Arcana One Shots

Nᴏᴛ Jᴜsᴛ A Sᴇʀᴠᴀɴᴛ [Lucio X M.R]

⚠️Art: I looked, but didn't find anything. Please help, I'd appreciate it! ⚠️

Story request by: toby5889

Another busy day, nothing special about it. I walk along the west wing, wiping the floors and reorganizing everything. I hear fast paced footsteps approach my spot and I wonder who it could be at this hour. It's already dark out, but as the person rounds the corner I stare. It's the count and as soon as he spots me he stops. "You there! Have you seen Melchior anywhere?" He asks, his voice in vain as he seems worried. The other dog, Mercedes trotts up behind him and tilts her head at me, as if asking the same. I slowly shake my head, seeing how the Count's head drops. "He's been gone all day, last time I saw him was in the morning in the palace gardens." He mumbles and I start to feel bad for him. Without thinking I speak up. "I could help look for him." I freeze, confused as to why I just offered that. My shift is almost over and I don't really want to chase after a lost dog. But seeing his sad expression makes me feel.. Sympathy? I don't know how to put it. The count lits up at my offer and nods his head. "That would be great. Let's go immediately, I haven't checked the maze yet." I nod and put everything down to hurry after him. The dog walks next to me, sniffing at me and then wagging her tail. I smile down and pet her to her enjoyment. Lucio looks back over his shoulder and chuckles. "She usually isn't that friendly with anyone besides me. Not even Noddy." He sais and I feel myself smile, a little proud of this unimportant accomplishment. We soon reach the gardens, stopping in front of the entrance to the maze. "Let's split up. Mercedes, go left." The dog immediately takes off into the hedges and Lucio nods his head to the right. "You go that way. I'll go straight." I nod and we make our way through the tall hedges. It takes us about 30mins before we find ourselves in the middle of the maze, unfortunately without Melchior. "Where could he be?!" Lucio exclaims and I sigh. "Is it possible that he went into the city? Maybe he went for a walk by himself?" I ask but the count shakes his head. "No, he'd never abandon Mercedes. Something must have happened." I think for a while before coming up with an idea. Not a guaranteed success but I could try it. "I could try something." I tell him and his head shoots up to look at me. He eagerly waits for my next move, nodding for me to go ahead. "Do you have anything that belongs to him? Or something he carries with him like a collar?" I ask and Lucio shrugs. "Could Mercedes help? They're always together." I nod and walk over to the white dog. I kneel down and she sits, staring at me curiously. I reach out and stroke her fur, closing my eyes and concentrating on her aura. It feels warm and soothing. I keep searching until I notice another dog's aura. It feels adventurous and warm, kinda like Mercedes. It must be Melchior. I start to track his aura, but after reopening my eyes I jump back. Lucio's face is inches away from mine, studying me closely. "What is it?" He asks me and I get up, calming down my beating heart. "He was here. But his aura is mixed with someone's. Someone must have taken him." I say and the count furrows his eyebrows in anger. "Who would dare and take MY dog away?!" He's fuming but I shake my head. "I don't know, but we could find out." I say, starting to walk after the trail. Lucio and Mercedes hurry after me, hot on my heels. In no time we find ourselves in the city, the alleyways to be exact. It doesn't take Lucio long before he speaks up again. "How do you know where to go?" I smile to myself and answer him. "Magic." I hear a surprised gasp from behind me and he practically runs next to me, starting to walk at the same pace as me. "What? You can do that? Then why are you a servant? You should have told me so! I would have given you a better position at the palace!" He sais and I shrug. "Don't know, I didn't have enough courage to ask for a better position." I look at him and continue. "Besides, if I knew that the count wasn't as harsh as everyone sais, I would've tried to ask you." I say and smile as his expression turns into a frown. "Who said that about me?" He asks and I shrug yet again. "Practically everyone. People are scared, don't dare speak up, think you're some kind of tyrant." Lucio shuckles. "I mean I am, aren't I? How come you're not scared or intimidated?" He asks and I smile at him. "Because the first time you talked to me today you seemed sad and worried. Made me rethink my opinion on you. Didn't think the count had emotions like that too." I say and he huffs. "What do you mean by that?" I smirk, thinking I might as well push my luck. "It means I'd love to see more of those." Lucio looks surprised, shocked even and for a second I think I just fucked up my life. But he soon recovers and his surprise turns into a playful look. "Oh, I see. Well you're in luck then, because this hot piece of count got some time to spare right about now." I chuckle. "Thank you." He walks proudly, glancing at me now and then. "By the way, what's your name?" He suddenly asks me and I smile. "It's Y/N" We walk until we reach the coliseum, stopping at the entrance. "Here?" He asks me and I furrow my brows slightly. "No, it's.. It's from underneath?" I say, sounding more like a question. The count nods and starts to lead the way. Soon we stand in front of what seems to be a cellar door. He opens it and I follow. Mercedes sits down at the entrance, probably not wanting to go down here." What's this? " I ask and Lucio smirks. "Welcome to the red Market." He sais proudly as we enter an underground marketplace. I look around in wonder, not knowing that something like this exists in Vesuvia. I snap back to reality as Melchior's aura seems to be stronger than ever. I concentrate more and my head snaps to the right. There's a peculiar looking shop, lookin really shady. Lucio follows quickly, pointing to the shop. "Ah, I know this one. Used to buy all of my exotic pets here. Especially the albino ones." I give him a meaningful look and he drops his smile. "If they sell albino animals, they must get them from somewhere. And the way they get them is probably not even close to legal." I raise an eyebrow at the Count and he gasps. "You mean-" I nod before he can finish. Melchior is a fine specimen of albino dog, having been taken care of by the count hymself. An animal in such condition definitely doesn't go overlooked by these merchants. Before I can say anything though, Lucio storms into the shop. I try to hold him back, but I'm too late, he's already reached the counter inside.

-Lucio's Pov-

I storm inside, anger visibly on my face. The merchant greets me, smiling as he sees me, since a few years back I used to come here a LOT, spending a LOT. But as he sees my expression he frowns, not so happy to see me after all. "C-Count! What brings you h-here?" He's nervous. "I know you know why I'm here. WHERE THE FUCK IS MY DOG?!" I yell, fuming. He starts to sweat, shaking his head. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!" He stutters and I swear to God I'm about to punch him in the face when I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's  Y/N. I immediately relax my muscles in his grip, which is weird. "It's just the dog's trail leads us right to your shop." He sais and I nod, crossing my arms. The shopkeep genuinely seems confused, so I look at the magician boy for what to do. "He's telling the truth." He sais and I furrow my brows. "But the trail!" "The trail doesn't lie. Melchior is here. But he doesn't know anything. Sir, could we take a look around?" He asks and the man nods. I stride forward and look around. Nothing. Parrots in all colors, worms, exotic looking pets I haven't seen before, but my dog isn't among them. I huff, starting to get mad again. I feel like I'm gonna rip this whole place apart if it wasn't for Y/N keeping me somewhat calm. Suddenly I hear him call me from one of the backrooms. I hurry into the room and I'm shocked at what I see. Melchior, chained to the wall, looking terrible. I rush to him and drop on my knees, hugging him. He immediately whines and cuddles close to me. "Oh Melchior, my sweet boy! Who did this to you?!" I ask, petting the hell out of his fur. "Lucio, I don't want to be rude, but I think Melchior would prefer anything other than chains around his neck." He sais and I back away so he can do his thing. He touches the chains binding him to the wall and they fall apart effortlessly. The dog jumps up at him and licks his face in joy. He laughs and I smile. His laugh is cute.

-Pov over-

The three of us walk out of the shop, while Lucio keeps complaining. "We need to catch that fucking bastard! No one gets away with stealing the county's dog!" He sais and I nod. "You're right. But we're not gonna get anywhere today. It's already morning and we need to rest
Especially Melchior, he looks super exhausted." I say and Lucio nods. "But you have to promise me that the first thing we'll do after getting up is catch that criminal!" He sais and I grin. "If it means I get to spend more time with you, of course! Count me in!" He chuckles as we walk back towards the palace, finally having left the red market. "Yes, that's what it means. See you tomorrow Y/N!" "See you!" I say as we separate, me on my way home. "And don't forget about our date!" I hear Lucio yell from the distance, making me smile. He has peaked my interest. I'm glad how the day turned out to be, glad I had hung out with him. And I sure as hell can't wait to see him again.