THE DINNER WAS held at the same palace they had been received. The table had already been sent. A close dinner. She counted thirteen seats from the window, though she didn't look in that direction. The other Kuroki girls were already there, waiting for Ruge to arrive. None of them could sit until he and Lady Kuroki did, being the highest ranking and oldest people present at this gathering.

Saian manners. Ridiculously complex.

Laurence lingered beside her. "Security is more lax than I thought it would be."

Of course that's what he's noticing. He should have been born a thief.

"I hope you are not planning to do something utterly foolish," she hissed back, tugging at her shawl. "I'd hate to have to deliver your corpse back to Arecia."

"Won't be necessary," he retorted. "I'll handle the arrangements myself."

She blinked, taken aback. "For your funeral."

"For my funeral."

She turned away from her, shaking her head. "You're mad."

"So I've been told," he replied, sounding entirely too pleased with himself. She shook her head once more.

Io skipped towards them, a wry smirk on her lips. "How are you two?"

Ciri lifted a brow. "I feel as if you approach us with nefarious intentions. Not the most reassuring. You're very crafty, has anyone told you that?"

"I shall take that as a compliment." Io pretended to tip a hat at her. "But I don't. Have nefarious intentions, anyways. I am very crafty. Rather proud of it. It's a genuine question."

Laurence shrugged. "It's been decent."

Io studied him with an arched eyebrow. "If you were living under my roof and your only response to my hospitality was that it was decent, I'd put poison in your tooth powder."

"What a good thing you're not mistress of this palace and are unlikely to ever be, then," Ciri shot, grinning. Io possessed a dry wit and good humour she appreciated. "If not... we'd have a lot more murder cases on our hands."

"I'll keep the Iron Wolves very busy," she deadpanned. "Just wait and see."

Laurence chuckled. "I'm sure you will. Though perhaps you'd prefer putting the Meliqueans into a frenzy instead of your own?"

Io didn't show her surprise. "Has it been decided?"

"No," Laurence admitted. "But it's likely. Prince Stephen is pushing it. It seems to be the first war of a new generation of world leaders."

Io tilted her head, obviously wondering if she should tell them whatever information had popped into her head. Finally, she muttered, voice softer than before, "They're considering a marriage alliance."

Ciri stared. "Between Prince Stephen?"

"And Irina," Io finished, looking at Laurence for his opinion.

Laurence hummed. "It's a smart and clever match. They're nearly the same age. It'll solve a lot of issues, a Saian queen on an Arecian throne. What does your government think about this? And how did you of all people come across this intriguing little tidbit of information?"

Io grimaced. "I may have eavesdropped. I'm very good at it. Irina isn't fond of the idea, muttering something about not being a cow for them to barter off, but even she begrudgingly admitted the advantages of that match. It won't happen soon, I think."

"A last case scenario," Ciri agreed. "It won't happen unless the war actually starts. Both Prince Stephen and Princess Irina's hand in marriage are too precious to give off easily. But we shouldn't gossip. The walls have ears." She wasn't necessarily scared this news would leak. Even if it did, there was no damage done. She was more worried their conversation would reach Irina's ears, and the princess would chase them down to the end of the world. Not very fond of the idea of matrimony, their Princess Longyu. Ciri couldn't possibly understand why.

"It's not gossiping," Io deadpanned. "It's having a useful and intriguing conversation about the future of two countries. Don't you people always encourage these?"

"When it's based on what a twelve year old overheard during what's meant to be a private dinner, I'm rather certain it's gossiping." Laurence was barely holding down laughter. Ciri found a surreptitious smile flittering onto her face as well as she regarded the younger girl, who looked thoroughly disgruntled and extremely annoyed.

But they teased, of course. Io was skilled. If she had heard that, it would have been said. She wasn't all that surprised that Io had been able to eavesdrop either. A skilled field agent might be able to catch her in the act, but even the spymasters of the Royal Court mostly worked behind the scenes.

"I wonder who else would be present for tonight's dinner?" Ciri asked, meeting Io's eyes. She'd be the most well-informed of all of them.

"Lord Hua is coming. I think Lady Brilliana Feng is going to be the final guest." Brilliana Feng, Brilliana Feng... That would be the daughter of the Duke of Bo Yan. She had met the lady once or twice. They weren't close, but she seemed fairly intelligent. Another member of Irina's Circle of Herons, maybe.

"I haven't met her before," Laurence said. "I haven't actually spoken to Lord Hua either."

"No," Ciri said dryly. "You just watched him from a window. Extremely ill-bred."

Io frowned. "I watch people from windows all the time."

"You're a child. You could be forgiven." Ciri waved her hand in the air. "He, on the other hand, is a fully grown man with a brain. Two very different situations, my dear."

"He didn't see me," Laurence pointed out.

"And you know this because?" Ciri's voice was sickeningly sweet.

"Unless your precious Lord Hua is another... operative of Sai, he wouldn't exactly be noticing me in the shadows of a room." Laurence shrugged. "I have that much confidence in my skill."

"Arrogance kills," Io muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Ciri huffed. "No, I'm afraid not. He's involved in politics and occasionally plays diplomat, but he's rather dreadful at it."

"Just a fashionable dandy, then?"

"God knows what Rhys of all people saw in him."

"I don't think there's emotion involved," Io interjected. "Just sex. He's handsome."

Ciri whispered, "You really should not talk about these things in public, Io."

"It's what people expect of me." The official story was that Io was a distant cousin of Asteria's, who the Duke decided to fund the education of, but her story was vague enough that people often made assumptions. Assumptions that were occasionally correct.

Ciri's expression turned stern. "Don't say things like that."

Io raised a brow, challenging her. "What? It's true."

Laurence muttered, "I feel rather lost."

"Wo de ma ya, you three look like you're about to spit nails," came Asteria's voice. Ciri glanced up, plastering a smile on her face. Danna was left entertaining Lady Kuroki, not looking very pleased about it. "What's the disagreement of today?"

Io let out a harrumph and turned away. Asteria turned to Ciri and Laurence for answers. Ciri scowled, "She's saying those things again."

Asteria's face clouded. "The Yin chits. Has to be them. They were trying to torment her earlier. Io looked like she was about to punch all three of them in the face."

Laurence, clearly sensing that this was a private conversation, excused himself. Ciri said, "She can't continue on like this."

"There's not much we can do. The world's bigoted, Diao."

"Can the Prince and Princess show some public sign of favour for her? I know she's— she's a child, Asteria. No matter how precocious and mature. Deep down there it's an insecure kid."

Asteria shut her eyes. Sucked in a breath. Then a second. Containing the rage. The White Fox suppressing her emotions, the way she had been taught to before she had learnt to speak. "I'll discuss it with them."

Ciri glanced at Io, not being obvious about it. Laurence now stood with her in another corner of the garden, quietly murmuring something to her. Io's expression was dark, but less severe than before. Laurence was smart. He'd have pieced together at least the important bits of the story by now. He'd have realised that Io was. He wouldn't care.

"Quite a pair, aren't they?" Asteria asked, tilting her head, not looking over either.

Ciri's mouth curled into a wry grin. "Same humour. Same colouring. If they were the same race, they could be siblings."

"He's here to assess us. To see if Sai is worth fighting besides in the war." Ciri didn't need to ask questions, she understood immediately.

"He has his answer."

Asteria nodded. "His mind is already made up. He'd seen Rhys and Dom. Seen us plotting and scheming. We'll be discussing politics later, the state of our military, finances, things like that. William and Brilliana are both involved. It's a show for him."

"A ruse. He'll see through it."

"A predetermined topic. Genuine conversations, with actual facts. We don't lie with lies." That was one of the earliest lessons. The best lies were slightly altered truths.

"He'll still see through it."

"Then we'll see how he reacts, won't we?" Asteria asked peevishly, beaming. "Where is everyone anyways?"

Right on time, the doors swung open. Rhys and Dominic stepped in, deep in conversation about something. Rhys' face was stony, Dominic's exasperated. An argument, then. The two worked seamlessly as partners, but they were also at each other's throat more often than not. Asteria turned, raising a brow. "What do you think they're discussing?"

"I'm trying to... that was Rhys announcing that Dominic is an idiot. Everything else is going too fast for me to read."

Asteria snorted. "Most elite cadre of warriors in the country and they act like toddlers half the time."

Rhys' gaze snapped to them. "I heard that, Lady Asteria."

"I knew that, you were meant to," Asteria retorted, before turning back to Ciri, who was grinning. Children, Asteria mouthed.

Danna finally reached the end of her rope and led Lady Kuroki towards them. Ciri offered an encouraging smile, which Danna faintly returned. Dominic joined them while Rhys sauntered to a corner of the courtyard, tapping her fingers on the stone statue there.

Io came over, tailed by Laurence, much calmer than before. Whatever Laurence had been muttering to her, it worked. Ciri wasn't surprised.

Rhys suddenly looked up, her head turned towards the door. Ciri followed her gaze. Hua Lin entered with his maid a moment later. They all offered quick curtsies and greetings, which he returned. Dominic was glancing between the two and frowning. Rhys didn't even bother looking at anyone, seemingly lost in her own little world. Ciri knew better than to believe that.

"Lord Archsham," Ciri began, stepping besides Laurence, "may I present Lord Hua? We are technically neighbours, after all."

William swept into a bow, grinning. "I must have missed you earlier. Pleasure to meet you, my lord."

Laurence returned the gesture. "Pleasure to meet you as well."

Ciri took a step back so that the two could have some privacy to converse alone. Asteria was studying them with a critical eye. Ciri followed her guide, watching the two. Normally, William was the handsomest in the room. He was charming, possessed a modicum of intelligence, and funny. But standing next to Laurence, he suddenly paled in comparison.

The two men seemed similar on paper, but put next to each other... William suddenly seemed like a young boy trying to mimic his superiors. Laurence seemed a thousand times more assured, more powerful, more aware of his place in the world.

Ciri tilted her head. That was a curious observation. She turned away, looping her arm with Asteria's, who jolted out of whatever she was thinking about and led her towards Rhys.

As the three started a conversation, they finally heard the sound of loud footsteps. Rhys let out a huff. "Their Highnesses are finally here. They're not usually this late."

They all knew why, of course. Laurence.

Ciri shrugged. "Better late than never. Where is Lady Feng?"

Rhys shrugged. Asteria said, "Probably arriving with them." Ciri paused and listened more carefully. Sure enough, she could make out a third voice among the mix of chatters. Why hadn't she noticed that?

When Irina and Ryan entered, followed by Brilliana Feng, a short, curvaceous woman with a kind smile, everyone in the courtyard turned and curtsied. "Stand," Ryan announced. "Come, let us eat. Our apologies for being so late."

The dining room was lavishly decorated in shades of dark green. Forest-themed, Ciri decided as they stood behind their seats. Ryan sat first, then Lady Kuroki, then Irina. The rest of them followed. Ciri sat beside Lady Myrina, quiet as always. She smiled at the countess, who uncertainly returned the expression before quickly turning away. On her other side was Danna.

The first course was served quickly. A roasted pig. A maid quickly offered each guest a portion.

"How has your stay been so far, Lord Archsham?" Irina asked between bites. She spoke Saian tonight.

"Most pleasant, Your Highness," Laurence replied, tone polite and respectful. "I thank the emperor for his hospitality."

"My father would be pleased to hear that." Ruge sent him a winning smile. "Lady Brilliana, you must be very tired."

The lady tilted her head. "I'm made of sterner stuff than that, Your Highness."

Ruge's lips twisted into a grin. "Of course. Forgive me for thinking otherwise, my lady."

"Where were you, Lady Brilliana?" William asked, shifting slightly in his seat. He was wedged between Rhys and Dominic. Not the most comfortable place to be.

Her dark brown eyes turned to him. "Novokuluga, my lord. It was a most rewarding trip."

"Successful?"

So it begins. Ciri wanted to smile. Sai had been negotiating with Novokuluga for months. The two countries had never gotten along quite well, and Novokuluga was currently much weakened after a bloody civil war that had split the country into two, but it was still a powerhouse who they wanted on their side. Brilliana must have been sent to negotiate details.

"I am now engaged to His Serenity the Count Vorontzov."

Irina leaned back in his chair, not bothering to hide the satisfaction on her face. "My congratulations, Lady Brilliana. When does the wedding take place? Laurence was listening with veiled interest, seemingly busying himself with his food.

"It will be a long engagement." A merry laugh. Brilliana seemed pleased with this match as well. Ciri tried to remember Count Vorontzov. The old one had died very recently, and the new one was very involved in politics in the Imperial Novokulugan court. The royal one, not the one that had broken away. The son... she vaguely remembered an icy exterior but extreme intelligence. She'd done her best to stay away from him during her short visits to Novokuluga. "The wedding will take place in six months, Your Highness."

"We will give you a wedding gift when that happens." Irina reached out for her goblet and took a sip. "Is there anything in particular you'd like?"

"Anything you pick would work perfectly."

"How fares Arecia, Lord Archsham?" Irina asked, turning to Laurence, face politely interested.

"Prince Stephen recently had his nineteenth birthday," he replied smoothly. "I attended, of course, and it was an enjoyable birthday bash. He is healthy and well. King John has recovered from his sickness and is perfectly well, though he prefers quieter company these days."

An excellent way of answering without actually telling them anything. It was all public information he just revealed. Irina hummed her acknowledgement and called for the next course. Shrimps. This wasn't a comfortable dinner. This was a subtle game of chess. Twelve against one, but Laurence still stood his own. It was remarkable. He was remarkable.

But Ciri swallowed her admiration and continued to eat. Everyone here hadn't expected her to chime in much. Among them, Ciri was an outsider as well. She was still until recently an exile, and hence technically not privy to the intricacy of the inner Saian court. She observed, quietly, like any good spy would, letting nature run its course.

"I hear Mr Cadieux is engaged." Irina placed down her chopsticks, smiling pleasantly, though it still looked like the grin of a shark. Their princess wasn't good at acting meek or submissive, or even passive. A politician through and through. Ryan was the one who made people lower their guards, comfortable as they laughed and talked. Irina did the dirty work. "Do offer him my congratulations the next time you see him, please? I have not met Lady Janae, but I have heard many wonderful things about her."

"She is most charitable. I will pass on your regards." Laurence had to see where this conversation was going. They were already touching on the Arecian Secret Service.

Ciri raised her head to see everyone's expressions. William seemed vaguely confused. Lady Brilliana's expression was undecipherable as she ate her food. Dominic had a slight frown on his lips while Rhys' face was deceptively placid. There were many internal calculations going on in that girl's eyes. Io played the naive child, smiling as if she was completely unaware of what was happening under the tables. Asteria had a brow raised while Danna looked down at her plate.

Lady Kuroki looked bored. Ciri wasn't sure what to make of that.

Asteria asked, suddenly, "Where's Colonel Lan?"

Justine Lan. One of Princess Irina's closest friends and strongest supporters, a colonel in the army at the age of eighteen. At the rate the girl was going, she'd be a general by twenty. Ciri hadn't realised she wasn't missing until Asteria mentioned her.

Ruge answered, "We sent her to Yue Qin to oversee our army camp there." Damn. That was planned too, to let Laurence know that they were already preparing their military. Ciri was almost impressed. When had they planned all this? In the hours before dinner? Or were they all dancing to separate songs that merged together as one beautiful symphony?

"Pity," William murmured. "Colonel Lan's presence is most invigorating."

Rhys looked as if she was choking back a laugh. Justine was many things. An invigorating presence was not one of them. She treated life like a war, and stood as straight as a polished blade. William frowned at the stifled laughter, glancing sideways at the Iron Wolf in confusion. Around the table, people were smiling. Ciri allowed herself a small one as well.

Ruge took pity on the lord and said, "She will be back soon. You could tell her yourself when she returns." No one pointed out that she was more likely to knee him in the groin. The streets were in Justine's blood. There was no taking that out of her.

William did not seem to realise the irony in the words, and smiled. Somehow, this amused Rhys even more. Well, Io was right about one thing. No feelings there.

"That reminds me." Brilliana frowned. "I haven't congratulated Qi Zhiyi on his promotion to lieutenant general yet. I must do it tomorrow."

Ciri lifted a brow. "Mr Qi got a promotion?"

Ruge placed down his goblet. "It was very recent. Not surprised you haven't heard of it, since you've been out-of-commission for a bit."

William looked curious. "Oh yeah, what was that about, Miss Diao?" He asked, wrapping his fingers around his chopsticks to pick up the last shrimp on his plate. "I've heard various different versions of stories..."

Ciri said dryly, "I assure you most of them were probably wrong. I was simply mildly injured, that's all. An accident. My sister took me to recuperate in Arecia." William wasn't involved in anything further than the skin-level aspect of their work, and she doubted Brilliana was either. Here, she'd be using her cover story.

"You look perfectly alright now."

Ciri huffed. "You know what relatives are like. Making small problems big."

William looked slightly uncomfortable, and that was when Ciri remembered the state of his relationship with his father. She debated a few options and chose to give a slight chuckle, casting a pleading look at Asteria, who instantly picked up. "A very Saian thing, I think. But let us not discuss such unfortunate matters at dinner. Something ji xiang is much more suitable, yes?" Wily fox, their Asteria. William was renowned for his hatred of superstition. She had basically just ensured the lordling going on a rant about the idiocy of superstition. That was when Ciri recalled Myrina's presence. Myrina, who was known for her piousness and devotion to the goddess to whom she almost became priestess to, Hongyun. Sai's patron goddess, the lady of war.

Immensely awkward, this dinner was quickly becoming.

William opened his mouth as expected, but stole a glance at Myrina's sudden stony composure and shut his mouth.

Or not. They weren't all fools, after all.

Myrina's gaze flickered back down to her plate as she finished her shrimps. Irina called for the third course. Scallops. Ciri directed her attention to her food eagerly. This dinner was starting to get just a little bit too tense for her liking. She wasn't worried, of course, that anything might happen. But she'd rather not deal with them all annoyed later tonight, when a meeting would no doubt be called for the Circle of Herons. Perhaps the Circle of Cranes too.

That course was conducted in silence. No one said much except a few murmurs. They finished it quickly, and this time Ryan asked for the next course to be served. Vegetables, served in a big pot. It smelt divine. This, she had missed dearly. It never tasted the same anywhere else.

At the end of the table, Io was whispering something to Asteria, causing her to smile. Princess Irina spoke to Lady Kuroki, and there were lots of eyebrows involved. Danna joined in on Io and Asteria's conversation. Ciri turned her head to Myrina. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Lady Mai?"

Myrina seemed startled, blinking as she fidgeted in her seat. "Yes, Miss Diao. It's been almost a year."

"What have you been up to recently?"

"I serve my princess, and my goddess."

Myrina was another one of those girls who hid everything she wanted to say deep inside her. She rarely spoke at all, in fact. People often thought her dull. Ciri thought there was something more to her, something that made Princess Irina keep her close, but she'd never quite figured out what it was. Someday, perhaps, but right now if she prodded too much Myrina would shut herself off, and Ciri needed her conversation. It would be far too uncomfortable otherwise, so she stuffed down her curiosity and said, "Of course."

Myrina managed a weak smile as she turned back to her dish, rubbing her arm. Someday, she might finally grow a spine and some confidence, but today was not that day.

Ciri continued on. "Has court been eventful in the past while? You understand— I wasn't able to gain any information while I was abroad."

"Not much has happened of any importance."

Ciri laughed. "That is quite rare at the Court of Bones, is it not?"

"The goddess finally blessed us with a bit of quiet." Myrina bowed her head. She'd always been taciturn, so Ciri took no offence at her few words.

"It feels rather unnatural, if I must admit. I'm used to being swarmed with information about everything that has occurred recently. This quiet is very odd."

"It is a welcomed change." There was a hint of wistfulness in her voice. Myrina had almost become a priestess, and would have if her older brother had not died early, making her the heir. There was quite a racket, as her uncles demanded to be given the earldom instead of her. Irina had intervened, despite Myrina's reluctance to step up for the position. If she was not heir, she'd be in the mountains, living life quietly.

"A bit of breathing space," Ciri agreed with a nod. "Or perhaps the calm before the storm."

"The latter seems more probable." Myrina stabbed her fork into the broccoli, being careful about it. She'd have made a great spy, if she wanted that kind of life. "There are many underground schemes and plots running havok."

"How will Hua Jueying be judged?"

"Guilty, of course." Myrina was opening up a bit. Everyone may see her as a weakling, but Ciri saw a girl who had access to the most well-kept secrets of the Saian court. "They are considering execution or a lifetime of imprisonment."

"Both seem fair."

"You do not seek vengeance?"

Ciri shook her head. "Whatever punishment the court dishes out is vengeance enough."

There was the trace of a smile on Myrina's pale face. "A wise choice, Miss Diao."

"I pride myself on it."

She made a sound that Ciri wasn't sure what to make of, which was probably her point. She waited a moment before saying, "Gui Yan Gong, at the first hour."

To anyone else, the words might make no sense, but Ciri comprehended them immediately. Tilting her head, she said, "I'll be there." There would be no comfortable sleep tonight. Meetings with the Circle of Herons could take anywhere from mere minutes to hours, but it was a sacrifice she'd have to make. The last proper meeting had been... six months ago, during her last visit to the Palace. She had been stashed inside Lady Kuroki's house.

Myrina replied with a quick nod, turning back to her food, all her words for tonight seemingly used up. Ciri knew there was no point prodding anymore, and turned back to her own as well, mind spinning, trying to keep everything she had learnt in the past few hours in check. It was difficult, but she managed.