"Really?" Kanieta asked, looking at the woman, surprised. "Well, I have some time, why don't we leave Green here and go have a… chat in the back room?" As she spoke, she motioned to the side, where a subtle hallway led to a closed door.

  Taking a step back to stand next to me and locking her arm with mine again, White said in a sweet voice, "Oh, I can't leave him here. Besides, the decision will involve him as well, so it would be better for him to find out about it now. Oh? Or is it that you don't enjoy his company?"

  Looking questioningly at White for that last comment, I turned back to the foxkin, whose jaw was clenched tight, but she managed to grind out. "Nothing of the short. I simply thought that you would want to speak to me alone. But of course, if that isn't the case, then I would be happy for Green to accompany me."

  "Ahh, I see. Then it would be our pleasure to join you. If you would be so kind as to lead the way."

  Like her joints were rusty and needed a good cleaning, Kanieta turned and walked down the short side corridor, then opened the door, motioning for us to enter. To be honest, I was suddenly feeling the need to be anywhere else, as the atmosphere was taking a strange turn.

  White was pressing closer to my side than she had ever done before, and Kanieta looked like she was ready to kill me as they had a conversation that possessed undercurrents I didn't care enough about to decipher. Stepping into the backroom, we entered an area with numerous multi-level shelves of various sizes, all of which were filled with a wide array of items.

  Already knowing where to go, I turned, slipping out of White's arm as indecision seized her, and quickly walked to a small office off to the side of the room. Throwing open the door, I saw a disheveled Nareta standing off to the side of the chamber, blinking at me owlishly. Gaze dropping to the couch next to her, I smirked at the woman before stepping over and claiming one of the chairs facing the desk.

  Nareta scowled at me as her eyes finally focused, and her mouth opened to say something, only for her expression to go flat as the door opened again. An annoyed White walked in, taking a seat next to me as Kanieta pranced around my chair, her tails brushing against my arm.

  "So what is it you wanted to talk about?" Kaneita asked in a honey-laced voice as she sat down behind the desk, giving White a placating smile. Nareta stepped forward, placing tea cups and saucers down in front of each of us and filling them with steaming liquid.

  I glanced at the woman who had just been napping, and my eyes flicked to a ring that she always kept on her index finger. Is that ring entirely filled with tea so she doesn't have to work? As if she were reading my thoughts, the Kin's eyes darted to mine as another pot of tea appeared in her hand behind White's back, and she gave a wink before making it vanish, putting on her servant mask once more.

  Snorting at the professionally lazy maid, I reached out to grab my cup, pleasantly surprised at the peppermint flavor. "So what was it that you wanted to talk about?" Kanieta asked, giving White a radiant smile that wasn't returned.

  Straining her back and clearing her throat, White lifted her teacup to her lips, but I don't think she actually drank anything. After setting it back down, her lips curled as she spoke in a neutral voice. "My mistress is planning on throwing a party tomorrow, as I am sure that you know, having received an invitation for it."

  Kanieta looked at the other woman, her face turning serious as her eyes narrowed, "I have indeed received an invitation for Lady Meridies' party. However, I believe I have already sent a rejection. While I am of course honored to be invited to such a gathering, I have other demands placed upon me, and making it to such a party is not within my schedule."

  "Yes, my lady thought that was your opinion, which is why she sent me personally to invite you again." Holding up her hand to forestall the immediate rejection that Kanieta was going to give, the elf continued, "And she informed me to say that… It would be within both of our national interests if you would show up."

  At the noticeable pause as White looked to the side at me, Kanieta asked, "Is that all that she told you to say?"

  "There was one more thing," White responded, sounding uncertain as she looked back to Kanieta, "Though it's hardly worth mentioning… Well, anyway, she informed me to tell you to be sure to bring Scout Green with you, as he, in particular, may find it gratifying to attend and take a look around the grounds… After all, she has many elven sculptures decorating the estate. Many sights to see, you could say."

  "I see," Kanieta said slowly, clearly thinking over every word before speaking again. "In that case, I may need to reassess my schedule. Is that all you wanted to discuss with me?"

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "It is indeed," White said, getting up. "There is much to do in preparation for the party, and I have many more items to purchase. As much as I would like to sit around with Green again while waiting for Senator Drelgath to tire himself out, I am afraid that I cannot spend my day in such pleasant company."

  "Entirely understandable," Kanieta said, sounding pleased. "And with your recent news, I too must get busy if I am to have any chance of attending. Please, do not let me stop you from getting along with your duties."

  Giving Kanieta a slight nod in farewell, White stood and turned to me, her hand falling on my shoulder as she leaned down. "I look forward to our next meeting, Green. Hopefully, it will be somewhere… less crowded."

  "Ahh, yeah," I muttered, waving off the woman's comment as my mind was still focused on her message and its most likely implication of it. "It will be nice to see you again as well."

  Squeezing my shoulder as she started walking, her measured steps receded behind me, and she was soon at the door. As I heard it click shut, I glanced up from my cup, meeting the withering stare of Kanieta. "What?" I asked after a moment when the woman didn't say anything.

  "Nothing," Kanieta sniffed. I looked to Nareta, but got nothing from her as she was staring at the door with pure hatred. "Nareta, if you could, can you find Redgenald and ask him to join us?"

  "Sure." Sighed the gray fox, her mood suddenly shifting to a pout as she was told to actually do something. Though I did note that she set off as soon as she spoke, her steps filled with purpose.

  As Nareta left, Kanieta flicked her wrist, making a small jar of honey appear and a tray of cookies. While she was messing with her snacks, Kanieta casually asked, "I see you have grown quite close to your childhood friend of late."

  "Hmm, yeah, I guess," I muttered. "It's nice to see family again."

  "Family?" Kanieta hesitantly asked after she started moving again. "I thought you said she was your childhood friend. If she is family, wouldn't that make her a sister or cousin?"

  “No… hmm, although, I guess she is probably distantly related to me. Anyway, elves call everyone from their home village's family."

  "Ohh? So you wouldn't consider ever courting her?"

  At the question, I felt the impulse to say no, but then my mind snapped back to the first night I saw her again. Since then, White hadn't attempted to make any such openly romantic gestures again, but she had been decidedly more touchy compared to when we were children.

  Part of that had to be that we were both adults now, and the fact that we were in Olimpia while interacting with the upper crust of society also couldn't be overlooked. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than commoners mimicking the social standards of nobles. At times, I thought I caught her looking at me with a fervent intensity that… well, it was flattering, but it also made me uncomfortable.

  Blinking, I noticed that Kanieta had frozen as she watched me. Seeing me looking at her, she jerked back into motion, a slight blush on her cheeks. A smile twitched at my lips. “Mmm… why are you suddenly so interested in my love life? Do you have some reason to be?"

  Head snapping up with her eyes wide, Kanieta's eyes quickly narrowed as she saw my teasing smirk and dancing eyes. Scowling, she scoffed, her voice icy as she said, "Yes, I had reason to be concerned. While she is your friend, she is also associated with our foe. For now, she can not be trusted, and forming any kind of close relationship can only be a weakness."

  Her words killed my amusement, and I couldn't help but nod along. "I know. Which is why I—

  A series of quick rapping knocks sounded at the door, and a moment later, Nareta entered, closely followed by Redgenald. "What did you want to see me about?" The reaper briskly asked. "I was watching the dark elf to make sure he didn't attempt anything, and I don't want to give him too much time unsupervised."

  "I understand," Kanieta said, slipping into her professional voice. "This won't take long. White, the elf in Senator Drelgath's entourage, has come to me with an interesting invitation. She says her mistress told her that it would be in the interest of our two nations for us to attend her little party. She also mentioned that Green, in particular, would find it interesting to wander around the grounds and look at the ancient elven statues. It seems to me that she is suggesting that the dark elves are planning to do something that night in her home, and he can be his careless self and discover what it is." She gave me a pointed look at the last point, annoyed that I kept taking necessary, if dangerous, risks. Seeing my unrepentant attitude, the fox snorted in annoyance and turned back to the inquisitor.

  "Are you sure her words can be trusted?" Redgenald asked, having thought over his response for a few seconds.

  "I have no idea. Every time Green checks her mind, he keeps insisting that she isn't under any mental compulsion, but how long ago was the last time?"

  "Yesterday morning."

  "But not today." Stated Kanieta, to which I nodded, unable to deny that one day was more than enough time to compromise White. "You don't have to answer now, but I would like you to think about whether the potential benefits are worth the risks for us. I am also planning on asking Senator Ponpti for his opinion. However, I thought I would ask you now and give you time to think."

  After a little more than a few seconds of thought, the reaper nodded to himself and looked up to the Kin after studying the floor. "I don't know if it is worth it or not for you politically… However, I, and I believe my order, would count it as a personal favor if you would accept the request, and take me with you."

  I felt a chill go down my spine at the declaration, and even Kanieta's eyes widened, having begun to understand exactly how much a favor from the Inquisitors would be worth. "I see," she stated, her voice not nearly as controlled as it was a moment ago. "I will take that into consideration as I make my decision." Dipping his head in acknowledgment of her words, the inquisitor turned and left the room, leaving the three of us in a heavy silence.

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