[Mizuki, this man's stupidity is truly baffling. Are you sure that we really desire his advice for your plans?] (Nina)
That's...a fair question, but the nobles are a package deal. So, while I'm not particularly fond of Jorah, nor do I respect his intelligence, I want the nobles as a whole to be supportive of our actions against the Empire. That goes for everything else in the future as well.
[I understand your feelings, Nina. Just do me a favor and play semi-nice.] (Mizuki)
I sense resignation and exhaustion from Nina, and she looks like she's preparing to respond to Jorah. However, someone steps forward from the escort behind him. I didn't notice the guy before, but...damn...he is model-level good-looking. He's taller than me, lean but well-muscled, and his hand is resting naturally on the hilt of his sword. He's got a chiseled jaw, golden blonde hair, and a relaxed expression.
Actually, it's kind of unnerving how pretty-boy attractive this guy is, especially for a guard. Like, no judgement, but does Jorah have him around for...other purposes? Too bad for the guard that there's no title IX policies in this world to protect him from sexual harassment by his boss.
Mr. Handsomest Guard leans over towards Jorah, preparing to speak to him quietly.
"Father, perhaps it is improper to jump to conclusions. Besides, we should delay further discussions until our Queen is present. Don't you agree?" (Jorah's son!?)
Did he say 'Father'!? This is Jorah's son!? I have...so many questions. If Jorah's son is this attractive, and seemingly much more intelligent than Jorah...well, what's Jorah's wife like? More importantly, why is she with Jorah?
"Oh, yes, yes. You're quite right, Zakariah. Fufufu...what a refined young man I've raised!" (Jorah)
Oh boy...proud papa alert here. To his credit, Zakariah doesn't look annoyed, he just nods politely and returns to his position. As he does, he locks eyes with me, and his gaze lingers as he studies my face intently. Surprisingly, I don't see the characteristic scowl of Jorah when our eyes meet. Instead, I see mostly suspicion, with a hint of curiosity. Strange...I thought hating me was encoded in the Abel DNA.
Meanwhile, Darak has just been watching the events unfold with an amused smile, and he keeps glancing between me and Cara periodically. Knowing him, that's probably bad news for us. I glance behind him to his escorts, and I see Vena Zardo, the daughter that tried to handle me behind his back last time. When she catches my gaze, I see her purse her lips in disapproval. I just smile back in return, and she clenches her jaw and looks away. I guess she's not a fan?
Doing my best not to laugh at Vena, I turn my attention to the other escort next to her. As my eyes start to study the young woman, I freeze – I recognize her. That's one of the girls that we rescued from Cedonia's slave trade. In fact, I think she's the one that spoke up and thanked me toward the end of our journey.
So...this is the Zardo daughter I've been hearing about. What reason could she possibly have for being here? Also, what was her name again? I don't think I ever knew it, actually. Is she here to advise Darak about my abilities, and/or to fact-check me? Did she already tell him what she knows about me?
The girl seems to notice my gaze on her, and she turns to me in surprise. After a moment wearing a blank expression, recognition dawns on her face. She gives me a genuine smile and a polite nod. That's actually pretty friendly of her....maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions.
I smile back at her.
[Hey! I wasn't expecting to see you again, at least so soon, but I'm glad that you seem well. Oh, also, I can't read your mind. I can only speak to you like this.] (Mizuki)
The girl's eyes widen in surprise briefly, then she smiles at me once again and gives a subtle nod. I guess that means that she is doing well. I actually am glad to hear that. That said...I do want to know something, since she's here. I feel bad for asking, though.
[If you don't mind, could you tell me...have you told your father the truth about me? My abilities and everything else? I meant what I said last time – you don't owe me anything. So, you don't have to answer, and I won't be upset if you told Darak everything. I just want to know where I stand. Perhaps scratch your ear for 'yes', your cheek for 'no', or your nose if you'd rather not answer me. I'll respect your wishes, I promise." (Mizuki)
To my surprise, the girl rolls her eyes and gives me a wry smile. Then, she scratches her cheek...emphatically? Sarcastically? It's hard to properly categorize. Still, the message is clear – 'of course I didn't tell him, I'm offended you even asked'.
The surprise is clearly written on my face. I know she probably feels some gratitude, but...seriously!? She didn't even squeak to her own father!? If her father was an asshole, maybe I'd be less surprised, but Darak is cool. She really took her vow of silence that seriously?
[Fufufu...sorry, I didn't mean to imply anything offensive! I just couldn't help but wonder. He is your father, after all, and he seems like a very nice man on top of that. Anyway, I appreciate your discretion. I'll try to think of a way to repay you for it.] (Mizuki)
The girl gives me a puzzled expression, but the door to the conference room opens suddenly, interrupting everyone's trains of thought. Alara and Zara walk into the room and promptly take their positions, then Elira, Dargo, and Ilina walk in behind them and do the same. As the Queen enters, everyone who's sitting rises, and we all give bows. Nina is the exception, of course.
Elira takes a seat at the head of the table, and a number of people start throwing verbal greetings her way. However, she cuts them all off with a dismissive gesture.
"I'm glad you all have your manners sharpened, but the formal bows were enough for me. We have quite a lot to discuss today, and it's all rather important, so we should get started. Is there anything urgent that needs to be brought up before that?" (Elira)
Elira looks around the room discerningly. Nobody seems like they're going to say anything, but then Jorah gives a huge smile toward Ilina.
"Ah, before we begin, I just wanted to say that I have my son Zakariah here with me today. He's about your age, Princess Ilina, so I figured the two of you would enjoy getting to know one another better at some point." (Jorah)
Uhm....is he suggesting....oh shiiit...that's right! Ilina mentioned that Jorah was trying to set her up with his son. You know...some people, me being one, might say that Jorah has no redeeming qualities. But those people would be wrong. I can see now, Jorah is a man that epitomizes boldness. There's nothing that leaves quite as...unique...an impression as trying to hook up your son with your boss's daughter.
That said, I'd have laughed a lot less when Ilina told me that if I'd known what Jorah's son is actually like. This is a case of 'the apple fell on an entirely different planet from the tree'. Ilina gives Jorah, who is gesturing at Zakariah, an incredulous look. She looks toward Zakariah, seemingly for the first time, and her eyes widen in surprise a bit. There's no way I'm missing this opportunity.
[I knowww, right? I can guess what you're thinking, too, Ilina. Whatever the hell Jorah did to land this walking artwork's mother as a wife should be meticulously recorded in elven history books. I mean, if you want to call off our engagement and give it a shot, it's not too late. I have it on good authority that you've got an 'in' through the boy's father!] (Mizuki)
I see Ilina purse her lips in disapproval, and I know instinctively that I'm in trouble later. In this very moment, though...I am only deeply entertained. I glance at Elira, expecting her to call Jorah a dumbass or something, but she's just glancing between me and Zakky boy in anticipation. It's like she's engrossed in a guilty pleasure reality show. Alara and Cara are giving me curious looks as well.
Zakariah quickly steps forward and lowers his head toward Ilina briefly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you officially, Princess, and you look even lovelier than I've heard. If your personality and wit are your beauty's equal as I suspect, then I'm sure I'd enjoy getting to know you as my father suggested. However, Father, I think this is not what our Queen would classify as 'urgent'. So, perhaps you could avoid such topics for now?" (Zakariah)
Damn...dude has some serious game. Although, I'm probably not the best judge. Ilina quickly rearranges her expression into a polite smile, and she gives a short response.
"How kind of you, Sir Zakariah. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." (Ilina)
I see Helena smirk at the exchange, and she's quick to interject.
"My, Jorah, your son is so impressive. Perhaps you should let him take your place in these meetings from now on. For the experience, of course. We wouldn't mind." (Helena)
Helena's tone has a faint trace of sarcasm to it. It should be clear to anyone with a brain that she's deriding Jorah through praise for his son, but Jorah seems unsure.
"Err, thank you, Helena. I'll consider it later, perhaps. Zakariah is still quite young, talented though he is." (Jorah)
Elira sighs deeply, probably disappointed that her fun has ended and her work begun. She waves her hands at everyone around the table, gesturing for them to quiet down.
"Okay, I will assume there are no other truly urgent matters then. First, we are to discuss the developments in Alara's territory. Now, let me clarify that nothing significant has occurred there without my approval. However, I assume that by now everyone here is at least aware of the magic item called a 'train' that Lady Nedonera created, and I understand that it is discussion-worthy. So, if you have any concerns or requests, express them right now. I abhor discord between my nobles, so I demand that they be resolved in this meeting, with my mediation." (Elira)
Elira looks around the room expectantly, and the nobles seem to be eyeing one another cautiously. It's obviously a game of 'who's going to go first'. Naturally, I'm expecting Jorah to rise to the challenge, but even I can be surprised. Darak smiles and bows his head respectfully.
"My Queen, the Zardo house has no concerns, nor any requests that need royal mediation. Of course, Great Dragon and Lady Alara, we are very interested in official trade agreements. I think Eden would find them mutually beneficial. Regardless, we will surely remain good friends to the Zuki house and the heroes of the demon crisis." (Darak)
Darak sits down in his seat with an inexplicably smug expression, and everyone's gazes snap to him in surprise. Even his reasonable daughter looks shocked, and Tessa quickly clarifies the reason. Her voice is terse, with hints of agitation, but it's also clear she's slightly anxious about something.
"Darak....that's quite the change in your tune. This morning, I distinctly recall you lecturing the rest of us about how the developments in Eden bring an 'unprecedented disturbance' to the 'economic balance' of our country. You emphasized the importance of a 'unified, empathetic, and peaceful nobility' when voicing our concerns today. What changed?" (Tessa)
Oh? If I have any measure of Darak as a person, that means he learned something since their talk. Something that drastically shifted his views on the best approach. In all likelihood, it's something inconvenient for me. If his daughter hadn't just convincingly reassured me otherwise, I'd think he found out about my abilities.
"Well, now it seems there's nothing to protest, since our Queen approved everything in accordance with our laws. Naturally, it's concerning if there are unfair economic advantages for Lady Alara's territory, from the train for example. However, that item was a generous gift from Lady Nedonera, not royal favoritism. We can make heartfelt requests for Lady Nedonera to broaden that generosity to our territories, but she is not beholden to our demands." (Darak)
Wow, Darak....a bit heavy-handed man. He's also very clearly trying to preemptively address the other nobles' possible complaints in a way that mirrors what we'd likely argue in defense. In other words, he's trying to make it seem like he's on our side through circumstantially shared principles, not some implied quid pro quo. I wonder if he'd be good at chess....I should bring him a board when Percivil finishes with them.
I sense satisfaction from Nina at the ingratiating response, but Helena snorts at Darak's reply.
"Sounds like a lot of flowery nonsense, Darak. You obviously learned something important recently, but I know better than to expect you'll tell us. So, I'll just come right out with it and save us all some time. Great Dragon, are you willing to teach us how these trains are made, or build them for nobles other than Alara? I'm sure we're interested in other strange things I've heard about in Eden, but the train is the most important." (Helena)