"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYFok0EWXT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PaF1rMGtD
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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaRyOMLDAQ
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQQzzLj1BW
I felt a vein bulge in my head.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1K2VKn0wq
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0Txte4TpT
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgFwmYcjOU
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3FKjqqPnD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0ZnVmi1nz
"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaFadpYmnl
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"I-Inside...?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCixBnqR8h
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwZ7TzXbI0
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"It's so... shiny."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1MvLEf4Dm
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuiERbJB21
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33JfBg7SDt
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYCQVf3BCv
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsrxWdoTLr
"The Garden?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3otKdB0yO1
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cKUpl2dtV
"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEPTSt5ov7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5rs4bX8Vg
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYsMhgjuG5
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5yQLaKk8C
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJxunRS2jM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI9ra5wmsi
"Hey, Kenny."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4MOcXF8bS
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NHDGwnrGt
"What's the matter?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzPkMuLaHj
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdfaALDrGE
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdYWEc7izq
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oPQsDqiso
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM7F6aMtKN
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QiLc9ZCyk
"The chandelier? What about it?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIumwccCcte
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbbLtBUmXp
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmpSTJ4bZL
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtAPbi1K1e
"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyjkHhYA2V
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QRBeMoiVN
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmc3yHFfqq
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"Ah, that makes sense."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaR1mGUPMg
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk857JNRW5
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkRJI0ERVt
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKfOZI1AHa
"...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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8FB4lPuLq
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivE8EFxgD3
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"I-I think he did."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn27ncFTaCe
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMITTVf0tmw
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"That's rude of him."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRgOo6FVgY
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"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sVyDbLPrm
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAaqsDq10E
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgX4uS1TJM
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcXYJJcMzL
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mM8kXUm1u
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PMzOGrgBu
"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?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKKknL4a3E
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhwqUWXbur
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXrjgB47xG
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRftrqSntpP
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fPFVWkl7D
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Flinty let out a weird noise.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvbNLrl5II
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"Mhm!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0JnkjGhbd
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH708tQhhRl
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHA17hgYAS
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9jlUMHTTt
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5XZoP2oNV
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqq9TgWTtS
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCfWUEXDdK
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquTnKaPklw
The prince was bemoaning over something.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ipBzFphU
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZETdo7Denc
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"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmFoCwda3E
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fGE99feFK
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"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU09CV12Cj
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xuApN2tci
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGMpPnraJY
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"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoeLE2dN2M
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54IufOxWnq
"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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KUs0WDjjh
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz85Klrb2Ik
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXFEqLTwZB
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p5B4vJ7wE
"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6Dx3qvJw
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"...Really?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubg688b5qM
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"You're also incredibly obnoxious."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaSLhjGNrg
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"GAH!?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ic6J6zGKg
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"Huh!?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SIYTu9X9E
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I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEsg2LZMfe
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9FQHWxmX2
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMGkUSzJtR
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06kxBcfdkC
"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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt4uCXZ6nD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkcOcLzvrw
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxFe10e6Jn
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTpNPPV1NS
"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4jbQeTElF
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYWaqsv7Kb
"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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8phzOJA0o
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsf81jTytL
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuKK2ht1lJ
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"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut7kRRtl6t
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Iq3pwGI2h
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhICu5Bxql
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"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7zNxDxZb4
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"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWbQ6BPlcV
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LjjbvjAdU
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6trNDlJaqJ
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"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBzJOuGGjY
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If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA7mYYQlny
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"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGaPAlRZ1i
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDUaugDCLP
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kyjc3l7Dl
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RMOPLQQ85
"No."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda32pKttec
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNciVlkGJBC
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"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQku2hIyLJP
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidadnIPrUG
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyVeogN9X7
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gBmBlVscX
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRYuIMNeWt
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu0eUfCefs
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNXPhplwyD
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl2RIq1xCm
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXTl3O1zMb
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"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB3ddBSJxU
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrEfjmCCIS
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp7zQ7ZwyC
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK12m89gKVY
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"--Hrk!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIMWxTpzDV
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPNatp4ECz
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d2DSsGXtg
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYqAk4Nb23
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–
–
–
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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuXCdcq84A
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"I can't eat this."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9pnAntWpN
139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq8qEL89fx
"I can't eat this."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2R8cOnIDb
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBtxfnCcAS
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiVviYejcG
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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–139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkenrXOpbPD
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFHWaztOwB
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAktmdI3Ksl
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"Mister Chambers?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQqm7dz3Lf
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"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?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMeptKuldJ
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"Right..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLtmFbkT9M
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcGtw1UYyQ
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"The short and sweet of it is that we have a mission for you. The first one you must do per our agreement."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRttyq026pZ
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"I see. And what are the details?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl8kXw53gF
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQeAOGPXhH
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"A letter?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpTBj9iH2x
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60PNyzQe2
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D04pwn9sP
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeedYU9iqY
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I widened my eyes a little.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrpBAJrAYv
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"Really? Who's working with me?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW0vpavVjK
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD9WJvT2BQ
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbf2wESPG5
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"That's relieving."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGeD0GAfsZ
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v5PJ6NNP8
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwnY3MBxRh
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"How far did you say the village was again?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrQVcpfD18
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmi82PtgGD
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8vBGKsLSF
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuQvGXu9uV
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdWxYFOZKH
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"..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkRAWwMtvp
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeS26e4Rhz
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUuFlOb1kc
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"I see."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf31Su0cYvn
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi4gtJ3DsN
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67G3rFHuEB
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrYwaexUmY
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdiuubf4w3
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"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!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80EsBP0pCG
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Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWsw1jqvyq
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujMvbzOuuo
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqAFAUMRyZ
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBCG2cWT6o
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBbms3ubKM
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6zIkwArD7
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"What is it?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQLY0HTdcC
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs4ap1O0D4
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"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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtuGFtCKB9
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"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."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcHZBdQyvW
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"...I see."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklBqJF0GRH
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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.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulY7I3jboW
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALqs9UP6rZ
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztTvfTS8sW
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfM5sruwbv
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"...Yes?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyeK26ZUMZ
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ReWZM83y
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"No."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOKwvzvWmD
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"Oh."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgHHZE0zzF
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–
–
–
"...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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