“I am so sorry!”

Maxine stands in the middle of our suite in the straightest bow I have ever seen. As in, I could use her spine as a measuring stick. And she’s holding it, despite how much discomfort she must be in, refusing to look up until I respond. Before I do, I look past her to Geneva leaning against the wall.

[I can’t say for sure without an interrogation, but her surface thoughts are innocent and she is panicking to the point her stomach hurts. If you don’t say something soon, I think she’s going to deposit her lunch onto the floor.]

I admit, I’m relieved she’s not an enemy. “Relax, Max. No one got hurt.”

She eases up, shaking her head at my words. “No, this is unforgivable. Rest assured that we will investigate this matter thoroughly. Anyone involved will receive due punishments.”

“Alright.” I don’t need her promise. Once we settle in, I’ll find the person who wants me dead on my own. “Really, relax. According to my wife, we should be celebrating right now.”

Disbelief covers her face as she looks at a smiling Kierra. “In the Dusk Province, we call it ‘ruler’s shadow’. The assassins that come in the night are the shadows, yes? We say, great leaders cast long shadows, meaning the more successful you are, the more shadows gather around you. My Lou’s shadow has grown today.”

“I…see.” Her tone says she doesn’t but that she’s willing to roll with it if we aren’t blaming her. “…congratulations are in order then.”

“Thank you, thank you. Kii says it’s important we celebrate this but we have yet to find a drink that doesn’t taste like crap. We were hoping you can help us with that.”

Maxine nods her head eagerly. “I believe I know something that may suit your tastes. It will require a bit of travel. Not far. We could reach the bar after fifteen minutes of walking.”

Fifteen minutes of walking for the chance to drink something palatable? “You’ve got a deal.”

“Then shall we meet after dinner?”

“The place doesn’t serve food?”

“It does however…” Her lips twist as she searches for the right words. “It caters to the more adventurous.”

The hell does that mean? Oh, Kierra’s curious. “Why come to this city if not for an adventure? We’ll eat there.” If it’s really terrible, I’ll just send Geneva out to pick up some food.

I love being a summoner.

“As you wish. Shall we say fourteenth bell? I will personally escort you.”

“Alright.” She gives the room another bow before heading for the door. “Max?” I call, stopping her as she opens the door. I smile when she looks over her shoulders. “Leave the knights behind, huh? You’re perfectly safe with us and having guys in armor around while we’re trying to unwind doesn’t really fit, you know?”

There it is. For a brief moment, her eyes are hesitant. Wondering if this is us trying to get her alone so we can silence her without witnesses. Hilarious. As if I need the trouble that comes along with harming a Guiness princess.

Her doubt only lasts a moment. Either she comes to the same realization or reminds herself that she doesn’t have the ground to refuse my requests right now as she’s trying to make me forget about the assassin. “I look forward to it.”

I manage to hold in my amusement until after the door is closed. “Hehe. You see her face? She’s going to spend the whole day worrying about tonight. That should be punishment enough for her inattention.”

“And what of your punishment?”

I freeze at my wife’s whisper. Slowly, my head turns. Dammit, that’s the teaching smile. Haven’t seen that in a while as it was difficult for her to continue her bullying—erm, training—while on the road without disturbing others.

She holds up a finger. “Answering the door yourself when you have Bell.” A second finger. “Not evaluating a random stranger at your door.” A third. “Trusting said stranger without a moment’s hesitation.” A fourth. “Following said stranger.” All five fingers now. “That terrible response to danger. Effective in the end but far too clumsy. I expect better.”

Her eyes harden. “We haven’t had much time to see to your training lately. Perhaps we should start again.”

“Now?” I ask with a glimmer of hope.

“Now.”

Behind her, Geneva is pushing aside the furniture to make room. She looks up for a moment, laughs, and goes back to her job.

“Coo!” [You can do it, Master Lou!]

Thank you, Bell. I sigh as I get up, Kierra following suit and moving into a series of stretches. At least by the end of this, I might get a decent drink.

-

“…are you alright?”

I wave off Maxine, whose concern probably has less to do with my well-being and more to do with the fact that I’m disrupting the hotel. After all, my wife’s tender instruction leaves no marks with her magic to hide the evidence.

14th bell, or the dinner bell, struck and we decided to wait in the lobby for Maxine. By waiting, I personally mean lounging on the reception desk. I just want to spread a little of my misery around is all. The customers and employees look very inconvenienced but knowing I’m the personal guest of the owner’s daughter, they can’t say anything. Poor receptionists let out sighs of relief when they see Maxine.

“Yeah.” I slip off the counter, stretching. My muscles aren’t sore but somehow, I can still feel the ache. “I’m counting on you.”

“I hope not to disappoint.”

We make a strange group leaving the hotel though I feel I fit in a bit more. I’m wearing one of the more casual clothes from my new wardrobe, a simple vest over my shirt and dark pants, but the threads don’t lose to the noblewoman next to me. I realize I’ve been walking a little straighter the last few days. It’s really the little things that matter.

I saw it from my window but the people here are much more friendly than in the capital. Strangers give me casual waves and nods that I absently return. Jeez, I bet even the pickpockets would wish me a good day after taking my wallet.

Maxine’s words are correct. It doesn’t take long at all before she stops us. It’s a small building made of purple stone with a light brown roof and a sign over the door showing a silver spotted mushroom. The windows are dim but some light from inside shines out, an unnatural green that makes the place seem eerie.

“The owner here is the best brewer in the city, possibly the continent. If he would agree to upgrade his operation, he would have long been the exclusive supplier to the Golden Feathers. As it is, we can only serve his brews to the most premium guests here in Quest. If anyone can satisfy your tastes, it will be him.”

“Hoh. Let’s see what we’ve got.” I bravely push ahead of the group and am about to open the door, but stop suddenly, today’s lessons coming back. I swear I can feel Kierra’s eyes digging a hole into my back.

Murmuring to myself, I step back, waving for Geneva to go ahead of me. As my succubus opens the doors, we follow, Kierra giving me a brief caress along the back of my neck to show her approval. Yeah, yeah.

For the best brewer in town, this place is surprisingly empty. Half of the large room is used for seating, round tables that can hold four in the middle and longer rectangular tables along the sides. At the back of the room is a long bar with ten stools. What I assume is a young barmaid sits on one, a lone customer another. A man wearing an apron stands with his back to us, looking over the glass bottles on the half a dozen shelves behind the bar.

The barmaid looks up as the door opens. Her eyes flick over us briefly before she turns away in disinterest. Wow. Never got that reaction before. I mean, I’m used to being ignored, a thrall’s existence is rare but not unheard of, and Bell could be dismissed as a pet from the way she’s cuddled up to me, but Kierra’s an elf. No one just ignores that.

“Howie,” Maxine calls as we reach the bar. “I brought you some customers.”