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The Next Day

It was already 12:00 noon, and Marcus was in his room getting ready for sword practice with Luke, who would arrive any moment now. For some reason though, he couldnt stop thinking of last night's subject during dinner. What if she had more time to think about it...? I've never done that before... Gah.... I need time to think. I have until next week anyways... he thought as he sighed.

Finishing getting ready, Marcus left his room and went downstairs to the kitchen to grab something to drink. He wondered where Silvia was, and he was gonna ask her that if after practice, she would like going out to town with him and Luke. Who better to show her around the town than a Luke, a peasant himself, and Marcus, owner of that part of the land.

Noting as how Luke hadn't arrived yet, Marcus decided to join Silvia in the garden. Hearing her play that beautiful melody with the violin, he decided to join her. He was also an expert at playing it, plus, he like the song. As he approached her, he began playing his violin, joining her being in perfect sync with her. Marcus sat down next to her as he played and as soon as he was done playing, Luke arrived.

Luke was only observing the two of them play the violin together smiling and clapping at the end when it was over. "Bravo! I guess it really does pay off being a snotty rich noble that knows how to play those instruments huh? You must teach me Marcus." Luke teased with a small laugh.

"I tried, but you forgot by the month. By the way, Silvia, you play beautifully and your singing, it was marvelous." he admitted blushing slightly. Marcus suffered from "love at first sight" with Silvia, but he hadn't realized it yet. He still said to himself that he didn't want the marriage, but did he really?

"Hey, let's hurry up and get this over with! I can't wait to show Lady Silvia the town." Luke said enthusiastically while smiling at Silvia. To this, Marcus sighed. "Whatever, let's go." he said walking towards out in the field of the garden with sword in hand. Luke followed after him. "And... Start!" he said as they both began sword fighting. They were both good fighters and very agile. They gave somersaults, back flips, rolled on the floor, and all the show! However, Luke managed to trick Marcus and injured him, well stab him, on his left arm.

"Damn! I'm sorry!" he said really embarrassed of what had happened. Marcus flinched a bit but then laughed a bit to take off some of the tension created with it. "Gah... forget it. It's part of the practice. Let's just end it here for today alright?" he said looking at Luke and smiling at him reassuringly. Of course, the wound was semi-deep and it was bleeding but Marcus only shook it off as nothing. Luke smiled back at his friend and both sat down by a nearby bench. "Hey, you should treat it. I'll bring in a maid." Luke said kind of worried as he quickly ran inside to find a maid. Marcus only sighed and waited. It was still bleeding but he obviously didn't are much. He was used to them thanks to war.

"Well, I'm not going to bleed to death, but I can get infected if I don't treated it quickly, but.. I appreciate the concern. I'll hold on to it. I don't want you to get stained with my blood." he replied to her wit a gentle smile as he held his wound and applied pressure. "Oh, and about me playing for you, I would love to play the violin for you anytime if you dance for me." he replied.

Quickly, some maids ran in with bandages and all kinds of medicines ready to disinfect Marcus's wound. Of course it hurt him, it was a deep stab, but he always tried his best to hide pain, not matter how bad it was. "Sir, it will take about a month or two before the wound seals off completely. I would recommend you to not do any sudden movements for it might reopen the wound. And you! Mr. Luke, be careful with the duke!" the maid scolded him.

Luke sighed. "I'm sorry man... Hmm,.. Silvia, don't kill me for it please. I promise your finace will be fine." he said apologizing to both. Now that Marcus was treated, he was ready to go, though, his left arm pained him now too much. "Hmm, let's get going..." he said trying his best to ignore the pain. He was starting to run a small fever. The wound had caused this. Everyone knew stabs were dangerous no matter the place.

He shook his head. "I'll be fine. Seriously." Standing up he smiled at both of them. "So what if I'm a little warm? When we get back I'll be fine." he replied. His fever was getting worse, obvious by his sudden sweating. The butlers around looked at each other and even at Luke. Suddenly, they all picked up Marcus and carried him like a little kid to his room. They all knew him too well. Marcus was too stubborn to understand that he was to stay home and rest his wound. "Gah! I'm the Duke! Let me go!" he ordered.

"Sorry, but we can't do that. I may be a mere peasant but I also happen to be your best friend. You need to rest, and if to make you stay I need to knock you out, you know that I will. Just stay there." he replied as he sat down on a chair next to Marcus's bed. Marcus frowned.

That night, after everyone had left the mansion, Marcus managed to escape and head towards Silvia's kingdom. Yes, he was still a bit weak from his wound, but there was nothing he can do. He wanted to make sure that Silvia's mother was informed that her time to think about turning herself in had been extended.

Finally arriving at the May's residence, the "assassin" made his way inside the house without being noticed by everyone. He was hoping to find Silvia's mother soon since Marcus actually needed to rest. However, he managed to hide all the pain as he made his way through the residence. He could not reveal he was injured. Soon, the assassin entered the office, where the entire family was gathered. A smirk appeared on his face, though it remained partially hidden with the mask on. "Evening ladies and gentleman. Have you made your decision?" Marcus asked as he leaned on the door frame with a small dagger on his hand and playing with hit. He seemed actually pretty playful at the moment.

The assassin chuckle and looked straight at Silvia's mother while pointing at her with the dagger. "I'm not going to say this twice. As an act of pity for your soul, I have decided to extend your time. You have a complete month you double think your decision of not turning yourself in. Now, I never give opportunities like this so if I were you, I would take it and don't make me change my mind for my blade might desire your blood tonight." he gave a few more steps towards Silvia's father. "And you, I have nothing on you. At least not yet, but trust me. I am not afraid of taking your life for my own benefit." That last sentence was only to scare the guy since Marcus was incapable of killing innocent people.

Marcus laughed to this not showing the pain he had gotten right now for the push had reopened the wound on his arm. "Do as you wish. It's your life and your family that you will be leaving. Adieu." and with that said, he left the room quickly vanishing. However, his upper left side of his sleeve was now covered in blood and it pained him as if they had re-stabbed him right there.

Quickly, he headed towards the garden wanting to rest and examine his wound. No guard was at sight so he didn't have to worry about that. "Gah! I need to bandage this again..." he said to himself as he approached a nearby fountain to clean his wound. He hadn't noticed Silvia was around there.

Marcus flinched at first. He was startled to see Silvia there and much more to see that she was actually approaching him. The first thought that came to his mind was, Damn... did she recognize me? The wound... I hope it's not to revealing. There were various men around that could have the same wound as him, however, he hadn't realized yet that Silvia had also seen the scar on his face as the assassin, which now completely blew off completely his identity.

"T-... thanks, but don't expect me to go easy on your mother just because of your kind gesture." he replied to Silvia watching her aid his wounds and bandage it. "I'm not allowing a mere wound like this to hold me while I have work to get done. I have other stuff to do anyways." he said with a chuckle. His personality was more bold as the assassin, not showing his side of being a gentleman as often, but he still possessed something regal about him. After she finished covering his wound, he quickly pushed her away a bit gently. "Leave me alone."