[Chapter Size: 3500 Words.]
Third Person POV
Novigrad.
...
...
"You know I can handle this on my own, right? I just need to know exactly what the problem is," Madara asked calmly.
"I know you can, I know you can solve anything... but I would like to go with you this time. Would it be a problem if I went along?" Triss said, while adjusting her hair in front of the mirror where noblewomen did their makeup, sitting on a small stool.
Madara looked into her eyes through the mirror, standing behind her, while raising an eyebrow, and she simply opened a smile at that.
"There is no problem at all. I'm just surprised. I thought you had your social gathering tonight, not that you had an issue to report and would want to come along," he said.
"I've been very bored lately, Madara. Over the last few months, I've been facing a very peaceful city thanks to your actions and control. Now that I've found something fun to do and solve, I'd like to distract my mind. I'm just asking for a favor, as a friend. Could you help this poor sorceress?" she said.
"Alright. If you want that, I won't deny your request, Triss. But I'm surprised you want to do this before your social gathering with the city's sorcerers, herbalists, and alchemists," he said calmly.
"But this was the only opportunity I'll have to do this with you here with me, after all you're leaving tonight... It won't take long," she said, putting on her earrings while adjusting her dress, closing it more, without the neckline she usually wore to look more sensual. Even so, it was a characteristic green dress of Triss.
She finished her makeup with a final touch of lipstick and stood up, pressing her lips together before turning to him. Madara was wearing his looser kimono, quite handsome, by the way.
"Damn, you're always elegant. I was going to ask you to get ready, but I see there's no need. Maybe you could tie your hair, you always look better with it neat," she said with a small smile.
Madara raised an eyebrow, looking at the redhead. "I thought we were just going to take care of this and then go to the meeting," Madara said.
"Yes, but I'd love a walk through the city and I'd like you to accompany me. For that, I'd like you to be dressed for a walk," she said.
Madara shrugged and adjusted his long hair. "Let's go, I'm ready," he said.
She merely adjusted the angle of her dress and nodded.
Triss had gone through a change over the last few months. She had been staring at him with hungry eyes ever since she discovered that he had cured Isabella of her hunchbacked condition, on the very first night he spent in Aretuza.
She asked many questions about it when he mentioned that he had visited the magic school for girls, but she never truly asked him for anything. She felt ashamed of her condition, because beneath the magic she placed upon herself as an illusion, her skin was destroyed by flames from when she had been at Sodden Hill, fighting against the Nilfgaardian mages.
Despite having survived, she was burned and had a large part of her body destroyed.
Because of this shame, she had never directly asked Madara. She always hesitated when the subject came up in conversations, but she could never say what she truly wanted, until one day Madara, tired of her hesitations, offered it himself.
First, he revealed that he had known about her condition for a long time. He could see her destroyed skin through the illusion energy she applied at all times, which left her completely shocked.
"Wait… you knew the whole time?" she said back then.
"Yes," Madara gave the answer indifferently.
"Don't you feel disgusted by me?" she had asked, trembling. He merely raised an eyebrow.
"Do you think I see you any differently from the other people close to me, Triss?" he asked a simple question, and she, despite being shaken, shook her head.
"No… you don't act that way."
"If you're not ready, we'll wait a month. It won't be a difficult process. I'll just have to remove your current skin and remake it with my healing abilities," he revealed.
She nodded, agreeing. That way, she would have more time to prepare. This happened shortly before Madara finally made his first trip with Triss using his teleportation jutsu, the Hiraishin, something he managed to complete a week later.
Yennefer spoke with Triss about it while they were alone, while Madara was with Ciri. The brunette was happy for her red-haired friend, and when that day arrived, Triss was already prepared.
Madara laid her naked on the bed, removed all the skin from her body on both sides while she was under the effect of his genjutsu, preventing her from feeling pain or waking up.
After completely removing the grotesque skin, he healed her entirely.
When Triss woke up early in the morning, there was only a sheet over her body and a mirror that Madara had left in the room, large enough for her to see herself completely. She immediately saw the result as she stepped onto the floor, trembling. Her skin was smooth and clean. She was beautiful once again.
Most of the time, beauty is an important matter for women, even more so for a sorceress. Discovering that she was truly beautiful again made her stare at the mirror for hours while she cried.
Since then, Triss had changed her behavior a little. She no longer wore such revealing clothes as before, as if she had been trying to show the world that she was beautiful by being more sensual and displaying her skin under the effect of illusion.
Now, she wore something more traditional, which hid more of her skin, as if she were much more confident, feeling that she no longer needed to prove anything to anyone.
And so the following months passed, while Madara took care of the city and Triss talked with her friends, trying to avoid the future that Madara had predestined for Novigrad in his own way.
It was no wonder that Triss had left the court of Temeria and come to Novigrad, wanting to avoid the injustices of the future. She had always had this personality, of wanting to do what was right far more than most sorceresses.
Madara did not know many sorceresses who were more inclined to do what was right than to pursue personal greed. Yennefer was considered a dear friend and even a maternal figure. Even so, she was not as idealistic as Triss. He knew only one who surpassed Triss in that regard, and that was Tissaia, who always wanted to do what was right.
Madara could feel that Triss's eyes had changed in relation to him as well. There was that gleam, as if she had found her white knight, which surprised Madara, since the one who should have occupied that position for her was Geralt. And it seemed that she had that same look toward him when she was invited to go to Kaer Morhen to help Ciri.
Perhaps because Geralt was officially with Yennefer, perhaps because Madara had simply given her back her skin and healed her, or because of the strength he represented.
Admiration was something that came naturally. Madara had, above all, a capacity for brute strength and for dealing with any problem; he was relentless and feared nothing. He was cruel when necessary, but most of the time he acted in a carefree manner. He did not involve himself in unnecessary problems, nor did he wish to rule solely through power. He already had enough strength to bring any northern kingdom to its knees, but he did not do so because he saw no meaning in it; that was not his pursuit.
That look from Triss, he had noticed the same look coming from Isabella after curing her as well. Triss began to develop a passion for him during those months while they shared the same mansion. Even though Madara was always indifferent to it and treated Triss as he would treat anyone else.
On the other hand, Triss never tried anything. She always limited herself to that gleam in her eyes, and despite feeling the same tightness in her chest every time Madara said he was going to the temple to sleep with his pregnant wife, she never said anything. She never tried anything. She respected Ciri. Madara knew that Triss saw Ciri as a younger sister and would never try to betray the girl's trust, no matter how painful and confused her heart felt.
And so they went on for months, until Triss suddenly invited him to accompany her that night. He even had a few things to do, but he accepted.
He had naturally grown attached to some people in that world, and Triss was one of them, helping her when she needed it. He found her beautiful, but his eyes had always been on his pregnant wife.
Triss looked once more at Madara's neatly arranged hair and seemed satisfied as they began to leave. As she wanted to walk through the city, it did not seem appropriate, but at that moment, even the prominent figures already knew where he lived and that there was a sorceress with him.
That made Triss untouchable in the city and was also a good way to make outsiders pay attention to him and shift their gaze further south, toward Redania, while Ciri was about to give birth in one or two moon turns, while she was at the Temple of Melitele.
As they left through the mansion door, both walked together through the most noble area of Novigrad, reaching the city's main streets, before Triss took the initiative to take his arm and intertwine it with hers.
"Ah, I forgot to mention. Tonight you're going to be my husband, so act like it," she said, with a mischievous, playful tone.
Madara merely raised an eyebrow and said nothing, but Triss seemed satisfied with that as they continued walking, with him hooked to her arm.
People looked curiously at the two of them, knowing that there was a sorceress accompanying a well-dressed man, wearing strange clothes even by the standards of the nobles of that culture.
No one recognized Madara immediately because of his black eyes, since most of the posters spoke of the terrible Madara Uchiha and always described his eyes as red, something quite characteristic.
If he wanted to reveal himself, all he had to do was activate the Sharingan and people would immediately know who they were dealing with, but there, just the different eye color made most think he was a foreigner of noble birth, due to the refined and unusual clothes.
Triss seemed to enjoy the attention, and they continued along the streets. No beggar, dwarf, or thief bothered them, but everyone watched them with a certain caution.
They finally arrived at a street that should have been busy during the day, but there at night, it was quite deserted.
"What's the problem here?" Madara asked.
"There's a man who's taxing some shops in the area with threats, one of his sons is in the city guard and he's using that to threaten some of my acquaintances here... I found out about this problem two days ago," she summarized.
That made Madara raise an eyebrow. It wasn't a big enough problem to draw his attention, but he was still surprised by it having arisen, given the lack of activity from gangs and the underworld now that everything was quite controlled. Madara knew that small crimes could happen here and there, even an isolated murder, but nothing organized, much less people extorting others in the city. That was something he did not expect, especially coming from Dudu's men; perhaps they were confident enough.
"It seems this person doesn't know the city's current situation, or perhaps he's bold enough. That's why we're here, to resolve it. I just want to arrive at tonight's meeting and tell my colleagues that everything is settled," she said sincerely.
"So let's settle this," Madara said.
And so, they knocked on the door. After a few seconds, a middle-aged man opened it.
"Who are you?" the man narrowed his eyes cautiously, seeing a sorceress and a man with strange hair and clothing.
Madara looked at Triss, who stepped forward.
"My husband and I found out that you have been charging fees to two shops on this street. Is that true?" Triss asked, with a challenging tone. The man grimaced, but kept his caution.
"Who are you? Answer first," he demanded.
"We are travelers from Sodden. We are here in the north, taking the opportunity to visit some relatives. My wife heard from some friends that you were extorting them with threats. Is that true?" Madara asked this time, with a natural, firm, and authoritative tone.
Triss looked at him with some surprise. 'Let him think we are vulnerable.' Madara conveyed that to her with a look.
The man hesitated for a moment before giving a crooked smile.
"Ah… and I thought you were nobles from Redania... But it seems you are just foreigners." He fell completely for the suggestion. Now his tone was more confident. "Yes, it's true that we are charging a fee. After all, my son works for the city guard. It's only fair that those lowlifes pay us a fee," he said.
It was clear that he was prejudiced against non-humans.
"Hey, Rurik and Borin, come here!" he shouted next, as two larger men approached, as tall as Madara, but much more muscular.
"What you are doing is wrong," Triss said with a scorching look, not only because of the theft itself, but also because of the way he clearly respected neither of them.
The man merely mocked her. "Don't look at me like that. You'd better pay for the trouble, otherwise we'll call the city guard and my son will put you in trouble, foreigners!" he threatened.
"She doesn't have to pay with money, she can pay with something else...?" one of the sons said, giving a lecherous look at Triss, who looked back in disgust.
"Let's get them, brother, and teach that man a lesson!" the other said confidently, since the gangs had stopped meddling in street affairs and some members of the royal guard had been getting quite bold lately. Madara had already noticed all of this.
Madara remained silent and took a step forward, placing his hand on Triss's stomach, expecting her to step back as he positioned himself in front of the sorceress, who looked like she was about to create a powerful flame with her hand.
"A hero, from what I see. Come on, give me your wife." One of the brothers advanced. But as he approached Madara, he didn't even notice Madara's movement as he struck his neck. He simply collapsed unconscious on the ground near Madara's feet, kissing the mud.
The father and the other son looked stunned. Triss did not seem impressed; in fact, she smiled, as if she could deal with them easily.
"I'll be right back," Madara said, and simply disappeared before them, taking the father and son by surprise once again.
"He's a sorcerer!" They came to that conclusion.
In moments, Madara returned and went back to Triss. "Let's go. This is already settled," he said, as she raised an eyebrow.
"What did you do?" she asked, curious and surprised. He had been gone for only an instant.
"I just went to Dudu and sent him the memories of what happened here. He'll act quickly," Madara said.
With those words, he took Triss by the arm and the two of them left. The pair remained only watching, blinking, completely stunned by what had just happened, seeing the couple turn the corner and disappear.
They had no idea that an armed guard was already on the way to their house at that exact moment to arrest them for crimes that would lead them to the gallows.
Meanwhile, Madara went with Triss to the meeting, which took place in the city's underground. The matter was quite simple. These meetings discussed the state of the city, since the sorcerers had created a kind of conspiracy to decide whether Novigrad was or was not a threat to them.
No one wanted to be caught off guard if something bad happened, so they talked about how the city was treating non-humans, any magical creature, or anyone involved with magic, plants, or alchemy.
Madara did not interfere in the meeting and remained off to the side, being introduced as Triss's husband, which made certain men at the meeting lose some kind of hope, as Madara noticed. Perhaps Triss was just using this as a joke or wanting to dismiss persistent suitors.
He simply accompanied Triss, who drank a little wine and refused any other meeting after that one, becoming slightly intoxicated.
People, especially the women, asked questions about him immediately. Triss was good with a story, saying that he was a nobleman from the south who had gone north before they met.
Madara was surprised that no one recognized him as Madara Uchiha there. He was Cassivar Delaeage, as Triss invented on the spot before Madara could think of a better name.
"So this was the handsome friend you said you lived with, but you didn't say you were married to him, Triss!" an herbalist said.
"I don't usually publicize my life, Saiora. Anyway, shall we go? I'm feeling very unwell..." Triss asked, avoiding further questioning, and Madara nodded.
That meeting talked about rumors, and Madara enjoyed listening to the expectations of those present. Triss reported how they had resolved the case, and they thanked her greatly.
She refused to go by teleport. She wanted to walk through the city, even in that state.
Thus, they returned to the mansion with calm steps, when Madara stopped halfway just to pick up a paper from the notice board, something that caught his attention.
Triss was smiling the entire time and did not stop clinging to Madara as they entered the mansion, humming softly.
"Come on, I'll put you to bed," he said, while she murmured a faint "yes".
"But… already? Then you're already leaving?" she asked in a low tone.
"I have things to do, Triss."
"I understand," she said, sounding disappointed, but realizing she was far too drunk.
"Just help me get to bed," she said at last, and Madara nodded as he carefully laid her down and removed her shoes.
"Tonight was full of excitement," she said, while Madara almost laughed.
"We didn't do anything special. We just sent the guard after a man who admitted to extorting shopkeepers and went to your meeting, where I did nothing but listen and stay by your side."
"To me, that was more exciting than any night I've had in the last few months," she murmured, staring at him. "Unfortunately… I'm not Madara Uchiha to have a life full of adventures," she said, smiling.
"Well, I can't deny that," was all he replied.
She lay down, while Madara prepared to leave.
"Tell me one thing, Madara," she said before he left. The room was lit only by the dim light of a small lantern beside the bed. She knew that Madara was leaving to do something she had no idea what it was. "Would you love another person? I mean… besides Ciri?" It was a simple, direct question. She would never have asked it, but there she was, lying down and a little drunk, watching Madara leave, and she found her courage.
"I don't know. Probably not," Madara replied, without turning around, and left, leaving Triss behind.
He exited through one of the windows and moved onto the roof of the house, before looking at the paper he had taken from the notice board. It was a simple mission: hunt a monster in the sewers. His intermediary was none other than Olgierd von Everec.
It was time to finally meet him. If he was not mistaken, that monster in the sewers was none other than the prince he had transformed through black magic into a creature to prevent him from marrying his dead wife, even before summoning the demon.
"Well, let's get this over with," Madara merely shrugged and moved across the rooftops until he left Novigrad, finally heading north.
-----
Raccoon Here:
I don't want to make a harem here, but I think it would be very forced for Triss not to fall in love with Madara. I'm not saying that they got together and formed a trio, but I think it's quite natural for her to see Madara that way at this point in the story. He is always powerful, respected, and feared. He healed her and takes care of his friends, and he has abilities that even tie the minds of mages like Tissaia in knots.
I think it's quite natural for women in The Witcher to fall in love with him. And it would be a disservice not to talk about some of them.
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