I spoke calmly, "Dante is very close to King William. If you kill him now it would be a waste. Although King William doesn't act like it, he is extremely close to Dante. I believe that if you use Dante as a hostage, you would be able to benefit greatly from it. You could probably get King William to agree to giving you a neighboring city."

The King thought about my words before nodding, "This is true. We have been eyeing the Lorei City for a while."

Ah, I remember in class what the Lorei City was famous for. They traded mostly luxurious goods.

I spoke, "I think that's a good idea. If I heard correctly, a lot of the nobles are upset with the current state of the war."

"They are."

"Then you should try to take Lorei City. After you take it, you can host a party to celebrate. The nobles will surely enjoy a lavish party. It will probably also increase the likelihood that they will donate money for the cause."

The King turned to the brothers, "What do you think?"

The middle one spoke, "If you were to hold such a luxurious party, then the lower class will be upset. They may revolt."

SHH! Don't tell him that!

I tried to refrain from showing my inner thoughts. The eldest laughed, "Revolt? Where would they find the money to revolt? They lack weapons and courage."

The King nodded, "I don't think we have anything to fear from them. Just throw out some stale bread and they will be appeased."

Little do they know how wrong they are.

I smiled at their easy dismissal of the lower class. I am going to make sure they regret that decision. A unified lower class is something the ruling class should fear. And I will make sure to personally give them that lesson.

The King finished his meal and waved his hand. I watched as everyone else put down their food and refuse to eat another bite. Simon grabbed my hand so I wouldn't take another bite as well. He whispered in my ear, "When the King finishes his meal, we must be finished as well."

I whispered back, "That seems like a waste of food."

"Don't be gluttonous."

The King stood up causing everyone else to stand up as well. I panicked and jumped up so quickly I nearly fell. Simon caught me adeptly so I wouldn't fall and make a scene. I threw him a look and saw that under his smirk he was laughing at me mockingly.

The King spoke, "You are all dismissed. There will be no more meetings tonight. We will resume tomorrow morning to discuss the taking of the Lorei City."

Everyone bowed and gave the King thanks before he left. Then one by one, the brothers left as well. Each one seemed to glare at me before they left the room. Simon didn't seem to mind their glares as he smiled back at them beside me. He then led me away back to the room still holding my hand. Once we entered, I ripped my hand out of his grip.

He sighed, "Oh… But I was enjoying that."

I raised an eyebrow, "What? Enjoying my pain and suffering?"

He nodded with a chuckle, "Exactly."

I went to the bed and collapsed. My stomach burned from the spicy food I forced myself to eat. Ugh... No good. I need to find Gilyn. Tonight, is the night he goes to the bar. I don't have time to lay on this bed in pain.

Simon saw my collapsed state and chuckled, "How is building up your tolerance to the Sanki spice going?"

I flipped him off without a word.

He sat on the bed with a smirk, "That good?"

I grumbled and watched him lay down beside me. I glared at him, "You sleep on the couch."

He smiled calmly, "No, I think I will be sleeping on the bed from now on."

"You can't sleep on the bed. I'm sleeping on the bed."

"We can share. I don't mind."

"Well I do!"

He looked over to me with a charismatic smile, "Come and cuddle with me wife."

I sat up abruptly, "I just remembered I have somewhere else to be."

Simon laughed as he watched me quickly stand up, "Oh? I thought your stomach was hurting. It must not be so bad if you can still go out."

I held my stomach. On the contrary, it felt like the food was burning a hole in my stomach. However, I must endure this pain and go find Gilyn.

I forced myself out of bed and got dressed in men's clothes. I ignored Simon's inquisitive face as he watched me prepare to leave. I looked in the mirror to ensure that my hair was properly tucked in and not showing. I don't want to be caught again because of my hair.

I snuck out of the castle under the cover of the night. I walked along the main street peering through the only opening in my clothes. I saw the large sign which read "The Lion's Den".

I nodded in appreciation, "Such a nice name."

Perhaps a bit too fitting for this Kingdom.

I walked inside the Lion's Den and looked around. I saw a huge muscular man sitting at the bar. He wore a sleeveless outfit which showed his bulging muscles which were also covered in scars. He had long unruly black hair which was pulled back.

There was a reflective glass on the wall behind the bar. I could see his reflection clearly in the glass. His eyes were downcast and mysterious. A large deep scar covered his left eye leaving him partially blind. It only added to his dangerous aura.

This must be the guy.

I sat down next to him at the bar casually. He slightly turned his head to look at me. His expression was completely unreadable. I smiled at him and gave a nod before Gilyn looked away. The bartender walked over and looked at me, "What do you want?"

I tapped my chin, "Hmm. It's my first time here." I glanced at Gilyn, "What do you recommend?"

Gilyn made no change in expression and only tapped his large Viking-like glass. The bartender seemed to understand him even if I did not. He placed the same drink in front of each of us. I pulled down my headscarf and inhaled the drink. My nose burned from smell alone.

The Sanki people must have really high tolerances for alcohol. Now I understand why it took Dante nearly two large bottles of whisky before he became drunk.

The bartender glared at me, "D*mn pale skin. Do you even have money for this?"

I sighed and tossed out some coins I had received from Simon, "Why must you assume I have no money for this?"

The bartender tossed his head and collected the money. I watched as he didn't collect money from anyone else until they went to leave. Yet, he demanded I pay him up front. How rude.

Gilyn spoke as if reading my mind, "It's because pale skins aren't known for having money. There's a reason why they are on the streets begging."

I glanced at him and tried to read his expression. However, I couldn't tell if he hated pale skins or if he didn't.

I spoke, "I suppose I understand the prejudice. We come from occupied villages which were mostly burned down or looted. As a result, most have resorted to violence in order to survive."

Gilyn made no change in expression, "Precisely why many guards will find it suspicious for you to be spending money here."

I swallowed hard. Why did that seem like a threat just now? Yet, he didn't look like he was threatening me. Ugh. Luckily, I don't need to figure out his emotions. I just need to determine how he lies.

It's just like a game of poker.

I spoke, "I will keep that in mind. So, do you usually come to this bar?"

His expression remained unreadable, "Every so often."

"Then I assume that it is your favorite?"

"It is what it is."

"Do you usually order this drink?"

"Sometimes."

"So then you must like it."

"It's okay."

Holy sh*t.

Not only can I not read him, but his answers are also incredibly vague!!! No wonder the bandit Chief said no one knows what side he is on. He probably just tiptoes around the idea and never reveals the truth!

I looked forward breaking out in a cold sweat. What am I going to do now? I can't even get him to tell a lie nor can I figure out his values and morals. How do you deal with a person like this?!

In the reflection, I could see the Original Seri standing behind me. She spoke, "Why do you feel so anxious?"

I mumbled into my sleeve to make sure Gilyn didn't hear me, "Because I can't read him at all! He is the first person I have met that I can't tell if he's lying or not!!! He has absolutely no micro expressions and gives nothing away. How can I bring up the rebellion if I don't even know if he's a hardcore loyal or if he hates the King?!"

She looked at the glass in front of me, "Don't they say that the Sanki people value strength? Just arm wrestle him or something and prove your worth."

"Arm wrestle with those pythons?! Hell no! I wouldn't even last a second!!!"

"Then..." She motioned at the alcohol in front of me, "Get drunk."