Rosens Full Course (7)
Though it was a remark mad enough to drive anyone insane, Aterugar's adorable appearance quickly warmed the atmosphere.
"Haha, so her name's Pipi."
"What a bold little thing."
The middle-aged intelligence chief and the cardinal gazed fondly at Aterugar with the eyes of fathers looking at their daughters. From the chief's expression, it seemed he hadn't yet figured out that she was a red dragon. If he didn't know, then no one in the royal palace did. Elua smiled and asked,
"You look awfully young, yet you speak so freely. How old are you?"
"Though my body is small, I'll be an adult next year, Your Majesty! Once I'm of age, I'll become a hardworking pillar of the kingdom, labor diligently, and pay my taxes on time!"
"Wahahaha!"
As Aterugar thrust her fist high like a pledge, laughter erupted from all around. Elua, beaming broadly, patted her head.
"Good. I'll work hard too, so your taxes aren't squandered."
The part I'd worried about most had ended the best. Still, what wind was blowing through that lizard's sails all of a sudden...? Aterugar met my eyes and stuck out her tongue.
The last was Kosa. She stood waiting gracefully for Elua, hands politely clasped without her staff.
"She's a blind employee, Your Majesty."
At my explanation, Elua carefully examined the eyepatch covering Kosa's eyes. It was a pitch-black patch etched with a demon seal mandala. The cardinal, seeing it from behind Elua, twisted his face in shock.
"Lord Balder... that's..."
"Quiet. I'll explain everything later."
Kosa extended her hand gropingly and spoke.
"Your Majesty. Forgive my rudeness. As you see, I am blind."
"It's fine. I'm right here."
Elua clasped Kosa's hand, which groped at empty air. In that instant, Kosa's expression twisted ever so subtly. But it was so brief that no one but me seemed to notice.
"What do you do at this inn?"
"I am a bard. I eke out a living singing songs with my meager talent."
"A bard, eh? Then you could sing for us over dinner?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. I would be delighted."
And so, the tense introductions of the employees came to a close. Now, just feed them and send them on their way.
The meal took place at the round table in the hall. Long ago, when Celereja and those priests whose names I couldn't even recall first visited, we'd used this table. I wondered how those ball-busting bastards were faring these days.
"Cardinal."
"Yes, Lord Balder."
"What happened to those priests who came here before?"
"They became saintesses."
His answer froze me solid.
"What...? For real...?"
"Just kidding, Lord Balder. They were defrocked, and I have no idea where they went."
The cardinal winked playfully, and I glared at him like I wanted to kill him.
"You scared the shit out of me. Anyway, what about that favor I asked before?"
"The black mage purification? I've brought Chief Saintess Blaze, so let's discuss it later."
"Got it."
Soon, the employees filed out of the kitchen with platters. Soup and warm bread, followed by salads of sliced fruit and vegetables drizzled with sauce. The meal began as Elua lifted her spoon. Gasps of admiration rose immediately after the first spoonful.
"This is delicious..."
Elua, looking satisfied, scraped the bowl clean. After the appetizer, the main courses poured out in earnest. Pelle and Francois must have raided the ingredient storeroom with a vengeance— the courses seemed endless. They'd prepared all this in the little over an hour touring the monster zoo? The palace officials were just as stunned.
"Thiiis... is cooompletelyyy... more lavish thaaan... the palaace..."
The chief mage groaned, smacking his lips. Meanwhile, Kosa descended with her lute, sat, and began playing. Unlike her usual somber tunes, this was lively and upbeat, sung in a bright voice. Who knew she could sing like that? Fascinating. Suddenly, Aterugar hopped to the center of the hall and started a cute, bouncy dance to the music. The mood lifted instantly, laughter bursting from the tables nonstop. Aterugar pranced over, grabbed Elua's hand, and pulled. Tension flickered at the rudeness, but as Elua rose, it dissolved. Holding her dress hem in one hand and Aterugar's in the other, Elua danced in her heels with crisp clicks. Her refined palace steps meshed oddly well with Aterugar's wild flailing. People clapped to the song; Aterugar giggled shrilly, spinning into Elua's arms and out again. Elua caught and released her lightly, smiling radiantly. That bright smile, swaying black hair, glittering necklace and jewels. Despite her eerie snake eyes, black dress, and scars, right now Elua looked her age—an carefree girl without a worry in the world. A sight I'd never seen. I wasn't sure if I should feel this way, but it was truly beautiful... soothing to the soul.
As the song ended, Elua stopped dancing, slightly breathless, and glanced at the chamberlain. He stood, drew two gold coins from his pocket with a stern face, and handed them to her. She gave one to Aterugar. Astonishingly, they weren't ordinary gold—they were Abyss gold coins...!! That damn red lizard had pulled that stunt to snag treasure for her hoard? Christ...
"That was so much fun, Pipi. It's been ages since I danced so freely."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the beautiful and elegant Queen!"
Elua slipped a gold coin to Kosa too, who was tuning her lute for the next song. Kosa stood, bowed deeply in thanks. As Elua returned to her seat, the meal continued. Over dessert, she called Francois, praised her efforts, and tipped another Abyss gold. Heh, moneybags. When I retired, she griped about fiscal health and cut my pension.
The meal ended splendidly. Except Grancis standing behind Elua the whole time grated on me. Hildeva kept stealing glances too, sharing my sentiment.
I thought they'd all leave after eating, but Elua dropped a bombshell.
"I've heard this bathhouse is famous. Since we're here, I'd like to try it."
Words like you got time for that? nearly escaped, but a king's word was law. Queen or not, Elua was queen. I rushed to the bathhouse and told Della. Pale-faced, she scrambled with Ukun and the staff to tidy up. Luckily, it was always spotless, so prep didn't take long. Back at the inn, Elua stood in the yard, pointing at something and whispering with the intelligence chief and cardinal. Shit. They were eyeing the statue smack in the middle of the carriage parking lot. Anyone could see it was a nude me, long schlong out, gazing majestically toward the Vurn Mountains.
"Ahem! The bathhouse is ready."
The chief, spotting me, flushed red holding back laughter; the cardinal smirked. Elua... well...
"Quite the impressive statue, Balder. I never knew you were so narcissistic."
"Haha, enough chit-chat. Follow me."
At the bathhouse entrance, Della—changed into a short skirt—stood rigid with a large towel. As manager and woman, she'd attend Elua's bath. Elua, Hildeva, Celereja, and Brione entered the women's side. Men's: me, cardinal, chief, chief mage, Lambert. The chamberlain stayed out to prep for the queen's exit. Ukun went upstairs to tidy the lounge and prep cool drinks.
"S-s-sorry ab-bout thiiis..."
"No worries. Young folks help out."
I assisted the shivering chief mage undressing and led him to the tub by hand. He groaned thickly sinking into the steaming water.
"Uuuooohhh..."
"Hey, you bastard."
I splashed water on his bald pate.
"Eek...! Yes, hero sir."
"How many agents in Rosens? Some in city hall too, right?"
"Asking so bluntly is tricky..."
I stared; he averted his eyes and confessed.
"Around thirty... yes."
"You lunatic? Thirty agents in one city? Why?"
Now the chief eyed me steadily.
"Because of me? I said it clear: don't touch me, I won't touch you."
"That's why we don't bother you. Just routine intel gathering."
"Heh, you little shit..."
He splashed back dodging my hand, drenching the cowering chief mage.
"Gaaah, guhblub!!"
"Sorry, Chief Mage sir. The hero keeps..."
Thanks to the chief mage, the intel guy escaped further torment. Then Lambert, delayed doffing armor, entered late. Everyone gawked in shock.
