Affinity:Chaos

Four days went by with Grey going to the same inn across the Reiss family compound every day, he would also send Void to sneak into the mansion to see if he could find anything useful, but all their endeavors have always almost ended the same way.

But Grey had been getting a general overview of the relationship between the three families in the city. The Reiss family is currently clashing against one of the other two families because of a newly discovered mine that was just between the boundaries of both family's property outside the city.

The Reiss family was the first to discover it, but they were unable to keep the Smith family from finding out about it. Neither family agreed to share the mine since it was something that was very valuable, especially to the Smith family which was a blacksmith family.

The third family in Frost City has been keeping a neutral ground on the matter, just like the Mayor's manor. They were both waiting to see the outcome of the struggle between the two families.

'Have you been able to see Alice's father during the times you have been going inside the mansion?' Grey asked Void who was about to sneak into the Reiss family once again.

'No, he's never been in the mansion whenever I go,' replied Void.

'That's strange, I've never seen him come out of the compound nor come back. Does this mean he went on a trip?' Grey asked while rubbing his chin.

'No, the guards always say he leaves during the morning,' said Void.

'Fine, guess I'll have to sneak into the compound later tonight,' Grey quickly came to a decision.

He usually comes to this Inn almost as soon as it opens, the workers are already starting to look at him with suspicious gazes. But since no one has come to disturb him yet, he planned on leaving before that happens.

'If only I can find a spot to stay close by,' Grey thought while drinking the wine on his table.

While he was speaking with Void, he suddenly sensed someone approaching him. Raising his head, he saw a young lady who seemed to be around his age or maybe slightly older walking in his direction. She had short black hair that was just barely below her ears, brown eyes with a beautiful face.

The young lady was five foot ten, with an hourglass figure. All eyes were on her as she approached Grey's table. Behind her was a small entourage of two young men and two more young ladies, but none were as beautiful as she was. The group of five were all dressed extravagantly in trousers and long shirts. The young lady at the front was wearing a silver shirt with gold embroidery designs on it, while on black pants.

Grey guessed they were most likely from an influential family in Frost City. He waited patiently for them to walk past him, but to his surprise, the young lady stopped in front of his table.

"If you don't mind, can I join you?" The young lady asked with a crisp and delicate voice.

"Oh, sure," Grey replied after looking around, before asking blandly, "And your friends?"

"You don't have to worry about them, they'll get their own seats," The young lady waved off her group before sitting on the chair across Grey.

The group of four headed to the table behind Grey's table and to his surprise, the couple sitting there left the moment they saw them coming.

"You must be new here?" The young lady asked while signaling for the waiter to come over.

Grey nodded before taking a sip of his wine. He hadn't sensed any form of malice from the young lady in front of him, so he decided to entertain her since he was bored anyway.

"Sorry to ask, but can I see your face?" The young lady asked with a curious expression.

"No," Grey replied in a straightforward manner.

The young lady gave Grey a strange look, not expecting he would be so straightforward with his reply.

"I'm Sasha Reiss, and you are?" The young lady extended her hand across the table for a handshake.

Grey was taken aback when he heard her say her name.

'She has the same last name as Alice, hmm, maybe she could help me.' He thought while stretching out his hand to shake hers.

"Zeke Hoover," replied Grey.

He didn't feel it was appropriate to tell this young lady his real name since he wasn't a hundred percent sure she was from the Reiss family.

"It's nice meeting you, Zeke," Sasha replied with a light smile.

Grey nodded before focusing on his drink, since he was still here, he decided to order a meal.

While Grey was waiting for his meal, he found out from Sasha that this place was actually owned by the Reiss family. They engaged in a casual conversation with Sasha being the one who spoke the most.

After she was done with her meal, Grey asked her the question he wanted to ask the moment she walked up to him.

"Why did you approach me?" He looked straight at the young lady.

"Nothing, I'm just curious why you've been coming here for the past four days, are you from the Smith family?" Sasha asked with a playful smile.

"Smith family? I have no idea who they are," Grey replied calmly without showing any reaction.

"Oh, that's nice then. But coming here every day seems a little bit suspicious, don't you think?" Sasha asked with the same expression.

"I like the wine here," answered Grey.

While Grey was speaking with the young lady the first time, he called Void over. Since she claimed she was from the Reiss family, maybe Void might've seen her in the mansion. The appearance of Sasha has changed his plan. Instead of sneaking into the Reiss family this night, he might as well have Void tail her.

"Okay, have a nice day Zeke," Sasha said before standing up.

She signaled the others in her group before saying to Grey, "I've taken care of your meal and wine, so you don't need to worry about it."

"Oh," Grey replied casually.

His casual reply irked the young ladies, as well as the young men from the group. They gave him a disgusted look before walking out of the Inn.

'Looks like I'll be keeping the money I was supposed to spend today,' Grey thought with a chuckle.