Chapter 67 Cake?

Rel decided that discussing continental war, ancient threats, and the possibility of convincing the most powerful territory in Treyor to participate in a future conflict had apparently worked up an appetite.

Not for meat.

Not for alcohol.

Cake.

Of course.

Because Supreme General Rel operated according to a system known only to herself, the gods, and probably several confused bakers.

The three of us left Agran Castle together.

Rel walked ahead for the first few steps, completely at ease in a bright green dress that looked far more suited for an afternoon garden party than someone who could turn an arena into loose construction material.

I still hadn't gotten used to that contrast.

Yesterday, I had watched her eyes turn red while black aura screamed around her body and the primitive parts of my brain began preparing emergency evacuation procedures.

Today, she looked like she should be choosing ribbons.

Aphrodasia had repeatedly taught me not to judge dangerous women by wardrobe.

I continued forgetting.

Mostly because the dangerous women had excellent wardrobes.

Leyra walked beside me.

She had changed into a less ceremonial dress before leaving the castle, though it was still unmistakably royal. Golden hair flowed neatly behind her, catching the sunlight whenever we stepped beyond the castle's shadow.

Rel descended the broad stairs toward the city.

No royal carriage.

No massive escort surrounding us.

A handful of knights remained far enough behind to provide protection without turning our walk into a parade.

Rel apparently liked moving through the capital normally.

Well.

As normally as the Supreme General of Agran could.

The moment we reached the busier streets, people recognized her.

“General Rel!”

A merchant waved.

Rel immediately lifted one hand.

“Good afternoon!”

Two Tigerkin children spotted her from beside a fruit stall.

They started waving enthusiastically.

Rel waved with both hands.

I watched.

One child nearly dropped whatever he was eating because he became too committed to waving.

Rel laughed.

A woman outside a tailoring shop bowed.

Rel smiled at her.

An elderly man gave her a respectful nod.

She returned it.

No stiff ceremony.

No soldiers forcing civilians aside.

People simply knew her.

And judging by their expressions, they liked her.

I glanced at Leyra.

“She does this often?”

Leyra followed my gaze.

“Walks around the city?”

“Yes.”

“I believe so.”

Rel turned while still walking forward.

“I can hear you.”

I smiled.

“Then save me the trouble of gossiping.”

She clasped her hands behind her back.

“I come into the capital whenever I have time.”

“To inspect defenses?”

“No.”

“Gather intelligence?”

“No.”

“Secret military business?”

“No.”

“Cake?”

Rel pointed at me.

“Now you understand.”

I nodded solemnly.

“The true burden of command.”

“Exactly.”

She turned around again.

Leyra laughed softly.

We moved deeper into Agran's capital.

The city looked different when I wasn't viewing it from inside a royal carriage.

Closer.

More alive.

Dark stone buildings stood shoulder to shoulder along broad streets. Red and black cloth awnings shaded shops. Tiger motifs appeared everywhere once I started noticing them.

Carved stripes.

Painted claws.

Stylized tails incorporated into decorative borders.

The smells changed every few steps.

Bread.

Spiced meat.

Fresh fruit.

Hot metal from a smithy.

Flowers from stalls along one small square.

Agran didn't feel hostile.

Which was a funny thing to realize considering I'd spent most of the journey here fighting people hired specifically to make sure I never reached it.

Turns out kingdoms were considerably more complicated than “those guys tried to murder me.”

Useful political lesson.

Eventually Rel stopped outside a restaurant.

I stared.

Then looked at her.

Then at the restaurant again.

It was adorable.

Painfully adorable.

The exterior had cream-colored walls with red trim. Flower boxes sat beneath the windows. Small painted signs showed cakes, pastries, berries, and steaming cups.

Even the entrance had a rounded little awning decorated with tiny embroidered tiger paws.

I pointed.

“This?”

Rel looked proud.

“Yes.”

“The Supreme General's favorite restaurant.”

“Yes.”

I looked at Leyra.

She looked amused.

I returned my gaze to Rel.

“I expected something more intimidating.”

“What would an intimidating cake restaurant look like?”

“I don't know. Maybe skulls.”

“That sounds terrible.”

“Tiny decorative skulls.”

“No.”

“Fair.”

Rel opened the door.

A small bell chimed.

We entered.

And somehow the inside was even cuter.

Pastel tablecloths.

Fresh flowers.

Polished wooden furniture.

Small paintings of landscapes and animals.

The servers wore colorful dresses with aprons decorated by little ribbons.

One waitress recognized Rel instantly.

Her expression brightened.

“Supreme General!”

Rel smiled.

“Hello.”

The waitress bowed.

Then looked toward Leyra.

Her eyes widened.

Crown princess.

Then toward me.

More widening.

Famous fake Spriggan diplomat.

Wonderful.

I gave her a small wave.

“Hi.”

She recovered with impressive speed.

Rel requested a table.

We were led toward a quieter corner beside a window.

Leyra and I sat next to each other.

Rel sat opposite us.

Interesting seating choice.

I wasn't suspicious.

Yet.

The waitress handed us menus.

Rel barely looked.

She already knew what she wanted.

Naturally.

I studied mine.

Everything sounded dangerously good.

Fruit cakes.

Cream cakes.

Chocolate-like desserts.

Pastries filled with things whose names I didn't recognize but was willing to meet personally.

Eventually we ordered.

The waitress bowed and hurried away.

Rel folded her hands beneath her chin.

Then smiled at us.

I immediately became suspicious.

There.

That smile.

The one suggesting she had ten thoughts and would only reveal whichever one caused maximum inconvenience.

I pointed at her.

“No.”

Rel blinked.

“No what?”

“Whatever you're planning.”

“I haven't said anything.”

“Exactly.”

Leyra smiled beside me.

Rel leaned back.

“I invited you to eat.”

“And I appreciate it.”

“Then why are you suspicious?”

“Experience.”

“From one fight?”

“From every conversation we've ever had.”

Rel laughed.

Good.

Maybe I survived.

The cakes arrived.

Any remaining argument immediately became irrelevant.

A small individual cake was placed in front of each of us.

Mine had layers of soft golden sponge with pale cream and dark berries arranged across the top.

Leyra's had lighter fruit and a glossy glaze.

Rel's was aggressively cute.

Pink cream.

Tiny decorative flowers.

A little sugar tiger sitting on top.

I stared.

Rel noticed.

“What?”

“That cake looks like it was designed specifically for you.”

She smiled brightly.

“It is one of my favorites.”

“Of course it is.”

Rel took the first bite.

Her entire expression softened.

Supreme General gone.

Only happy woman eating cake remained.

She actually closed her eyes for a second.

I picked up my fork.

Cut into mine.

Took a bite.

Oh.

That was good.

Very good.

Soft cake.

Sweet cream without being overwhelming.

Slight tartness from the berries.

I nodded slowly.

“Okay.”

Rel opened her eyes.

“Well?”

“I approve.”

She looked offended.

“Approve?”

“This is excellent.”

Better.

Rel smiled again.

“I come here often.”

I looked around.

“That was becoming obvious.”

“How?”

“The waitress didn't ask what you wanted.”

Rel paused.

Then pointed her fork at me.

“Good observation.”

“I have many talents.”

Leyra tasted her cake.

Her blue eyes brightened.

“This is lovely.”

Rel nodded enthusiastically.

“I knew you would like it.”

Leyra took another bite.

“I understand why you return here.”

I smiled.

We ate.

For approximately one peaceful minute.

Then Rel looked between us.

Once.

Twice.

Her fork paused near her plate.

Ah.

Here it comes.

“You two seem very comfortable together.”

Leyra's fork stopped.

Mine did not.

I took another bite.

“The princess has been very kind to me.”

Rel's eyes narrowed playfully.

“I don't think kindness explains all of it.”

Leyra immediately looked down.

Color touched her cheeks.

There it was.

Crown Princess Leyra Goldmane.

Underground arena champion.

Woman who could punch assassins apart with Light Buster.

Defeated by casual relationship commentary.

Rel noticed too.

Of course she did.

Her smile widened.

I sighed.

“I hope you didn't lure us into a cake shop to conduct an interrogation.”

Rel placed one hand against her chest.

“Me?”

“Yes. You.”

“No.”

She laughed.

“I absolutely did not.”

I looked at the cake.

“Good.”

Then took another bite.

“Because I would prefer concentrating on this.”

Rel nodded solemnly.

“Reasonable.”

Silence.

Three seconds.

Then:

“Princess Leyra.”

Leyra looked up.

Rel continued.

“You are at the age where the question becomes unavoidable.”

I closed my eyes.

Here we go.

“What question?” Leyra asked.

“Who will stand beside you when you become queen?”

Leyra's expression stayed composed.

Mostly.

Rel took another bite.

“Have you chosen anyone?”

Leyra shook her head.

“No.”

“Not even someone you're considering?”

“No one.”

Rel hummed.

“Interesting.”

I ate cake.

Not involved.

Absolutely uninvolved.

I was merely sitting beside the Crown Princess while a woman who could read behavior like written documents stared directly at us.

Very relaxing.

Rel continued.

“There are many eligible nobles in Inizio.”

Leyra nodded.

“There are.”

“Old families.”

“Yes.”

“Military families.”

“Yes.”

“Landholders.”

“Yes.”

“Men with enough political standing that marriage would strengthen the crown.”

Leyra's expression became slightly colder.

“There are.”

“But none appeal to you?”

“No.”

Rel tilted her head.

“Not one?”

Leyra answered without hesitation.

“Unfortunately, no nobleman in Inizio has come close.”

My fork stopped.

Rel saw it.

Damn.

I resumed eating.

Rel looked thoughtful.

Then her eyes slowly shifted toward me.

I didn't like that.

“Are you open to considering someone outside your kingdom's nobility?”

Leyra's gaze sharpened.

Rel continued innocently.

“Another race, perhaps.”

I stared at my cake.

Nope.

Not looking up.

“Purely hypothetical,” Rel added.

That made it worse.

“Perhaps someone who is…”

Pause.

“…definitely a Spriggan.”

I inhaled wrong.

Cake nearly killed me.

I coughed.

Leyra turned immediately.

“Caled?”

I raised one hand.

“Alive.”

Rel covered her mouth.

She was laughing.

“You did that deliberately.”

“Did what?”

“Weaponized dessert.”

“I only asked a question.”

“A suspiciously shaped question.”

Leyra looked at me.

Then at Rel.

Her cheeks had turned red again.

Rel waited.

She really was good at this.

She had placed the question lightly enough that answering too seriously would make us look defensive.

But beneath the teasing was something else.

A real question.

Would Leyra consider Caled?

And if so, would Caled ever become king?

I knew it.

Rel knew I knew it.

Probably Leyra knew too.

That was the annoying thing about talking with Rel.

Every conversation had trapdoors.

Leyra finally spoke.

“I don't think he would enjoy sitting on a throne.”

I slowly took another bite of cake.

Good answer.

Very good answer.

Rel looked toward me.

I swallowed.

“She is correct.”

“So you have no interest?”

“In sitting on a throne?”

“Yes.”

“None.”

Rel's brows rose.

“None at all?”

“Have you met rulers?”

She laughed.

“I work for one.”

“Exactly.”

I gestured vaguely toward the castle.

“People wake them up because somebody argued over taxes.”

“That also happens to generals.”

“Then your job is terrible too.”

Rel smiled.

Leyra covered a laugh.

I continued.

“I don't want a crown.”

“Even through marriage?”

“No.”

That answer came easily.

Power was useful.

Freedom was better.

If someone gave me a throne, my first instinct would probably be asking whether it came with an emergency exit.

Rel nodded slowly.

“So what is this, then?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“This?”

She gestured between Leyra and me with her fork.

“You like one another.”

Leyra became redder.

Rel continued calmly.

“But you don't imagine yourselves sitting together as king and queen.”

I leaned back.

“I feel like you've skipped several steps.”

“Have I?”

“Yes.”

“Which ones?”

I stared.

“No. Absolutely not. I'm not drawing you a relationship diagram over cake.”

Rel laughed.

I cleared my throat.

“What I'm curious about is why you concluded we're a thing in the first place.”

Then I lifted one finger.

“Not confirming.”

Another finger.

“Not denying.”

A third.

“Merely curious.”

Rel stared at my fingers.

“You needed three disclaimers?”

“With you? I need legal representation.”

Leyra laughed quietly.

Rel placed her fork down.

Then looked between us.

“The way you look at each other.”

I blinked.

“That simple?”

“Yes.”

“What way?”

Rel smiled.

“The sort of look where the only things missing are romantic music and butterflies floating around your heads.”

I stared.

“That is one of the strangest analyses you've given me.”

Leyra hid another smile.

Rel shrugged.

“It is accurate.”

“You could've said affection.”

“Less entertaining.”

Fair.

Leyra looked at Rel more carefully.

“Did Queen Firsa ask you to investigate this?”

Interesting.

Straight to the possibility.

Rel shook her head.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.”

Then she smiled.

“I asked because I was curious.”

Leyra held her gaze.

Rel continued.

“And perhaps because I wondered what Inizio might become if someone who is definitely a Spriggan ever sat on its throne.”

There it was.

I put down my fork.

This woman.

Absolutely incredible.

She had hidden a geopolitical question inside romantic teasing, wrapped the whole thing in cake, and served it with a smile.

I couldn't even be angry.

That was craftsmanship.

Leyra stayed quiet.

Then finally answered.

“Caled and I are not in a relationship.”

Rel looked interested.

Leyra continued before she could interrupt.

“If that is what you truly want to know.”

I glanced at Leyra.

Her expression was calm again.

Princess composure restored.

“But we are more than friends.”

Rel's smile softened.

Leyra looked briefly toward me.

Then back at Rel.

“We enjoy one another's company.”

I smiled slightly.

Very diplomatic description considering some of that company had occurred naked.

Leyra continued.

“But neither of us belongs to the other.”

There.

That was us.

No claim.

No obligation.

No invisible chain disguised as romance.

We chose each other's company when we wanted it.

Nothing more complicated was required.

Rel nodded.

Not teasing now.

Actually listening.

“And you are content with that?”

Leyra nodded.

“Yes.”

I added, “Works for me.”

Rel's gaze moved between us.

Then she smiled.

Interesting.

Not judgmental.

Not surprised.

Just filing information into whatever terrifying library existed behind those golden eyes.

I pointed at her.

“You did it again.”

Rel blinked.

“What?”

“You buried your real question inside something personal.”

She looked innocent.

“I don't know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do.”

Leyra looked at me.

I leaned forward.

“She wanted to know whether I could end up on Inizio's throne.”

Rel raised her fork.

“I was curious about both matters.”

“Convenient.”

“Efficiency.”

I laughed.

“You're terrifying.”

“Thank you.”

“Not praise.”

“I accepted it anyway.”

Leyra looked down again.

Her cheeks were still pink.

I pointed toward Rel.

“You embarrassed Leyra just so you could sneak politics into the conversation.”

Rel laughed.

“I apologize.”

I stared.

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

She somehow said it sincerely while still looking amused.

I shook my head.

“I don't believe you.”

“No, really.”

She placed a hand over her chest.

“I was genuinely curious.”

I looked directly into her eyes.

Golden.

Bright.

Completely unreadable.

Was she?

Probably.

Was that the whole truth?

Absolutely not.

That was the problem.

Rel could say something entirely true while hiding three other truths behind it like smug little furniture.

I kept staring.

She smiled.

Casually.

Then laughed.

“All right. I was teasing you too.”

“Too?”

She took another bite of cake.

“That word is doing a lot of work.”

Rel ignored me.

I resumed eating.

Peace returned.

For perhaps thirty seconds.

Then I caught her looking at me.

Not Leyra.

Me.

I looked back.

Rel smiled immediately.

No embarrassment.

No attempt to look away.

Just that smile.

I narrowed my eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That answer is illegal when you say it.”

“I was only looking.”

“You don't only look.”

Leyra laughed.

Rel leaned her cheek into one hand.

I sighed.

“Talking with you is exhausting.”

Her smile widened.

“How?”

“It feels like I'm solving a puzzle every time you open your mouth.”

Rel looked delighted by that description.

Leyra nodded beside me.

“She has always been like that.”

I turned.

“You noticed too?”

Leyra gave Rel a look that carried years of history.

“When I was younger, I used to be nervous whenever she spoke to me.”

Rel's expression changed immediately.

“Princess.”

Leyra smiled.

“She would ask an innocent question, and afterward I would spend the entire evening wondering what she had actually wanted to know.”

I pointed at Rel.

“Exactly!”

Rel covered her face with one hand.

“This is becoming embarrassing.”

“No, this is justice.”

Leyra laughed.

Rel looked at her.

“I was never trying to frighten you.”

“You didn't frighten me.”

“Nervous, then.”

Leyra considered.

“You made me suspicious of every simple question.”

I nodded enthusiastically.

“See? Victim testimony.”

Rel groaned.

“You two have become allies against me.”

“Temporarily.”

Leyra smiled.

Rel leaned back and sighed dramatically.

Then she suddenly brightened.

“Well.”

I recognized that look.

Another turn.

Another conversational knife hidden inside a pastry box.

She tilted her head.

“At least I have one advantage.”

I stopped eating.

“What?”

Rel pointed toward herself.

“It is fortunate that I'm cute.”

Silence.

Leyra smiled.

I stared at Rel.

Rel smiled back.

Then I realized something.

She was waiting.

Actually waiting.

For me.

Her golden eyes remained fixed on mine.

That little satisfied curve stayed on her lips.

Oh.

She wanted an answer.

I glanced at Leyra.

Leyra looked far too entertained.

No assistance coming from that direction.

Traitor.

I looked back at Rel.

She raised her eyebrows expectantly.

I could lie.

Bad idea.

Treez's advice regarding Firsa had been about honesty, but Rel was somehow worse because she'd probably detect hesitation and interrogate the hesitation for recreational purposes.

Also…

She was cute.

Annoyingly so.

Dangerously so.

The sort of cute that came attached to enough military power to redesign geography.

I looked directly into her eyes.

“Yes.”

Rel's smile grew.

I finished:

“You are.”