"The guard to the right will be with you. Just show him your card and you should be fine."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9689MbR2X
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLS3HRPYpP
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ3qjEX9to
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I felt a vein bulge in my head.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Ad8CMAAc
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"Are you serious? Why are you letting him in the palace anyway? He's dangerous–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7hSO9DIC2
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfRlfkJU7k
The coachman put a hand over my mouth and leaned in.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0twh0rtu3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6FpMVw5IR
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0CANS9fwb
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"I-Inside...?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlWpizITH5
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a60FRR7wY
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"It's so... shiny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNzOI5jbiQ
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxTaAHZZOd
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"You young ones have good eyes," the guard said, "Now if you two would follow me, I'll take you to The Garden."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOBmxUiYlI
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"The Garden?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu3ipW2cle
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"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIjmRxeUaL
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakInleCmq9
"I could've guessed that the plants were in a place called The Garden, Kenny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq893j1cFRw
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58wJ094eIJ
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"Hey, Kenny."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGs4SmnazF
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"What's the matter?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrjT4COYDq
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVLCQIVZ7
"Do you see that thing hanging from the ceiling?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYzMq5zYvn
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMFQKPxJum
She pointed to the left at a chandelier. It was grandiose, undeniably, but I wasn't particularly impressed by it.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zZfi9J8TX
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"The chandelier? What about it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqud0XBtxt
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYvhLLT7Em
"That's called a chandelier? W-Wow... it's so shiny, and big."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNczkO0X3hi
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK70QviMBGP
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgF2D4Bwjw
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"That chain is reinforced with the head royal mage's mana," the guard interrupted, "so despite its small stature, it's very sturdy."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5irMyBEMTg
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"Ah, that makes sense."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSkOEsdpaZ
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8uDK0HqY4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl9D5OcORk
"...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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDweO6SdyBZ
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"...Did he seriously fall asleep?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0Z8CCu4b4
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI3D76BAWE
"I-I think he did."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm4OFEkX5w
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG4Dsyu5CA
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"That's rude of him."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO9C9eVRS7
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"I-I'm sorry for my friend's rudeness, Your Royal Highness. He's had a long day."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMixVCq5OC0
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"It's trivial anyhow. Since he's sleeping, why don't we introduce ourselves?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89r73Mzo3P
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"H-Huh? You don't remember me?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW060GyCdxu
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"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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXAdJtYyKA
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVqLcKiiiA
"F-Flinty. It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL0IvUugnQ
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"And it's a pleasure to meet you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9LLMqsa6b
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Flinty let out a weird noise.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPNNfzjtBs
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"Mhm!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PunppQ4p3
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL6nNPWjyq
"Now... tell me, how'd you do it? How did you befriend him so easily?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS3nbZ5R5h
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ZZT3uwrd
"Huh? I didn't do anything special, I just spent a lot of time with him."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvctDyGFJA
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"That was it? Wow, of course, that's it! It's so simple, and yet, it's so challenging."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa7szLDonf
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The prince was bemoaning over something.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEOlOLZYta
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"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, why do you want to be friends with Kenny so bad?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8KnM5nce6
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"Hmm? Well, you see... uh..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprNtGur2Ld
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He stumbled over his words. I was listening far more earnestly now.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuvkfq8nQO
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW26StpwCM
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I almost jerked 'awake' when I heard that. He's been pestering me every time we've met because he thought I was cool?229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIjE9l4Kpz
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"I see. Well, you're right, Kenny is pretty cool."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4kgxLDRcz
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfszBczo5NH
"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcLnh4Ick8
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"That's... surprisingly sweet."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFbETSaWdC
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXP5M9Qxke
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"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvPIKGqef3
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"...Really?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ1N131f2l
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"You're also incredibly obnoxious."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1FykaJBwE
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"GAH!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMRkrKBkOv
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"Huh!?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkFpRcaXO3
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I rose from my slumber and barged into the conversation. The prince pointed a finger at me accusingly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjNoBd8dFi
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweCEZshlnX
"You weren't asleep!? But how!? You looked so convincing!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtH7YTt80T
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"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6txXwr2oYo
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJPLz3XGXQ
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"Kenny," Flinty said, "what are you thinking talking to the prince like that? Especially after he's being so nice!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi1Oab7tkO
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"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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisofgQT6OV
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"Oh, that? I thought my sister told you everything."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6pVvPZ8Qe
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"You still don't just chase people like that! I could've seriously hurt someone!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTWjQZ3pTP
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"...You're right. Yeah, you're right."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNbL9eb9yF
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The prince stood up from his couch and bowed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkXYoEA2Dn
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2VCehD1DP
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"That sounds inauthentic– ack! Stop punching me!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRDkGoMmjb
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwp8v2H8oF
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiocrjYhDJ
"I really am sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. I promise to be more considerate."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkxzkL3Tv7
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If I didn't accept this, I felt like it would've ruined my day.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZR4K8Qr6o
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"Fine, you're forgiven. Now sit down, please. Having royalty bow at me is more weird than it is gratifying."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RrC7ruEh8
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"Yeah! You've forgiven me! Does that mean we're friends now?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxFBDm6wQK
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"No."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JImw7zihy
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV98hoKhKt
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"Hey, Flinty, this Kenny guy stinks. How about you and I become friends?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp09Sf3n4Kn
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"Insulting me after an apology doesn't make you look good, prince."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqk8GR1a6u
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5ClkC01vp
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"Y-You and I, friends?" Flinty muttered.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgZLysDu6g
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"Yeah! That'd be cool, right? Think about how much you can boast about being friends with the prince!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwimvZ51p1
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHGhfq255X
"...I wouldn't want to be friends with you just for that."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLp9iOT12R
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"I see. That makes sense. Yeah, it does."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwah57ERzzU
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipt8lWuSVz
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"You don't have many friends, do you, prince?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC4oZx1d0z
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"--Hrk!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWw031jrm2
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxAJI9Nfo8
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ZkhNhQ3E
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"Dinner is ready, Your Highness!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhM9t1d7cW
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmyds6U8LR
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"I can't eat this."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC9yUn2BMw
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"I can't eat this."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFyrnK1Ah8
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The sentiment didn't just belong to me. Flinty and I muttered the same thought.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwarHUl3LBj
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"Why not?" The prince asked, "I had it cooked just for you two. At least give it a try."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ0KX5vYYj
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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–229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDjzowb7W9
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"Oh my goodness... this is incredible!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrIJNrNK1W
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Flinty let out a squeal and began devouring her food. I still couldn't get my eyes off this thing.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6wTc9PAAq
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"Mister Chambers?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0gash643H
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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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpPSgb6SzJ
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"Right..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeW0I1cYrzX
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The prince put down his fork and adjusted his posture. I did the same, expecting a lengthy explanation.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqfPWXqZmL
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4lXTA9GCg
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"I see. And what are the details?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScFE9Sj07s
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpkECs9JIJ
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"A letter?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeyx5uhxHz
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqHrOpGCeD
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"...That sounds pretty simple. When do I start?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2CfLM83Av
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"The mission starts in a week. Oh, and you're not gonna be doing it alone either."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjijyD78yw
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I widened my eyes a little.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nv7CUiEyc
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"Really? Who's working with me?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlMTVXEMSK
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The prince gave me a stern shrug.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZEtMVUWs4
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU8GFOy4lB
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"That's relieving."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzwIHwh3PW
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I leaned back into the couch. The prince took another bite out of his steak as I pondered.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3GCRjLWOr
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps2St9suaO
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"How far did you say the village was again?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mbhz31Hmv
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYlggyAyAF
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"Alright. I'll have to tell the Tea Mage about this, then."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRimOZ2fyOS
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLb8SDOVQx
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"Hey, is there any reason why you're hiring strong people for this?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsleTma5XH
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"..."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjVZoASiLE
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhQ1oEE41j
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"...If I had to guess, it's probably because there might be some interference from the Eastern Country."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OByWuR82R
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"I see."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAp6UJvrU2
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ3At8SkXG
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uzxK0NSOw
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG77crbBEMh
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"...Uhm, I don't understand what's happening, but you two are talking about a mission, right?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E0Kg9DZhn
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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!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5OZh01Ok8
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToWECbYK3g
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"W-Well, it's not like Flinty's a big gossip, right Flinty?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf4S91n9X1
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"Y-Yeah! You won't hear a peep from me about this! Nothing!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZrD7jgrWU
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFM50jdwYt
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"Ah, it's not a big deal," the prince uttered with a sigh, "just promise you'll keep quiet, alright?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxCBI8pYyQ
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"Y-Yes! But, I also wanted to ask about another thing."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKElbdRplY
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"What is it?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmPXE2QzLK
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"Can I... maybe join the operation–"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2Bgh7hxrI
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffHLxth1o3
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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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknnkzYtB9B
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"...I see."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWEIPrPSOw
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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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJn2er6XSX
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"Anyway, now onto the other business I was talking about."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ZwKdw0rb
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I recollected my attention, forgetting that he even had a different business to talk about.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeViA6lMtAX
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"So, I heard you're living in an apartment now, right?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxK04Ej4gc
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"...Yes?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXLHNuyhQF
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"Awesome. Any chance I can come over?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuPt2SonKA
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"No."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt4uA0BBcG
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"Oh."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48v9ZLb3B9
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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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