

He waited there for a moment, the quiet hum of the fortress barely noticeable as he absently spun a pair of handcuffs around his finger. The gentle motion kept his hands busy, a subtle way to channel his anticipation. Madeleine was late, and as the minutes ticked by, he began to wonder if perhaps they had misunderstood the time they were supposed to meet.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard the soft ding of the elevator arriving, followed by hurried footsteps approaching from the corridor. He turned just in time to see Madeleine round the corner, frantically fixing her hair. She, too, was still in her uniform, the familiar attire a contrast to the more relaxed atmosphere they were about to step into.

She came to a halt next to him, slightly out of breath. "I'm so sorry," she said, giving him an apologetic smile. "Something came up at the last minute. I hope you didn't wait long."

Wriothesley returned her smile, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course not," he reassured her, slipping the handcuffs back into his pocket. "Let's get going. I got us a reservation at a nice, quiet place."