Chaston put his jacket on over his dress shirt, making sure that no part of the fabric became wrinkled. Once both arms were through, he slowly buttoned from the bottom up, making sure no step was skipped. With that done, he then made a quick adjustment to the folds of the collar of his undershirt.

"You're making a big deal about looking good," Alson said. "Why are you so concerned about presentation at a time like this?"

"Because. My aunt is very picky about appearance. If I go in looking a mess, it will only hurt our chances. Taking the few extra moments to make sure my outfit is in proper shape can only do us good. That, and I could use a bit of procrastination. I’m not fond of talking to my aunt, especially in regards to requesting something as serious as this."

"I've never actually met the Governor before," Alson said. "Should I do the same, too?" He looked down at his tunic, tugging on the fabric to show off its gaping hole. "Might need to grab another uniform."

Chaston stared at the tattered uniform for a moment before making eye contact with the guard. "To be on the safe side, yes. You are a member of the Farrowport Guard, after all. You should never have let your tunic get into that condition in the first place. Go get another one if you can. The Governor won't be happy seeing you in her presence in that condition."

"Aye." Alson left the room, jogging out of the hallway and leaving the door open behind him.

"What about the two of us, Chaston?" Tamma asked. "We don't fit in with the rest of the upper class in this area at all."

"You two shouldn't be as worried since you'll be serving as witnesses. Besides, I don't know where we would even find new clothing for you two on such short notice. But it shouldn't matter as long as you corroborate with what I say. I'll be the one doing most of the talking, so it's most important that I look presentable. Alson should just dress in proper uniform regardless of the situation. I've seen my aunt fire people for less."

"How does the Governor feel about Xiwaoans, sir?" Miwah asked. "I know many people in Farrowport do not like us because of the war."

"Money my aunt’s first language. Xiwaoans paying their taxes is just as profitable as everyone else. As long as you just follow my lead, everything should go along just fine." Chaston adjusted his glasses and took a quick sip from a canteen. After grabbing the jarred insect from off his desk, he took in a deep breath and opened up the front door.

"Not used to seeing you get so nervous, Chaston," Tamma said as she stepped out of the door that the researcher was holding.

"That's because my aunt can be very fickle, even when it comes to the most minute of things. Trying to convince her to request enacting an Extermination Measure might be one of the most difficult tasks in recent memory. And I managed to properly grow and maintain a Xiwaoan Royal Fire Blossom. That’s no easy feat, especially in this region of the world."

"And you did an excellent job," Miwah replied as she left the room.

The researcher looked puzzled for a moment before nodding his head. "Ah. Seems you have made acquaintance with it. The climate of Farrowport typically doesn't bode well for trees like that, but with some proper attention and care along with some clever placement of other foliage, I think I've managed to give it a sustainable home."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Miwah nodded her head. "The cherries tasted just right."

Chaston smiled. "Well then. I'm glad to have the confirmation of a genuine Xiwaoan!"

"Come on, Chaston. I think you're making this out to be more of a challenge than it actually is." Tamma said as she shrugged her shoulders. She walked down the hallway, in front of the others but managed to keep her head turned behind back just enough to look at the researcher's eyes through his glasses. "Didn't your aunt give you this job in the first place? You telling me you can't convince her to do something that would guarantee the safety of as many Farrowporters as possible?"

"You really think I was given this position through nepotism?" Chaston said as he cut his eyes towards the hunter. "Have I not proven my worth as a researcher and a biologist?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I was just trying to give you some confidence that convincing your aunt might not be as much of a challenge as you make it out to be."

"Ah. I see. I apologize. It's just that claim gets gestured towards me more than I care to admit. It seems that since my aunt is the Governor, the only reason I have my job is because of that. They seem to forget the countless journals I've written and the many years I've spent teaching at some Remcroft's finest universities. I am more than qualified for what I do here. The familial ties I have with the Governor are mere coincidence. I am sure that will be more evident once we actually meet her."

"What makes you say that?" Miwah asked.

"She treats me as she would anyone else under her employment. She has her expectations and it is my duty to meet them. I am here to serve her, not the other way around. Making requests of the Governor is something that no proper Official would do liberally." Chaston then brushed a bit of dust off his left shoulder. "Neither one of you have met my aunt, so you don't know what her expectations are. Nor do you know how she talks to her constituents. She's got a sharp tongue and short temper."

Tamma looked towards Miwah. "Sounds familiar." The seamstress cut her eyes back in silence while giving Tamma an irked frown.

"That's why I implore that you two let me handle the dialogue. Only speak when instructed. Interjections are only going to make her more frustrated at an already demanding proposal."

"Just like how my parents used to say. 'Be seen, but not heard,'" Tamma replied.

"That would be an excellent comparison."

As they neared the door, Alson entered, wearing a fresh tunic. He tugged on the bottom of the garment, letting it stretch out all the way down to his legs. "How does it look?" he asked of the group.

"A size too big," Miwah replied as she looked at the bottom of the hem.

"It's the only spare that the armory had."

"It's better than what he had before," Chaston remarked. "As long as he folds it up properly, he should be fine."

"Can do." Alson folded up the bottom section of his tunic and tucked it underneath his belt. "Good as new!"

"Right. Now Alson. You know how to behave around the Governor, correct? I assume that it was a part of your training to become a member of the Farrowport Guard."

Alson slowly nodded his head up and down. "Of... course..."

"That didn't sound confident," Chaston replied.

The guard shrank back. "My training was a long time ago, all right? Not like I ever get to see the Governor, anyway. You can't expect me to remember every little detail of what I've learned!"

"You should still know how to carry yourself in the Governor's presence in case the situation arises where it's a necessity. Such as this very moment."

"Right. Could I get a quick rundown? Not like I could ask my captain for the instructions at this moment."

"Fine. Just make sure your posture is correct. And do not speak unless spoken too. Stand at the ready in the same pose as the men that block the entrance. Hopefully she'll be too concerned with the looming threat to notice your uniform being a size too big."

"That I can do," Alson replied, carefully bobbing his head.

"Being quiet and standing around are two things that Alson excels at," the hunter added.

"Clearly. Now. Any other questions about my aunt that you three would like to ask?" His eyes panned over the three. Each looked at each other, saying no in silence with how they wagged their heads. "Now with that out of the way, we can finally head out to see the Governor. Let's just hope things go better than my last proposal."