"Can I leave?" Taro moaned through his teeth, arms crossed on his chest as he stood uncomfortably in the entrance of my family's home. His height was problematic, thus he was forced to keep his head down and neck craned in order to avoid hitting the ceiling.
"No," I muttered, sitting at the only table inside the rotting but cozy wooden house I'd lived in all my life. The moleskin book was open and laying flat in front of me as my tired eyes attempted to peruse the information splayed across the pages. "I need you to help me make sense of this."
"Your family won't be happy to see me here." He added, tapping his shoe against the floor belligerently.
"My father took my mother and brother to the market further in the city for Elven medicine and my brother's birthday gift," I replied quickly.
"What kind of ideas will they get once they see you brought an Elven male home?" Taro snickered, sharp eyes narrowing and fox-like grin baring sharp teeth.
"Shut up. They'd understand," I avoided his gaze, returning my attention to the book. Every day for the next month was outlined in illuminated ink; most days were straightforward in Jack's activities and others were completely empty, leaving room for who knows what. For a king, he was certainly not very occupied.
He did not busy himself with public relations, as I learned from the numerous meetings with mainly Eshonese and several Verivatian representatives that were scratched out in swift, jagged movements in ink. It seemed to me that Jack's advisors that dealt with international matters had jotted down the appointments in an attempt to improve his image, but Jack had immediately rejected them personally and without word.
I flipped through the next few pages, relieved that I did not have to attend or be involved in anything. But my temporary consolation instantly faded when I spied what awaited the first of December: the annual Summit between the leaders of every nation, and in which the Elven King was always the main attraction. Annotations scribbled below the title added that I, as the King's technical "right-hand woman in public relations", was required to attend both the Summit and the Concord Gala the night before.
Wait, wait, wait... the Concord Gala? Meaning the largest event of the year that even Elves only dream of attending?
Reality dawned on me, and every thought froze in my mind save for one: I was attending this Gala with the King of Elves. I mean, I wasn't his date, right? I would sooner beg for execution than let him believe I was swooning for his disturbingly pretty face.
"Must I really attend the Gala?" I spilled loudly and suddenly, breaking the still tranquility of the room.
Taro eyed me strangely with imperceptible emotion. "That is not the reaction I would expect."
"Do I?"
"Well, yes, you do. It would… not be wise for you to put up a fight," Taro tapped a finger on his chin. "Though I still do not understand why you'd want to reject this kind of proposal."
"I don't want to be his puppet." I hissed, waves of vehement washing over me tumultuously.
"His Majesty's? I assure you you will not," Taro tilted his head in thought. "You are your own person, and as you are human, you'll more readily be respected by Eshonese officials, especially."
"I just…" I looked down at the floor, a choking lump threatening to form in my throat. "How were his relationships with previous attendants?"
Taro observed me with his puzzled gray eyes under eyebrows of uncertainty for a second or two before the pieces in his head snapped into place.
"Ah," He drew out. "I... he is not…" He scowled, unsure of himself. "He has others hired for that purpose, Syndra."
I quivered as Taro used my name for the first time, and I took my eyes off him in embarrassment. "So I am not expected…"
"You are not expected," The vexatious smile crept back up onto his face. "But that doesn't mean he won't try."
"Oh, be quiet." I grunted, slumping in my chair in defeat. "Why didn't they choose an actually qualified Elf for this God forsaken job?!"
"His Majesty is eccentric in that way, though fresh faces and outside perspectives never hurt anyone."
"They're hurting me!"
"You'll be more grateful once your first remuneration comes through."
I swallowed my pride because Taro was right. I really should be appreciative, because the amount of gold that this will bring in will forever change my life and my family's.
"And I advise you not to fret regarding His Majesty. You'll become accustomed to his temperament soon enough. I cannot support that with personal experience, since I have never spoken to him, but from what I heard, our King is miles better than, well, your kind's." His smile had dropped into something warmer, yet still unsettling. I was beginning to think that smiling wasn't a very natural Elven function.
"You mean Eshon's king?"
"Yes, King Sperling is a real piece of work, as they say it."
"And he'll be at the Gala too?"
"Of course he will, he's only a step behind His Majesty."
I paused to organize my ponderings. Maybe, just maybe, I could gain the Eshonese king's favor and pity at the Gala. Maybe I could bring my family over the border into Eshon, where there are no complications with Fae and we'd finally live in a free, beautiful land.
But I knew that if I was ever caught, we would all instantly be dead…
"Argh!" I shrieked in frustration, Taro flinching abruptly in surprise.
"You'll help me through this, won't you?" I inquired quietly of the Elf in soft desperation.
"Me?" He snorted, very much amused. "Really?" He drawled.
"You know what it's like to be an outsider," I stated before rising from the chair and stepping closer to him. The look on his face seemed to be slightly impressed by my emerging authoritativeness.
"I suppose I do." Taro drew a finger across my jawline before stopping at my chin.
"Friends?" I offered, jerking away from his hot touch.
"More like partners in crime," We met eyes, and for a mere flashing second, I found his Elvishness just barely beautiful.