'The atmosphere was harmonious in the interior of the main castle of the Ducal household of Helian.' was an absolutely perverse description of the actual condition inside the residence.
"As I was saying, I do not know where it went."
"Say that again. My hearing seems to have been impaired. I was unable to heed what you recently said."
"T-the emergency fund that we brought suddenly disappeared."
Marquis Zerek Alain, the vice-commander of the sixth knight order Pandora, was presently being interrogated by Sarakiel, who was smiling from ear-to-ear. He was a second cousin of the Duke, and according to the latter, the Marquis was the closest thing he had for a pet.
"Are you trying to state that 630,000 Cunia vanished without your knowledge, in a dier to boot?"
"...Y-yes?" Zerek was hesitant to answer honestly, his stare darting around the room.
"And the provisional budget of 2,834,000 Cunia for assisting the fief was completely expended too, is that right?"
Marquis Alain, alongside Pandora, had freshly returned to the capital from accomplishing his assignment in the Istani fief. Usually, it would take a minimum of two mensiths to go on a journey set to the southeastern border of the Empire. Nevertheless, members of the knighttage were authorized to operate the portals in Atharia that would take them directly to the fiefs all over the Empire. The use of these portal gates would cut their travel time by more than half.
"Y-yes. Hik!"
Iel couldn't help but emit a shriek, dropping his stare to avoid meeting the eyes of Sarakiel.
"Who would spend that much money? Tell me, Zerek."
"I swear I did not!"
"Then who did?"
"It was Lord Lamorak!"
"Hmm?"
Sarakiel's grin grew even wider while the Marquis started biting his nails out of dismay.
'Damn you self! I'm dead!' Zerek scolded his chagrined conscience.
"It appears that Pandora will be feeding on stale bread and water for the coming three aethras as a result of the vice-commander's cowardice. How unfortunate are they?"
"My Lord, I apolo-"
Duke Helian didn't let Zerek justify his actions and simply went on to narrate the hapless fate of his knight order.
"Should I send you off to replace the farmers in the south for several aethras? In that ritual, you'll be able to train and procure food. Isn't that brilliant?"
Marquis Alain invoked his right to remain silent, wary of speaking a reply that might further aggravate Sarakiel.
"Or I could submit a request for His Majesty to engage the neighbouring kingdom in a war, and Pandora will be the sole order to participate. However, violating international law on the declaration of war is not worth it for the punishment of a nugatory knight order. Don't you agree?"
'These options sound more tempting than staying here, My Lord!' Zerek carried on with replying, but only in his mind. He simply thirsted to break out of the Duke's study pronto.
"You should have tarried in the Istani fief and fought Sir Lamorak for the ownership of his personal budget."
'If we did that, we would've left this world. Even so-' Zerek thought, then articulated the continuation. "That may have been better than conversing with a madman."
"I beg your pardon?" Sarakiel raised an eyebrow, nearly showing his annoyance.
Zerek quickly covered his mouth with both hands, horrified by his mishap.
'Did I say that out loud?!'
Duke Helian slowly got up from his seat, maintaining the curt yet menacing smile on his face that now reached his eyes. A step a second, he bore his path headed to the Marquis.
'A demon has descended! Anyone save my poor soul!'
In consequence, Zerek took an equal distance backward that Sarakiel made forward. Just as his rear was about to hit the door, the Head Butler abruptly barged in the room, visibly discomposed.
'My saviour!' As the Marquis shrilled in his thoughts, he looked at the servant with sparkles in his vision.
Concurrently, the Duke glared at the newcomer, narked that his reprimanding bout was interrupted.
"Goran, aren't you aware that I have company?"
"I apologize for the discourtesy, My Lord. Withal, you ought to hurry and meet Lord Claudas at the foyer. He strictly alerted me that it's a matter of urgency." Albeit delayed, the butler hung his head low, attuning his graceless absence of courtesy.
"Zelel? The Prime Minister?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"How unusual."
Granted that he had reservations, Sarakiel reckoned that convening with Zelel would clear them up. Thereupon, he scampered towards the doorway, ensuring to impart a farewell message to the Marquis.
"Marquis Alain, our talk will be recrudesced later. Do not leave my castle. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, My Lord," Zerek replied so despondently at the stern order that one could almost see a drooping dog's ears on him.
Meanwhile, the Duke could not be bothered to hear the other's response as he picked up his pace, sauntering towards the modestly far entrance hall. It took him a few minutes of walking before he arrived at his destination. Once he did, he nighed the Minister who was stagnant on his feet by the lobby.
"Lord Claudas, Volhahdfinus. What seems to be the matter?" Sarakiel greeted, snapping the preoccupied Zelel out of his meditation.
"Oh, you're here. Get in my carriage and accompany me. This is a very, very crucial endeavour."
Sensing the sobriety in his voice, Duke Helian adhered to Duke Claudas' request sans the protest. They hastily traversed the stone pavement that carved their path to the iron gate. Immediately upon reaching the carriage parked outside of the property, the two nobles mounted the ride and settled themselves in the cushioned seats. Afterwards, the carriage embarked on its expedition.
Normally, Duke Claudas was escorted by his knights and didn't bring along any other servants. Wherefore, when Duke Helian saw the woman wearing a maid uniform in the equipage, he became curious as to who the female was. Furthermore, she was seated on the same side of the carriage with their master, a practice that didn't follow conformity.
"Who is this young lady?" Sarakiel initiated the interrogation since it didn't seem to occur to Zelel that he should introduce his unacquainted companions.
"Oh, she is-"
"I deeply express my regret for not being able to properly hail the esteemed Duke. My name is Tara Kishnar, a maidservant in the Soltis Palace." Tara decided to interpose on the minister's speech, seeing that she needed to personally present herself either way.