“Good morning, Lou, Geo,” says Mano with his usual short bow, palms pressed together. Can’t manage much else, seated on the grass. “I see you have another tagalong.”

I grip Bell tighter, the imp’s tail swinging back and forth. After yesterday, eh-hm, things have been…different. I can’t see my lovable pet virtue in the same way but we’ve also gotten closer. In more ways than one…

Dammit, I’m thinking about it again.

“Coo~” [Feeling you beneath me is only a little sweeter than hearing you relive it again and again.]

Hush, you! Little devil specifically asked to tag along because she knows holding onto her will remind me throughout the day. Used those big eyes I can’t say no to. Sigh. I thought I only had to worry about Geneva corrupting me. Bell is an ambush predator of incredible prowess. A shearsheep disguising itself amongst innocent sheep, eating the helpless creatures unaware of the danger lurking amongst them.

Bell squirms in my arms with a little happy grin. What are you so happy about? I’m not complimenting you!

“Never mind her. I wanted to ask you a question.”

“Ah. Anything for my good friend and pupil.” His eyes cut to Geneva, reminding me of our agreement. Good friend my behind.

“A prince accosted me the other day.” My shoulders slump just thinking about it, dampening my good mood. “Can’t imagine there are many of those running about.” How incredibly unfair would it be if there were? Dealing with one is enough to make me almost sick with stress. Is it bad I don’t know the size of the royal family and can’t answer my own question? Probably. “A touch shorter than me, dresses to impress, ego the size of a dragon. Hates my guts.”

“Getting involved with royalty is a dangerous thing.” His voice contains a warning but his face doesn’t flinch. Hm. Either that meditation has numbed his reactions or Mano is made of sterner stuff than I thought. Maybe I should keep an eye on him.

“Don’t I know it. I’m trying to find a way to get him away from me.”

“What have you done to draw his ire?”

“Exist?” I run my hand through my short hair. A few months back, I finally took the plunge and cut it to my ears, leaving the bangs longer. At the beginning, I couldn’t stop running a hand through the short locks, amazed by the difference as I’d never had it shorter than my shoulders. It’s something of a nervous tick now, my hand finding its way to my head in an effort to use some of the nervous energy making me twitch.

“He seems to be focused on the duel with Peter Pottoculli. I’m an embarrassment to the peerage, I suppose, though I doubt it’s that simple.”

“Oh?”

“Of course,” I scoff. As if a prince cares about a minor noble, a spare who wouldn’t inherit his house at that. No, my duel is a convenient excuse for him to make a statement, I’d guess. Or there is some greater plan in motion, an option I can’t dismiss. Nobles are creatures of treachery. “Which is why I don’t want to walk blindly into this.”

“Hm. Asking about a prince is a sure way to get noticed and that could be problematic for me.” He chuckles. His laugh is the one thing I don’t like about my young teacher. Mano is amicable and pleasant to be around. However, that is all he is.

I have never seen him angry, sad, or frustrated, no matter what our group of ignorant initiates have put him through. He doesn’t flinch at threats, flattery only nets a polite smile, a few poorly executed attempts at flirting simply rolled off him. The only time I’ve seen a change in his demeanor was when he saw Geneva’s ability to assist my meditation and only that once. He wears a pleasant mask but there’s no telling what lurks beneath it. Geneva’s offered to go diving into his mind but I turn her down whenever she brings it up.

It’s a temptation but I’ll stick to my morals. Wanton use of the mental affinity is despicable. People have the right to their minds. I have heard too many horror stories from my family about how the Grimoires abused their elementals, not to mention from the succubi themselves, to ever treat that ability lightly. Not to mention, I don’t want to know. Something tells me that if I discover Mano’s secrets, I wouldn’t be able to look at him the same.

“It would be a costly favor to ask.”

Hey, I’m still debating whether I want to involve myself in this. Certainly not sure enough to sell off Geneva. I didn’t like the look in his eye when he said the word ‘costly’. “That’s fine. Nothing to stick your neck out for. Either of our necks actually.”

“Hm. There is one thing I can offer you in good will. As I do not know anything on the prince’s abilities, he is not notable within the Grand Hall for his abilities. Given your display against Peter Pottoculli, you at least do not have to fear a physical confrontation.”

Unless he uses some ancient royal artifact discovered by the kingdom’s founder or whose creation was funded through their generations of wealth. Or he uses his authority to send someone after than me far stronger than he is. Or he foregoes trying to catch me in the Grand Hall and ambushes me while I’m in Quest. Does this mean I can’t visit Howie’s bar until I settle things with this prince? I hate royals! “Thank you. Hopefully, this whole thing will pass by.”

“We can only hope. Join me for a little early morning meditation?”

“Sure.” Though I doubt anything can calm my mind. As I settle myself on Geneva’s lap, Bell curling up on my stomach, my mind is haunted by silver-haired demons watching me with mocking eyes.