Part 3
It was almost noon when Rebecca finally returned from the cottage. She enjoyed the warmth of the sun against her face, a feeling she had completely forgotten. Sirene quietly observed Rebecca as they walked together back to the Inn.
"So that was the God of Time?" Rebecca asked.
"Quite animated, isn't she?" Sirene said, answering with another question.
"Well, despite all that food I ate, I'm still famished. I'll meet you back in the room after I eat."
Later, in Rebecca's private room at the Inn, Sirene, Hamlin, Heather, Jack, and Marv discussed the events.
"So the boss ain't really cured?" Marv asked, clarifying.
"No, she's still technically a vampire. I don't think she can actually spread it anymore, though. She said the very idea of drinking someone's blood made her sick, too." Sirene answered, leaning back in her chair.
"She got her wish, Marvin." Hamlin said, placing his hand on Marv's shoulder. "I think you'll find the real Rebecca to be much more intriguing."
"What's that supposed to mean, big guy?" Marv asked, but Hamlin shook his head.
At that moment, a knock was heard at the door, and Rebecca entered, a sandwich stuffed in her mouth, her arms full of more food, and with the Innkeeper behind her carrying an entire keg of beer on his back.
"The young lass apologizes, but she's no longer able to carry an entire keg under a single arm." He said with a laugh. "Guess you're still remembering how to be human?"
Rebecca's response was muffled by the sandwich she was still chewing. She eventually swallowed, and smiled, revealing perfectly normal teeth.
"It's so lovely to eat again. Marvin, Jacob, everyone, I brought food for you as well." Rebecca said, her smile beaming as she set the food down on the table.
"I think your compatriots are taken aback by your pleasantness." Hamlin said, laughing. "They only knew Rebecca the vampire, after all."
Rebecca laughed. Of course, they were far too young. "Allow me to re-introduce myself for the first time to my good friends, then."
Sirene raised an eyebrow, and looked over at Hamlin. He simply nodded.
"I am Baroness Rebecca Astrid Ashe, disgraced daughter of the Duke of Whitemire. The Phantom Thief, I steal only for sport, not for profit, for my wealth is already beyond imagining. I am the greatest thief the world will ever know."
"Wait, the boss is nobility?" Marv asked, shocked. "We've both seen how you act at fancy parties!"
"Remember the Duke I puked all over, Marvin? That was one of my cousins." Rebecca said, smiling. "He deserved it though."
"Oh if only Jessie were still alive." Jack said, shaking his head and laughing. "She would have gotten a kick out of this."
"Hang on, Ashe?" Jack asked. "Thought it was Montague."
"Of course, this does mean I'm retiring." Rebecca continued, taking a seat and ignoring Jack's question. "I'm going to go home to play politics, this was only supposed to be a hobby for a few years. But I'm not letting them pick a husband for me."
Hamlin was surprised. He hadn't seen this side of Rebecca before.
"Boss, you're talking like you got someone in mind." Marv said, eyeing up Rebecca.
"Indeed I do. He's even in this room." Rebecca said, still smiling.
They all looked around at each other. Who was it that Rebecca had in mind? Come to think of it, wasn't Rebecca gay?
"Boss I thought you were... well... gay." Jack said sheepishly. Rebecca shook her head in response.
"I'm sorry if I ever gave that impression. No, when I was a vampire, a woman's blood had a distinct sweet taste to it. That's all, nothing more."
"So who is it, Rebecca?" Sirene asked.
"Why, Prince Dorchaidhe of course." Rebecca answered, looking slightly confused. "I did originally seek him out for a reason you know." Rebecca said, gesturing at Heather.
Heather's jaw dropped open. Rebecca knew, the entire time?
"You're going to have to drop dressing up like a girl in public however, I'm sorry to say. I don't want my family to get any ideas." Rebecca said, looking over Heather. "But to bring back the Moonfall Prince as a husband? Oh the court intrigue would be most decadent! A rusalki husband!"
Heather turned several shades of red all at once, and Hamlin howled with laughter.
"Marvin, Jacob, you should retire too, you know." Rebecca said, finishing off her latest pile of food.
"Boss, we ain't exactly high society types." Marv said, gesturing at him and Jack.
"All the better. A Baroness needs bodyguards, I'm sure you get the idea." Rebecca smiled wickedly and laughed. "Nobody will suspect Lady Montague's retainers, after all."
"Oh, I get it. Assassins and thieves." Jack said, smirking.
"I always was a villain at heart, Jacob. Besides, Whitemire has been falling apart for years. Maybe I should just seize the throne?"
"Legally you might be able to." Heather said, speaking up.
"What." Rebecca did not expect this.
"Your father was the Duke, the highest title in Whitemire outside of the royalty. Legally speaking your title became Countess upon his death 80 years ago. You couldn't inherit the Duchy because you weren't the firstborn child, but as the sibling of the new Duke, you automatically became an Earl." Heather explained, pulling a book out of seemingly nowhere. "Without a body they can't strike you from the rolls, and after your brother died childless 10 years ago..."
"Wait, he died childless?" Rebecca interrupted.
"Technically." Heather said, wincing. "Seems he made some enemies. All of his children were murdered."
Rebecca's expression changed. "How old were they." She said quietly but firmly.
Heather looked in the book, closed his eyes, and exhaled slowly.
"How old were they, Heather." Rebecca said again, louder this time.
"The oldest was 9."
Rebecca didn't speak, but the tears in her eyes answered for her. Hamlin placed a hand gently on her shoulder, and she flew up and hugged him in response.
"After he died, well, you're the Duchess of Whitemire. You're the highest ranked noble Whitemire has." Heather finished. "You've been ruled to be in absentia and your lands are being managed, quite poorly I might add, by the royal family."
"The pathetic royal family of Whitemire who couldn't even protect my brother's children? Oh yes, I'm going to seize this throne. I'm no Avalanche Princess, but I know where the family's true wealth is hidden. Marvin, Jacob, Heather, we're going to Point Thoryn in the morning."
"I suppose my part is done." Sirene said,smiled. smiling.Rebecca was much more interesting than she always assumed.
"Indeed it is. Thank you, Miss Ignitis." Rebecca said, bowing.
"You really are a different person." SireneA said,laugh laughing.escaped her lips as she stood up from her chair.
"All of us wear masks, Miss Ignitis. You, best of all of us, should understand that." Rebecca replied, a calm but serious look on her face.
Sirene didn't reply, but gave Rebecca a long look before leaving, as if she wanted to say something, but changed her mind. Rebecca watched her leave, but said nothing either.