I raise my eyebrows.
"Never heard of them. Is the Silver Medallion Trading Company a big deal or something?" (Mizuki)
CRACK!
Everyone's heads turn towards the sound of shattering porcelain, and Alto is seen looking down at her broken teacup, her face white as a sheet. Noticing everyone's gazes, she quickly begins cleaning up the mess, her voice soft as she responds.
"S-Sorry..." (Alto)
I furrow my brow, confused by the flustered reaction. Alara's voice draws my attention.
"It's not surprising that you haven't heard about them, most of their business interests are silently owned. Still, chances are that they have a hand in just about any retail business you walk into in the Kingdom...except for those in Eden, currently. I'm honestly surprised it's taken them this long to make a move." (Alara)
So, basically the elves' version of a mega-corporation...I'm sure the CEOs are really down-to-earth people. I'm already regretting my promise to attend this meeting. I glance at Alto, a hopeful expression on my face.
"Hey Alto, want to come with me for this little meeting? The pitiful human and the common champion of the elves should be sufficient consolation, to soften the ego blow of Nina's non-participation." (Mizuki)
Alto stiffens visibly at the question, frozen in silence for a moment. She smiles apologetically, her voice tense.
"I already have our new research to conduct. Furthermore, as busy as you're likely to be over the next several days, Nina and Ilina would benefit from my help in your place...with the request they've made of you." (Alto)
I cock my eyebrow at the response, finding it uncharacteristically evasive. She's never turned down a direct request from me before, and certainly never for such a...dubious reason. After all, following the initial setup, our new experiment with the thomellarays isn't going to require much of her time. Also, while it's true I want to solicit Alto in helping teach Nina and Ilina science-based magic, it's not like a couple hours without our direct supervision is going to undermine their training.
Of course, it's entirely possible she hates the idea of this meeting as much as I do, and is merely trying to avoid subjecting herself to it, but I wouldn't expect her to be so roundabout in declining the request. Something more along the lines of just outright calling it a miserable waste of her time would be more in line with her personality.
Alas, I expect she'd tell me if it was something she wished to discuss, and this is far from the time or place to do so. I shrug at her, slightly deflated.
"Well, if that's how it is, I understand. I would appreciate your help with Nina and Ilina, and as for the business meeting...hopefully I'll be enough support for Alara." (Mizuki)
"Ehem..." (Alyse)
I glance behind Alara, noting Alyse's pointed look.
"I will also be there..." (Alyse)
My eyes widen in surprise. Did she accept Alara's offer to replace Zara?
"Sorry, I just meant among those of us from Nina's supposed party. Also, I've been a little out of the loop...did you accept Alara's job offer?" (Mizuki)
Alara nods, interjecting.
"She did. Also, when you have some time, I need to talk to you about that...privately." (Alara)
I sigh internally...when did I acquire so many responsibilities? I nod at her politely.
"Sure. Can it wait until the morning of this business meeting?" (Mizuki)
She hesitates for a moment, then nods.
"Yes, that's fine. Oh, by the way, Percivil wanted you to meet him in his workshop tonight if you find time." (Alara)
I raise my eyebrows. Now that she mentions it, he did say something along those lines earlier at the palace. I should probably suck it up and go see him tonight...it's very unlike him to ask for my time unless it's important.
"Got it...anything else?" (Mizuki)
She shakes her head and smiles appreciatively.
"No, that's it...thanks. We'll leave you all to...uhm, whatever this was." (Alara)
After some quick pleasantries, the two of them depart, leaving the family room in awkward silence. I catch Ciri staring at me, and it's all too easy to understand why...haven't I spent the past half hour making intentionally cryptic comments to the others, right in front of her?
I glance at Ilina, who is still lying on top of me possessively, glaring my way. Guess I can kill two birds with one stone.
Meeting Ciri's gaze, I smile.
"Ciri...feel free to direct any questions you have to your Mistress. It seems I'm needed elsewhere." (Mizuki)
Ilina sits up suddenly on my chest, her eyes narrowing.
"Wait, where do you think you're running away to?" (Ilina)
Ah, seems she's caught on. Fortunately, I've come prepared for this eventuality. I wink at her playfully, causing her stern expression to falter.
Perfect.
While she's off-guard, I lean forward and press our lips together, kissing her earnestly, and I hear her squeal in surprise against my mouth. After a short moment, just as she starts to melt into it, I break away, smiling at her affectionately.
"Thanks for understanding, Ilina...you're the best." (Mizuki)
Initially, her face is flushed, and she wears a dazed expression, her eyes still partially closed. Then, my words seem to register, and she briefly meets my warm gaze before averting her eyes, a faint blush creeping up her neck. Her tone turns less combative than before.
"Fine...but don't take too long, and I want another public date soon." (Ilina)
I smirk.
"You got it." (Mizuki)
With that, I immediately teleport upstairs, masterfully avoiding another yandere episode.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
Ilina blinks, staring at the now empty spot on the couch where Mizuki resided just a few seconds ago. The sound of Nina's amused chuckling pulls her from her stupor.
"Fufufufu...perhaps your possessiveness is not so difficult for Mizuki to deal with after all." (Nina)
She purses her lips, realization of what just transpired setting in. Still, she casts a reproachful glare at Nina.
"Oh, shut up...you're just jealous he's taking me on another date before you've had one." (Ilina)
Contrary to her expectations, Nina smirks, eyes full of genuine amusement.
"Jealous of you both pretending to be someone else, hiding, like loving one another is something to be ashamed of? Fufufufu...hardly. Unlike you, word has already spread that Mizuki is my husband. When I decide to take him on one of these 'dates', I won't let others dictate our time together." (Nina)
Hearing the comment, she has to stop from grinding her teeth, but...Nina isn't lying, she never does. That's what makes the woman so infuriating in these little exchanges – the smug, knowing way she strikes right at the truth of her insecurities.
Nina's voice disrupts her quiet anger.
"Anyway...I'll take my leave now. See you in bed tonight...fufufufu." (Nina)
With that, Nina promptly rises from the couch to leave. At the room's door, she pauses briefly and casts a quick, knowing glance at Alto, then exits without another word.
"I'll take my leave as well...so you can speak with Ciri." (Alto)
Looking somewhat flustered, Alto quickly follows Nina out of the room, leaving Ilina alone with Ciri. The sound of Ciri chuckling suddenly reaches her ears.
"My, my...Nina's quite harsh to her sister-wife." (Ciri)
She scoffs.
"Tell me about it..." (Ilina)
Ciri smirks.
"You know, Mistress, I would never be so antagonistic if I were-" (Ciri)
She cuts Ciri off with a sharp glare.
"My maid? Because that's what you are..." (Ilina)
Much like Nina, Ciri is unexpectedly nonplussed by the attempted insult. She offers a warm smile, and curtsies playfully in her maid outfit.
"Of course, Mistress. Thank you for convincing Mizuki to Bond with me...you'll find me quite the valuable servant, I promise." (Ciri)
Ilina raises her eyebrows, skepticism clear in her eyes.
"Oh yeah? Lusting after my husband, waiting to take my place – that's the kind of help I can expect?" (Ilina)
Amusement glimmers in Ciri's eyes, and she shakes her head.
"I can teleport you anywhere, sense people's deceptions and emotions, and communicate remotely with Mizuki. We could even visit that human Empire right now and resolve the threat they represent. All you have to do is ask these things of me." (Ciri)
For the first time, and despite the fact that she insisted on Ciri being her maid, she feels genuine shock. Disbelief infiltrates her voice.
"You're not kidding...are you? You really intend to take this servant thing so seriously? Why?" (Ilina)
She may have demanded that Ciri serve her, but...she never intended to push the dragon that far. If she's being honest with herself, after seeing how worried Mizuki was about the Author situation, she'd already decided to acquiesce to his request to Bond with Ciri. The maid thing was just a way to save face...and maybe be a little petty.
Ciri's tilts her head, seemingly surprised by the question.
"Of course I do? Hu-...Mizuki, clearly values you and Nina. I have no delusions about becoming his mate if either of you rejects the idea. Furthermore, it's my opinion that the fastest way to earn his favor is to be useful, supportive, and coexist harmoniously with those he cares for." (Ciri)
She frowns disapprovingly, though she's internally conflicted.
"If that's all there is to this, you're wasting your time. Everything you said is true, but it's also true that I am never...never...sharing Mizuki with a single other woman on this planet. That would include Nina, if possible." (Ilina)
Ciri smiles wryly.
"Duly noted, Mistress." (Ciri)
Her eye twitches in irritation.
"You're acting like you don't believe it's true..." (Ilina)
Ciri shrugs dismissively.
"I believe you mean every word...right now." (Ciri)
She narrows her eyes.
"I mean it forever." (Ilina)
Ciri smirks.
"I'm millions of years older than you...nothing is forever." (Ciri)
She scoffs, looking away in annoyance.
"As long as you keep your hands to yourself, think whatever you want. Wait until you turn to dust for all I care..." (Ilina)
Ciri says nothing, letting silence descend over them, as her lips twist into the faintest of smiles.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
High in the air above Zuki mansion, the Author floats with a troubled expression on his otherworldly face.
"I can't believe that moron almost caught me. I've obviously taken him too lightly. Probing the air gaps like that is something deities would never think to do...too confident in their divine senses' direct detection." (Author)
While he can still hide himself from direct magical detection, and spy on the moron's movements remotely, this development basically ablates his ability to eavesdrop. That's a serious problem.
'Then, there's this godsdamn Cerilia situation...he's completely fucking everything! Getting Bonded, and why the hell is she Ilina's maid!?'
More than anything, Ciri being pulled into that moron's orbit is the biggest hit to his plans. He lets out a deep sigh.
"Well, whatever, I guess. In a certain sense, this could be good for me long-term. Plus, I can probably still spy on the others when they're separated from him." (Author)
With a nonchalant shrug, the Author teleports, vanishing from the city.