The manor now resembled a backdrop for the battlefield that it had been, rather than the isle of elegant civilisation. Dead guards littered the premises, most of the cars had either been wrecked or sabotaged and gaping holes had been torn into the outer walls and those of the very manor itself.

Police, Fire brigades and ambulances rolled through the mayhem, and the first took the steps up into the manor.

Elizabeth had closed the distance between herself and Maria and helped her up to her feet. "If you could look a little more shocked and downtrodden, darling, it would be a great help."

She pulled Maria in for a close embrace, enough that it made Maria's head spin as she followed Elizabeth towards the broken entry. Maria was limping with her right foot, wincing with every step.

They looked only little better than the other guests, their clothes were torn, scorched or had holes in them. After police the medics were the quickest to fill the hall under the watchful eyes of Elizabeth's guards, who filled in the police on the official story of what had happened.

When Maria looked to Elizabeth, she was shocked at the fear and pain across her face. She opened her mouth to speak when a bright flash made her blink and tremble at what was to come.

It was only a camera, belonging to a reporter standing in the entryway, accompanied by a camera woman. Elizabeth was walking them towards the reporter and already started to stammer. "Oh it was awful, good sir, horrifying. We were just about to go inside to break news of our marriage,"

At these words Elizabeth only pulled Maria in more closely while continuing. "And then just, it all happened so fast, everyone was fighting and oh god." She covered her mouth with her hand as tears streamed down her face. "So many, so many just, gone, and they were so intent on killing my poor darling."

Maria did her best to look in pain, putting more pressure on her hurt ankle which drove tears out of her eyes and had her shudder. While her eyes darted from reporter to camera, Elizabeth was talking straight into the lense.

The reporter was looking at the scene in front of him with horror, which he was not able to banish from his voice. "And the attackers, do you have any idea of why they might have been targeting you?"

Elizabeth's hand on Maria's back was trembling as she spoke. "They wanted our money, and they wanted to kill my dear Maria, that awful Sam, Samidial person from the news, he was here too but got away, he was raving about how he wanted to set an example for the country of what happens to those who don't submit to him, he, he."

Her own sobbing cut off her words as she clung onto Maria for dear life, pressing her head onto her chest which robbed the young master of her last shred of focus.

They were both relatively unharmed, and looking as destitute and emotionally scarred, the police did not immediately question them. Instead two of Elizabeth's guards took them to one of the few intact rooms of the manor. After the door closed Elizabeth wiped her face and kissed Maria deeply, a wide grin on her face as she pulled back after.

"My darling, oh my darling." Elizabeth was running a hand through Maria's hair. "You were just absolutely incredible. One picture can speak a thousand words, and you just gave the nation, no, the continent, something that they wont forget for a long time. You did an amazing job looking so pained!"

Maria's head was still spinning, she nodded a few times and squirmed. "I, well, I didn't have to fake that much, I think I twisted something."

Within moments she was laying on the bed. Elizabeth took off her shoe and sock and ran her finger across Maria's foot. "Darling! Why didn't you, ah dear. Please, stay as you are."

Maria was too busy to stare with embarassment as Elizabeth pulled the door open and barked at her guards. "Ice pack, bandages, now! How did you not notice, I don't pay you for being walking cover damnit."

She slammed the door shut and walked back to Maria, gritting her teeth as she sat down by her side. "Please don't move, dear." She grabbed the pillows and piled them up under her right leg to have it properly elevated.

Inside the room it was quiet, they were on the second floor and far into the west wing, away from the commotion and rescue teams. Only the continuous ticking of a grandfather clock reminded Maria was time was passing as she stared back up at Elizabeth. "Next time, if you have a plan that could kill me, please tell me in advance."

The lady of Merlayne let out a weak chuckle and ran her hand through Maria's hair. "It is very difficult to make your enemy truly believe you ignorant of their moves, I feared if I told you and your servants it would become too obvious. I hope you can forgive my deception this time?"

Maria squirmed and wiggled herself a little closer, and finally rested her head on Elizabeth's lap, ignoring her surprised look. "Now I can."

Minutes passed by in silence until the door was busted open as the quartet of beasts stormed the room. Their anger swiftly faded as they saw the scene before them. With their master not in immediate danger Tetra and Elaine quickly left the room in varying stages of fluster, while Armoire gave Maria a thumbs-up before joining them.

Sin staid where she was. "You are lucky your scheme worked out this time, Merlayne." Sin's voice was a low hiss. "But the next time that you risk my master's life I will gut you like a fish and there will be nothing in this world or the next that will stop me."

She turned her back and left the room as the guards returned, almost dropping what they carried at the glare that Sin gave them.

With the help of the guards Elizabeth treated Maria's ankle, and leaning on Elizabeth as a crutch they returned to the main hall, where most of the commotion had died down.

An officer came towards them with pen and paper, but with the pained and exhausted look that Elizabeth gave her they were quickly let go.

The hall was almost empty, Maria could only pick out Amalia, now wearing human skin, her extra arms invisible, who was missing her right forearm. She was looking at Maria and bowed, as did the last other guests. Each of them muttered quietly as they passed, enough for her and Elizabeth but no one else to hear.

"Vives les reines"

Together with her beasts they left the manor and stepped out into the cold night air, making Maria shiver. Her dress was not at all suited to the temperatures.

It was a miracle that their car had survived, as had Elizabeth's. Hawkes was waiting in front with a handful of her subordinates, badly bruised, holding her left side and with a very fresh wound across her face. Despite it all, she was grinning wide.

"Sir, your ladyship Merlayne, you really know how to make us work for our pay. Twenty wounded, four dead. We're ready to return homeward."

Maria gave a weak nod and forced a smile. "Yes, it was, enough action for a day. We'll be heading home."

Sin walked past them and started the engine, her sisters quickly following. With Elizabeth's help she limped to her door and opened it. Then she stopped and looked back at her.

"It wasn't, at all what I was expecting, you know." Maria's voice was trembling a little as she looked up to Elizabeth. "But, except the whole, almost dying part, it was a great night."

Throughought their entire journey here her mind had been racing, trying to muster the courage. Now she got on her tip-toes, and kissed Elizabeth, leaning into her for a moment she wanted to last for a decade.

With her face flushed a dark red, she sat down in her seat, staring back out to Elizabeth, who seemed nearly as surprised as Maria.

"I will call through tomorrow, darling." Elizabeth gave her a wave. "Make sure to dream of me tonight." As the lady walked off towards her own car, they drove off into the night, followed by the vans of her retinue.

None of the beasts dared to speak, stuck between their fuming great sister and their master. Rolling fields and greenery made way for the urban landscape of Paris before Maria rose her voice.

"I know how you feel, but I want you to not bring it up again, Sin. Elizabeth had a good reason to do what she did, I don't want this to cast a shadow over our alliance."

Sin did not take her eyes off of the road, her knuckles turned white grasping the steering wheel. "I will do as you wish, my master. But please let this show you what we are dealing with. On their side, and ours."

The streets were surprisingly empty for the hour of the evening, they reached the manor without incident. While Sin's sisters made their way inside, Sin herself waited at Maria's door, who rose her right leg.

"I, I can't really-"

She didn't need to say more. Sin picked her up and carried her into the manor, all the way onto her bed, where Elaine was already waiting.

Sin undid her master's bandage and ice pack, handing them to her sister. "Our master needs new ones, dear sister. See to it."

With her out of the room, the two were alone again. Maria was looking away, while Sin just stared out the window.

"Sin, I." Maria stopped as she saw the blood drip down her servant's hands.

"My master." Sin's voice was low and trembling. "I can kill anyone who defies you, I can carry you when your legs surrender, me and my sisters would burn this world to ash before we allow it to hurt you."

The beast turned her head to Maria, her face covered in black tears. "But I cannot protect you from your decisions and your will. This may have been an anomaly, I may just be infuriated because she managed to trick me as well, but."

She gulped and shook her head. "I cannot ask, I cannot plead. I can only beg you, my master: Do not have me leave your side like that again."

Maria tried to sit up, but Sin gently pushed her back down. "You must rest, my master. This time your wound can heal, but it requires it's time."

Elaine returned and together with Sin they treated her ankle and helped her change clothes into a more appropriate nightgown. Maria's eyes were fluttering shut a few times during the process, and shortly after laying back down on her bed she fell asleep.

"Great sister," Elaine's voice was hushed. "May I stay with my beloved master?"

Sin nodded as she made way to the door. "Yes. Stay at our master's side in my stead. I need to have a word with Yggdrasil. She should be getting hungry."