“Lord Ameniah is acting quite awkward as of now, don’t ‘ya think of that, Maison?” I ask whilst I am lying on the bed.

“Well, recently that might be the case. As for my concern, there is. Let’s try to observe him for a while, Lord Guan.” she replies, where she is also resting her back on the bunk of the same room.

Not long earlier, Lord Ameniah had made a request for us - Maison and I, a shelter and each meal. Captain Leonis approved of the demands of Lord Ameniah. However, we overruled ‘the shelter part’ instead of the latter one. Maison stated that it is quite alright for us to stay in the same room which I found no disagreement to that per se.

Quite prior to this couple of hours, the captain asked: “Are you sure of that?” the widening of his eyes and the raising of his brows said it all.

“Aye, aye, Capt.” we both responded not only at the same time but also in the similar pitch.

“Do you worry not about the … *uhm*, you know? The - - … *uhm*” Captain Leonis stuttered, as he found it uncomfortable to say the word.

“Being pregnant with Lord Guan, you say Capt. … ?” Maison had helped the captain to continue the statement, which Captain Leonis nodded his head, agreeing to her statement.

“Yes…” the captain replied in a sheepish mood.

“Well actually, there are many aspects why Lord Guan could not achieve what you are trying to imagine. Captain Leonis, to make it short - there are three (3) factors, to be precise.” as Maison started to explain the facts which all of the men within the cabin there were yet to know.

“First and foremost, Lord Guan is too timid with girls. And he has eyes only for our queen. Additionally, most of the women that Lord Guan had met were completely frozen interacting with them. Lord Guan was just very lucky to have Lady Anda.“ continuing, as she stated where the last part was absolutely not true.

“Wow, fascinating. Very intriguing, indeed.” Captain Leonis spared his acquisition whether it’s genuine or not. I was rather humiliated in front of the gentlemen.

“Next is, he is too fastidious on picking women. To be exact, he likes submissive girls on his side. Yet, truth to be told - Lady Anda is rather neutral based on my speculation. A quite interesting part of Lord Guan’s fetish.” she then explained what my trend is towards women, where Captain Leonis and Lord Ameniah were making a chuckle upon me.

“Well, Maison.” Captain Leonis sighed, “Every man has his own perception appreciating women’s beauty. It may be their faces. Hell, their smiles. Imperfections. Thus, to each their own.” the captain finished and Lord Ameniah agreed to the sentiment of Captain Leonis.

Maison then shrugged the idea, as she followed: “Lastly, Kehinan women are too pristine and immaculate for the likes of both common and noble men. No pun intended.” as she was waving her hand around while she was explaining.

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“Of course. Well you see, Captain Leonis. A suitor needs to offer his rib to his desired partner.” Lord Ameniah talked to Captain Leonis, reinforcing the previous notion of Maison.

Lord Ameniah undressed his upper tunic as he displayed his bared body, his lower torso - the intercostal region… to where the rib sutures are situated. To explain my situation, I showed mine as well. Lord Ameniah is from the left where mine is from my right. Captain Leonis was too intrigued about the wounds Lord Ameniah and I had on our body. It gave me a shudder when the captain made contact with my body, his caress was rough. On the other hand, Lord Ameniah appeared to be stoic and composed despite being molested by another man.

“... Lord Guan! Lord Guan!...” as I am startled when Maison’s face is close to mine.

“What is it, Maison?! What is it that you want?” I reply on an impulse.

“You were just spacing out a while ago. You were smirking.” she explains.

“Oh right! Let’s go and find Æ (Ash).” I correct myself, where she bops her head in agreement afterwards.

“Follow me then, Clef.” Maison then volunteers herself to find Lord Ameniah. Clef is my current persona as long as I am here in Fort Quogsagihaxee’e.

“Right away, Maidelle.” I reply, rising from the bed.

We exit the room then not in the matter of a second, we see Lord Ameniah pass by around the corridor, three (3) corners from here. We yell his name but not his real name, rather shouting his made up moniker - ‘Æ.’ Thirty (30) strides we chase after Lord Ameniah and right around the fringes before we cross straight to where Lord Ameniah is heading to.

“Boo!” interjects Lord Ameniah, as we both stumble upon the arrival to the corner.

“What in the seventh depths was that?!” I protest.

“Nothing…” whereas I roll my eyes over, scoffing.

“Well, why did you summon my name?” Lord Ameniah questions the purpose of our calling, as he wants to get straight to the point.

“Actually, milord…” Maison inserts herself then she stops, realizing the blunder, “I mean Æ,... why is it necessary to call ourselves in fabricated names instead of using our real identity.” and also it makes me wonder about that kind of thought too.

“Maidelle, Clef. The reason for modifying our names is of the necessity. First of all, we are all top officials of the kingdom of Kehina. In addition to the aforementioned, who knows if they are shadows behind us looking around or even eavesdropping our conversation. And one thing, since we are confidential characters - the information of the Inglovia, their description for us is too vague and surmised. Thus, we should not be careless wandering around and saying our names out in the open.” Lord Ameniah is right, as I can’t argue with him and Maison agrees right away.

“Sure thing, Æ. Thanks for the information. We both appreciate it.” I say.

“I concur with Clef.” following, a simple statement coming from Maison.

“By the way, Æ. All of what Maidelle had said earlier were not true. Okay? She is just mixing it up.” I clarify my stance.

“Certainly. Fret not. I do believe it not either. The dilemma lies behind if Captain Leonis will buy it.” and of course, that is history and it is ingrained to the head of the captain.

I notice Maison is laughing behind me, asking: “What are you cackling about?” towards the leader of the Verlassenes. Her chuckling does not disperse for a while where Lord Ameniah is also being affected by Maison’s laughter. Though, Lord Ameniah is trying to hide it as he is covering his lips to not escape the sound of his own laughter - I can feel that they are ridiculing me. So, this is what it feels like being outnumbered, huh? Like what happened months ago, as far as I could reminisce that there were around five (5) regal guards surrounding me and Maison was the one who rescued my ass during the bullying.