Chương 151: Chapter 141-Chosen Playdate

A child requires a friend, or at least that's what I've heard. Not like I've ever been a parent or anything, but from my personal experiences as a child, I believe it is paramount to a healthy childhood. I mean, I had a friend, and look at how I turned out. Now this friend was Picky, my lockpick, but that's neither here nor there. Technically he's here. In my pocket. I also have my other friends. Stovey, Baggy, and Stabby, who's currently getting fixed. Oh, there was also Rocky, but sadly, he died.

I really don't want to talk about that. Brings up sad memories. Anyhow. The reason I bring up childhood and friends is none other than Mateo. He's been having a hard time making friends at the Cathedral, other than that one kid he tried to help. Which brings us to this moment. Mateo stares me down with his red eyes." I don't want to."" Tough. I need you to," I say as I stare him down with my red eyes." I don't see the point in it, and I don't need you to set up playdates for me.

I'm 13, not 3," he says with a huff." I know how old you are, Kid. Still, I need you to do this. It's important to me," I say as I gesture over to the Palace gates. Mateo stands there in utter silence and then shakes his head." I can see that you really want me to do this."" Yes. You just have to play with her, and it's not like she's a complete stranger. You seemed to be having a fun time with her during the Ball. What do you have to lose?" I explain as I kick some dirt around." Okay."" Marvelous.

Now we-"" I want 50 gold," Mateo says with a small smile." Excuse me?" I ask in utter disbelief." You want me to do this? I want 50 gold. What aren't you understanding?" This cocky little shit! He wants a bribe. I… I… I'm so proud.

To think he would grow so much. Sure, he's talented at everything, Kat, and I have been showing him, but to think he would extort me. If I weren't so surprised, I'd be giving him a hug. Sure, the execution was a bit rough, but it's the beginning of something great." 15," I retort." 40."" 25 and I'll [Throw] in some sweets from that shop we went to."" Deal," he says as he gives me a handshake." Okay. Now let's go have a royal playdate. Make sure to play nice," I remind him as we walk to the gate."

I'm always nice, Horned One." As Mateo and Marigold run through the Palace gardens, I realize a sudden flaw in my plan. How am I supposed to go searching for info on Ashfall when I'm stuck in a conversation with the Empress? I can't exactly excuse myself, or else I'd be coming across as rude.

"Carlos?" Empress Calliope asks as she places her teacup down.

"Yes?"

"I asked if you liked the tea."

"Ah, sorry, I was watching Mateo and got lost in thought. The tea is wonderful. Earl Grey, correct?" I ask as I take a sip.

"Yes, I was not aware you were familiar with tea," she says with a hint of surprise.

"I have a wide breadth of knowledge. Tea just so happens to be a part of that breadth. Especially the more exotic blends." Empress Calliope nods and then looks behind me. In the distance, Marigold skids across the floor. A servant goes to help, but the Empress raises her hand, stopping the servant. Marigold pulls herself off the ground and continues to run as Mateo chases.

"I am thankful that you reached out," she says as she stirs her tea.

"No need to thank me. This is good for Mateo. Children should have friends their age," I say as I try to read her unreadable face. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it. There are certain kinds of people that I find difficult to handle. The stubborn, the violent, and the unreadable. The violent are the hardest to handle. Can't exactly charm someone if they're actively trying to kill me. The stubborn are well… fucking stubborn.

They won't listen to anything I say and have already made up their minds. Then there's the unreadable. The people that I can't read worth a damn. They are the most dangerous because I can't tell how I'm being received. Did I piss them off? Are they happy or sad? Do they plan to stab me in the next three seconds? I'm basically running blind. I don't like running blind.

"You are interesting. Did you know that?" she asks.

"I would say so. I am The Chosen One," I [Lie]. A small calculated laugh leaves her.

"Yes, but that's not what I speak of." I take a long sip of my tea.

"Would you enlighten me on what you mean?"

"Most people I drink tea with love the sound of their own voice. You, on the other hand, seem like you'd rather not be here at all," she says with a relaxed tone.

"I prefer not to speak when I have nothing of worth to say," I [Lie].

"A worthy ideal to follow, but does that explain why you've identified every threat within range?"

"I have no idea what you speak of," I [Lie] as I take a long sip of my tea.

"The way you sit, where your hands rest, and even the glances that you make. It's as if you're waiting for a possible threat to arrive at any moment. I assumed that it was because you are The Chosen One, but it seems closer to an old habit than anything else," she says, letting her words hang.

"We all have our habits. Take yours for instance. You don't come from nobility, or at least not the type that is common in this Empire. After all, the way you sit is… difficult for you to maintain. I assume you're used to a rougher way of living. You also give a cold attitude, but you're actually extremely caring. Caring enough to let your child learn to stand up on their own even if it does hurt to watch them fall," I retort. The servants nearby shift uncomfortably.

Seems my big mouth spoke faster than I could think to stop, but it might not have been the worst thing for me to do. I know the Empress is as conniving as they come. She's an Empress. The First Empress. I'd be more surprised if she wasn't conniving. Yet I don't believe her to be malicious.

"Hmm. Here I thought I had covered up most of my old habits. I suppose not even I can cover up hundreds of years of life so easily. I can see why my daughter speaks highly of you," she says, cutting the tension in the air.

"The feeling is mutual," I say, covering up my nerves as I take another sip of my tea.

"Can I ask you something? One commoner to another," Empress Calliope says as she waves off the servants.

"Of course. I may not have much to offer, but I'll at least listen."

"What do you think of the Empire?" she asks.

"Well, I suppose it's-""Before you answer. I want you to know that it's not the Empress who's asking, but me," she says with a knowing look. With a nod, I place my teacup down.

"Okay. It's okay. It's not as bad as the Riche Kingdom, where only Humans are allowed to exist. Nor is it as bad as the Merchant Republic of Diro where corruption runs rampant from top to bottom. The Southern Isles are beset by bandits, pirates, and all manner of criminals. Which, I guess, the Empire is marginally better at handling. The Empire has its problems when it comes to income disparity, but it's nothing compared to the Meliora Technocracy.

Where only the useful, productive, and High-[Leveled] live in luxury while those that can't keep up are left with scraps. When compared to the rest of the world. The Empire is doing okay," I say without a hint of a [Lie].

"What of the Nation of the Sands? How do we compare?" she asks a pointed question.

"There's no contest. The Nation of the Sands is ruled by a tyrannical ruler who uses force to keep his subjects in line. From one commoner to another. I've visited a lot of places and heard from many travelers. Comparatively, the Empire is the best place to live in for your average person, but I would be [Lying] to you if I said the Empire was amazing. It could be, but it isn't. We both know why," I say as I watch my words.

"I suppose we do. Thank you, Carlos. I will take what you said to heart," Empress Calliope says as she waves the servants back.

"I hope you do. In the meantime, if you would excuse me. It would seem I drank too much tea," I say as I stand up.

"Do be careful," she says with a flat tone. Walking away, I take a deep breath. She doesn't know. Yeah, she would've stopped me if she had known that I was going to break into the Palace. Specifically, the place where they keep important documents. She would've stopped me, right? With a whistle, I walk down the halls of the Palace. I'll give the Empress this. She sure knows how to decorate. As I'm distracted by the decorations, a guard rounds the corner.

"You! What do you think you're doing in this area?" he asks.

"Apologies, Sergeant Bhord. I was sent to fill in for Graves. Seems he hasn't shown up yet," I [Lie] through my teeth, or rather the teeth of my [Disguise].

"Graves, huh?" the guard asks.

"Yes, Sir. I've heard that it had to do with his wife and her [Cooking]," I [Lie].

"Her cooking is pretty bad. Go on ahead. Damned Graves," he says as he walks away.

"Yes, Sir." Hmm. It seems looking into the guards of the Palace was a good idea after all. Sorry, Graves, but I'm going to [Throw] you under the carriage for a second. Hope you don't mind. Turning the corner, I see a single guard keeping watch over one of the file rooms. Hello Graves. Before he can see me, I [Disguise] myself as the guard from earlier.

"What do you think you're doing, Graves!?" I yell as I walk up to him at a brisk speed. Graves straightens up.

"Sergeant Bhord, what may I help you with?" he asks with a hint of fear.

"What may you help me with!? That's a lot of audacity coming from you, Graves, when you're supposed to be helping Nicholas with his patrol. Yet here I find you half-asleep. Care to explain!?" I [Lie] as I grab him by the helmet.

"I… I'm sorry, Sir. I was not awa-""I don't want to hear excuses. I want to see action! Move! Move! Move!" I [Lie] as Graves runs down the hall.

"Sir, what about my post?" he asks. With every ounce of dread I can pull, I slowly turn towards him.

"Was that a question I heard, Graves? That better not be a question."

"No, Sir. My mistake," he says as he turns and runs. You know. That brought me no joy. No joy at all. Okay, maybe it brought me the tiniest specks of joy, but I didn't enjoy it. Not one bit. Turning to the door, I take out Picky and get to work on the door. With a couple of turns and clicks, the door opens. Stepping into the file room, I immediately groan. Rows upon rows of cabinets greet me. Great. Now what?