"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTt1RBdPEs
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PMEr510l1
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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc65iJPWYQO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqaJ4H4Omg
I felt a vein bulge in my head.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOaWaA4xTE
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1OVXTFBkD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgskkVI3SI
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTGyd0bCBd
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbJOCbwzjT
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAmajvJrBF
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"I-Inside...?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbKJQTRXIZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUqtBcdmzm
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1aipMylJH
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyBpdFqsTB
"It's so... shiny."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND2UaiDkg2
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto7JcVV6Vt
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMuuLK1I70
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnLON9w8WT
"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy3OZR5PmW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUDWafnPUP
"The Garden?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1AoMWjGSp
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFyd2gPuTP
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzNIGI9B0O
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgFAx1v9V2
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ117kMlCXX
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjcKSo3brQ
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaxcSFJYWM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa56nc2dAe8
"Hey, Kenny."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjAXDHjY3S
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkfj1OfKyw
"What's the matter?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NCJmJrCcD
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW3BmuZFdR
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoP6Sf9um6n
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuabUpQq0d5
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGJg7aWBOH
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwNRlRxzHi
"The chandelier? What about it?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTzLW3OLiY
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL7AOtUEsr
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGwQrfjJf6
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoElGeoRYo
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWt5h9jEtS
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jTo9MG6ZM
"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI8ONs0M5B
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"Ah, that makes sense."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtnxGSOBD5
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA20Vbn8G6
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p4xWaEB8l
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLhBKNfM52
"...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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBZPeoiz7k
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbjEt0hqHz
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqkO9j04pH
"I-I think he did."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh0xP5D2AE
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcKOzartOX
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"That's rude of him."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvxDm30izx
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"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPY3lyROYh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrt9DOvdbC
"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAOAqFeP7E
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzsiEhABiX
"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLemkpDE2VE
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFkHIuw5RJ
"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?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIa0xYMYhM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4o2KTShsx
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xzyHpxybU
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37PbLu6R3G
"And it's a pleasure to meet you."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYwbMA4Myj
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPvNQOpdSH
Flinty let out a weird noise.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kbzErhV0M
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iTZW5I6fX
"Mhm!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1d5VsOYhc
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOI7rrMVdC
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn0eYtfs6c
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglnc7zPT6r
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgWnbdjq2W
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bI8jtltzH
"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uzycPZU2r
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9vzHbovAx
The prince was bemoaning over something.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH82vPNFgQM
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLQFp7D2b
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKzzkXZ4cM
"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV4G4TEfh9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn68dFTVBWu
He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3AVwrjm2a
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmNQ1QgyXV
"...It's a little embarrassing, so don't tell him I said this, but it's because I think he's pretty cool."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ZVkMDdeM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8krGLRYOH
I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw4RDKJjAK
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"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIOHO4WoMt
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXYqJJGoWm
"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!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4YIqGaltJ
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95zoSH4T4x
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOy78ufqul
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNrmICRJk9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhimDPG98Xu
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0HSDeEXAT
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8iATJudfY
"...Really?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7UiuBhDB0
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqMV7LBdPs
"You're also incredibly obnoxious."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl0YZPBQYJ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPNn7POIUB
"GAH!?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEV6EtoFRn
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"Huh!?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5c7CjnqGK
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nlzuxU0Rx
I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BI0aKDxye
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDLGEVu4bq
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSsw21c7bN
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LBLMm7IyT
"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!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf5LmJGTJO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy3FYZWtqa
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDxCuDyLmb
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"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0kW3NPZgv
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Sm13RLkt
"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!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs9jCh51B5
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnfizMYVtu
"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN18pqdsvUc
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"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXxcOfNuBm
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG2ZfRuoth
"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASdh21KyqO
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3wieUCem7
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeqrmrtGA8
"I apologize. Not just for chasing you relentlessly that one time, but also for barging in and forcing you to eat with me."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqneK6ruvAQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoNv3MVWu0
"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw25WEyqkZw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo1GfT6bZD
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1IK8AZ76B
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"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OinC3HBkx
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oDdyJwNu9
If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPnGcag1lQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgPlNJb76n
"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXls7adAkZQ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsm0VazeZb
"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqQjApW0aj
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"No."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dY1l27ekY
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcidrrGJsdK
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBGzqndtIc
"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5AuRRheGy
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxcjVDCo7h
"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpkmLTOupI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRwXqBn23n
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6PSot1M5l
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLN2j75FxF
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXBBOTsCiG
"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX0H4nBBBZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs3XulCCqv
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVXNuDCBL8
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HAdNkTnIJ
"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGzSKoDUOy
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8kkHZivHY
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FxsWlPFjN
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynJ6tTPIiI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T2FxcQUfo
"--Hrk!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCptNq8jLLs
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3r4pQ29Hp
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4YMvZDqUC
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eRXxGvuBj
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhh4Aojkmm
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"I can't eat this."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRFw4qGcvG
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisQSiGDc9a
"I can't eat this."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfWipF19co
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQx1wMDmNu
The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WuM905iBB
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr2fKlOye3
"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b4aYye5YJ
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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–251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHBDksamJm
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt34breSsZr
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbktU1aFP1C
Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8IFCqk9y2
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"Mister Chambers?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui826Dx6EQ
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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?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBEN8yt4NX
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"Right..."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAQvLXp0Eg
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULXuueq1tU
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu9P8GqDSn
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"I see. And what are the details?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYeiYxZnLS
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz7yHF0yQe
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSOXnwQspV
"A letter?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3nkDoVNF
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7kVmp193f
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMdnv3gigq
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eqVPP7aJi
"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId3wT5X1oP
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I widened my eyes a little.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsyPvaV06D
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"Really? Who's working with me?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVUQRSYZYx
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wvddWUHf9
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhamRaaAREX
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"That's relieving."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHduhE2d8RS
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmOtxZRx16
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt6zvFog6i
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGBpVYrbwf
"How far did you say the village was again?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbnkmbYuLZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsx7poAtUG
"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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1fFCiBi51
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39EpKnuKEL
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEi98ACCas
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWTWxFJrfl
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ310QZKTtgl
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"..."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu3r3RG269
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePNCwchU4b
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe7J3hdJTl
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"I see."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rOmRac7Od
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguGIO99PZT
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3rCPqRebX
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl9U5iVobi
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqeJoI362v
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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!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2QOTdwBCc
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR7Jmmmcnb
Flinty took on a similar visage of surprise. I also became a little anxious. I intervened before it grew out of control.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Plt1VsERL
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSoXAFWll
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNi9Y83qBi
"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfvabUSkMs
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDutKUqgAXK
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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHniDWHE6zo
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop1w6s70LO
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzva4jyOyb
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rXwUlWPw1
"What is it?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5W6mLdodh
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7shFLxaYOR
"Can I... maybe join the operation–"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqz10Pm6Mu
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoyhaVRW5U
"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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhujRBf7mZO
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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."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUomdIxyaY7
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"...I see."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjoZMMwRUr
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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.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c4mEyfc5C
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioin2uaEz6
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPww2ANEGd
I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtTli24JiX
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoYpDNxFk9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrzaoorER5
"...Yes?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7ljxghC6u
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT3APsszwJ
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"No."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTRJOCZfcj
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"Oh."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnNlyTXINZ
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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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