I go through my hair for the third time and take a long breath before opening the carriage's door. I was greeted with the view of a magnificent palace, the size was 1/4th of the guild's main building which is rather small but SilverTusks are not known for their architecture but for something else.
Infront of It's tall sliver gate stood Tarma and Alexia, their had entangled with eachother.
I turned a blind eye to them and stepped on the solid silver road, just beside Jerald. He talked without batting an eye at me. "Master has lot of expectations from you. Do you possess the ability to fulfil them?"
The silver gate opens and a young butler step forward. "Sir Tarma. Please follow me."
The fake couple enters the palace, leaving us attendees at the gate. Annoyed that I didn't answer him, Jerald turns to look at me but I was long gone.
A whisper echoes in his ears. "Let me worry about that."
A soft gust wind of wind sways the beautiful flower bed which unsurprisingly consists only grey coloured flowers. In the open corridor connected directly to the main garden, Tarma is busy talking with the butler to gather more information.
Meanwhile, Alexia is just staring at the spacious garden, especially the flower bed. From afar, I chuckled while observing her. 'This girl.'
Suddenly, Tarma pulls her away to the main hallway. I tap my pocket and Dora peeks out. 'Ready?'
'Yes.' I gently pick her and throw her like a softball, high in the air. After gaining enough altitude, the mouse spreads her body like a sugar glider and sways towards the palace.
'I guess feeding you so much finally paid off.'
'Are you implying that I am fat?'
I remain silent while Dora sulks. She gracefully enters through a window, only to land on a golden chandelier. 'Can you see boss?'
After a long time, I finally release mana to my pupils. It immediately starts to burn due to bright lights in my surroundings, I close my eyes and touch Dora's sludge like soul in my mind. 'Find her.'
The mouse scans the area, a long purple carpet leading forward, tall pillars on each side of the large hallway. Dodging countless eyes of servants and patrolling knights, Dora moves forward, jumping from one pillar to another. At the end of hallway, she enters a large dinning room.
It was decorated with only expensive silver ornaments, large indoor metallic mana trees and a giant painting of a knight on the wall. Dora spots Alexia sitting adjacent of Tarma at the silver circular table.
The table was actually sitting on an elevated platform which was covered in beautiful silver artistry. This made any normal person's experience of dinner uncomfortable as to be able to sit on the table, one had to step on the beautiful platform first.
Dora glides to the mana trees in the corner and lands on it's thin branches. To my surprise, Dora changes her fur's colour and camouflage with the metal leaves. 'You can change colours?'
The mouse adjusts her body on the tree to appear natural. 'Of course, I can. I am a witch… Wait, you can see me?'
Few hundred away from the dining room, I secretly spy on them while hiding behind a bush in the garden. 'Look, they are talking.'
Dora looks ahead, Tarma sinisterly traced his hand around the table. "Excellent craftmanship." His eyes piercing Alexia made feel her obliged to answer him to her words.
"Yes, the table is quite lavish… brother."
At first, Tarma giggles at her words. He glances at his perfectly trimmed nails. "It is. Be grateful that someone of your birth manged to secure an opportunity to even touch it."
Alexia just stares at him, her face was expressionless. As if she was used to such words. "Ugh, I don't know what that dog Altaris was even consuming when he decided to drag you here."
Alexia tightly closes her hands.
"And remember! I am. Not. Your. Brother. Don't ever mention this in front of the former head. Your job is to sit quietly and look good. Do that and everyone will be happy."
"I-I am not-"
BANG! The butler hurriedly walks in the room and spreads the purple carpet. Two knights covered in exquisite silver armour with long decorative spears march forward. "Former member of SilverTusks Family and Former head of Silverblade family, Sir Marlye Jane Silverblade are now arriving."
An old nobleman dress in all grey clothes is escorted in the dinning room. The knights stand at each side of dinning table only to salute the former head. "Fucking showoff." Tarma sneers in a low voice.
Marlye ignores the main guest and grabs Alexia's hands to kiss it. Tarma noticed that Alexia was startled by the nobleman's sudden gesture. "Sir Jane! It is honour to be able witness your presence. I heard about glorious stories on the battlefield."
Maryln spares a glance for Tarma, still holding Alexia's hand. "Leina's grandson I presume?"
Tarma grins widely at the nobleman's words.
"I only accepted your request of dinner because I had nothing better to do. But leave that matter. Who is this charming lady with you?"
"Ah! She is-"
"Fiancée?" Maryln's eyes passively glared at Tarma, silently telling him to watch his next words. A trail of sweat slid down Tarma's cheek as he still grinned. 'This old fart.'
Suddenly, Alexia retracts her hand. "I am his sister."
"Oho?" Maryln looks at Tarma for confirmation. But the boy didn't confirm nor deny. The nobleman stroked his goatee while he talked. "I don't remember Leina having multiple grandchildren."
"She i-is my adoptive sister."
Maryln sparked with disgust for second but it disappeared the second his eyes landed Alexia's generous bosom.
'Wait… could he knew about this?'
"Hahaha! I knew that solider was not fit for my half sister's hand but to think he further stained SilverTusk's name by adding such low lives."
Tarma slightly bows. "Well, my father was rather soft hearted and short sighted."
"Those kinds get sliced up first. Be thankful for your grandma kid."
"Yes, sir."
Maryln gracefully took his designated seat and clapped his hands. Few maids rushed in with large carts filled with all kind of foods. "Welcome to the Silverblade's Mercury palace. Though this is like holiday place and nothing like the main palace back in the capital. As a former head, I cannot spare no efforts in pleasantries. Therefore, enjoy while you are here."
In matter of seconds, the table is packed with otherworldly meals. A maid came and tied napkin on Marlyn's neck. He picks up the spoon and takes a bite of large cake. "Delicious as always."
Only after Marlyn finished his first bite, Tarma and Alexia began eating. Even though the food looked perfect and tasted even better than expected, Alexia's face showed no happiness. With the short period of time I spent with her and the kids made me notice that she smiled with each bite, she genuinely enjoyed each bite but now there was none of that.
'She looks miserable.' Dora whispered in my mind.