"Don't they have a king to balance the power", I question while finishing my bowl-worth of food.
"The Faerie-kind have a matriarchal government system. To avoid power struggles, the Queen's spouses are never crowned, nor disclosed to the public. If they were to content for power, they'd be beheaded. But they do live a very satisfying and peaceful life I hear."
"They? The Queen has more than one spouse?"
"Yes. The father doesn't matter, so long as there are female children to inherit the throne. Why did you suddenly get curious about it?"
"..." I thought they could help us, but they're useless. The more I look back, the more I realize how most male Faeries are frankly either useless or displeasing.
We finish lunch quickly. Obrecht helps me carry the dishes outside to the sink.
"Raguk, do you mind staying over at the Faerie Priestess' place with Tukare?"
The three of us stop and turn back at Laris' request.
Raguk, "I don't mind, but how long? Aren't we going to the Queen's abode?"
"Yes. But I think it's better to inform them after all."
Once Raguk leaves, Laris and I share a brief look. I can guess his thoughts through the undercurrent of his emotions. Most probably, Laris not only wants Tukare to be informed, but the person behind Tukare—the Priestess. If Tukare wants something and the Priestess can provide, Savella would most likely give way given her favoritism towards my sister.
"...Why didn't you send me instead? Wouldn't I have been the best option?"
He smiles. "As expected of my little brother, you catch up quick!" He tries to rub my hair but I duck away. Regardless, he's still smiling softly. "I was going to, but I can't bear to part with my cute little brother after all." He shakes his head, arms crossed
"..." Fine, don't tell me the reason.
Last time, I wasn't able to see the way to the Queen's abode because of Savella. Following after Laris, I witness the dense foliage and vines in the dense part of the woods. They gradually thin out until an wide expanse of shrubs and well-maintained greenery. At the door of the Queen's abode, two guards block our way.
"Hello friends", Laris bows a little, his hand on his chest. "We're here to request her Majesty's presence."
"We were not informed of this", one of them sharply says, glancing at Obrecht and I.
"I apologize for the sudden arrival without notice, unfortunately, we must see her Majesty before we depart", Laris reasons with an amiable smile.
"No appointment, no entry."
"Then, may I trouble one of you to inform her Majesty of our arrival? Or perhaps send someone to inform her? I believe she'll understand", Laris persuades.
"How can we do something so impetuous! A guard must protect her Majesty's most private space against intruders at all times. How can you urge us to leave our duty?!"
"Please don't misunderstand, friends. Sending someone else would suffice, perhaps a servant?"
"How dare you give orders to the Queen's servants! They are not yours to command!"
The guards gesture their arms, and all of a sudden, I see Laris stiffening, his chin tilted in a weird position.
"My friends, there is no need for arms", Laris tries to reason with them, until his face no longer smiles. "Do you people, with your lowly standing, really wish to insult someone like me? Are you not afraid to provoke the people I rule should there be harm done to me and my people?"
I can tell Laris is bluffing, but the guards who don't, stiffen at his implication.
"R—Right now, you are envoys. You cannot use your title here", one of them persists, but the invisible weapons pointed at Laris' throat seems to have eased already.
I frown as Laris continues his persuasion.
We aren't getting anywhere. Did that stupid pair stulti (idiots) secretly order them to block us at the door? Should I decapitate them first and then explain later?
The quieter guard abruptly looks down. A dark slimy matte substance on his foot. He disgustedly tries to shake it away while his fellow was inattentive. He slowly bends down to check it out. Bend a little more and his head would roll over...
"Her Majesty will see you."
Both guards startle. A hand was placed on the shoulder of the guard I was targeting, making him straighten up. I silently watch them interact.
"Head maid", Laris sighs in relief. She waves her fingers at him in response.
"But—"
"Do you dare deny any of her Majesty's commands?" The head maid sternly glared at the guards, until eventually, we are allowed to pass through.
I give the guard a small side glance.
"What?" He apprehensively asks me.
I take away my eyes and walk away, whispering, "...You lucked out."
In the hallway, away from befuddled guards, Laris laughs. I glance at the head maid who turns around with her arms on her waist.
"...You sure can lie."
"Oh, did you figure me out, little in-law~?"
"...You stink like stagnant water. How can I not?" Given Laris' Lycan constitution, I'm sure, he too, had guessed from the very start.
"I thought the Faerie-kind can't lie", Obrecht curiously asks after Savella disperses her masking spell, and returns her appearance into a more familiar one; with one arm and a bunch of heavy necklaces and all.
Savella, "And which part did I lie?"
"But you said that her Majesty will see us", Obrecht counters. "Is that true?"
"Of course it is~ Because I'll make her by telling you how", Savella proudly slaps her chest with her only hand. "And the second sentence was a question. How can you lie when you're asking a question~?" She shakes her finger at us. "It's not my fault they believed my 'prank', right?"
"...How sly."
"Ahehe~ Thanks, in-law~"
"..." It wasn't a compliment.
Laris, "I have to say, you were quite timely, Priestess. What are the chances that you were here?"
Savella, "Wasn't it you who asked for my help?"
"I'm not quite clear on your meaning." Laris acts confused. I can tell that Savella doesn't buy it, most probably hearing his lie, yet she does not say anything against it. "But since I'm thankful of your timely assistance, please don't hesitate to ask anything of me."
"Then, I won't hold back then", Savella smiles.
"As long as I can provide", Laris quickly adds.
"Definitely can provide~ I want Tukare to extend her stay here~ You don't have to worry though; she won't suffer any injustice as long as I'm the residing Priestess of the Fae people."
"...Denied", I interrupt.
"That...is a bit hard to provide", Laris smiles.
"Aye, I'll send her back myself! Just a few days longer!"
"No", I disagree.
"If you're so worried about her, you can have one other person stay behind with her."
"No means no", I repeat. She keeps talking as if she didn't hear me the first, second or third time.
"How about that person you sent to my house? You know, that Raguk person—?"
"Deal", Obrecht says before I can say no.
"Alright~!" Savella rejoices. "Oh we're already here. Just go straight and open that second door, the middle one. The runaway brat stay there from after lunch to afternoon tea while reading. Just make a ruckus so she hears you before the guards drag you away."
With that, Savella runs away, with a teleportation circle finely casted beneath her feet. I stare at Obrecht for a while when she completely disappears.
"..." Obrecht, did you just sell my sister?