“My lady. The acolytes wish to search the carriage.”
I raise my head from between Talia’s chest and still my hand. Beneath me, the normally expressionless flower is flushed, breathing labored as she drags in harsh breaths, her hands pressed against the wall opposite of the door. I grin at the sight of the quivering woman. Something about shrugging off my prime form is relaxing in a way I can’t describe but having a willing, desperate woman under me never gets old. Or any less exciting.
“Stay,” I demand, fighting to keep the smile out of my voice. With her eyes squeezed shut, she can’t tell and take me at her tone, shifting about to make herself more comfortable. My custom carriage is meant to be accommodating but there’s only so much that can be done for a box on wheels. I take a moment to straighten my appearance before opening the door, putting myself in the opening.
Standing outside is Earl, hair combed and uniform impeccable. Compared to the wide-eyed, stained robed wearing acolytes with their unkempt hair and the bags under their eyes, he’s a beacon of order and hygiene. The Hall must be being ran ragged if this is the image they’re showing. It’s a bit embarrassing. I don’t blame them for the fear I can literally smell coming off them in waves. I do think less of them for showing it after going out of their way to stop me. I don’t believe they didn’t recognize the crest on the side of this carriage. If you’re just going to sit there like rabbits before a hunting hound, why bother me?
One of the acolytes clears his throat noisily and tries to project a strong figure, straightening his shoulders and puffing out his chest. It’s like watching a puppy growl. Nothing in the least bit threatening about it, no matter what the little beastie is imagining. “Please exit the vehicle,” he says and I inwardly applaud him for not stuttering over his words.
“No.”
My answer clearly confuses him. Has no one refused him to his face before? “If you don’t consent to a search, then we cannot allow you to—"
“Stop.” His teeth click in his haste to close his mouth. “You’re not searching my carriage. Ah.” I hold up a hand to forestall whatever nonsense he’s about to say. “This has nothing to do with you or the Hall. I’m just very short on trust now. I assume you have some way to contact someone up top?” The acolyte nods with a stern frown. “What you need to do is call your boss. Ask them if you should make an issue with me or let me get on with my business. Earl, get us back underway as soon as he gets the confirmation.”
My steward bows.
“Wait—"
“Make the call. You’ll see I’m doing you a favor.” I close the door on his sputters.
Amusing as it is to leave him at a loss for words, I mean what I say. My trust is worn thin. Too thin to tolerate people I don’t know and are likely hostile poke around my carriage, inside or out. On the surface, the Hall isn’t allied with the guilds but I’m not naive enough to think that the acolytes don’t have a thing against me. The school is intimately connected to the city. The acolytes come down for work and fun. I don’t doubt that plenty of them lost friends and family in this conflict.
I don’t know much about loss, but I do know that grief isn’t an emotion that cares about logic. I doubt anyone with a grudge against me is going to sit down and examine all the angles or care about how I was driven to do what I did. All they’ll care about is the consequences, which I don’t blame them for. It’s my fault I’m surrounded by enemies and uncertainties. It’d be stupid to pretend I’m not.
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As always, Talia follows instructions perfectly and hasn’t moved a muscle. It’s a beautiful sight…but there’s no more time to enjoy it. I trail a finger through the valley of her chest, sighing in regret as I retract it. “Time to tidy yourself up.”
Graceful as a waterbird, she sits up and begins to fix her dress with deft motions. Her red face gives the impression of a blushing maiden, but her blank expression distorts the image, making it strange and a bit incomprehensible. A twist that is uniquely her.
“Ready to make a good impression?” I ask after she finishes tying up her hair. Only someone with a keen gaze will notice that it’s the second time she’s getting dressed.
“I’m certainly in a good mood.”
I’m still laughing as the ground shifts beneath us, the earth rising to take us to the Hall.
-
“Lou. You look wonderful for a burgeoning tyrant.”
As expected, the overzealous acolytes at the entry point to the Hall were instructed to let me pass. Unexpectedly but not surprisingly, someone is there to meet us. The ever-lovely alchemist, Cynthia…except not looking as lovely.
Oh, she hasn’t neglected her looks but signs of exhaustions are peeking through; there are no shadows under her eyes but the slight puffiness of the skin gives them away, her eyes are bloodshot in the corners, and her voluminous hair doesn’t have its usual sheen. The biggest giveaway is her smile. It’s usually so very carefree and confident. Now, there’s nothing but strain in the arch of her lips.
“Cynthia,” I greet as I step off the carriage. “Are we meeting as friends?”
“I hope so. Your enemies don’t live good lives. Or long ones. Talia, is that you? Have I mentioned how much I love this new style of yours? You wouldn’t be interested in modeling a few products of mine, hm? I have a few colors that would make that complexion of yours pop.”
“If it pleases my gardeners.”
The strained smile twitches. “You need permission to go to a party now?”
“Ever since a bunch of bastards kidnapped and threatened to kill her, we’re a bit leery of public gatherings, yeah,” I say with narrowed eyes. “But that’s something we can discuss when anyone has the stomach for a party.” Which I don’t imagine will be anytime soon.
“Darling, there’s always an appetite for a little amusement. No more so during bleak times. Unfortunately, it’s hard to have a good time without good food or good company. Two things that are in short supply.”
“That, we agree on. So? Why are you here?”
“Well, you tell me. I’m here to make sure your impromptu visit goes well.” The smile finally becomes too heavy to hold and collapses. “Because we really, really can’t afford another problem at the moment.”
Guess the heroes are having a hard time keeping everything together. I can practically hear Geneva whispering into my ear, telling me this is the perfect moment to extend a hand and steer the future. I’d be tempted if we had any intention of staying. Now, attaching myself to this mess in any way is just inviting trouble. “You’ve got nothing to worry about from me. I know Dunwayne wants to talk and we can arrange that but we’re not staying. Just picking up Talia’s father.”
“Guardian.”
“Guardian-father. We’re having a dinner thing tonight, all the family. Trust me, I don’t want any problems today either.”
She blinks, the reaction of someone with stellar control over their expression being overcome by surprise. Then she smiles and this time, it’s a ghost of her usual infectious expression. “First time meeting the family?”
A hand unconsciously combs through my hair. “That obvious?”
She laughs. “I can recognize a nervous paramour from a street away.” She shakes her head. “I admit, I was worried when I got word of your sudden appearance. Ah~ What a relief. A few wondered what kind of woman would unleash such destruction. I’m glad to see it was the Lou I know having a bad day, not a different Lou altogether.”
“…maybe a little different. Seriously, go do something important. Or take a nap. It won’t be long before my business here is done and I’ll be nothing but a bad memory.”
Cynthia’s eyes narrow. “You’re not just talking about this visit. You plan to leave?”
“We can discuss that more at an arranged meeting. For now…”
“You need to be going. I won’t keep you. Good luck.”
“Same to you.” She looks like she needs it far more than me.