"What is his Majesty thinking? There's something so off about him." Gin asked, walking back and forth in the room.
"What do you mean? He's behaving exactly as he always does. Doing whatever he wishes without telling up anything." Ray said, feet propped up the table while he ate grapes.
Vaille sat beside the window, overlooking the streets and the people below. Laughter and talking could be heard all the way to the room, a small smile coming on her face while watching the world go by.
The maids came into the room a few seconds after Sappire and Lillian left, bringing in fruits and pastries for all of them. Everyone except Gin patiently waited as they started eating.
"He is but there is something off about him still." He said while he continued to pace around the room.
"I think the King is just his usual self. You are just a little worried because he left abruptly in the middle of a meeting with a girl." Hakl remarked, turning to 'Myra'.
"Would you like something to eat?" He asked, holding out a slice of bread with jam to her.
Myra shook her head and continued to look towards the door, impatience dancing in her face.
Ray stared at her a second then walked to block her vision. He rested his hands on the arms of the chair and asked, "You … You're not human are you?"
"What are you talking about, Commander Ray?" Jarish asked, listening in on the conversation. "Why would Hakl's sister not be human?"
"Yes. Why ever would you think that, Commander Ray?" Hakl asked, smiling up at him while his hand grasped Myra's on the table.
"There's just something not human about her. But I have this question," He moved away from her and turned to Hakl. "Why are we, only now, learning about this sister you have?"
"I was worried about how she might be perceived because of her … condition. She is a powerful magic user, specializing in healing, and I thought she would be a good asset to the kingdom. She's been holed up in the house for years and I thought it was finally time to introduce her to society."
"Ok, but why today? Specifically, on the day the King brought in, not just the princess but also, a child we have never seen or heard of to the first meeting in months. He also spoke of how his magic came back the night before."
"What are you trying to say, Commander Ray?" Hakl asked the smile is still on his face and shadows across his eyes.
Myra still had her face to the door, ignoring everything that is happening around her. Glassy and empty eyes hoping to catch a glimpse of the only thing she could see in the room of noise.
"It seems a little too convenient." Ray continued, glaring at him.
Hakl laughed, covering his mouth with his hand and continued, "You are misunderstanding me, Commander. It is all a coincidence. I have been planning to bring her here for a long time already but the situation never permitted it.
"So, when the King summoned us today, I thought it would be the best opportunity to introduce her to him. That is why I brought her. I will explain it more when we see the King."
Ray looked from Hakl to the woman still staring at the door. His suspicions only growing but he kept his mouth shut, resolving to keep an eye on him.
Vaille watched the entire scene unfolding without saying a word. The air in the room felt off that day and she stared at Arthur, standing in the far corner, lost in his thoughts while staring at the woman that came with Hekl.
There was this odd feeling of wanting to scream out everything I kept so carefully buried inside me. Could he have had something to do with it? But why?
Is it to make sure everyone is being honest? Or … to try and get someone to confess?
Lillian did burst into a slew of words that were, more or less, related to everything that's been happening. But they were so emotionally fueled, which isn't something Lillian has ever done before.
Not matter what it is, Lillian always talks of it like she is detached from the situation. Her emotions never take priority in the days I have been with her.
If they wanted Lillian to burst out like that then … No, it doesn't make sense. No matter how I look at it, nothing makes sense.
Father would want to test Lillian and that is understandable but is this even a test? Why would he bring her away too?
Just what is going on here?
_________
Arthur looked at the woman, his face contorting into a frown as he observed her. She is the woman that came a couple of nights before, he's sure of that, but there's something off about her.
After she was taken by those creatures, he was sure she would have died instantly. But here she is, alive and, not really well, but alive.
Also, what is this nonsense Hakl is talking about? His sister? Please. She came only a few days ago to this kingdom. I should know, I was there.
And what's this about this other Lillian that suddenly appeared, becoming the Princess's Lady-in-Waiting. She seems to know something about me but when I scan her with my magic, she doesn't seem to be that same person I met that night.
The aura they emit is different. And so is that woman over there. Different aura but there is still an odd familiarity between both of them.
She's been staring at the door the moment they left but she shouldn't be able to see, right?
Also, what happened to that other woman I threw down the bottomless pit?
Arthur scratched his head and sighed with frustration as he looked to the barren ceiling.
My perfectly concocted plan is falling apart and I am not happy about it.
Turning a little to the side he finally noticed the princess's gaze on him. She too looks like she is in deep contemplation and didn't notice that he caught her staring.
Laughing a little, Arthur made his way to the Princess who didn't notice him until he called to her.
"Excuse me, princess." Arthur began startling the girl, "I beg your pardon. I didn't mean to startle you but I noticed that you have been staring at me for quite some time and I became curious as to the reason behind it. I hope I'm not prying too much."
"Oh, no. Court Magician. I was in the wrong for letting my mind wander while my gaze remained on you. I am the one at fault for causing you inconvenience." Vaille said, regaining her composure as fast as she could while she leaned against the window stilt.
"If it isn't too much trouble, may I stand beside you? It is awfully lonely in the corner by myself."
"I don't see why not," Vaille answered, moving a little to the side to make space for him.
"Then, if I may be so bold as to ask. What are you thinking about so deeply, princess?" Arthur sat on the window stilt with Vaille, watching the others lost in their own worlds.
Vaille looked up at Arthur from the corner of her eyes, contemplating whether it is best to ask him outright or try and figure things herself.
It's not like he believes that I do not suspect anything, so it's best to just get it out of the way.
"I need to ask this, Court Magician."
"Please, just call me Arthur." He said, trying to be smooth.
Vaille stared silently at him and continued like she hadn't heard him, "You see, Court Magician. I need to know if you had cast a spell in the room before we entered in."
"Oh~ so the princess knows already? Seems I am caught." Arthur said, playfully.
"Why did you do that?" Vaille continued to ask.
"It was under the orders of the King," Arthur answered plainly. "He wanted everyone to be honest at that moment. I do not know what he was planning but, from the looks of his expression as he left the room, it seems he got what he wanted."
"It's a very strange request. And it doesn't even make any sense." Vaille thought, resting her chin in her fingers.
"Well we never do understand the King and his antics before, I doubt we will understand him now. The only thing we can do is trust him. After all, when has the King ever made a bad decision before?" Arthur raised his hands in question, the people in the room turning to him out of curiosity.
"Indeed, the King has always put the needs of the kingdom above all else," Jarish said, stroking his beard.
"Yeah. He also never backs down, no matter how much the odds are stacked up against him." Ray continued.
Gin and Hakl smiled, listening to them all talk.
"I understand that everyone is confused right now, but let's just trust the King. Ok? After all," He turned to Vaille, "when has he ever been outsmarted before?"
Vaille looked at all the men as they became suddenly became lively again. They gathered around the table, properly eating and chatting with each other about trivial things.
As much as she felt glad to see them not as tense as before, she still couldn't relax just yet. The woman Hekl brought in still hasn't pulled her gaze away from the door and she felt very uncomfortable just looking at her.
She's been too interested in Lillian for a blind woman. I need to keep my eyes on her.