Hidden In Plain Sight (MxM)✔

Chapter 22 - The Plan

Luke was currently in a first class cabin on a train heading to the capital. He was once more dressed in his usual disguise with Maximillia sitting across from him looking uncomfortable as they waited for Nicholas to show up.

He spent almost an entire night trying to convince the Archduke to let him tag along. Naturally the Vampire tried to warn him how dangerous it'd be, and that he would be safer staying at the mansion, but Luke refused. 

Safety this. Safety that. He had been raised under a rock with a false sense of security, and now he was paying the price for it, but Luke was going to make sure that never happened again. 

The capitol was the heart of the Blood Cartel, so he'd have to be extra careful, thus why he requested that Maximilia escort him as his personal guard. 

Nicholas had initially planned to fire the woman for insubordination after he learned what she asked Luke to do, but the human decided she was far more trustworthy than any other random knight. No matter how much faith the Archduke had in his servants, Luke didn't feel comfortable around just anyone. Especially since the Emperor had an entire century to plant his own spies among the Archduke's staff.

His faith in the woman was based on the fact that both she and Archibald were conspiring against the Emperor. If they wanted him dead, then it was safe to assume that they didn't work for the guy. 

"What are you planning?" She asked suspiciously. "You sold me out, then insisted I come back to guard you. What makes you think I won't hold a grudge?"

He didn't like her tone, but he figured he could put up with it. So far, she had yet to learn that Luke was human. All she knew was that she had been given her job back thanks to him and nothing more.

"I don't care if you do or don't because in the end, we both want the same thing and we need each other to achieve that goal." Luke explained as calmly as he could, imitating Nicholas's demeanor.

Luke wasn't foolish enough to think he could deal with the Emperor alone, and Nicholas had already stated that he wouldn't fight the man, so he had to be tactful if he wanted to succeed.

"And what would that be?" She asked.

"We both want the Emperor dethroned, and the only person strong enough to do that is Nicholas, but as it turns out, you were wrong. He won't do it even if I ask."

"You asked?"

"Not directly, but he made it clear that if I did, he wouldn't."

"I take it this discussion happened when you sold me out?" The woman folded her arms, the clink of her chainmail filling the cart.

"Yes." Luke admitted, unashamedly. "Look, back then I didn't want him to do it. And honestly, I only felt that way because...I was stupid." He couldn't deny that he had been blinded by his affection for the Archduke. Luke was repeatedly made aware of the Emperor's murderous deeds and of how he manipulated the lower class for his own benefit, but the human never took it seriously because he preferred to focus on his fling with Nicholas.

"And now?"

"Now I have a reason to hate the Emperor. I want him dethroned, or at least have his crimes exposed, but first I want to make sure without a doubt that you and I are on the same page." Luke leaned forward. "What is your reason for betraying the Emperor?"

The knight glared, thinking hard on her answer. "My brother worked as one of the imperial knights. He served the Emperor loyally for decades before being unjustly executed over a mere joke. It wasn't even a straight execution. The Emperor made an example out of him by putting him on display and having him tortured to death."