190: Interruption
Tables nearby had clearly overheard the conversation, because I heard whispers of ‘dragon’ in between awe about the moderate speed buff from the tea and wondering if they could buy it.
The Queen didn’t let go of Sylverith’s hand, however, just looking at her, puzzled.
“You can see my class?” she asked.
A grin appeared across Sylverith’s face. “I can.”
“Could I ask how that’s possible? I was under the impression that there was no known ability that allowed someone to see another person’s stats unless they willingly shared,” Amber asked, now letting go of her hand.
I also couldn’t help but notice that the tables closest to us also went silent and were likely listening in.
Sylverith kept smiling, but shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t share that, but I wouldn’t be too concerned. There are only a few individuals in the world that I’m aware of who can do it.”
Amber peered at Sylverith for a long moment. “But there are others who have this ability, other than you. Is it a dragon ability?”
Sylverith let out a soft chuckle. “No, not dragon related, and yes, there are others, but I’ll say no more.”
Amber let out a soft chuckle but seemed to drop the issue. “My husband received reports from a couple of scholars that our library seems to be missing a few volumes. I don’t suppose that was you?”
This question caught my attention. I knew exactly where those books were, but Sylverith didn’t make it too easy for Amber, just letting out a soft laugh.
“I may have a couple. It’s more comfortable at the house than that cold dungeon you call a library,” she finally said.
The conversation was interrupted by what appeared to be a commotion at the door, followed by several screams as even I could feel the pressure from Lily flare up. I wasn’t the only one who got to my feet and started to push my way through the crowd towards her. The last thing I needed was for Lily to get upset and knock half the nobles in the city unconscious.
I spotted Liane through the window as she appeared to be speaking with a middle-aged man in a brown robe and what appeared to be greying hair next to the doorway. It seemed others were on the move as well. I noticed Micca pushing her way through the crowd towards the door as well.
When I finally saw the entrance, the doorway was being blocked first by Darren and George, who had their backs towards us, and in front of them were two very large Royal Guards in full plate, who were standing behind Liane and Lily. I could hear the conversation.
“…Don’t care what you believe is right or not. Your house is not welcome here,” Liane said.
“Your beast attacked me!” I heard the man yell.
I heard Liane snort. “If Lily actually attacked you, you’d be dead, you idiot.”
Kathrine didn’t let the four guards ahead of her stop her as she announced loudly, “Step aside,” causing Darren and George to jump but making way.
The Royal Guards naturally parted at the command without looking.
“Aiden Valrith, I believe I made it very clear that your house was not to cause any trouble at this business, and I also was very clear on what would happen to you and your house if you did. Was I not?” she said sharply.
“P…Princess, I was not here to cause trouble, merely here to experience it like everyone else, but I was attacked at the entrance,” he tried to protest.
I had pushed my way through the guards as well, with the others stepping forward to stand behind Liane. I just reached down to scratch Lily behind the ears.
“No need for the pressure. There are children inside,” I whispered.
Just as I said it, Crisplet rushed past my leg, the shards orbiting around his head as his body took on a dark, dangerous red.
I just let out a sigh. I knew we’d have something happen here, but perhaps it’s better that it happened today.
“Aiden, I’ll make this very clear, like I did with your father. If anyone from your house, or your employ, causes any issues for Lord Ashmoon, his house, his friends, or his place of business, your entire household will be stripped of their titles, and those responsible will be held to justice. Is that clear?” Kathrine said, likely far louder than required.
The entire crowd watching looked shocked at what they had just heard, though.
“But…” Aiden said.
“Leave and take any of your house members with you. If they are caught inside, I don’t make idle threats.” This tone was unlike anything I had heard from Kathrine to this point.
Aiden didn’t say anything more, just turning around and starting to jog away. Despite there being probably a hundred or more people watching this unfold, it was perfectly silent as he ran.
Micca pushed her way forward as I whispered to Crisplet, “It’s okay now. Let’s head back inside.”
Lily took her spot back at the entrance as I turned around to go inside, hearing Micca behind me. “Sorry about that, everyone. We’re currently full inside, but we’ll hopefully get more people in soon!”
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I had many questions. I wanted to know how she knew the members of the Valrith household, because that man Aiden was not someone I had seen before, but I knew deep down the answer was she’d already scouted them all out. Selfishly, I was disappointed she hadn’t dealt with them all already.
I shook my head. I shouldn’t think like that. There could be innocent people who get hurt.
Making our way through the crowd, Queen Amber was still seated at the tables, and I noted no one had attempted to take the two empty tables next to her, or if they did, she stopped them.
“All good out there?” she asked.
“I think so,” I replied, taking my seat again.
Micca approached the table. “I have lots of people asking about the tea and any other goods, so let’s get this started, Kathrine.”
Kathrine's face lit up with joy as Micca also grabbed Milo before heading upstairs.
“This has certainly made for an interesting day. I rarely leave the palace, let alone come to an event like this. You forget how lively it is, even some drama added in to spice it up.” Amber said.
“Why don’t you leave the palace?” I asked curiously.
I feel like if I were in charge, I’d still want to leave and explore, figure out the city, the people.
“Safety is usually the primary concern, but truthfully, you can’t get honest and real conversation from people, so why bother,” Amber explained.
I nodded. I could see that being a problem.
We sat in silence for a while longer as Liane reappeared in the chair next to me.
“Having fun out there?” I asked with a grin.
“It was rather enjoyable. Lily knocked him back pretty hard, and I had to hold back the laughter,” Liane said between cake bites.
Sylverith was chatting with Amber, but it was very quiet, so I couldn’t hear them over the sounds of the store. While I waited for the others to come back down, I really took in what Micca had done with the shop, from the cups and pots with the same dragon symbol that was on George’s armour, to several display cases filled with cakes that were rapidly getting depleted and refilled.
It was about half an hour before Kathrine and Micca came down. Micca was quickly caught by Reginald, who went upstairs, likely to make some more deals.
When Kathrine took a seat, she had a giant smile on her face.
“That’s an impressive array of items you have made, and thank you for not putting fire immunity on everything. However, there’s no way I can convince you to sell exclusively to us, is there?” she asked, looking over at me.
“Sorry, I don’t do the business side of things,” I said, raising my hands in the air.
She just let out a sigh. “Could I make a request? A personal one?”
I remembered back to the advice of not agreeing to anything, so I was careful not to say yes, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear her out, though, right?
“I can’t promise anything,” I said simply, which seemed to be enough.
“Is it possible for you to make a candy or food with mana regeneration as well as fire magic potency?” She looked at me hopefully.
But when I really thought about it, other than the skill selection where I had the option to choose a fire-based infusion, I had not seen fire potency at all. I didn’t want to confirm or deny that it was possible, either, so I had to really think about it.
I was lucky, or unluckily, saved by another commotion out the front of the store, as it sounded like someone was shouting.
Kathrine let out a long sigh before getting to her feet. Liane, Hari, Jen, myself, and Crisplet all followed, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Lily hit someone again, although there was no pressure shift this time.
Getting closer to the door, I heard a familiar voice, and my mood was instantly ruined.
Corin Valrith was being pushed back by several Royal Guards as he shouted over them.
“I demand to speak with Princess Kathrine immediately! Stop this at once!” he yelled.
Kathrine stepped outside again, this time sounding incredibly annoyed.
“Your house just does not learn, does it? What part of my warnings have you found difficult to understand?” she practically snarled.
The guards stopped pushing him back but did not move and did not allow him to approach.
“Princess, you can’t be serious. This orphan has stolen my recipe for speed potion, and you dare go after me? I demand you arrest him!” Corin yelled.
I couldn’t hold back my laugh at that, as I looked to the ground trying to disguise it.
“Corin, is your speed potion just lemon tea grass?” Kathrine calmly asked.
Too calmly. I knew I was dense at times, and even I knew this was a trap, but he took it all the same.
“Of course not! I am not a hack. It’s a complex formula,” Corin spat back.
“Then it seems you’re wasting my time, and I made it clear to Aiden what would happen if anyone from your house tried this again. Arrest him.” The tone was icy.
The reaction from the guards was instantaneous. They were no longer trying to push him back. They almost immediately had him lifted off the ground as they walked away with him.
“You can’t do this!” Corin screamed, but it wasn’t long before they had pushed him into a carriage.
With a sigh, Kathrine turned around towards us. “I’m sorry, Trevor. It looks like our chat will be cut short. I must head to the palace and inform the King of what has occurred today. Thank you so much for the tea and cake, and please pass on my compliments to Micca.”
It wasn’t even a second later that Amber came through the doorway. “Is it time to leave already?” She sounded disappointed.
“Please pass my thanks on to young Miss Carlye. This has been a pleasant morning,” Amber said with a soft smile.
The royal carriage was just arriving. Kathrine didn’t even wait for it to come to a full stop before the door was open and she was climbing inside. Amber followed behind, but far more calmly.
I was surprised to see Lily was just sitting calmly by the door.
“I think it’s probably best we leave as well,” Liane suggested.
“I’ll stay behind and wait for Milo,” Jen said.
While Hari just looked at George and Darren, who were still standing behind the two Royal Guards at the entrance, who did not move.
“I’ll stick with them, make sure no trouble occurs,” Hari said.
I turned around and let Lily know, but she had already disappeared, I had just seen her, maybe she was waiting inside the carriage again.
So getting Crisplet and Liane, we made our exits. I saw Micca poke her head out the door to the stairs and managed to get a wave in, but our carriage was also arriving.
Once we were inside and the door was closed, I had to ask. “You don’t know where Lily went, do you? I just saw her a moment ago.”
Liane shook her head, and Crisplet even gave me a single ember response.
I just sighed. “That’s probably not good, is it? Also, did anyone tell Sylverith?”