Arlienne's pov
Morning. A bright, sunny morning, yet somehow unbearably dull. The new maids still can't prepare a proper cup of tea it's almost impressive how consistently incompetent they are. Their footsteps echo through the halls, frantic and uneven. Servants scurrying like startled mice.
How charming.
A knock, followed by hurried breathing.
An old servant steps in, face pale, hands trembling. Humans panic so easily. Even when they already know the outcome, they insist on worrying as if it will change anything.
I adjust a strand of my hair behind my ear and look at him with mild amusement.
Arlienne: "My my you look like you have seen ghosts. I think Tension is not good for you at this age."
I take another sip. The tea is terrible, but theatrics matter.
The servant blinks at me, dumbfounded, before collecting himself.
Servant: "um I appreciate your worry my lady but... It's... It's your brother..."
He hesitates. Of course he does. They always do when they expect an emotional response.
Arlienne: "He escapes eh ?"
I breathe in the morning air, letting the sunlight warm my face. Predictability is comforting.
Servant: "you know ? Um are you not worried or going to do anything"
Ah, expectations. How heavy they must feel on his little mortal shoulders.
Arlienne: "my brother wasn't fond the marriage idea of course he would escape. Even before that... It was bound to happen but I guess there is no time looking for him. Perhaps you have some other news to share with me"
His surprised stare is almost adorable. They think calmness equals ignorance.
Servant: "you are right my lady... The thing is .. house Sun fury from largimor nation was coming towards our eastern port with a battle ship. Your father didn't believe at first since we were supposed to be Allies by the marriage but when he got the news that your brother has ran away he starts worrying"
A predictable chain reaction remove one piece, and the entire structure collapses. Humans really should learn to anticipate the consequences of their own political puppetry.
I sip again, already knowing where this leads.
Arlienne: "is that so ? But my brother escaped last night. We get the news this morning. Public has no information about it and my brother didn't had a large group of close people so I doubt any spy would have told house Sun fury. Which means..."
I let the silence stretch, purely for dramatic effect. He gulps. Good.
Servant: "which means we were betreyed ?"
Poor thing. It took him long enough.
I let a slow, amused smile curl on my lips.
Arlienne: "Bingo. Your brain cells are still working willhem"
He winces.
Servant: " it's Robb my lady not willhem. But I suggest you should discuss with your father he looked worried"
Robb? Right. Perhaps I should remember that… or perhaps it doesn't matter.
Arlienne: "Oh robb was it my apologies. But yes perhaps I should discuss the matter with my father"
Half apology, half mockery exactly the balance I enjoy.
Emerion's pov
Pristilia's eyes locked onto us no, onto me and a cold pressure coiled in my chest. Panic. Sharp and immediate.
We had no time to fight. Not here. Not now. Their numbers alone made the idea suicidal; even if we somehow won, casualties were guaranteed.
Before I could answer her question, the green-haired guy beside me stepped forward with a smile that felt painfully forced.
Green-haired man: "Your highness... We are just merchants. It's our pleasure that you grace us with your presence."
I stared at him. Is he seriously trying to butter her up?
Even though he's a citizen of Ateris? Brave… or stupid.
Pristilia tilted her head with that practiced elegance only nobles and predators have.
Pristilia: "Merchants, you say. You look like you have some manners. But darling, buttering me will get you nowhere."
She paused, lifting her fan to hide a smirk. The green-haired guy stiffened immediately.
Pristilia: "Now tell me, do you do business in this area, peasant?"
She fanned herself slowly, eyes drilling straight into him.
Green-haired man: "Mostly yes, princess... We do."
He tried to stay composed, but sweat betrayed him.
Pristilia: "I see. Do you have any connection with any noble houses directly?"
Her gaze sharpened, interest flickering.
Before he could answer, his uncle stepped forward.
Old man: "No, princess... We have no direct connection. We are just small merchants."
His voice trembled, and he gulped like his throat was too tight to swallow fear.
Pristilia hummed thoughtfully.
Pristilia: "Is that so... Then why do you have a noble with you?"
Her fan pointed directly at me.
My blood turned cold.
How? How did she notice? I'm wearing commoner clothes. She's never met me. There shouldn't be a single clue to give me away.
Everything around us tensed—the merchants, the guards, even the air itself.
Somewhere, somehow, I must have slipped. But I couldn't figure out where.
Emerion: "I think you are mistaken..."
I tried to play coy, but her expression didn't waver not even a blink.
Pristilia: "Don't lie to me. Your hands are as soft as the fairest maiden. Sure, you do hold a staff, but by your overall appearance, I can say you were well maintained."
She smirked at us, amused.
Was it really that easy? Just my appearance?
Pristilia: "Of course, if you are holding a staff but you are not on the border when your nation is at war."
She smirked again as she explained herself. This girl…
Pristilia: "We can use you in our negotiation."
Emerion: "You are smart... I guess. But what makes you think I would agree?"
I tried to steady my voice, regain even a shred of composure.
Pristilia: "Oh, I am sure someone like you doesn't want me to hurt your lil companions."
She fanned herself lazily, but her eyes were sharp.
I looked to both sides the green-haired guy and his uncle.
Yes. She was right. I couldn't risk their lives.
Pristilia: "I think you shouldn't zoom out that much when you have such a magnificent view in front of you. Will you come willingly, or must my general use force?"
The audacity was unreal.
But when my eyes shifted toward her demi-human, eight-armed general, I understood. His mana pools radiated authority. A true battlefield monster.
I clenched my fist.
I always mess up… even when I don't want to.
Emerion: "Fine. I will come with you for your negotiation purpose. But do you promise not to harm these two?"
The words tasted like bitter surrender. Fighting wasn't an option not here.
Pristilia: "You have the word of Pristilia Sun Fury that I won't harm your lil companions."
I let out a quiet sigh and stepped toward her, choosing captivity over their blood.
Green-haired man: "You can't just go with her. We can escape."
He tried to reason with me, but I didn't even glance at him.
There was no point.
I wouldn't let others face danger because of my existence.
One of the soldiers took my staff.
Pristilia watched with a hint of satisfaction behind her fan.
Perhaps… I was bound to be a bird inside a cage from the very beginning.