Published at 31st of May 2022 07:35:17 AM

Aden caught his meaning immediately. His mouth opened slightly, his thoughts half-formed. This way of thinking was new to him indirect, cunning but he was coming to it quickly. This was a good excuse to guard the Elos territory, and one only Delrose, as Master of the house, could make though it made the Elos gratitude for his defense of their territory seem suddenly empty.

Still, there was nothing to lose in it, and much to gain. Any information they gleaned would be wonderful, but even if they learned nothing, it set a precedent. Delrose would have grounds to station soldiers in the territory of other houses, without even the unofficial permission of the elders.

Make sure they pay special attention not to irritate the Elos maids, he said with a smile. Emil bowed.

We have already been doing so, per maams order.

Of course, Aden thought. His smile widened.

We were making the reports of information collected to maam first, but now we will make them to you.

No, Aden said, raising his hand. Let Ilyins order be Ilyins only.

Dont want to steal her credit, he thought, chuckling to himself.

Was there anything else? he asked.

Emil seemed to shift nervously.

Thethe Green Mille is asking to meet with you, he said.

The Mille? Aden asked, tilting his head, who from Mille?

The elders daughter, Rippo de Mille.

In April?

Yes, and Emil suddenly stopped, just as they reached the Delroses territory on the 7th floor. He dropped suddenly to his knees.

Spare me, lord!

Aden was taken aback by the sudden act. Emil wouldnt lift his eyes from the floor.

The intruder slipped past us. We couldnt stop her from entering maams room!

As soon as Emil had blurted out his words, Aden rushed to Ilyins room.

Ilyin?!

Breathless, he managed to catch himself at the door just before entering. With pure effort, he pulled his hand back from the doorknob.

He wanted to burst into the room, see that she was alright. He hadnt taken the second to ask Emil, and Idith had cut him off when Aden dashed away.

He heard no movement inside. His lips tightened.

Your Majesty! Maam is -, Emil called out behind him. Old-fashioned, Emil was lost in unexpected events like this. His sense of timing was off.

Your majesty!

A passing maid cut Emil off with a look that said she knew who was the stronger between the two of them.

Maam went to the 6th floor to attend a guest, she said to Aden.

A guest?

Aden hurried to the 6th floor. Meeting a guest there meant that it was not someone from Delrose, but an important guest from another house. Which also meant, though he didnt yet know why, that the lady from Mille had changed from intruder to guest.

He left Emil and Idith trailing behind. Seeing Ilyin was safe was more important than the scolding of knights.

Il -, Aden started to call out as he neared the meeting room door.

Your Majesty, Idith interrupted calmly, and again Aden caught himself, took a deep breath.

Right, he thought. If there is someone else in there, I must be Grandmaster Den. So flustered he was in worry for Ilyin, he almost forgot the roles he had to play.

Maam, he called out. Its Grandmaster Den.

Den? Ilyins voice answered back, tinged with surprise. Aden felt his face loosen for the first time since Emils outburst, though he flashed him an icy stare.

If Emil had thought himself hardened to the cold after meeting the Duke of Bifltens eyes for over 10 years, that stare and the chill it sent down his spine taught him better.

Rippo, may I let the Grandmaster of Delrose in for a moment? Ilyins voice came from behind the door.

Ah, yes. Of course, another female voice younger, lighter replied.

Aden could hear rustling from within. Rippo was moving the sound was very different from Ilyins movements.

I came to see the Grandmaster anyway, Rippo added.

Adens eyes narrowed. She came to see the Grandmaster? Or did she simply mean someone who represented the master of Delrose?

The door clicked, and Etra opened it. She bowed subtly as he passed. He controlled his steps, careful not to rush into the room as he went to Ilyin.

Greetings, maam, he said. I heard the report. Are you ok?

Of course, Ilyin replied lightly, there was no problem.

She could sense his surprise. She smiled, waved both hands as if to dismiss his anxiety.

I heard you came to see me, Rippo de Mille, he said. Officially, the girl had no title, but has the direct descendant of the Mille family, he had no choice but to use her honorific.

And you should note, he continued sternly, I will be putting responsibility on the Mille family for this intrusion into maams room without any official procedure.

Den, Ilyin cut in, raising a hand to calm him, Its ok.

Rippo had heard much of the Grandmaster of Delrose the deputy of the Duke of Winter. The one who handled the Master Who Was Cold and was quite cold himself. He certainly had no problem retaliating for acts against Delrose.

But then she noticed his reaction to Ilyin. At her gesture, he did seem to grow calmer, almost like

Like a beast on a leash, she thought. But no leash, just the Mistress of Delrose. She knew how to handle the Grandmaster.

Den, Ilyin said calmly, Shes the guest of Delrose first.

If he were the Duke right now, she would have spoken differently. But Den, Grandmaster of Delrose, had to follow the will of the Mistress. She hoped it didnt make Aden too uncomfortable.