"Herkel, hear me out," Ius said as he gave him an uncanny look.
Herkel nodded immediately, cautious of testing Ius' patience once more.
"As you've said, they want us to chase the very runaway that caused all of these to happen. Though the Orschettas who had escaped from prison are dangerous, their faces are already known by the knights. They wouldn't dare cause chaos that they can't cover-up. As for the runaway, do you think they have any limitations?"
Herkel thought for a moment. There were times when Ius's manner of speaking complicated some things for him. Thus and so, he had to ponder over what Ius was asking about lest giving out a foolish answer.
"Hmm, I don't think they have?" Herkel answered, his voice rising by the end making him sound uncertain.
"You're right, Herkel."
Ius' validation put a grin on Herkel's face. Withal, it wasn't for long that the praise would last.
"Since the runaway has lost everything, even their integrity, they won't hold back in inciting trouble. That's why they're the most dangerous out of all the Orschettas currently in the capital. The knights didn't give us the responsibility of capturing the runaway because we are capable. In the event that danger befalls the citizens, they can blame us instead for their incompetence."
Ius stated as a matter-of-factly, garnering the frowns of his companions.
"Ha! They really thought that their reputation could be cleaned by this scheme?! How optimistic are they?" Ivar uttered while taking pleasure in mocking the Empire's knights.
The young men never had a particular liking to the knights whom they had labeled as boot-licking idiots wearing cheap armors. Vexation could be seen on their faces as they were reminded of their circumstances.
Ulysses Parvor just sighed, saying thereafter, "As usual, they're bucking the most taxing chore to us. They are better off replacing those old men in the parliament."
"Well, they're afraid of us getting the credit instead of their sorry ass. What a pain." Herkel concurred with Ulysses' sentiments, letting his crude tongue do the work.
"It's fine to be gifted with no recognition as long as we're contributing to the maintenance of the peace." Fluger chimed in with his opinion, drinking his tea in one gulp right away.
Regardless of how righteous the words sounded, Fluger's opinion earned the jeering of his companions. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, his number one opposition was Herkel.
Herkel Avret was scowling deeply, the lines on his forehead crooking deeply. His lips were apart so he could bare his teeth at Fluger.
"What are you saying now, Fluger? Recognition is important for us. We're candidates for progenitor's blood, for hell's sake. Don't be a goody two-shoes."
"I'm different from you, Herkel. I wouldn't mind it if my actions were not returned with gratitude."
"Then why don't you just drop out of the competition while it hasn't started? You wouldn't mind it if I didn't say thanks to you for making this easier for us, right?"
Herkel and Fluger's banter continued longer than to their companions' liking. However, the others didn't make any effort in stopping them. Even if they did, the two wouldn't heed their pleas.
Fluger Schertrude, the second-in-command of the Volk League, was the most virtuous among the six. He would never fail to play on the side of justice. His dogma was to always bring righteousness wherever he went, even if he would be castigated for it.
Ius preferred Fluger's company more than anyone else in the group. It was because he was sensible and didn't speak of things that would throw the conversation off in a different direction.
Nevertheless, Ius didn't find his straight man act appealing.
For Ius Romanoff, there was no wrong or right when it came to his means. It was imperative that his goal would be reached at all costs. Because of that, Ius and Fluger opinions would clash almost always during their planning.
In the end, it was only Fluger who cared about being in the right. On all occasions, it was Ius' plans that would be followed, not Fluger's.
"You should just be the Prime Minister instead of lingering around little troublemakers like me. That's what you think of me, right?" Herkel whined, standing up to give emphasis on how upset he was.
Fluger narrowed his eyes at Herkel. Whenever Herkel was in that state, he wouldn't stop until he got an apology. Unfortunately, Fluger wasn't willing to yield this time since he believed that he didn't say anything wrong.
"Why do you have to be that malicious? I said what I said." Fluger responded as he crossed his arms, "I don't know why you're taking an issue to something that should have been obvious from the very beginning?"
"Have you stopped for a moment and think about how we will feel if we get no recognition? We're kids in your eyes, right? We need to be praised. Why don't you be an adult somewhere else?"
Ulysses, Igor, and Aaviren looked at each other and shook their heads. They then gave Ius a glance, wondering what he would do. However, Ius wasn't paying attention to the scuffle. He was there, sitting on his couch as if they didn't exist at all.
That being so, the three opted to mimic Iu's behavior. After all, it wouldn't do them any good to interfere in Herkel and Fluger's childish banter.
Soon enough, the shattering of glass was heard within the grand parlor. At that point, Herkel and Fluger pursed their lips and became petrified. They slowly turned their head towards Ius whose attention they had baited.
Without a second thought, the maids and the footman approached the table and began cleaning the mess. They couldn't be at ease as Ius was observing every single action that they made.
Once the servants were done, Ius beckoned the two to stand in front of him. He went on and gave them a smile, one that they didn't appreciate seeing.
"So, who will pay for the tea set that my mother herself made?"