I don't bother looking at Fallone as I move around the room to take control of the situation. I walk along the walls while trailing the tips of my fingers over the wooden boards, leaving a trail of flow behind.

Through my energy and eyes, I detect several runic constructs operating in and around the room. Scanning constructs are forming an early warning system and there are two distinct but inactive disruption constructs.

Lastly is an odd configuration of half-completed runic segments which I suspect to be a support structure for those with permission. I wrap energy around the physical runes to mark them so I can destroy them if necessary, which should be easy since no one is linked to them.

I turn back to the three Nobles and notice they're all awkwardly looking at me from their seats at the set table. I blink in confusion and realize doing my own thing is probably a breach of etiquette or something.

“What are you two stuck ups waiting for to tell her what you want?” I ask flatly.

“For the peasant to grow manners and sit.” Fallone squawks.

“Is there a frog stuck in your throat?” I question the masked man.

A slight frown appears on Delia's face as she purses her lips while Leomi briefly closes her eyes at the faux-pas. Fallone, on the other hand, slams his palm on the table. Thud. The dishes jump and fall back down.

“Do you mean to insult us?” Fallone aggressively questions Lance.

“She doesn't but it poses me no issue, little Lordling.” I coldly cut in. “If you ignore me once more, you shall have proof of this fact.”

“It costs me to speak, peasant, why shall I waste words on a rude uneducated wench whose first words reveal a prideful arrogance towards past slaughters?” He returns as he closes the hand he placed upon the table into a fist. I notice that my fiancee twitches at the insult but am glad she doesn't defend me as I prefer to do so myself.

“Because it will save you from experiencing what a massacre looks like first-hand.” I reply with a bright smile that reveals my pointy canines.

“Jessica.” Leomi intervenes. “Lord Fallone was the commanding General leading the auxiliaries attached to the Twelfth Phalanx which the Rykz recently...” She trails off, as if hesitant to use the word that came to her mind.

“Annihilated.” Fallone sharply fills in for her.

He spoke the word with such vehemence that it briefly displaced his mask and revealed a band of charcoaled black flesh with dark red patches along his temple. The revelation gives me pause and I recall having heard the name when told the news.

“Which Hive did you fight?” I ask, interested in anything that has to do with the Rykz.

“It is unknown which Hives took part in the ambush.” Delia replies. “The Queen that took part hasn't been encountered before as far as we know.”

“You expected to win a battle without even that most basic information?” I question with a hint of derision.

“Jessica.” Lance intervenes with a reproachful tone.

Fallone holds his silence and his mask makes it impossible to read him but his fist clenched tighter at my remark. Delia, on the other hand, remains impassible but the twitch in her eyebrow shows she was offended by my remark.

“I have more contempt for you than you hold for peasants, Lordling, remember this.” I coldly tell the man as I walk up to the table and take my seat at Leomi's side.

“Let us begin anew.” Lance speaks up. “This is my fiancee, Jessica Freepath who stands on her own merits.”

I smile at the implication that I deserve the same respect they afford her, she likely doesn't say it out loud because it would undermine the statement if she did. Delia nods while Fallone opens his fist and inclines his palm up in acknowledgment.

“Truth be told, we hold much respect for your accomplishments, Miss Freepath. Elizabeth Vil appears to be the greater warrior but is too unpredictable and mindless to rely on even if you weren't in conflict with her.” Lady Delia speaks up.

The words oddly cause Leomi's traits to sharpen as if she was the one insulted instead of my sister. I know my kitten well enough to tell that she takes this as an attack on her competence.

“Is this why you insisted on her presence?” Lance questions.

“She is the factor that will determine whether we join your cause or not.” Lady Delia acknowledges. “Her strategic mind in making a deal with the Silver Hive to preserve Izla Meria and then plan the island's fall are proof enough, but the way she has evaded pursuit through Caeviel to then sow havoc that strengthened my daughter's position in Hetlan was decisive for me.”

“As for I, it was the way she dealt with Sykus and then seized his forces to lead it into complete victory against Claywood was what held my interest. The man was a great warrior and commander, a thorn in the cold blood's sides they could never completely get rid of.” Lord Fallone declares without a hint of sourness at praising me but it is difficult to tell what emotions are contained in his distorted voice. “I would request a retelling of the events as we share a meal if it isn't too much to ask.”

“I've little to...” I pause as I was about to rebuke them.

I throw a glance to Leomi and sigh because she made it clear it's important to her, besides they've been tolerable. She fails to hide her ire at being treated as second fiddle but nods to me in encouragement.

“I first provoked Claywood so that he would send elite forces to get rid of me and laid an ambush out of his sight in the ruins, using a ball of flames to make sure he would know where to find me.” I explain as I flick open the bronze bell covering a platter to find four tiny pieces of meat in brown mushroom sauce. “Fancy.” I grumble as I snatch one with my fork and bite down on it. “Onshe hish shmayll cyravalry foyrshe wash dyesheated, it washn't diyckficyushlt to...” I swallow. “Move in on other units to crush them one by one.”

“Your origins are humble, I recognize this, but do at least attempt to elevate yourself.” Fallone gripes.

“What's that now?” I ask as I grab a piece of bread and dip it in the platter's sauce.

“Manners, Jess, manners.” Leomi says with a sigh.

“Right, those.” I say with a deep sigh as I put down the bread to grab the big spoon and serve myself.

“From what we've heard, you struck each unit separately until your numbers matched theirs while you held high ground.” Fallone recapitulates.

“Accurate.” I nod.

“It was wise, such a strategy will be of use to fight the Lisilese who often boast superior numbers.” He says.

“Maybe, but I don't see your interest in meeting me.” I note. “I've no official position among the Hospitaliers or the expeditionary army, which Cenwalh currently leads.”

“But you are headed to Telnur with your fiancee, are you not?” Delia questions.

“I am.” I acknowledge.

“Your skills are of more interest to us than honorary Duchess Lance's leadership as we lack none of it.” She says, causing me to scowl and my kitten to snarl.

“Lady Delia did not mean to cause offense.” Fallone croaks. “We've no need or desire to be led. We've our own separate aims to attend to.”

I narrow my eyes and start putting some real thought into this. They asked for me to be here but Leomi merely asked me to come, she didn't pressure me much so she didn't promise I would.

They still came to the meeting and waited for us to arrive despite this, meaning their real goal is to meet Lance as she told me. From this, I can safely conclude that the attention they've directed to me is a despicable negotiation tactic to understate how much they need her.

“Perhaps, but you require my official standing and reputation.” Lance states with an aggressive tone. The two Nobles don't ostensibly react but their postures straighten. “No house will deal with either of you unless you offer considerably unfavorable terms because you have both been disgraced.”

“... the issue isn't as pervasive as you make it sound.” Delia hedges.

“Maybe.” Leomi says with a drawling tone that doesn't leave much doubt about her opinion on the matter. “But you're not someone I trust and Lord Fallone's attitude leads me to believe he puts no credit in the ideals I pursue with the Hospitaliers.”

“We are considering joining the expedition, your goals with that organization should not weigh on the decision.” The Lady argues.

“Yet, it does.” Lance responds with a harsh tone, making me proud.

“You've raised doubts so as to my fiancee's competence, she is already making you a favor by remaining here and I doubly so for not flipping over this table to spank you both.” I casually comment, causing Fallone to freeze in outrage as he was leaning in to speak. “She's taught me most of what I know so her skill in strategy equals mine at the very least.”

“What my fiancee is trying to say is that you would benefit from joining my forces far more than I would by taking you under my wing.” Lance utters with a knowing smirk. “It would bring me into conflict with Queen Victorus and make it difficult for me to negotiate with Steso's Noble houses, especially house Fallone which still holds much influence. Not to mention the touchy subject of the remnants of the Twelfth under your command that could bring the Emperor's wrath upon me were I to be suspected of prying into the secrets belonging to the Phalanxes.”

“It is well known only selected flow-smiths and Exemplars are authorized to learn the sympathetic construct, any such accusation would be quickly dismissed.” Delia argues.

“But it would still cause me trouble I've no need for at this time, and you've not rebutted any of my other points.” Leomi presses.

“Indeed, you currently have no shortage of problems.” Fallone cuts in. “Duchess Roskal is no easy adversary and we would be of much help.”

“Is this why you've diverted to Kruzser when you were headed for Telnur?” Lance asks pointedly.

“The capital has the best supply of arms to equip our army.” Delia affirms without truly answering the question.

“I dislike being pressured, and my fiancee even more so.” Leomi utters. “Not to mention the tactics you've employed are insulting to both of us and a relic of an age that should end for it fosters conflict between parties who, by reason, should be working together in defense of the Empire against aggression.”

“Perhaps our approach was clumsy but the heart of our argument stands.” Fallone mentions.

“I disagree.” Lance replies with a sweet voice as she folds her napkin to place it back on the table. “My issues with Duchess Roskal occupy much of my time and so I am wrought to decline your offer.”

“Even though we would be of help?” Delia questions.

“Let me be very clear.” My fiancee utters with a cold tone. “We can handle all our opponents, whether they be Duchess, King, or Berserker. We three shall meet again once the pressing issue is dealt with.”

“Very well.” Delia speaks up as Fallone makes a stiff nod.

The two are likely betting on the fact she will run to them for help but I'm certain they're aware they have no choice in the matter since they will be in a worse negotiating position if we win over Roskal.

“Have you heard of the Duchess' reaction to the release of your... justification?” The Lady questions.

“What of it?” My fiancee asks.

“She has declared it evident humans must be ruled so that the chaos that reigned before the Empire does not return.” Fallone says, his rough voice cracking up.

“Nonsense.” Lance dismisses.

“That may be but many Nobles have learned to take both of you seriously and so her words have helped them realize the scope of the threat you represent.” Delia explains.

Leomi scoffs and pushes her chair back to stand up. She holds her slender hand out to me which I take and rely on to rise. The two of us walk out of the room without another exchange but she grows agitated as we leave the Midnight Palace with our escort.

“Dammit, these two are the same as those old bourgeois, cultured but all talk and no action.” She grumbles. “They would sit on the sidelines and provide the occasional helping hand without risking anything.”

“Did you expect anything more?” I ask.

“I did, Lord Fallone was borderline heroic in the east while Lady Delia is meant to care more because her house is now irremediably tied to our success.” She explains.

“Except it isn't.” I note. “It will be once you cross the point of no return with her by trying to force change upon Nobility but, until then, you may be defeated and all your plans amount to naught.”

“... hrm.” She grunts. “Why did you say I taught you how to defeat armies in detail?”

“What's that?” I ask.

“Divide and conquer, the strategy you used.” She explains.

“Because you did.” I reply, blinking in confusion. “You taught me how to fight, to retaliate without waiting, and then helped me learn from Meria's library. Without you, I wouldn't be able to apply my fighting experience to strategic planning.”

“You know as well as I do that someone else introduced you to warfare long before I did.” Leomi grumbles with more than a touch of jealousy.

I try hard to conceal how happy it makes me that she referred to the Rykz, to Celyz, as 'someone' instead of calling her an insect or using some other insult because it's always a difficult subject to broach with her so every clue I can get on her stance is precious to me.

“Yes, I learned the importance of formations and communication from the Rykz but that knowledge isn't worth much in the Empire if you leave out the human aspect to war, which you helped me understand.” I explain.

“Hmhm.” Leomi mumbles agreeably. “I had truly hoped their respective experiences would have changed their perspectives, but sadly it has not.”

“Speaking of which...” I trail off to find the courage to say what I have to. “I should have told you so earlier but you should feel proud rather ashamed of having grown as a result of your ordeals since, clearly, not everyone does.”

“I don't know, I expect more of myself.” Lance stalls.

“Overly so. You shouldn't treat every step you've taken with disdain, kitten, or you'll end up backtracking.” I berate.

My words strangely cause her to freeze so I glance to her and find she's shocked. It seems what I've said makes a lot of sense to her because she squeezes my hand and leans down to tenderly kiss my cheek instead of my lips.

“We didn't finish lunch, how about I take you to a restaurant?” She offers.

“What's that?” I ask.

“Like an inn except it only serves food.” She replies.

“How do they make a living?” I question, confused.

“Uh, people go there to make business deals or for special occasions.” Leomi explains.

“Okay, but it still doesn't seem like they would have enough customers.” I note.

“Don't worry about it.” She says with a smile.

“I would rather spend time alone with you, maybe spar a little.” I tell her.

“We can do that later, I want to share some good cuisine with you.” Leomi pleads.

“Idiot.” The Hospitalier wearing a full steel helmet berates her Grand Commander, causing me to chuckle loudly as the insult leaves Leomi's mouth gaping wide open. “Freepath obviously dislikes crowded places, don't get carried away and read the mood.”

“Shh, that's not very discreet.” I whisper.

“What, who, huh?” Leomi stutters as she stares at Yvonne in disguise. Her eyes widen but she squints them immediately after to glare at her sword-sworn. “You're meant to be resting!” She barks at her. “And you!” Leomi snaps to Rowland. “You think I'm going to let you keep dating her if you can't even keep her safe from herself?!”

“Don't go there.” I absently warn my fiancee as my gaze narrows down onto a half-dozen armed passersby.

“Too late.” Yvonne coldly cuts in. “Don't presume to tell us what shape our relationship should take, especially not to give terrible advice such as this.”

“I made sure her health could handle the sortie before agreeing to go along.” Rowland softly remarks to divert the conversation.

While the two close friends prepare to launch themselves in an argument with Rowland set on his role of appeaser, I lion's leap past the protective circle of our escort with my hand on the hilt of my short broadsword.

I land before the six threats I spotted and violently draw my weapon such that the pommel will smash into a muscular man's sternum. Crack. The sound of broken bones fills my ears and draws me into a deep dark corner of my past.

Liz stirs but remains asleep. Yet, her blood-thirst billows to a point where it affects my mood and it gradually slips my mind I have no proof of wrongdoing so murder in broad daylight is inadvisable.

My opponents are stunned by my attack but have enough presence of mind to draw their swords and daggers. I bring my weapon back a fraction while tensing my biceps to put as much strength as I can behind the attack.

“Jessica, stop!” Leomi cries out in disarray.

You'll all pay for causing her anguish. I activate a lion strike to launch a heavy backhanded slash enhanced with a sundering construct. My blade flashes through the air, precisely aimed to shear through a neck and two chests in one go.