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“How’s it going, beautiful?” You said with a goofy grin and a wave, “I see the girls are doing fantastic as usual, eh?”
Queen Edelina blinked at you, wide eyed and completely confused, utterly unused to being addressed with…any of that. Finally, after a solid ten seconds of staring strangely with those glittering, luminescent gold eyes while murmurs came softly from behind her, she finally sputtered out, “Er. What? Whom? Who do you mean?”
She really didn’t know, or was she just good at playing pretend? “Don’t worry about it. Here.” You proffered a fist. “Knuckle up.”
Edelina stared at your hand, then at you, before grabbing your hand and shaking it awkwardly. “In any case. I appreciate it, but there is no need to flatter me, Herr Lieutenant Colonel.”
“I was just returning your own flattery, Edelina.” You put on a slightly more serious set of manners. “So. Good to see you again, but I take it that there was a reason you wanted me here. Besides just to be in my good company. Why would I turn down an invitation from the Queen of Halmeggia?”
Edelina looked relieved, yet still apprehensive. “I did want to meet with you, but I thought to at least reward you for obliging me, whether you knew so or not.”
It hardly needed to be said that Edelina had plenty to bait any proverbial hook with, even if she didn’t acknowledge it.
“Come,” Edelina nodded to her guards, and they kept a new distance. “We’ve a matter that should be discussed in private.” When you raised an eyebrow, she added hastily, “It is very serious, Herr Lieutenant Colonel. I do not mean to offend, but I did not invite you here solely as an honor to you.”
“I’m hardly offended.” How could you be? Though what would she ask for? She spoke as you both went to a back hallway, eyes all upon you as you departed with such an important figure.
“You must be aware of recent developments, I assume,” Edelina said, not waiting to be alone for her initial words. “In the west. My new role, as well as what is happening near my charges.”
“I’ll admit, I only learned of your coronation too late to send any congratulation. Though I figure you didn’t need that from little old me.”
“You and your men did save my life, Herr Roth-Vogel,” Edelina said gently with a turn of her head, “As well as that of my brother. That elevates you and yours beyond societal considerations.” There was a twinge of guilt in her voice for another thing left unsaid. “Alexander still searches the mountains, persistent in his search for…other means of ascent. Which brings me to why I have asked for you in private.” She turned around and put her back to the wall, none others nearby. “The Grimoire of Relqa. You have it still?”
