“Did you confirm what leaks we have Eclis?” Heinrick switched from goofy one moment to sharp and calculating the next. Before I could even blink. I still wasn’t used to it. Eclis’ gaze finally left me to turn back to Heinrick and I took that opportunity to drink in his appearance once more. His black hair was perfectly styled back without a stray strand anywhere. He wore a vest and jacket similar in style to Richards with ornate gold threading and patterning on black velvet. It fit his form perfectly, hinting at his strong chest and arms.

“What are you two talking about?” Richard paused mid sip to glare accusingly at both men.

“Before I left, we prepared things to determine just how many leaks this ship has sprung.” Turning back to Heinrick, Eclis answered, “The palace proper is safe. None of the three factions indicated they heard any of the fake rumors we tried to leak inside.”

“I thought so. The palace is staffed by the Ba’alings and we pay them very well. Why risk a sanctuary like this for more coin?” Heinrick sounded defensive, causing me to smile. Over the week that we’d been spending more time together it became clear that he held no reservations towards any of the races within the castle. He treated the servants like staff rather than slaves and I often saw him speaking with them like friends. The same could be said of the knights.

“There are more ways to coerce others than just coin,” Eclis pointedly added, “But for now it seems we’ll be fine.”

“Then what of the knights?” Heinrick leaned in.

“They’re in contact with the Dominion.” Heinrick cursed hearing it. Richard seemed lost as well.

“Why wasn’t I privy to this?” Richard sounded offended.

“You needed to focus on you two attending the palace, Richard. With James doing all the estate work, I’ve got nothing better to do.” Heinrick shrugged nonchalant. Richard’s brows remained furrowed though. He didn’t look convinced.

“Thus far, it would seem the mercantile faction isn’t able to buy off any of the staff. I seeded several rumors that would’ve been of interest to them, but they acted on none of it.” Eclis looked pleased. “For now its just the knights that are compromised.” He turned to me. “Whenever eyes outside the palace see us-“

“We shouldn’t appear close.” I spoke flatly. He nodded.

“And the Imperial faction?” Richard asked. It was the emperor who had admitted he used Richard to spy on house Dumont, but I wondered if he was also in with the imperial faction too judging by his interest.

“If they’ve heard anything, they gave no indication. Our conversations were very surface level. We switched between events I’d missed, reminiscing on the older times, and policy. It would seem they’re acting carefully.”

“What are you thinking Heinrick?” I couldn’t contain my curiosity either. After hearing that the knights were communicating with the Dominion faction, he’d looked furious. I could practically see hot air rising from his temple.

“I’m thinking about the most efficient way to burn the barracks down lass.” I laughed.

“We’ll leave things for now.” Heinrick moved to protest but a pointed look from Eclis silenced him. “I’ll have Alphonse ensure they can’t hear anything from the palace staff. For now, restrict their access. We can use them to feed information to the Dominion. Of the three factions they’re the easiest to manipulate.” Heinrick didn’t look happy with the decision but nodded anyways.

Richard glanced at me again, likely wondering why I was being included on conversations like this. He decided to speak anyways. “There have been rumors that the Imperial faction are breaking their support away from the emperor. That is likely why their conversations with you were so trivial. It would also explain why they didn’t even present a present or gift at the palace.” Ah, that’s why he looked reluctant to speak. Any conversation about turning ones back on the emperor could be accused of treason if the wrong person heard it.

“I’ve heard about the same myself.” Heinrick nodded, leaning back in his chair. He’d poured himself another glass but didn’t appear affected in the slightest. In response to Richards surprised look he added, “I may leave the politics to the experts,” He held his hands out, palms up, “But that donna mean I don’t hear a thing or two from other friends.”

“You have friends outside of here?” Richard sounded so doubtful that I choked on my wine and quickly looked away when Heinrick glared at me.

“Ones that don’t like you for starters.” He prickled.

“If the Imperial faction is turning from Donner, then which faction is on his side? The Mercantile?” Eclis turned back to Richard. Of all the men in the room Richard was the expert on politics. I couldn’t help but worry about just how truthful he would be with us. In the book it was made out to seem like Richard had stayed by Eclis’ side simply because he was a spy and needed to be there. Right now, talking to him like this made it feel like he was actually on our side. It made me sad.

Richard waved his hand as if to shoo the thought away, “The Mercantile faction only represents the interests of the merchants and markets throughout Ganimede. They do not care about the emperor,” Richard emphasized using his title as if to chastise Eclis, “They will do what ever they think is in the best interest of their constituents. To add to the situation, the Dominion faction has always opposed many of the policies the emperor has proposed but recently they have been even less willing to compromise. They want more powers for the lesser races in Ganimede and the Emperor has so far failed to deliver on these demands.”

“Why do you look so worried about that E-Duke.” I nearly called him by his name!! WOOPS. Eclis’ eyes darted to mine and held them for a long moment. I felt like a deer caught in the glow of headlights, I couldn’t look away. Thankfully, he didn’t mention my slip up and answered after what felt like an hour.

“The less influence an emperor had over his court, the more likely revolts or civil wars would be.” I nodded.

“And that’s the last thing we want right?” He nodded somberly.

Richard sighed, looking gravely between each of us before producing some papers from the pocket inside his jacket. “I commissioned the guild to provide some insight into the rumors circulating among the common people.” He handed them to Eclis who began scanning their contents quickly. While Eclis read, Richard summarized the reports for me and Heinrick. “There is talk that the emperor only cares about the vampires and nobles. many of the races are discontent, even comparing his rule to that of the humans.”

“Bah, they say that because they never lived under humans. The mortal races were always like this.” Heinrick shook his head.

“Even so, the faith the people have in the Empire is weakened. They were only able to keep the Elves withdrawal a secret for so long. More rumors lead to more talk of civil war.” Richard sounded very grave, every so often sneaking a concerned look at me.

Eclis’ expression darked as he finished the report. I realized I needed to warn him that there would be a civil war, or at least in the book there would be. Heinrick and Richard were here though, and of the two at least one couldn’t be trusted with the info I knew. I bit my lip. There would be another chance to warn him, now wasn’t the right time.

“Spit it out Jasmine.” Heinrick had been watching me and had leaned forward again, resting his elbow on his knee while he regarded me. I hesitated.

“If a civil war does break out, I think Tyrra will launch an attack by airship.” I didn’t just think it. I knew they would. Eclis was forced by the emperor to quell the civil war even in his weakened state. After barely surviving that and without even winning it yet, he then had to re-liberate half the continent from the Tyrrans who had launched an airship attack amidst the chaos. It was only because of the Elves that he’d managed to get things under control, but by the end of the story things were not resolved between Tyrra, Ganimede, nor the Dominion.

The room considered my words for a moment. “I don’t have any military info on the movements of the Tyrrans.” Richard was the first to speak, “But the Imperial faction and the Dominion does.”

“Purchase it from the guild. Make sure to pay for their silence on it as well. I’m not yet ready to align or ask for any favours.” Eclis’ eyes looked a million miles away while he thought.

“What made you think of the Tyrrans Jasmine?” Heinrick was still watching me. Ever since I’d spoken about the prison, I’d felt his eyes on me whenever I wasn’t looking.

“Uhmm.” How do I answer this? “Its just… A feeling I got…” That was the worst excuse. Internally I was pulling my hair out at how lame that was. Heinrick just nodded and dropped the subject, accepting that lame excuse. Maybe I was stressing over nothing then. “So, what are we going to do then?”

It was Richard who answered me. “We will gather information and watch the situation as is for now. You,” He put greater emphasis on ‘we’ and ‘you’, “Need not worry about anything Miss.” He gave me a kind reassuring smile that broke when Eclis spoke.

“We’ll keep you informed on how the situation unfolds Jazz. For now, don’t act, just tell me if you see or hear anything.” I nodded.

“Do we need to drag your Rose into all this your highness? She is just a woman!” Richard finally protested. I didn’t know the man was capable of raising his voice. He was fortunate he didn’t see my glare as it bore into the back of his head.

“She is Eclis’ woman, and your Princess, Sir Richard.” Heinrick exaggerated Richard’s title in a mocking way.

“I’m not saying she doesn’t deserve to be here.” Richard snapped back. When he glanced back at me his features softened. “Miss, these things are dangerous. Simply by being apart of these talks, you are accepting the risks associated with everything here. Wouldn’t you prefer to live peacefully and leave these things for us to stress about?” Eclis watched me for my answer as well.

“Not knowing anything and burying my head in the sand won’t insulate me from the repercussions of what happens here, Sir Vetter. I am not so fragile that just by knowing things aren’t peachy clean I will somehow break.” I smiled at him as reassuringly as I could given the fact that I was currently having to defend ability to be here. Why did I romanticize a world that was so misogynistic? “I want to be of help.”

My words didn’t convince him still. “Miss, for us, the imperial family cannot force us to answer their question. For you though... Do you know that the Imperial family can see through lies?” This time, Eclis answered for me.

“She’s immune to telepathy.” My eyes jolted to Eclis. Was it safe to tell him? Eclis seemed confident about what he’d just revealed. His posture was relaxed as he lounged in the seat idly thumbing the edge of his wine glass resting on his knee. Was he perhaps testing Richard like he did the knights and palace staff?

“Did you have Michael test her?” Richard looked dubious.

“I did.” His eyes fell on me again.

“Then we can’t control her either.” Heinrick said so with a worried look at me. Eclis stopped answering, and I suspected the part about me not being immune to him was being purposefully left out.

“Hey,” I raised my hands up, “The balance of power here is still with you guys. I’m already contracted to Eclis and I’d rather not see my new home fall by my own actions.” Neither of them looked convinced now. Didn’t he just make things worse for me?

“I can control her just as well as I can control both of you. She will be included in these conversations going forward.” Richard looked resigned. It would seem that once it was an order, he didn’t think to question it. If only her were that loyal all of the time. Heinrick on the other hand was watching me with a new look in his eyes. Suspicion. Great. Thanks, Eclis.

We retired at dawn. My schedule was once again adjusted to make room for Richard’s lessons. They consisted of taking a deep dive into the power dynamics between the prominent houses and recognizing who belonged to which faction. While my politics tutor had talked about the histories of each house in the Empire and the general sources of power for each, Richard spoke more of the relationships and current affairs of those houses in the present day. There were many names and faces I had to memorize, along with their favourite foods, hobbies, and political interests. It didn’t stop at memorization, however. Richard wanted to improve my ability to commit to small talk, to recognize when someone wanted something out of me, as well as how to manipulate others to get what I wanted. It was grueling training. At one point he asked me if I’d learned these things before and I almost slipped up saying I’d learned some of these things this working retail sales. It was funny how closely related sales and manipulation really was.

Several days past with no sign of Eclis. A deep sigh escaped me, and I paused at the threshold to my bedroom. Before Eclis returned to the palace I’d moved back into my original room across the hall from his. Michael had collected enough data over my mana regulation during sleep that it was no longer necessary for me to stay in his tower. It was nice not having to travel between there and my room.

My eyes fell on the door across the hall. Eclis was likely in his study right now. For a moment, I felt the urge to meet him wash over me, but I beat it down. While I definitely wasn’t in love with him now, being forced to sit in his lap like that was just too much for my poor heart. It wouldn’t help my attempts not to get attached either. Yeah. Lets keep a little comfortable distance for now.

The next morning instead of our usual laps, Heinrick met me at the front of the barracks. Beside him was Eclis.