Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Fifteen: A Turn of Events

Clorinde nodded, already considering the steps she would need to take. "Understood. I'll need to go home first to pack my things."

Neuvillette agreed. "Do what you need to. And Clorinde, be careful. We still don't know the full extent of what Marcellus is capable of."

He paused, then added, "I haven't informed the Duke about your assignment. It's better that you seem like just another member of the security team. The more you blend in without drawing any special attention, the more effective you'll be in gathering information and ensuring the safety of the fortress."

Clorinde left the courthouse, her mind already focused on the task ahead. She returned home quickly, packing a bag with the essentials she would need for her time at the fortress. She included her uniform—black and red, with a knee-length skirt and long sleeves—along with her usual weapons and tools, all of which were carefully concealed. To further ensure she would blend in with the other security personnel, Clorinde applied a temporary hair dye, subtly darkening her hair to make her appear less recognizable. She tied her hair into a tight bun and added a pair of contact lenses that altered her eye color just enough to change her appearance. Clorinde also chose a slightly oversized uniform to obscure her usual silhouette, making her appear bulkier and less defined. Consciously, she adjusted her posture and gait to mimic the more neutral movements of a typical guard, altering her usual confident stride. Finally, she decided to adopt a common nickname used among the guards, avoiding the use of her real name to further reduce the chances of being recognized. From this moment on, she was no longer Clorinde—she was "Claire," just another member of the security personnel.

When she arrived at the fortress that evening, everything felt as usual. The imposing structure, with its reinforced walls and cold, utilitarian design, buzzed with the same routine activities that characterized daily life in Meropide. The guards and personnel moved about with purpose, unaware of the new addition in their midst.

Clorinde was greeted by a supervising guard, a man named Renaud, who looked her over with a cursory glance before nodding. He was unaware of her true identity, seeing only another new recruit joining the security detail. "Claire, right?" he asked, referencing the name on his list.

"Yes, sir," Clorinde replied, her voice steady and unremarkable.

"Good. Follow me, and I'll show you around," Renaud said, turning on his heel and leading her through the fortress.

As they walked through the various sectors of the fortress, Renaud pointed out the key areas she would need to familiarize herself with. "This here is the main barracks," he said, gesturing to a large, well-fortified section of the building. "You'll be sharing a room with a few of the other women on the security team. It's nothing fancy, but it's comfortable enough."

Clorinde—or rather, Claire—nodded, taking in the surroundings. The barracks were located conveniently close to the elevators, allowing for quick access to different levels of the fortress. The design of the fortress emphasized efficiency and control, with large, open areas like the central room providing easy access to other critical parts of the facility, such as the holding cells, security checkpoints, and administrative offices.

Renaud continued the tour, guiding her through the open corridors that connected the main sections of the fortress. The walls were reinforced metal, designed to withstand the immense pressure of the ocean surrounding them. The air inside was cool and carried a faint metallic scent, a constant reminder of their underwater environment.

Renaud stopped in front of a door marked "Security Barracks - Female Quarters" and gestured for her to enter. "This will be your room for the duration of your assignment. You'll be sharing it with a few others, so make yourself at home."