Arc 4-Royal Pains-Part 13
The lesson seems to end faster than usual. Kierra even sends off with a kiss, getting a few glares from the other initiates. I glare right back at them. They’re either Kierra’s admirers or idiots who are seeing clean and relaxed from not doing anything and forgetting the pain I go through daily.
You want to swap places? Of course you do, but you can’t. So, haha!
Alana drags off before the staring match can beco too intense. “Co on. We’re wasting ti we could be spending eating.”
“Ah, I’ll have to skip. I’m headed back to the Gold Dorm.”
She gives a look over her shoulder. “After what happened yesterday? You are a glutton for punishnt.”
Only a little bit. “It’s necessary. I have to do sothing. If it finishes early, I’ll see you at the Bronze Dorm.”
“I’ll co with you.”
“Ah, don’t do that.”
“You shouldn’t get into trouble on your own.”
Aw, I’m going to swoon. But hey, why are you assuming I’m going to get into trouble? Starting to worry about her opinion of . She doesn’t an it when she calls things like devil and degenerate right? I’ve behaved myself around her perfectly.
“Coo coo?” [Would you like to know, Master Lou?]
…no. I feel like I’ll learn sothing I don’t want to. “I won’t get into trouble. I’m simply going to ask a friend for so advice on staying out of trouble. Promise.”
“Hmph. If you’re sure?”
“Completely. Trust .”
She still escorts to the Gold Dorm and leaves reluctantly. Girl is too responsible for her own good. Hey, the doorn are the sa as yesterday. They scowl at but we don’t have to waste ti determining my legitimacy, though one of them gives Bell a curious glance.
Inside, I pause in the main room. “Bell, reach out to Miss Talia. Ask her if she has ti to talk to us.” If there’s anyone who will know anything about the prince, it will be her. He lives under her roof and she has a highly developed ntal affinity. The woman was practically born to be a spy.
[She has agreed. Up the stairs, Master Lou.]
That was fast, though not surprising. I follow Bell’s directions absentmindedly, preoccupied with examining the decorations. There is an abundance of banners and portraits, the different families paying homage to the notable casters they have produced.
Saints, everything they do is a pissing contest. Of course, I could care less about the stern faces staring back at . I care about the fras holding them. Their gleam suggest they are made of precious tals and those are literal gems embedded within. Incredible. Just how much wealth is on display here? Would they notice if I nab one?
Before my greed can get in trouble, Bell points out that we’ve arrived. After the parade of gold I just walked through, the simple wooden door is both underwhelming and unusual. I raise a hand to knock but the door is opened before I have the chance.
Miss Talia stands in the doorway. I want to say she’s happy to see but her expressions are muted as always. “Co in.”
She holds it open for as I walk in, watching with that intensity that makes so uncomfortable. Seems she invited to her study. The space is sparse, with only a single desk and several bookcases along the walls. Plain beige walls, no pictures, no rugs, and white shades on the window. Minimalist and completely at odds with the building. Is she trying to make a statent here? Cause I can’t imagine a space looking like this if soone spends anyti in it.
“You’ll have to forgive , I only have the one seat. You’re welco to it.”
“I’m not going to take your chair.”
We stare at each other for a long mont until she realizes I would rather we both stand than doing sothing as uncouth as taking a lady’s seat and she sits down, knitting her fingers in her lap. “What do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“I’d love to say that I ca just for you but I have a bit of an issue. Yesterday—”
“You were accosted by Prince Samuel and his retinue.”
“…you really are watching , aren’t you?”
“I was before but Geo warned against doing so. Apparently, it is not conducive to forming friendships. That said, it happened within this dorm. It’s my job to be aware of everything that happens here and I am especially sensitive to the use of your na.”
“That’s fine, I guess.”
“You are wanting my help in dealing with the prince? Even for you, that would be—”
“No, no, no!” Murdering a prince. Ugh, just the thought makes feel sick. Not until I am strong enough to slay dragons. One-handed and blind. Then I might feel comfortable doing sothing so crazy. “The thing is, I have a reason to believe that soone close to the prince is planning to kill him.”
That got a reaction, though only the tiniest twitch of an eyebrow. “An assassination plot. Hm. My protection of the students only extends within this building. Since I’ve heard nothing of it, I doubt they plan to attempt such here, removing it from my concerns. You wish to intervene?”
“No. Getting involved is the last thing I want to do, but I need to know that ignoring it won’t bring bigger pains down the road. I don’t know nearly enough about the situation. So, I was hoping you could tell about him, why soone would want him dead, and pleeeease tell it’s okay to let the stones fall where they may. I’d like that.”
Miss Talia tilts her head for a mont. “I’ve just asked a servant to bring tea and a chair. I will be sure to tell you everything I know.”
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