Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Thirty: The Auction - Part 1

The preparations for the auction were precise and deliberate. Wriothesley, Maria, and Vire knew they needed to blend in seamlessly with the other attendees, so they decided to carry out their transformations in a more discreet location. They gathered at Maria's small house in the Fleuve Cendre district, a quiet and unassuming place that wouldn't draw attention.

Maria's house was sparse, with most of her belongings packed away during her time in the Fortress of Meropide. The emptiness of the space only added to the seriousness of their task. It was the perfect place to prepare—away from prying eyes and curious onlookers.

Maria set to work on both men, starting with Wriothesley. "We can't afford to have anyone recognize either of you," she explained as she applied makeup to soften the Duke's features and cover his distinctive scars. She worked carefully, blending the makeup to create a polished but unremarkable appearance. His hair was restyled to fall naturally over his forehead, giving him a more subdued look, perfect for someone playing the role of a minion rather than a leader.

Next, Maria applied temporary tattoos on Wriothesley's forearm and neck, adding subtle details that suggested a rough past without drawing too much attention. "We're going for someone who looks like they belong, but not someone who stands out," she said, stepping back to admire her work.

Vire, unlike Wriothesley, needed no transformation. He simply dressed in sharp, formal attire that highlighted his commanding presence. His black shirt was open at the collar, revealing the outline of his muscular build. He didn't bother with a tie, preferring a more rugged look, but he did wear a pair of black gloves, adding to his formidable appearance. A black switchblade was hidden on his forearm, easily accessible if needed. Vire had never looked more like himself—a man who could effortlessly command a room's attention or disappear into the shadows, depending on his intent.

Maria, recognizing that Vire needed no help in presenting himself, focused solely on Wriothesley's transformation, leaving Vire to be exactly who he was—a force to be reckoned with in the world they were about to step into.

"I'll leave first," Vire instructed, his voice steady and calm. "See you at the Aquabus line."

With that, he stepped out, his polished shoes clicking softly on the floor. As he walked through the Fleuve Cendre, Vire adjusted his body language, blending seamlessly into the evening crowd. Not a single person paid him any attention. If anyone had been asked to give a statement about the man who passed them by, they would have been unable to recall a single detail. Vire was a ghost—there one moment, gone the next—leaving no trace of his presence behind.

"It creeps me out when he does that," the Duke muttered, reaching up to loosen his tie, only to get a sharp slap on the wrist from Maria.

"Don't you dare have any of your normal habits," she scolded, tightening the tie with a firm hand.

The Duke glanced in the mirror, taking in his new appearance. He wore a sleek black suit with no accessories, his Vision carefully hidden beneath the fabric. Maria had removed all his earrings, and the scar on his face was expertly concealed. Hidden weapons were discreetly tucked away, ready for use if needed. "It feels weird, doesn't feel like me," he admitted, studying the reflection that looked so different from his usual self.

"Great," Maria replied, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "That's exactly what we want."

"By the way, I never asked," the Duke said, turning to her. "Did everything go smoothly retrieving Vire's things?"

"Yeah, though I'll admit it was a lot to carry," Maria said with a slight chuckle. "I can't believe he had entire bags full of clothes, weapons, and who knows what else stashed away. I had to make two trips to get it all."