“Ras Talion Veredica, Your Highness.”
“Well, Ras, please call me Tishna,” said the princess with a giggle. “You know, you look an awful lot like this man I banished from the country rather recently, how strange. I could scarcely believe he would have the nerve to show his face after only ten days.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t the faintest idea whom that might be,” said Ras. “I make no enemies, except among the wicked.”
“Is that right?” said Tishna, unruffled. “Then I suppose I must be mistaken.”
Though their conversation appeared innocent enough on the surface, a fierce battle was brewing within. Princess Tishna demanded to know why Ras had come back, to which Ras stayed silent. The guards and maids in the room, who knew nothing, could hardly tell why the atmosphere was so tense. Still, they were able to maintain their composure despite Tishna’s strange questions, which could only mean that they were used to the princess’s eccentricities.
“Your Highness, the transportation is ready.”
“Very good. Then let me accompany you to my villa, Prince Auriol.”
“Thank you, Princess Tishna.”
Princess Tishna led Ras and Fiarca to the royal palace’s carriage porch. Just like in the empire, the vehicle of choice for urban areas was the goose-drawn carriage, pulled by mountable birds. The large and expensive aura cores used in camion trucks made them unsuitable for use inside the city.
As was to be expected of Barlama, the carriage was unusually grand, and the birds particularly magnificent specimens. After admiring the intricate ornamentation decorating its surface, Ras and Fiarca entered the carriage alongside Princess Tishna.
Inside, the three were completely alone. It was the perfect chance to speak without being overheard. As soon as the carriage began moving, Fiarca asked Princess Tishna a question.
“Why did you pretend that it was your decision to move our arrival forward?”
In all likelihood, Tishna knew the real reason Fiarca had come to the kingdom early. It was supposed to put a wrench in Tishna’s plans, but strangely, the princess had taken pains to accommodate it.
She shrugged and gave her answer. “I feel a little sorry for you, you know.”
“Sorry?” replied Fiarca, blank-faced.
“The reason you hurried to see me was to protect me from assassination, isn’t that right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m sorry to cause you a wasted trip, but I’ve already captured the assassin myself.”
“Wh-what?!”
Ras couldn’t help but show his surprise. Even Fiarca furrowed her brow in suspicion. Seeing their reactions, the edges of Tishna’s smile crept up.
“We were fortunate enough to receive a tip-off from the traders who helped smuggle him into the kingdom,” Tishna explained. “He’s an imperial, and quite a notorious one at that. I believe they call him the Black Owl.”
“His allies sold him out?”
Ras could scarcely believe what he was hearing. For such a grand plot to be unraveled by a simple blunder was beyond disappointing. Still, infiltrating a foreign country outside the usual scope of operations was a daunting task. Even professionals slipped up from time to time.
“Did you find out who ordered the assassination?” Ras asked.
“Not even the assassin himself knew that information,” Tishna replied. “However, his orders came from a crime ring called Eterusia, who operate out of the empire’s northern lands. Would you happen to know that name?”
“I don’t believe I do,” replied Ras, shaking his head.
The name Tishna mentioned was the same one that had appeared in the Silver Fangs’ report. That meant it was highly likely Princess Tishna was telling the truth. Furthermore, the fact that they operated out of the north of the empire was new information that even the Silver Fangs had not uncovered. But Ras could not risk letting Princess Tishna realize this.
“Your prudence is wise.” Tishna giggled, as though seeing to the heart of Ras’s internal struggle. “I’m afraid this is being treated as high treason, and as such we cannot extradite the criminal. However, we can arrange for you to visit him in jail, should you wish. We have so far managed to extract confessions to the killings of several high-ranking members of the imperial nobility.”
“That would be very kind of you,” said Fiarca, bowing her head. She was wise enough to show deference when it worked to her benefit. An awkward smile appeared on Tishna’s lips, as though she had expected the crown prince to refuse on principle.
“Very well,” she said. “I do hope you understand now the reason I stood up on your behalf.”
“We do,” answered Fiarca. “And your consideration is very much appreciated. However, I would not go as far as to call our journey a wasted trip.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Because there is always the chance that this crime ring employed a second assassin, is there not?”
Fiarca turned to look at Tishna head-on, and the royal princess averted her gaze. It was clear that she didn’t have the means to refute this possibility.
“I don’t suppose I can convince you that this is none of your concern?” she asked, puffing up her cheeks in a pout.
“Your safety is our utmost concern, Princess Tishna,” Fiarca replied with confidence.
Tishna glared at her for a moment, then a thought appeared to occur to her, and she turned to Ras. “In that case, you shall be my protector, Sir Talion,” she said, suddenly clinging to his arm.
“Me?” asked Ras, as a bad feeling slowly came over him. Meanwhile, Tishna crossed the carriage and seated herself next to Ras, pulling his arm into her surprisingly ample chest.
“Why, yes,” she said. “That way, until the Shrumland Alliance summit is over, I shall remain under the protection of the empire’s finest knight. Is that a problem?”
“Of course it is,” Ras shot back. “An unwed princess shouldn’t be seen in the company of a man, least of all a foreign mercenary.”
“Such appearances matter little to me. And rest assured that none of my people would dare come between us. Or could it be that my partnership with Ras weighs uneasily on your mind, Prince Auriol?” Tishna turned to Fiarca and spoke in a strangely suggestive manner. As the “crown prince” struggled to respond, Tishna adopted a victorious smile.
Ras’s true mission was to seduce the princess of Charlgia. When viewed from that perspective, Tishna’s suggestion was heaven-sent. But the royal princess should have had no reason to know that motive.
“We shall take you up on that, Princess Tishna Lumedienne Charlgiana,” said Fiarca in a quiet, emotionless voice. For some reason, her eyes were filled with anger as she turned them on Ras.
“Then it’s settled,” said Tishna, pulling herself toward Ras once again. “I look forward to your company tonight, Sir Talion.”
Though Fiarca’s eyes were crinkled as if she was smiling behind her mask, Ras could tell she was displeased. And so, he was forced to endure the most uncomfortable carriage ride of his life.