Finally the dreaded peace conference week was here. As I sat by the breakfast table nibbling on a cookie Havard came with atleast ten ties, five hanging from each of his arm to have me choose from them.
I looked at the ties and back at his face and then said, "Why are you making me choose what I am gonna wear. You choose for me anyways."
Havard's usual smile flickered. After my breakdown over Hira's stupid ring a few nights back everyone seemed to walking on egg shells around me. There had been some changes of attitude around me. Nowadays there are more sweet stuffs like chocolates and fruits in my diet. The attendees have started decorating my room with fresh new flower vines everyday. And now Havard was making me choose ties.
However I couldn't really dump cold water on all of Havard's efforts. "The red one," I said, ", it'll go well with my black shirt." It immensely pleased Havard, "Call for me when you want to get dressed."
I looked at the digital clock on my wall. I still had few hours before I needed to make my way to the Royale Court. There was a thick pile of paper on my table, left unattached. The Empress had sent it. She wished me to act according to whatever was written in those papers. Had it been last year I'd have religiously studied like a college kid before his semester exam to earn my dearest mother - in - law's approval whether I liked her or not. But I found myself growing quite daring these days. As if I had ceased to care about the world.
"Your mother called you," Havard informed me, "She hopes you to visit her once in a while."
My mother was also living in Prima. She wasn't exactly in the Lazar Castle but quite near from here. We used to be so close when we lived in Surya. Now whenever I'd visit she'd ask more about whether she could expect grandchildren in oncoming years. So I had decreased the time I spend with her. My mother means well. She thinks if Hira and I have a child together, that would somewhat secure my position within the castle walls. Personally I didn't want to bring any child who would be treated as an illegitimate blood of the Lazar Royale Family. Prima was a harsh place to grow something delicate and sensitive like a child.
"Tell her I'll make some time," I sighed, "If not, I'll remember to call her."
Havard paused a bit and then said, "There's also news from the North." He didn't elaborate. But I didn't want to get all excited like a kid at any news of Hira.
"Send words in the North that I'll do my best here," I said to him and placed the half eaten cookie back on the plate that was lying on the table, "I'll go get my shower."
"Mr. Bale?"
"What?"
I turned around to see Havard looking at me with wide eyes. It was the first time I hadn't looked delighted about any news from North. That must have taken him by surprise.
"What?" I asked again, sounding unintentionally rude.
"Nothing, Sir," He shook his head.
I stood under the showerhead contemplating my life. There was a mirror inside my bathroom. I wiped fog off it and looked at my face. I looked awful. I tried to smile at my reflection. It looked horrible.
World class designers and fashionists were crowding my living room when I walked in there wearing nothing but a towel. I had grown habituated of being nude infront of strangers for some time now. I let them do their work. I was but a living doll in their hands.
At some point they made me stand infront of a tall mirror and pleaded me to review their work. The man standing in billion ruble dress, ears and fingers adorned by rare pears and diamonds, a brooch that probably could be used to buy a small country didn't look very familiar. I wasn't sure if I could pretend to be him for this week. I dismissed everyone and brought out the velvet box. I used one of the spare chains and made a locket out of Hira's ring. I wore it around my neck and hid it under my shirt. Just in case I needed the Royale Seal.
When I was leaving my quarters, I ran into Rita. She wore a gorgeous golden gown that complemented her rich chocolate skin, her black hair adorned with gold and ruby. Feathers were drawn around her eyes. She wore crystal bangles made of some metal I'd never seen before. I could already imagine Marcus drooling over her.
"Bale!" She greeted me awkwardly, Ritaishi probably was blaming herself for my breakdown few days ago. I had assured her times and ago that it wasn't her fault, that I wasn't most sane man to begin with, but she had this tendency of blaming herself for every micro event around her. As if the world was her responsibility.
"Your Majesty," I bowed at her, "I had seen days when you'd looked better." She visibly relaxed at my joke. "Atleast I'm not the one looking like a deer caught in headlight, that brooch can't get more ugly." "Where is Saya?" I asked just to make small conversation with her as we made our way to the Royale Court. "You're fond of her?" She asked back. "I was thinking if that offer of yours is still open," I said before I could lose my courage.
"Which one?"
"That you can get me a.. clone or whatever they are," I said. We walked into a large hallway crowded with reporters and soldiers. I could see a few other nobles of both nations also roaming here and there.
Ritaishi wrapped her hand around my arm and whispered in my ear, "You can have one by this evening." It surprised me quite a bit. How far and deep was this woman's reach? "And what'll be the price?" I whispered back.
"When you go to North," Ritaishi said carefully, "Send Clara back to Prima." I almost said to her that no, I was not headed at the Northern Bunkers where Hira and Clara were supposed to be. But I caught myself from spilling the beans. I scratched the back of my neck uneasily, "Sure, why not."
Rita observed me with her dark eyes, "You need those white washing injections if you wanna be disguised properly." I looked at her, "How come you know I'm not going there officially?"
"It'd take you months before you can make those scum in laws of yours give you permission to travel North. Isn't that why you're looking for a Shadow?"
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"Brother Sayak! Sister Rita!"
We turned our heads together to see a goofy ass grin and a lanky figure springing at our direction like a toddler. "Harriette you little bastard!" I greeted the second prince of Hargreaves with a hug.
"Sup my favourite half legal immigrant," He greeted back. This boy hadn't lost his bite !
"Who invited you here?" Rita wrinkled her nose at him playfully, "These adult places aren't for kids like you!"
"Hira did," He said dropping another bomb on us, "About a week ago I received her message. She practically begged me to join the Peace Conference." He informed proudly.
Rita and I said in union, "Hira doesn't beg."
He realised we were doubting his story. He frowned, "I'm not kidding! She even said she'd buy me three thousand ice shavers if I join the conference."
"The heck is that sort of deal?" I asked. Harriette rolled his eyes, "it's an inside joke we made when she visited Hargreaves a few months ago. She kept hinting Hargreaves needs more ice cream stalls. I almost wished you were there as the official delegate instead of her."
I noticed how he didn't say I wished you both were there together. Harriette, no matter how much childish, seemed to carefully trade my relationship with Hira. I don't know who updated him what was happening between us, Rita or Clara or Havard but he seemed to already have the tea. There's nothing as private things in this friend group. So sometimes I felt like I was in some open relationship instead of a bilateral one.
"May the best looking people in this assembly give us the headline for our news?"
It was Tanya Trevor. She held a camera in her hand smiling warmly. She wore a Ruby Red dress and looked more like a guest than a reporter. "Mr. Bale?" She extended her free hand, "The amount of time we keep running into eachother might make someone thinks we are fated."
Her flirt wasn't even subtle this time. She did it purposefully infront of my close friends. I looked at her extended hand thinking what should be my course of action. A part of me wanted to be openly hostile to her. Have her kicked out of the banquet hall in a second. But overreaction can only draw unwanted attention.
"More like misfortune," I said carefully, "I told you before that it's fruitless to coax me for your Fiance's Career." I could see Harriette glancing at me from the corner of my eyes. "I am Ritaishi Gupta," Rita grabbed Trevor's extended hand in my stead. Trevor bowed touching her hand to her forehead, "Your Majesty, you've been my role model for a long time!"
"Yet you greet Bale before me," Ritaishi said keeping her smile same.
"I was hoping Mr. Bale would introduce me to Your Majesty," Trevor, as fluent in buttering people as ever. Finally she bowed at Harriette, "My Prince, you shine the brightest tonight."
I could almost feel the silent screams of questions coming from both of my friends. "So, how are we feeling tonight?" Trevor kicked into reporter mode, "Will the Bahans and Suryans be able to sleep peacefully by the end of this week?"
"You tell me," Rita laughed, "It all depends on how the Lazar Family is willing to compensate us for the dreadful experiences."
I let her talk, keeping Trevor busy. Other reporters and guests started coming and crowding the place to listen to Rita's statements. I stepped outside the circle swiftly. Nobody noticed. Except Havard.
"Mr. Bale," He appeared by my side surprisingly quickly and looked at me as if he knew I needed help. "Trevor, keep a tab on her," I whispered to him and then handed him a small pouch I had prepared a few days ago, "Send it to Clara, she'll understand." I said, "Also let her know Rita misses her."
"Miss Bones doesn't entertain any message from Her Majesty Ritaishi Gupta," Havard said sadly.
"I know," I nodded, "That's why I told you to send the message under my name. Atleast she'll give an ear if she sees I'm the sender."
"The pouch," Havard hasitated, "Does it contain the ring?"
I opened my mouth but before I could answer Harriette came running and then he hid behind me. Suddenly I was surrounded by reporters from all sides. Harriette used me some sort of shield against flashing cameras and poking mics.
"Why is the Second Prince of Hargreaves here?"
"Isn't this matter strictly private between Bahamut and Surya?"
"Is Bahamut hoping Hargreaves to operate as a neutral arbitrator?"
"You'll know very soon!" I said shouting over the reporters, "Let the meeting be over."
I grabbed Harriette and started pulling him away fighting against the waves of Reporters.
"Mr. Bale, what is your stand in this fued as someone who has considered both nations as your home country at some point of your life?"
"Very soon! The statements will be out very soon!" I kept repeating.
"Mr. Bale, don't you sometimes feel like a traitor?"
I paused and looked at the reporters. Everyone still busy to take my picture and record my voice.
"Who said that?" I asked.
"Mr. Bale, do you think Bahamut will be able to-"
"NO, who asked the question before you?" I asked the reporter. He looked around at other reporters, "W-what question, Mr. Bale?"
"Havard!" I called.
I didn't know what my face showed but the reporters parted letting Havard to reach me. "Roll the CCTV and find if someone has asked unusual questions to any guest here, including myself." He nodded.
"What was the question, Mr. Bale?"
"Mr. Bale, are you displeased?"
I realised I must be scaring Harriette. But when I looked at his face, he had a determined look on his face, "I heard that as well," he said simply, "Havard, just sue all of them."
"On what ground?" one of the reporters asked.
"On the ground of insulting me," said Prince Harriette, "I'll ask my brother King to see through all of you are properly punished ."
"It's okay," I grabbed his arm, "You don't have to go that far."
"Bale stop," Harriette said, "Don't you realise they're all pretending right now? ALL of 'em?"
I looked at the reporters. All looked surprised and somewhat annoyed. As if they had been wronged. But there was something fake about their expressions.
"Let's go, My Prince" I wrapped my one arm around his neck and started leading him away.
"Mr. Bale, how does it feel to have powerful friends?"
Before answering I grabbed Harriette. I knew he was more hot headed than I was. "I'll show you how it feels!" He grabbed the a soldier standing near and demanded, "Bring me a sword."
The soldier helplessly looked at my direction.
"Don't look at him, look at me," he commanded.
"Harriette!" I barked, "Enough!"
When he turned at me, his eyes were already red, "What?" He snapped back.
"W-we, I have" I thumbed ambiguously behind me, "Uh Havard?"
"An excellent section of pastry," Havard said swiftly, "Allow me to show you the way."
"Also a fine collection of wine to cleanse your palette ?"
It was the Empress. Immediately everyone around us broke knees kneeling on the ground. So did I. But not Harriette.
"Havard," The Empress said simply, "Must the Sultan come all the way from Hargreaves to take care of these insolents? Seek the Security Head Mr. Barnard and have these reporters educated properly and also ban reporters from entering the castle this week."
No sooner was her orders out of her mouth everyone ran. Miss Agatha Salem, Empress Head Maid also set out to see through each of her words are properly carried with weight.
Empress looked at Harriette and gave her usual creepy smile, "Allow me to entertain you till the meeting, Precious Jewel of Hargreaves."