Chapter Forty-Eight

Harmony's decision to invite Princess Rosaline to join their informal planning group was political. With Len, Tyler, and Max after some pressure, all the boys will be there. Not having the final member of their kingdom's selections for the Ascendant Games there would have sent mixed signals if anyone found out. And with journalists' progression on the line, they’d make it their business to find out.

Harmony could picture the headlines now. White rejects royalty! Conflict in the games! Harmony's private Harem!

“Without my [Chivalry] skill, I don’t think I have the tools to write an invitation with the level of deference needed for a princess, Harm.” Max protested weakly.

That was a dodge. While technically true enough to meet his oath, Rose was not just "a princess," she was Max's training companion and former dungeon teammate. Not that Harmony wanted to write the invitation. There was a chance her irritation and failure to yet reach a point of forgiveness would bleed through her words.

“I’ll write it!” Prince Adric popped in.

“No!” Both Max and Harmony joined together at once. Letters and penmanship were not his strong suit. As a scribe, Max cringed whenever he saw the Prince attempt to compose and write as if it were a mortal insult to his profession. Which it probably was.

Bates stepped in to end the debate. “Lady White. I’ll send a form letter. It will lack any personalized nature. But it will get the job done.”

Maybe Rose would be insulted by that? If the princess couldn’t swallow some pride and accept this branch, then maybe they’d never mend the situation between them. “Thank you, Bates. Your service is invaluable. See that it is done. I have dinner to attend.”

At the dinner table [Keen Investigative Awareness] advanced the most. The service portion of being a maid was where she had the least experience. Her stature had been an impediment there, as opposed to when they needed someone to fit into small cramped places.

The skill helped her figure out what the guests wanted from these meetings.

“I was so disappointed when news broke about the kingdom’s spots already being assigned for this year's Ascendant Games. Do you think this will happen every year, Lady White?”

What Sir Watsford wanted was his ego stroked. Very common among men. “That depends on whether someone attracts Haz'el Ri’s attention in Old Bones. But this is all new and we will have to either wait and see or lobby guild master Hemlock. I'm sure that when you were at the right levels you could have attracted an invite from the dungeon spirit.”

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The man puffed up a little in his chair. “We've barely met, and you honor me. But you're right that I shined bright in my youth. There was one time that...”

That should keep him happy for the rest of dinner. Dame Rockfoot had been harder to figure out. From the look of resignation when Harmony arrived, to her subdued uninterested contributions to the topics around the Ascendant Games and Harmony’s new nobility. The woman preferred to hum to herself, as though it kept herself calm.

Ma Bell kept the conversation going. “Watching Thorne’s training was certainly enlightening,” Harmony answered after a question about today’s visit. News of Max's bone-cracking flop was sure to be out, painted as his or the team's failure depending on the narrative a journalist chose to push.

While she’d satisfied most of the guests' desires at tonight’s meal. The sad Ms. Rockfoot lingered under her skill’s gaze. Maybe she was more disappointed than sad? Dinner could be a valuable skill training session.

The dinner plates being cleared away for the dessert service brought a bit of lull to the conversation as the guests had to contemplate if they had enough space in their stomachs for what was to come. Dame Rockfoot’s humming carried faintly in that bit of silence enough that Harmony heard a complete bar or two.

A familiar tune. Not the common songs or childhood diddy’s everyone knew. [Recall] didn’t need to tell her where she’d heard it. She’d danced to that music. Had people chant her name to its beat. Listened to Ambrosia gripe and curse while trying to perfect the melody while sharing the tub.

Ambrosia wasn’t here tonight. Shelly, another contract from the Harvest of Talents event, was taking a turn at serving.

This should turn that frown upside down.“Ms. Rockfoot, with your humming it seems you have an ear for music. I’m lucky enough to know some talents. How would you like a backstage visit with Songstress and the Flows?”

The girl swayed in her seat for a second, not breathing. “I…” Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed unconscious off her chair.

“Oh, my!” Ma Bell exclaimed.

[Keen Investigative Awareness] leveled. Maybe that was a bit overdone. Inn staff in their green and gold uniforms were already by her side using restoration skills to try to wake the poor girl up.

Songstress and the Flows' popularity was getting bigger and chewing up more of Ambrosia’s time. Maybe it would be better to take her off the dinner service rotation and avoid fans trying to glimpse her this way?

The staff managed to revive the woman before the sweets arrived.

"I'd cherish that opportunity, Lady White." Rockfoot managed to squeak out.

While placing a chocolate tort in front of Harmony, Shelly whispered, “Rose has confirmed attendance.”

Having the dessert now be slightly frozen was a happy accident that improved upon the dish. But clearly, there were still emotions to work through.