Chapter 13 - Lady Evie, Class III operative, Eye of the Legions
“Minister Bubspittle, I am ready to report.” I kneel and wait.
Not literally of course. My mind is connected to the legion’s spy web, a covert method of communication no matter your circumstances. The downside is that it drains both my mana and that of the legion’s great capacitor pools. However, my position is of such importance that my reports go straight to the top.
There is a short delay, but after a few moments, I feel the Minister’s consciousness connect to mine. I even get a sense of his attractive form. We’ve only met once in person. Next time, I will not be so subtle with my desire! On the other hand, I imagine my feelings flow though the connection much like his do to me. Professionalism. Focus. Loyalty.
“Operative, what have you learned?”
“The hero was at the party, but she neither moved nor spoke. I learned nothing new.”
“Too bad, but as expected. Maintain your watch. Anything else?”
“The palace is rife with intrigue. I saw three attempted murders, two poisonings. The last of those was my fool of a brother, the archpriest.”
“He is dead?”
“No, he has recovered. My sister and I will be meeting with him later. Perhaps I can shame him publicly? Would that fit your designs?”
There is a pause. I feel him weighing his options. His mind is so… deep! When he reaches a conclusion, it is decisive, “Do nothing without further orders. The temple is already weakened. It is better we face the man we know than a more eager newcomer.”
“By your command!”
The connection is severed without even a goodbye. How will I ever get him to acknowledge me?
Maybe if I can learn something new at this coming discussion? What would be most likely strategy to force my brother to let some secret slip? I slide into my trashiest gown and apply a new, thicker layer of cosmetics to set off his ire. I do love to see him wriggle in frustration! And today, we’ll drag him over the coals!
Since Brynn is the older sister, the meeting is scheduled to take place in her sitting room. With a gasp of surprise, I see that her dress is even more revealing than mine. Just what’s her angle? I’ve never figured it out.
After my brother arrives with all his pointless regalia, the servants prepare our tea then exit the room. It’s just the three of us. A secret audience for family only.
At first, we quietly sip on our tea and discuss the usual trivialities. The weather. The war. The dress that the new queen was wearing. What title fits her best.
Eventually, my sister stops dancing around with her words and brings forth today's issue for discussion. “Dear brother. What happened after you were carted out of the party last night?”
His shame is written on his face, “I don’t actually know. I was unconscious. I woke up in the morning in Truck-chan’s bed.”
“HER BED?” We both shriek in surprise. Now this is exciting! Maybe my brother is finally a man? Better yet, he may have learned something about Truck-chan’s internal biology!
“No, no! It’s not what you think!” He waves both of his hands in denial. “That’s just what you call her storage and carrying space. It is like the bed of a wagon.”
Both of us giggle at him. It’s so rare to see him so flustered!
Wait, this could be even better! Just wait until I “leak” the news in public!
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Despite her laughter, Brynn isn’t satisfied yet. She purses her lips and continues, “Brother. You spent the night in the embrace of a female. Did you not?”
“You can’t really call it an embrace. I was sleeping there like cargo.”
She gives him a fake smile. “That’s no better! You slept the night away ON TOP of the body of an unmarried woman!”
“She’s not a woman!”
“Think carefully, brother! What will happen when news of this reaches the public? What will the temple that you serve say? It will be a scandal!”
“Ahh… yes. That is a problem.”
“Did anyone see you? Do you have any way to deny these allegations?”
“Some of the temple nuns were there when I recovered in the morning.”
“Then, we just need to silence them. What are their names?”
“I will not ‘silence them’ and neither will you! Do not even consider falsifying the details of this tragedy! I am a man of honor! I did nothing wrong!”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes!”
“But, you said you were unconscious?”
“Yes?”
“Then, you don’t actually know, do you?”
“I would know!” he roars.
Brynn is stumped, so I raise my hand. We’re a tag team, after all!
She nods, giving me the authority to move into the ring. I could go straight for the jugular, but that would be too obvious. Instead, I arrange a more intricate trap. “Brother, do you think she… Truck-chan… had her way with your body?”
“Absolutely not!”
“You think she is incapable? Or is it you?”
“I said nothing of the sort!” It’s so funny when he blushes!
“But, you slept with Truck-chan!”
“No! Yes! But, it wasn’t like that! Not the way you are implying!”
“Brother! Simply answer the question. Did you spend the night with a female? Or not?”
I watch as he deflates, “If you phrase it that way, then yes… yes, I did.”
“Suppose for the moment that one of your congregants admitted the same story to you in confidence. What would you tell them? What advice would you give?”
“It’s not the same!”
“But, what example should you present to the flock that you shepherd? Shouldn’t you all follow the same rules? Aren’t you a man of honor? You said so yourself! In fact, shouldn’t you be held to an even higher standard?”
He twitches back and forth, stuck in my trap. I can see the wheels turning in his head. It must be galling! I struggle to keep the smile off my face, but I’m sure he can see the sparkle in my eyes. I’ve got him and he knows it!
Brynn sees where I’m leading him, so she puts out a hand to pat him on the wrist. “Brother? You cannot avoid the truth. Speak then and judge yourself! Given the same situation, what would you say to your sheep?”
“If a man were to find himself in such a situation, then … the most honorable response is to deliver an offer of marriage. Anything less would bring shame upon his name, his family, his community, and the temple itself.”
I wiggle forward in my chair. “Marriage, huh? So, you think Truck-chan will accept?”
“I certainly hope not!”
Brynn chimes in, “I hope she does! It’s about time you got married!”
“Sister! She’s not even human!”
“And… ? You think I care?”
He shakes his head. “I won’t even be able to ask her until next week. She was leaving this morning for the current campaign.”
“How do you know that?”
“She left me a copy of her itinerary for the month.”
Bryn and I both look at each other with a smile. Truck-chan is one sneaky gold-digger!
“Regardless, when she refuses me, then this farce will be over! My supposed part in this fiasco will be absolved. I did nothing wrong, so any remaining guilt will be hers!”
Brynn leans back in her chair. “What makes you think she’ll refuse?”
In reply, he just glares at both of us.
How delightful! Either way this falls, somebody loses! This might be the best day of my life!