Gallagher returned to his room, slowly taking off his cracked mask. He walked over to the closet, opening it and taking out an identical one. He then put it on his face.

He was lost in thought about the events that had occurred over the past few hours or so. The Grand Duke was most definitely staging a rebellion, which would most likely lead to a civil war. He was simply going over all the possible outcomes of the war. He had no doubt the empire would win, but he was thinking about what would come after. What would become of the people? The country? Their country would be weakened, which would make way for their enemy country's to invade. It worried him. He worried for the Empress- No, for Seraphina.

He needed to prevent the Grand Duke from getting any further than he already was with his plans. No one put her in danger. And got away with it, at least. He figured the best time to take down the Grand Duke was at the hunting competition. After all, all of the empire's nobles would be there, including him. Not to mention he was participating, along with the Empress. He figured that's when he would attempt to take her out, along with his own assassins. But Gallgher wouldn't let that happen. Ever.

(Gallagher: -_-)

(does this man just have a closet full to the brim with masks because that's my headcanon now. god)

Lowell Brichalles
It then dawned on him as his thoughts wandered further.
Right... With Diana. The hunting competition was still the immediate concern. If the rest of the Empress' family would be there, then it was possible the Grand Duke himself planned on making an appearance.
He.. realized how messy this would end up, not exactly trusting Gallagher alone to be able to handle them both. Sure, he was skilled.. But.. He was one man. And prideful at that. He knew he'd never ask for his help. Not now anyways. But he needed a plan in securing entry into the tournament. He knew the easiest way.. would require an exorcist. Something he had great reluctance about as far as giving up his power. He could not afford to lose a boon, despite its accursed nature, at such a grave time.

He wondered if he still had any connections to anyone in the Alliance that may be able to assist. He had gotten rather close to a young noblewoman by the name of Giselle Von Alberon he suspected may be still on speaking terms with him. She was a bit of a magic scholar and seemed to have a good head on her shoulders, all things considered.
Admittedly, he hadn't spoken to her or been back to the Alliance since the murders out of shame. He had no way if she still believed in his innocence, but he had feared the worst deciding it was best to leave everyone without a word.
He stared reluctantly at the inkwell and quill untouched among the dusty shelves and braced himself for the worst.

(he does!!! YESSSS!!!)

He honestly didn't have much worry about Diana doing anything herself at the competition. After all, the Empress Dowager would be attending too. And she knew how to keep Diana in check, along with the rest of the late Emperors concubines.

Even if they'd gotten rid of the plants used for poison, she did have earth magic. It wouldn't be difficult for her to create a new one. The problem was the number of assassins that would target the Empress and the Empress alone. Even he believed it would be too much, even for him and the Empress.

He speculated over this for quite some time. The minute the Empress was announced dead, Diana would began the preparations for coronating her son as Emperor, while the Grand Duke would set his rebellion in place. Something she would never see coming. Whether or not he wanted to admit it, he would need more help. Of course, the Empress' Dowagers family would be a great choice. Like the Macelio family, Her family was very strong when it came to military power. But they, of course, were not very fond of him. Like most people, which wasn't a surprise.

(that's hilarious omg)

Lowell Brichalles

He curled up on the floor, resting his back against the stone wall as he clutched the blank scroll in hand and wracked his brain for words, tapping the edge of the quill alongside it. He hesitated, assuming it would be far easier to stay out of this mess entirely.. But.. He felt he owed it to the Empress for her kindness. It felt wrong to turn his back on things now. He started writing, biting his lip a bit with unease.


'Lady Giselle,

I hope you are faring well.
I understand it has been quite some time since we last spoke and I am more than well aware that I remain in your debt for your previous assistance for this amulet that you had gifted me. It has served me well.

I had intended to stay in the Alliance once my innocence was formally proved, but I feared it may not have easily come to pass if dear Leonel got his way. I want you to know that I am well, but I have been largely unsuccessful in finding means to remove my curse.

For this reason and others related to my house.. I've found it best not to return. I hope you can forgive me for this decision and I can find means to repay you in some fashion once I am able.

I am, unfortunately, once again coming to ask for your assistance.. For better or worse, I need you to tell me all that you know of dark magic. If I am to find any means to remove this influence from my person, I feel it would be best to start there. I do not intend to exploit this knowledge, only to gain further insight I still find myself lacking as the study of such things are banned in the Empire of Arkaos where I am currently residing. It would be best to keep a response to scroll. I would not ask you to travel to see me and put yourself in any danger. Just.. please keep this letter and your own guarded from the rest of House Brichalles. I know I need not explain why with you.

Lowell'


It was very possible that even sending such a thing would condemn him further.. But.. It was a risk he was willing to take at this point as he sealed the scroll tightly and resolved to have it sent off in the morning.

(right? Imagine someone going through his room and just finding an entire closet full of identical masks! I would be so scared)

Gallagher sat on his bed, drumming his fingers on the mattress, lost in deep thought. He needed a concrete plan to prevent any harm from befalling the Empress, without being persecuted for attempting to harm her. He knew that if he slipped up in any way, the church would use that to get rid of him swiftly.

He glanced down at his person, feeling his wounds carefully. They weren't too deep. Nothing a couple of bandages and rest couldn't fit. But per her instructions, he would still visit the palace doctor. In the morning. For now, though, he laid back in his bed, staring at the ceiling while thinking.

Before dealing with Diana, he would need to deal with her house. And that was an entirely other problem in itself. Not to mention finishing off Diana herself. But he couldn't worry about her right now. He had to focus everything on the Grand Duke. He was the real danger here. Him being on the throne, with his nature, would not only ruin Arkaos, but the surrounding countries as well. After all these years, he still didn't understand that and sought out to covet what wasn't his.

(Only mildly terrifying. I would definitely be concerned for the kid's sanity at that point.)

Lowell Brichalles

Satisfied as he could be for now, he set the scroll down on the desk and laid his head down to rest.
But between the bedroll, a creeping dread, the sting of his few remaining wounds, and the chill of the night air into the hideout, he found it difficult to sleep. He spent an unreasonable amount of time counting cracks in the stone bricks and wondering about the structural integrity of such a place.

It had been a thief's den originally, cleared out by him personally on one of his earliest missions, but he still found himself at unease here, worried about the presence of any curious guards he knew would eventually catch wind of the place.

(I think we both know Gallagher is freaking insane)

Gallagher closed his eyes, feeling his body grow tired. Usually, when he slept, he was plagued with nightmares. But he had had a long day. That at this point, sleeping was slightly necessary to cool his tingling nerves.

He was tired. Very, tired. Who knew being an assassin spy could be so tiring? Well, now he did. But he'd be fine. Eventually.

(the good or bad kind is the question. Lowell's literally keeping a demon wolf around for the greater good (tm) which is a crazy amount of insane in itself. I can only wonder about Gallagher. XD
Idk if I'll sleep soon because I have a migraine that's threatening my ability to sleep already. So you can go ahead and timeskip if ya want. I don't mind.)

Lowell Brichalles
He eventually found the means to sleep in liquid form, polishing off his dread and discomfort with one of the few remaining bottles of alcohol still tucked on the shelves.

(i think Gallagher is the mid crazy kind xD
Where should I skip to?
...I ain't sleeping till like 5 am so...)

Gallagher dozed off into a deep sleep. Although if someone walked in the room, they would most likely think he was dead. By the way his body was, and how it looked like he wasn't even breathing.

(Morning or something idk what you have planned, so.. Lol)