The room fell into a heavy silence once more, the kind that settled deep into the walls and refused to leave. Tess reached for the parchment, her expression unreadable as she began to write. Her strokes were precise, methodical—no wasted words, no unnecessary flair.
She wasn't writing to entertain.
She was reporting.
Harry and Max exchanged glances, both curious but wise enough to keep their mouths shut. The scratch of Tess's pen against the parchment echoed in the still room, each line drawn like a soldier marching in perfect formation.
When she finally slid the parchment back toward the center of the table, Harry was the first to grab it. His grin from earlier had faded into something more serious, though the glint in his eyes remained.
Max leaned in beside him, both reading in silence.
_____
1. Addition to Previous Points:
Harry, your observation about their excessive curiosity regarding our world aligns with something I've noticed too. Their questions aren't just random or casual—they're probing, especially about our societal structures, governance, and military organization. They frame it as wanting to "advise" us based on the differences between our worlds, but make no mistake: giving away military strategies or knowledge is the fastest way to either die or become a pawn. This isn't just about being polite or cautious—it's about survival.
Harry's eyebrows shot up as he read the last sentence.
A low "Oh," escaped his lips, his grin returning but with a sharper edge this time. He glanced sideways at Tess, who was calmly observing them, her face unreadable.
'Military background, huh?' Harry thought to himself. 'No wonder she's always so composed… probably works in defense or intelligence. Makes sense now.'
Max, still reading, noticed Harry's reaction but stayed silent, his curiosity piqued.
____
2. Observation of Local Behavior:
I've noticed something off about the guards. Every thirty minutes, a group of soldiers ascends the walls, likely for routine shifts or to maintain a watch. But here's the problem: if this is their standard procedure, why didn't they rescue us sooner that day? We were within their sight long before we reached the walls. And even after we arrived, they still hesitated.
If they only started this routine after our arrival, that raises more questions—how were they guarding their fortress before? Either way, something doesn't add up.
_____
Harry's grin faded as his brows furrowed, his mind racing. Max leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he processed the implications.
'She's right,' Harry thought, tapping his finger against the parchment. 'But how the hell did she figure this out? We're nowhere near the walls anymore.'
'Can she use stealth or something?'
The question nagged at him, but he kept it to himself, his curiosity simmering beneath the surface.
______
3. Hypothesis Based on Observations:
Assuming the locals are as powerful as we suspect—capable of wiping us out without breaking a sweat—yet they haven't made a move beyond offering assistance, there are two possibilities. They are genuinely friendly. Or, they need something from us. We have something they want.
Keep this in mind moving forward.
"Right."
Both Harry and Max nodded silently. It was logical, but still an assumption. The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, unspoken but deeply felt.
_____
Final Note (About Harry):
Harry, strange and negative rumors about you have been circulating since this morning, not just among the locals but even within our own people. What exactly happened? Did you do something specific?
More importantly, I might have discovered why you're likely being treated this way. It seems you may have unintentionally upset someone important—specifically, the lord's daughter. From what I've gathered, you might've made their princess sad.
"!"
Harry's eyes widened as he read the final line. The parchment trembled slightly in his hands as realization dawned.
"I see…" he murmured under his breath.
The memory of that interaction flashed in his mind. "Our princess," Maya had said with that angry expression.
'So, Leah is the lord's daughter, huh?' Harry leaned back, exhaling deeply, his smile returning, though it was tinged with something darker now. 'Well, that's just great.'
Max and Tess watched him, waiting for a reaction and an answer, but Harry just chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head.
"Guess I really know how to make an impression."
Tess let out a soft chuckle, her usual serious demeanor cracking for just a moment.
"Yes, you do," she said dryly, "but probably in the wrong way."
Max nodded in agreement, his expression deadpan. "Yeah, definitely."
Harry laughed, running a hand through his hair trying to look cool. "What can I say? It's a gift."
Tess smiled faintly and leaned back. "Do you need any help?"
Harry waved her off with a grin.
"Thanks, but I can solve it on my own. Worst case, I'll just charm my way out of it. You know, flash a smile, maybe a wink."
Tess rolled her eyes but stood up, gathering her things. "I'll take my leave then. We'll meet again tomorrow. Don't forget to note the next objective today."
"Got it," Harry and Max echoed.
"Good night," Tess said, her voice softening as she left the room.
"Night," they replied in unison.
As the door clicked shut behind her, Harry sighed and put the table back to its place, the room returning to its quiet, lived-in state. He flopped down onto his bed, staring at the ceiling.
A few moments passed before Max spoke up, his voice hesitant.
"Ah, right… that girl asked a lot of questions about you today."Harry turned his head, a sly smile creeping onto his face.
"Oh, she did? What kind of questions?"
Max scratched his head, trying to remember. "Umm… she asked if you had a lover or fiancée? What's a fiancée anyway? And, uh… what kind of person you were, if you liked someone, how many friends you had, and so on."
Harry chuckled, eyes twinkling. "And what did you say?"Max sighed, looking slightly guilty.
"Well, I said the truth—I don't really know."Harry burst out laughing. "Haha, good job. She must've asked if you were my friend too, right?"
Max hesitated, then muttered, "...Yeah, she did. At the end."Harry's laughter echoed through the room, light and carefree.
"Haha, good job, Max. You're a natural."
"Anyway, do you want to learn about what fiance and marriage is? But be warned, ot is really a scary topic."
"...Well, it's better than not knowing it." Max replied after a pause.
"Alright, you asked it yourself." Harry chuckled as if preparing to tell a scary story.
"Listen closely..."