Mission Completed

 "Isn't one of your rules that we can't talk about our missions to one another. No matter what?" Jewels reminded her Master. It was a safety precaution that was implemented so none of them would be implicated should there be an inquiry to the mission. Doku stared at Jewels for a long time, before he accepted the fact that she completed the mission perfectly and left no witnesses and no evidence.

"I'll go get your payment." Doku said as he went out to meet the client.

"You should have told him." Nobu said as he sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Have you ever told him how you completed a mission?" Jewels asked him back then turned to Fudo. "What about you?"

When both of them shook their heads no, it made Jewels mad. "Then why is it that I should have done something that would go against the very rules that Master made and emphasized on, especially since none of you have done the same either."

When they had no good answer, they instead stayed quiet and waited for their Master to come back. When he did, he had the gold brought in by the servants and placed it beside her.

"Here's your reward, all 30,000 gold coins." Doku told her. "Can you at least tell me where the bodies are?"

Jewels looked at him and gave in. "At the bottom of the sea."

----------------

Last night when Jewels got ready for her mission, she was able to drug Roku and her shadowed guard with a sleeping pill and left them behind. Raiden fortunately was tied up in the palace and sent word to Jewels that he was 'not able to attend' her that night. When Jewels left, it was a dead of the night. As she flew towards the sea, she cloaked her presence and flew higher into the clouds. It took her awhile to find the ship in the vast sea. She knew it should be near the coastline, for it was schedule to dock the next day, but with other ships that were also scheduled to dock, she had to fly around to make sure she got the right one.

When she approached The Squall, it's crew members were mostly sleeping. The crew that had the night shift were not paying attention to their surroundings because they were so close to shore and thought that they would not be attacked because of it. Jewels hid within the shadows, as she waited quietly, watching the crew before taking them out one by one. There wasn't a big fight like everyone thought. The killings was done meticulously, one by one as Jewels snuck up behind them and slit their throats. She only had a hard time when she went further down into the ship and went into the rooms of the crewmen. They shared rooms and bunked together. At times, Jewels was able to be fast and quick with her killings, others she had to struggle a bit, by covering their mouths and then slitting their throats. When she finished with the crew and the captain, she then took her time looking through the ship, putting all cargo into her grey space. She was able to find hidden compartments on the ship and was able to get to their treasured items, such as 50 high level soul stones, 20 rare herbs and scrolls. She was also able to find a quarter of a treasure map and a book that listed what ship they were able to suppress and pillage from as well as what was taken from them. After going through the whole ship tree times, ensuring that she did not miss anything, she set the course of the ship towards the docks and left. It had taken her three hours to complete the mission and make her way back home. Once inside her room, she took a long hot shower and slept in until she had to get ready to go to her Master's house.

Roku, refused to talk to her when he saw her. He knew he was drugged and he was not happy about it.

"What was it that you had to do that I could not come along?" Roku asked her during the carriage ride.

"Well, considering Fudo is your brother, what else do you think the reason would be to drug you?" Jewels told him.

Roku was silent for a long time before answering her. "Very well, but next time, just tell me that you have a mission and me and your shadow bodyguard will stay behind. To be unconscious for the whole night, neither of us able to come to our senses should something happen is not a good feeling to feel when your whole existence is protection. You have enemies, Prince Raiden has enemies, the crown has enemies. To not to be able to wake up to defend oneself is scary."

"I apologize." Jewels told him. "Next time, I'll just let you know."

"And should we follow you, you can kill us."

"Trust me I won't hesitate." Jewels told him honesty.

"Your business with Master Doku is your business with Master Doku. Even Prince Raiden knows that and respects that."

Jewels nods her head once and the awkward air in the carriage lifted and Roku became the easy going man that she knew.

---------------

By the end of that day, Uncle Jude and Jewels was invited into a secret meeting with Raiden, Tyler and Westly. The questions that they asked earlier that week took them longer than they thought, for the questions were too complex for the shadows to answer. They had to give the shadow knowledge or examples first before asking them the questions.

"The answers?" Raiden asked impatiently.

"There will always be more shadow spies as long as their master is not caught. Where they come from, shadow spies are made every minute and according to them there are more than they could count. They think like a collective unit. Their minds linking with one another and once an order is given, they cannot say no. They have an impulse to follow through the order until completion, there is no other thought in their heads. They have no names, or knowledge of age or time. They also have no knowledge of places. They call this place is the plain of the living and the place where they come from is what they call the Shadowed Lands. Where that is, they don't know. How to go there, they don't know either. They come through a portal that their master casts and that is how they move. That is all the information we have right now on the shadow spies. The other questions were too hard for them to understand and my animals had to hurt the shadows again for them to answer some of the questions. One of them died." Jewels reported.

"And how many are left?" Tyler asks.

"Four."

"How many names have been crossed off the list?" Raiden asked.

Since last time they talked the list held over 40 names, now they were down to 15 names.

"What would you need to do to be able to cast Watchful Eye."

"I just need one meeting and introduction. I need to know what they look like and I need to touch their skin to cast the enchantment. The only way the enchantment would not work would be if the person in question has a talisman protecting their home or body. If they do, Watchful Eye will not work."

"How would the talisman look like?" Westly asked.

"I wouldn't know. All talisman's are made and casted differently with different levels of the enchantment. I would have to have a look at the outside of their homes to find the talisman's. If it's on their body, there is no way I can search their body's to take it off."

"Can you cast Watchful eye on a servant that works in the house, should they have a talisman on their body?"

"Yes."

They planned for Jewels to meet Raiden's relatives, by attending more parties and events that the palace was holding. So far, Jewels did not attend a single party that was held since she arrived to Redbane, snubbing the whole royalty and nobility society. If Raiden was not required to go, then she did not go as well. With their new plan, she was now forced to go to these balls and start intergrading herself into high society. The first ball that she would go to would be held tomorrow night. Raiden assured her that he would send her a dress so she did not have to worry about what to wear.

---------------

The next night as she got ready for the ball. Zeze forced her to start getting ready three hours before Raiden said he would pick her up. Jewels gave herself to her maids hands as they primped and prodded her face and body and did what they told her to do. The dress that Raiden sent to her, arrived earlier that day and Zeze had been the first person who opened the hug box that it came in. The dress that Raiden had chosen, was a red tight dress that fell off her shoulders. The dress fit her like a second skin until it flared out at the bottom. A slit in the dress was too high in Jewels's taste, so she instructed, Zeze to sew it down where she felt comfortable and confident in it. Raiden also sent a matching bracer for her left hand, since the dress showed off her arms. With her hair swept up and pinned down with diamond pins, Zeze then gave her a huge diamond drop earring to wear. Jewels took of the necklace that Master Doku gave her and left her neck bare. As she slipped into her shoes, Raiden knocked on the door and walked in. The moment he walked in, he went straight towards her and kissed her both of them were forced to pull apart or none of them were going to go to the party.

With lust filled eyes and a heated body, the carriage ride to the palace was torture.

At the palace, the announcement into the ball room caused a stir.  No one was expecting the Crown Prince and the Princess Consort to attend.  But when their names were called out, everyone's attention turned towards the grand door and opened. The two of them together was a vision.  With Jewels's red against his black tux, made others think of sin and desire.  

Raiden led her towards his father and mother to greet them.  As they made their way, several people stopped him and as they chatted, Jewels was then introduced to the person. When they finally made it to greet his parents, it was Queen Akane who acknowledged them first.

"Please, my son and future daughter, do not bow to us."

Prince Raiden and Jewels still bowed to them, however as soon as they bowed, they stood back up.  

"This Prince and Princess Consort greets King Father and Queen Mother." 

"We were not expecting you here," King Michio said. 

"Yes, we were not planning to attend, however I figured we should start showing up to these balls so my Princess Consort could meet the royalty and nobility. They are to be her people someday." 

"Yes, they are." The queen said. "It has been too long since I have seen my future daughter, please come visit us more." 

"As my Queen commands." Jewels said.  

"You are to marry into our family, you should call me Queen Mother."  The Queen demanded. 

"Yes, Queen Mother." 

Raiden quickly took her away from his parents just in cast they start questioning Jewels.  Raiden took her to the dance floor and held her in his arms as he twirled her  around in circles. The sight they made together was the envy everyone there.  Jewels in her enchanting dress and Raiden in his handsome suit made their way around and around the ballroom, song after song.  

"You know,"  Jewels told him after four songs of dancing.  "You still haven't introduced me to your cousins.  That is the reason why we agreed to come here." 

"You are too mean." Raiden told her. "You couldn't let us enjoy ourselves for just a little bit longer before you had to remind us about why we are here?" 

"If that is the case, then you must forgive your golden gift." Jewels told him.  She let him twirl her around the ball room until four more songs came and passed.  It was then that they were interrupted by a woman with black hair and black eyes.  She came barreling towards the intimate couple on the floor, furious and headstrong wanting to put the Crown Princess in her place.  Along with the angry woman was also a woman with the same dark black ink hair and black eyes.  Once they reached Raiden and Jewels, the angry woman bumped into the dancing couple and created a scene. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I did not see you there." Princess Isabelle said.  "I was having too much fun with cousin Bethany that I bumped into you.  Please forgive this Princess." 

Raiden raised his eyebrow at Jewels as he set his stone face in line.

"There is nothing to forgive since these trivial little things often happen at balls."  Jewels said. 

Princess Isabelle stared at the beautiful woman before her.  Did the Princess Consort just call her and Bethany 'trivial little things' or did she mean the her bumping into each other was a trivial matter? Without Lady Jewels clarifying her word, Princess Isabelle could not rebuke her.

"Prince Raiden, could you introduce us?" Bethany asked. 

"Ladies, this is the Princess Consort, Lady Jewels Brooks, my heart, these are my cousins, Princess Isabelle and Lady Bethany." 

"Your dress is very beautiful." Bethany told her. 

"Thank you, Raiden gifted it to me." Jewels told them and watched their reaction as they heard her words.  Princess Isabelle formed an ugly face of jealousy as Lady Bethany, scrunched up her eyebrows and smiled back. "Your dress are quite beautiful as well." 

"It took my dress maker six months to make my dress." Princess Isabelle told them. She then suddenly turned to Raiden and said. "Prince Raiden, since you were so fond of dancing tonight, shall we have a go around the room for old time's sake? When I was younger, I remember you spinning me around the ballroom as well.  I was your favorite partner to dance with because I was the only one who could keep up with you." 

"Yes, I remember," Bethany chimed in. "At all the balls, Prince Raiden would dance with you more times than other girls at the ball. You are his favorite." 

"Yes, well Prince Raiden did stop coming to the balls and it had become very dull without his presence. However, now that you are back, let us dance again like we use to." 

Raiden looked at Jewels to see her reaction towards the two girls who were trying to get her angry, but Jewels did not fall for it. She smiled at them and waited for Raiden's answer. 

"You must excuse this Prince, for this Prince is not longer that young, spring youth.  This Prince is now an aged wine that gets tired and will no longer be dancing for the remainder of the night." He told them. 

Jewels leans over to Raiden and whispers in his ear.  "I hear they say that wine gets better as they age. And I do so like to drink wine." 

Raiden turns to her and pulls her into his embrace.  Holding her, she could hear him groan lowly.

"You're torturing me tonight." He whispered back. 

Jewels pulls away and smiles at him.  She wanted to start playing a dangerous game with him that night, but it was just beginning.  She started when they were dancing on the ballroom floor.  She would accidentally brush up against him, teasing him slightly.  Or she would caress him with her fingers and hand as if she was doing it absentmindedly.  Every move she made on him was planned and evilly calculated.  

When they turned around again, Jewels saw how the two girls were pouting. One pouting openly while the other pouted secretly for fearing the Princess wrath.  

"Could Princess Isabelle and Lady Bethany walk me to the ladies room?" Jewels asked them. "This is my first time here and I would get lost just moving about the room, would you be so gracious to show me around?" 

Princess Isabelle thought about it for a moment before she agreed.  If they did what she asked, at least then Prince Raiden would not be near her and she can leave Lady Jewels with Lady Bethany and give her a chance to talk to Prince Raiden. 

"Of course, it will be our pleasure." 

Jewels walked forward and hooked her arms around their arms immediately, she purposefully made contact with them because their names where on the list of suspects who was the master of the shadow spies.  On their way, they made small talk with Princess Isabelle talking about their past with Prince Raiden.  How he always adored her and played with her.  How she was the only one who he was tolerant of and paid special attention to.  Jewels played along and took her time in the ladies room while Princess Isabelle quickly excused herself.  Jewels knew what little game the Princess was playing.  She knew what the Princess  wanted to do, so Jewels purposefully talked to Lady Bethany and let her lead the conversation.  

"So how is Prince Raiden when he is with you?" Lady Bethany asked Jewels. 

"What do you mean?" Jewels asked.  "I've only known Prince Raiden as Prince Raiden when he's around me. How could I compare him to his past self when all I've ever known is his current self?"  

"What I mean is how does he act while he's around you?" 

"He treats me very well, if that's what you mean."  Jewels told her.

"We can all see how smitten he is of you.  What I want to know is how did you do it?"  

"Do what?"  Jewels said, purposefully acting innocent and dumb.  

"How did you make him not treat you like he treats everyone else." 

"Does he do that?" Jewels asked. "I've never noticed." 

With Jewels acting the way she was, she quickly got on Lady Bethany's nerve so her quiet, demure image that she developed over the years came crumbling down with Jewels few answers that she gave to Lady Bethany. 

"You must have done something to him to make him like you." Lady Bethany said. "Was it an enchantment you put on him?  Did you make him drink a potion?" 

"Are you suggesting that this Princess Consort would trick and poison the Crown Prince?" Jewels said loudly as she drew in attention from the other ladies in the ladies room.  "Why would you say that about this Princess Consort.  What has this Princess Consort done to you to make you think that this Princess Consort could be so malicious and evil?"

Lady Bethany started panicking and started backtracking. 

"You misunderstand my question."  Lady Bethany said. "I did--" 

"Lady Bethany, this Princess Consort just met you a moment ago and you have chosen to accuse this Princess Consort of trickery and poisoning the Crown Prince. I have treated you well and to have you falsely accuse me of such malicious intent against the Crown Prince.  I thought you were a nice person, but obviously I was wrong." Jewels told her as she left the ladies room and headed towards Raiden with quick foot steps.  

When Jewels walked towards Raiden, she saw before her a scene that had gathered people around him.  From what Jewels saw, Princess Isabelle had thrown herself at Prince Raiden as he stood there.  Her weeping cries could be heard over the music as she buried her face into his shirt.  

"Please, my Prince, please."  Princess Isabelle cried. "Please do not deny my family and me this. I have loved you since we were children.  I have always loved you.  How could you be so cold towards me when you have always been so nice and caring. Please do not deny my father's request for marriage. You have always been the one for me.  If I cannot marry you than I will never marry anyone at all!" 

Jewels made her way through the crowd slowly as she watched Raiden remove her from his person and called his bodyguard over.  Ichi came with a new shirt and suit jacket.  In the middle of the ballroom floor, Raiden took off his clothes and put on the new clothes that Ichi held in his hand.  

"I don't like it when dirty things touch me."  Prince Raiden said out loud.  Princess Isabelle cried out even longer. "This Prince has already denied your father's request. This Prince has no interest in you nor does this Prince have any interest in getting married to another woman other than this Prince's Princess Consort.  You are not worthy of this Prince." 

When he called her dirty, he knew how dirty she is.  He did not care about the men she had in her bed, what he did care about was how hard she worked and schemed to get them into her bed.  With her tricks and lies, she was able to steal many men away from other women and throw them away in a few days.  He did not want to be one of those men. 

Jewels on the other hand had forced tears down her face and quickly made her way through the crowd and hugged him from behind.  

"My Prince, you must find justice for this Princes Consort."  Jewels said as Raiden turned around. 

When he saw the tears running down her face, he immediately grew angry and engulfed her in his arms.  "Come, tell this Prince what has made you so upset." 

Lady Bethany had already reached the front of the crowed and not knowing the situation, she already knelt in front of Prince Raiden and Lady Jewels. 

"Prince Raiden, Princess Consort Jewels, this little cousin has wronged the Princess Consort with words that were spoken carelessly as a joke. This little cousin would like to apologize to the Princess Consort for this offense. " Lady Bethany said as she bowed completely to the ground, her face to the ground that hid her anger and embarrassment. 

"What words were said carelessly as a joke." Raiden asked Jewels. 

"The words Lady Bethany spoke were not words spoken carelessly nor were they words spoken as a joke.  Lady Bethany has accuse this Princess Consort as a trickster who had enchanted you with spells and a poisoner who has poisoned you into loving me."  Jewels told him. "I have just met Lady Bethany and she has accused me of such malicious behavior.  I fear that if this offense does not get settled tonight, this Princess Consort's reputation would get hurt and bad rumors about me will start to circulate.  If this Princess Consort has hurt you or tricked you in anyway, this Princess Consort is willing to pull out of the engagement, for this Princess Consort only wants Crown Prince to be happy and healthy."  

Raiden took her into his arms and squeezed her tighter.  As he let her go, he cupped her face in his hands and looked down at her crying face.  

"Do not think I would so easily let you pull out of this engagement.  Do not think that just because you think you can pull out of this engagement, this Prince will not try harder to bind you closer to this prince? Do not say such words so carelessly.  Who ever says that you have tricked or poisoned this Prince is ignorant, thinking that anyone can trick or poison this Prince so easily.  This Prince shall seek justice for you and right the wrong that was done to Princess Consort. 

Jewels smiled through her tear stained face and said. 

"Are you going to seek justice for this Princess Consort from both Lady Bethany and Princess Isabelle?  They have both wronged this Princess Consort.  Lady Bethany by maliciously accusing this Princess Consort and ruining this Princess Consort's reputation and Princess Isabelle by disrespecting this Princess Consort's standing in Prince Raiden's heart, by causing a scene which would thus cause a misunderstanding on how ungracious this Princess Consort is to not be magnanimous enough to let Prince Raiden take another woman into his household and have a concubine.  It will also ruin this Princess Consort's reputation." 

Raiden caught the mischievous glint in her eye and finally figured that she had been putting on a play for them all.  All the while, she had stealthy rubbed herself all over him, making him sexually frustrated and tempted to throw her down on the ground and have his way with her.