>>6092221You force yourself to continue, hoping to process that as Alyssa continues to talk, “What about Marie?”
“She has been tasked with interrogating one other Stranger who was captured today by Inquisitor Edgar due to her otherworldly status. I was not allowed any information other than basic rumors. Still, it seems that Stranger was cooperative and told me the location of the meeting place where many Strangers will be gathering tomorrow morning and succeeding in their attack plans during the arson spree.”
“Wait, I know about that from the Stranger I defeated today,” you say, connecting a few dots in your mind. “Is there anything else you can tell me? Please?”
Alyssa offers an apologetic hanging of her head, it is a very robotic gesture, “I am sorry, commander. I was not permitted to know more, only instructed by fa- Lord Beneger to return to your side.”
“And do you know why that is?”
“No,” Finally, she raises her head, “My apologies.”
“It’s,” You swallow, “It’s okay. I forgive you,” You say very wearily, still unsure what made her this way or why she apologizes so much. You don’t expect a smile to appear on the servant’s face. It’s a small thing, barely more than an upturn of the corners of her mouth, but it’s filled with more joy than most you’ve ever seen, so used to the fake emotions of court as you are. It’s almost childlike how pure her emotions seem to be.
“Thank you,” And after a few more moments it’s gone, her face returned to it’s careful neutral.
“Well, I intend to-”
>Join-You’re cut off, “Go back to bed and sleep?” Red asks rhetorically, “Stay in house arrest like a good little girl? Think I should let you know that Father’s back into looking at marriage proposals for you.”
“What!” You shout, scarring a few birds from nearby trees, “But I- The dismissal! My reputation was tarnished! I’m unmarriable!”
“Hey- hey, keep it down,” Red tries to shush you, her silent smugness replaced with frustration, “Look, you’re still a Princess, third in like to the Kingdom? Sure, your propositions might not be as good, but they’re still there. I’m sure he’ll consult you as well, so you shouldn’t need to worry too much-”
“No, unacceptable!” You declare, “I’ve been taken out of courtly life; I have no desire to return as of the present moment.”
“Sorry, kid, but that’s not exactly your call to make. Look, maybe you can convince him to send you to some cushy army position on the frontier if you don’t wanna marry. But in no way is he letting you join back with the Inquisition. Least, not from what I know.”
“I am at your disposal, commander,” Alyssa reassures? You’re not exactly sure what she’s implying. Despite how skilled and talented you might be, you’re not sure even the two of you could take down Red, even if she doesn’t have a Cheat Skill and you can’t see any weapons on her. Though you could always try.
