The Viper's Den (4)
The steward, who had approached unnoticed, led us toward Elua's office. Elua walked slightly ahead, with me and Brione following behind, while Grancis brought up the rear.
Brione kept glancing at me sideways, as if she wanted to say something. But with Elua right in front, she didn't dare open her mouth. Brione herself knew better than anyone how Elua viewed me. She couldn't afford to act friendly.
"Brione. You may go now."
As we arrived at the office, Elua spoke, and Brione bowed deeply.
"I shall take my leave."
Even then, she shot me one last wistful glance. Man... pitiful, if a bit. Should've treated me better when you had the chance. Back when we roamed together, she only saw me as a stepping stone to climb higher. Now she's clinging? Hell, she might just up and quit the palace to come to the inn. But no way in hell. Just having her in the same space as that gloomy flower-pig Idwild would give me breathing problems. If I had to choose between Brione and Idwild, it'd be Idwild without a second thought. Brione's a top-notch mage who can thrive anywhere, but Idwild needs the inn. I don't want her suffering in the shadows anymore.
"Come in, Bertrand."
Elua clicked her heels into the office. Grancis went straight to her assigned spot in the corner and stood there like some human-shaped furniture—creepy as hell.
"Hey. Why not send her back?"
"Grancis, you mean?"
Elua's crescent-moon eyes turned toward her, a faint affection shimmering in them.
"The Grancis Trading Company hasn't accepted our demands yet. So we're keeping her."
"Hm. Sure. But feels like there's more to it."
Elua smiled at me.
"Does it?"
She lounged casually on the sofa, stroking her wrist as she gazed at me—like she was hiding scars from my view.
"So, what's up with the capital?"
"Hunted down that archdemon popping up in Al-Behbad and brought its head to the grand temple."
"Al-Behbad? That desert state next to Al-Jasha? Archdemons must love sand."
"Nah. Turns out it was the sister of Margas, the archdemon I killed in Al-Jasha. Came for revenge."
I gave Elua a quick rundown of the Al-Behbad mess. She sipped the tea the steward brought in midway, listening with keen interest.
"Fascinating. We can leverage that diplomatically."
"Handle it yourself. Already told the caliph a saintess from Verabche took it down."
Elua, still smiling at me, asked,
"So, selling coffee at the inn now?"
"Yeah. That barista I mentioned will brew it fresh. Tastes insane. Best damn coffee I've ever had."
"Sounds intriguing. I might visit again when time allows."
"Uh... sure. Whenever."
Shit, shouldn't have brought it up. If Elua shows up in Rosens again, Hildeva might have a nervous breakdown.
"But seriously, you gearing up for war or what?"
"War? The palace is a battlefield every day."
"Cut the vague crap."
Elua fiddled with her wrist and fell silent for a moment.
"If needed, yes."
"With the nobles? You know why your predecessors never dismantled the noble council?"
"I do. Incompetent kings let them grow strong. Too late to crush them now."
"You think you can smash them with force?"
"Who knows."
She just gave a vague smile.
"While you're brawling with the nobles, you think Gobert will sit idle? He'll swoop in as the 'abandoned prince saving the kingdom in chaos' and storm the palace."
"My dear brother? Haha. Amusing."
"Listen up, Elua. Gobert's holding the key right now. Fail to pull him to your side, and the kingdom's fucked. Got it?"
"Go on."
"He needs to lock down Lucia province and hold off Bacomor. Only then can you crush or coax the nobles. Otherwise, you're done. He could ally with the council, stage a coup with his legions, or worst, cut a secret deal with Bacomor. Dumbass."
"You don't think I'd foresee that, do you, Bertrand?"
"Then what's your plan? How do you control him? You can't even talk to him."
Elua stared at me for a bit, then changed the subject.
"How's that red-haired kid at the inn?"
"Huh? Oh, Pipi?"
Last time Elua visited, Aterugar introduced herself as Pipi. They even danced to Kosa's song.
"She's good. Gave her a few smacks for being a brat, but she's doing fine."
"You didn't take the gold coins I gave her as a gift, did you?"
"Nah, she's hoarding them in her treasure chest under the bed."
Elua chuckled lowly.
"Good. Tell her I miss her a lot."
"Got it. Will do."
I told the satisfied, tea-sipping Elua,
"But seriously, Elua. Listen to me. Reconcile with Gobert, even if you hate it. Fake it if you have to. Hide the knives behind smiles."
"I'd like to, but brother has other ideas."
"Then find out what. No spies from intel?"
"Kamei's his guard captain."
"Tough break."
Kamei, former royal guard captain under the old king, was famed for her beastly senses and monstrous strength. With her as captain, getting close was near impossible.
"At least pin his six legions in Lucia. If he turns, it's over. Or just strip his command."
"Impossible, Bertrand. Father sent him there as commander. His faction's still strong, and he's their only hope. If they rebel, we're in trouble."
"Fuck. What a goddamn mess."
"You know the palace is like this."
The palace was a den of vipers, biting until one remained. Slack off, and you're lunch.
"But Bertrand. Why are you so desperate to help me?"
"What? Bullshit. Not for you—for my business. War kills more than soldiers. Small businesses die too."
"I see."
Elua narrowed her snake eyes and smiled. Meeting her gaze, I asked,
"Elua. Be straight with me. Did you kill the old man?"
"Lots of people wondering about Father's death."
"No dodging. Need the truth to guess Gobert's moves."
Elua sighed faintly and leaned back on the sofa.
"Like I said before... does the truth even matter to them?"
"Elua. Cut it out. You know I'm no one—no background, no ambition. Won't twist your words."
"Your inn... seems like a nice place."
Conversation's all over the place. Her madness worsening since the visit? Or just dodging this topic.
"Planning to run it forever?"
"Dunno. It's booming, so till I can't work anymore? Pass it to kids if I have any."
"I see. Bertrand. Hypothetically."
Elua paused, staring at her teacup. Hm... what's this viper plotting now? Eyes downcast, she murmured,
"If, far in the future, I step down as queen or hand the throne to a successor."
Her slit pupils dilated briefly, looking almost normal.
"What? Keep going."
"No... nothing."
"You aren't saying you wanna live at the inn or some shit, are you?"
Elua just smiled, but her lip twitched faintly.
"Just a thought. Don't mind it, Bertrand."
"Elua. Snap out of it. No time for retirement dreams. You've tangled the kingdom—if you quit, the backlash..."
"Enough. Leave now."
Elua cut me off and stood.
"You're busy. Go."
What the hell? Why drag me here just to dance around?
"Fine... think on what I said."
"Thanks for coming, Bertrand. Visit more."
"Yeah. If I'm in the capital."
Outside the office, I lingered in the corridor. Couldn't fathom Elua's thoughts. Crystal clear on some things, genius-level; hopelessly twisted on others.
Maybe I'm just blind to her hidden motives. Who knows. As I headed down the hall, a voice drifted from inside.
"I want to visit the inn again, Grancis."
Elua murmuring to herself—or to her.
"That brief time was joyful. Recalling it, I hear laughter nearby and feel dazzling sunlight."
I leaned against the door, listening.
"But such days are unlikely now. Enemies everywhere—one slip, and my head rolls."
Elua laughed lowly.
"Grancis. This mental illness devours me more each day. With Bertrand near, it slows; when he leaves, it torments relentlessly."
No reply from Grancis. Elua whispered on.
"Endless hallucinations, rising doubts and obsessions in my chest. Soon, I might kill myself."
The scars on her neck and wrists—all from her madness.
"But I can't abdicate, Grancis. Once queen, I must see it through. Half-measures lead to the gallows. Even Bertrand couldn't save me."
Ah... Elua... So that's why you've kept Grancis? To confess what you can't tell anyone? In this viper den where trust is nil, she's the one listener—pure, no bias, schemes, or betrayal.
Bitter, I walked away.
Wait... hold up. Heading to the parlor where Celereja waited, a strange thought hit me.
Why didn't I think of this? Gotta grab Celereja and head back to the inn. She might know everything.