“Thank you, Climb. Now, since that will take time, would anyone like some red tea?”
♦ ♦ ♦
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), 4th, 9:37
The Blue Roses already knew. Even if Marquis Raeven came, it would be after midday. Great Nobles held meetings with other nobles in the morning. It would be a different story if the King summoned him, but Renner was still powerless.
Obviously, this would be a lower priority for the Marquis. So when Climb returned early, they wondered if he had been turned back at the gate. However, when they saw the two men standing behind Climb, they could not hide their surprise.
One was Marquis Raeven. His appearance could be described nothing less than immaculate. He wore a doublet made from a beast’s, or probably a monster’s, high-quality fur, woven with golden threads. Around the buttons and the sleeves, intricate patterns were sewn in, and from the way it reflected light, there were many pea-sized jewels embedded in there. Clothing of the highest class worn only during important occasions, it truly suited him as one of the six Great Nobles.
The next person was a rather chubby man.
Renner looked at him with surprised expression.
“Older brother.”
“Oi, my younger sister from another mother. You look as healthy as ever… Oh, if this is the daughter of the Alvein family, then is she the famous Blue Rose? To see Adamantium ranked adventurers here.”
The man who entered without knocking was the second Prince, Zanack Barleon Igana Ryle Vaiself. As Lakyus showed signs of respect to the royalty, he spoke in a relaxed manner.
“I came because it sounded like an interesting discussion.”
“At your service, Princess Renner.”
“Thank you for coming, Marquis Raeven. Please raise your head.”
Renner stood up to greet her older brother who was higher in the line of succession before speaking. As Marquis Raeven raised his head, he had a thin smile on his face. It was a truly creepy smile and made others feel uncomfortable, but other kinds of smiles would not fit him well.
“Would there be a problem in sending the others to another room?”
“As you say, older brother. Lakyus, Climb, would you mind waiting for me in the other room?”
“Alright.”
Lakyus accepted without a complaint and motioned her comrades to the other room. They would prepare without delay in the other room. The Blue Rose and Climb bowed their heads and disappeared into another room. After watching them leave, Renner guided the two to the table.
“Please, sit.”
“Of course, Princess Renner.”
“Alright, my dear sister.”
One person sat down with class and the other simply plopped himself down. Renner poured a cup of red tea and pushed it towards Marquis Raeven.
“It’s an honour to have the princess pour it personally for me.”
“I’m sorry that it’s only lukewarm.”
“Hmmm, is there none for me?”
Zanack looked towards both of them with disappointed face.
“My, my... I thought older brother disliked teas.”
“Yea, I don’t like weird water dyed with tea leaves, but having nothing to drink feels lacking.”
“Should I tell the maids to bring something over? Would you prefer liqueur?”
“Doesn’t matter if it’s red tea. No need to tip off the maids.”
“If we act today, maids won’t have the chance to send information back to their family.”
“Should we not be careful? Women’s tongues are very loose. Especially the maids that work in the palace. They’re faster than they look.”
With a smile, Renner poured a cup of red tea and placed it in front of Zanack.
“Hmmm… You’ve already tested the maids’ information network, haven’t you.”
“What might you be talking about?”
“Well, it doesn’t matter.”
Zanack replied curtly and sipped the red tea before sticking out his tongue at the bitter taste.
“But, Princess Renner, what is the matter this early on? Of course, I am always prepared to answer your call.”
“Thank you, Marquis Raeven. We don’t have much time so I will be frank. I wish to borrow your wisdom.”
With a light cough, she spoke earnestly. Marquis Raeven’s eyes widened and had light of surprise in them. However, those eyes returned to normal once he calmed down again.
“My wisdom. If it’s a problem that you cannot solve… I’m not sure if I can be of any help.”
“I don’t believe so, Marquis Raeven. After all, concerning matters within the palace, there is no one more talented than you.”
Marquis Raeven and the Prince shared a glance.
Renner almost never participated in the power struggles. However, what did she mean by “matters within the palace”? Marquis Raeven chuckled. When you are lacking in information, it is better to gather more rather than guess and come to a wrong conclusion.
“So how may I help you?”
“I wish for you, the hidden leader of the Royalty Faction, no, the one who controls the Royalty Faction from the shadows, to lend me your household troops.”
"...What?”
Marquis Raeven made an expression as if there had been a magical explosion right in front of him. Anybody would have been surprised if they were here. After all, Marquis Raeven was not a man who easily changed his expression. However, he could only react like this. If it was any other noble, he would have laughed it over. But this was a long concealed truth.
Marquis Raeven had for a long time been considered a rat who would go between the two factions as it suited him, but in reality he commanded the Royalty Faction and prevented civil war from breaking out. If the man called Marquis Raeven had not existed, the Kingdom would probably have already collapsed. On the side, Zanack held his breath.
He already knew Renner was incredibly smart, a monster with the shape of human. But without anyone to act as her hands and feet, she was in a way imprisoned in the palace. How did she come to that conclusion? In the entire Kingdom, Zanack had been the only one to deduce that. Both people immediately thought that she might be bluffing, but abandoned the thought immediately. From Renner’s tone, nobody could imagine that she is lying. Both were constantly dealing with people who were full of lies, and they were still unable to determine if she was lying or not. Renner ignored the flabbergasted Marquis and continued her story leisurely.