“You seem to be deep in thought.”

I open my eyes to see Miss Talia standing over me, my refilled teacup in her hand. “Thanks,” I mumble, handing it to Bell. “This is a mess.”

“You can simply stay out of it.”

“No, no. There’s no point leaving it to chance when I can do something. Unless you see something I don’t?

“I agree intervention would be the best course. You seem wary of dealing with the royal family but having their favor would be a powerful boon. However, if you do get involved, I advise you keep your involvement concealed until you can reveal the plot in its entirety. Otherwise, the perpetrators will escape and the plotters will find a way to turn the outcome to their favor.”

“Yeah. You’re completely right.” Just because I get involved doesn’t mean I have to thrust myself right in the middle of it. I can simply have Geneva lurk about the Grand Hall to find the information on the assassins, deliver that info to Samuel discretely, and disappear into the night. Forget the king’s favor. “Thanks. I appreciate you taking the time to talk this through with me. How do you know so much anyway? Don’t tell me it all came from listening in on conversations here.”

Miss Talia retakes her place behind her desk. “I have to deal with the politicking of the kingdom frequently. Mental affinities are rare, those who can make proper use of it even more so. At the moment, I am the number one candidate to replace the Head Interrogator when he retires.”

What is it with me and unknowingly interacting with people of surprisingly high status!? “As in…the head of law enforcement for the country and the king’s personal interrogator?”

“Yes.”

“Ah.”

“A very coveted role. To receive even a consideration, one cannot simply be good. They must be the best. Though I do not need such a carrot. I enjoy my abilities and desire to explore them to greater depths.”

Hence, your interest in me. This woman. She seems intent on getting closer to me but if she ever decided to cut her losses, what could she reveal about me? And she can whisper into the most important ears in the kingdom.

“Coo coo.” [There is no need to be concerned. The woman knows the difference between the power of men and real power. She will not alienate you.]

Thanks, Bell. I know that. This whole prince situation just has me unnerved.

“Ah, the creature just spoke with you, yes? I can’t be sure as the spell was so seamless, if left barely any trace. Incredible.”

“Coo!” [And quite talented for a human!]

“I read your papers on the incompetent imps of Burning Earth but it is difficult to believe such prowess could be exercised by a creature with a coefficient of anything less than 500, no matter how long they may live.”

You are far too observant for a woman who walks around with her eyes closed. What is with that? Her eyes are strange but I don’t think she’s blind. She can’t be. “Erm, don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d really not have that conversation right now.”

“I understand. Being a friend is knowing when to respect boundaries. Perhaps a change of subject? We could share details of one another’s lives or discuss our hobbies.”

Pfft. “Sure. What’s going on with your eyes?”

She slowly opens them, revealing the strangely inverted colors. “A common question. There is no common term for those born this way. I prefer a term I saw in an old text that called them spirit eyes. I am blind to the physical world but in exchange I can see mana.”

…eh? Does that mean what I think it means?

“It is hard to describe. I have seen the world through others’ eyes but no colors can describe wild mana. It is transparent yet shines brilliantly at the same time. It gains more recognizable colors once it enters a person, dimming as the caster extracts from it the affinity they can use. I mainly navigate by seeing the balls of mana that represent people and avoiding the darkness that wild mana flows around to recognize obstacles.”

I swallow heavily. “Um, when you say you can see the color of mana in people…can you recognize the affinity by color?”

She gives me a piercing look. “Yes. If I know them well enough, I can even recognize individuals by the hue of their mana. Yours is…quite unique.”

Oh, saints’ damnation…we’re going to have to kill her.

[There is no need to be hasty, Master Lou.]

Am I being hasty? She knows, Bell! No one can find out about my potential! Do you know what they would do to me? I’d be spirited away to the capital and forced to serve the king directly, probably as a soldier or royal guard or some other ridiculous title that equals being as good as a prisoner.

Or they’d try to pawn me off to one of the princes to enrich the bloodline. Who wouldn’t want a noble brood mare with seven affinities? They will put me firmly under their thumb some way and if they can’t, I can’t be allowed to live. Hunted for as long as I’m in the country. No, no, no, that is not happening!

[Please, calm yourself. We would not allow such to happen. You are about to let your panic urge you to do something you’ll regret. Umphrieltalia is not a stupid woman. She would clearly recognize your value and her own threat to your continued existence by revealing she knows. She could have remained quiet and you would never have known. Yet, she told you.]

…Bell’s right. She’s right. Why did she tell me that instead of running off to the king first chance she got?

[She is ambitious.]

I chance a look at Miss Talia. Quietly watching me with those strange eyes. She must know we’re talking right now. Does she know we’re discussing her life? “Why?” I finally ask.

“I want to be your friend, Lourianne. Friends have to be able to trust one another.”

Such simple reasoning. You want me to bet my life and freedom on that?

No way. I should just run. Geneva can teach me and I’ll summon another elemental for the rest of my elements. Tour the world with Kierra. That doesn’t sound bad. That would be the smart thing but…

But...

I can’t help but remember her blank look when she emotionlessly declared having never been close enough to anyone to call them a friend. I at least had those stupid brother knights and the fleeting friendships I formed sneaking amongst the common folk. Aaaaagggghhhh, fine you damn conscience!

“Coo~” [You are very kind, my master. Listen to no one who insults such a virtue, as it is rare and beautiful.]

Thanks for not calling me an idiot, which is what I feel like. You always make me feel better. “Here’s to friendship,” I say aloud, hugging Bell close to my chest.

A tiny smile. Saints know how happy she must be for it to be showing on her face. “Thank you, Lou. Thank you.”