Queen Illa sat herself down at a table, crossed legged in an outfit that blended in with the area. She chose the farthest table away from the busy street, but still close enough to the restaurant Duke’s that it was obvious they were eating there. This street was most active at night and they didn’t want to draw attention to anyone who might recognize the Queen and King. The sun was just starting to show its pink and purple sunset hues, and people were starting to come out and relax after a long day of work. Her husband sat next to her with their food. Two bread bowls full of spicy pulled pork soaked in its broth, with carrots and onions. Extremely salty, just the way she liked it. The cooks in the palace never let her have this much salt in her food.

Illa sat forward and began eating immediately. Here she didn’t have to worry about etiquette or proper procedure. Quince sat down in his own common outfit. They didn’t blend in at all. In fact, they looked quite a bit over the top compared to the rest of the environment. Illa rolled her eyes. “I still think you’re dressed too nicely for our night with Esoti.”

“What? No, I’m not. I’m dressed like I always do when I’m off the clock.” They gave a frown that betrayed their anxiety with a glance down at their own outfit.

Wen shook his head, and wagged his fork at them as he spoke. “You and I both know you dress a little more like a bum when you’re alone than you are now.”

“I just think that just because it’s a casual outing that doesn’t mean we need to dress like actual commoners.”

“Shhhh!” Illa said and glanced around. The others around their group were all too absorbed in their own conversations. She heard laughter and rambunctious cheers from across the street. Luckily, no one was paying attention to the group. Even though she wanted to have a free night every now and then, she still managed to be cautious and paranoid. No doubt to her servants drilling it in her every time they caught her and Wen sneaking back into the castle near dawn.

Quince sighed at the theatrics of it all. “Why are we meeting with a diplomat? I know you, and I know there’s got to be a reason. She isn’t the most friendly person.”

Illa ate some more of her food and took a sip of the beer she got. She was stalling. She knew neither of them would like the answer. “Well… I do want to talk to her about a trade embargo against Obraria.” She quickly shoved more food in her mouth to avoid expanding on the idea.

Wen looked at her incredulously. Quince couldn’t believe it either, his mouth was hanging. “A casual outing, huh?” they said. Illa shrugged. So she lied when she was trying to get everyone together. Big deal. “Well then, I’m glad I wore something nice.”

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“Oh don’t be such a stuck up! I bet she knows we’re going to ask her for something anyway.” Illa said. “A diplomat’s duty is never done.”

“Why would you start a trade embargo with Obraria? Now?” Wen asked.

The ignorance of her husband knows no bounds. It's times like this that Illa was glad to be in charge. She rolled her eyes. “Because of that Master Earth Elemental that’s running around my country. I bet it was them that sent it and I want those Obrarians to know they can’t be doing their stupid little rituals against my country.”

Quince shook their head. “We don’t know for sure if it was the Obrarians though. It came out of the mines. It’d be near impossible for them to send anything through the mines from their country. Don’t forget what’s on the other side of those mountains. Maybe it was the Lacrussians, instead?”

“Those Obrarians wouldn’t break through a whole mountain. It’s against their code, isn’t it?” Wen asked. He looked at Quince for affirmation.

“That’s right. They’re much too spiritual to carve through the mountains just to send an earth elemental, much less a Master Earth Elemental. Destruction isn't their style.”

“I don’t care whether they did it or not. They did it and I want them to pay. Will you back me up, Quince? I know Ambassador Esoti will agree to send a message to her Queen about it, she just needs convincing. She’ll listen to you,” Illa put her hand over Quince’s. Her ultimate move to convince them to be on her side. She knew they were always weak to a little bit of physical affection and she was going to use everything in her arsenal to get what she wanted.

“But what if you’re wrong? You’ll just aggravate them even further, and who knows what both countries would do in retaliation.”

Wen looked at Quince’s hesitancy and sighed. “You know she won’t give up.” He placed his hand on Quince’s shoulder. One down, one to go. A push from Wen would work. Those two have been friends for a while now, so while her begging won’t make them budge, surely a push or two from her husband would. Her heart raced in the hopes that she could convince Quince. She could feel them starting to sway. Just a little more.

“Don’t worry,” Illa said. “If they try to retaliate, we can easily beat them.” She smiled, like she knew some information she wasn’t telling them. And she did, she just wasn’t about to let that sort of information go out in public. Not before they’re all completely ready though. It would be much too dangerous to leak military inventions.

Quince sucked on their bottom lip, weighing the pros and cons of this move. They knew Illa could get Esoti to ask for a trade embargo if they were with her. Lacruss would follow Listhua in this, and they certainly have enough pull against Obraria for this embargo to have a significant effect on the Obrarian economy. Quince sighed, and took his hand back to continue eating. He finally gave up. “Fine.”

Illa broke into a smile. “Thank you, Quince! You won’t regret it, I promise.” Quince rolled their eyes, clearly regretting their choice but they elected to ignore it. They finished eating while discussing how they would lead into the embargo, and how best to convince Esoti to be on their side. The sun had set, but the sky was still bright enough for some light to show by the time they were ready to pay and leave. Few people were left around them as they had all finished eating and left to take care of their home. It would be a mistake if this conversation leaked out to anyone listening, not that she thought there were any still listening. The night was just beginning to become lively.