Around two days had passed since Llyr had first come by my quarters to try and see me, though of course it wasn't the last time he had since then either. He would send summons or invitations to me to join him for tea at least four times a day, and each time it was Koren with a tired look on his face.
I felt bad for the poor guy. The first time he came by sighing and apologizing, saying that if it was up to him, he'd smack the sense back into his foolish king. But the other times, he came in, his shoulders slumped, and he looked just about ready to end it all.
Currently, I was sitting at the chair by the desk in my room while Victor checked the clothes I chose to "borrow" while I was away from the Quare Kingdom, just to make sure Llyr had no tracking enchantments placed on them.
"Welp, sure enough, there is about three different layers of different kinds of tracking spells," Victor exclaimed, standing up straight from leaning down to examine the clothes sprawled out on my bed.
"Haaaa, of course there is! Are you able to dispel them?" I sighed, leaning my elbow on the armrest and resting my face on my hand.
"Yes, though it'll take a few moments. Shall I do it someplace else?" He asked, turning towards me with the same blank face he usually does when he decides to put on his 'obedient servant' act.
"No…Please, do it here. I don't want to risk that idiot fishman using the opportunity to come barging in here," I exclaimed, a little annoyed that he would even suggest that.
"Understood, my apologies for even suggesting it, I wasn't thinking right," Victor muttered, his pointed ears turning a little red but his face remaining the same…except that he turned away from me right as his ears brightened.
"Heh, no need to apologize, you did nothing wrong but try to adjust to my comfortability," I replied, waving my hand and brushing it of.
'...cute.'
About half an hour later, I finished some of the paperwork Victor had brought me for the day. He had also finished dispelling the various tracking spells on the clothes, folded them nicely, and put them into the luggage.
"I have finished with the task you gave me, M'Lord," Victor announced, placing the trunk under the bed and coming over to stand in front of the desk.
"Good, it seems that we have both finished in time for a chat with the heroes party! Shall we start-" I started but was then cut off by sharp knocks at the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"..."
"..."
"Koren?"
"Most Likely, Yes."
"Haaa, poor bastard," I exclaimed with a sigh, "Who is it?"
"...Its Koren Aysu, Your Lordship," A voice of exhaustion meekly replied.
"You may enter," I replied, and in he came. Koren looked as if he hadn't slept in days, his glasses were crooked, bags even baggier and his dark circles made him look like a raccoon, "...Pfft, well you look like shit."
"Oh trust me, I feel like it too," Koren joked back, making Victor chuckled but them clear his throat.
"Soooo, what does King Vellamo want this time?" I questioned, putting both of my elbows on my desk and putting my chin on top of my folded fingers.
"He is asking to have lunch with you, saying that if you would like, you could even sit out in the out door courtyard near the front gates," Koren exclaimed, adjusting his posture and glasses, but keeping a tired, monotone voice.
"..." I closed my eyes for a second, thinking of a response that would upset him enough to avoid me, "Well, why don't you tell him that I have other plans that are much more pleasing to me, and that if he ever wishes to see me again, he better get his shit together and take this absurd mark of engagement off my finger. Sounds fair, no?"
"Heh, considering what he has done, yes it does. Shall i sugarcoat it or say it exactly as you did?" He replied, wanting reassurance to make sure that I knew that might make him start crying.
"Of course not! Here, I'll even write it down for you, with my signature as well!," I exclaimed merrily with a big ol' smile on my face, then did as i said i would and handed the paper over to Koren, "Here you are! Please come find me to tell me his reaction once you get it!"
"...Understood," The poor secretary grumbled and wobbled off, and i just waived him off with a smile on my face.
"Okay, now we can go!" I jumped to my feet, feeling slightly satisfied with myself. Then went out the the door, Victor trailing closely behind.
***
The quarters belonging to the Heroes' faction was quite a walk from my quarters, but I appreciated the fresh air, so i didn't mind the walk.
I knocked on their door, and it took about 10 seconds for a familiar head of hair to pop through the door.
"Oh! Viscount Andraste! It's been awhile, please come in!" Lance said, opening the door for Victor and I, "How have you been lately?"
"I've been alright, it could be better, you know? But thank you for asking, how are you?" I replied, talking to him like I did back in the market.
"Oh, I'm good! Thank you for asking!" He chirped brightly, then showed be to the couch before walking away, "I'll go alert the others that you're here, then get some drinks for us!"
"..." I sat down and crossed my legs as I leaned back and sighed, "Victor, do you think any of the maids that we passed will tell Llyr i'm here?"
"No, knowing the situation, i'm sure they will take that into consideration and decided against it…and even if they do, I will take care of them as you so please," He reassured me, ruffling my hair in a familial way, making me relax a bit more.
"Haaa, you are so reliable Victor…makes me wonder if I truly deserve a servant like you.." I mumbled, closing my eyes.
Victor opened his mouth a few times to say something, and right as he made up his mind to, he was cut off my Lance coming back with the rest of his party.
"Viscount, I have brought everyone else!" Lance exclaimed, opening the door and making me rush to sit upright.
"Ah, hello everyone, nice to meet you!...And it's good to see you again, Mr. Clyyford," I exclaimed, instantly putting a smile on my face.
"Likewise," Atlas replied, sitting down in front of me and stealing a glance towards Victor before returning his gaze towards me, "While you have met Sir. Stewart before, I believe its your first time meeting everyone else."
"Yes, I remember meeting that head of purple hair, he made quite the impression on me," I chuckled and he blushed with embarrassment, "But no, I have yet to be introduced to your party members."
"Well then, let me go first!" The woman with Long, light silver-blue hair interjected, "My name is Evangeline, I am the navigator for our ship, nice to make your acquaintance!"
"I'll go next then, my name is Alexandria Andiet! I manage our groups funds, pleasure to meet you," She bowed, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders from her ponytail as she did.
"Suppose I'm last then!" The shortest said, her hair a light coral pink color, matching her crimson eyes, "The name is Sylvia Anzai, I'm in charge of our navigation, it is an honor to meet you, your lordship!"
"The same to you three as well! It's not everyday my butler and I get to converse with well mannered young ladies!" I greeted back, smiling and holding out my hand for a handshake, which they reciprocated.
"Oh please! Your making us blush!" Evangeline exclaimed, laughing and rubbing the back of her head as she shook my hand.
"Hehehe, It's the gentlemanly thing to do!" I responded in kind, "Well then, should we get started on our discussions?"
"Oh, Yes! But before I forget, would anyone like any tea?" Lance shot up, and for a second I thought he might jump so high that he'd get his head stuck in the roof.
"Well, If you are offering. Do you perhaps have any Lemon balm tea?" I asked, wanting something to help ease the mind.
"Yes, we actually just got some in town the other day while we were replenishing the supplies for our ship!" Sylvia replied for Lance, then pointed to a cabinet behind the chair to my right, where Evangeline was seated, "There should be some extra in there."
"Oh, yup! I see it! Is everyone okay with this, or do you all want something different?" Lance reassured, wanting to make sure everyone was comfortable with my choice.
"I think we could all use a bit of relaxation, so I'd say thats the perfect option!" Alexandria claimed, putting her hands together and smiling. The rest nodded in agreement, while Evangeline laughed and gave a thumbs up.
"Alright, then please, go sit back down Sir. Stewart. I'll brew the tea," Victor added, moving from behind me over to where Lance was.
"Please, there is no need to! Thank you for offering to take care of it, but i'm sure you are tired as is from work," Lance replied, a look of pity on his face, which seemed to annoy Victor a bit.
"No. it would put me more at ease if I were to do it. There is no need to feel bad about it, it is my job after all. So please, go sit back down with the others," He ordered, glancing at me to see if I was angry or not.
"...Right, my apologies," Lance pouted as he sat back down next to me, sighing.
"Hahahaha! There is no need to feel so stiff, sorry if what Victor said seemed rude, its just how he is. Due to events prior to my trip here, Victor feels more at ease if he takes care of my meals and drinks while we are away from the estate. I hope we didn't offend you all, its just how he is," I laughed, brightening the room.
The rest laughed back, and Victor started getting the materials ready for the tea, though of course that didn't stop his ears from reddening from embarrassment.
"Don't worry Viscount, we understand. Especially from whats happened recently, I know he probably doesn't want to risk falling for any tricks for King Llyr," Atlas commented, punning his ankle on the knee of his other leg and leaning back.
"Yes, are so sorry we weren't of help you to sooner!" Sylvia apologized, leaning forward from her seat with apologetic eyes.
"No need to be sorry, it's not like my situation was obvious. Plus, its not like I didn't come out of my room because he looked me in there, it was simply because I was unconscious," I explained, glancing over at Victor, who happened to meet my eyes with an expression of confusion since I hadn't told him prior.
"Oh ' terrible! What exactly happened?" Alexandria asked from beside me, a look of worry spreading across her face.
"Nothing to bad, just a slight fever, that's all," I smiled, then Victor came over with the tea and teacups, pouring each of us one, "Hm, sit down and join us Victor!"
"Are you sure?" He asked, a puzzled but confused look on his face.
"Yes I'm sure. Now please sit down so we can start our discussions," I said curtly, my face straight without a hint of emotion, a habit I got from my days as Major general and having to reply to everyone who questioned the order i gave them.
"U-Understood. Thank you for the generosity," Victor replied, and sat down nervously, while I brought a smile back to my face and took a sip of my tea. He then poured himself a cup, much to his discretion.
"Wow Viscount, you can be a real scary guy when you want to, Hahaha!" Evangeline laughed, a big smile on her face as she picked up her teacup.
"I am a Lieutenant Colonel, so there are times where I have to be scary. Which can be quite useful for other times as well," I exclaimed, smiling mischievously, making Victor shudder a bit and look away from me.
"I get what you mean," Atlas added, setting down his cup, "There are times where people have misunderstood me because they have found me intimidating and scary, and as much as I dislike that, it has also come in handy for me."
'Hell yeah it has, especially when scaring me!'
"Heh, I don't think you to be scary in the slightest! I think you are just a well mannered young man, so well mannered in fact that your parents must have been quite strict with you," I joked, chuckling with nostalgia of remembering my own father, who was a man who dedicated his entire life to the military, even pushing his own son to join.
"...Yes, they were. But, I don't resent them…Though I do know someone who resented his father with every fiber of his being because of how strict and controlling he was," Atlas commented, the last part striking home a little.
"..."
"...His father must have drilled him quite often then, especially if your friend ended up hating him so much," Evangeline added, looking puzzled and tilting her head.
"Mmm, yes, but enough of that topic. We should get back on track," Atlas said sternly, putting down his teacup and intertwining his fingers then placing them onto his lap, "So, you said you knew a way to get out of the country? Let's here it then."
"Hehe, I was waiting for you to bring it up," I smiled even brighter, looking like a villain who was about to explain his grand plan.