The two days before the important meeting ranged between awkward and hellish. The elder had refused to let Iris meet the sultan before she had adequate skills for such an occasion.
And despite the argument, Iris had folded under the elder's pressure and judgmental stares with an icy glare. However, it had been on her terms.
And then the examination and training had started.
Some things came naturally with her new body and its muscle memory, namely - how to walk and talk like a noble-born person.
But others could only be learned in the social circle. The words to use, the appropriate titles, all were important to not offend someone.
When Michael had initially read this arc, it had seemed like a standard power creep in the novel with generic hierarchy and unnecessary complications.
But maybe, just maybe there was more to it than mere titles. The Vizier was too insistent on remembering some things that others after all.
"We did what we could in those 2 days but it doesn't feel enough yet. But it would have to do for now. You'll do fine girl, I just know it" it was difficult to know what the elder thought about this situation right now.
But the time was upon them and they started heading out into the open.
Nicole, once again, led the group of three. Both Iris and the Vizier had taken to hide their looks with a cloak that obstructed their face. But since they were with Nicole, no one stopped them anyway.
"Stay out here for a while. I will go and handle the situation inside first and only come in when I give the signal" the elder had a plan which Iris was not privy of.
But it did not seem harmful for now. Iris could agree with it as long as it got her what she wanted from those people.
"It is rare to see my lady so happy. It's nice to see" Nicole commented as soon as the elder left the scene. She seemed genuinely content before something dark passed through her features.
"Be careful inside there. My lady can only do so much and even then, she is more invested in herself than you. She would abandon you if she felt like you are becoming a burden, rather than a boon" Nicole was not wrong.
Iris had already picked up that vibe from the Vizier so she knew she had to be cautious.
"I am not a fool. I understand my position very clearly. Still, I thank you for trying to look after me" the lady looked startled once again at her words.
And a little uncomfortable as well.
Maybe hearing all this from a stranger was weird for her?
"My lady is calling for you inside now. I shall stay here and guard the exit" Nicole looked a little flush but there seemed to be nothing wrong with her.
'Ah, was she embarrassed?' it occurred to Iris too late. She was halfway in the hall by that point so there was no time to think more about it.
"As I told you - there she is. Impressive, ain't she?" the Vizier looked smug as Iris entered the room.
All eyes turned to her, looking at her and studying her. It made her want to duck her head and hide.
But that was a weakness she could not show. Anything other than confidence would be a crack the others could exploit.
"So young? I would have never believed this to happen but I cannot deny the evidence in front of my eyes as well" the sultan muttered, her jewelry ringing with the movement.
Iris was able to recognize her because of the crown she wore. No one else came close in ornamentation and that crown had been her defining feature before Oreta's downfall.
The crown was a magical artifact that made the sultan appear as a harmless human but she had been from a demi goddess's race.
The race appeared when a goddess left its essence on earth but the powers leaked over time in the surroundings. The surrounding tribes absorbed some of the essences and birthed kids with connection to that goddess.
It had also been hinted that the tribes birthed their babies at that time but it was not disclosed how they did it with everyone being female here.
But then the commission had begun reading everything and acquiring those sources which caused a sudden decline in the demi children's population.
Now only a few of them were left.
"Your words flatter me. I just did what I could. It was fortunate that it worked out" Iris tried to make her voice as neutral as she could but it still came out far too biting.
Did she mess up just now? It felt like it.
"Modest as well. Just as the Vizier explained to us. Now tell us what you are after" the sultan asked, her voice strong.
The Vizier looked as if she had swallowed a sour lemon, her face pulled up in a frown. It was clear that she had already explained the situation to the sultan and other people but they did not pay any attention to her.
"Did I not tell you, woman? We need someone from the 'The court of Isis' to make her a member so that we can start it's working once again. The miss wants to set up a medical office here" the Vizier interfered but was ignored once again.
"I would like to hear her intentions from her mouth" the sultan replied, her eyes boring right into Iris's own. They held so much intensity that they seemed to burn.
"As the elder said - I want to open a medical center and 'The court of Isis' seems like the easiest excuse to make it happen. This place is dying and that is something I do not want to see" Iris looked the sultan right in the eye as she said those words.
She could see the Vizier facepalmed at the side sofa, clearly unhappy with her performance but Iris knew what she had to do.
The sultan would only acknowledge those who could look her right in the eyes.
A chuckle broke the silence and it came from the sultan herself.
"I understand. I will help you out but you must follow under my command for the next few months. How does that sound?" the Vizier looked purple in the face now.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea. I found her first so she's mine. If you want to use her talent then you go through me and I demand a hefty price for her services" the elder grumbled the deal out.
Anyone could see that she had no say in anything but the elder still held on to her seat of power.
"Speaking of price to pay, don't you have a lot of loans accumulated over the years? You are healthy now, so when are you going to pay them back? A month? Excellent" the sultan asked, her tone still teasing.
The Vizier looked too shocked to reply to her words.
Everyone in the court knew that the sultan had won this round of wits.
'Hmmm, I can let your loans go if you agree to let me borrow your second-in-command for the time being. How about it?" the Vizier had no other choice.
While the top three had equal power in the circle, the Vizier had always been called as the one below the sultan and Nicole had been both of their aid in the story. It was clear that things were developing in that direction as well.
"By the way, where is our elusive third member? Did the reckless fool finally die?" the elder asked in a biting tone.
"You know our Ahadi, out there killing monsters. She will be back when she wants to be" and so the court session had concluded for that day.