Maria and Sin walked past the van to the drivers seat, where Menagerie sat at the wheel, her entire body stiff, hands gripping the wheel for dear life. Even as Sin opened the door she could not turn her head. "Please, my master. Send me to hunt a dragon with my bare hands, or leave me to fend off a regiment of paladins, anything." A shiver began to run down her spine. "Just do not make me drive again."

"Oh little sister, if I knew it was so easy to have you see reason." Sin shook her head and tugged at her sister's arm. "I can take over, why don't you go over back to our dear sisters, are you not interested in meeting our dear newest?"

Menagerie did not have to be told twice, she darted back, leaping inside. They could hear her motherly voice through the lid as she had pounced Tetra and Elaine. "Oh dear sisters, to see you this close and peaceful, oh it warms my heart so! So you are Trinitiy's successor, oh you are just splendid!"

Sin took Menagerie's place at the wheel, a low chuckle escaping her. Maria could not help but smile, and entered the van at the passenger's seat. Before Sin could object she fastened her seat belt and pulled her hood far into her face. "So, where are we going now?"

Her servant stared at Maria for a moment, then revved up the engine. "Well, I believe that north is the only way. For the last few decades I travelled far and wide to maintain some relations with our old followers."

They drove off, quickly leaving the forest behind and blending into the countless other cars on the highway. "There are not that many anymore, but those who let their loyalties lapse did not necessarily trade it for allegiance to another family. Bringing them to heel should not be too difficult."

"So we're going to Paris, right?" Maria was speaking quietly, keeping her head down to obscure her face. The risk of being seen and discovered caused her heart to beat faster, but the thrill of it was not entirely unpleasant. Sin, keeping her one functional hand on the wheel, did not let her eyes off of the street.

"Yes, ultimately. Though we will first stop by Orléans. The Lavelier live there, old allies of Len-Fey. I visited them often to ensure their loyalties did not sway, they should provide a very warm welcome, as well as a place of stature for you to rest and refresh. You truly have claim to your birthright, with four of the beasts at your back."

The more Sin spoke, the more she puffed out her chest. The sight made Maria smile, as exhaustion started to creep over her. "I think I am going to, nap a little while." her voice was already quiet as she rested her head against the window, eyes falling shut. She drifted into sleep before even hearing Sin's reply.

When Maria awoke, it was to the chirping of birds. They were parked in the driveway of a large manor. The midday sun was reflecting off of the marble, the countless flowers in the surrounding garden were in full bloom. The owner had a special love for roses, as they dominated Maria's view.

Red, yellow and white they had been planted in neat and tidy rose, separated strictly by colour. The sight caused the young master to shake off her tiredness as she quickly stepped outside to take in the full view. A large white wall surrounded the estate, blocking off the view and giving Maria a welcoming feeling of privacy. She took off her hood and ran a hand through her hair as the wind swept through it.

Sin had left her seat and opened the back of the van, leading her sisters outside as well. While Menagerie stuck to Sin, Elaine and Tetra began to wander just like her master, though Elaine's eyes darted around not to take in the view, but looking for entry points, exits, the heavy metal gate, as well as the myriad of windows of the manor itself.

The doors of the manor opened shortly after their arrival, and a young woman came out to meet them. She was dressed in a full maid uniform, headdress and all as if coming to them from a time long past. The sight alone had Maria blush, and it only grew as the maid bowed before her and Sin. Within a second, the young master had become deathly aware of how messy and untidy she was.

"Lady Sin, and I would presume, your majesty? Lord Lavelier has been informed of your arrival, the family will be ready to greet you shortly. His lordship would beg for excusing this delay. If you would follow me, lady Sin, great servants of her majesty, your majesty." She bowed to each of them, with only Tetra seeming phased and embarrassed.

"That's fine, of course, please lead the way, miss." Despite her feelings of worry at her appearance, Maria was ecstatic . Her awe only increased when they passed through the door and into the main hall. The room was wide and open, doors at the sides leading into the east and west wing, while two sets of stairs went up to the second floor of the manor.

It was a busy scene, with men and women, all impeccably dressed walking from room to room, going about their chores. Suits of armour flanked the doors, the gauntlets resting on the hilt of swords, axes and maces, all polished to shine as brilliantly as on the day they were forged. High over their heads hung paintings, a few of which Maria had learned of in her art classes at school.

Never before had Maria felt so elated, and so very small. The maid and guide lead her and her servants upwards to the second floor and leftward into the west wing of the manor. The carpet they were walking on was of red velvet, muffling their footsteps. They passed five doors, left and right, before the maid lead them through a last one on their right, into a large study.

There was not a shred of wall visible, all hidden behind massive bookshelves, reaching up to three meters tall. A ladder stood close by the door, indispensable for work in this room. Tetra's eyes were gleaming as she began to look around, her fingers twitching. "Elaine, wise master, can we please stay here for a while?"

Maria could not help but chuckle at the request. "I am sure lord Lavelier will be happy to show you and Elaine around." The maid bowed to them once more, keeping her head lowered. "His Lordship will greet you here shortly." With these words she slipped past them and left the room.

A large desk took up the centre of the room, with only two chairs opposite of it. Maria sat down there with Sin, while Tetra and Elaine began to study the shelves, with Elaine reading out the titles to her younger sister. Menagerie staid slumped in a corner, hands in the pockets of her coat.

It did not take long for their host to meet them. Lord Lavelier entered through a door behind the desk to their right. He seemed to be in his late thirties and wore a simple, yet elegant dark suit. The air of elegance extended to his short brown hair and well groomed and trimmed beard.

His bright green eyes were moving fast from one beast to the next before finally centring on Maria, a light smile appearing on his face. Before he dared speak, he lowered his head. "Antonius Lavelier, at your service, your majesty."

Outside of Sin, none of the beast had paid any attention to his entrance. Only Elaine gave him and the door he had come from a glance, but when nobody else entered she again turned her attention back to the shelves. Maria straightened up at his words, unable to hide her excitement. "It is very good to meet you, Lord Lavelier. Thank you very much for your hospitality."

His lordship folded his hands on the desk. "It is an honour to welcome her majesty in my humble estate, one we have not had in many decades." Sin began to tap onto the table with her healed fingers and sharp nails. "Your manners are as refined as always, Antonius, but you are forgetting something. My master is not versed in etiquette, but that is no excuse for you to slack. Show her your allegiance."

For a moment Lord Lavelier's eyes flickered over to Sin. "Why of course, forgive me, good lady." Without hesitation he began to pull up his right sleeve, presenting the underside of his forearm. On it a figure had been etched into the skin, the head of a wolf sprouting from the body of a snake. "Lavelier, forever loyal."

First now at the sight of the mark did Sin lean back in her chair. "Good. My master, please ensure to always demand a sign of allegiance. Those who bear this mark are sworn to your service, they submit to the same authority as I do." Maria tensed up, a tingle spreading through her fingers. "You mean, I could-"

The gaze she gave Lord Lavelier had him shiver. "Yes, your majesty. We are yours to command, if not in the totality of your, esteemed servants. Your majesty, your arrival here has been rather sudden, I find myself miserably unprepared for this honour." Lord Lavelier now looked directly at Sin. "While I conclude my work for the day, you and your sisters could rest themselves? Your journey must have been, very long."

No matter how diplomatically he put it, Maria knew what he was talking about, once more she was feeling painfully aware of her state. "Yes if-" The young master stopped herself, folding her hands in her lap. When she spoke again, she did her best to make her voice sound deeper, more commanding. "I would require a bath and a room to rest in, the campaign thus far has been very taxing on my noble self as well as my servants."

Both Sin and Lord Lavelier performed admirable at keeping a straight face, unlike Menagerie who was only spared her master's wrath due to the fact that Maria had her back turned, unable to see how Menagerie held both hands in front of her mouth to not laugh out loudly. "But of course, your majesty. We always keep a section of the manor free for high visits, the accommodations will hopefully be sufficient for your tastes. I will have one of the servants guide you there, and extend an invitation for dinner."

He stood up a little too fast for Elaine's taste, who immedeately turned her head at the sudden movement. Only when Lavelier bowed deeply to her master did she again let her attention slip.

Lavelier rung a small bell, and the door to the hallway opened. Another maid entered silently. "Please guide our esteemed guests to their quarters and aid them with whatever they may need. Your majesty." With these words he once more slipped out of the room.

The maid guided them further into the west wing of the manor, and through a pristine ivory door. Beyond it was something of a dorm, a wide open room with multiple doors around the walls leading into bedrooms and a generously large bathroom. "Dinner will be at seven, your majesty. Should you require anything, please notify us."

The maid gestured towards a small silver bell that stood on a table to their right. "If there is nothing else at the moment, I must return to my duties, your majesty."

Left alone with her servants, Maria began to wander through the room. It was outfitted with a generously large sofa, a modern TV set, as well as a dinner table. Menagerie took over the Sofa immediately, spreading out across the entire length in a catlike fashion, going far enough to fake a purr as she looked back at her master, who could only shake her head.

"Alright uhm, oh dear, I forgot new clothes!" She quickly turned around to Elaine. "Could you please head back and get me a pair?" The small beast answered with a curtsy, smiling brightly. "Of course, my beloved master. May I and Tetra afterwards seek out the study once more?"

Maria laid a hand on her head and looked from her to Tetra. "Of course, just make sure to be back for dinner." After the two darted off, she looked at Sin. Her first servant was standing still at her side, with the same quiet smile on her face. "Uhm, Sin could you, help me again? I am just, really exhausted and I don't want to go into the bed all dirty but, I fear I'd fall asleep so."

Every word only caused her cheeks to flare up more strongly, and she was greatly relieved when Sin opened the door to the bathroom for her. "You needn't say more, my master. I live to serve."