The Extra Wants Control

Neveah's eyes were full of frustration as he rose from the opulent chessboard.

Three games, three losses.

LeNoir, across from him, remained always composed, what was going on in his mind only he knew.

Neveah didn't know why he was asked to play chess. The whole three games they were silent. He stood up to leave as he thought his purpose for coming here had failed.

His purpose was to somehow get LeNoir to be on his side. He failed today but he still had time to try again later.

As he stood and started walking to the door, LeNoir suddenly began speaking.

"Modred... he is ambitious, I'll grant him that. But ambition without brains is stupid and reckless... Blanche, however... she's a different story. She is ruthless, cunning, deceptive, manipulative and she can even betray her master to get ahead...

Be careful of her."

" Thank you." Neveah said as he walked away.

When he was out of the office he met a woman who said, " he likes you."

"Wha-" Neveah didn't have time to speak as he was suddenly out of the mansion again.

"Swap," he said with a sigh and in a blink, vanished from the area and was replaced by a shadow soldier that was placed in Mordred's estate while Neveah took it's place.

Neveah was still confused by how the LeNoirs were cryptic and very mysterious. Still he took LeNoir's advice very seriously and wondered why his mother had such a traitorous person as her count. This were one of the many questions Neveah would ask her when he sees her.

At Mordred's Castle...

The grandness of opulence here dwarfed LeNoir's estate but he shook that thought as he hadn't seen much of LeNoir's place.

But here at Mordred's the walls were practically shining as they reflected light.

There were statues all bearing the proud Count Keith Mordred.

" What an ego." Thought Neveah as he saw statues of gold almost everywhere and a big one before Mordred's castle and main residence.

Neveah cast a darkness veil and hid hus presence as he moved through the territory.

The territory being on war alert as they had a territory war with Kai's group.

It's guards patrolled but they looked like they were doing it halfheartedly... They walked around yawning and grumbling.

An hour later, after some investigations... Neveah finally had a bigger picture estate of Mordred's.

In one word it was sloppy... The guards themselves swaggered through the roads loud and boisterous.

Their very movements were sloppy, they didn't even wear their uniforms well, honestly it was very different with LeNoir's place where the only servants Neveah saw were the maids but they looked professional.

But Mordred's guards weren't soldiers. They were undisciplined thugs, more interested in immediate self gratification than honing their skills. Some had invited some escorts to their barracks as they drank the night away.

"It is a reflection of their leader," Neveah thought.

Neveah set his sights on Mordred's castle that was in the heart of this estate.

When he got there he spread out his senses, reaching most parts of the castle as he moved around to cover more space

Empty?

That was what Neveah concluded... no one was here.

Suddenly, he heard a voice. "A damn rat snuck into my castle?"

Neveah was slightly startled he thought someone had gotten close but it only came from a guard stationed outside who sounded more annoyed than alarmed.

He continued to search but found no one in the castle.

He continued his search outside looking for Mordred but found no one.

He then mimicked the appearance of a soldier to move around and interact.

As he moved, he heard mummers and rumors.

It seems no one had seen anyone of Clan Mordred in the past six weeks that's why The were partying so hard.

"Hmmm, how could a leader simply vanish during a critical war campaign and especially at this time?" Thought Neveah.

He approached a group of soldiers, their faces flushed red, he disguised himself as a newbie recruit.

"Have you seen Count Mordred? I'd like to meet him someday." he said nervously and excitedly as he spoke of Count Mordred.

" Hehe... A naive brat is here wanting to meet the count." One said and the rest laughed.

" We haven't seen the count boy... Hahaha." Said one.

" Then our orders for the war came from who."

" We don't know... Orders came down and we followed them..."

No questions, no explanation, no leadership, just blind obedience.

The lack of Mordred's presence was starting to paint a far more unsettling picture.

"What is happening here? Where did they get their orders? Where's the Count Clan. Are they hiding ti wait out tournament and ensure their seats? Is there something more? Well I don't have time for this...

I'll head to Blanche's" Thought Neveah.

*************

A wave of unease swept through Neveah as he approached the gates of Count Blanche's estate.

LeNoir's warnings echoed in his mind – ruthless, cunning, a thirst for power. He wasn't sure what awaited him.

He bypassed the ostentatious displays of wealth his steps purposeful as he made his way towards the heart of the estate to Blanche's main house which he assumed was the largest and most imposing house.

There, in a house he found a young boy, no older than ten knelt on the floor, his back bowed.

Atop his body, two girls with their faces full of haughty amusement, used him as a human footstool. He raised an eyebrow looked away.

He opted to ignore it for now, his focus on the bigger picture.

He then extended his senses, searching the opulent house for any sign of Blanche or her inner circle. But the rooms were eerily empty, a silence so profound it felt almost suffocating.

Just as he turned to leave, a soft melodious was what he heard.

"Leaving so soon?" It said.

There, mere inches from him, stood a woman of breathtaking beauty. Her hair fell on her back like it looked shiny and soft it was framing a beautiful doll like face.

Her eyes, the crimson and a smile forming on her lips.

Yet, despite the beauty a primal instinct screamed a warning at Neveah.

This woman was dangerous, more so than any opponent he'd faced before. He jumped back and prepared for battlem

The woman smile widened and the sweetness

"Why are you here at my estate," she continued, her eyes closed, "and who are you?" There was a playful tilt to her head.

Neveah's instincts were screaming.

' you are not answering? Then I'll have to make you." She said making Neveah snap out of his dazed state.

Then the woman appeared before Neveah and help his lower jaw and raised him up with her bear hands.

" Is this how you treat guests." Neveah said as. His mouth was being squished.

" You were not invited nor did you make an appointment. To me you are a danger, a thief or maybe an assassin. And I kill those." Said Blanche.

But an ince sword formed right before her and it's blade was coated with a red aura that cut through her arm easily. Neveah landed on his feet as he yanked the other part of her arm that was squishing his face.

But even though it was cut from her, the arm moved as if it was being controlled or had a mind of it's own. It reached out to strangle Neveah but when it missed it suddenly reached out to stab Neveah. But Neveah Kicked it away but was caught by something mid air and levitated to the place where it originated from, Blanche's arm.

Blanche's lips widened as she smiled and as she surveyed the scene.

All three of the people who were in that house were now hostages of Neveah. They were bound and floating around Neveah.

"You are quick," Blanche conceded, her voice full of amusement. "But do you think that that will ensure your safety? Are you certain that you can kill them before I get to them or you? And let's say you kill them... What will stop me from killing you?"

Neveah didn't answer. He was quite for a while then said "It's you huh. The flirty woman from the rooftop. Damn I really walked into a mess right here."

A delighted chuckle escaped Blanche's lips. "Heh? So you did notice huh?" The hostages suddenly liberated themselves from their binds and drifted towards Blanche, their fearful eyes now devoid of emotion they were cold and almost robotic.

"Thank you for joining me~," Blanche said in a purr, her voice sending shivers down Neveah's spine.

"Swap," he commanded and nothing happened.

The connection with his soldiers was being severed.

Blanche's smile widened. "Awww you can't get to your precious soldiers? They're being neutralized as we speak. There's no escape little prince."

Neveah was quiet.

"What do you want?" he said.

"The mighty prince showing fear? Fufufu," Blanche mocked, her laughter a chilling melody.

"Ohh my... What would the queen say? Well, my desires have never been a secret. I. Want. You." That was her final declaration, slow and deliberate, hung heavy in the air, leaving no doubt about the terrifying truth.

She wants him.