I spot many imperial guard patrols as I cruise from roof to roof through the capital yet there are almost no Templars. The Order likely deemed ordinary temple guards unable to restrain you, the patrols are there to enforce the Emperor's decree towards Hospitaliers and Nobles.

Boring. I land on an inn's chimney and take out the map. I memorize the location of my next target and make my way around the block the warehouse belongs to, finding several groups of soldiers.

This feels like another ambush. Aisha is discreet enough to gather information without being noticed but my aims are transparent enough so Roskal's faction had no need for a warning to prepare.

That or I was betrayed. I shake my head from the dark feelings before my sister can criticize me and take off towards the warehouse where Roskal's logistics officer is meant to have taken refuge.

I use my energy to go straight through the wall in a shower of debris to land among rows of supply crates, barrels, and shelves. While much of the warehouse holds grain, there are plenty of spears and cheap shields as well.

I take out plenty of guards as I explore but find no sign of my target. It felt odd someone would be spending the night in a place like this to begin with so I'm not really surprised the logistics officer isn't here, it would only be smart on his part to conceal his whereabouts.

I make my way out and step into the street to seek out the next on the list only to run into another dozen armored Exemplars at the turn of a corner. I snarl as I rush straight at them with the goal of screwing their formation up to ensure they can't pursue me.

The Exemplars hop off their mounts at the sight of me, having clearly received reports of their brethren's failure. By the time their feet hit the pavement, I've already reached striking distance.

I raise my liangi high and slash down with all the might I can gather. A pair of Exemplars move with incredible speed to block by interlocking their kite shields. The impact of my blade on their steel-reinforced edges causes them to buckle but my sundering construct utterly fails to shear through them and runs out of power soon after their defensive constructs break.

They try to bash me with their kite shields but I've the advantage in both speed and reaction time. I reverse the momentum my liangi still carries with a precise push of unstructured flow and thus strike at them from beneath.

The two Exemplars fail to see the blow coming, resulting in their left arms being blown up which exposes their armored chests. They thrust out with the swords they concealed behind their shields as a last resort.

I slip past the points with a short lion's step and launch a stab of my own with my weapon's aft-blade towards the one to my left. She has the reflexes to step back and thus undermine the power of my blow but that is all she manages to do.

I inject flow in a very specific way inside the runes engraved in my liangi's blade a moment before it impacts her. She focuses the protection of the defensive construct protecting her armor onto her breastplate to fend off what she believes is an armor-piercing construct.

Unfortunately for her, a thick net of lightning covers the blade and the wild vivid electricity enters her armor while encountering almost no resistance because her defenses are too specialized.

The woman shudders so violently it affects her rigid steel armor but, astonishingly, does not fall. Her companion's stab misses me as I took steps to dodge it but hers I fully expected to miss because of my blow.

Her weapon impacts me straight in the sternum, throwing me back but not putting me down because the shock of my attack still weakened her. Yet, her success was enough to buy the time these Exemplars needed to encircle me.

“Grurh.” I growl shortly as I find myself surrounded.

Explain. They have layers of defenses, I would guess hard leather armors are the best support for runes specifically designed to counter lightning. I urgently gather my strength to fight, tightening my muscles, but my sister interferes.

No, a contest of strength is going to kill us. I scowl and shape a tempest of air constructs which I unleash upon the Exemplars who then have no choice but to raise their shields to block.

I take advantage to leap up to a roof without being contested and leave but not without noticing Leomi riding in the same direction on a parallel avenue along with twenty of her Hospitaliers.

I continue going through the list Aisha gave me as I scour the capital for Roskal but, of those I find which is two-thirds of the names, none have or are willing to give me relevant information despite sharp persuasion on my part.

I encounter two more squads of Exemplars that try to suppress me and causes me to waste much of the night, making my work even more difficult. I almost lose my temper several times at being denied a physical altercation but, each time, I control myself because I do not wish to harm my dear sister for next to no gain.

I leave quite a few wrecks behind in Kruzser as I slip back into the night but the Exemplars have overall managed to keep the destruction to a minimum with their constant interventions.

It's admirable they kept at their work despite you slipping away time after time since failure hurts their reputation. They're stubborn, silly, and petty. Right. Don't you start, I'm tired. Rest, sister, you've done well.

I land inside the Hospitalier headquarters and remove my mask, ceding my place to my sister. Jessica quickly removes the sleeve-glove to then place the liangi and Vuskyt chain-mail in the varnished runic case.

After changing, she steps out of the room to find Teva waiting alone at the main room's table as she fiddles nervously with the parchment Yvonne took out earlier.

“Hey.” I speak up, startling her.

“Hey.” She responds quietly.

“What have you been up to?” I ask, concerned that something happened.

“A friend came by.” Teva replies. “We spoke a bit but I mostly read this over and over. It's... enlightening. How many other texts like this did you write?” She questions.

“A few, why?” I reply with a touch of confusion.

“No real reason.” She shrugs. “I do wonder why you're keeping this secret.”

“Because it's not the time to spread these ideas.” I respond as I take a seat in front of her. “My reputation needs time to spread and take root before these sweeping declarations can be taken seriously.” I explain. “Besides, much of it is dangerous.”

“To Nobility, like the woman you're engaged to and her allies.” Teva utters with a croaking voice.

“... partly but I have no intention of sparing them.” I admit. I realize belatedly that my words could be taken as if I'm keeping my writings secret for Leomi when it's not the case. “The main reason has naught to do with Lance, I am simply not ready yet.”

“Will you ever be?” Teva questions. “It's good that you've settled down from how you were but it feels that you've lost your commitment along with your rage.”

I scowl at the insult and rise to leave. I'm not one to justify myself and Teva is dear to me so I don't want to argue with her. As I turn to leave, I notice Aisha standing at the door-frame.

“How did you get here?” I ask with a scowl.

“You two know each other?” Teva asks.

“We do, that's your friend?” I return.

“One of them, yes.” She says with a puzzled and slightly suspicious expression.

“I came to talk, Jessica.” Aisha cuts in.

“Then speak.” I reply.

The Shade throws a pointed look at Teva, leading me to raise an eyebrow and then throw one of my own to my friend who I'd rather not engage this late in the night after her accusations.

“Fine.” Teva says with a point of anger. “I'm going.”

“I'll explain tomorrow, Teva.” Aisha speaks up as my cloudy sunshine stomps out with my treaty still held in hand.

“What is it?” I question the Shade.

“Take a seat first.” She invites as she takes the seat Teva left. I frown but sit down. “Look, I know you're unceremonious by nature and you like to question things. Not to mention you occasionally use dry humor which doesn't help me figure out how serious you are sometimes.” Aisha establishes. “But I've a question to ask which requires a serious answer.”

“Is this about meeting Rasaec?” I ask.

“Yes.” She nods. “And this is exactly what I'm talking about, why don't you call Him Emperor? Also, when you do, you avoid saying that He is yours.” She probes.

“The reason is simple, he is not.” I calmly tell her.

“... that can't be, why?” The Shade asks as she pales. “How? He is directly responsible for us being alive by establishing the Empire, by repelling Rykz and Lisilese incursions.”

“And launching some of his own into their territories.” I note.

“You can't seriously establish a parallel between that and how they've attacked humans for millennia!” She erupts angrily.

“I am not, I wouldn't know where to begin if I tried to determine who among the three species is in the most wrong.” I clarify. “But it remains a fact that the Emperor was not merely defensive in action, that sometimes he has fanned the flames of external and internal war.”

“Then, why?” She mutters, looking at a loss.

“Let me first remind you of the fact that he has not died in our defense but millions of soldiers have.” I coolly tell her.

“Of course, but only under His will and actions as Chosen of the Lake have we thrived!” Aisha counters.

“I can't deny we have but I will contest his part of responsibility in this.” I say.

“... no, enough. Tell me why you don't show Him proper respect, why He is not your Emperor?” The Shade demands between grit teeth, apparently loathe to even have to ask.

“He hasn't been my Emperor since he has made the decision of capturing a Princess while fully cognizant of the inherent risks.” I explain. “It took me a while, and an invasion, to accept the fact he isn't worthy because the lives of his subjects are part of his calculations whether they have agreed to it or not.”

“Not worthy.” Aisha whispers in disbelief as she falls back in the chair with a shocked face. “Our Emperor, not worthy. Do you plan to rebel?”

“Against Rasaec? It would be pure folly.” I scoff. A rebellion against the Emperor would always end in failure, the only option is to kill him. “I intend to do away with Nobility and then retire to have a family.”

“You said the same thing when we traveled together about Elizabeth Vil, yet I hear of fires she's lit every few minutes.” Aisha counters.

“If my answers don't satisfy you, and I assume they have to do with whether I'll be allowed in the Emperor's presence, then don't worry about it.” I calmly tell her. “Cancel the meeting.”

“No, you'll be allowed.” She denies. “I believe I understand now.” She adds quietly as she rises.

I blink in surprise as she simply walks out. I think of Teva and wonder if I've made a mistake. It would have been best to dispel my sunshine's concerns since she's a friend while keeping my opinion of the Emperor from the Shade who is an associate at best.

“I'll deal with it later.” I mutter, feeling tired.

I go into the room I shared with Leomi last night but pause as I realize how shabby it is compared to the room she keeps at the Imperia Hotel. Leomi must really love me to sleep here with me instead of there.

I remember Teva's words and it makes me realize that, on the contrary, I may not pay enough attention to my fiancee's wants and desires. I decide to stay up and wait for her to return as I work on the sight enhancing construct.

It takes a good hour for me to hear Hospitaliers returning to their barracks. The sun rises at about the same time Lance enters the room, making me smile and wonder if she waited a short while to have sunlight shine on her slightly disheveled hair as she walks in.

“You're gorgeous.” I tell Leomi who grins in return.

“I'm a mess, spent the night on Liz' trail of tears.” She complains with a light tone. “Those she left us were almost all too damaged to interrogate before the imperial guard caught up and forced us to free them.”

“So you didn't get anything out of them?” I ask.

“Not really.” She says with a sigh. “We know which healers were called upon but that doesn't help narrow down her location since they'll be treating her until she's healed.”

“We have to expand the search, then.” I conclude.

“I agree, I haven't received any useful tips from servants which means Roskal's people are keeping an unusually secretive grip on any information related to her.” Lance tells me. “Did you wait for me to go to sleep?” I nod. “You shouldn't have.” She reproaches with lips that hold a bright smile.

“Shall we go to your room at the Imperia, I'm sure you miss those silk drapes of yours.” I tell her.

“Who do you think I am?” She asks with an offended expression. “I had them brought here in the morning.”

“Are you sure you don't want to go? The bed is nicer there.” I insist to make sure.

“I am, I want to stay close to Yvonne.” Leomi says with a reassuring tone.

“But not too close.” I add.

“Indeed, she can be a noisy one.” My kitten agrees with a chortle.

I roll my eyes as she purposefully misunderstands my jealous warning and grab her by the ass to shove her towards our room. Leomi chuckles merrily which causes my heart to jump. I crash in bed and close my eyes. I soon feel her fall by my side to wrap me in her strong arms.

--- --- ---

I wake with her hands laid protectively on my stomach and experience a puff of warmth for Leomi. I nestle myself further inside her grasp and mellow in my happy half-awaken state.

“Hey there, beautiful.” She whispers in my ear, causing me to shiver from the tickling.

“I could spend the day like this.” I dreamily reply.

“I do have to get up but... how about you come have lunch with me?” She offers. “You'll have to put on a nice dress, but I'll have to insist you wear no underwear.”

“Sure, that sounds great.” I agree without thinking. “Just let me rest a while longer, Liz did a number on me.”

“Now that I have your agreement, I feel obliged to mention Lady Delia and Lord Fallone will be attending. Respectively a former Duchess of Caeviel who was expelled from her own house and the Duke of Steso who recently lost his title.” Leomi adds, souring my mood somewhat. “You can retract.”

“You know I won't.” I say with a sigh.

“How about I pay you back by tending to that exquisite body of yours.” Leomi murmurs as she makes me roll on my belly.

I tense somewhat until her hands fall on my shoulders and she begins massaging them. I loosen up, to the point where my flower's petals open up and a dewy liquid spreads to invite her in.

Leomi takes her time to journey down there, rubbing each muscle she comes across at least thrice and spending a full ten minutes on kneading my behind which is most definitely for her personal enjoyment.

The foreplay lasts so long, she is so unusually gentle and tender that my excitement builds up to a high despite receiving no direct sexual stimulation. Mostly thanks to her incredibly nimble fingers and the softness of her warm palms.

When Leomi finally penetrates me from behind with two of her slender fingers, the feeling of her sliding inside of me causes me to reach a climax before she's fully taken me.

“Uhimrkh!” I let the moan out in an uncontrollable reaction to the pleasure she is granting me.

This rapture scratches an itch, it makes me feel pretty and desirable in a way I rarely have unless in her presence. Even Celyz has not the capability as her interest in my body isn't human and so more difficult to relate to with how I grew up as part of the species.

“Short but contenting I hope.” Leomi whispers, as if she holds the responsibility in the matter. “I believe it the best way to preserve your energy while also having you fully relax.”

“How hard did you have to resist sodomizing me by surprise?” I sneakily ask.

“Very.” My fiancee replies. I can hear her pout in the tone of her voice at having been seen through. “My thumb was itching for it.”

“You sure went all in to make this favor I'm doing you worth it for me.” I compliment her skill while disguising it as a probing comment.

“They lead a large experienced army so it's important to the expedition in Telnur that I convince them to join, and perhaps to the Hospitaliers in the future.” She explains.

“Liz is definitely going to get jealous once she wakes.” I warn my kitten.

“I'll spend some time making it up to her.” Leomi confidently replies.

“Be careful, the night frustrated her and she won't be listening to me for a while because I kept pussy-blocking her.” I say.

“Please don't pick-up Yvonne's worst sayings, they're incredibly crude.” She replies with a wince.

“You're quite unbridled yourself, why the reluctance to that?” I ask.

“Because it implies the search for sex without feelings and I don't like the idea of it at all, there should always be emotions accompanying such an intimate act.” Lance explains.

I pause because this is so her that I should have figured it out long before now but mostly because it implies she loves Yvonne, which isn't surprising but the realization still startles me.

“Hm, one more round and try your best to make it extremely soothing because you've just made me incredibly jealous.” I command.

“Right away, my jay.” Leomi responds with a gentle and eager tone.

I shortly feel her weight shift forward and then her pulpy lips falling on my very lower back. My mouth parts in anticipation of the yowl of contentment I'll soon no doubt have to let out. My prediction comes true within minutes, her tongue does wonders and I quickly work on causing headaches to anyone hungover in a large radius.