"Truthfully, when we go to the Knightage later, we'll probably meet a few of the Soldiers. So you'll be able to see it first-hand that there are different squadrons composed of other insect types."
Reaching for the tea Jenkins had just refilled for the both of them, Pietro moistened his throat before continuing.
"I'm not sure why they're based on insects. Father never clarified. It may be linked to the whole 'adult' thing we spoke of yesterday, or it's something he would only tell you."
With this, he looked at her pointedly before quickly re-schooling his facial expression.
"Sorry, what I mean is that it may only be information passed from Head to Head. But as far as I am aware, there is no 'Queen' or leader for the individual Soldier squadrons."
Nodding her head to this, and politely ignoring the accidental jibe he threw in, as it was clearly muscle memory for him. Delphina proceeded to dig into the breakfast Jenkins had laid out before her.
"Brother, what's the point in having the Knightage then or the Hunters if we already use automatons for… Military means?"
"Don't you think it would be significantly less traumatic for the Hunters if we used automata instead?"
Tapping his finger on the tea-cup's rim, Pietro took some time before responding to her question.
"I don't know how true it is, but I heard some rumours that de Rios tried to replicate what our Family does. About 150 years ago, they formed a group without a lead Hunter…"
"It was supposedly covered up, but a squadron of automaton Soldiers slaughtered a whole town unprovoked."
Delphina inhaled sharply at this revelation. There were too many possible causes for that situation occurring, all of which were not good.
"There's no evidence, of course. But there was a Town that was recorded to have disappeared around the same time. It was due to a new Gate appearing, but who's to say that wasn't just a convenient excuse?"
Shaking his head as he said this, Pietro finally moved to eat his own breakfast.
Looking down at her plate, Delphina decided to look into this later with No.69, if her own research didn't turn up anything- no doubt the system would be able to provide better information.
"Our Information Network would know more. There must be some truth to it, if automata have still not been implemented even now… It's something I can look into in my spare time, I suppose."
"Jenkins, can you remind me about that at some point this week, if I forget? I'm going to have a lot going on for the next few months."
Of course, my Lady.
Smiling at him, Delphina finally focused on actually finishing her rather delicious breakfast. She could see there were macarons hidden away on the tray, and she was determined to see if they tasted as good as they looked.
However, her line of sight was very quickly blocked by a formally assumed to be brass, but clearly had to be, in fact, bronze, metal panel.
With his hands behind his back, Jenkins was blocking her view of the macarons with one of his… Thighs?
Looking up at him with utter betrayal and shock at this cheeky behaviour, she snorted and turned away poutingly.
This series of actions elicited a throaty chuckle from Pietro, who had watched the whole childish skit go down.
"The fucking audacity of these two. I can't believe my own, personal, butler actually listened to Pietro."
Pointing her fork at him, Delphina couldn't help but retort in this situation.
"Just hurry up and eat, will you? I want to get to the Knightage before lunch rolls around."
"And Jenkins, don't think I won't make you carry those macarons around all day if you don't let me have some before we go!"
I am terrified, my Lady. I apologise.
Terrified? Somehow, Delphina thoroughly disbelieved it. If anything, Jenkins was incredibly amused at the situation.
Wait... Why had she glossed over this? Jenkins was oddly emotive for an automaton.
His behaviour was so natural that she had simply accepted it, though the other automatons didn't behave this way- the odd things she had noticed earlier now began to stand out more.
Could this be related to him being a Soldier? She would have to see later.
Whilst lost in her thoughts, Pietro had finished up his own breakfast and moved to plate up a variety of sweet treats for her (macarons included, of course).
The light clinking of the tableware being set down in front of her pulling her out of her reverie.
Giving him an equally sweet smile in response, Delphina proceeded to glare at Jenkins as she politely nibbled on the confectionery, quickly finishing the delicious breakfast treats and polishing off the dregs of her tea.
She felt completely satiated, ready for the day ahead.
Brushing her lap off for any crumbs, Delphina stood up and stretched leisurely. Despite shaking his head at her, Pietro still followed her lead.
"Ready to go, sister?"
"I thought you'd never ask. I do have to say that breakfast was quite pleasant, brother."
Reaching towards her in escort, Pietro seemed amused at her statement.
"Glad to hear it?"
Chuckling to each other, they moved back towards the elevator bay. They weren't in any rush, having just eaten, and Delphina wasn't going to pick bones with Pietro now.
She would have to see how his behaviour was going forward.
"I do have to warn you, I had to inform the Knights you would be coming down today to observe. So all of the different groups will be present. Including some of the Hunters."
"Hmm?"
"I get that you had to give them a heads up, but won't some of the Burgesses Knights be there?"
Stepping into the elevator, the three of them headed back down. Pietro's brow furrowing almost quizzically, as he was clearly deep in thought.
She was happy to give him the time and space he needed to reply; not everyone was a snappy thinker, especially after eating and relaxing.
Though by the time they had reached back outside of the Orangery, Delphina was simply confused as to what he was thinking about with such intense concentration.
Rolling her eyes quite openly, she turned to Jenkins, gesturing for her sword.
"My brother can lead me to the Knightage Jenkins. Will you meet me back at the Castle's exit we came from earlier?"
I will be coming with you, my Lady, if you are to meet the Soldiers.
Laughing heartily, Delphina played off her fake faux pas as a way to get Pietro communicating again.
"Look at me, brother, I'd already forgot we'd be meeting the Soldiers today too."
"Ah? Oh yes… Sister, the Burgess Knights aren't supposed to be here today. But just in case they have turned up, would you like to see the different Soldier and Hunter divisions first?"
Tilting her head at him, Delphina once again marvelled at Pietro's strategic skills.
"Were you planning out an itinerary for today?"
Nodding to her question, Pietro briefly explained that the different groups were trained in other areas of the Knightage. And so they could go to a different location first, rather than just visiting the Knights immediately.
A quiet smile flittered across Delphina's face; she truly hoped the Burgesses' Knights would be there. After all…
[Quest: 'Did They Bring Me Daughters' (v2) involves fighting 100 worthy knights…]