"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fJW2twRea
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0v3IXEaB7
The coachman bowed before us. He was kind and polite, so I felt a little wrong about what I was about to say.
"Thank you. Can I make a report on the man who rode with us? He attacked me and my friend."
The coachman released an exhausted sigh. I lightly chuckled.
"I apologize, sir, but I'm currently unable to do anything about it."
"...I don't mean to be rude, but he attacked us. No, 'attacked' isn't right, he assaulted us. I can't just stand by and let someone like that walk away scott-free."
"As we are in the realm of His Majesty, we cannot reprimand him. However, after the ride back, we will gladly put him under arrest."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTSS7LbMh2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfNRRXdNrV
I felt a vein bulge in my head.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH31dKEkir
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Weal6kYlT
"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9thgIFuHW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGMBmtOQYn
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpu2kRlVR5
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr1e8RxEhl
"Listen, we're perfectly aware. But that man is a special person, and we are in very special times. I promise that you won't go unheard, okay? Just avoid making a scene."
"...Fine. Flinty, let's go."
Figuring that arguing wouldn't get me anywhere, I turned back to motion Flinty. She had her face pointed to the sky. After I called her, she awkwardly shrunk.
"R-Right. Sorry, it's just that this place looks way bigger up close."
"Wait until you see the inside."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZhpN81be8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUU57ceNg4
"I-Inside...?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIT2v3PVqT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8amd0DkR96
She repeated my last word with an astonished breath. When we made it to the guard, I handed him my card. After a short inspection of our bodies, he gently bowed to us and led us through one of the three doors. Flinty covered her face for a moment before taking in the view.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP249YtV61I
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJGqkhojqN
"It's so... shiny."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0IXp6Rx0P
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwUhahlqWT
The interior of the building was clad in marble and avant-garde designs scribbled throughout the floor and ceiling. No one column holding the interior had the same design; they each possessed an exaggerated illustration of an animal, some I didn't recognize.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ggcv3MqoF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4X7r2dZto
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzlgmvekRn
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjsj1wMQIA
"The Garden?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM5Z99e9Mx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMM4TN2eQq
"That's where the plants are," I replied, "It's a lot smaller than you'd expect, and it's all indoors, but they have some wonderful specimens in there."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79WJVjjZwM
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsdIlCGe14
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5JD6b5yP9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKEwqqSWo0
We traveled up a set of stairs. Even the steps were polished and spotless, which made me feel slightly guilty about stepping on them. Once we arrived at the second floor, we traveled down a lengthy hallway.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G6jCXBcQm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kLOUfeQIQ
"Hey, Kenny."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHknKGk0yDU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JpFc6XhYg
"What's the matter?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqmxCjyVOk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAyu4rdaI1
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BBi3tzgdl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yvNwfqIfJ
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGlZ3due0j
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcqNiZZskZ
"The chandelier? What about it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5VCQcQdX
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQMD4wMJtd
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI9qYnjoQj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfgawWWa4s
"It's pretty, but I can't help but think it's overkill. And just look at that lone little chain keeping it hanging; it looks like it's gonna break any second."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsFchuUfTE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXzX4HfPrA
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDci2e2kLTB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2geTsL8vT
"Ah, that makes sense."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmDMl4y6C8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkDzfkqPim
I wouldn't put it past royal mages to know mana suspension of that degree. It was likely an earth infusion, or maybe the mage just had dense mana. Either way, it made me wonder how many more appliances in this building had mana in them. I immediately thought of the doors, but considering how many we've passed in this hallway alone, that seemed unlikely.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzTxEbbZCT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnan771X65
"...Then again, this building is quite old, isn't it– oop!"
I broke out of ruminating when I ran into the back of the guard. He stopped moving. and I could tell by the side of his face that he was surprised. I peered around his body to see what it was that he was seeing.
"...Oh no."
White hair, green eyes, crossed arms; these features were exhibited by a young boy in an exquisite outfit. The boy had two guards behind him.
His eyes met mine. His smirk turned from childish to demonic. I took a few steps back and bumped into Flinty.
"Kenny? What's wrong? What are you two looking at?"
She peeked over the guard and saw him. Unlike me, however, her face lit up with an excited gasp.
"It's the prince!"
I already began turning, but before my legs could locomote, Flinty's fingers wrapped around my wrist.
"Kenny, it's the prince!"
"I know! Why do you think I'm trying to–"
"Mister Chambers!"
His squeaky screech echoed through the hallway, reverberating my name.
"I order you all to have dinner with me!"
I looked over my shoulder. Flinty's face was as bright as the sun.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the situation, following Prince Orice's unreasonable order.
–
–
–
Maybe I shouldn't have been so distraught upon meeting the prince. Thinking about it with a calmer mind, it was bound to happen eventually. I was frankly surprised it took over ten visits here for me to meet him.
"I finally had a chance to sneak out this time!"
That was his response when I inquired him, spoken as if he was shamelessly proud of himself. He was shamelessly proud of himself, actually. It only made my impression of him worse.
The two guards who were tailgating him were the same two goons I made total fools out of all those weeks ago. They were also inadvertently the reason why I got my decrepit nickname, but I knew better not to blame them.
If anything, it was me. Though I wanted to berate the prince, it was me.
"So, why have you called us to this room?"
"I already told you. It's so that we can eat together!"
Flinty and I were sitting by each other on different couches. The prince was sitting across from us on one of his own, but I could tell that his was much more comfortable than ours.
"You say it's so we can eat, but I'm not seeing any food on the table."
"Just be patient. It'll come in a jiffy."
"In a jiffy..."
I repeated his peculiar phrase under my breath. It looked like waiting was an inevitability.
"I just wanted to see the plants, man..."
"You'll see them after our dinner, I promise! I just need to discuss things with you. First, some important business, and then some other business."
"Important business? That's hard to believe."
"Then get ready to be surprised."
We sat in silence, intently gazing at each other.
"Aren't you going to tell me?"
"I'll do it over food. I read somewhere that talking over food helps build bonds the best."
"Fine. I'll wait. Yell at me when the food is here."
My body sank into the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned back. The couch put me in a tranquil state, and despite my intentions, I could feel myself lulled to sleep. My senses were being severed from the outside world.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQotEzKyoD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj887KqxxkM
"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUlXzrahHh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IVtAaYGRS
"I-I think he did."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVG4emJFFH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC9mduQnpP
The prince's and Flinty's voices dragged me back to consciousness. However, noting that they thought I was unconscious, I decided to play the part and see what would happen. I had a bubbly feeling in my chest. I was becoming giddy. I was convinced I had devised the most meticulous scheme ever.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrGPRlbMNb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW16StW5QWO
"That's rude of him."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl5UtWssiQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbhk7Ft62N
"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6jIBG7PBv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo7IfRFTMR
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPWqqE2eCq
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmTeoqcgZ9
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgiGwjPLEV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJerAHMYNA
"Of course I do, I'm just pulling your leg! You're the girl who was kidnapped by those two corrupt knights. What was your name again?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK6AoMSWqA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMkdTAtpE
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3U7823Umo
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQMieTykjW
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09xw4mzuxE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrzm4lV1I5
Flinty let out a weird noise.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFvSQmqMXh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwvDloXVaJ
"Mhm!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcuvwvkeqd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY3Zk6WKuC
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ltmjqol8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUfrTlPppc
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfizoYl5YZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lEjYRYqNS
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQttDmCmme
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg0AI7zf9i
The prince was bemoaning over something.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN5wy2cgw2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAERgqfrTL
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR26cRV3L7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqotsbHJdF0
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13huiKP4AS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXewXOkFIGH
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7JbE0UaEw
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxolvfK48tT
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ah3rrQua9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvxiQXEHXt
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjts75Ln6CG
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZO9Anq1N
"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3cuFuj5zC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7XIeuHbpW
"I've never seen anyone as brave as him; just think about it, he saw two adults ganging up on one kid, and he beat them up! He was much smaller and younger. By all means, he should've turned his tail and ran, but he didn't! I've only ever seen Skylark act like that. Everyone else is too big of a wuss, but not Mister Chambers– and even better, he's just a little older than me! He's not some adult who scolds me for everything I do or watches me like a hawk. He's a little boy, just like me!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRegj3Ukt0k
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HTVIbWwUm
"That's... surprisingly sweet."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2fyCmSeLd
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZxTVVUUSJ
"I'm trying to get in his good graces, but for some reason, nothing I do seems to work. I'm starting to think that he just doesn't like me."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ojNMrkYZF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2r60uPgwd
"O-Oh, I'm sure it's not that. It's just, well, from what I've heard of him, you always seem to meet him at the wrong times."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEpN1XqOS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClZMRkYRk4
"...Really?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY013U9z8H
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3UhPgxqQV
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCADamsmdF
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOwQg9RGp6
"GAH!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ534dljNT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dOzCfeKtc
"Huh!?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc4pqS6paB
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa7zrCGGhG
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtat6CzQbE2
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZUNdkaaR4
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzZFin3ogK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlgqQON0G1
"Nevermind that. What Flinty said was right, but what you said was even more right. I don't like you very much, I'm sorry– ack!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d1NEsYmXU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlqbnJjGmX
I felt something blunt hit my shoulder. Flinty was looking at me with beady eyes with her fist against me. I looked back at the prince, who had a perturbed expression. He quickly looked down at the table and pinched his chin, whispering something to himself.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw47CD3l5oD
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qdKIoQufW
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo7yLsAZ2x
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbNKsr4rM3
"I-Is he really being so nice? He barged in and forced us to eat with him, and he still hasn't apologized for chasing me last time!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJX5IL91O8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTqsFlW2YL
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhDeZa90U6
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiKfNNErhg
"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZteiaJdDZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wT88KXExB
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpkhHNfeEj
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yZlXmxx7M
The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0expfTmQmO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXSryvNTqT
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIaFE9Y1II
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoGqKEot6j
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ogTSyJvc3
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnAUfaaukl
Flinty stuck her tongue out. Something about this felt strange; why was I being painted as the enemy here? I looked at the prince, who was still bowing. He kept lowering his body. His hands were balled into fists. They were quaking.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz8SgHXUC8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmZTaws8nu
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCBjVW7VGN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k7GDK6fAQ
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLlViojJdh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMTUKFh4b3
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aWn304TuT
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLGuezaaiB
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUDlQxHAmK
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0F43eluu3
"No."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTCV89S5OY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6PtjN04sM
He sank into his couch with a deep frown. I looked at Flinty to gauge her thoughts and she just lightly shrugged at me with a sigh. The situation was satisfactory, then.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGncmGJKjW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX7FWAmCTt
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsHR6ID2AC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPGp7CYWaV
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVeaHfFBt9
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz4U0lws9D
He looked at me. I was expecting him to stick his tongue out at me as well, but he just looked deeply sad. Somehow his frown grew even more profound, it almost looked inhuman.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3jfkWrFfV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngD9Ov5nUw
"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjPdjHWBGk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx6ZPtRHfD
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt9AeIS8fC
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzO7OIBJTQ
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWfomdZFzE
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OGCgOfThJ
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxANBy64VSY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH05zqhdONk
The prince shook his head in a satisfied manner, the frown entirely departed from his face. I was beginning to wonder why he was acting the way he was, but recalling what he said earlier, I had a clue as to why.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfidfSLWVi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUUknCQVbx
"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKYhYLtcBS
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bqpxjEXvA
"--Hrk!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa19jsm6TXi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg4I9ObmnC
I hit a sour spot. I nodded while making an 'ahhh' sound. Of course, it was the only explanation. I was also insufferable when I stopped talking to people, after all.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4UPHZLczi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKBuHoCn4b
The prince looked down at the table again. I didn't have a chance to press him further, however, because a group of people carrying plates and glasses barged into the room.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhILmPVWRCQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhWQcOqDQe
"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rxU86ab6B
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcHibcdiXJ
–
–
–
I struggled to comprehend the thing that was before me. Calling it food felt disingenuous because what I was looking at was more like gold painted as if it was food. I was convinced the moment that I took a bite out of the piece of meat before me, my teeth would shatter like glass. My fork would likely bend and bust before that, though. But these were just expectations; I had to confirm them. Therefore, I poked the meat. It wasn't hard, it wasn't heavy; the surface recessed inward as my finger pushed against it. It wasn't a precious metal in the shape of a meal. It was a meal.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJBVD5IB3A
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGky4sf8EMh
"I can't eat this."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdalwFSTNfQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTz1zehr4b
"I can't eat this."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8n72zhK3n
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFTOJjiZl0
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmAQVT1EjH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrV2iWMdn5
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxnx5kIIy8
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJhGlf9RSu
Flinty nodded and motioned for her fork but I didn't move. I was comfortable calling myself starstruck. Time seemed to slow down the longer I gazed at the meat. Before I knew it–189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7y5lpDMly
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDr6Rg8eny
"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDhjZhUWZi
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiXJV2CPBe
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHFET2cNly
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU9Xg5kxyW
"Mister Chambers?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqPI9NALDR
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBy3Xdx97C
"What?"
"Let's talk about the business I mentioned earlier. But first, at least try what was cooked for you. I promise it won't disappoint."
"I feel bad even thinking about eating it, but if you insist."
I grabbed a fork and stuck it in the meat. The chunk came off with little resistance. Blood trickled from the inside onto the plate. I put it in my mouth and slowly began chewing.
"Well?"
"...It's incredible, but, what type of meat is this?"
"Aviartidae. They're quite common in the badlands. They're like vultures, but–"
"But they're monsters, yes. So, what's this business about?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPjzEwvuS0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnbDUFTwbD
"Right..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcOpIZZqbz
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepOK0TVnUq
The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr6wkXea96
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBpIgONofF
"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejjvFBICrp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn94iBriuVq
"I see. And what are the details?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs95G2yTpl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBuTMg4rrY
"I was just getting to that! Well, never mind, it's more or less an escort mission, except you aren't escorting anybody in particular, you're escorting a letter to be sent."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEv2DpCpJv
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5nWb1QLNm
"A letter?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2LG83HAfY
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HhxMdAUQK
"Yep. There's a town a few days away on horseback called Kommunikatsiya. It's one of the central hubs for communication here in the Southern Country, overseen by The Zariel Kingdom. Your goal is to deliver a letter to the foreign communications center, and that's about it. All the other details will be covered by the letter itself."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnBeLDk8DU
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdmvpo77Tn
"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsou0aLqwqg
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozh5cs3NEa
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBnVb1iqN4
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukmINxEzAc
I widened my eyes a little.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92IANaaj0n
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGunMmryeh3
"Really? Who's working with me?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTvlWFEbaN
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHhVmd2hCG
The prince gave me a stern shrug.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwCIHbMZHs
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtvGAYCFzi
"I dunno. My mom and sister are the ones operating this whole ordeal. Whoever they'll be though, they'll be on your strength level."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcpWl3C77Z
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWofPX3zHZK
"That's relieving."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRLSvX0Uis
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqIO9UfaT
I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfpVTl1gSO
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f79TEJzdb
I didn't have any plans for the next week, but I already knew the Tea Mage was going to be angry hearing this news. It was likely to take well over a week, maybe even two or three if we ran into problems.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuX37Hcbur
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsniETacd8o
"How far did you say the village was again?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lGKmJ5FFr
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYetwFxeISw
"It'll take five days on carriage if everything goes smoothly. Don't worry about travel expenses, by the way, we've got that covered."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv1FEc7OXc
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkbKad7DN5
"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ0UWUiMC1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwc1WDPtoq
I picked my fork back up but paused before I stuck it into the meat. I had a sudden epiphany about what the prince was saying.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBTe2Gefjp
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHQsGP1MNl
"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Rhc3UPJD1
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFXI1zoWr2
"..."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmIGGdM5OW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9UKL5jPop
The prince's expression turned pensive. It was clear to me that he wasn't well informed about this information. If I had to guess, the princess was the one who was supposed to relay this to me.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsCN0Z3OW7
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAtCEcvs5b
"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6bCkzTQVH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVEVe6rNgt
"I see."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X1BpDO5sA
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzO47FbI1j5
Recalling what the princess told me a few months ago, it suddenly put the operation into perspective. I already began making guesses as to what the letter was about. It could've been a call to arms of some sort, or maybe a letter to get a negotiation with the Eastern Country started.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ErEUYfmXk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnfyAjBl0p
"Since the Eastern Country is an empire, they're a pretty aggressive nation. This whole mission is vital, but it's also imperative that it's concealed."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVB8aQDxfk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbhopxEbPq
I nodded along to his words, taking another bite from the ambrosia before me. I didn't have any strong feelings about the situation, to my surprise. Something like this coming up was always in the back of my mind; I was frankly confused as to why it took this long to happen.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdn6D0uS0N
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHp5S2AsX7
"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpZTYtjnG0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nyvaO9Ztv
"Yes," the prince answered, and then his face suddenly turned pale as he covered his mouth with both hands, "You, Flinty, you weren't supposed to hear any of this! Crap!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNdHv1SCPL
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR30jX3nHX
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tBFzZL7NZ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCMd8bjdmu
"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ9dnPSEKm
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovfqBM02hH
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lu8FsCF50
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRrDwp87KH
The prince looked a little swayed, but what worried me wasn't him, but the two goons who were behind him. They were giving each other quizzical looks, and I could already guess what they were thinking.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1JPkCkiut
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UExpTbxQi
"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULuIo6aFbb
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtevr4vGEQd
"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdoX8MymlQ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp85UoWeyE
"What is it?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgOJKlZrJJ
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ452MVQTZ99
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtZbBQI4Mx
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSM3elvkzt
"Absolutely not," I declared. It wasn't because I feared for her safety, though I did, it was because I already ascertained that this mission was way out of her league.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIoCn8lYxu
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL3ZrSl61f
"Yeah, no shot, Flinty," the prince said "Nothing against you, but if we have two kids on this operation, not only will it be embarrassing, but it will also call our morality as a kingdom into question."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDofuJZwiV
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDiqECSbNB
"...I see."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfQcauJ7Nk
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8FDMroEf8
She let out a dejected response, but from the tone of her voice, it was obvious that she expected such an answer. She quickly shook off her disappointment with a shrug and kept eating her food.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgexdbIBcW
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsTQDWbnnu
"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2nIqA4xEH
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtDscc7L13
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFWnHGZtzh
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NQMCgyoRh
"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u1MtI3E38
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fwIE2UuCO
"...Yes?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJtmujrpWe
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLxeixyqyV
"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIm5t1Zl8y
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpmCaAP2uT
"No."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u1dWYSPR0
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPoIOL4NKe
"Oh."189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBGbo59pPl
189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9bUKOA8H7
–
–
–
"...Ah, here we are."
I finally arrived at my intended destination. Closing the door behind me, I entered a room where the floor itself was dirt and grass. Calling it a room almost felt insulting, because it felt as if I had stepped into a secret facet of nature.
This was the royal palace's garden. I took a deep breath through my nostrils.
I was entirely alone here. Flinty, for whatever reason, insisted on staying with the prince in the dining room. She seemed to be trying to get in his good graces, which I would've called an intelligent and strategic maneuver were it not for Flinty's amiable nature, which made the real reason obvious.
Admittedly, in the back of my mind, I had a suspicion that she just didn't want to see the plants. To an extent, I was probably right.
Anyway–
"Now, which one do I choose?"
I wasn't just here to marvel and study the magical plants. Since it was the second Wednesday of the month, I was permitted to intake one magical plant of my choosing into the tendril. If I didn't have such a restriction, I would've absorbed them all in one week and have no reason to visit again, effectively crumbling the agreement the princess and I made.
At least, those were the words my supervisor said, who just so happened to be–
"...Roy, I understand you're only 'fulfilling your duty', but you're far, far too close."
Looming behind me like a demon in my sleep was a gray-haired man in a robe. He was holding a wand about two heads taller than me while the magic stone was nearly the size of my head. It was an exceedingly rare feature for Exotica, but that was becoming of someone like him.
"If I let you become too greedy now, then my status as Royal Mage would be meaningless."
"I'm not asking for much. Just, please take a few steps back?"
Surprisingly, he did, but calling them 'steps' was generous. I sighed and ceased making an appeal. It was obvious I'd be getting nowhere doing that.
So instead, I ventured through the garden and scouted the catalog of magical plants. Most of the garden was composed of common vegetation, but the magical plants were placed in blatant places, almost as if they were begging you to come and tear them off their stems.
Unfortunately, though the garden had a plethora of magical plants, it only had a handful of unique species. I was able to identify them thanks to my tome, and by that, I made a pecking order on which plants I should absorb the soonest. However, as I scanned all these precious Exotica, I began to think about the definitive pecking order I've created.
Ordinarily, I would've gone for the Silk-Bloom, which excretes exactly what the name implies. But in light of the recent mission I've been tasked with, my consideration juggled between the Silk-Bloom and two other ones.
"What's taking you so long? You usually pick one and leave by this time."
"Shut up! Simply admiring the plants is part of my promised time here too!"
Telling Roy a half-truth, I continued pondering the situation. Aside from the Silk-Boom, I had considered intaking the Blover and the Spit-Blossom. I had no doubts that, when pushed to the limits, these plants could perform extraordinary feats, much like the Freeze-Dry. But choosing between the two was possible. They both had their benefits, after all.
"I implore you to hurry up before I grow suspicious and do something by accident."
"Threatening me is just gonna make me nervous. Who do you think I am anyway?"
Blover, or Spit-Blossom? The former could produce harsh winds, while the latter expelled sturdy projectiles.
"...Wait."
When I thought about it that way, and when I considered the plants I already possessed in my arsenal, the choice became clear as day. Therefore, I walked up to the plant in the shape of a gallant clover and kneeled beside it.
"Finally. You were very close to suspiciously and mysteriously bursting into flames."
"Uh-huh."
After I finished intaking the plant, I stood up and walked to the exit. Roy stopped before me and bowed slightly.
"Safe travels. I sincerely hope you found your time at the palace pleasant and useful."
"I certainly did. For the most part, at least. Thank you for your service."
I bowed back at him, and we exchanged nods. I walked through the door and found myself back in the hallway. To my surprise, Flinty was outside waiting for me, but she wasn't with the prince.
"Hi! Did you enjoy your time with the plants?"
"Yeah, my tendril has a new one, too. Anyway, Flinty, where's the prince?"
She scratched her cheek and nervously laughed.
"Commander Skylark found us in the dining room and, well..."
"I can imagine. He must've thrown quite a tantrum."
"Not really? He was putting up a good fight, though."
I snorted.
"Yeah, I can imagine."
Flinty and I traversed the hallway. We met up with the guard from earlier by the staircase. He looked relieved for some reason. We made it down the stairs and traversed the halls quietly. But, before we left, an unfortunately familiar face was standing by the palace doors.
Except, he wasn't alone.
"Mm, yes, Kenneth, girl, I see you two have finished your business."
The man from the carriage was standing there, surrounded by guards who had their spears pointed at him. Except, from their apparel, I could tell they weren't ordinary guards. They were likely elites of some kind. He seemed completely unbothered by it though, wearing the same grin he's always had.
"What... happened to you?" I asked.
"I proposed, but the queen selfishly rejected it. I've calmed down since then, yet these dregs insist that they keep watch over me."
"Really. Color me surprised."
I sighed, somehow unsurprised that things turned out this way. But I suddenly had a new concern appear in my mind.
"W-Wait, how are we going to get back?"
"Mm, well, I'm forced to stay here for the time being, so you two may take the carriage back without me."
"Huh!?"
His face hadn't changed one bit, so his words were entirely serious, but I still couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't get a chance to ask any further questions because the guards pushed the man to move.
"Ah, careful, fools, I have no interest in getting my clothes dirty."
"Just move it along," one of the guards responded. The group walked by Flinty and me. I let out a sigh, relieved that–
"Kenneth, before I leave, I must grant you my name!"
I turned my head back. The man was walking backward.
"My name is Kostik Coyote. You'd do well to remember it!"
His voice reverberated throughout the building. The man, Kostik, disappeared into the hallway.
"What a nutcase."
Flinty of all people muttered that comment. I couldn't have agreed more.
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